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One ABC drama is offering excellent examples of modern, confident, sexy women whose closets we definitely want to raid ...

As the first television generation, we've grown accustomed to looking to TV characters with whom we connect to give us a sense of what clothes to wear. In more recent years, it's become increasingly difficult to find those characters. However, though they're rare, they are out there.

If you've been watching ABC's Sunday night one hour series Brothers and Sisters, Nora (Sally Field) and Holly (Patricia Wettig) are refreshing examples of women who are well into midlife, modern, confident, sought after by the opposite sex and going about their very full lives with an enviable sense of style.

Both characters look modern and ageless, but as Laura Goldsmith, the costume designer for the series, points out, the subtle nuances in the way they dress helps define their characters and their individuality. There are insider's secrets that can go a long way in enhancing our own sense of style.

Contemporary Classic

Sally Field as Nora, recently widowed and the mother of five grown children who are intertwined in each other's lives as well as the family business, has an updated classic look. "She's not a conservative fuddy-duddy," describes Goldsmith, "she loves life and clothes. There's a youthful energy in her character, so there's always something fresh that gets thrown into her fashion mix, like cargo pants, the pop of crisp white t-shirts or a tank with lace detail."

Nora wears lots of sweaters in a mixture of looks; sets in bold colors and flirtier contemporary shapes are paired with cigarette pants, slacks and jeans. "Sally," whom Goldsmith says "looks not a day older than Gidget, prefers to wear her own jewelry on the show. She uses it to put together a sentiment or mood for each outfit. She has a lot of flair, the look is understated, nothing is overdone."

Flirty Modern

Holly's look is a little more embellished, a little more bold. "Everything she wears has movement or a bounce to it, like hoop earrings, long necklaces and sweater coats that swing. Unless we put her in jeans, or she's at home in sweats, she's always dressed in a skirt that's a little flirty. It's almost as if you can see that she was the mistress," says Goldsmith. "Her look is more girlish, eclectic and arty. You would want to take care of her."

Goldsmith shops department stores and Beverly Hills designer boutiques for classic pieces by designer labels for both characters. Holly wears edgier names like Diane Von Furstenberg, Etro and Prada. Nora's wardrobe includes clean basics from Michael Kors, Celine and Armani. Viewers can emulate the looks at different price levels, says the costume designer. "The pieces for the most part are simple and have longevity, so you can put together a closet that can span a period of time without looking dated."

Goldsmith also acknowledges that a character, or anyone for that matter, can get stuck in a look. "That's when we try to mix things up a little. We might put Nora in a light and breezy top, for example, instead of a sweater."

The fashions and accessories Nora and Holly wear are clearly contemporary without being over-the-top and would work for many of us in real life. In the recent "Grapes of Wrath" episode, for instance, both women wore a grownup version of the "baby-doll" empire-waist dress to the same event. But Holly's red dress was accessorized with bold jewelry and a matching shawl, while Nora's white with a navy print version was worn with a cropped sweater and long pearls. Their two looks made very different personal statements.

Actually, many of us might have passed up the look altogether on a department store rack, deeming it "too young" without even trying it on. After seeing the possibilities on both actresses, it might be fun to at least give a similar dress for summer a try. Plus, Nora's long pearls looked fresh and right, as did Holly's gold chandelier earrings.

As a former runway model and West Coast Editor of "Glamour" magazine, Daina Hulet has been in the business of style for more than 30 years. She's here to help you maintain a truly stylish and sophisticated look that defies all expectations of what "aging" is supposed to look like.