The Insider’s Guide To Fashion Over 40

It’s not about age. It’s about taste and it’s about lifestyle. I believe women of all ages can wear anything.

Ralph Lauren

Interesting research revealed that people over forty feel 20% younger than their age. So it isn’t surprising for women over 40 to think and act younger. And this is particularly true for GenX, who have become increasingly vocal about ageism in every aspect of living, including appearances, lifestyle choices, and career change. , So why should women be subjected to dressing older in midlife instead of looking fashionable after 40? This is your guide to fashion over 40.

For the longest time, women were told to dress according to age and body type. You probably remember those charts that instructed you to wear this style or that based on your frame. Frankly, I never understood these illustrations that suggested that women fit within specific body types. I still can’t figure out which one accurately reflects my curves, humps, and lumps for the life of me. As much as these charts aimed to help women make the “right” styling choices, many women understood such style charts as biblical commandments. You may have craved wearing a style and couldn’t because you still think it won’t suit your body type. It gets even more complicated with age; once you hit a certain age, it’s like you hit a deadline. Thus now society expects you to look different, to change your appearance for something more mature and reflective of your age. Screw that. How is it fair to spend our youth building a personal style following charts and instructions then trash it because we are getting old?

The beautiful thing is that women are objecting to this notion of ageist regarding their looks, habits, and lifestyles. We still have the confidence to look good, modern, and trendy yet carry this look with grace and elegance. So how can you maintain a youthful image without compromising your style and budget?

Looking trendy after 40 doesn’t mean you have to buy new clothes every week!

Let’s agree that at one point, you can’t justify spending money on updating the wardrobe frequently. However, fast fashion makes it unrealistic for women to keep up with looking modern, hip, and fashionable. We’re done with keeping up with the Kardashians, the fashion influencers, or the Real Housewives of every American city. We have to break away from the old adolescent peer pressure and take charge of defining modern style at midlife.

No sweat, ladies. There are numerous tricks to looking youthful and up to date without placing an online order at your preferred fashion retailer. So let’s get into the seven fashion over 40 secrets that will change your style game.

Fresh basics

The first style “rule” is keeping your basic pieces fresh and focus on updating them regularly. Update your classic button shirts, tailored pants or skirts, and even your sweaters in neutral colors like white, black, gray, or beige. It doesn’t matter that they are classic cuts. The fact is that with frequent wear, the material deteriorates and changes colors. That’s what makes essential pieces look outdated and, in turn, makes you look old! If you shop for basics from mainstream labels, you should be updating these wardrobe staples every two years. I’m telling you straight, the fabrics used by famous brands aren’t made to last.  

Quality over quantity

Should you invest in classic garments? Of course, that’s a presumptuous question but hear me out. Well-made clothes, including custom-made pieces, are pricy. As well, the price tag of quality fabrics is becoming increasingly unaffordable. I was lucky to have worked with luxury retailers in my twenties and own great pieces made with luxe fabrics such as Merino wool. In the mid-90s, I recall, a Merino wool blazer cost roughly $500. Nowadays, you won’t find Merino wool blazers everywhere, and if you do, chances are you’d be dishing out no less than $1500 for a wool blazer. So it is definitely worth the cost to invest in luxe tailored blazers, pants, and dresses which you will continue to enjoy wearing for a long time. 

Find the right designers or brand for women over 40

Fast fashion is disposable, even if you buy basic and classic pieces. Besides the low-quality material and finishing, the cuts and patterns don’t fit right on many women. Sure they look fabulous on models and 20-year-olds. That’s because these brands model their designs for younger clients. And fast fashion is about cutting corners in the manufacturing process such as using small buttons, short zippers, and tailoring cuts. I suggest going to specific labels and designers that produce luxurious clothes and figure out which ones make apparels that suit your body type. Try everything, even if the styling chart suggested that an A-line dress or skirt doesn’t fit your body type. Visit different stores until you find the brands that tailor to your shape. That has been my approach for years. I know which stores and brands carry high-quality clothes that suit my frame and shop there exclusively. Here are some of my favourite brands offering a wide range of fashion over 40 ideas:

• Ralph Lauren
• Chico
• DVF
• M.M. La Fleur
• Madewell
• Christopher & Bank
• J. Jill
• Boden
• Vince
• Lenvers
• Lane Bryant
• Amour Vert
• The Frankie Shop
• Elisabetta Franchi

Mix old and new

Fashion over 40 gives you the freedom to express your individuality and blend your existing style with trends. Another way to look on-point is by mixing old and new together. You don’t have, nor should you, wear the latest trends head to toe. It’s overwhelming for the eyes. Instead, put on one trendy piece of clothes and mix it with basics and classics. It could be a fashionable top, a blazer, or a pair of shoes. That piece will be the focal point of your look of the day, which will attract attention. People will recognize the piece as a seasonal trend, and you’ll pass the style test. 

When it comes to vintage clothes, avoid buying pieces that exude an “era-trend,” such as a square shoulder blazer from 1991 – even though shoulder pads are trending this coming season (Fall/Winter 2021/22). Instead, get pieces from luxury brands like Chanel, Dior, Ralph Lauren. These brands represent timeless elegance and style even if you score a 50-year-old piece.

Denim and leather 

Without question, denim and leather are marks of a fashionable woman regardless of age. Furthermore, with the ongoing textile evolution and manufacturing methods, designers and labels can produce countless styles in denim and leather, from pants, tops, blazers, to dresses. At the same time, denim and leather pieces have become acceptable work attire which helped advance their style status. You can don a denim shirt with a pair of dress pants under a blazer or wear a faux leather blazer to the office. I recently suggested incorporating denim into your back-to-work style guide with more fashion over 40 ideas.

Trendy belts and shoes

Once your wardrobe reaches its zenith, it’s time to consider updating your belts and shoes. See, if there’s anything that you want to stay on top of when it comes to fashion, it has to be your shoes first, then belts. You have to replace old shoes frequently and, therefore, wear the latest shoe trends. Every fashion enthusiast likes to buy new shoes each season. Trendy shoes come in every budget level, from low to soaring prices. If you are on a budget, you can fetch the latest at popular fast fashion stores like H&M, Zara, ASOS, Aldo, Keith & Charles, etc. And if cash is copious, the sky is your limit. 

Designer belts have become a fundamental element in looking fashionable. Names like Gucci, YSL, Dior and Hermes are the most sought-after and timeless brand accessories. Investing in a well-made belt will elevate your style and wardrobe. Moreover, fashion experts and stylists regard belts as staple pieces that exemplify a current and illustrious status. If you’ve sacrificed years of your life tending and caring for others, why not treat yourself to a luxury item at midlife?  

lux Knitwear (cardigans, dress, skirts, pants)

The pandemic has changed the way we dress in many ways. Suppose you plan to continue working from home or retire early. In that case, you’ll need to reconsider your style and refresh your wardrobe with knitwear, and here’s why: Lux knitwear is here to stay, and it presents beautiful fashion options for mature women and your fashion sense after 40. 

Although knitwear fabric has been around for a while, it is experiencing a significant presence in fashion due to relaxed attire rules and a casual lifestyle. Knitwear fabrics are stretchy, less likely to wrinkle, and lightweight. It is worth knowing there are eleven different types of knit fabrics used in making clothes. Cotton Jersey and rib knits are the most common as well as stretchy and soft. Interlock knit is heavier and thicker than jersey and rib-knit, but it’s more durable and stable, making it a good option for athleisure wear. I will reemphasize the importance of finding quality knitwear that holds its weight and structure well without looking flimsy and cheap. Take a look at DVF beautiful knitwear styles and elegant patterns:

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