From the Times Online, some rules about how to break the rules. 
the original article is here: http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/...article6563103.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1
Breaking the fashion rules
Who says you’re too old for a micro mini? Not us. Anything goes — whatever your age — as long as you wear it right
(Karwai Tang)
Susan Sarandon
Shane Watson
The biggest change in fashion in the past decade has to be that the rules have loosened right up and the don'ts have now shrivelled to almost nothing. Even so, the old concept of dressing your age just won’t fade away. In spite of the evidence all around us that how you look in clothes bears no relation to the year you were born — Michelle Obama sleeveless on the cover of US Vogue, Elle Macpherson looking fitter in a minidress than models 10 years her junior, Helen Mirren hitting the beach in her red bikini — we still fall back on the same old mantras: fortysomethings shouldn’t wear short skirts; bikinis are undignified past 38. Every time we open a magazine, we see confirmation that what counts is not age but body shape and confidence. But still those rules that applied to the pre-Pilates-and-sushi generation keep sucking us back to what is and isn’t age-appropriate.
The time has come to lay the old taboos to rest: we can wear anything, we already are and, what is more, we really should, because the one thing guaranteed to age women faster than sun exposure is scuttling for the safe ground and covering up in chiffon shrugs. Of course there is a point at which women look ridiculous in hot pants. But thigh boots? If your legs are long enough, why not? Yes — as Sadie Frost discovered — you know it’s time to lower your hemlines when your kids start complaining. But that doesn’t mean putting away your arms, your wedges or even your lower thighs. What we need is advice on how to wear the banned stuff better, because, by and large, we know when we look ridiculous (we can work that part out for ourselves), and we can see that Obama looks a lot fresher going sleeveless than in a nice, safe cardie. So here are some of the classic no-we-can’ts — and lots of reasons why we can.
Things that always make you look older, no matter what
- Shoes from Ecco
- Round-neck cardies
- Below-the-knee hemlines
- Chiffon (post-40)
- Bouffant, stiff hair (see Agyness at the Met)
- Sugar pink
- Pastel pashminas
Things that remind people you are trying to look young (so wear with caution)
- Biker jackets
- Neon colours
- Hair accessories
- Hoodies
- Rock-band T-shirts
- Ripped jeans
- Vests
- Bright lipstick
Things you thought you couldn’t wear at any age, but now you actually can
- Tailored leather (especially that Balmain jacket)
- Backless
- Bandage dresses
- Denim jackets
CLEAVAGE
Contrary to popular belief, age is not the big deciding factor here. Liz Hurley’s cleavage is pufftastic and defies all the rules of good taste: she hoicks it up, squeezes it in, lets it spill out a bit — everything you would have thought would make a 44-year-old woman look desperate — and yet it’s (nearly) always a triumph. Older décolleté is about glossy volume and drawing the line far enough above the nipple so there’s absolutely no risk of glimpsing it.
If in doubt Don’t do it. If you’re not convinced, nobody else will be.
The real cutoff date There isn’t one, if Sophia Loren and Joan Collins are anything to go by.
What you should avoid Low, scooped necklines or the keyhole cleavage. Also, big cleavage in the daytime. And veiny bosoms are not appealing, so use a cover-up stick, or a cover-up dress.
Who does it best Hurley, Helen Mirren, Susan Sarandon (above). Out and justifiably proud.
BIKINIS
If you’ve always been comfortable in a bikini, there’s no reason to stop wearing one. You don’t have to be Elle Macpherson fit, just toned enough to justify showing the world your stomach. That said, most fortysomething bikini-wearers need to move away from the itsy-bitsy. Boy pants have that surfer vibe, as well as being more substantial. The 1950s bikini (big pants, big top) is hot for now, but you do need good hips to carry it off.
If in doubt Try 1950s girdle pants, à la Kim Cattrall (above). Or a grown-up, generously cut bikini, like Kelly Brook.
The real cutoff date When you’re scaring the other swimmers.
What you should avoid Tiny string bikinis. Don’t even think about a thong. Retro patterns such as 1970s stripes or cherries, and anything broderie anglaise, gingham or otherwise Lolita-like.
PRINTS
Yes, you can wear florals. That said, exercise extreme caution. They come in several categories — twee, blowsy, Women’s Institute; flash and bold; and so-abstract-you-can’t-tell-it’s-a-floral. But it’s not the print that matters so much as what it’s printed on. You can wear pretty much any pattern, provided the cut is unfussy and grown-up and you toughen up the rest of your look (a shrunken denim jacket counterbalances the sugar content).
If in doubt Avoid fussy and keep everything else sharp. Florals demand tough ankle boots, not kitten heels.
The real cutoff date There isn’t one. But the more graphic prints do work better on the over-40s.
What you should avoid Blowsy flower prints in muddy colours are the worst. And never be tempted to wear floral-printed chiffon over the age of 30 or you’ll end up looking like Hyacinth Bucket.
Who does it best Jo Wood (above) rock-chicks up a floral dress with a sharp jacket and boots. She gets away with polka dots, too.
BARE ARMS
The rule is: if you’ve got the definition, flaunt ’em. Michelle Obama gets hers out all the time, because they’re her No 1 asset. Anna Wintour, at 59, looks younger and brighter with her arms on show than with them half-hidden under a cardie. (Showing flesh stops you looking old, and arms are a safer bet than thighs.) Strapless is harder to pull off (it’s the armpit-creasing). If you have pretty shoulders, then compromise with an off-the-shoulder strap (see Nigella).
If in doubt For the effect without the commitment, sling on a shrunken cardigan — just make sure it’s very, very small.
The real cutoff date When your arms look unhealthy.
What you should avoid Getting too thin. Stringy biceps are very ageing.
Who does it best Michelle Pfeiffer, Obama (above), biceps queen Madonna in those Louis Vuitton ads.
SHORT SKIRTS
Anyone can wear short, provided they have the legs for it. However, texture issues are more likely to strike older legs, so, while short goes on and on thanks to silhouette-enhancing opaque tights (see Mary Portas), bare and short definitely has a cutoff date. A short shirt dress can look great on a 44-year-old, but a ra-ra skirt will make her look like a try-hard. Past your late thirties, make the legs your one area of exposure. No cleavage. No arms. No fuss. And definitely no chiffon.
If in doubt Wear cropped leggings underneath, à la Madonna.
The real cutoff date If you are cute and pocket-sized, you can go on for ever. But chances are you won’t want to.
What you should avoid Flared miniskirts, sheer fabrics.
Who does it best Sharon Stone (above), Carine Roitfeld.
FASHION SHOES
Not only is it okay to wear fashion shoes at any age, it’s vital. Shoes keep you in the game. Put on something average with average accessories and you will probably look your age. Add a pair of leopard-print platforms and you are somebody edgy who gets it. As Carine Roitfeld, the 54-year-old editor of French Vogue, puts it, the secret of looking young is to “stay a bit rock’n’roll” — and, besides attitude, shoes and hair are key.
If in doubt Go half an inch lower. And check your feet after standing. Bulging veins are as ageing as black teeth.
The real cutoff date Never. So long as you can walk properly.
What you should avoid Cheap or uncomfortable. Roitfeld says snake is better on older women than leopard. Who knew?
Who does it best Roitfeld (right), Princess Letizia of Asturias.
the original article is here: http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/...article6563103.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1
I'm also not sure that this particular Susan Sarandon shot is the very best example ...
As soon as we try to manipulate how others see us, it always shows. 
