Timeless Beauty

These days, the years can be your friend. Thanks to medical advances, expanded fitness options and skin-care products for grown-ups, and to designers who have discovered there's gold in the upper-age market, we can expect to live longer and look fabulous at any age. Sex, high fashion and power dressing are no longer the privilege of any one decade. Everything and anything is possible. Take it from these women, who are having the times of their lives.

Terrific 20s

A television newscaster for the local NBC affiliate WBBH, 29-year-old JESSICA STILWELL CABRERA says nothing she says or does on air generates more controversy than her hair. When she moved to Naples from Portland, Ore., her hair was very short and viewers loved it. When she started growing it out for her February wedding to Samir Cabrera, e-mails and phone calls immediately began to register pros and cons. If she has a bad hair day, she admits with a laugh, she'll hear about it for weeks afterwards.

What's your style?

I have two. The public on-air style is bright blazers that look good to the camera. My personal style is laid-back. I favor simple slacks and tops from Ralph Lauren or Kenneth Cole. Black, tan and white are my color favorites. What bridges the public and personal is jewelry that I create using semiprecious stones and Bali silver. I wear my jewelry on and off the air.

Do you have any style inspirations?

I get ideas from fashion and gossip magazines and television, too. I really admire Jennifer Aniston. She's always beautifully put together.

Must-haves?

MAC lip gloss, mascara and face powder. Can't stand a shiny face and I never wear red lipstick. And even though I'm five-foot-eight, I crave high heels and will endure pain for a fabulous pair of heels. I like being tall.

Best features?

I have a nice, long, thin neck, and I like my ears.

Do you exercise and diet?

All my life. I do weights, spinning classes and aerobics. I love to work out at the gym. And I've always had to watch my weight. For a few months before the wedding I did the Atkins Diet.

Guilty pleasure?

Anything with peanut butter.

Truths for the 20s?

In my teens, I was concerned about what everybody else thought. In my 20s I became concerned about what I thought. It's been a time for working hard, making decisions, taking on responsibilities. I've felt a strong pressure to grow up and act like an adult. In retrospect, I wish I'd traveled more before launching a career. In terms of style, my wardrobe is classier now and I invest serious money in quality things I want to keep.

What are you looking forward to?

Having a baby. I know my family will be the most important thing in the world to me. I'm also learning Spanish because my husband is from Colombia and I want to be able to converse with his family when we visit them.

Thrilling 30s

In the past decade, KAREN CONEY COPLIN, 37, switched from being a real-estate attorney to selling real estate for Premier Properties of Southwest Florida. She's gotten married, moved from West Pam Beach to Naples, and twice she shifted from cute Diane von Furstenberg wrap dresses to maternity wear. Three-year-old Tabitha will be joined in May by a sister or brother (Karen and her husband, Steven, prefer to be surprised). And, oh, yes, her shoe size got a half size bigger.

What's your 30s style?

Festive. I love contemporary looks with a classic twist. I admire Chanel, but I'm apt to mix an expensive pair of slacks from Marissa's or Saks with a top from Marshalls or a vintage clothing store. I'll add a funky piece of jewelry to the mix. I keep some St. John knits for conservative meetings or social events. I came out of Cornell Law School with gray suits, but when I moved to Florida I had little use for them.

You best features?

My hair. I colored it until Tabitha. Now I don't. Personality-wise, I'm a good listener and I maintain my friendships.

Guilty pleasure?

Kentucky Fried Chicken, original recipe.

Exercise and beauty routine?

I walk the beach with Steve and Tabitha and I did Pilates for a while. I always put sunscreen on Tabitha and me. I was one of those baby-oil and aluminum foil teens. No more. Now, I'm a big fan of Clarins self-tanner.

Must-haves?

Great-looking high heels, love Prada and Chanel. Big clip earrings and lip gloss.

What's the myth of the 30s?

That you can have it all. Actually, you can have it all. You just can't have it all the time or all at the same time. And you sure can't have a full night's sleep most of the time. Before I leave for work, I have to roll the lint off my clothes-we have three dogs and a cat-and check my sleeves for strawberry jam that Tabitha left on me. There are priorities that I didn't even know about in my 20s.

What's the best thing about the 30s?

Finding the rhythm of life. In this decade I've wanted to put down roots in this community, connect with the town in a real way through volunteer efforts. The routine of family life has become so important and so enriching. I feel like I'm really coming into my own.

Fabulous 40s

As the owner of an events planning company, Sheryl Ferrie, 45, organizes about 15 corporate and private parties a month, even more during season. Her degree in art history from Rollins College helps her produce memorable theme events and has influenced her fashion savvy. She's always had an eye for fine design and great color. Career experience at the Ritz Carlton and The Four Seasons honed her social and business skills, making her a high-profile woman with a high-impact job.

How has your style changed over the past 10 years?

I'm less trendy, but I'm still open to what's new and exciting. I favor jewel tones, black, chocolate brown and wine colors. Love Lily Pulitzer for casual, but for work, I dress carefully to suit the client. If I'm meeting with a law firm, I'll wear Ann Taylor. I insist on good tailoring. I've been picking out my own clothes and seriously shopping since I got an allowance at 11 in Baltimore.

How about maintenance?

I've noticed that in the 40s a giant magnet sucks everything out of the rear and lays it on the stomach. Keeping a good body is definitely harder, and I dress with that knowledge. A great fit can compensate for the shifts.

Do you have signature accessories?

Shoes and jewelry. I'm known around town for my stilettos, and sometimes I'll change shoes three times a day, depending on where I'm going. I've got about 300 pairs, and I'm willing to suffer to look great in a stylish pair of heels. I adore pedicures and wear color on my toes. And I love big, bold jewelry. I'm not into the dainty stuff. My husband, Douglas, buys fine jewelry -they know him at Port Royal Antique Jewelers-and I pick out costume pieces for work.

Guilty pleasure?

Climbing into our big king-size bed with a stack of catalogs. The bed is dressed with lots of comfortable pillows and luxury linens.

Best features?

Hair and skin. I love facials and have gone to the same person for 12 years. My hair used to be long and dark. Now, it's shorter and I'm having highlights added.

Beauty must-haves?

Lancome mascara and a good supply of lipsticks in neutrals, pinks, and browns. I key my lipstick to each outfit.

Biggest myth about being 40?

That you look and feel old. Believe me, you can definitely be hot in your 40s. And I have more self-confidence. I started my own business a year ago. I love what I'm doing and I've got plenty of energy and expertise to see this business grow.

Would you consider cosmetic surgery?

Sure, but everything would have to be done fast and all at once, because, girl, I don't have a lot of time or patience to sit around doing nothing.

Nifty 50s

Retta Singer, 50, was a stewardess for 22 years for American Airlines. In her 30s, she became a fashion model and determined to keep her petite body in a size 2-4 wardrobe. The Nashville belle who's lived in Naples for the last six years says staying fit and looking great at 50 isn't all that hard. She just intends to keep on doing what she obviously does so well.

What are the challenges?

It's all about determination and maintaining a lifelong regime. I've worked out since the age of 18. I'm with a trainer three days a week and I do five days of aerobics. I watch my diet during the week and splurge at dinner parties on the weekend. I refuse to deny myself good food or a good time. My friends tease me all the time about my big appetite. But I'm extremely conscientious. You know, it's even harder when you're only five-foot three because every little gain shows.