Style ideas in my 40s

[Lavender200]

Recently turned 40 and feeling frumpy and unsure what my style is anymore.
What are your classics pieces to always look well turned out...bag ideas, best place to shop, key items

I can't say I'm the pinnacle of fashion but I'm trying to pull myself up and look a bit more presented. I've had a big wardrobe clear out and bought lots of new things this year. A few things that have worked for me:

Started wearing more midi dresses (with Saltwater sandals/trainers)
Ditched the skinny jeans and bought a couple of pairs of Mom jeans after trying different styles
Trying to wear more tops/shirts rather than t shirts all the time

Would also suggest knowing what colours suit you. I had my 'colours done' pre covid. They say most people intuitively know their colours, but I didn't really at all! So going forward I tend to stick to the colours that look better on me - no black, more navy/khaki/cream and some brights do too. Using colours from a palette mean more things go together too.

What budget do you have for shopping? In buying new items this year I've bought from Marks & Spencer (surprisingly good this year), Uniqlo, H&M, Tu (for some midi dresses), just got a couple of 'fun' shirt dresses from Monki too.

I'm generally quite conservative with clothing, but I'd say that means I've generally bought basics/classic styles that will last longer.

Hope that helps

Oh I've also ditched living in workout leggings - got far too cosy in lockdown!

Take don't time to work out what style is really "you". I wore a dress not long ago, it was a good colour on me, flattering shape, I got lots of compliments - but it just didn't feel "me" somehow. It's taken me till now to work this out and it can be really really hard to find things that are "you" if your personal style isn't what's in fashion, but I feel like it's a real game changer once you feel confident in your style.

Then buy less, but better quality.

Only buy things you feel excited about wearing and that are better than what you already own.

Be bold in your styling rather than try to fit in and look like everyone else. Again, working out the answer to my first point really helps with this.

I'm not smart, I don't look "expensive" or polished, I don't buy new clothes often but people often tell me they love my style and what I wear so I must be doing something right!

This time of year I usually wear tie waist dresses & flat sandals , Levi jacket
skinny jeans ( yes , I still wear them ) T-shirt / vest type top , rolled up sleeve blazer , Vejas / converse/ flat sandals
Kick flare Levi jeans , block heeled brown boots , blouse/ shirt tucked in
Black leggings , checked shirt / pale blue shirt over a vest top , converse
Dresses are from Zara , Reiss , H&M
Sandals saltwater /dune
Blazers from H&M M&S
Blouses mango
Blue shirts H&M , Ralph Lauren , Lacoste
Checked shirts next , a&f
Block heeled boots timberland
Any tshirt usually plain white / band t shirt , black white stripe , vampires wife

I also agree with working out your style and what you’re aiming for before you start spending. Think about colour palette that suits you (seasonal analysis charts online can help), body shape (look up Kibbe), lifestyle practicalities and the look you like (Pinterest is good for this). Is there any celebrities whose style you admire? Could you ask your mum/ a friend what suits you? Or go and try loads on and try to identify what works. Classic can mean a lot of different things, are there brands or looks that you’re drawn to or which which fit you especially well?

I have found those things helpful in working out my post-baby approaching 40 style. Focusing on certain colours and silhouettes have helped make my wardrobe more cohesive so I can mix and match easily. I try to buy stuff in decent materials (silk, linen, cotton, wool and cashmere) and nice but quite classic prints. I like the “French girl” look so fairly simple and feminine with lots of denim too. I buy a lot of Sezane, Rouje and Ba&sh as well as & Other Stories and Réalisation Par among others and buy a lot of preloved to suit my budget. But I have a friend who looks amazing and classic in a completely different way in structural Cos and Whistles stuff that doesn’t work for me at all.