Women in their 40s today aren’t like the 40-year-olds of a few decades ago. They feel younger, act free, They have control over their bodies and their lives like never before. They are dating, having kids, and having fun. They have all this and the experience to have seen it all. They know what works, what doesn’t, and what they like and don’t like. They are in a great position where they can still go out and have fun, but they aren’t immature little girls anymore, and their clothes reflect that. Here are 8 tips for women to dress well in their 40’s.
Don’t Settle
You shouldn’t have anything in your closet that you don’t love. You don’t have time in your day to pick through item after item to choose an outfit. You’ve been around the block, and you know what looks good on you. Having things in your closet that don’t fit or aren’t in style anymore will only bring you down. Don’t get caught up with what size you used to be or what style you could rock in your 20s. Live in the now.
Along the same lines, you don’t have anything that isn’t a perfect fit. Your body has changed, and your clothes from 15-20 years ago will fit differently on you. Instead of forcing them to fit and be uncomfortable, get clothes that fit properly, even if you don’t like the number on the tag. If you have to, get them tailored. Ill-fitting clothing won’t look as good, and you will feel less confident while you are wearing them.
Spend On Quality
You have a career, and you might have kids. You need to drive them around to soccer practice and dance rehearsal. You should always look put together. Gone are the days when you could wear sweatpants and a shirt out in public. You should have fewer items in your wardrobe but better quality. Spend on nice fabrics that are durable and look great. The cheaper you dress, the cheaper you look, and the cheaper you feel.
Flexibility
Since you’re going to be spending more per article of clothing, try to get things that can be used for multiple purposes and multiple outfits. For instance, a black dress can be dressed up, dressed down, and everything in between. If you wear slacks at work, you can wear them in the evening with a blouse or a tank top to up the sex appeal. Blacks and whites are good for the base, then you can get creative with your layers. Stock up on those, and then have a lot of neutral colors that will go with everything.
Statement Pieces
That said, you also need to have go-to pieces that will make a statement, This can be with bright and bold colors or patterns that draw the eye. You may want something that draws attention to parts of your body or more modest women’s clothing for work or hanging out by the soccer field. The key is that you are saying you are in your 40s, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun and draw attention.
Risks
When you were younger, you probably felt at times that you needed to fit in. So you went along with what everyone said or thought they said and did what you could to blend in. Now that you’re in your 40s, you don’t have to be a shrinking violet. You can be as bold or reserved as you want. Don’t be afraid to take risks. As an adult woman, you know that the worst thing that can happen is that an outfit doesn’t work, and you don’t wear it again. That doesn’t mean jumping on every trend out there, but it does mean selectively trying them out and seeing where they take you.
Layers
As a woman in your 40’s, you’re nothing if not practical. That’s why you should be rocking layers whenever you can. For instance, in the fall, you can wear jeans paired with a black top and an oversized sweater or cardigan. Add a scarf and a coat to the ensemble as it gets colder. A midi sundress is a perfect choice in the summer, but make sure you have your jean jacket as the temperature goes down at night. You don’t need to be uncomfortable, as you might have been in your younger days when you wanted to impress and had a smaller budget. In fact, you can still look great under your layers.
Blazer
You might not realize it, but a blazer can be the most important piece in your wardrobe. It is the ultimate flexible and fashionable item.you can, of course, wear it to the office, but it is in the evening and on weekends where it can really shine. You can pair a simple monochrome tee and jeans for a casual look. However, at night, you can wear some nice slacks, or even a maxi skirt, to give off a fun and flirty vibe. Neutral colors are best so that they will go with more items in your wardrobe.
High Waist
As you get older, you will learn to appreciate high waists. They are very flattering, even when you don’t feel confident in your body. You wear high-waisted pants and jeans with just about anything, as can skirts. Choose a neutral color so that you can contrast it with a patterned or boldly-colored top.
As you can see, when you hit your 40s, it doesn’t mean you can’t dress fashionably and look great. The models on the runways may not be in your age bracket, but you can still give them a run for their money.
