FASHION

old,” he said.

For Moeller the key is starting with a classic silhouette, or the overall outline and shape of a garment, that works for one’s body and accenting it with a certain style, not creating an over-the-top “costume” look with every piece giving a shout-out to a specific trend.

If it’s the bohemian style for women, it could mean wearing a peasant blouse, some cropped denim pants and a pair of nice slip-on tennis shoes, she said. If this fall’s trendy gothic look hits home, one can experiment with colors such as dark plums and midnight blues, or buy a statement coat that reflects what Moeller calls the style’s “Tim Burton” look.

Sometimes building an outfit can simply be a matter of reaching into the closet for a piece that is suddenly new again, said Leah Benitez, a fashion instructor at the Art Institute of Las Vegas. In fact, this is where boomers have an advantage.

The classic Audrey Hepburn-style cigarette pant that tapers at the ankle is a minimalist piece that always works, she said. The mod and bohemian looks from the ’60s and ’70s, including shift dresses and off-the-shoulder designs, are popular now across the generations, and an accessory such as a longtime favorite necklace can suddenly become a great vintage piece that brings an outfit together.

There are classics that should be part of any women’s wardrobe, acting as a kind of backdrop for different looks, the experts noted. Benitez’s list includes a good pair of jeans, a black or tweed blazer, a lightweight chambray top and a little black dress. Henning recommends staples such as an A-line skirt, a lace shell to go underneath a jean jacket or blazer, a boat-neck tunic and shift dress.

For boomer men a great look always starts with the fit and silhouette, including some basic style rules. Moeller, whose styling has appeared in GQ magazine and advertising layouts for companies such as Toyota and Bombay Sapphire Gin, wrote a blog earlier this year about when a man, of any age, should tuck in his shirt. One of the rules: If the shirt hem is even, leave it untucked; uneven, tuck it in and wear a belt.

Older men tend to wear baggy denim, but jeans actually should be straightleg style and fitted, as opposed to tight, while big, boxy shirts and suits can age a man as fast as he can say Buster Browns, she added.

“It doesn’t have to be a skinny suit or a European cut, you can have whatever lapel you’re comfortable with, just make sure your clothing fits you,” she said.

As in women’s fashion, it’s also hard to go wrong with the classic silhouettes.

She points to celebrities such as Daniel Craig and George Clooney, who stick with “a great fitted, classic look,” such as dark denim jeans and a quality pullover shirt with a great shoe or jacket. The classic silhouette of a nice gingham shirt with a collar, tucked into jeans with a brown belt and pair of brogues is always a good look, she added.

In the end, the clothes should reflect one’s personal style, not every trend that comes down the runway feels age appropriate and comfortable. Your wardrobe also should instill a feeling of self-assurance and, yes, fun, the experts noted.

“If you buy the wrong thing at the end of the day, you’re not comfortable in it, you know that, so always dress where you know you’re confident and comfortable,” Henning said.