I'm a fashion expert. Here are the seven anti-ageing outfits every woman over 50 needs this summer
Albaray loves pockets. Pockets in skirts. Pockets in trousers. Pockets in everything. Praise be.
Don't know them yet? Allow me to introduce you to the brand that's surging through the high street leaving savvy midlife shoppers swooning in their wake. Along with pockets, you can expect well-cut sleeves, forgiving waistlines, elasticated bits – with on-trend designs that offer just the right amount of glamour to make a statement, day or night. That's what happens when you put grown-up women in charge of your wardrobe.
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The Independent
40 minutes ago
- The Independent
Cost of ‘minimum retirement lifestyle' has fallen amid lower energy prices
The minimum amount someone needs in retirement has fallen, amid lower energy prices and people's changing expectations, according to calculations. The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) sets three different retirement lifestyles – minimum, moderate, and comfortable, to give people a general indication of the kind of lifestyle they may be on track for in retirement. The cash amounts for each standard are regularly updated. This year, the cost of a minimum retirement living standard for a one-person household has decreased by £1,000 per year to £13,400, while for a two-person household, it is £21,600, down from £22,400 a year previously. The changes are mainly due to a substantial reduction in energy costs and some small spending adjustments made to the living standard by research participants, the PLSA said. The minimum standard covers people's basic costs, with some money left over for 'fun'. Research discussion groups for the minimum standard reported some small changes in what they need for a minimum standard of living, clothing, hairdressing, technology purchases, taxi use, and charitable giving, although participants agreed that the budget for rail travel would need to rise, the PLSA said. The amounts needed for moderate and comfortable standards have increased slightly, reflecting the impact of inflation across many spending categories being offset by decreases in energy costs, the report said. For a moderate lifestyle, a single person would need £31,700, up by £400 from £31,300 previously, while two people would need £43,900, up by £800 from £43,100 previously. For a comfortable retirement, a single person would need £43,900, up by £800 from £43,100 previously, and a two-person household would need £60,600 – a £1,600 annual increase from £59,000. The retirement living standard amounts for 2024/25 were calculated by the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University on behalf of the PLSA. Across all retirement living standards, weekly domestic fuel budgets had fallen significantly since the previous 2023/2024 update. The standards are a guide to the costs of living in retirement and not fixed savings targets. Zoe Alexander, director of policy and advocacy at the PLSA, said: 'For many, retirement is about maintaining the life they already have, not living more extravagantly or cutting back to the bare essentials. 'The standards are designed to help people picture that future and plan in a way that works for them.' She said that for many people, saving more than the minimum contributions required in their workplace pension could help to give them a better chance of the kind of retirement they want. The PLSA said the role of the state pension also remains vital, particularly for those at the minimum level. With many people carrying mortgages into later life, the research also underlined the tension between paying off a mortgage and retirement for some households. More than half (58%) of people said they expect to be mortgage-free homeowners by the time they retire, but 17% expect to be homeowners with a mortgage or loan and 8% expect to be renting from a private landlord. Meanwhile, 7% expect to be renting from the council and 8% anticipate that they will be renting from a housing association. And 1% expect to be living 'rent free' in retirement – meaning they anticipate they will be living in someone else's home and not paying formal rent. Professor Matt Padley, co-director of the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University, said: 'The consequences of the cost-of-living challenges over the past few years are still being felt, and we've seen some subtle changes in public consensus about minimum living standards in retirement, resulting in a small fall in the expenditure needed to reach this standard. 