Looking good as you age - do's and don'ts...

Don'ts

1. Don't get too skinny (think Nan Kempner, who looks like a "Best dressed" bag of bones) and don't gain too much weight!

2. Don't wear baggy, shapeless clothes.

3. Don't wear ditsy and fussy prints like tiny florals.

4. Don't wear overdone, fussy styles or details (gold buttons, gold trim, etc.). They are terribly aging.

5. Don't think you have to wear skirt suits to look well dressed. Even though they may be "in," some skirt suits can be very aging. Pants are generally much more youthful, so a better choice would be a pantsuit or a pant and coat ensemble.

6. Don't shy away from all black. It looks great, especially when textures are mixed: leather, crocodile, patent, fur, vinyl (this lightens it up a bit and gives it life).

7. Don't expose your upper arms and neck: these are both tricky areas for most women over a certain age.

8. Don't wear your skirts too short.

9. Don't overdo the grooming. Helmet hair, and too much color -- red nails, red lips, eye shadow and blush (especially when used together) -- are terribly aging.

10. Don't think you have to cut your hair: a chic ponytail always looks smart and youthful.

11. Don't wear fussy, frilly evening attire. Go for tailored instead!

12. Don't wear shawls (too granny) or capes.

13. Don't overdo the glitz! Despite the fact that maximalism is in right now, you don't want to look like a Christmas tree!

Do

1. Think young. Be unpredictable.

2. Effect a natural look in beauty.

3. Choose solids: camel, red, gray, khaki and especially black and white. In fact, when in doubt, go for black and white. You can't go wrong with this combo. Think Tom Ford for YSL: eternally elegant, modern chic.

4. Go for bold, classic patterns in black and white: houndstooth checks, stripes, argyles. They are very "snappy," as Bill Blass would say!

5. Choose classic shapes (they're "snappy," too!) Shirtdresses, trench coats, pea jackets, car coats, balmacans, jean jackets and jeans are eternally youthful in spirit.

6. Go for unfussy chic: minimalist, functional designs and details. (Hint: zippers are far more youthful than aging gold buttons).

7. Wear short skirts if you have good legs (but not too short -- they should fall around the knee).

8. Invest in several fitted black turtlenecks! They are indispensable, flatter everyone and they always look great for day or night.

9. And finally, follow the old adage: Aging is a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter!