From shoes that’ll lengthen your legs, to underwear that banishes bingo wings: Fifty nifty tricks to instant glamour

• e-mail

Want to make your outfit look brand new with hardly any effort or expenditure? A top stylist says the easiest way is to pick the right accessories and wear them with a clever twist. Here, fashion blogger Catherine Summers shares her 50 invaluable tips... 

1 Do-It-Yourself dress

My answer to that ‘I’ve got nothing to wear’ panic? Turn a top and skirt into a dress. As long as the colours match, all you need to do is tuck the top in and add a belt covering the join to give the illusion that you’re wearing a dress. Then add a chunky necklace as a finishing touch.

2 Tie for the midas touch

A long, metallic skinny scarf will really lift a plain white shirt. Tie it once around your neck and let the two ends fall to the front. Mini Velvet has a great one in gold or silver knit (£35, minivelvet.co.uk).

Actress Dame Helen Mirren, above, 71, at the 'Collateral Beauty' film premiere

3 Shoes with lift

Choose a flatform shoe; the extra cushioning across the sole will give extra height, plus they’re super comfortable to walk in. Italian brand Superga has simple chic styles which are most versatile.

4 Belt to liven a plain dress

A jewel-encrusted belt will liven up a plain jersey dress and define your waist. Add a coordinating clutch and you’re fit for a wedding. Keep shoes in a neutral tone.

5 Cover up

Wear a short dress or tunic over cropped trousers if you’re not confident about showing off your legs. Adding a contrasting skinny belt will keep you looking in proportion because it breaks up your silhouette into flattering thirds.

6 Complexion perfection

A milky white scarf will lift your complexion by reflecting light on to the face and works well with any colour coat.

Give a nod to the floral trend which swept the catwalks this season with a neat little handbag such as this one from Marks and Spencer (£27.50, marksandspencer.com).

7 Flower power

Give a nod to the floral trend which swept the catwalks this season with a neat little handbag such as this one from Marks and Spencer (£27.50, marksandspencer.com).

8 Technicolour coats

Don’t be afraid to try new colours when it comes to coats and jackets. Taupe, soft grey or peach are particularly flattering if you have silver hair and work beautifully with navy, black and dark denim.

9 Get booted

Knee-high boots make any legs look longer — go for classic black or tan with a medium heel. You’ll look more streamlined if you avoid a gap between the top of the boot and the bottom of the skirt so wear with culottes or a longer midi skirt.

10 Try a hat

So many people say they’re ‘not a hat person’ and refuse to even try one. But they’re a godsend if you’re having a bad hair day. You can’t go wrong with a black or camel felt fedora — match the colour to at least one other item, such as your bag or belt, or tone it with your jumper.

Ankle boots with a low block heel are one of the most wearable — and comfortable — trends right now. Go for Topshop’s Marbles patent elastic boot in black (£82, topshop.com) or Gilmour & Gray’s Chelsea boot, with a pop of bright pink elastic at the sides (£179, gilmourand gray.co.uk)

11 Matchy matchy

Double denim is a difficult look to pull off but matching colours works when it’s shoes and belt — or bag and belt, as championed by Theresa May.

12 Customise a necklace

Pin a sparkly brooch on to a plain pearl necklace to add interest — be careful with any family heirlooms, it’s best to save this for imitation pearls. Try Debenhams for something colourful and sparkly (£10, debenhams.com).

13 Glamour makeover

Dress up a plain T-shirt with a bold statement necklace in a contrasting colour. Adding shoes that coordinate with the jewellery looks really elegant.

14 Make a hairband

A pearl choker is just about the right length to wear as a pretty hairband. Drape it gently over your head, then carefully add a kirby grip to each end to pin it into your hair.

15 Cheat’s poncho

Take an oversized scarf or wrap and drape it around your shoulders. Let it fall in front and put a belt around it at waist height. This is a great casual look with jeans for the weekend, or it can be adapted with a long silk scarf worn around the neck and belted over your suit jacket for the office.

Whether it’s a coat, scarf or jumper, a soft pink looks amazing with silver hair and it’s a softer colour for a blouse instead of stark white. Helen Moore’s faux fur collar is ideal for adding to any outfit (£42, helenmoore.com).