'In these uncertain times, planning in concrete ways for the future is ever more important, and the RLS (retirement living standards) help people to think in more concrete ways about what they want their retirement to look like, and how much they will need to live at this level.' More than 1,500 people were surveyed across the UK by Yonder in May for the consumer research. Here are the percentages of people who expect to own their home outright when they retire, without a mortgage, according to the PLSA: Scotland, 61% North East, 58% North West, 60% Yorkshire and the Humber, 54% West Midlands, 61% East Midlands, 58% Wales, 56% Eastern England, 66% London, 53% South East, 56% South West, 56% Northern Ireland, 68% And here are some examples of what the PLSA's different retirement living standards entail: Minimum lifestyle (Enough for a feeling of financial security and to be able to take part in daily life): Single person – A budget of £200 to spend on DIY per year; around £55 a week to spend on groceries, £30 a month to spend on food out of the home, £12 per month for takeaways; no car, but a bus pass and £30 per month for two taxi trips and £180 per year to cover three rail journeys. Enough money for a week-long UK holiday annually, a TV licence and broadband plus a streaming service with ads and £20 per week to spend on activities. Up to £450 for clothing and footwear and £20 for each birthday and Christmas present. Two people – A £200-a-year budget to decorate and maintain the condition of your property. Around £109 a week to spend on groceries, £60 a month per couple on food out of the home, £24 a month per couple on car, but a bus pass, £30 per month to cover two taxi trips, £180 per year per person to cover three rail fares. Enough money for a week-long UK holiday. TV licence and broadband plus a streaming service with ads. £20 a week per person for activities. Up to £450 for clothing and shoes per person. A budget of £20 per birthday and the same amount for Christmas presents. Moderate lifestyle (More financial security and flexibility): Single person – A budget of £500 a year to maintain condition of a property and a £300 contingency. Around £56 a week to spend on groceries, £32 a week on food out of the home, £11 a week on takeaways, £106 a month to take others out for a monthly meal. A three-year-old small car replaced every seven years, £22 a month for taxis, £104 per year on rail fares. Enough money for a two-week three star all-inclusive holiday in the Mediterranean and a long weekend off peak break in the UK. TV licence and broadband plus two streaming services and £43 per week for activities. Up to £1,548 for clothing and footwear and £30 for each birthday and Christmas present, £200 a year to donate to charity, and £1,000 for supporting family members. Two people – A £500 a year budget to maintain condition of your property, with a £300 contingency. Around £103 a week to spend on groceries, £63 a week per couple on food out of the home, £21 a week per couple on takeaways, £106 a month to take others out for a monthly meal. A three-year-old small car replaced every seven years, £22 a month on taxis per household, £104 a year on rail fares per person. A two-week three star all-inclusive holiday in the Mediterranean and a long weekend off-peak break in the UK with £321 spending money. TV licence and broadband plus two streaming services and £43 a week per person for activities. Up to £1,548 for clothing and shoes per person. Gifts of £30 for each birthday and the same amount for Christmas presents, plus £200 per household a year for charity donations. £1,000 for supporting family members. Comfortable lifestyle (More financial freedom and some luxuries): Single person – A budget of £600 a year to maintain condition of your property, with a £300 contingency. Around £75 a week to spend on food, £42 a week on food out of the home, £21 a week on takeaways, £106 a month to take others out for a monthly meal. A three-year-old small car replaced every five years, £22 a month to spend on taxis, £208 per year on rail fares. A two-week four star half board holiday in the Mediterranean with around £100 per person per day spending money and three long weekend breaks in the UK with £400 spending money per break. Extensive bundled broadband, streaming and TV entertainment subscription plus £54 a week for to £1,548 for clothing and footwear each year. A budget of £50 for each birthday and Christmas gift, a £300 per year charity donation, £1,000 for family support. Two people – A budget of £600 a year to maintain the condition of the property, with a £300 contingency. Around £134 a week to spend on food, £85 a week per couple on food out of the home, £32 a week per couple on takeaways, £105 a month to take others out for a monthly meal. A three-year-old small car replaced every five years, £22 a month on taxis per household, £208 a year on rail fares per person. A two-week four star half board holiday in the Mediterranean with around £100 per person per day spending money and three long weekend breaks in the UK with £400 spending money per break. Extensive bundled broadband, movie streaming and TV entertainment subscription and £54 a week per person for activities. Up to £1,548 per person for clothing and shoes each year. A budget of £50 for each birthday and the same amount for Christmas presents, £300 per person per month for charity donations. £1,000 for supporting family members.
