- How to Dress in Your 40s: 7 Style Tips Chic Dressers Always Rely On
- 1. Good Tailoring Is Timeless
- 2. Head-to-Toe Black Always Looks Expensive
- 3. Dopamine Dressing Can Look Very Chic
- 4. Invest in Smart Outerwear
- 5. Play With Texture
- 6. Voluminous Silhouettes Always Look Cool
- 7. White T-Shirts Shouldn't Be Overlooked
Hannah Almassi
It is a widely known fact that great style is ageless, and some of the most stylish women in fashion are in their 40s, 50s and 60s and have spent a lifetime curating their refined looks while still making current trends work for them.
You see, when you're in your early 20s and 30s, you're still in the trenches of life, as Suki Waterhouse put it. You might not have as much of a disposable income as you will later in life, nor have your personal style figured out quite yet. So as much as early adulthood is a matter of fashion trial and error, your 40s and beyond is the period you can look and feel your best after learning what works best for you and what pieces are worth investing in.
There are plenty of valuable lessons in figuring out how to build a timeless wardrobe (get ready to take notes) but also how to stay true to your own personal style, as fashion is all about self-expression and what makes you feel good above all else.
Having been guilty of buying into a few quick fads and whatever is trending on TikTok, I'm changing to a better approach to shopping, now that I'm in my early 30s, bearing in mind what will stand the test of time and get the most wear in the future too.
So after looking at some of my favourite over-40 fashion bloggers and influencers for inspiration, I found some recurring tips for stylish dressing at any age and for every season. Yes, these outfits work beautifully in your 40s, but really, they are relevant for any age demographic.
From statement silhouettes to classic essentials like white t-shirts and straight-leg denim you can build a capsule wardrobe with, keep scrolling to see some pointers from the fashion bloggers and influencers who know how to dress in your 40s, 50s and 60s and are inspiring my wardrobe going forward.
How to Dress in Your 40s: 7 Style Tips Chic Dressers Always Rely On
How to Dress in Your 40s: 7 Style Tips Chic Dressers Always Rely On
1. Good Tailoring Is Timeless
There is a reason that tailoring is known as "power dressing," and getting the right fit can make you feel incredible. At Who What Wear, we are evangelical about the power of a classic blazer, and whether worn as a full suit or paired with skirts and dresses, a well-cut blazer appears in the wardrobes of most fashionable women for its ability to elevate any look. Investing in a good-quality blazer is a shrewd choice. You'll get wear out of it for years to come.
Style Notes: Basing an outfit on a neutral palette gives the polished look of a full suit without being matchy-matchy.
Style Notes: Add plenty of personality to your tailored look with mismatched accessories.
Shop Tailored Pieces:
Clean lines and a close-to-the-body fit are the criteria by which all good tailoring should be measured.
Tailoring can extend to knitwear, too.
Like Victoria Beckham, tailored pants have become a staple for so many chic dressers over 40.
This stunning single-breasted blazer is made from virgin wool and features a belt tie finish and a loose lapel that can also double as a scarf.
2. Head-to-Toe Black Always Looks Expensive
It's often said that women who wear black lead colourful lives. There is something to be said about the sense of mystery that an all-black outfit portrays. Elegant, refined and understated, black is a reliable fail-safe for when you want to look put together with minimal effort. Well, if it's good enough for Coco Chanel and Carine Roitfeld...
Style Notes: This year, the scarf blouse is really having a moment.
Style Notes: Black tailoring doesn't have to look business-ready. By looking out for elegant silhouettes and adding sleek accessories, it can feel high-fashion too.
Shop Black Outfits:
A piece that combines multiple style tricks is a winner in my book.
Forget what you've ever thought about pencil skirts being matronly; the contouring style is both effortless and polished at the same time.
From the square toe to the accent micro-heel and small Prada logo embossed on the top, what's not to love about these ballet flats with straps?
You'll cherish the DeMellier New York bag for a lifetime. Just ask Katie Holmes.
3. Dopamine Dressing Can Look Very Chic
So now you've mastered head-to-toe black, it doesn't mean that timeless dressing has to be boring. In fact, statement prints and acid brights are the ones we come back to time and again—just ask leopard print. Celebrate the joy in dressing up by embracing (and even clashing) different colours and prints for a look guaranteed to turn heads for all of the right reasons.
Style Notes: Textures, charms and colour? Why not!
