9 ways to lose your fear of fashion

5.   CHOOSE YOUR USUAL NEUTRALS IN NEW SHAPES If you wear mostly black, tan and brown, sticking with your usual color palette helps you test new-for-you silhouettes such as wider pants, midi

skirts and asymmetric necklines with very little risk. Naomi Watts in green A-line loose midi dress and supermodel Paulina Porizkova in designer Jiri Kalfar — red head to toe. Getty Images:

Michael Stewart/WireImage; Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho 6.   TRY NEW BRANDS AND RETAILERS We get so used to our regular shopping destinations that we often never look anywhere else. While

big-name fast fashion and mass retailers have made trendy at any size easier (and we’re talking sizes 0 to 30 here, XS to 3X), new sites are fun to check out (just like celebs trying a new

designer for the red carpet). Have you looked into Asos, Zara and H&M? I’m sure you have peeked! But what about the hot new plus-size brands like ModCloth, Eloquii, Good American

(amazing jeans!), Premme, Torrid, Jibri and Zelie for She? Take a chance — what’s the worst that can happen? Return! Sheryl Lee Ralph in orange sleeveless tunic dress over full-cut yellow

pants GETTY IMAGES: AMY SUSSMAN; AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN/FILMMAGIC 7.   FORGET YOU HAVE NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT IN YOUR CLOSET Your new fashionable fling doesn’t have to “match” your typical style

or the clothes you own. Even the most classic or basic wardrobes can always use surprise. Make flowing pants and a tunic a statement with contrasting colors, or instead of an LBD choose a

dress in pink lace. Christine Lahti in gold A-line midi skirt and black top and Debra Messing in cropped sequin jacket over a black blouse and pants. Dan MacMedan/Getty Images; Astrid

Stawiarz/Getty Images for TRESemmé 8.   BUY A DRESSIER PIECE THAT SPARKLES We all have enough little black dresses and still serviceable black “evening” pants. Adding in one new item that

shines or shimmers updates all and gives your wardrobe a thrill. Sequins and metallics are now night-and-day OK! Regina King in striped red, black and white belt-tie, shirt-collar  jumpsuit

with over-the-shoulders red blazer,  and Tina Knowles Lawson in black knit V-neck jumpsuit, a major statement necklace and metallic shoulder bag. Rich Polk; Leon Bennett/ Getty Images  9.  

GO OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE Yes, black pants and a black top are easy pickings but wouldn’t a jumpsuit be more fun? And how about mixing it up more: Toughen your feminine classic pieces

with leather, in jackets, skirts or pants. Add a hit ’em over the head statement necklace and a metallic bag for instant glamour LAST WORD: Hit the dressing room prepared for change. Take

along some Spanx, heels and flats, and wear your best bra and something that makes the whole try-on experience easier. You do not want to be struggling to pull off tight jeans or to wear

leggings when looking for tuck-in tops for work. _For more beauty and style tips for women age 50-plus, check out _The Woman's Wakeup: How to Shake Up Your Looks, Life, and Love After

50_ by Lois Joy Johnson._