Trend Report for Women Over 40
If you have been following the latest fashion shows, and checking out the latest styles at your favourite retailer, you’ll realize that this is the summer of the 80s and 90s! The reincarnation of neon colors, tie die print, white sneakers and seashell jewelry is sounding super nostalgic for every X-Gen and Boomer woman. When I see these trends everywhere I can’t help but remember the amazing summers I had as a child and adolescent back in the Middle East. Everything was neon from clothes, shoes, nail polish, hair accessories and even school stationary.
As much as I love the return of the 80s and some 90s fashion, I’m not so sure if we (Gen X) should be investing and revamping our wardrobes to accommodate the trends. Let’s face it, we’ve all been there and we’ve worn all these trends at least once in the past. Not to sound skeptical but after 40, everything about these trends is just a recycled and updated look from a previous era. Hence, it’s worth evaluating our fashion and trend options since we’ve tried them all.
So here’s my take and opinion on the 2019 spring and summer trends for women over 40:
Neon (saturated colors)
Trend: Neon colors are incredibly fun to wear and are mood lifters.
When to wear them: They are cool to wear on a hot summer day or by the beach.
How to Neon them after 40: wear as a tank top with a nice summer jacket, or with a pair of pants or with a skirt (white, black or neutral). Another option is a simple cut dress in the daytime or evening.
Corporate wear: Nope! I don’t recommend wearing neon to work, unless you work in fashion.
Pearl/Beaded Bags
Trend: they are everywhere now thanks to Shrimps fashion label. Pearl/beaded bags are youthful, feminine looking and a definite statement for every Fashoinista.
When to wear them: The box beaded bags are cute weekend bags to wear out at a daytime or evening function.
How to wear bead bags after 40: anyway you like to.
Corporate wear: same rule as above applies here.
Seashell Jewelry
Trend: the trend started in summer 2018 and has gone viral since. I immediately fell in love with them and ordered a bunch to wear this summer.
When to wear them: Whether you are by the pool, on a beach or just hanging around the city, these seashell accessories offer a relaxed, boho chic look.
How to wear Seashell jewelry after 40: enjoy them they are for all ages.
Corporate wear: do I need to answer this? I would save these cute accessories for a pool and the beach.
Heart-Shaped Sunglasses
Trend: YSL’s heart shaped sunglasses are the rave this summer and every fashion influencer is showing off their love for these shades. They come in different colors but the red shades are favored for some reason.
When to wear them: daytime obviously (wink)
How to wear them after 40: slay them they are hot.
Corporate wear: No!
Chunky White Sneakers
Trend: did someone rewind the tape to 1990? I can’t believe they are the IT shoes when at one point in time they were “fashion faux-pas”!
When to wear them: to the gym, grocery store or while casually strolling through the city.
How to wear them after 40: as a woman over 40, I honestly wouldn’t wear white sneakers with skirts and dresses in an attempt to look trendy. Let the influencer convince the teens and twenty something females rock the look. But if you are looking for a comfy pair of shoes to wear while running errands, go ahead.
Corporate wear: wear before entering the office (rule applies to public transit commuters).
Slip Dresses
Trend: satin slip dresses are incredibly feminine and versatile. They can be flattering if the cut is right.
When to wear them: daytime or evening.
How to wear them after 40: I like wearing strappy slip dresses with a light jacket, or a bodysuit underneath for a day-time look. Also for the super trendy ladies, they may look good with a pair of skinny or palazzo pants. In the evening, pair them with stiletto heels for a dreamy feminine appearance.
Corporate wear: satin dress to work? Nah.
Balloon Sleeves
Trend: That is like bringing the 80s back with vengeance and I love them. That structured sleeve is slimming and just for some reason makes the body look well proportioned.
When to wear them: Anytime
How to wear them after 40: just wear them as a top or a dress. They are nostalgic.
Corporate wear: depends on how big the balloon sleeves are. I suggest wearing smaller balloon sleeves than Joan Collin’s.
Bermuda Shorts
Trend: Yes another 80s trend is making a comeback this summer and we can wear them.
When to wear them: You can totally rock them all the time.
How to wear them after 40: these are the perfect shorts ladies, and you can wear them with a Tshirt, a blouse or even a dress jacket.
Corporate wear: absolutely yes.
Suiting
Trend: Full pant suites in bright summer colors for that chic and elegant look.
When to wear them: you can wear them at work or as an evening ensemble
How to wear them after 40: a full pant-suit is a smashing boss-babe look especially for women over 40.
Corporate wear: hell yeah!
Graphic Stripes
Trend: Bright vertical or horizontal graphic stripe dresses and tops. It’s no surprise that stripes continue to dominate the fashion world lately but I think they are a classic look to keep in your wardrobe at all time. They are striking and flattering on any body type.
When to wear them: One can pretty much wear them anytime of the day. For an evening look, stripes with a bit of sparkle and shine makes you stand out from the crowd.
How to wear them after 40: Vertical striped dresses are extremely attractive and suitable for any body type. The other option is to go with baby stripes, which have been spotted in some 2019 fashion shows. Vertical stripe pants are groovy and, if you are petite like me, you’d appreciate the illusion of more height when wearing vertical striped pants. For tops, my personal favorite would be baby-stripe shirts because they balance the overall look of the upper body. Try to experiment with this look this summer.
In summary, the 2019 fashion trends are proving to be popular at all fronts. From neons to boiler suits/utility suits, women over 40 can take pleasure in wearing these styles this summer and remember the good old 80s and 90s when we were still in our teens and twenties!
