A friend raised a very good point the other day about older women (i.e. over 40) and style, and how annoyed she was at the idea we should be dressing like Christmas trees or colourful clowns to look relevant.

This came off the back of films like Advanced Style by Ari Seth Cohen, which features women of a ‘certain age’ embracing colour, print, crazy hats, mad jewellery and bright hair makeup, all at once.

It’s cute and exuberant and a lot of fun, and if that is your thing, knock yourself out, but it’s not exactly elegant.

Iris Apfel nails nutty style, but she’s one of the few who can. Photo: Getty

The very stylish nonagenarian Iris Apfel (for those who have seen the documentary Iris, she is a treasure) manages to pull this type of style off impeccably but she has unique, exquisite taste, honed from a lifetime of collecting traditional costume pieces and couture.

She is also, and this helps, rake thin with a full head of thick silver hair and long elegant hands. It is, as they say, all in the mix.

I think the problem with the media is when they want to talk about or praise the style of older women, they jump from 40 to 70 and leave out all the women in the 30 years in between.

The discourse goes from “isn’t she hot?” (under 40) to “isn’t she fabulous?” (over 70).

Sunglasses are better than plastic surgery. Photo: Getty

What about that bit in the middle, where you can wear a white shirt and jeans, and pull your silver streaked hair back in a ponytail with a red lip and have a few lines on your face and look absolutely wonderful?

As much as all the nutty excess is a hoot, over 40 looks fabulous pared back.

Spectacles become a necessity and a tactical accessory – the heavier, larger sized frames in black or tortoiseshell add interest to face and make eyes look bigger. Cat’s eye shapes will also give the effect of pulling the face upwards, much more flattering.

Adding elements of sportswear to a look also gives a more youthful edge, as well as being comfortable. Wear your favourite dress, or pantsuit, but add a white sneaker or coloured trainer instead of classic shoe.

Red lips and turtlenecks are timeless. Photo: Getty

A chunky, flat jewelled sandal is also a way to update everything you own, and make even your most pedestrian items look modern. Put a parka or an oversized denim jacket over something more formal, to give it more a more casual air of glamour.

The marvellous bit about getting older is that you don’t have to worry about keeping up with trends but, rather, just incorporate a piece or two.

Mixing formal and casual appears more fun and less ageing than a top-to-toe look. Try a brocade evening coat with jeans and ballet flats or heirloom jewels with a men’s sweater from Zara and some cargo pants.

It also might be time to visit the beauty counter for an update. I had convinced myself that my red lip days were over but discovered, mid-makeover at the Clinique counter last week, that bright lipstick changed my whole look, for the better.

Kris Jenner’s look isn’t as timeless. Photo: Getty

You’ll probably need less foundation, more smudged eyeliner in a defined brown. And not much else. Leave the contouring to Kris Jenner.

Ageless: Leopard print, dark cat’s eye sunglasses, white sneakers, turtleneck sweaters, statement jewellery, diamonds, red lips and nails, hats and berets and trench coats.

Not so much: Culottes, backless wedges, sleeveless puffer vests, thermals, dark lipliner, too much fake tan, rimless glasses and excessive makeup.