Colors may be suitable for all ages, depending upon the coloring of the individual. Styles, however, are not the same. The old adages of 'Mutton dressed as lamb' and 'Lamb dressed as mutton' have some bearing in truth. They arose when women that seemed too young opted to dress too old for their age and women too old attired themselves in clothing that was far too young.

There are times, however, when you cannot pigeonhole a woman according to her age. Sometimes this is an external factor. We just do not feel as old as people think we should dress. At other times, the body belies the actual age or we simply have a preference for a particular look or style. In these cases, the last thing we want is to be associated with either of these sayings.

While today's range of clothing is probably more age accessible and suitable, certain items still do not fit an older woman as easily as they do a younger one. However, you can work around it. Jeans are appropriate for all ages. However, skin-tight jeans are said, by many, to only be for the very young. An older woman avoids them, requiring a roomier or more appropriate fit.

Yet some items escape the age barrier. For centuries, women - young and old, have been able to happily drape themselves in scarves and shawls. These are the ideal symbol of femininity for all age groups. Selecting a pashmina scarf or shawl is something that is keeping with this fine tradition. For those young attending their first prom or those women of a certain age attending a night at the opera, the scarf makes the same statement - quality and class.

Throughout the ages and with each age group, pashmina scarves and shawls have established a reputation of bringing styles, elegance and class to whomever wears them. Drape a fine pashmina shawl over the flawless shoulders of a teenage girl does not make her age. Wrap the same accessory over the shoulders of a mature woman and it does not affect her age. In both instances, the quality of the accessory calls upon an ageless sense of refinement and femininity. With a vast array of colors and patterns from which to select, is there any reason why a woman would not choose the right pashmina scarf or shawl to match her particular sense of fashion and taste.