AGELESS fashion is everywhere! Once upon a time I would be called to someone's house to help shape up a dull wardrobe, and be greeted by someone whose age and lifestyle I could more or less ascertain from what they were wearing. Well, that is no longer the case.

The humble coat used to give away a lot - was it a long lasting, practical anorak, Barber or heavyweight outdoor jacket? Or a three-quarter length wool coat in navy, brown or black to be worn with a selection of scarfs?

Only five years or so ago my sister and I could play the guessing game - how old are they and what do they do? - and win.

It has become increasingly frustrating to people-watch this year, with so many of us wearing the fur trimmed coat or parka, with cargo pants or boot-cut jeans ageless, classless!

Sportswear is no longer simply for the sporty. After all, with more people working from home, how much more comfortable is it to pull on a trendy pair of trackie bottoms or jeans than a skirt and tights?

There is, however, a cautionary note to my approval of the ever increasing popularity for dressing down do it with style. Remember, just because it looks cool on your 15-year-old daughter doesn't mean it will work on you.

Wearing a fab thick roll neck jumper with your combats can add far more style than a low cut T-shirt and fleece. A long wool or denim skirt can give you a far more flattering shape than a tight pair of jeans or baggy pair of track suit bottoms that have retained the sitting position' in the knees and rear.

There are some simple changes to the way you wear this new, leisure wear look that can bring out the best in you.

Check out some of my favourite looks, from the designers, for ageless, comfortable style.

Some of the labels available: PKalico, nearest available stockists: Preston Debenhams' / Carlisle House of Fraser' / Skipton Rackhams'.

PSwitch Survival Shop, Waterside, Kendal: Stockists of Bench, Hooch, Insight, Dope, Mooks, Paul Frank, Vans, Kangaroo Poo PFreeman's, Ash Street, Bowness: Stockists of Bench, Hooch, Billabong, Scorpion Bay, animal, Chilli Pepper, Elle, Lambretta, Oakley, Kickers, Zepla, Jiggy, Trespass PRush, Lake Road, Bowness: Stockists of Quicksilver, White Stuff, Voodoo Dolls, Oxbow, Mambo, Roxy PWheelbase, Mill Yard, Staveley: Stockists of Vintage Prefontaine, Gravis, North Face, Burton, Volcom PFat Face, Market Cross, Ambleside: Stockists of their own unique brand of clothing for male and female with some fab cargo and combat pants that fit really well.

PMany outdoor shops now stock some of these sport/fashion labels. Check out your local place to see if they are introducing more street wear into their stock.

Special offer to Looking Good Readers:

CHECK out the alternative' coat to keep out the cold this Christmas, at The Earth Collection, Lake Road, Bowness.

The new collection includes amazing rough knit coats' with toggle fastenings and fleece-lined knit gilets in glorious rich colours - hot pink, blackcurrant, aqua, lilac and turquoise. There are also soft, fleece-lined jackets with knit detail hearts and bobbles, very feminine and very warm. This is a really individual collection for a stylish winter look.

The Earth Collection is offering ten per cent discount in store to any reader who takes along this article. Discount is valid until February 1, 2004.