FashionComeLately: It isn't what you wear but how you wear it!

This is particularly true about fashionable, stylish women...and in most cases, French women.

Although we don't live in France, New York or other major style centers, we can certainly "import" several tips for women "of a certain age" and how we look.

One tip is to wear simple clean lines. Not a lot of fussiness is key...that goes with the tops we wear, dresses, skirts, slacks, and jackets. There's the theory that spending more money on a piece means you have high quality. And I do know that owning a designer piece can make you feel special, it is just that you don't really need to. Just keep to clean lines, basic colors (neutrals), and well pressed clothes. You don't need a lot of clothes but you do need them clean, tidy and simple. You can wear them with confidence, knowing that no matter where you are, you are wearing what looks best on you.

Another tip is mixing and matching your pieces. That is easy to accomplish with basic pieces. A crisp white shirt looks great with absolutely everything, even over your swimsuit! Black, grey, taupe, navy are neutrals, as is a soft plaid, leopard, polka dots and stripes. How you pair them up is what makes one elegant.

Then there are accessories...a beautiful silk scarf, pearl necklaces, gold and silver chain necklaces, a beautiful belt, and several cardigans.

You can wear whatever you like but as Marilyn Monroe did, look in a full length mirror before you walk out the door and remove the one accessory that grabs your eye...because it is a sign that it is too distracting from how you look.

Of course, nothing counts if you aren't wearing great shoes. Every woman needs black heels and flats, a nude pair of both and, in my opinion, a great pair of red shoes. And I am sure that Dorothy from "The Wizard of Oz" would agree.

If it helps you, when you dress, think to yourself: "What would Audrey Hepburn wear?" She dressed with casual elegance, not unlike a French woman. Yes, I know...she was a size zero and absolutely everything looks better in that size, but dressing with grace and elegance, no matter what size, is easy to do and makes one feel confidant and stylish.

You may have already done your spring cleaning but think about starting again, discarding those fussy pieces, those things you have hanging in your closet "just in case," and those "fat" clothes. Review what classic, basic pieces you own and make a list of what you might need to buy to make your closet the perfect place to dress from.

Wear your clothes with good posture, head up and back straight. Walk with élan and grace. Don't forget that you are your own best self... carry yourself with the specialness you are and deserve to be treated.