Yes, you CAN wear leather at any age

And other style rules from the designer who put the PM in those £995 trousers

SHE’S the 54- year- old fashion designer beloved of royalty and the A-list, who’s dressed everyone from Angelina Jolie and nicole Kidman to Princess Diana and the Duchess of Cambridge.

Thanks to Amanda Wakeley’s flattering designs and instinctive understanding of what women of a certain age want, she’s also a favourite of Britain’s most monied and influential women, including the Prime minister.

Theresa may sported a daring pair of her £995 desert khaki leather trousers for a magazine shoot (main picture).

But Amanda also says that every woman — no matter her age or budget — can look stylish with just a few clever tricks. Here, she shares her ten tips for brilliant style, whatever your age . . .

1. DON’T GIVE UP YOUR SIGNATURE STYLE

In YOUR 20s, you’re experimenting and finding your style DNA. This is your means of self-expression through clothes — perhaps you go for glamour, a rock chick look, boho style or simply a smart look.

We’re not talking fashion trends here, but an overall feel for the kind of clothes that you love.

I’ve always been more comfortable in monochromes and neutrals, for example, but other women won’t feel like themselves unless they’re wearing a slash of vibrant colour or a pencil skirt and heels.

There’s no need to change this style as you age — just evolve it.

Seek out pieces that are well-cut and of as high a quality as you can stretch to — even if it’s only £20 more.

The one thing you can’t afford as you get older is scruffiness. You want clothes that will look good for a long time and fit you well.

2. A JUDO BELT IS ALL YOU NEED

MY FAVOURITE accessory is the incredibly useful judo belt — a broad piece of fabric, often satin, wrapped several times around the waist and tied at the front.

You can cinch anything with it: a big shirt, tunic, jacket or colour block dress.

Scarves, too, can inject personality — either oversized and wrapped twice around the neck, European style, or a cute little neckerchief in a lovely print to set off a T-shirt.

3. TAKE SELFIES . . . BUT HEADLESS

If YOU’RE not sure what suits you best, take a quick selfie in the changing room, but make sure that you chop your head off the image so that you’re not distracted by morning hair or lack of make-up.

Look at your body shape objectively, as though you were scrutinising a shop mannequin or a model. Your shape may actually suit a cut you’d never considered before.

4. AVOID CAKING ON LOTS OF MAKE-UP

GROOMING undeniably becomes more important, but be subtle about it.

If you’ve just stepped out of the hairdressers with a fabulous blow-dry, you probably need less make-up than usual. If your hair is scraped back, on the other hand, a beautiful red lipstick can work terrifically well.

I avoid going for the full works (full face of make-up, big hair and full manicure) because that can be ageing, too.

But it’s your look so it’s better to be true to yourself. If it makes you feel great, go for it.

5. THE STATEMENT PIECES TO ACQUIRE

A STATEMENT coat or jacket will immediately make any outfit (from jeans and trainers to an evening gown) feel extraspecial. Perhaps it’s a wonderful colour or has fabulous detailing or is a unique vintage piece. It will lift your entire outfit, no matter how casual the rest of it is. The other thing you need is a great white shirt — this is an oft- cited staple, and for me, too, it’s the ultimate in timeless chic.

make sure it’s plain cotton, with no Lycra (the same goes for T-shirts: Lycra tends to cling to all the wrong places).

Last, pick a beautiful handbag and/or a fabulous pair of shoes. Either can be transformative, no matter whether you’re having a skinny day or a fat day. Wearing lovely things makes you smile and walk a bit taller.

6. LOVE LEATHER

YOU can still wear skinny jeans and leather trousers when you’re not in the first flush of youth. Ignore people who say you can’t wear figure- hugging or even revealing clothes over a certain age. my 83-year-old mother looks fantastic in a pair of khaki stretch suede girlfriend jeans, which she wears with a chunky sweater and a fantastic attitude.

nothing mutton about that look at all.

Ring the changes with skinny jeans by choosing higher waisted or versions that are looser about the ankle.

The key to looking good in leather is the quality. Shiny, imitation or PVC won’t work, especially if your body shape isn’t naturally lean and slim.

7. JEWELLERY IS THE FINISHING TOUCH

I LOVE wearing a man’s watch with a dark manicure for its contrast to your gorgeously feminine nails.

The perfect finishing touch for any outfit is pretty jewellery: try a chunky necklace over something dark in winter or opt for a gold chain to contrast with lighter summer colours.

8. ASK THE EXPERTS FOR FASHION ADVICE

BEWARE style advice from certain people! Teenage daughters aren’t always impartial judges on shopping trips, and even good friends can find it hard to tell you what they think for fear of not saying the right thing.

Instead, find a good, welltrained sales assistant to give you the lowdown on an outfit.

The best of them can take one look at your shape and suggest a style of dress or a type of jeans that works brilliantly, but you’d never have chosen yourself.

9. YOU JUST CAN’T BEAT SEXY HEELS

HEELS or flats in the office? Of course, it’s an insult to women to set rules. It’ s about comfort and what you want to wear, and it’s not hard to find incredibly chic flats for even the most glamorous of occasions.

However, I do think there’s something empowering about putting on a pair of heels. You can’t help standing differently, and throwing your shoulders back and owning a room.

In stunning footwear, women can appear more commanding and, yes, more feminine, too, so we shouldn’t be at all shy about celebrating high heels for those reasons.

10. BUY A TUX — AND EMBRACE TROUSERS

A BEAUTIFULLY cut tuxedo jacket is not just for the man in your life. Your version can be worn in the evening or daytime, dressed up or down with a slinky camisole top or a white T-shirt.

Short and fitted, or longer and looser — whatever suits you.

for trousers, it is all about feeling good: your ultimate pair might be a slim, ankle-skimming cigarette style, relaxed, highwaisted paper bag pants or a wonderfully elongating boot cut.

Whatever it is, you need great trousers in your wardrobe.