16 A chip off the old block

Ankle boots with a low block heel are one of the most wearable — and comfortable — trends right now. Go for Topshop’s Marbles patent elastic boot in black (£82, topshop.com) or Gilmour & Gray’s Chelsea boot, with a pop of bright pink elastic at the sides (£179, gilmourand gray.co.uk).

17 Blush pink is your friend

Whether it’s a coat, scarf or jumper, a soft pink looks amazing with silver hair and it’s a softer colour for a blouse instead of stark white. Helen Moore’s faux fur collar is ideal for adding to any outfit (£42, helenmoore.com).

18 Go for nude heels

They’re Kate Middleton’s fallback for good reason. Nude heels elongate the legs and go with any outfit. If you can’t cope with a stiletto heel, invest in a nude wedge with a low-cut front (try Dorothy Perkins). Or Russell & Bromley has the perfect Pinpoint court shoe in nude with a medium heel (£165, russellandbromley.co.uk).

19 Bags of colour

If you invest in a designer bag, consider a bright colour such as pillar box red or sky blue. It will be more versatile than you think and make more of a statement than black. Red and blue work well with neutrals such as black, camel, grey and navy and give an elegant finish.

20 Canny shopping

Don’t avoid certain shops or catalogues just because you think you might be too old. No one’s too old for any shop. And if you still don’t like the clothes, check out the accessories.

21 Update a shirt

Make your focus your sleeves this season. From ties at the cuff to big bell shapes, they’re perfect for drawing attention away from upper arms and giving a basic white shirt a glamorous finish.

22 Faux fur fashionista

Helen Mirren (pictured) stole the show at a recent premiere by wearing a striking blue fur coat with an embellished dress. Faux fur adds a touch of luxury to any outfit — try a faux fur collar with a cashmere jumper or a faux fur scarf over your winter coat.

Look stylish, even on a walk, with a smart backpack like this electric blue one from Jigsaw (£179, jigsaw-online.com). For city trips, look for a classic black with feminine frill from Zara (£49.99, zara.com) which will store everything you need to be a stylish girl about town.

23 Get your underwear right

Don’t neglect what you wear under your clothes. A well-fitting bra can make all the difference to your outfit and give you a huge confidence boost. Go down a back size and up a cup size for a better fit.

24 Be a little bit wild

Think of leopard print as a hard-working neutral when it comes to accessories. Top to toe animal print is not a good look but a leopard print flat with black trousers or an animal print scarf with a white shirt and trousers looks really sophisticated and fun.

25 Statement earrings

Don’t restrict yourself to wearing small studs. Gold or silver drop earrings in geometric shapes suit short hair and show off a beautiful neck. Have a look at some of the affordable new styles at Accessorize. If you have mid-length or long hair, chandelier earrings look great peeking out when hair is worn loose.

26 Be satchel smart

A cross-body bag in a contrasting colour to your outerwear (a bright bag with a dark coat) adds interest (and keeps your valuables more secure). Boden has the best around this season (boden.co.uk).

27 Transitional shoe

With spring not too far away, a slingback shoe with a block heel is the choice for those days when it’s too warm for boots and too cold for summer sandals. But don’t forget to moisturise your heels before they go on show.

28 Jewellery update

An intricate cuff bracelet and a bold but inexpensive cocktail ring will update your everyday simple workplace dress for a night out and ensure you really sparkle.

29 Invest in a tech clutch

Older women often wear jeans or chinos too long and bunched up around their shoes but it’s far more flattering (and modern) to have a little ankle showing. If you’re wearing a dress, cover the knees but show off slim ankles with ankle buckles or pretty ballet ties

A sleeve for your iPad can also double up as a purse or handbag. It looks professional and business-like in the office and will add a smart touch to a casual outfit at the weekend.

30 Pointed-toe flats that lengthen legs

If you want the comfort of flats but feel they make your legs look short with a skirt, wear a ballet pump with a pointed toe as the point gives the illusion that your legs are longer than they really are.

31 Get the tights right

Avoid sparkly or shiny tights which show up tiny imperfections. Brown, rather than black, fishnets have the same effect as sheer natural tights but are more forgiving and are less severe than solid opaques. The subtle pattern in fishnets gives legs a flattering dark outline.

