Nearly 40 in a style rut.

[Danceasifnooneswatching]

As title says I am fast approaching 40 .
I need some put together looks to help me to look better than I do.
I work from home and generally wear skinny primark jeans with various tops but I never look put together!!
How can I look smart whilst dressing casual??
Tia

What about the use of accessories to pull your look together? A Scarf, a statement necklace or beads can transform an outfit. As can a great pair of earrings.

Are you on Pinterest? Lots of good ideas on there.

I'm looking forward to scarf weather - I look much better in scarves!

Maybe this will give you some ideas?

Thank you so much I am loving all the outfits on Pinterest,I do have scarves but I always feel like they don't look right on me!!
I will experiment more now I have seen how a pair of skinny jeans can be made to look like I have made an effort.
I own a few boden dresses too but am not sure i wear them right. I am going to sort out my wardrobe and find nice tops and scarves that match then I will sort out dresses.
Think i need to invest in some ankle boots too....

it really seems to be all about the accessories and "grooming" over 40.
A lot of these outfits seem to have high heels, not so practical in my case when you are over 40 and running after a toddler! But definitely inspiring

I tend to replace the heels with either ankle boots, ballet shoes (leopard print) or Converse. Don't mind heels at work or for going out dancing, but not for tramping around town etc.

My Pinterest is here, if any use I wish I looked even a quarter as good irl!

You could choose someone whose style you love - someone in the public eye - and use them for inspiration. I really love everything Clemence Poesy wears and the way she puts things together. She's a lot younger than me but a look can be adapted...

Amanda Redman does the 'smart but casual' thing brilliantly, IMO, and she's over 40.

Can't see your Pinterest Remus....

I haven't really got anyone I can think off but I will keep an eye out.
Thank you all for your input and quite excited about sorting my autumn wardrobe out

Does this work?

Never heard of Amanda R or Clemence P so off to google now. :)

Wow Remus I love your Style board. Very good taste.

Thank you. :) As I said, I don't look anywhere near that though!

I don't look much like Clemence Poesy, to be honest.

I'm 40 and wear skinny jeans with various tops but I tend to coordinate them with various little jackets, either cotton or jersey or a biker style, I wear lots of bangles and have loads of strappy flat sandals for summer which work well with skinny trousers and jeans. I also wear lots of long maxi skirts with various combos of coloured or neutral vests, little jackets, cotton scarfs, bangles or big earrings etc. I think I'm pretty stylish

I'm fast approaching 40 too and am a sahm. My style centres around jeans but try to look smart too. Here's one of my pin boards

Am 46,wear skinny jeans occasionally but suit straight legor skinny flares better
I Iweardresses and boots quite alot in winter,maybe passe but i like it!!
I llike jackets and scarves or cardigans but leaning more towards jumpers this year.
Accessories are great,scarves from Primark,Marks,ebay,necklaces etc.
I like individual boutique pieces too,i mix withhigh street.

Loving both of those boards and I think I have my autumn look sorted thanks to all of you here

What are you going for, Dance?

My A/W wishlist is currently:

brown Chelsea-ish boots

a big open front cable knit cardigan (ideally short sleeved) in black or grey

slouchy v neck jumpers in black and/or navy, and grey and/or jumper dresses (fancy a navy and black striped one but haven't seen any)

more Whistles tube skirts, especially the black over knee one

big dark coloured floral scarf

navy and black scarf

Lots more but that's the starting point!

I am thinking of sticking to skinny jeans and tops (as I already have them) and trying scarves and jewellery.

I do need some ankle boots in brown I think although I have calf length in brown but I don't own any black boots!! But I also like the boden animal print ankle boots!!

Lots of boards have really made me want to make an effort this autumn and I am hoping I can do smart/ casual but look like I am put together

maybe you need to let go of the agesist factor too?

There is no need to think that at 40 you have to dress in a certain way or differently to 35 or 45, or even 50 and 55+

As long as your figure and clothes 'match' and you aren't clearly dressing like a teenager, then most clothes are interchangeable whatever age you are.

My DD is 24 and I am 50s and we have some clothes the same- ankle boots, jackets and scarves etc.

Very good point, MissBoPeep - except it's annoying because dd1 always looks better in my clothes than I do!

Haha! Well, I make some concession to her - her jeans are skinnier than mine (I'd say mine were straight/tapered) - and my knitwear is more quality ( she does Dotty P and Primark and H&M while I like a good cashmere:) but the overall 'look' is not dissimilar and she's coveting my new Dune Chelsea boots!

My worry wasmore that the figure and clothes don't match rather than age!!

Think I was over thinking things and looking on Pinterest as made me realise I really don't need to worry .

Having older children that wear similar clothes also got me thinking but I am going to try to worry less and not dress frumpy!!

I work from home too but see clients now and then. In winter I love knitted dresses and thick tights or leggings under, and knee length boots. I can usually see something along these lines at The White Company, Boden, White Stuff etc. I steer clear of prints and ring te changes with scarves.

Conclusion is that being skinny is what makes the difference to being stylish. Sigh.