At last! It seems that High Street retailers have actually caught on that we ‘older’ women have money and we want to spend it on looking fantastic. The past few seasons’ offerings of girly smock tops, floral sprig dresses and shorts have left us feeling totally ignored. M&S has tried to reignite the power of the older woman using the gorgeous and ever youthful Twiggy as one of its main models but I’m afraid the clothes just don’t hit the standards required. Many styles revolve around overlong skirts and bias cut dresses which don’t flatter anyone. There choice items seeming to be only available in London. Mango has picked up on the need and their advertising campaigns will star Lauren Hutton, who at 63 looks fantastic and approachable at the same time. Ines de la Fressange, the glamorous 50 year old model, is the centre piece of Gap’s promotional ranges. Other stores to try – Banana Republic, Cos, Jaegar - great for tailoring, L K Bennett, Karen Millen (if you are on the slim side ) and Reiss. I’ve gone off Hobbs as I see too many other women in the same garments plus I feel they just recycle designs using different colours and fabrics to take them from one season to the next. Laura Ashley has nothing much to say and Monsoon is quite garish in its choice of colours. Phase Eight and Principles can come up with the goods and Coast is restyling its High Street look. Perhaps there’s hope yet?