If You’re Over 40, These Are the Tips You Need to Step Up Your Style

When we talked about cleaning out your closet, we talked about what you should get rid of. One thing you shouldn’t get rid of are your absolute favorite pieces.

Actually, this goes for new favorites you find too. You want a bit of personality in your style, so having a few key favorites in your closet to spice up almost any look can give you a great starting place for finding your own unique style, no matter what the piece is.

Once again, fashion doesn’t have to hurt and it doesn’t have to leave you without anywhere to put anything. Earlier, we talked about balancing functionality and fashion.

Another one of our favorite tips to keep in mind is that your clothes should look good and feel physically comfortable. There’s a balance to keep here if you still want to look put-together but if your clothes are comfortable, you’re more likely to get full use out of them.

If you aren’t looking to revamp your whole wardrobe at once, don’t worry. You can make small changes to your outfits that will catch the eye.

There are little details that can really change the look of an outfit. For instance, the right accessory can sell an entire outfit! This is also a great way to experiment a little bit if you’re nervous about jumping fully into a new style.

When you think of your wardrobe, what type of clothes do you think of? As a matter of fact, do you only think of clothes?

You’ll want to make sure you clean out and update the smaller pieces that don’t work for you anymore. For example, old and worn-out shoes both look bad and they’re more apt to leave you with sore feet at the end of the day!

On the topic of shoes, you’ll want to consider comfort on more than just old, worn-down shoes. Some shoes are simply uncomfortable.

Take high heels as an example. They’re infamous for the discomfort they cause. In a similar fashion, it’s the same reason that you might opt for a dress with pockets. You want something that works for you in more ways than one. It’s all about personal comfort, though, so continue to rock them if they don’t bother you!

As we just covered, heels, particularly high heels, are often uncomfortable. They look great but can leave you dealing with blisters later.

If you want something more comfortable, as we said, a lower heel will do the trick whether you’re in the office or headed to a party. If you find that uncomfortable, flats make a great choice as casual or formal shoes. Once again, though, this is all about balancing your comfort with your favorite looks.

Workwear often has to be professional, but that doesn’t mean that you have to look solemn and serious every time you head to work.

If you’re interested in spicing up your look in the office, adding something bold can really draw people’s eyes to you. Try wearing a bright top, a striking jacket, or grabbing a nice bag before running to the office. A little change can go a long way.

There are a lot of people who get nervous about trying something new as they get older. There’s a misconception that new styles are for young audiences.

The truth is if you see something you like and you think that you’d try it out if you were younger, at least try it on! You might find that you’re more confident in the piece than you thought because fashion doesn’t have an age ceiling.

As we discussed earlier, a few small changes can change your look in a big way. You don’t always have to go big to see results.

So, if you aren’t looking to revamp your whole wardrobe, having a few staple statement pieces is a great tip to keep in mind. On top of that, a statement piece or two in your wardrobe can show your personality and make your style more distinct.

A lot of people grow wary around bold patterns because they’re afraid that they can’t pull them off. If you want to try some patterns out, where do you start?

In the spring, one pattern that never goes out of style is floral print. Whether you go for something with a large print or small, you can pull off florals anytime the sun starts to come out again. This is a great, fun choice to have in your closet.

As we said, starting to update your closet might leave you wondering where to start. It can also leave you wondering what to buy.

Sometimes, it’s hard to keep an image in your head of your style and find things to fit it in your memory. Don’t be afraid to look for a style icon or a few pictures for inspiration before you get started. It’ll give you the chance to brainstorm a bit!

When you’re actually in the store or out shopping, you want a way to review this inspiration easily and readily. That way, you save time.

A little bit of organization can go a really long way. Making a vision board or jumping on a site like Pinterest can help you organize your style. Then, you can just reference that when you’re shopping for new clothes and you’re not left searching or wondering.

Sometimes, you look at a style and don’t think you can pull it off or don’t think it’s for you. However, that’s not always true.

When you’re out and shopping, don’t shy away from the changing room! It’s free to try things on, so add a few items you like but wouldn’t normally wear. You’d be surprised what you like yourself in more than you originally thought! Don’t let your nerves get the better of you when trying something you might just fall in love with.

There’s an old saying that “beauty is pain.” While a pair of stilettos might make you sacrifice your feet, not every piece of fashionable wear has to make you miserable.

What you’re looking for in a wardrobe is a collection of clothes you’ll actually wear and enjoy. When you’re looking for new looks, balance utility and fashion. While cargo pants might be functional, they aren’t everyone’s style. On the other hand, a fashionable purse or blazer with inner pockets has a lot of function and looks great.

Remember earlier when we said that you should figure out some inspiration to find a style you like? We’re going to expand on that tip a little bit more.

When it comes to choosing a new wardrobe for yourself, you should make sure that you put yourself first. What pieces make you feel confident? Is there a specific trend you like? You can use this to develop your own personal style that works just right for you.

