Why is it that at all stages of life women are told what they should or shouldn’t wear? It starts at an early age where teenagers and young women are described as promiscuous or ‘asking for it’ if their skirt is too short and their neckline too low. Seriously?

One would hope that in later life, let’s just describe this as the period over the age of 50 when we have lived a lot of life, know our own minds and how life works, that we would no longer be told what to wear and how to present ourselves.

But I have heard it all. We older women should not: 1. Wear red lipstick. 2. Have our hair long. 3. Wear mascara on our lower lashes. 4. Wear short skirts (still!), let alone shorts. 5. Have bare arms. Ane the list goes on…

Well to hell with that. I love red lipstick and my Mum rocked it until the last years of her life, it may not suit you and that’s fine too. My hair is short but if you want to keep your hair long, then that is your business. And what’s with the no mascara on lower lashes? – I could never get my head around that. Short skirts and shorts – I wear all lengths and given my legs are one of my best assets, and I live in a hot climate, then yes I wear shorts too. Oh and I bare my arms.

So please make your own rules. Actually I think there should only be one ‘rule’: wear what you like, what makes you feel good. That’s all that counts.

Hold your head high and tell the world that you are in charge. We need your vibrant energy.

For more inspiration from Jan, please visit her site Retiring Not Shy (and of course, follow her on Mys Tyler)