How Gwyneth Paltrow looks great - with her clothes on -at 48

I know, I know, today you may be more interested in Gwyneth Paltrow with her clothes off. The actor and wellness guru celebrated her 48th birthday on Sunday by posing naked for an Instagram photo, crediting her ‘insanely amazing’ Goop body butter for ‘making me think I can still get my kit off’. So now Gwyneth’s 7.3m followers know what she looks like with no clothes on, just two years away from her 50th birthday. Good for her.

But much as she may like to, Gwynnie cannot walk around naked all the time, showing off the incredible results of her Goop-certified regime. Instead, she must wear clothes. Which is lucky for the rest of us, for whom slightly channeling Paltrow’s style approach is a little more do-able than posing nude, no matter how much of that body butter we slather on.

When she is dressed, the high priestess of Goop has got ageless style sorted. She’s relaxed the cool minimalism she was known for in the ‘90s, and now seems to truly enjoy fashion. Aided by her long-time stylist Elizabeth Saltzman, Gwyneth mixes relaxed, effortless outfits, often designed by her in-house G.Label, with dialled-up couture on the red carpet, always with an eye on a piece which might become a talking point - like the sheer brown tulle Valentino gown worn at the Golden Globes earlier this year.

Here are Gwyneth’s secrets of looking great - with clothes on...

Keep your jewellery fresh

Ok, jewellery is not exactly clothes but Gwyneth’s eclectic collection of chunky charm necklaces - often from L.A based Foundrae, which prides itself on making ‘modern heirlooms’ - and ‘ear party’ of precious piercings means that even when she wearing a super-simple t-shirt, the effect is interesting and elevated. It’s a departure from ‘90s Gwyneth who would have avoided over-decoration - the magpie vibe now looks more exciting.

Don’t be afraid of colour

Barefaced, hair scraped back in a bun… the beauty might be pared-back but Gwyneth still looks glamorous thanks to the shot of tangerine provided by her puff-sleeved cotton dress. It’s a bold frock, but by wearing it with casual, thrown-on ease, the effect is uplifting rather than over-thought. We may be beyond sundress territory now, but you’ll achieve the same nonchalance with a chunky tomato knit or cobalt padded coat.

Dress like your daughter - or persuade her to dress like you

Historically, Gwyneth has protected her daughter’s privacy, but now that she’s 16, Apple is beginning to play a starring role on her mother’s Instagram account - it's true, the Apple doesn't fall far from the Gwyneth. She might have been embarrassed by Sunday’s naked picture (‘MOM’ she commented underneath) but the duo became new role models from dressing like your mum/ daughter when they posed together in coordinating polka dot outfits from G.Label.  The old rules of women having to dress a certain way depending on their age are dead, and Gwynnie and Apple prove it.

Find the perfect jumpsuit

We know by now that effortless style is an illusion, and yet certain options can really help you to reach a place of hardly-any-effort-at-all. Enter, Gwyneth’s tuxedo jumpsuit, debuted at an event last November. Again, it’s designed by Goop but you’ll find this kind of flattering, streamlined design from plenty of  retailers - the GP take is £710 but Reiss has a halterneck version for £225.  

Find your casual comfort zone

Many of us put plenty of thought into our work and occasion wardrobes, but when it comes to that tricky off-duty time, we can be less imaginative. This is a realisation which might have become even more apparent this year, with less going out being done.

Gwyneth had landed on a casual code which is definitely relaxed, but retains a sense of personality; her baggy Bermuda shorts are an offbeat alternative to skinny jeans, leggings or a midi skirt, then she adds a big knit or blouse with a thoughtful detail and finishes things off with an upscale trainers (once, this was canvas Dior high-tops).

Yes, it’s a formula, but one that’s as interesting as it is informal. Now that it’s getting chillier, swap the shorts for wide-legged trousers like this £69 version by Cos. 

Defy expectations

Sequins! Feathers! Sparkle! Not words you’d ever associate with simple-chic Gwyneth. And yet, on occasion, she likes to surprise and has developed a particular penchant for British couturier Ralph and Russo’s exuberant glamour. She wore this cocktail dress to a Harper’s Bazaar event during Paris Fashion Week in February.

Who knows when she’ll have occasion to get quite so dressed-up again but one thing’s for sure - there will be no guessing what she’s going to wear - or not.

For more news, analysis and advice from The Telegraph's fashion desk, click here to sign up to get our weekly newsletter, straight to your inbox every Friday. Follow our Instagram @Telegraphfashion