‘I’m in my early 50s. Where do I shop?’: The Guardian’s fashion stylist answered your questions

​Thanks so much for all the questions!

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed answering them, and hearing about what fashion issues are front of your minds.

I’m off to have a think about my own winter footwear now ...

SahEv3013 asks: Best winter shoes?

Mel: ​Where to begin! For day to day versatility, I’d say loafers or chunky ankle boots ... or a hybrid of the two, like these. I also like hiking style boots to wear with jeans. I’d also throw in some shoes for the evening? I like a pump with a block heel.

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ThankYouJohn asks: Is it ok to wear white socks with sandals?

Mel: ​It’s a hard yes from me, and all the kids are doing it. If you’re in the market for some celebrity inspo have a look at Tyler, The Creator or Hayley Bieber.

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Hilarywilliams asks: I’d like recommendations for shoes that look ‘work’ smart, that I can walk miles across cities or travel in, and that aren’t trainers - happy to pay a bit more for quality that lasts.

Mel: ​I like Derby shoes - they look pleasingly chunky and modern with tailored trousers and don’t slide off my feet like loafers sometimes do. This particular style from Bobbies is excellent quality, whilst also being lightweight. They are my shoe of choice if I know I’m doing a lot of appointments and walking around town.

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LWilde asks: I have a fairly classic sense of style and I’m petite, which means the recent trend for voluminous shapes feels unflattering. Now I’m approaching my 40s, I worry it makes me look out of touch. How can I keep wearing the styles I like whilst also feeling current?

Mel: ​You should absolutely stick to wearing the styles of clothing that make you feel like yourself. Clothing is about confidence, and you can’t be confident if you feel like a different person. If you want to do volume without feeling swamped why not try a top with fuller sleeves like this? Or have a think about accessories. A pair of coloured socks, or an updated belt can transform a look really easily. ​It’s​ often about the small tweaks​, not overhauling your whole wardrobe.

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MissCroissant asks: Which brands are more likely to produce clothing that is flattering on pear shaped bodies (of all sizes - slim to curvy)?

Mel: High street brands, on the whole, have got better at producing collections which aren’t just designed for one body shape. They finally understand that not everyone is the same height, shape and size. I still see some issues when a brand’s desired demographic is quite young - that’s when sizes often come up smaller and thighs and bums aren’t really accommodated. In terms of a wide range of fits for different body shapes I’d say Marks and Spencer, Never Fully Dressed and Boden all do this pretty well.

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TTTJJJAAA asks: Where can I buy British-made quality clothes at a reasonable price? I don’t mind paying extra, but £700 for a pair of Church’s shoes is not affordable for most people. Or do I need to start looking secondhand?

Mel: ​Community Clothing is 100% made in the UK and sold for really affordable prices. Sadly, not shoes though!

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madfroglady asks: I am in my 50s and have been married for 34 years. We couldn’t afford a big wedding back in the day but for our 35th anniversary next year we are going on a beach vacation. I would love to have a vow renewal for just the two of us, and a photoshoot with me in an amazing dress and him in his kilt. The lace mermaid wedding dress I would adore would look terrible on my size 18 body, and seems impractical for a beach. How do I find an amazing midi dress that looks great on me?

Mel: ​Congratulations! This sounds just lovely. Well, beach style dresses are basically their own whole category now, so you should have lots to choose from. I’m thinking white or cream, right? And something flowing rather than fitted would be my recommendation- you want to enjoy the day, the sea breeze, and feel relaxed. Something like this from Next could work? Or Rixo also has lots of great styles, like this. They sell out quickly in bigger sizes, but do restock.

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guineapigs asks: Who does cropped knits? I am 5’4”, size 10 and am totally swamped by most knitwear. My algorithm keeps showing me elastic band styling tips which look great as long as you don’t actually move.

Mel: I’m not a fan of elastic band tricks … they might work for some people, but I don’t enjoy the feeling of a big lump of material under my jacket. H&M often cut their jumpers slightly shorter, like this one. It would sit closer to your waistband. Also check out & Other Stories, this pink style looks good.

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wingnut143 asks: As a woman in my early 50s, I feel a bit left out knowing what to wear and where to shop. I have no desire to dress like I did in my 20s, but I am not ready for the fashion scrap heap just yet. Any advice would be greatly received.

Mel: It’s easy to feel excluded from shops when all their fashion imagery features 20 year old models, but don’t give up. My tactic is to ignore this and focus solely on the clothes. We have the benefit at 40+ of knowing what we like, what shapes work for us, what we feel comfortable in- so work with that.

I like brands that are less trend-led, like Cos, Arket and J.Crew and I look for pieces that riff on the classics but have more personality- like a bolder striped shirt, or a jumper with contrasting neckline and cuffs. It’s easier to find these things in real life so I’d say go for a wander down the high street or find a nice independent multi-brand shop rather than going online. Hopefully you will find inspiration again!

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APSheffield asks: Do you have any suggestions for very low heeled boots that don’t look like wellies or cow’s hooves (by which I mean, overly chunky) but are tall enough to wear with midi skirts? I fancy mid-calf Chelsea boots but can’t find any the right length.

Mel: ​Oooh I love a question like this. Could a tall, cowboy inspired boot be the answer? They will give you the slimmer silhouette you are after. They are wider at the calf so will be more comfortable than a tall Chelsea boot. These are great, and currently on sale.

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HemingfieldTwit asks: At what age should I stop wearing jeans (I am a 60+ male) or should I just embrace the Clarkson look?

Mel: You can absolutely still wear jeans if you are 60+! I don’t think there is a cut off age for denim at all. The key is to think about the shape and colour. Pale or stone wash denim, plus anything with rips, needs to go. Stick to dark indigo blue and buy straight leg styles that fit similarly to a pair of chinos - don’t go too wide à la Clarkson. Wear them with casual shirts, or a lightweight jumper over a t-shirt.

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