DON’T WEAR ‘OLD LADY’ CLOTHES OR SHOES

GILLIAN Haber, 58, is a retired old age psychiatrist. A LOT of ageing is genetic and there is nothing you can do to stave off the ageing process. However, what you can do to help is not smoke, take lots of exercise, read lots of books to keep your mind active — and avoid wearing old lady clothes.

Obviously you may want to avoid looking like mutton dressed as lamb, but that doesn’t mean you have to wear age-appropriate clothes that makes you look older.

A few years ago I went to M&S to buy some trousers for my mother, who was 85. The lady showed me a pair — they were sort of slacks, made from a stretchy material — and said: ‘These are the type of trousers the very elderly wear’.

I did actually buy them for her and she was pleased with them, but I can’t imagine ever wearing such a thing no matter how old I am! The same goes for shoes. You might not be able to wear high heels but you can still wear shoes that are attractive and fashionable.

If you resist the temptation to behave in a certain way and refuse to assume certain stereotypes merely because you are old, it can improve your quality of life, which makes you happier generally. And if you are happier generally you are probably healthier.