Judging by the questions on Wonderstuff, there's a pressing need for a canny company to step up and target this market. So many women get to a certain age and find that fashion desserts them just when they need help most. And fashion editors are guilty of concentrating on the youth market at the expense of appealing to real women.

If I had to put my finger on labels that work for the older woman, I would recommend Jigsaw, L K Bennett, John Lewis, Laura Ashley, M&S (the stock has improved hugely in the last couple of years). I would also recommend Boden, La Redoute, Toast and White Company catalogues. Steer clear of the cheap end of the market - as you age, it pays to invest in proper clothes: good tailoring, fine knits, well-cut pieces. Jaeger is doing a fine job in this department: have a look at their dresses for spring - lots of choice, perfectly fashionable, but still kind and forgiving to the wearer.