The Four Tops Every Woman Over 50 Needs in Her Closet (And Why Your Favorite Breton Stripe Is NOT Flattering): SHANE WATSON

Who knows what the weather will be like when you read this. It might be hot, it might be cold, it might be sunny, but it might be cold in the shade. No surprises.

We don’t live in Florida and we expect nothing less than unpredictable weather as summer gives way to fall.

Getting dressed is a bit more complicated, though. Of course, you can add a jacket and reserve a vest, but adding winter layers isn’t necessarily what we’re after at this stage of the season. If you want to keep a look that’s stylish and not too wintery, an Inbetween top is the answer. Later on, it will become a really useful base.

This fall/winter there are four Inbetween Tops competing for a place in our wardrobes:

1. Little bright sweater

The style with the purest fashion pedigree and the centrepiece of several looks on the Prada catwalk is a crew-neck, short- or long-sleeved jumper in colours such as apple green or forget-me-not blue (contrasting cardigan, optional). Fortunately, Marks & Spencer has made a long-sleeved version in the same shade of blue, that same green and a bright chilli red (£85, marksandspencer.com).

This is a transitional piece that will update your look and give it a touch of color characteristic of Fall 2024. Wear it around your neck or even pair it with a red sweater and a blue forget-me-not sweater tied around your shoulders.

If you’re looking for a short-sleeved cashmere jumper in a softer blue, try Zara (£79.99, zara.com). The White Company’s cashmere range is also worth a look – it has a range of jumpers in every shade of brown, from taupe to chocolate, including a short-sleeved top (£89, thewhitecompany.com) in burnt almond.

2. Quality Breton T-shirt

Never in the history of the Breton striped shirt have there been so many on the streets, and you can wear it both formally and informally and it is especially useful when a t-shirt is too small but a jumper or jacket is too much.

We all know that the Duchess of Cambridge relies on hers for every casual occasion, because a Breton is more structured and chic than a regular T-shirt. We keep coming back to this navy classic because it has fashion cred, just like a Chanel jacket. (Madame C was, of course, the designer who brought the fisherman staple into our wardrobes.)

I recommend the white stripe on a navy background instead of navy on ivory (more flattering and better in the fall) and then wear it with tailored trousers, smart jeans, a pencil skirt, jermudas (jean shorts), whatever you prefer.

Brands that won’t let you down or feel too heavy or stingy include Boden (£28, boden.co.uk) and La Redoute (£19, ladredoute.co.uk).

The other day I couldn’t help but see actress Keira Knightley crossing the street in baggy jeans and a navy blue T-shirt with white stripes and a big, chunky, shiny necklace with a gold chain over it; the overall effect was as chic and glamorous as a short black dress and pearls. At 39, she’s younger, but grown up and very stylish, so there’s no problem with copying her.

3. Sleeveless sweater

I’ve mentioned the benefits of a sleeveless jumper or tank top many times, but I have to mention it again, because there’s no easier way to add colour, texture and slim your silhouette – and this time of year is made for sleeveless jumpers. You’ll find nice flattering styles (not too thin and not too chunky) at Marks & Spencer and Uniqlo, and while navy is always a good bet, you can boost your autumnal style points by choosing a brown hue and layering it with browns and creams.

Try M&S’s cable knit gilet in cappuccino (£49.50) or its textured knit sleeveless jumper in fern green (£27.50). For later in the season, pick up one with a high neck to wear under a grey wool or tweed jacket like the style from Whistles (£60, johnlewis.com).

4. Light and boxy jacket

This is a simple shirt collar cropped jacket worn with a t-shirt underneath and then, when the weather cools, a mid-weight turtleneck.

This season’s best are double-faced woollens in an autumnal brown that goes with everything. Cos has a great version (£135, cos.com), as does Massimo Dutti (£169, massimodutti.com) and M&S hits the nail on the head in a warm caramel shade (£129).