Everyone has their own budget for shopping. Odds are, the average person isn’t going to go out and come home with piles of shopping bags filled with Gucci and Prada.

That’s not what we mean by buying quality. You can invest in a few expensive pieces like this if you want but, generally, one of the best tips is to look for pieces you love that are sturdily made and will last you a while.

Many people want a more mature look as they get older. If you want to go for something elegant or even add little elegant touches to your outfit, invest in quality.

This is great for a few reasons. For one, silver and gold are noticeably stunning and look great with almost any outfit, which gives you some versatility. In addition, it’ll help you avoid the green hue that some materials can leave behind on your skin.

We’ve already talked about how fashion should make you feel confident and work for you as a functional piece at well.

Still, you’ll want to make sure that you have at least one piece that works for you functionally. If you don’t have one already, look for a good, fashionable bag to add to your wardrobe. You’ll be surprised just how handy it can be! If you’re getting one bag, it’s a good idea to go neutral so you can wear it with any outfit.

Leather is a material that can be used to create a wide variety of looks. For instance, a black leather jacket can make any look a little edgier.

If you want something a little more unique as you reconsider your look as you get older, don’t overlook the power of leather! For something a little more unique and eye-catching, you’ll want to try out leather in other colors. An olive green leather coat, for example, can really switch things up.

As you experiment with new styles, don’t be afraid to see how you look in a monochromatic look. Depending on the clothes, this style can look great in the office or on the weekend with your family.

When you talk about monochromatic looks, many people think of wearing all black or showing up in a gray suit. Yet, you can create a fun look with a brighter monochromatic look as well. Plus, this is a great way to make your accessories shine.

Just as we said, monochromatic clothes don’t have to be dull and lifeless. You can use bold colors for an outfit that’s sure to turn heads.

Even if you don’t want something monochromatic, bold colors can still go a long way. One of our simplest tips for a great outfit is a pair of good jeans or solid-colored slacks with a brightly colored top can really make you shine in any setting.

As we said when we were talking about floral patterns, sometimes people can get a little wary of patterns. Many people are worried about how “busy” an outfit looks.

You’re right on one front – you don’t want your patterns to clash. However, the same effect we talked about with a bold shirt ad dark pants can be achieved with a printed top. Don’t be afraid to go a little bold with this tip!

There are some things that you can use as fashion tips whether you’re over or under the age of 40. This is one of those tips that you can use to update your style.

When it comes to clothes, something that fits you correctly is going to be more flattering than something that doesn’t, no matter what type of fit you’re looking for. If you wear a bra, take the time to get properly fitted.

In a lot of movies, there’s a dated cliche that someone gets a makeover and their glasses come off, leaving them more beautiful than before the montage started.

The truth is, glasses are a fashion accessory as well as something you need in order to see. Choosing the right frame and shape can complement your face. In fact, you could roll two tips into one and find some fun frames to use as a statement piece with a lot of personality.

We’ve already mentioned this in passing but this tip is too important not to expand on. The fit of what you’re wearing is important too.

As we’ve already covered, you’ll want to look for clothes that comfortably fit your body type. Plus, you’ll want to keep in mind that your body shape can change a lot as you age. So, don’t be afraid to get your favorite suit you haven’t worn in years tailored for a better fit.

The unfortunate news is that when you go to the store or shop online, sizing can be tricky. Especially in women’s clothing, sizing can be really inconsistent.

Oftentimes, you might also run into the problem of finding clothes that fit your body. What if you have a little trouble finding something to fit your waist, or if you need a shorter pant leg? A material with a bit more stretch can help you find a more flexible fit.

There are probably some staples that you’ve heard about over the years. In some cases, the rumors really are true and you can rely on some classics to get by.

For instance, if you have a more feminine style, you might want to try keeping a little black dress in your closet. This is something that you can throw on whether you’re heading for a night out or need something a little more serious.

When the temperature starts to drop and you’re considering a fall and winter wardrobe, you’ll want to make sure you have something warm to wear.

One option you might want to consider is knitwear. The medium seems to never go out of style and it keeps well! After all, it doesn’t wrinkle easily and it’ll keep you fashionable and warm throughout the colder months since the material retains heat well.

Speaking of the colder season, you’ll want great outerwear too. However, you’d be surprised how many lightweight options you can find for layering when the temperatures rise.

Either way, your outerwear is the top layer of your outfit. So, the last thing you want to do is cover an outfit that makes you confident with a sweater or jacket you hate. Take the time to find a jacket you love and some fashionable sweaters too.

We mentioned previously that outerwear doesn’t have to just mean the coat or jacket you put on before you leave the house.

Try out a few different layer options with your clothes, like cardigans and sweaters, for a put-together look. If you go for something neutral or something that suits most of your wardrobe, you’ll have some options to mix it up when you find yourself feeling a little cold.

