Our bodies, faces and lifestyles have changed over the decades. However, our fashion choices haven’t always kept up.

But do we need hard-core rules? Actress Ellen Barkin famously declared in O, The Oprah Magazine that women over 50 should never wear blue jeans to dinner. I (and my 7 For All Mankind jeans) beg to differ.

Forget the rules! We just need a few guidelines to great style and answers to questions about how to get it.

Below is a master list of go-to pieces for women who want to fight the frump and look smart, energetic, youthful and appropriate. You can wear these basics to work, out to dinner and anywhere else:

1. Dark denim, mid-rise, boot-cut jeans

The boot-cut hem leaves room for booties (a footwear option for almost every occasion).

TIP: Keep length about 1/8-inch off the floor (depending on the shoe), and make sure the jeans fit well (with a little stretch) in butt and hips. Take the waist in, if necessary.

2. Dark denim, mid-rise, straight-leg jeans

Skip the tight skinny jeans (unflattering on most of us), and get these in dark blue, with no fading or whiskering. Pair with flat ballet slippers, moccasins, loafers or kitten heels, and tuck them into tall boots in cooler weather.

TIP: Straight-leg jeans go perfectly with longer jackets or tunic tops. Check out options from Uniqlo, 7 For All Mankind, J Brand, Levi’s or Not Your Daughter’s Jeans, in prices from about $40 to $200.

3. White jeans (boot-cut or straight-leg)

In warmer weather, wear with wedge sandals and tunic tops or a crisp navy jacket and white tank. When it gets cooler, pair with brown or black boots and a sweater or jacket, and a pretty scarf.

TIP: Be sure to wear underwear that matches your skin color with any white pant.

4. Great-fitting pants

Look for a lightweight wool blend (wool/Lycra is best) in black, charcoal or navy. The cut of the pants is crucial and the length must be exact. Take your shoes to the store (and to the tailor, if necessary) to get a perfect fit.

TIP: Wear with a silky blouse, a T-shirt or a tank with a cardigan or jacket. Look for pants made by Theory, Tahari, Joseph, Banana Republic, J. Crew or Ann Taylor in prices starting at about $60.

5. Black fitted jacket

Short and snug (not tight) jackets that hit at the hips are a great look. Black is most versatile, but consider navy and cream, too. Wear it with jeans, skirts, dresses, pants — everything.

TIP: Wear tanks, T’s and jewel-colored blouses underneath, and check out some of the longer, less-fitted options to wear with skinny jeans. Some to try are from Theory, Tahari, Ann Taylor, DKNY, Chico’s and Target, in prices starting at about $50.

6. Black pencil skirt

Versatile, stylish and surprisingly flattering, no matter what your size. Wear it to the knee (or slightly shorter if worn with black tights), and make sure it has a little stretch and some draping but is not tight. Pair with black tights and booties, or patent-leather pumps for night. Don’t wear a flat shoe, but a mid-heel or high-heel pump, wedge shoe or boots. (Here’s a video about how to shop for shoes that are both stylish and sensible.)

TIP: A black jacket could look severe with this skirt; instead, balance the look with a long tank and a cropped multicolored jacket. The best-fitting pencil skirts I’ve found are from Diane von Furstenberg, Michael Kors and Tahari in prices starting at about $120, but you can shop around.

7. Cardigans

These are a year-round fashion accessory and the best way to cover up arms that are less than toned. Look for long and three-quarter-length sleeves that hit you at or above the hip. Longer cardigans are great with straight-leg jeans or pants, but not with skirts. The best cardigan I’ve found so far is the Classic Cardigan from Merona at Target ($19.99 and up).

TIP: Get a size or two smaller than usual or you’ll end up with a “Mumsy” sweater, which can look frumpy. The sweater’s fit should be snug, and never wear it closed: The point is to cover your arms and add color to your outfit.

8. Tank tops

Buy these staples in bulk, once you find the ones you like best. Get them in white, black and cream to wear under the cardigans, jackets, blouses and sweaters. I wear them under almost everything for a smoother look.

TIP: The fit should be snug, so size down if necessary, and make sure they’re long enough to tuck in and stay put. Uniqlo, Target’s Mossimo Supply Co., American Apparel, Banana Republic and Gap all have great tanks in prices starting at about $10.

9. Dresses

Dresses make everyone feel pretty and sexy, and there are three styles that flatter women over 50 best, no matter our size or shape:

Wrap dresses, especially those with long or three-quarter-length sleeves — knot the belt on the side, never in front, and do not tie it in a bow!

Sleeveless sheath dresses worn with snug-fitting cardigans or jackets, which are perfect for almost any occasion

“Fit and flare” dresses that are fitted on top and flare out slightly starting at the waist, creating a flirty, swingy look.

