Women choose to grow old gracefully at the age of 59, a survey has revealed. Researchers pinpointed the age women believe they should ditch things such as false nails, red lipstick, high-heels and tight fitting clothes and adopt a more natural look.
The study found that miniskirts need to be banished by the age of 41, knee-high boots get the heave-ho at 45, and baseball caps need to go at 40.
Leather trousers are not to be worn after the age of 41 and even fairly innocuous tight tops need to be thought through when women reach 45.
Half of those in the study said women over 50 could not get away with tattoos, and a third said bleached hair was not becoming for the more mature lady.
The poll of 1,500 women aged 45 and over found 80% feel the need to abandon 'younger' styles as they grow older- with some trends needing to be dropped as early as their 40s.
The study by anti-aging brand Nurture Replenish Skincare also found over one third of women said fake tan should be dropped by the time they reach 40.
A spokesman for Nurture Replenish Skincare commented:
''Many women will be able to relate to these findings.
''It's true that as you get older you may have to adapt your look and 50 is a watershed decade for most women.
''But every woman will face this stage at different times in her life and what age is right for one woman won't necessarily suit the next.
''What's important to remember is to be yourself and don't be forced to look a certain way because you feel you have to.''
The study also found one in ten women think heavy eyeliner is passé by the mid-fifties.
It's no surprise that nearly a third of the women polled worry they're too old to wear certain items in their wardrobe.
Despite living in an age-conscious society, a confident 59% of women think they look younger than they actually are, and said they don't need the latest trends in fashion and make-up to look good.
Only a quarter said they would consider cosmetic surgery, with the health risks and cost implications being the biggest deterrent.
Half said they would be petrified of anti-aging surgery going wrong.
A very comfortable 74% said they are happy to let nature take its course and not succumb to drastic anti-ageing measures.
Only 21% of women would choose to have cosmetic fillers, and the poll found that respondents declared a good diet and a strict skincare regime as the answer to staying youthful.
Although a more frisky 10% said it was a younger man, while one in twenty credited lots of make-up.
Being wrinkle-free was the must-have attribute to looking good when you hit your fifties and sixties- but confidence, wisdom and intelligence were also listed attributes that contributed towards older women feeling in their prime.
The research also revealed the average woman over 45 would like to shave just 5 years off her age.
A spokesman for Nurture Replenish Skincare added:
''It appears we are seeing a Botox backlash as women seem to be more interested in looking good than looking 20.
''At the end of the day, what make-up or hair style you wear is a personal choice but it's good to hear that women in their fifties feel confident enough in their looks to stop being a slave to fashion
''It's encouraging that women only want to shave just 5 years off their real age and most are not interested in cosmetic surgery.
''Nowadays with so many advances in skincare that is achievable- the key is to adapt and change your routine as you mature.''
The study also found that Helen Mirren to be the celebrity who is growing old most gracefully.
Runner-up was Bond actress Judi Dench, followed by Absolutely Fabulous Star Joanna Lumley.
But Madonna, Anne Robinson and Jerry Hall were at the bottom of the list and failed to make the top 20.
TOP 10 CELEBRITIES THAT ARE GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY
1. Helen Mirren
2. Judi Dench
3. Joanna Lumley
4. Twiggy
5. Nigella Lawson
6. Lorraine Kelly
7. Honour Blackman
8. Lulu
9. Fern Britton
10. The Duchess of Cornwall
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