There’s an all-too-common misconception that new trends are for teens and young adults. The truth is, fashion doesn’t have an age limit.

If you want another way to look for inspiration and to try new things, don’t be afraid to try out some trends. You may not find that you like every single one you try out but you might be surprised at what you learn you like and feel confident in.

Of course, if you want to try new trends, you aren’t just going to know about them by never taking a look into what’s in style.

We’re not saying that you have to do intensive research, just take some time to scroll through Instagram, flip through a magazine, or take an afternoon to window shop, and you’ll have a better idea of what’s in style. You might be surprised at what you find and fall in love with!

Aging doesn’t have to mean turtlenecks and long dresses. In other words, turning 40 or older doesn’t mean you have to stop showing skin.

Of course, you have to consider the setting but showing a little skin can add to your fashion too. Maybe you want shorter cropped pants or an off-the-shoulder sweater, even if you’re not as big of a fan of mini skirts or crop tops anymore.

When we discussed fit earlier, we talked about how the right fit can make an outfit look better than it would if it didn’t fit you properly.

The truth is that as you age, your body changes. Those exact changes may vary from person to person. That doesn’t mean you have to toss out your favorite suit, it just means that a trip to the tailor can breathe new life into an old suit.

There are some things that never seem to go out of style. When we talked about jewelry earlier, we talked about investing in some nice gold or silver jewelry.

Another classic choice that can add some elegance to any professional or formal look is pearl jewelry. A simple string of pearls or pair of earrings is a great accessory. If you want to avoid a dated look, though, you’ll want to avoid jewelry that looks like massive, oversized pearls.

Finding fashion is, again, about functionality as well as looking your best. Odds are, when you go shopping, you want to find pieces you love that’ll last.

If you want to make sure your new wardrobe lasts, look into getting higher-quality clothes with sturdier fabrics. A lot of fast fashion isn’t made to last, so you’ll want to keep longevity in mind while you shop.

Everyone has different goals with fashion, so tips like these are best if you’re looking for a specific look. Maybe you want to accentuate – or create an illusion of – a certain feature.

If you want to look a little taller, there’s an option for that too! All you have to do is take a look at your pants. If you choose something with a flare or wide leg, it’ll add the illusion of extra height – no heels needed!

By now, we’ve talked a lot about the fit of certain clothes and finding what’s right for you. That goes for your jeans too.

Many people rock tighter jeans when they’re younger but skinny jeans might not be your style anymore. On the other hand, you probably don’t want anything too baggy either. For the most flattering look, you’ll want to look for something that’s just right for you.

Fashion is all about boosting your self-confidence. Yet, it’s easy to get bogged down in what features you want to hide or create an illusion about.

Try a fresh approach here. Take a look in the mirror and take the time to consider your favorite features. What do you love about yourself? No matter what your choice is, think of how to accentuate that with your style.

By now, we’ve mentioned that fashion is something without an age limit more than once now. Let’s take a second to expand on that, though.

There are a lot of fashion tips for people over 40 out there telling you what not to wear. However, it’s a lot more productive to focus on what you like and what you feel comfortable in. Clothes are made for people of any age, so it’s all about finding what you look best in.

When you’re trying to start over with a new wardrobe, it can be hard to know where to start. Odds are, you’re going to have to make some choices on where to start.

The best thing to do is start with a few staples. Make sure that you at least have a couple of formal outfits, a couple of pairs of pants, and five tops or more so you can switch it up. This will give you a good baseline to build on over time.

One thing that people worry about as they get older is that their wardrobe will start to show their age because it looks dated.

This is oftentimes because they don’t update their style over the years. If staying current is one of your fashion goals, you’ll want to update your wardrobe every couple of years or even just pick up a few new pieces as you go over the years. Also, make sure to clean your closet of what you don’t want or need as it’s necessary.

The best place to start any wardrobe revamps, no matter what your age, is to look at what you have. A closet cleanout is an excellent tip to start with.

The rules here are simple. If you don’t like it, it doesn’t fit, or it’s too worn down to wear, you should get rid of it. For anything but the latter, you can do a good deed at the same time and donate your old clothes.

It’s important to remember those guidelines. Cleaning out your closet doesn’t just mean that you should just throw everything out.

Of course, you want to keep enough to have enough to wear, especially if you aren’t replacing it all right away. Not to mention, you might find that you can restyle your favorites to give them new life. You’d be surprised how you can add a little originality to the pieces you’ve owned for years by pairing them with something new!

Some of the things that you need to have in your closet are so simple you might just overlook their value. We’ve got one of those right here in this tip!

A white T-shirt is such a staple that you have to have one around. These shirts work great whether you’re looking for something that’ll work under a layer or just something casual and cool, these shirts come in handy for a simple but effective fit.