In Fashion, Is 40 the New 20? How to Dress The Best for Your 40s.

The 40s are the decade where the words “Just ’cause you CAN doesn’t mean you SHOULD” start to mean something.

Women look fantastic in their 40s. You have the funds and the experience to keep everything in tip-top shape ~ with workouts, hair cuts & highlights, facials, brow shaping, pedi’s, blowouts, botox & more. Most of us are even able to make the time, since work and family routines get a bit more settled.  Many women in the 40s can easily pass for 10 – 15 years younger. That’s where it can get tricky:  Just ’cause you CAN doesn’t mean you SHOULD.

For the most part, we think if it looks good on you and you feel great wearing it, you can still pull off almost any style in your 40s. In fact, over-frumpiness is a Fashion NO in this decade. 

Dressing in your 40s is all about celebrating your own personal beauty and style, and doing so with elegance and fun. You don’t have to leave behind the trendy and the cheap & cheerful, but you need to start building a wardrobe that says you are a Grown Up Woman. Because you are. You are in your 40s now.

  • Even if you can wear your daughter’s clothes, that doesn’t mean you should. (seriously, save the poor child some time & money on therapy. One of you is the MOM and one of you is the girl.)
  • Even if you can wear a micro mini, that doesn’t mean you should. (The same goes for vaping. Stop it.)
  • Even if you can wear a bandage dress with cut outs, that doesn’t mean you should. 
  • Even if you can wear Daisy Dukes with 4″ stiletto heels or platforms, that doesn’t mean you should. 

You get the drift. It’s so much easier to pull of the sex-kitten look when you are, in fact, still a kitten.

Mostly, at this point, it’s about balance. Short shorts, mini’s or skin tight pants now worn with a looser top than you might have picked out 10 years ago. Bare shoulders with covered legs. Sexy outfit with demure hair & make up. Short hemlines with chunkier shoes. You know your own body and style and circumstances, and you can still be the most stylish, gorgeous woman in the room. #40isfabulous.

 

Find A Perfect Balance at The Pink Hanger

HOW TO DRESS IN YOUR 40S
Nantucket Top $84   BUY HERE
HOW TO DRESS IN YOUR 40S
French Connection Cornell Dress $158   BUY HERE 
HOW TO DRESS IN YOUR 40S
Shilla Divine Lace Mini Dress $158   BUY HERE 
HOW TO DRESS IN YOUR 40S
Amandua Uprichard Arabelle Top $136   BUY HERE
HOW TO DRESS IN YOUR 40S
Tart Hester Dress $174   BUY HERE 

Dress The Part in Lela Rose from Neiman Marcus SouthPark

If you can invest in an investment dress, you cannot go wrong with Lela Rose. Timeless, elegant, chic, stylish. As long as you don’t gain too much weight, you can wear your Lela Rose for decades. Note the navy, which is easier to wear than black as you age, and the nude heels which allow the dresses to shine.

 

Copper Penny. Always elegant options in Phillips Place.

Trina Turk dress: $298; Fairchild Baldwin necklace: $395; DVF bag: $248
Trina Turk maxi: $398; Gigi clutch: $150
Elizabeth McKay dress: $266; Fairchild Baldwin necklace: $398; Balenciaga sunglasses: $450: TOMS wedges: $89 (30% off)
Trina Turk blouse: $268; VSA necklace: $204; Joe’s shorts: $148; Mighty Purse: $99

 

Doll A Boutique. Just because you are 40, doesn’t mean you can’t be cool.

Minnie Rose Ruana $100, Tassel necklace $25, White jeans $122
Johnny Was Deep Down Dress $318
Bobi black cowl neck tunic top $55
Sunset dye tank, PD white jeans $122, Bed Stu sandals $155
Nation Crescent Heights Tank $75, T&T shell necklace $125, T&T stack $55

 

KK Bloom. Yes this Cute & Trendy shop has many items for over 40 crowd.

Elan – Vaeda Tunic Top $75   BUY HERE
Adrienne – The Perfect Tank $42 (other colors available!)  BUY HERE
Gypsy 05 – Viola Blue Dress $118 BUY HERE
Free People – Love Me Too Sweater $128  BUY HERE
MINKPINK – Light Up Denim Jacket $109  BUY HERE
Rania Dabagh Earrings prices vary $48-$98 (in store only!)

 

Now This is How You Do It, from Traveling Chic Boutique

Laju- Sunday shorts $67
Ellison- Mary Lynn Shirt $54
Amy Margaret- Lariat Tassle necklace $59
She and Sky- April Top $39 Hand High Collar Necklace $95
Kerisma- Suki Top $52 Olivacious- Zayna Skit $59
Everly- Black Skort $44 Three Eighty Two- Rumi Cold Shoulder Top $88
Ellison- Washed Out Tee Dress $49 Love Poppy statement necklace $79

 

 

 

The Scoop on Turning 40 is Brought to You by Charlotte Radiology Breast Centers.

 

 

 

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Susu
Susu
Retail marketer who loves shopping, fashion, design, travel and dining out. NOLA native, Francophile, and DC-lover living in Charlotte since 1998. Married to a die-hard Wahoo for over 30 years, and mother of one Princeton Tiger. I'm the creator & editor of scoopcharlotte and scoopthelake - if you think you'd like to join our program, email me at scoopcharlotte [at] gmail.com today!