or does no-one really care anymore how they dress for important events? No, let me re-phrase, as this unprecendented rant from me only applies to the women amongst us, not the men.

I attended a wedding at the weekend. It was tails but no top hat, so quite formal. ALL the men, including the small boys (under 10 years old) were in suits and ties looking really handsome. The women? A few were badly dressed, and I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt by saying it was probably due only to the fact they had little idea of  what suited them, but the majority had made no effort at all. Well, unless you call wearing faded jeans and a once white T-shirt, trying!  I spotted fit-flops teamed with a faded, long cotton skirt with a ripped hemline, too tight maxi dresses worn with ridiculously placed fascinators, dated suits with the 90′s shoulder pads, really bad hairstyles and the most prevalent of all, the ultimately dated accessory – a cigarette dangling from every pair of lips. I actually felt quite disheartened for the wedding couple before we even entered the beautiful Norman church. The bride and groom both looked fabulous but the female side of the congregation let them both down.

If we can’t be bothered to make an effort for what should be the most exciting and happy day of someone’s life, when will we? What are we saving ourselves for, or is it just all too much effort? I know we’re in a recession but it didn’t stop women looking glamorous in the war did it? Come on ladies, pull yourselves together.

A comment in an article in The Telegraph got me thinking about scent. Perfume to be exact. There are now so many zillions of fragrances launched every week that’s it’s actually difficult to know where to start. Gone are the days when you recognised  immediately the in-vogue aromas of Poison, Opium, CK One, Rive Gauche or Chanel No 5 and who was wearing what. I like the idea of a signature fragrance but even with the choices on offer, you still seem to come across someone else who loves your favourite and wears it often.

Since I gave up smoking a few years ago, the fragrance industry has held less appeal for me. I think I used to use it to mask the smoke battling under the illusion no-one would know I had a filthy habit – in reality I probably gassed everyone within a large radius of my presence ! My husband, also a reformed smoker, rarely touches aftershave now for the same reason. So I decided to do a little research of my own to see if the perfume industry is still as vital and active as I once thought.

Yesterday I attended the Beer Festival at my local pub. I checked everyone I met, which I admit was quite a number throughout the proceedings, to see if they were wearing perfume. The result: only one older man who wore a slightly overpowering cologne. Wonder who’s buying it then?

I must admit I do have a favourite but I sometimes forget to apply it. It’s Sa Majeste La Rose by Serge Lutens. Heavenly, if you love the smell of fresh roses. But please don’t go and buy it. Find your own!

I was channel hopping the other evening when I spied a very old episode of Miss Marple on the Alibi channel. The main character was played by the fabulous Joan Hickson, probably the best Miss Marple and the actress best favoured for the part by its author Agatha Christie. What struck me was her outfit. Tan crocodile handbag to die for, camel coat, opaque ribbed tights and a cashmere  knit. These are the type of garments making their appearance in the new ‘grown up’ trend of dressing on the catwalks. Just goes to show that it’s not what you wear, it’s how you wear it that counts!

Thought you might like to be aware of the launch of a lengthWISE campaign to get brands and designers to put more information on labels and especially on websites.  Most of us are fed up with having to return garments because they’re too short – we should have the information available before we buy. If you’re interested in joining go to:

http://www.60andsensational.co.uk/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?keyword=Campaign

This is a campaign for all ages so tell your younger friends too.

As Autumn approaches, most of us will be thinking about what to do with our legs. If you’re a trouser girl then read my blog of 2 days ago, otherwise read on.

The sheer tight is making a big comeback. Yes, snags and all. The opaque will still be around but sheer is here. How do we know? Kate Moss, the instigator of all trend related clothing, has been sporting them even in the sweltering heat. It seems it’s not only my generation that think bare legs may not be our best look.

So 25 denier or less, along with fishnets (also making a comeback), are now deemed edgy. They will probably look great with the new midi skirt, also coming our way for Autumn. Perhaps the designers are thinking about us older women after all.

If you really want to feel special treat yourself to Cashmere and Silk tights for just £108 – hope they don’t ladder!

http://www.wolfordshop.co.uk/Cashmere-Silk-Tights/cp500004959/si500460021/cl2/vt01/

I was ecstatic yesterday. I read that Sarah Vine, The Times’  Beauty Editor,  had called in image professionals (a designer, personal shopping advisor and stylist) to help her choose her clothing. You’d have thought that someone in her position would have had all the help and advice she needed from her co-horts in the Fashion department at The Times But no.  Like many of us, she is not stick thin, under 20 years of age and 6 feet tall and shopping for great clothes is a challenge.

It all fell apart when she was invited to The Opening of Parliament. Disaster struck as she accompanied her daughter to school en route to the big event. A velcro fastening caught against her chiffon trousers and that, basically, was that. If you’ve ever had to dress in something you hadn’t planned on wearing for an occasion it wasn’t meant for then you’ll get the agonising position in which she found herself.  When you know you’re not looking your best, it is SO hard to enjoy the moment. And many times, these really special occasions do not come around again. What a shame. What a pity. So to make sure it never happened again, Sarah called in the professionals.

Many people poo poo what we do, but Sarah was hooked. If you read yesterday’s Times’ Fashion supplement, you’ll see what I mean.

Thank you Sarah for your endorsement and to the professionals that did such a great job.

Trousers can be such a problem. Short legs, long legs, curvacious hips, muscular thighs, saddle bags, skinny legs, small waist, no waist, long body, short body and heel height all to be considered. Get one wrong, and you’re doomed. So it’s with relief I hear that Gap is launching its latest Autum collection on July 27th and dedicating it to the humble trouser. Eight new styles to suit everyone of us, whatever our shape. Choose from Straight, Boot Cut, Kick Flare, Relaxed Crop, Curvy, Slim Cropped, Skinny and Boyfriend.  The quality of design, cut and fabric is far superior to its humble price tag of around a non bank breakable £30-50. Tel: 0800 427 789 for more details.

The great news is that there are so many different styles around, most of us will already have at least one of them lurking in the wardrobe waiting to be re-invented as a style must have!!

but in a really different format. No longer ‘BIG’ on our TV screens, they pondered hard and long about what to do next and hence the title of their latest offering ‘ What Trinny & Susannah Did Next’.  I’ll leave you to make your own mind up! Beware bad language. www.trinnyandsusannahwhattheydidnext.com

….. whoever it was that decided the new trend for Autumn Winter 10 is wearing socks with high shoes. As you know, my feel suffer from blisters and I need all the comfort I can get. Marni was showing ribbed versions with high heels and Kurt Keiger has introduced their own range of beautiful socks just for this purpose. I shall be first in line ,though at my age, I could end up looking more like Nora Batty than a style icon!

Many of you may be aware that my feet hate the warm weather. For years now I’ve continued to wear socks and boots even in 90 degree heat because of my heat related blisters. So imagine how surprised, delighted and ecstatic I was with my latest purchase. I wore them at my Style Forum on Saturday to get the low down from my clients and, yes, it was rapturous. I wore them again today in Birmingham with the same result. You might guess who the designer is. Yes, Dame V/W  herself. BLISS.