6 Tips on How to Dress Younger at 40, 50, 60, & Beyond!
Ever browsed through a fashion magazine and seen one of your favorite actresses who happens to be in her 50’s and think, “She looks fabulous! So, on trend and youthful.” You wonder how she does it and say to yourself, ‘If I were rich and famous, I could do that too.’ Well guess what? You don’t have to be rich and famous to dress stylish and youthful. All you have to do is follow a few tips to look your best to show off your vital spirit.
Understanding your style is a key element, communicating to the world who you are with what you wear, this expresses your style personality. Along with knowing your body shape and which cuts best fit, and flatter are essential. But we still can find ourselves in fashion ruts. Often, it’s when we are trying to find clothes that are comfortable. We chose comfort for style. Comfortable is how you want to feel in your clothes, it is not a look. I often say you can be comfortable in a ball gown. Addressing the shape of items, we wear is the best way to look younger. I will discuss shape in the two fundamental areas: tops & bottoms, additionally with prints, accessories, footwear, and eyewear. Let’s get started.
1. The Top Half
As we age, we oftentimes wear larger boxier more matronly items on top. In both shirts and jackets. Maybe we’re not as thin as we used to be, and we want to cover up our tummy or some rolls. Wearing larger items on top does not cover it makes you look bigger.
Ø Jackets- ditch the oversized boxy jacket that hits mid-thigh. It’s ending at an awkward place and just widens you. Chose a more structured jacket that is nipped in at the waist, hits higher at the hip or top of the thighs. This will uplevel your look and allow you to dress it up with nice trousers or a more casual look with a dark denim jean.
Ø Tops- lose that oversized, rounded neck, jersey knit top! The rounded neck widens your chest area and makes you bustline look larger. The knitted material is chunky and thick and gives you bulk and makes you look dated. Instead try body skimming tops in silk or a soft synthetic. You still get the coverage without the bulk. Try a v-neck pull over or button down that has a curved shirt tail bottom. You can easily wear it out, tuck it in or do a french tuck. A nice silk or synthetic collared shirt works beautifully, and collared shirts elongate the jawline.
2. The Bottom Half
So often we overlook what we are wearing on the bottom and can instantly look ten years older or younger depending on the cut of our pants and skirts. Once again, we chose comfort and limit our choices.
Ø Pants- drop the cropped pant now! They do nothing for you. They hit you at the widest part of the leg which literally cuts you in half, makes you look wider and shorter. Rather opt for and ankle length pant. You can wear a wide leg that hits around the ankle or elect for a nice, tapered cut that finishes at the smaller part of the leg at or near the ankle. Depending on your body shape will determine the style of pant. Remember if you go for a looser cut bottom you wear at more fitted top. For a tighter more tapered bottom you should elect to wear a looser cut top. Following this simple rule will help balance out your shape and accentuate the positives. Another note on pants and choosing comfort. There are a ton of current styles that have more give in the waistlines without sacrificing fashion. Joggers are still on trend and can easily be worn for a more casual look or even a high-low style pairing with a structured jacket and fun graphic tee.
Ø Skirts- It is so easy to look dowdy when you’re not wearing the right skirt. As with pants pay attention to where your skirt hits on the leg. Avoid the mid-calf cut off! Mini, midi or maxi all depends on your comfortability. Personally, I don’t wear mini skirts anymore. I prefer a midi that hits right above the ankle. If you’ve got rocking legs, I say Rock Em! There is no rule on skirt length (or shorts for that matter) and age. Just know your body shape and which cuts best flatter you.
Ø Shorts- same rule as skirts. Choose the right cut and go for a higher cut waistline. Shorts come in different inseam lengths; 5-inch inseam- the short/short, 7-inch inseam, 9-inch inseam and the 11-inch inseam. Depending on the length of your leg and preferred coverage will determine the inseam that is best for you. Avoid shorts that hit below the knee 2-3 inches or more these hit at an awkward angle and makes you look shorter and wider. I find the sweet spot for most women is 1-2 inches above the knee. Note for petites, avoid paper bag cuts and too much material they can overwhelm your small frame.
