Outfit ideas to tweak my style - 40 and dressing too young!

[BoPeeple]

I think I need to tweak my style

I love clothes and always make an effort. But lately I’ve been feeling a bit meh about how I look and I think it’s because I’m trying to dress for my figure and not my age iyswim.

I’m toned and slim and look quite young for my age so I tend to wear little flowery dresses, shorts and cropped tops, dungarees and strappy tops etc. But this isn’t really working any more because my face says otherwise!

I’d like to tweak my style gradually to something a bit more classic - possibly French inspired as that suits my shape and my features. But I don’t want to look frumpy and I still want to show off my best features!!

So I’m after outfit ideas. I don’t have loads of money to buy new, but I have a LOT of clothes so I suppose I’m looking for ideas of how to put them together. I buy from Depop so can supplement with second hand items if necessary.

So what do 40-year-old stylish women wear? Can you suggest some good go-to outfits?

(For info, I’m a size 6, no boobs but good legs and bum, athletic build.)

Does this sort of styling appeal to you OP? www.sezane.com/en

I follow Trayslounge on Instagram because her outfits hit that sweet spot between teenage and mumsy. I wear a lot of basics and neutrals, the same shapes and garments as I wore when I was younger but more plain and nicer fabric.

Also worth checking out on Instagram is carolinesstylehacks - not mumsy and shows off her slim figure without being too much

[quote ToManderleyAgain]Does this sort of styling appeal to you OP? www.sezane.com/en[/quote]
I was going to suggest Sézane too @ToManderleyAgain. Or Rouje, and other French brands. Often quite a lot of florals and prints as well as colour which you said you like @BoPeeple but I’d say their target market is 30s/40s.

I think Lydia Jane Tomlinson is quite a conservative dresser overall, lots of neutrals and a focus on classic looks - which isn’t for everyone.

That's probably why someone suggested her @Salanda as the OP said she was looking for something more classic in her initial post. Sézane could be a good shout.

@MavisMonkey

Here are a couple of pics of what I mean if that helps

I love this look

Why do we all need to dig out the breton tops and beige slacks past 40?

Literally what I was wearing yesterday 😂
Well, strictly they were culottes. Good job I'm feeling hair with my look at the moment.
Gonna wear them again today, with Tevas!
OP, I agree with those saying try wearing one print/cropped/'teen' item per outfit, so it's still you but maybe more classy or whatever it is you're looking for.
I've started doing this with all my vintage stuff and I'm happy with the approach.

*happy, not hair!!

I think there are certain shapes and silhouettes that don't look so great as you get older, simply because they are styles worn by the very young and so draw attention to the fact that you are not! I'm thinking baby-doll style dresses, short frilly/rara type skirts, that kind of thing. A short skirt can still look great but it works better if it is a straight skirt, particularly if it is very short. So denim skirt fine, short tutu type thing, not so much. You don't want to be wearing anything a child under 10 would wear really.
Sadly, a hippy/grungy/ surfer type look is harder to pull off as you get older and something more groomed/ sophisticated works better, I think. What used to look cute starts to look slightly mad cat lady if you are not careful. Slightly more tailored and less frilly looks more deliberate and grown up.

Lol, I only became a mum just before I hit 40 and certainly didn't spend my 30s dressing like a teenager OR a mum. I think whatever your style is you can tweak it and update it as you grow older. As long as you're confident and comfortable that's the main thing. Agree with PP that showing maybe less (either cleavage/arms or legs) is a good way to look less like a teenager, but apart from that dress how you feel good. I have no intention of ditching band t-shirts or biker boots even at 70.

Just had a look at Lydia Tomlinson and though she is gorgeous her look is quite classic and I can see it’s probably not for everyone.
I’m mid 40s and prefer colour/prints than typical classic looks.
If you want someone to follow on Instagram who takes more risks and is mid-40s you could try Fran from thefashion_lift

I wouldn’t be brave enough to wear all the outfits she posts but she always looks great to me

I think you'd like Fran, as she's similar sized but still looks fun and classy. I'm loads fatter, so it doesn't always suit me but I think she's got a great balance.

Ha ha lrishgirl2020 great minds 🤣

Thanks for that Hissysnake, I really liked pumpsandpushups.com/spring-capsule-wardrobe too, made me feel like the stuff I am wearing is Ok?! (It's all old / 2nd hand!)

If you’re really slim and look young then I don’t see why you can’t keep going as you are but just buy more expensive / well made pieces or via spot on grooming. This idea that women should change how they dress when they get to a certain age is sexist: you should do you. If that means flaunting your lovely pins and arms and midriff then do it but do it with a fab haircut, lovely makeup, and fabrics that make you smile.

I disagree that if your'e slim you need to show a lot of skin. My first boss was extremely slim but dressed conservatively, yet was v v sexy.

Agree with pp - you can wear the clothes you're currently wearing, just not necessarily all together. I'd resist a cropped top with a short frilly skirt for example. But if you've got the figure for it, a cropped top with some high waisted trousers could look great. Then perhaps wear the frilly short skirt with a more neutral t-shirt or vest.

If you like colours and patterns, then again, I'd go with one rather than multiple / matching. ie neutral trousers/skirt with a bright/patterned top rather than the matching skirt and top combination.

there are a couple of very attractive slim women on my school run who often wear slim fitting maxi dresses or tunic style dresses and they look fantastic.

Try @pollyvsayer @daniellecunningham_x and @rosieannbutcher on Instagram. None of them are anywhere near 40, but I am (turned 40 in May but look younger/am in denial) and I love their styles. I think they’re young/modern but also totally appropriate for those 40+. I own the white H&M shirred sundress you screenshot from Lydia’s page and said you liked so think we maybe have similar tastes

I’m 40 in a few weeks with a good body and I’m often mistaken for much younger. I wear a lot of leggings, running style shorts, character t-shirts and a lot of pink! Cotton knee length skirts look better than short skirts and dresses now, I think so it’s about adapting slightly, not changing……