I spotted the most gorgeous and stylish little tulip skirt yesterday in Top Shop. It was grey, blue and white with an elasticated black waistband and I fell in love instantly. Yes, I am 50 and the skirt was probably better suited to a 20 year old, but I’m not an image professional for nothing. Firstly, the wonderful assistant found me a size 10 by stripping the mannequin – this may not sound a great deal but I’m sure you will have already come across most fashion stores’ policy of not being able to remove garments from the mannequins due to health and safety and how only the skills of the visual merchandising team(usually situated in a completely different town) are able to divest the plastic models of their clothes correctly. Anyway, throwing caution to the wind, this wonderful girl got the skirt for me even though she was convinced an 8 would fit – loved her lots as you can tell. She was correct. The 8 did fit but it meant it was way too short. Wearing the 10 lower down my torso made it more appropriate to my age group while still staying on trend. She asked what I was going to wear it with and gave some suggestions (some not bad) but I knew I had to make this a fabulous 50 year old statement.  First off to H&M for a grey, polo neck at £12.99 and some grey opaque tights for a couple of pounds. Team with a waisted grey suit jacket I already own and some grey boots and voila.  A £30 skirt plus top and tights at less than £20 made this outfit a million dollars. My husband LOVED it and that’s the best compliment I’ll ever receive. The message behind this story – Do Not Be Put Off By Younger Clothes Stores – There Is Always a Way To Successfully Wear Something If You Know How To Adapt The Trend. The other surprising but fabulous thing was that the sales assistant made me promise that I would go back and show her what I’d done. Fantastic – a young sales assistant that really cares about learning and respects the needs and know-how of her customers. I’m off today to show her the results. I think she’ll be impressed.