Build slowly and be discerning

What is time anyway? As the average life expectancy is now around 80, if you are reading this at 50 then you have as much of your life in front of you as you have lived since you were 20.

Why the most valuable items are multi use. If you really analyse your lifestyle, how much of your week is spent in casual wear, or lounge wear, or a work uniform, or jeans or in a suit? How many weddings do you attend, or formal dinners, or dirty gardening days or however you live your life?

Everything you wear has the capacity to either enhance or drain your confidence

Confidence comes in many guises. Confidence can be long lasting, or fleeting. You can be feeling great about your life and then get knocked from this belief in an instant.

Your clothes, posture, grooming and attitude all transmit a vast amount of information to the viewer, the person you are meeting.

inspiration comes in many forms. What inspires you, why do you do what you do, and how do you do it? Have you ever really thought about these questions? Your inspiration is what makes you tick, and is probably the reason why you chose to work in the profession you have

Change is the only constant. ‘Fashion’ is notorious for being weird and fickle. Skin-tight one year, purple the next, unwearable, dull, great for you, awful for you, and so many other things. The overriding thing about fashion is that it is forever changing.

This is your story, and as such your image is a reflection of how you feel about yourself. Discover ways to create the image that reflects who you are as well as your aspirations.

Lists are not just for Christmas, or for the supermarket, or for the proverbial ‘bucket’. When we are thinking about the clothes and accessories we own, it doesn’t matter how you keep track of what you have, but having that knowledge will be invaluable for your image, your style and your purchasing plans.

Good grooming is key. If you want to look like you have bothered, and are wearing clothes that wouldn’t be considered formal, an easy thing to do is to get your grooming to work for you.

How did we get here? Middle age, much like the teenager, is a relatively new concept. Through history, there wasn’t the luxury of worrying about labels and what we should or shouldn’t wear, or do, or think.

Discovering your creativity

Highlighting your face. When thinking about your smart casual image, take a moment to think about what you notice in other people. It is an undeniable fact that the majority of people will talk to your face when you’re with them.

Aim for clarity and simplicity. It has always been a pillar of my design work, and I have written extensively about getting good value from the clothes that you own. Whether you are contemplating a car or a coat, the very best value for money, the item that has the least affect on the planet, and is by far the most sustainable thing possible, is the thing you already own.

Exploring the alternatives. If you don’t have a distinctive style yet, or you are wondering how to become more creative, take a deep breath and give yourself some time. Start to look around you. What colours and patterns appeal, what imagery attracts you, and can you begin to see trends and themes appearing?

Use your new clarity to declutter. Once you know what you want your wardrobe to do for you, you can set about moulding it to your needs.

Knowing what you have and therefore identifying any gaps or things that you need, will mean that you can make a simple ‘shopping’ list and stick to it.

Find your statement piece. You may have heard about a ‘statement’ piece of jewellery, but having a key item in your wardrobe that you can put on and wear anywhere will solve a multitude of fashion dilemmas.

What works best for you?

Everyone gets stuck at some point. So, when is mid-life, and if there are no preconceived ideas and expectations, does it matter anymore? If you live until you are 90, is the middle of your life 45?