Q&A with Christopher Hopkins - The Makeover Guy

I like to think I'm quite stylish for my page but the worry I have is people thinking I'm dressing too young for my age. Don't get me wrong, I'm not sporting mini skirts and boob tubes! But when I'm browsing through shops like Topshop and Zara, I often get funny looks as if to say, are you lost? What are you doing here? And I'm only looking at the knitwear or blouses!!

My question is: What is an easy way for an older (60+) woman to look stylish? Are there any shops you can recommend? Or are well all doomed to Jacques Vert?

I have broad shoulders and Jaque vert is too narrow across the back for me! I wear phase eight for evenings nut need smart and not short suits for work. What can you recommend. Oh and I have to wear very wide flat shoes due to oa!

Why do older women seem to think they have to dress 'suitably' for their age? Wear what you like, what you feel comfortable in and to h**l with snotty shop assistants. I do not mean join the purple dress and red hat brigade, that always sounds too old battish to me, but hang on, if old bat is your style, why not?

Did anyone see the pictures of Princess Lilian of Sweden who died a few weeks ago aged 97. Nearly all of the papers ran pictures of her taken in her early 90s, immaculately made up, beautifully coiffed and in an elegant lilac suit a woman 50 years her junior could have worn. Not at all the kind of get up that would usually be considered 'suitable' for a woman in her 90s.

What always bothers me about make-overs like this, is that the results are always so conventional and safe. Do none of these women want to go, not mad, but certainly kick over the traces slightly, go a bit Boho for example?

Muddyboots, I shop in Fat Face, Monsoon, Phase 8, New Look, Next, Wallis. I avoid like the plague M&S and M & Co, which used to be good but has gone very mumsy in the last couple of years, all drapes, lace trim (not in a fashionable way) and hard cheap colours.

I dress to feel comfortable. A couple of weeks ago DD 'took me shopping' as, as usual, I have all the wrong things for Oz. I came home with a short denim skirt in lieu of shorts (which make me look like my old gym mistress who was the size of a bus with an a* * * to match) and, eureka, I haven't stopped wearing it even though my knees are on view - it's so comfortable and 'right' (although I don't think it will see the light of day once home in Scotland!). My point is that maybe, just maybe, we should step out of our comfort zone once in a while and give Uncomfortable a shot. I may be on a roll here - big posh wedding in July so could do with a few tips Mr Hopkins!

I have worn full makeup every day since I was 15- now 62. If I was on a desert island alone I would still reach for the mascara. I came out of hospital after my first (10lb.8oz) baby in false eyelashes. However I sometimes feel I need to lighten up my 'look'. I do change my colour palette regularly & try new things but I woud really like to see a new style. I have had makeovers in department store but they always go for the natural look & I like some eyes! Plus I can no longer afford to buy all their products.
I really like Bare Minerals & I am very lucky that my skin is good & not too many wrinkles although I do have some broken veins that need covering. I also have no eyebrows to speak of- never plucked just never had many!
Any tips? & please a good - not too expensive mascara that lengthens & gives volume- I confess I still wear falsies for nights out ( discreet ones these days!)

In the 60's at 23 I did a bit of modelling after loosing 5 stones on amphetamines! I always dressed to make an entrance to ensure everyone in the room had a good look. How vain! However, now I'm 67, fat and invisible. I used to have an hourglass figure which I'm desperately trying to recapture as it has escaped and is hiding somewhere under my present size 22 on top and 18 on the bottom. I still have a good face partly due to the facelift I had 8 years ago. I'm told I look about 50 except that I hobble about on badly arthritic knees. I have worn full slap since I was 16 and my hair is now short with a very dark colour on it - red/almost purple/a bit black and I love it. What on earth do I wear to look stunning again? Please help. Very desperate! Thank you in advance.

Hi I want to keep my hair long but often find it unstylish or it gets pulled back into pony tail or band any ideas...does it need layering? I do keep it professionally trimmed its down to my shoulders with a gray streak as I no longer dye the hair.....

I'm with you, Muddyboots & FlicketyB! I love Phase Eight for the style and East for their colours and my family has permission to shoot me if I ever set foot in Jacques Vert - or Jimmy Green as we call it!

I'm a short lady with an apple shape & have enjoyed wearing the short dress/tunic over trousers look. It makes me look taller and covers my 57 year old knees - which no one wants to see! I also love a shift dress (worn with heels) but I always get the dresses altered to fit. I buy the dress to fit over my boobs, which invariably means the skirt is too big. I know alteration adds to the cost but it's good for the soul to have 4" shaved off the side seams of the skirt!

Like most people I've pretty well given up with M&S but I did buy a gorgeous suede biker jacket from their Twiggy (ha ha, I wish) range. My son says it makes me look like a rock Grandma!

Helpful friend's have said that my long hair is making me look 'old' I'm 66 what age do they want me to look? It's now a natural silver/grey as I've also stopped dyeing it. My question is, Is it always a no-no for us mature ladies to go long and if we don't care anyway,are there any styles he can recommend to enhance these flowing locks? Many thanks

I was, gulp, 69 this January, and will NEVER ' dress my age ', why should I? I don't dress inappropriately or in an old fashioned style, which is all I seem to see in the major stores for what the buyers think is all women like me want.
I pick and mix from what I like and the styles and colours that suit me, but it takes a bit of effort.
You don't have to slavishly follow a fashion which is absolutely not your style, but you can add accessories to just touch on the latest trends.

