So, I’ve done the two earlier ages, now it’s on to adding height in your 40s and beyond.

Today, stuff like age and dress code is not as fixed as it was – in some areas of work and life, a 47 year old dresses ‘younger’ than a 32 year in another job. But I think you get the general idea – in a way, you yourself know (whatever age you are!) whether you fit into the category of someone with an older style adding height.

 And this all really breaks down into two very distinctive situations – those who have already been adding height for some time. And those new to the undoubted joys!

 There is a powerful reason for this, which is above all physical – firstly, if you are not used to wearing any added height it will take you a bit longer to get used to it the older you are when you start. If you start over about roughly early/mid 40s, then break yourself in more gently is the rule. But trust me it will quickly settle in.

 Wear low-level one-inch shoe lifts in footwear that is not already tight, start gradually (ie do it for short trips to the shops, or bar or on the way to work). You can then take them out if it feels not quite right. At just an inch you should barely notice it physically, but you will get an idea as to how adding height looks. But use lifts as only a very short term option of seeing how height makes you feel, on the way to much more comfortable elevators. There is just no comparison at all – the problem with lifts generally is that they DO tend to become uncomfortable and no way do you want to be in a position of being put off elevators.   

 Your first elevators should be in a style you absolutely 100% feel cool with – as mainstream as you are, basically. Stick to your normal colour, stick to your normal style – in fact get a 3″ pair of elevators as close to shoes you already wear and like and wear a lot.

 And that’s another thing -as we get older we tend to be more conservative. By that I don’t mean harking back and wanting to wear 1920s spats or 60s winklepickers, but sticking to the tried and tested, not so overawed by new fashion, happiest with the familiar and sticking to a middle ground.

 But there is a plus to this – and it’s that because ‘the latest’ clothing styles tend to become less important, then whether it’s jeans or chinos or suits, it’s a lot easier to wear elevators with probably almost anything in your wardrobe. You will not suddenly feel you cannot wear elevators because some new fashion has made them the wrong option. That just will never happen at this stage.

 Let’s take a 50-year-old guy who works in an office. Well in the office he is almost certainly not going to want to jump straight into a pair of 5″ or 6″ boots.

 Shoes of 3″, or possibly at a stretch 4″. And depending upon the office workwear demands, there is a lot to choose from. Of course if your office is younger or more casual then you have more latitude. But there are loads of possibilities with formal shoes and you can comfortably add 3″ in almost anything at all.

 Comfort becomes more important as you get older and once you have worn properly constructed elevators (not lifts over long periods, or badly made cheap shoes from China etc), you realise that elevators ARE incredibly comfortable, specially at the lower levels up to 4″ (10cm).

 And a special shout for newbies to the world of adding height. Right at the beginning it will feel quite weird – even adding an inch of height you will be thinking OMG I am so TALL. You will imagine everyone can tell. Read what I have said before about this in my columns. It’s amazing how lacking in observation most people are. No one at all will notice anything if you get 3″ elevators – even moreso if you wear lifts for a few weeks beforehand. Everything is incremental. And you will never regret it.