Advice comes to us from all directions once the big 50 is observed.

When I turned 50 (28 years ago) I was working full time and was the mother of a 9-year-old. I barely noticed I was being instructed to dress differently because of my age. It was just a number.

I pretty much have the same types of clothes in my closet now as I had when I began working at 23. Except for dresses. I don't own a dress, and I used to have several.

But women my age are constantly being lectured to about our choices.

If we followed all the rules, we'd be a very boring lot. Still, a few "suggestions" help.

For those of us with a few wrinkles, a bit of pudge, arms less than sculptured and skin with a mind of its own in patterns of veins, spots and crinkled crepe, the lists of dos and don'ts are coming at us daily.

A recent story online advised us to steer clear of sleeveless outfits, don't wear too much bling, avoid grubby sneakers, low-rise jeans, big cheap handbags, granny panties, hair scrunchies and wearing pantyhose with sandals.

Such no-nos only date us. All of the above is unsightly on just about anybody. Why single out the obvious and direct it to the over-50 crowd?

True, we "older" gals need guidance from time to time. We need to be reminded that our cleavage is less than va-va-voom voluptuous so keep it covered. Wearing skin-tight clothing is stretching things a bit. We should cool it with hot pants and play down makeup.

Young people seem to have permission to do all of the above. For us, it is a crime.

My point is this: Clothes matter as much to many women over 70 as they do to those at 30. Some women well over 50 and 60 look darned good and shouldn't be lumped in with, well, "lumps" of the same gender.

What's a woman to do?

I asked several friends, all over 50, for some opinions.

Margaret Albert of Point Breeze says one of the comparatively few advantages of aging is that what other people think becomes increasingly less important.

"By the same token, if I am comfortable in what I wear, if it feels "like me," I care not at all what the fashion gurus say I should or should not wear."

Liz Miles lives in Phoenix, where her lifestyle differs from her many years in Pittsburgh working as a television reporter.

"I still shop at the Gap. I have always admired the wearability and functionality of Gap's basic clothes, but I do often wonder if I am too old to be shopping there."

Why should she feel that way?

"I think my perspective on clothes did change at 50, but only because that's when I stopped working. Now I am all about comfort, and I have discovered yoga pants."

Jean Connelly of Glenshaw, who also had a long career in Pittsburgh television, deplores some of the sights she sees at every age. But, she says, older women who want to look good can't find choices in the stores.

"Most of my friends hate what they see in stores. They are dowdy, poorly made, in ugly colors and fabrics."

Another Pittsburgh television icon, Eleanor Schano, does agree women over 50 should cover their arms "unless they are having hot flashes and don't give a damn about what other people think.

"Feel good about yourself and be comfortable in your own skin ... just don't show too much of it."

Marcia Ferguson of Aliquippa worked in a college bookstore for more than 25 years. "I certainly dress more casually now. That's definitely a change from the beautiful dresses and suits I used to wear.

"I used to wear high heels, but now nice flats are the best I can do," she says.

Nobody wants her clothing to designate she has crossed the line into "mature adult."

Looking good is important to some but not to all. It's all about choice, and what's out there to choose from.

We've earned comfort but hopefully not at the expense of good taste.

Still, stop yelling at us! Show us the clothes! We might surprise you.