Next year's model

One of the worst things about getting older is getting bigger so that nothing fits as it did. Luckily this isn't a problem for our model this week - Judith Hendershott, freelance arts manager and writer, who is still a size 12. The only way Judith's shopping habits have changed over the years is that she buys fewer clothes. "I'll buy one outfit a season now, and almost exclusively from Nicole Farhi. I go for classic dark colours and good tailored pieces. I also love Fenwicks: you get treated seriously by the assistants and they don't play loud rock music!" As women get older they tend to become terribly shy of visiting shops that have a "young" image - this needn't be. There is always something good to be found among the maribou minis, and younger shops tend to be braver with their prints, so it's worth a look. I'm also very impressed with Fenwicks who do loads of really great styles under one roof. I could give you lots of little "rules" for dressing when you get older, but heck, if you can't do what you want when you're over 50, when can you?

Left: chocolate brown velvet tunic, pounds 75, Caractere, Fenwicks, 63 New Bond Street, London W1. Link chain belt, pounds 39 approx, Fenwicks, as before. Chocolate brown and iris print long skirt, pounds 125, Fenn Wright & Manson, Fenwicks, as before, and Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, London SW1; inquiries: 0171 323 4821.

Far right: vanilla silk blouse, pounds 75, Fenn Wright & Manson, Fenwicks and Harvey Nichols, as before. Orange and brown optical print bias skirt, pounds 45, Warehouse, 19-21 Argyll Street London W1 and branches; inquiries: 0171 278 3491. Leopard print felt hat, pounds 49.95, Kangol, Way In, Harrods, Knightsbridge London SW1; inquiries: 0171 487 4888

Right: brown and beige angora jumper, pounds 79, Fenn Wright & Manson, Fenwicks, as before; Harvey Nichols, as before. Brown velvet scarf, pounds 145, English Eccentrics, Fenwicks and Harvey Nichols, as before.