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Q. Can a 50 year old wear a jean jacket and look age appropriate?

A. Of course! Denim works for every age, the trick is to choose styles that are age appropriate. We recommend skipping this season’s denim-on-denim trend, which can be difficult to pull off even for a 20 year old hipster. Instead, opt for classic denim jackets in darker washes. White denim and dark denim blazers are also great options. Pair your jacket with crisp khakis, white pants, even a dress or skirt. Accessorize with a chic wrapped scarf and you’ve got the perfect age-appropriate look.

Here are some great options for you:

More Eileen Fisher…

Q. I am 5’3” tall, 30 1/2 inch waist, 39” hips and a full rear end. Although I do not follow trends but wear what works for me, I saw some very nice inexpensive skinny, distressed jeans on the NY&Co. site. Would skinny jeans work for my shape or should I stick with boot-cut and trouser cut styles?

A. Yes, curvy women can wear skinny jeans! Just be sure to style them in a way that flatters your figure. We covered this topic in the fall, but here’s how to wear it for spring:

The cuffed distressed pair shown here from nyandcompany.com looks great with a pair of heeled sandals, tall wedges or the season’s new platform clog. The heels will add height and instantly slim your legs.

If you’re looking to minimize your hips and thighs, try a pretty summer tunic or a lightweight boyfriend cardigan paired with a tank. If the length of your loose-fitting top hits right below the widest part of your thigh, it will have a slimming effect.

Q. I am wearing this white dress to my husband’s military ball. I don’t want it to look too bridal, so I would prefer not to wear matching shoes, but what color would look best? I would like the shoes to go with the overall soft, feminine look of the dress.

A. What a pretty, feminine dress! In keeping with the soft look of the dress, you should look for pretty heels in nude, gold, silver or a soft champagne color. Here are a few affordable options:

Chinese Laundry Weekend Metallic Sandal $69 - DSW

Nina Women’s Clova Sandal $79 - Endless.com

Every $79 - Nine West

Kelly & Katie Vegas Satin Sandal $70 - DSW

Calvin Klein Petal Appliqué Dress $178 - Nordstrom

Q. I am in need of a jacket for spring and summer showers and cooler days. I’d like to purchase just one coat or jacket that would work for my office attire and my casual weekend wardrobe. I am a pettite and can easily look lost in too long of a style. Any suggestions?

A. Look no further than a short or cropped trench coat. Eternally chic, and effortlessly versatile, a trench easily transitions from work to weekend, looking just as fabulous with a dress as it does with jeans. Look for belted or single breasted styles that are slim-fitting and hit mid-thigh or above for the most flattering silhouette for your petite figure.

Here are some options for every budget:

More Rachel Roy…

Q. I keep hearing about the new trend of wearing denim on denim. How can I pull this off without looking like a reject from 1988?

A. Truth? This is not an easy trend to wear. For me, it comes dangerously close to those horrid head-to-toe acid washed denim outfits from the early years of Beverly Hills 90210. Or bad high school pictures that make you cringe every time you look at them. However, if you’re determined to wear this spring trend, here are a few tips to pull it off in style:

D&G spring runway

1. Wear different colors

The easiest way to wear double denim is to wear two different colors of denim like the chambray shirt and white jeans combination shown above. Blue with black denim is also a great look.

2. Wear different washes

When wearing the same color denim, it’s best to pair two different washes. A light shirt with darker jeans or a dark denim jacket with lighter blue jeans works well.

3. Break up your denim pieces

Break up your denim pieces with a belt or a shirt to avoid looking like you’re wearing the same color denim from head to toe.

Faded denim blazer $88 - Gap

Current/Elliott The Skinny Studded Jeans $220 - Bergdorf Goodman