The four tops every woman over 50 needs in their wardrobe – and why your favourite Breton stripe is NOT flattering: SHANE WATSON

Who knows what the weather will be like when you read this. It could be warm, it could be cool, it could be sunny but cold in the shade. No surprises there.

We don’t live in Florida and expect nothing less than unpredictable weather as summer turns into fall.

However, dressing it up is a little trickier. Sure, you can add a jacket and keep a vest in reserve, but adding winter layers isn’t necessarily the mood we’re in at this point in the season. If you want to stay looking sharp, and not too wintery, the answer is an Inbetween Top. It’ll become a very useful base later on.

This fall/winter, four Inbetween Tops are vying for a spot in our wardrobe:

1. Small bright sweater

The one with the purest fashion roots, and the centerpiece of several looks on the Prada catwalk, is a crew-neck, short- or long-sleeved jumper in shades like apple green or forget-me-not blue (a contrasting cardigan is optional). Thankfully, Marks & Spencer has created a long-sleeved version in the same shade of blue, that same green, and a bright chili red (£85, marksandspencer.com ).

This is a no-brainer for in-between seasons that will update your look and add a touch of quintessential fall 2024 color. Tie it around your neck, or even double it up: the red sweater with the forget-me-not blue tied around your shoulders.

For a short-sleeved cashmere jumper in a softer blue, try Zara (£79.99, zara.com ). It’s also worth checking out The White Company’s cashmere: they have a range of jumpers in every shade of brown, from mole to chocolate, including a short-sleeved top (£89, thewhitecompany.com ) in burnt almond.

Kate Middleton in her favorite Breton top

2. Quality Breton top

Never in the history of the Breton striped top have there been so many examples on the high street. They can be worn both formally and informally and are especially handy when a T-shirt is too small, but a sweater or jacket is too much.

We all know that the Duchess of Cambridge relies on her Breton shirt for any casual occasion, because a Breton coat is more structured and smarter than a regular T. We keep coming back to this classic navy coat because it’s as much of a fashion statement as a Chanel jacket. (Of course, Madame C was the designer who introduced this fisherman’s classic to our wardrobes.)

I recommend the white stripe on a navy background instead of navy on ivory (more flattering and better in fall) and wear it with dress pants, smart jeans, a pencil skirt, jermudas (jean bermudas), whatever takes your fancy.

Brands that won’t let you down and that aren’t too heavy or too sparse include Boden (£28, boden.co.uk) and La Redoute (£19, ladredoute.co.uk).

I couldn’t resist seeing actress Keira Knightley walking down the road the other day in baggy jeans and a navy Breton top with white stripes and a big, chunky, shiny gold chain over it; the overall effect was as chic and glamorous as an LBD and pearls. She’s 39, but she’s grown up and very stylish, so it doesn’t hurt to copy us.

Autograph merino wool cable knit cardigan, £49.50, marksandspencer.com

3. Sleeveless sweater

I’ve mentioned the benefits of a sleeveless sweater or tank top many times before, but I have to say it again because there’s no easier way to add color, texture, and a smarter silhouette, and this time of year is made for sleeveless sweaters. You can find great flattering styles (not too slim, not too thick) at Marks & Spencer and Uniqlo, and while navy is always a good choice, you can up your fall style points by opting for a coffee shade and wearing it with layers of brown and cream.

Try the M&S cappuccino cable knit cardigan (£49.50) or the textured trellis sleeveless jumper in fern green (£27.50). For later in the season, pick one up with a high stand-up collar to wear under a grey wool or tweed jacket like Whistles’ style (£60, johnlewis.com).

Nicole Kidman in a boxy jacket

4. Boxy light jacket

This is a simple, short jacket with a shirt collar that you wear with a T-shirt underneath. When the weather cools down, you wear a mid-weight, high-necked turtleneck underneath.

The best this season are in double-faced wool in an autumnal brown that goes with everything. Cos has a great version (£135, cos.com) and Massimo Dutti (£169, massimodutti.com) and the M&S one is absolutely gorgeous in a warm caramel (£129).