32 Backpacker about town

Look stylish, even on a walk, with a smart backpack like this electric blue one from Jigsaw (£179, jigsaw-online.com). For city trips, look for a classic black with feminine frill from Zara (£49.99, zara.com) which will store everything you need to be a stylish girl about town.

33 Classy clutches

Don’t take a boring black handbag to a wedding or special occasion. You can snap up a bejewelled box clutch from Zara or & Other Stories and it will look much more glamorous.

34 Ankles are alluring 

Older women often wear jeans or chinos too long and bunched up around their shoes but it’s far more flattering (and modern) to have a little ankle showing. If you’re wearing a dress, cover the knees but show off slim ankles with ankle buckles or pretty ballet ties. 

35 Play around with a little tomboy chic

A masculine piece such as a tailored blazer looks softer in pink. Worn with other boyish items such as brogues and jeans, the pop of colour adds femininity and an element of fun.

36 Shades of Jackie O

Take a tip from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and wear oversized square sunglasses. Tortoiseshell or brown works well on blondes and black is a gorgeous contrast to silver hair.

Think of your watch as an accessory as well as a necessity. There are some lovely rose gold designs with patterned faces or watches with fabric straps. Try this pretty style from Olivia Burton (£95, oliviaburton.com).

37 Polished look

Nails no longer have to match your lipstick, so consider pretty colours such as lilac or coral if you’re wearing neutrals, or emerald green works well with denim, navy or black.

38 Bohemian bracelets

Bracelets don’t have to be worn on the opposite wrist to your watch. A few bohemian bracelets in beads and metallics that match the watch face will work really well.

39 Two scarves are better than one

One of my favourite ways to add interest to an outfit is to twist two brightly-coloured scarves together and pin them to one side with a brooch (or two or three).

40 Raid your other half’s wardrobe

As an alternative to jewellery for a night out, borrow a tie that matches one of your shirts. Team it with a skirt and keep your hair in a soft, curled style and you’ll look sleek but still feminine.

If you’re less confident about your arms these days but still in love with your sleeveless dresses, invest in arm sleeves. M&S sells elegant black mesh sleeves with a pretty polka dot (£22.50, marksand spencer.com) that can be worn under anything sleeveless to cover and flatter your upper arms.

41 Oh la la

Give your denim a French makeover by wearing dark, slim-fit jeans with smart loafers and a short blazer like French style icon Inès de La Fressange. Comfy and très chic.

42 Add patterns to black

Dressing head to toe in black is flattering because it lengthens the body, but darker colours can wash out older skin so wear a bold, patterned blazer or cardigan over the top. Or add a chunky metallic necklace to reflect light on to the face.

43 Clock a striking timepiece

Think of your watch as an accessory as well as a necessity. There are some lovely rose gold designs with patterned faces or watches with fabric straps. Try this pretty style from Olivia Burton (£95, oliviaburton.com).

44 All white now

A white Panama hat is the perfect spring or summer accessory. Worn with a light cotton scarf wrapped around the neck it makes a plain white T-shirt and jeans look super stylish.

45 Stand-out boots

Tan may be a neutral, but if paired with bright white or black then it becomes the stand-out colour of the outfit. Tan boots also look good against a mid grey or dark denim and look more expensive than black.

46 Try a skinny belt 

Give a short, fitted blazer a new look by adding a skinny belt. This can work for the office with tailored trousers — or for somewhere more casual, add straight leg or slim-fitting jeans.

47 Flatter your arms

Elle Macpherson, above, 52

If you’re less confident about your arms these days but still in love with your sleeveless dresses, invest in arm sleeves. M&S sells elegant black mesh sleeves with a pretty polka dot (£22.50, marksand spencer.com) that can be worn under anything sleeveless to cover and flatter your upper arms.

48 Ditch the scruffy trainers

A pair of clean, white tennis shoes or low-top Converse trainers with long, wide-legged trousers will look smart and be ultra comfy too.

49 Tie on a scarf to boost your tote

Tying your silk scarf in an elegant knot on your handbag is a stylish trick to add interest to a plain tote and it means your scarf is on standby in case it gets chilly.

50 Be a beanie babe

No holiday on the horizon? An unstructured beanie hat and huge sunglasses instantly give a European look even if you’re not travelling anywhere.

Catherine Summers is a fashion expert and blogger at notdressedaslamb.com

Additional styling: Camilla Ridley-Day