Jewel colors look good on all skin tones; keep length at the knee.

TIP: Have at least one perfectly fitting LBD (little black dress) in any of these styles, which can be dressed up or down. Great-fitting dresses can be found at Target (Merona), Diane von Furstenberg, Theory, Nicole Miller, Hugo Boss, Ann Taylor and Chico’s at all price points.

10. Cropped black leather jacket

No, a black leather jacket is not too young for those over 50. Wear it with everything you own: jeans (very cool with white jeans), skirts and dresses. This staple is more expensive than the others, so shop around for one that fits right (cropped at the waist is best) and is classic-looking, so you can wear it forever.

***

You can mix and match all these pieces, depending on the occasion, for different looks. Add a few key accessories — a statement necklace (chunky, worn close to the neckline), colorful scarf, cuff bracelet, perfect shoes and beautiful bag (clutch for evenings and classic black leather over-the-shoulder for day) — and you’re ready to go.

Bank On Black

Black is everyone’s favorite for more reasons than we want to admit. All-black outfits or as-much-black-as-possible outfits are free passes to classy dressing. Play with layers, spruce up with exquisite jewelry or bold accessories, or amp up with shoes and a handbag. You can wear a simple black T-shirt and trousers, an LBD (we will keep coming back to this a lot), or a long gown and dress up or dress down to pull off the classy look.

Meaningful Monochromes

Monochrome is more than just its literal meaning, i.e., dressing up in one color from head to toe. The idea is to create a silhouette. You can combine shades of the same color – light with dark tints, different tones, and the ombre effect are a few ways to go about it. Gray, navy, black, pastels, and powdered colors make exciting choices for perfect monochrome outfits. It is a classy signature style.

Fit Says Forget Me Not

Your clothes need to fit you well. They cannot be too tight or too loose. Wearing oversized clothes is classy, but it’s not an invitation for looking sloppy. Figure-fitting clothes look great, but say no to revealing or choking body fits. There is nothing flattering about them. Stick to structures and play with patterns. Sway with silhouettes and flow with the flare. A great fit is the sum total of it all. A classy outfit is the result.

Clean Up, Be Brutal

Do not hold on to pieces that don’t see the light of the day or don’t match your personality or style, especially when you are moving towards a classy dressing style. Know your wardrobe, take a good look at it, and declutter anything you haven’t worn in the last three months. This way, you will steer away from impulsive purchases. A capsule wardrobe can be way more functional, classy, and chic than an unnecessarily overflowing closet.

Hair And Makeup Matter

A slick bun or a ponytail with a full suit. A messy bun with a gown. A chignon updo in summers. “No makeup” makeup look for work. Smokey eyes for special occasions. A dewy base for the minimalist in you. Red lipstick for everything else. However, just like everything else, there is a ‘but’ to this story.

Hair and makeup are a double-edged sword. They finish off classy dressing perfectly, but can also ruin it just as powerfully. Too much color, shine, or shimmer and no balance can derail it all. Watch out.

Ace The Accessories Game

Accessorizing is an art. Wearing the right things at the right time is not as simple as it looks. The knack for adding just enough to your outfit needs prowess. It needs to be neither too much nor too little. Classy dressing is a lot like minimalistic dressing, but without being too bland. When you deck up your ears, leave your neck bare, or the other way around. A statement finger ring with a classic tote is another great way to go. Sandals, boots, pumps, or Oxfords – wear whatever rocks your “classy” boat.

Amp Up The Good Parts

Choose one part of the outfit and let it shine. A checkered trouser with a muted top. A sequined top with a cute skirt. A silk blouse with a pencil skirt. Tapered jeans with a white shirt. An encompassing gown with pumps. The idea is to amp up one good part of the outfit.

Nails On Point

We are not telling you to spend hundreds of dollars every month to get a mani/pedi done, but clean nails make a world of difference. Keep your nails clean, cut, and preferably manicured. It is an investment we all need.

The Devil Is In The Details

Think through the details of your outfit ahead of time. Always. Every little detail matters because classy dressing is pretty minimalistic, and you can’t let any details slip up.

Nothing OTT, Please!

Wearing high-end brands is okay. Owning them is great. Wanting to buy more is fine too. But none of this truly defines classy dressing. Also, avoid over-the-top brand logos, in-your-face bling, and more than one loud print in the entire outfit. Instead, invest in signature or classy pieces from your favorite luxury brands. Underplaying is the way to go.

What is your personal style? Do you have a role model for classy dressing? Have any questions for us? Leave them in the comments section below, and we’ll get back to you.