Jumpsuits

I used to say that if you wore the trend the first time around, you were too old to wear it the second time. That, of course, was long before I was actually old enough to fall under my own rules. Now that I am of a certain age where trends I rocked early on – boho/hippie, 80s, disco, preppy, jumpsuits – have come back into style, I am rethinking my earlier proclamation.

One of the hottest new trends right now is the jumpsuit. And I love jumpsuits mostly because they seem to have replaced those hideous long print dresses from last year.

But a trendy look sometimes throw us grown-ups into a tizzy Is it age-appropriate? Can I still wear it? Does it look like I'm trying too hard? These are just a few of the questions I've heard so far from women about the jumpsuit.

I think most jumpsuits are fantastic, whether it's a black halter-neck jumpsuit or a white strapless gauzy number. Jumpsuits exude that effortless chic that eludes many items-of-the-moment in fashion (like the afore-mentioned long print dress.)

Like most fashion, it's not necessarily the trend itself, but the details and fit that make it age-appropriate. With the jumpsuit this is especially important: a simple sleeveless black jumpsuit can work for any age, but a strapless harem-panted jumpsuit is definitely young looking.

And while I think the jumpsuit is age-appropriate for any woman, the shorter version — the romper – is definitely for kids (and, yes, I know Madonna is is audacious enough to still wear just a bodysuit at 50+, but if we followed her lead on everything we'd all be dragging around a 20-something boy toy, too.)

More important than dressing for your age, is dressing for your body. If you flatter your figure (which is not the same thing as exposing your flesh) you'll look great at any age. Wearing the right jumpsuit for your figure means finding the perfect cut.

Many of the jumpsuits I've seen in the stores feature a sleek top with a really full leg: disastrous for the millions of us women who are bottom-heavy. At the other end of the spectrum are jumpsuits that are really tight and fitted all over (reminding me of the catusuit), which is another unflattering look for most bodies.

My favorite jumpsuit silhouette features something on top to flatter your best features, whether it's great arms, a pretty face or nice shoulders. The jumpsuit should skim your body without being tight. A moderately full leg is almost perfect on everyone. A great belt – in a contrasting color or a metallic – really defines your waist in a jumpsuit and it's a nice addition.

Because so many jumpsuits do have a fuller leg, be sure to add heels for a longer, slimmer look. And remember that the fuller the leg, the chunkier the shoe should be: a wedge heel works beautifully with a jumpsuit.