Ø Denim- I cannot address the bottom without addressing denim. Let go of the skinny jean and try a straight leg with a full or slimmer cut depending on your shape. Go with a high rise and stick to a darker wash. This not only up-levels your look it also slims you down and elongates the leg. A high rise also helps with muffin top. Stay away from the lighter wash ripped styles- they do nothing to elevate your look. There are many different cuts in denim right now, I love a high waisted wide leg myself. But you cannot go wrong with a straight legged pair of denim worn long or cuffed at the ankle.
3. Prints & Patterns
An easy way to look dated and add years to your style is selecting the wrong print. For some reason many retailers for women over 40 showcase big, bold, brightly colored prints in large floral or geometric patterns that do nothing for your shape or style.
Ø Cut those giant prints right out of your wardrobe. They engulf you and all anyone sees is the print coming towards them not You. Choose your prints wisely and elect lighter smaller prints. You can still choose bright colors, but the smaller print will blend easily and not overwhelm you.
Ø Stripes- same thing with big bold horizontal stripes. They only serve to enlarge and expand. If you do love stripes- who doesn’t love a sailor striped tee in the summer? Go smaller, the smaller version will bring the eye in verses taking the eye out. Or go vertical. Just be careful with stripes and smaller geometric prints on camera they can appear squiggly and look unsteady.
4. Accessories
Again, what’s with those retailers who cater to women over 40 with the big statement pieces of jewelry? Nothing speaks outdated like big chunky jewelry that hits mid decolletage. Your eye goes right to your chest.
Ø Simplify your accessories and wear minimal fine jewelry pieces that are timeless and simple. You present a more youthful, polished, and put together look when you choose smaller items such as pendant necklaces, paper clip necklaces or chains in various lengths to create a nice, layered look. Wear metals such as gold, silver or mix them together. Nix the matchy-matchy and mix and match, such as a gold hooped earring with a gold pendant necklace. Same for bracelets. Instead of bangles going up the arm try a simple silver bangle, cuff, or tennis style bracelet. Vintage and bohemian style jewelry can look old and antiquated when overdone. With accessories less is more.
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5. Footwear
The number one giveaway of age is your footwear. We’re back to comfort. As we age our feet become more delicate and we start to experience more issues with our feet. Comfort is critical, I know when my feet hurt nothing feels good. But we don’t have to sacrifice comfort for style. There are too many great companies out there making super cute shoes that feel and fit great.
Ø Pull back and keep your footwear minimal and paired down. Trade out those stilettos for a simple pump or wedge. There are so many cute flats and brogues to choose from that offer great style and comfort. And a white tennis shoe with flat sole or thick wedge continues to be on trend with skirts, dresses, pants, and jeans. When wearing skirts, shorts, or ankle length pants, think neutral-colored shoes, this will help balance out the leg and not cut your leg off at the foot. This is especially true for petites or those who have a shorter leg or calf. One company that I love whose shoes are designed by women podiatrists is Frankie4 footwear. They are super comfortable with a high style that come in flats, tennies, and heels. A simple guideline is to wear shoes that accentuate your look, not be the look.
6. Eyewear
A quick way to refresh you look is to update your eyewear. Be it glasses, readers, or sunglasses the style you wear can make you look young and hip or old and obsolete.
Ø When choosing your eyewear today’s looks are larger. Cat eye frames, large square and rounded styles are hot. A classic aviator never goes out of style in sunglasses. Black frames look fabulous on blondes. Avoid thick, low, rectangular shapes. They bring the eye down, show your bags and date you. Also stay away from cheap drugstore readers trust me they look exactly like what they are. Best way to determine a great style for you is to look on Pinterest and check out frames at a store such as Warby Parker. Try on several styles and take pictures of yourself to compare. After all this is your face, we’re looking at – making this small change to your eyewear makes a huge difference.
Know your style and dress for your body shape, but don’t be afraid to try new styles. Follow these simple steps. You will be comfortable, and you will wear your clothes with confidence.
People will notice YOU!
Have a Styling Day!
xoxo