Women refuse to dress their age until 70

London: Next time you give your gran a cardigan and some slippers for her birthday, don't be surprised if she asks for the receipt.

The chances are she'll want to pop out and exchange them for something a little more daring.

Research has found that when it comes to fashion nine in ten women aim to dress younger than their years. And more than half say they won't start "dressing their age" until they are at least 70.

The phenomenon is epitomised by Jane Fonda, 73, who dresses like a woman in her 20s. Last month the actress appeared on a US talk show wearing a leather miniskirt.

Teens

The research by Debenhams found views on fashion varied according to age. One in three said that in their teens they styled themselves to look older to impress boys or get into bars.

Those in their 20s also dressed older as they focussed on their careers. Over half said they began to dress younger in their 30s and 90 per cent admitted they had started to dress younger by their mid-40s.

One 80-year-old said her fashion strategy was still to look trendy. The store came up with its own top ten of age-defiant celebrities. Among them is Dame Helen Mirren, 65, who is happy to flaunt her curves in a bikini.

Age defiers