The Invisible Woman Q&A - style and beauty

Hi Helen,

I really like all the smock tops in the shops at the moment. Perfect for warm spring and summer days. But are they perfect for a 60 year old Grandma? I loved wearing them in the 70s, so should I not wear them a second time around?!

Thanks for any advice.

I also have a summer question - namely swimwear. My shape isn't too bad but (like everyone else it seems) I am not happy with my tummy and that's quite hard to disguise when you are in a swimsuit. I haven't found ones with tummy control panels particularly helpful and prefer dark or plain costumes rather than loud patterns. Would tankinis or bikinis be any better?

Bingo wings! How to get rid of please? And in the mean time how to disguise (specially in summer). Thank you

Like many other people on here my area of issue is my tummy. I tend to hide it with longer tops etc but with occasionwear etc it is more tricky and I resort to control knickers. I find them impossible to get on and off (appreciate that they need to be tight to hold you in) and do worry after reading stories about what they do to your inner organs (are those stories true? I don't know but suspect there may be some truth at least) So I would like to find a brand which isn't going to cause damage but is going to do the trick and ideally ones which are not too impossible to put on/take off. I have come to grief with the ones that have "holes" for you to pee through without removing and would rather not go there again

I have experimented with fake tans in the past (only on my legs which never seem to go brown like the rest of me) and never with any success. Is there a foolproof way of doing it without looking like a tiger or getting it on bedding and clothes? Is there one that doesn't reek to high heavens? Or is there another way to make my bare legs look ok for baring in summer? (knee length skirts or cropped trousers mainly)

Like •wysteria* I also have a largish bust. In the past I have alway sbeen happy to wear fairly low cut necklines (totally agree - why not flaunt it!) but as I get older I'm less sure about doing so. Partly because I don't want to look like Bet Lynch. Partly because the skin on my chest is not as perfect as it once was

But high necklines just make me look like I have a pillow down my top so there must be a happy medium. And I am hoping you can tell me what it is!

Hello Helen. I have a large bust (34FF) but am slim ish (with an emphasis on the ish) elsewhere apart from my tummy. I struggle to buy fitted tops because what fits elsewhere doesn't do up on my boobs. And if I go for floaty it can make me look bigger than I am elsewhere. What's the solution? I am of the opinion if you've got it, flaunt it. But then things that cling to my bust (fine) tend to cling to my tummy too (not so fine)

I am early 50s, a size 12-14 (half a stone to lose but reasonably happy with my shape) and have a question about jeans. I used to always go for boot leg, but as I have lost weight they don't seem to suit me so much. Plus they don't seem very fashionable. I was encouraged to try and pair of "skinny" jeans (not the super skinny ones you can't get your feet out of I hasten to add) and to my surprise they were a lot more flattering than anything I had already. But my question is - am I too old for this cut?

I didn't even do mother of the bride at my daughter' wedding! Her best friend wore a nice floral pastel mother of the bride outfit and I wore a long dress in a striking jungle print.

Circa1948 you have convinced me! I seem to buy black more and more and keep buying black jeans as well! I think I'm trying to avoid the 'mother of the bride' look!

I am a size 20/22 and find getting dresses impossible.If they fit they are inevitably too short.
I prefer natural fabrics as i still overheat!
any suggestions welcomed.

For affordable skincare, I can recommend a big tube of Aloe Vera gel from the health food shop. I use it as an all-over moisturiser, face too, and it sinks in invisibly. A large bag of Epsom Salts from the chemist is an effective substitute for bath salts and very relaxing. If you want it scented, put in a few drops of your favourite essential oil.
On the fashion front, can anyone recommend clothes that don't make one look like a pensioned-off hippy, a ship in full sail or an air hostess. There's a dearth of fashion for the mature women that is smart, neat, colourful, flattering and camouflaging. I like Oscar and Yacco Maricard but they're expensive and look better on tall women.

I also was concerned that black was the most prominent shade in my wardrobe, (
also difficult to find what I am looking for first thing in the morning as the black is slightly overwhelming when I open the wardrobe door). However, I saw Marianne Faithful on TV last week and she was wearing a black trouser suit with a black polo neck jumper, she looked fabulous. Need I say more?

I have problems with shoes due to arthritis etc and have really struggled to find comfortable shoes. Hotter are not the old-fashioned shoes they used to be and I've had some really comfy brogues, loafers and walking shoes. As for sandals I've just bought a pair from Cos that have a lot of cushioning which is what I need and Salt Walter Sandals are supposed to be really comfy. I've just bought a pair in red and can't wait for the sun to come out now!

I have not been to Matalan for clothes for a while but it used to seem that tops and tee shirts were made of a cheap cotton which always shrank badly, leaving you with a thick cotton top that was very short.

I had not had this with most other stores products.

Phoenix In answer to your question about Tshirts - Matalan have some nice ones with scoop neck and 3/4 length sleeves for £6 each. Don't know if there is a store close to you though?

Two problems for me. Shoes - I cannot wear ballets although I love them as I have arthritis in my left foot and need support in the form of a strap. I don't like trainers they look ugly and are uncomfortable, no heels as I just fall over !Please don't suggest granny shoes with velcro. There must be something else. Also do you think a maxi dress will do for a greek wedding but where to find one with short sleeves. I am 16-18 depending on make. 5'7" with tummy.
Help. Thank you.

Doesn't it depend on where you spend your holiday? Mine has recently been in caravan sites where anything goes. A maxi dress or skirt is good for evenings no matter where you are, especially if there are mosquitoes around. Lightweight cover-ups are a must if you are sun-sensitive.

Maggiemaybe, I'm the same. A holiday wardrobe is really beyond me. Whatever I take on holiday never seems right. I don't feel like other people look. They seem to look smart casual effortlessly. I would welcome any tips off successful holiday dressers. I too worked in suits and smart clothes and never had any trouble.

I seem to have lost the knack of getting a holiday wardrobe together. I can plan a good smart outfit for work, love dressing for formal dos and happily live in jeggings, ankle boots and nice tops off-duty in Autumn/Winter. But informal Summer dressing seems beyond me. Crop/white linen trousers make my bum look the size of a planet, ditching the opaque tights does my pasty legs no favours (and I hate the fake bake look) and I feel like mutton dressed as lamb in shorts anyway, if off the beach. I always end up wearing the same linen shifts I go to work in, and feeling a bit overdressed. Any advice would be appreciated!

That's to HQ very politely

I don't do twitter or read the grauniad so I'm wondering what qualifies Helen as an advisor to women on Gransnet. I agreed with Petra but didn't voice my opinion but if you set yourself up as fashion advisor you should be able to defend your choices.

As I'm getting older I am drawn to wearing black a lot more. I love Cos and Hobbs for clothes and Cos especially do some lovely black tops. I just worry that wearing all black may be a little ageing. What is your opinion? Just have to add, I love your column and you are brilliant on Twitter!!

My daughter is getting married in November. I have been looking online to see what the shops have to offer for my outfit and all the models modelling mother of the bride outfits are tall,size 10 and under thirty five. The price in those shops would make you run and hide. All outfits seem to be made of unforgiving satin. I'm 5ft 3 in and a size 16. I just don't know where to look or what to wear.

I think shoes are a big problem. I can't wear much of a heel since I had my knees replaced and my feet have tended to swell more since then as well. At the moment I am making the most of the fashion for flat pumps, but it's not going to last for ever. It would be nice to find comfortable shoes at an affordable price.