One of the best things about being over 40 is that you finally know who you are. You know what your morals are, what you want out of life, and how you like to dress amongst other things. You’re confident and unashamedly you and that’s great.
Nevertheless, when it comes to style, there are a few tips that can help women in their peak to look even better. So, although you can totally ignore them and do your own thing if that’s what you want to do, it may be worth reading the following tips to help you dress well over 40…
Create a capsule wardrobe
The capsule wardrobe is the ultimate in dressing well for women over 40, especially if they’re very busy women over 40. Why? Because it makes dressing well as simple as can be. By investing in a few quality pieces of clothing that can be mixed and matched to create lots of exciting outfit combinations, you can (almost) literally get dressed in the dark and still look better than, like 90 percent of the people around you. Investigate capsule wardrobes and start building your own – you won’t regret it.
Don’t go dowdy
Okay so if dowdy is and always has been your thing, then keep on rocking it, but if not, keep reading, So many women, when they reach 40, feel like they should stop having fun with fashion and start dressing in more practical ways that keep them comfy and covered, especially if they happen to have children. This is such garbage – women in their 40s are in their prime; they look amazing and there are so many great clothes out there for them that they’d be foolish to change just because the calendar does. Whether you love wearing bright Converse shoes with skinny jeans or cute little black dresses adorned with thousands of sequins, keep doing what you do! Sure, you might want to make that dress longer or switch the ripped jeans for a solid pair, but you don’t have to start wearing smocks and cardigans if you don’t want to!
Stop matching
Okay, so there’s nothing wrong with wearing a matching outfit, but it can age you and make you seem a little stiffer and more regimented than you would like. If you’re the kind of woman who’s going for a freer, easier, more approachable look, then you need to mix and match your skirts, blouses, jackets, and pants up a bit more. Why not wear a yellow blouse with navy trousers or a pink jacket with a blue skirt? It’ll make you look and feel younger and a bit more fashion-forward.
Leave the loafers alone
What makes boring beige or navy loafers so attractive to women of a certain age? Why do they feel the need to wear them post-40 when they may never have even considered it before? Sure, they may be comfortable, but if they bore you you could get just as much comfort from a pair of Converse, some leopard print ballet pumps, or well a million other things you can put on your feet. Good shoes hide a multitude of sins, so invest in a pretty pair that are as stunning as they are comfy and you can build pretty much any outfit around them then.
Jackie-O sunglasses
Us over-40s are, let’s face it, often dog tired. We have busy work lives, kids to run around after, houses to clean, and…well you know the drill. The result? Frequently dark circles under the eyes. The good news is, this is something you can easily remedy by popping on a sophisticated pair of Jackie-O sunglasses, which will cover the affected area nicely while also taking your outfit up several glam notches. Seriously, even if you’re only wearing jeans and a tee, a pair of these specs will have you looking amazing in an instant.
Embrace black
A lot of people are of the opinion that you need to be young, thin, beautiful and just a little dramatic to dress in black from head to toe and pull it off, but again this is total garbage. Older women look amazing in black, especially if it’s a glossy black satin dress, which can improve your skin’s natural color while also providing a striking contrast. Pair with a red lip and you’ll look well-put-together even if you’ve just thrown something on. Black is so effortlessly classy.
Invest in good underwear
None of us can escape the effects of gravity on the body for too long, which is why women of all ages, but especially those who have been on this planet a little longer, should invest in good foundation garments including bras, underpants and maybe even a body shaper if that’s your thing – if it seems more like a form of torture than a garment to wear for you, skip it!
The better your underwear fits and shapes your body, the better you will look with your clothes on, it really is that simple.
Buy classics, not fashion statements
Although you absolutely can wear the latest trends, if you want to make the most of your clothing budget and ensure that you always look good when you leave the house, it’s a good idea to focus on buying classic garments in classic cuts. Think a black shift dress, crisp white shirt, and soft buttery leather jacket and you won’t be far wrong.
Accessorize with confidence
Accessories are here to give your outfits an additional sense of flavor, and they can be as ever-changing or as permanently worn as you like. No matter if you prefer mens bracelets or you just want to keep it simple wearing a beautiful watch, what matters is expressing yourself day to day, and really showing who you are through how you adorn yourself.
Throw it all out
Now you know some of the key ideas that will help you to dress well over 40, it’s time to throw them out! Take what works for you and leave the rest. After all, we are all individuals and what works for one of us won’t necessarily work for the next. Following the rules loosely and breaking them where appropriate will help you to maintain a style that is unique to you while also being very stylish and appropriate. Oh, and if in doubt, just ask the kids what they think of your latest clothing creation!
