Fab 'n' fiftyish

HOLIDAY pictures of Joan Collins in a bikini showed the veteran actress to be in fantastic shape for her 68 years. Her trim figure was befitting a woman half her age - which perhaps helps explain how she has managed to lure a new 35-year-old boyfriend, Percy Gibson.

Time has been kind to Joan, who for years has been championed as Queen Of Looking Fabulous At 50. Indeed, to celebrate that landmark, she posed for Playboy.

But she had better watch out. There is a growing band of middle-aged women snapping at her kitten heels to challenge her for that crown.

Goldie Hawn is a prime candidate and still looks a good ten years or so younger than her 55 years. Judge for yourself next month with the release of her latest film, Town & Country, in which she stars with the equally Dorian Gray-like actresses Andie MacDowell, 43, and Diane Keaton, 55.

At 51, actress Sigourney Weaver has just delivered arguably the sexiest performance of her career in her new movie Heartbreakers where she plays a seductress con-woman.

And French actress Catherine Deneuve, 57, has been recruited by hair-care giants L'Oreal to front the advertising campaign for its new shampoo range for women aged over 45, Elvive Regenium.

Closer to home, original supermodel Twiggy, now 51, is advertising the health benefits of drinking soya milk and has just landed a £250,000-a-year contract to present ITV's This Morning magazine show.

The media's sudden interest in older women is long overdue, says Maire Fahey, editor of Prima magazine.

"There has been tremendous social change for older women which is fast gaining momentum," she said.

"Women's lives have changed completely. They can now aspire to look better for life and not just in their youth.

"That is because they have more opportunities, freedom, money and female role models to inspire them." But what is the secret to looking fabulous at 50?

To find out, we consulted York experts in beauty, fitness and fashion and asked them for their top tips to help hold back the years.

BEAUTY

Carol Lumley-Holmes works in the cosmetics hall at Fenwick department store, Coppergate, York.

The grandmother of two is just two years away from her 60th birthday but looks years younger - and all because she practises what she preaches. Her top tips are:

- Sleep - Get plenty of it. Not only does it make you feel good, it keeps your skin and eyes looking their best.

- Water - Drink lots, every day. It is important not to get dehydrated, which can affect your skin.

- Diet - It goes without saying to watch what you eat.

- Moisturise - Everywhere and every day. During the menopause, women's skin gets drier so it is important to use a moisturiser on your whole body after showering.

- Sun protection - Wear a sun factor all year round, in your moisturiser or foundation, as even winter sun's rays are damaging.

- Fun - Don't forget to have some! Carol says: "You can still enjoy yourself. I still drink a glass of red wine every night."

FITNESS

Regular readers of Impressions will be familiar with the advice of Pat Issitt, the fitness trainer who writes for our Monday Experts column.

Pat, 46, is a firm believer that you are never too old to get the fitness bug and rates exercise as one of the main ways to keep you looking and feeling younger. Her best advice is:

Variety - Make sure you do a good mix of exercise every week, including fat-burning activities such as swimming, jogging, cycling or an exercise class like aerobics as well as weight training.

- Beat middle-aged spread - Fat-burning, or cardio-vascular, exercises are brilliant for strengthening the heart and burning up calories to combat middle-aged spread.

- Keep bones strong - Weight training is very important for pre and post menopausal women who are at risk of osteoporosis as it strengthens their bones. It's good to do this at a gym under proper instruction.

- Exercise every day - Even if it's just going for a walk or doing some vigorous housework or gardening. And three days a week do some exercise for 20-30 minutes that gets you hot and sweaty and out of breath. And two or three times a week do weight resistance work for 30 minutes to an hour at a time.

Pat adds: "Exercise is not going to get rid of your wrinkles, but you will feel better. It raises your endorphin levels and makes you feel more alive."

FASHION

Image consultant Sally Hanley offers men and women advice on everything from what colours to wear to help with shopping for the type of clothes that suit their figures best.

She says women have to subtly change their wardrobe and make-up as they get older.

- Changing colours - Your hair, skin and even eyes can change colour as you approach 50, which can mean colours that used to suit you don't work as well. Neutral colours can look too bland and dark colours too sombre. You can combat this by choosing lighter shades of navy or grey and perking it up with a splash of colour in one of their best tones. If you are unsure, a colour analysis by an image consultant can help.

- Watch those hem lengths - The right hem length can make or break an outfit. Get it wrong and you can look cheap. Hit the bullseye, and you will look chic.

- Less is more - Younger people tend to have lots of accessories but as you get older it's best to have a few quality accessories which you can wear with any outfit.

- Quality rather than quantity - Buy a small range of key, quality garments such as skirts, trousers and jackets and ring in the changes with tops and accessories.

- Move with the times - If you still wear old-fashioned specs and think the only hairstyle for a woman in her 50s is a perm, think again. Choose some modern frames and at the hairdressers opt for a good cut to suit your face shape. The same applies to make-up, pick out some modern shades - neutrals are the big trend now, which can give a classy, timeless look.

Sally adds: "A lot of people say they are half way to nowhere in their 50s - they might be retired or their children have left home. It's a lifestyle-changing time and spending time and money on yourself can boost confidence in your later years."