Fashion

Summer chic

All year, we long for some sunshine so we can waft along in floaty summer dresses looking cool and radiant.

Add in holiday horrors like flabby tummies, monster bottoms, droopy boobs and bingo wings we'd like to hide – it's no surprise we hate stripping off in public.

Bikini basics

The 10 Years Younger team recommends dressing for your age and your body shape when it comes to buying swimwear.

• In your 20s, discover what works best for your shape. It's worth taking the time to try on lots of different bikinis and swimming costumes in the shop to find out what works best for you. Don't worry about the colour - just decide what shape supports your body. When you've discovered that, work out what colours suit your skin tones.
• Once you've reached your 30s, it's time to think about wearing a costume with some more support - underwired bra tops and fabrics which are not too light-weight or sheer. If you've put on weight, don't think you can wear the same triangle bikini that you wore when you were 18.
• In your 40s, it could be time to increase the coverage. Wear a bikini if you feel comfortable but make sure it's one that holds you in at the right places and isn't too tiny. Don't feel you have to wear a boring one-piece in navy blue - just take a good look at yourself in the mirror and be realistic. Tankinis are a great invention and look funky as well as covering you up a little more. Bigger pants could be the answer too, but don't wear them if you're pear-shaped, they'll accentuate your bigger hips.
• Over 50 and it's time to think about colour. Don't resort to safe black and white. Find a colour which enhances your skin tones. Once again, if your figure can handle it, wear a bikini - you don't have to wear a one-piece.

Finally, the question of sunbathing topless. Let's be honest, girls. Sometimes it's best to leave some things to the imagination. If you're a twenty-something beach goddess - go ahead. The rest of us mere mortals are best keeping our tops on.

Office politics

The sun comes out and suddenly more fashion faux-pas hit the office than a dressing-down Friday. People either wear too many clothes - and no-one wants to sit next to Ms Sweaty-pants. Or they pare down their office gear to little more than a pair of hot-pants with a cutaway crop top. Fine if your job involves a pole and dancing. Not great if you're Ms Normal in human resources.
Here are the top tips from the 10 Years Younger team on how to dress coolly for the office.

• Flimsy fabrics are OK as long as your underwear is hidden. Think about wearing nude shades of underwear and plain t-shirt bras. This is not the time to reveal your best frillies.
• Save micro minis for weekends and holidays - whatever your age. It's distracting for everyone and won't help your career prospects.
• Big accessories look great in the summer but make sure they aren't noisy and annoying to your work colleagues. Jangling bangles and clanking necklaces are just the sort of thing to really wind-up your co-workers.
• Don't go neon-tastic. Opt for a splash of acid rather than the head to toe look.
• There are lots of ways to cover-up bare arms this year which will also keep you cool. Think about cotton jackets with a belted waist or cool cardies - fitted cardigans with 3/4 length sleeves.