Style Notes: Bold colours can help bring a little sunshine to even the most overcast day. Just pair a bright shirt with clashing trousers and add equally fun accessories.
Shop Dopamine Clothing:
Take it from the runways and street style set, glass slipper blue is in.
Carrie Bradshaw-approved.
Slightly modish but quite timeless.
Even Millennials like Kendall Jenner are fans of the metallic trainer trend.
4. Invest in Smart Outerwear
Having timeless outerwear like denim jackets and trench coats in your arsenal might actually be the smartest purchase you can make this season. As we're now in summer, coats might not seem like an obvious choice, but as soon as the sun sets, layering is key, and some of our favourite influencers have already cottoned on to the versatility of the easy light jacket. Wear oversized and undone over your favourite summer dress or linen trousers.
Style Notes: A camel trench is versatile enough to wear with anything your wardrobe from mini dresses to wide-leg trousers.
Style Notes: Take a scroll through Frann's feed and you'll find smart tailored coats in just about every neutral colour. Anything that gets the French stamp of approval must be chic.
Shop Smart Outerwear:
Like Kate Moss has always proven, leopard prints are quite chic.
Toteme's scarf jacket is the style that every fashion person wants.
Trust us, the built-in crease actually makes this piece look more expensive.
Throw over a pair of white jeans and fisherman sandals, and you have my perfect spring outfit.
5. Play With Texture
One of the easiest style dilemmas to solve is how to make a simple outfit feel a bit more special. The answer? Introduce different textures. Pairing the unexpected adds a point of interest—think fine knits and satin skirts, tweed jackets and denim, or teddy jacket against a suede bag, anything that feels good, looks good too.
Style Notes: Texture mixtures can be subtle like this teddy, suede, pinstripe and silver trainer combo.
Style Notes: Erica Davies is such a go-to for these fun textural and print combinations. She will inspire you to play with your wardrobe!
Shop Textured Clothing:
Reformation's Clara cashmere cardigan is well adored by the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, but I think this argyle print version is slightly more mature, making it a great base layer to build your textured ensembles on top of.
This khaki leather A-line skirt is a dreamy transeasonal piece.
A.Emery's Jalen sandals are fashion insider secret. Now you're in on the hottest summer shoe.
Wrap around your shoulders or tie around your waist to bring an element of contrast to your ensemble.
6. Voluminous Silhouettes Always Look Cool
Big sleeves, big skirts, big shoulder pads and plenty of attitude… With age comes confidence, best showcased in voluminous dresses, skirts, jackets and knits that bring the drama. And if you aren't feeling your most self-assured, fake it to make it. In a big dress or power shoulder, you can't help but walk a little taller. Fashion forward, and not to mention comfortable, oversized proportions are the secret weapon of some of the most stylish women in fashion, and everyone should have an outfit in their wardrobe that acts as a sartorial pick-me-up.
Style Notes: An oversized biker like this doesn't need over-accessorising. Keep jewellery to a minimum and the rest of the look simple to let the jacket do all of the talking.
Style Notes: Grece's full kilt is proof that you can't go wrong with a big skirt and a refined knit.
Shop Oversized Clothing:
Very Saint Laurent coded.
Peachy Den's Deba Skirt is a London wardrobe staple.
COS' Arch tapered jeans are a softer way to embrace the trend, if you're not convinced that inflated silhouettes are for you.
Balance out the bagginess of the look by layering a satin mini skirt over the top.
7. White T-Shirts Shouldn't Be Overlooked
Asking yourself what to wear in your 40s shouldn't feel like reinventing the wheel. In fact, most women in their 40s, 50s and 60s often lean towards more muted and foundational staples. If you were to ask anyone at the midpoint of their life if they owned a white t-shirt, the answer would be a resounding yes. You may think this piece boring, but its simplicity and versatility do wonders at brightening up silhouettes.
Style Notes: If it's not broke, don't fix it is what this stunning springtime skirt outfit is telling us. Making your outfit by contrasting colours is such a simple styling hack that will save you so much time.
Style Notes: Overlooking unique options like off-the-shoulder or asymmetrical or boatneck styles would be doing yourself a disservice.
Shop White T-Shirts:
So many Who What Wear UK editors own COS's clean-cut t-shirt.
Celebrities like Margot Robbie, Jennifer Lawrence and Taylor Swift love this shirt.
This piece is one of Arket's best-selling items.
Don't just explore crew styles. Novel necklines can help bring a sense of freshness to looks just by changing up the shape of the top.
