Ever gone shopping, tried something on and wondered, “Does this look awful, or am I just not hip?" How do you really know if a new trend looks bad on you or whether you’re just stuck in a serious style rut? Here are 6 shopping Do’s and Don’ts get you off the fashion fence and help you look fabulous after 40!

1.DON’T Blindly Listen to Sales People

We’ve all fallen into the trap of letting a salesperson to talk us into buying something, we’re not really crazy about. After 40, we are easy prey. While there are some good salespeople out there, most are on commission and want you to buy. Best to listen to your gut about an outfit or develop a long term relationship with a particular salesperson that you like and trust. Also, be sure to take a good look at how the sales person has put herself together. If she doesn’t look chic, how can you expect her to help you look chic?

2.DO Take it Home to Test Drive

Most stores have excellent return policies, so if you’re not sure how you feel about something, take it home and try it out. It can look very different when you are more rested or if you are in a different light. Maybe you’ll even notice how well it works with something else in your closet or start to feel differently about it when you slip in it on and get all kinds of compliments from your family. Or perhaps, you’ll realize that your instincts were right after all, and return it.

3.DON’T say No to your First Encounter with a New Style

When a new style arrives in the store it can seem so foreign that even though it looks fabulous on you, it feels strange. This is particularly true after 40. For example, if you try on a pair of new high waisted pants, and you like them, but are just not sure, then try on several versions of the same look from different designers. Sometimes a slightly different cut or a small detail change can make all the difference and suddenly you are sold.

4. DO check out what other Women are pulling off

If you are not sure if a style is age appropriate, then take a look at what other fashionable gals your age are wearing. If you are over 40 and worried that chunky platform shoes may look too young, but you notice stylish 40 somethings wearing who look great, then go for it. Also notice what clothes, hair and accessories these women are wearing with the chunky platforms. It’s important to co-ordinate a total look.

5.DO Be Prepared to make Mistakes

If you’ve fallen off the style track since you’ve turned 40 it’s going to take a while to get back on board. Be prepared to make a few mistakes and forgive yourself. So you thought it looked great, gave it a chance and a month later hated it. This will happen. Don’t beat yourself up. Getting Your Style Groove back is a process.

6.DON’T Buy Clothes you are not in Love With

In the end, the best way to determine whether a new style is right for you is to be in love with it. That’s the bottom line. If you don’t feel confident in what you are wearing you will never look fabulous no matter what anyone says. Remember you have to feel fabulous to look fabulous after 40!

© 2007 Fabulous after 40

Deborah Boland and JoJami Tyler (The Glam Gals) are Image and Style Experts specializing in helping women 40 plus look and feel fabulous. They are the authors of the book, The Glam Plan~ 12 Simple Steps to Take You from Frumpy to Fabulous, as well as coaches for their Tweak Your Chic™, Image make-over program. For more style tips visit: www.fabulousafter40.com and sign up for their bi-weekly newsletter.

You can also contact them at: info@fabulousafter40.com