How To Dress Over 40, Part 2
It’s been almost a year since I wrote my piece on fashion over 40, and I thought it was a good time to revisit it as we enter into a new shopping season. I still stand by everything I said, thankfully, but have some updated points I wanted to share with you. Even though I know I have younger and older viewers of this website, I think the sentiment remains the same — and that is to dress for yourself, adapt trends to your own lifestyle and comfort levels, and to play by your own rules when it comes to shopping and styling. When I read articles based on capsule wardrobes, high street brands being the devil and styling “rules” based on age, it’s hard not to roll my eyes. I don’t abide by those ideas at all and I don’t encourage you to either.
While it is true that quality over quantity and having a less is more approach works well for your wardrobe as you get older, it would be seriously false of me to push the classic/minimalist vibe as the only option for 40+ women. It isn’t. That whole look is a trend in itself and to be frank, has kind of been ruined by the Gen Z crowd and their take on cheap tailoring.
Does your dressing style have to change as you get older? No. But I think you’ll be hard pressed to find a woman climbing 40 who hasn’t felt a shift in the type of clothes they want to wear. I feel it every day and it’s been such a learning curve. One of the main things I’ve noticed is largely because of my 10 year old daughter. She’s beginning to notice and follow trends herself, and it’s made me question my own wardrobe. Put simply, I do not want to be wearing the same type of clothes as a tween or teen! Been there, done that.
So what does a 40 + year old woman actually wear this season? Well, whatever you want, but here are some fresh ideas and new concepts to consider the next time you’re shopping or getting dressed…
Play with proportions. If one half of your outfit is oversized, balance it out with something slimmer fitting, and vice versa. I’ve found that the younger crowd are doing head to toe oversized or body con looks, and I personally don’t think either is very flattering, no matter your size.
Familiarise yourself with fabrics. There’s no need to avoid a Zara or H&M purchase if you know how to shop smartly. As I’ve mentioned before on the site, I search these brands online via fabric type in the search bar — cotton, silk, wool, leather — as this eliminates any of the cheaper items and zones in on their basics and better quality separates. To imply that the older you get, the more you need to spend on clothing reeks of privilege. My styling mantra is always to mix high and low brands for an individual look, regardless of age.
Basics can be boring, yep, but they’ll be the hardest working items in your wardrobe, so invest wisely. Also be prepared to update your basics often, because a simple shape refresh of a T-shirt or shirt can instantly and easily update your look. This autumn/winter it’s all about a longer sleeve tee and cropped jackets.
Updating your denim is also a great and easy way of looking modern. The current jean silhouette is relaxed veering on oversized, but you can absolutely find your own happy medium with this, e.g. a simple straight leg style. As much as hipsters are making a comeback, I will always vouch for a mid or higher waist being way more flattering and easier to style (a half-tucked shirt or fully tucked tee look way better on a higher waist, for example).
Layering is the cool-girl’s styling secret, particularly for the cooler months. Add a tee or tank underneath a knit or shirt, roll up a sleeve to reveal a long sleeve tee underneath, layer a cardigan or blazer with a trench or coat… There’s something about additional layers that make your overall look appear more put together. Same goes for layering jewellery — when you add a few necklaces together it strangely makes your outfit look more effortless, rather than too prim and proper.
To finish, I want to reiterate that there is no right and wrong way to get dressed as you age. For me personally (I’m 43 next month), I’ve realised that having a more considered and thoughtful wardrobe results in more confidence overall. I’m not going to opt for sequins and neon to appear kooky and youthful, but at the same time I don’t want to get pulled into a beige and black styling hole that lacks personality. I love shopping and love clothes, and I’m excited to see where this next stage of my life takes my personal style and comfort levels.
On that note, here’s what I’m loving right now…