Can you help with a suitable hairstyle? My hair is very thick and coarse and naturally curly. I'm only 5 feet tall and my hair makes me look frumpy.
Have tried straightening tongs but it looks worse!
Please help me make the best of what I have. I'm 68 but look younger as I have good skin fortunately.

I'm 64, my dress size is 14 and my skirt size 8 or 10. The dress size is all in the shoulders as my bust is barely 'B'. At the moment I tend to wear "age appropriate" garments, but as I gain confidence I would like to move down the age range slightly. I can usually pass for mid to late 50s, even with the "granny" hair style I'm wearing now.

I would really like any sort of pointers as to where I should concentrate. I have a lot to learn as I'm just over 17 months from transition (MtF) and don't really have a full wardrobe yet.

I,m 67, disabled, walk with crutches, flat shoes only due to loss of use of left leg and arm. Usual size 18/20 in trousers and tops. 5ft tall, weight 12st 8oz.
Would really like to be able to wear something different for a change or special occassion, but at present feel out of it for skirts or a dress.
Hair colour salt & pepper, eyes are blue, skin shallow due to medication. Do not wear make up due to intollerance to ingrediants in them (ie:- nickle/alcohol etc.)
Help needed thanks

With groomed and shaped eyebrows being such an important feature of current make up trends how can the 60+ woman really improve her rather thin and insignificant brows to frame her face? I really envy some of the neatly groomed brows that younger sisters are sporting.

Plus point+

I was shopping in Cheltenham yesterday in the new Jigsaw store (which has been re -jigged from an earlier' Country Casuals' where I purchased a 2003 version of the navy and white striped Breton top. The two charming young assistants expressed their pleasure at selling to the more 'mature' woman! Their day had consisted of older ladies going in and saying the merchandise was 'too young'. I like their stylish, classic items.

Well done Jigsaw for appreciating us ! I will be in again !

I soo agree with you- by way of contrast - how lovely yesterday to be treated so well in the Cheltenham branch of Jigsaw!

Please see my post below.

I am 67, 5ft 3, slim (8st 12lb) and white haired. I'm so tired of all the shops being full of grey, black and brown clothes and am searching for brightly coloured jeans/trousers. However, while bootcut used to be perfect, I now have to wear flat shoes all the time (arthritis) and wonder what cut of jeans is most suitable for my age/height?

And one other question: is 67 (with white hair) too old to wear a white skirt with a colourful top? Thanks!

at last no more frumpy older ladies(we hope) why women neglect there appearance when they get older is a puzzle to me.to look good is to feel good.we are not trying to impress anyone like we do when we are young but elegance in an older woman is beautiful, and if you are out to impress an older gentleman then elegance is the way to do it.but remember ladies dress to suit your figure and not dress in what your grandaughter is wearing it looks hideous.
if you are slim then some of the younger styles will look pretty on you, i just think we can all look good when we are mature ladies as long as we use common sense.get on to u tube and take a look at Twiggy she has lots of advise......it will be interesting to see the opinion of "The make over guy" Christopher Hopkins...Lillian

Don't ask whether you should be wearing any particular style at any age, wear what you want whatever your age.

Faranth, Travelling to France by ferry there was a fellow passenger with long grey/white hair and she looked fabulous, but she clearly went to a good hairdresser because it was beautifully cut and styled. Many older women with long hair do rather go for the Mary Beard style of wearing long hair.

My body shape has changed since the menopause. I've got huge boobs and a big tummy. This makes buying clothes really difficult. I hate elasticated trousers but they're the only ones that go round my tummy, then they're too wide on the hips and legs. Blouses and jackets looked horrible with big boobs, so I always wear V neck sweaters or tops. I despair sometimes!

I have a problem that I seem to share with oh so many other Grans that have coloured their hair since the 1960`s - my hair is thinning on top! I have tried Revive didnt work; Regaine didnt work and |I tried it for almost a year - costly!) I have tried the fibres you shake on to make hair look thicker, it just looked matted; I try every single hair thickening product I can find or is mentioned in magazines; I have been to the hair dressers and asked for a sympathetic hair cut - they chopped the lot making it look even worse!
CAN YOU HELP ALL THE THINNING GRANDMOTHERS PLEASE?

Along with some other grans asking for advice I have scanty eyebrows and short eyelashes. How do I make the best of this deficiency? I also have a very round face, several chins (inherited from my Grandma) and short grey/white hair. How can I disguise the chins and make my face look less round? Also wear glasses. I didn't realise how few assets I have!

I am now 66 and my shape has definitely changed especially in the last couple of years. I have put on weight now size 15/16 and have no waist and the weight is proving harder and harder to shift. I eat a good sensible diet.and play badminton 3 times a week
. I can wear clothes to cover up this problemin the day time but being retired we now go on several holidays a year and beach wear is my problem . I cant hide it.I have no shape except big boobs and a tummy I am 5ft 2 inches ( If I was 3 inches taller it wouldnt be a problem Ha Ha ). Any tips for making the best of a bad body on the beach !! I refuse to give in I still want to feel good about myself and in my head I am still only 45.

Silversands: Finasteride does reduce hair loss, but it doesn't bring back what has already gone! I now get it on prescription.