"Accessories and jewelry are the most inexpensive way to refresh your wardrobe each season," says "Style at Any Age" host Lloyd Boston.

When life gets busy, we often find ourselves reaching for the same go-to outfits — and consequently feel the specter of a style rut (all black yet again?). To help us bust out of our funk, we recently spoke with Lloyd Boston, author of Before You Put That On (Atria, 2005) and host of the Fine Living Network special Style at Any Age and Closet Cases. “Staying current and being age-appropriate can work beautifully together if you know how to do it,” Boston reassures us.

In the special, Boston helps Michelle, 43, who has a new career as an acupuncturist, galvanize her mostly black wardrobe. “Many women get stuck in neutrals — navy, brown and black,” notes Boston, who loves bright accessories like scarves and gloves and red in anything from overcoats to lips. Not ready for red? Try gray, Boston suggests. “It’s sexy but sophisticated. Pair it with marigold or amber,” he says. “Wear it in a menswear-inspired herringbone pant, a skirt or a beautiful leather jacket.”

In the accessories department, Boston recommends belts in various widths to wear over suit jackets, blouses and coats. He also advocates spending money on classic shoes like a black pump, slingback, mule or kitten heel rather than one-season trends — although he does like the short boots popular this fall. “The shoe bootie has a timeless edge to it,” he says. “You can try pairing it with dark opaque tights or a small-loop fishnet in a dark tone with a knee-length skirt or a cropped wool pant.” (For more ways to wear this hot item, click here.)

Overall, Boston emphasizes choosing quality: “Fit can make less-expensive clothes look richer, more unique,” he says. “A good tailor can make an inexpensive dress look like it cost hundreds of dollars more.” Clearing one’s closet of anything that fails to fit or flatter is a must, according to Boston. “Edit your closet the way a fashion editor would, with an objective eye. A good friend, someone whose style you appreciate, can be a good filter because if you do it on your own you’re more likely to put things back.”

Have you pruned your closet recently? If so, where do you like to donate clothes?

Photo credit: Fine Living Network

Tags: author, Blouse, Closet, Clothing, Coat, Fashion, fashion editor, Hospitality/Recreation, Lloyd Boston, Michelle, Overcoat, Skirt, Suit, Workwear