The 13 fashion mistakes you MUST not make if you’re over 50: From buying in the sales to wearing beige, SHANE WATSON reveals her top New Year style tips

You’re never too old to make a fashion mistake, and we all make them sometimes (like when we’re panicking before the event).

We can’t change human nature, but we can strive to avoid the following mistakes by 2025…

1. Buy too early

Admittedly, this is a tricky issue, because what if you see the dress of your dreams, you don’t ruin it and then regret it forever? That could happen.

But for every time it’s happened to me, I can think of 20 occasions I’ve purchased before and regretted.

Get a feel for the season, take your time, remember that stores like Zara refresh their stock every week and realize that often the ‘Ooh, That’s So Me’ feeling is really ‘Finally, it’s spring’.

2. Buying on sale

It’s fine to buy on sale, but only if it’s something that will fill a nagging hole in your wardrobe.

I bought a nice plaid coat last January for less than half the price. Madness not to do it!

But I didn’t need it, wasn’t looking for anything like that, and I’ve never worn it. (Note: If there’s a great sheepskin jacket on sale, go for it. You’ll wear it forever.)

3. Not knowing exactly where you’re going to wear it

It looks great, it makes you look slimmer – that’s a no-brainer, right? But when are you going to wear it? That is the most important question.

We all have an office dress-up level, a party dress-up level, and it’s different from anyone else’s.

I have a beautiful silk print blouse that is somehow just too beautiful for the life I lead. I’d give it to Claudia Schiffer if I knew how to get her.

4. Tricky fashion

In life there are many things, recipes, people, books that are not worth it and the same goes for clothes.

The one with all the buttons, which requires a special bra, with the sleeves that pinch under the arms… and the awkward shoes.

I like a semi-gladiator style sandal. I bought a few this year to freshen up summer dresses, which they might have done if I hadn’t always looked at them, sighed and opted for the less clunky slip-on-and-go option.

5. Getting the too-nice thing

The Too Nice Thing (TNT) is for the woman who has events, theme parties and a drawer for cream sweaters. You can get the TNT for your daughter’s engagement party, for example, but otherwise say no. You will be afraid to wear it.

6. Wearing the not so nice thing

The temptation is to leave it out so you don’t ruin/clean it for the occasion when you really need it.

The Quiet Nice Thing (QNT) remains unworn as you continue to think about your clothes in categories: Normal, Some Effort, Best.

The QNT is for wearing now. It will go out of style, apart from everything else. Always wear all your clothes.

7. Buy two

You may love something, wear it to death, and mourn it when it’s gone, but you’ll eventually get bored with the backup.

8. Wearing beige

Especially next to your face if you’re not willing to wear cover-shoot amounts of makeup. The same goes for gray.

9. Spending money on a bag

Lots of women do that and that’s fine. But now we have Marks & Spencer bringing out astonishingly good quality bags with expensive-looking hardware and the M&S Puffy Faux Leather Baguette (£35, marksandspencer.com) is just what you need.

10. Black pants

Instead, wear brown, or ink blue, or dark olive green or your smart denim. Unless they’re velvet or cord, black pants now feel businesslike.

11. Ignoring your ideal hemline

Everyone has an ideal hemline, which was created through years of hits and misses. If you deviate from this, it is at your own risk. The assistant says you look great, but your gut says ‘No’, so you’ll never relax.

12. Opaque pantyhose

If you’re in your mid-50s, you need to rethink pantyhose. A sheer stocking is much flattering. Opaque becomes nurse on an older leg.

13. Fit well everywhere except the hips

I sometimes tip in the wrong direction. Everything from sweaters to shirts and jeans benefits from an inch more convenience.