The Independent
40 minutes ago
- The Independent
Human remains found in search for Polish woman who disappeared 15 years ago
Human remains have been found in the search as part of an investigation into the disappearance of a woman 15 years ago. Izabela Helena Zablocka came to the UK in 2009 from Poland and was living in the Normanton area of Derby, but lost contact with her family in August 2010, Derbyshire Police said. Despite her family's efforts to trace her, Ms Zablocka has never been found and a missing person report was not made to any UK authorities at the time. A murder investigation was launched last week after police said new information came to light. After searches focused at an address in Princes Street, Normanton, human remains were discovered in the property's garden which are thought to be those of Ms Zablocka, the force said. A 39-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of murder was re-arrested on Monday. Two other women, aged 39 and 43, and a 41-year-old man who were previously arrested last week remain on bail. Detective Inspector Kane Martin said: 'Izabela's family are at the forefront of our minds following this discovery and, whilst formal identification has not yet taken place, it is our belief that these remains do belong to Izabela. 'As such, we have spoken with Izabela's family in Poland, and they are aware. Our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time. 'Identification of the remains is likely to be a lengthy process, but we will issue updates when we are able. 'I know that reports of these findings will send shockwaves through the local community, and I understand the concern of residents.' Officers will remain in Princes Street in the coming days with detectives putting together information about the days before Izabela's death, DI Martin said. He added: 'We know that someone out there will have information about Izabela that may help us understand what happened to her, and urge anyone who saw, spoke to, or heard anything about Izabela in July or August 2010 to come forward. 'You may hold the key piece of information that we need to understand the full circumstances of Izabela's disappearance, and to give her family answers on what happened to their loved one.' Crimestoppers is offering up to £20,000 for exclusive information relating to the investigation that leads to a conviction, with the reward valid for three months until August 27. Anyone with information can contact the charity via its website or by calling 0800 555 111.
The Independent
40 minutes ago
- The Independent
UK's oldest white-tailed eagle dies aged 32
The UK's oldest wild white-tailed eagle has died in Scotland at the age of 32, RSPB Scotland has announced. The eagle, a female named Frisa, hatched on Mull in 1992 and paired up with her long-term mate Skye in 1997. The pair raised their first chick on the island in 1998, and went on to raise a total of 25 chicks in their 28 years of partnership. Frisa was known to 'millions' thanks to appearances in a number of BBC programmes over the last two decades, beginning with the very first episode of Springwatch in 2005. Her death was announced on the latest episode of the programme on June 2. RSPB ambassador Dave Sexton, who spent 21 of his 36-year RSPB career working with white-tailed eagles on Mull, described Frisa as 'a very special bird who had touched the hearts of millions who saw her both on TV and in the wild'. He added: 'As Frisa got on in years, I dreaded the day I would visit her territory and find her gone. 'Sadly, that day has come and I feel like I've lost a friend. 'But what a wonderful life she had with her mate Skye. Together they raised 25 chicks, many of which are now breeding far and wide across Scotland. 'She was a true icon for white-tailed eagles and she'll always hold a special place in my heart.' RSPB Scotland said Frisa has not been seen since last year, leading experts to believe she has died either of natural causes, or following an altercation with another eagle. Skye has also been spotted with another younger female eagle on Mull, which further suggests that Frisa has passed away as white-tailed eagles mate for life. At 31 years of age, Skye now takes on the mantle as the UK's oldest wild white-tailed eagle. Frisa's mother Blondie successfully raised the very first white-tailed eagle to fledge in Scotland following the reintroduction of the species in 1975. The species previously became extinct in the UK in 1918 when the last known native wild bird was shot in Shetland. A reintroduction project on the Isle of Rum using chicks donated from Norway has since seen the species re-establish a self-sustaining population in Scotland. There are now estimated to be up to 200 pairs of white-tailed eagles in the UK.
