15 fashion rules you should know by the time you’re 40

Coco Chanel was great at reminding us that age is just a number. “The age of a woman is not important: you can be wonderful in your 20s, amazing in your 40s, and stay fabulous for the rest of your life,” the iconic designer is quoted saying. Fashion can help us do that at any age, though the rules change slightly as we get older. That said, those rules aren’t about avoiding certain things when we’re no longer in our 20s or 30s. They’re about knowing how to maximise our look – something that’s also true when it comes to makeup.

With that in mind, we’ve assembled the 15 best fashion tips to help you play up your best assets during your fourth decade. From well-fitting undergarments to smart silhouettes, here is your cheat sheet for looking great at 40 and beyond.

“I know it sounds simple, but you must invest in a high-quality bra that fits,” says Silvia Campello, co-CEO of an Italian luxury lingerie brand. “Your bra is the foundation of your wardrobe, and if it fits correctly, it will make you look and feel your best.” While bra shopping can be a jarring experience, understanding your body and how it changes over time can be a powerful exercise. “It can impact how we view ourselves,” she explains. That’s one of the reasons Campello thinks bra fittings are so important: they help women embrace every milestone their body reaches, as well as provide them with immediate feedback on what bra styles will accentuate their figure in the best way possible.

Most brands offer virtual bra fittings on their websites with easy-to-follow instructions. If you prefer to visit a store, undergarment experts will take your measurements and offer up the best styles to accentuate your assets. While you’re shopping, find a comfortable wireless bra to add to your undergarment arsenal.

The temptation to live in our leggings and sweatshirts is very real, especially in coronavirus times. Just follow one golden rule to ensure that your choices make your body look its best at 40 and beyond. “You need workout pants that hug you in all the right places,” says Laura Berens, owner of an activewear line. “High-waisted, non-slip workout pants help keep your leggings comfortably and securely above your hips with no sagging, slipping, or awkward shifting.” She also suggests good-quality materials that help smooth out and hold everything in.

Don’t miss these sneaky fashion tricks to look 5 kilos thinner.

“We need to break the stereotypes that society attaches to women as they get older,” says Sapna Palep, luxury lingerie brand, co-CEO. “When you’re in your 40s, you have a better understanding of who you are than ever before, and you should express that boldly.” She would know a thing or two about that: Palep’s brand is made for women by women, and it’s been making wearers feel sexy for years.

Palep encourages women over 40 to embrace sexiness through one of the biggest trends this year: exposed lingerie. “Try wearing your lingerie as outerwear, layered with more tailored pieces to achieve the perfect balance,” she suggests. “In your 40s, give yourself permission to live by your own rules – it’s time to embrace and express what makes you you!”

How can you do this without making a fashion misstep? Don’t expose too much. For example, if you opt for a low-cut top and have a hint of lacy black bralette peeking out from underneath it, make sure your skirt is capped at a demure length. On the flip side, if you’re looking to rock a mini-skirt, go with a top that isn’t too revealing.

Don’t miss these style secrets of women who always look put together.

Nothing can cramp your style more than ill-fitting shoes. Wearing shoes that fit properly will translate into a more confident walk, and confidence is truly your sexiest accessory. As we age, our threshold for foot pain changes. Remember rocking sky-high stilettos at 25? Now kitten heels might be more our vibe. In addition to paying attention to heel length, pay special attention to shoe width, since our feet tend to expand as we get older. But before you start tossing your narrow shoes, see if you can resize what you already own. There are gadgets available that will stretch a shoe’s length and width up to half a size. Comfortable shoes will do wonders for the way you are perceived when you sashay around a room.

Check out these smart tricks to keep your shoes smelling fresh.

Gone are the days when women of a certain age had to hide their curves under tunics and oversized pieces. Hugging your curves with quality, stretchy, fabrics can help you achieve a more stylish and slimmer look. This combination also offers comfort, which should score high on your fashion list.

Not sure what colours suit you? This is how to figure it out based on your skin tone.

Don’t assume shapewear is only for a big night out

Sure, we don shapewear under our fanciest dresses and cocktail attire, but who says we have to reserve them for special occasions? You can – and should – harness the magical smoothing and tightening powers of shapewear for everyday outings, too. Brands are coming up with novel solutions that are perfect for daily life. Play around with a few shapewear styles for your various fashion issues.

This rule isn’t about hiding under oversized clothing, which actually tends to highlight the things we are trying to minimise. This is about being comfortable and chic, says textile designer Amy Voloshin. But you should be strategic about your choices – and when to wear them. “I love a slightly oversized silhouette or cut when I’m at home,” Voloshin explains. “Some traditional loungewear can look dishevelled or overly casual, so I prefer something that has a crisper look to it.” This is especially important if you’re having company over or you’re considering an outing in your comfiest clothes. A cosy, well-made cardigan can pull together and elevate your basic leggings-and-T-shirt combo.

As you get to a certain age, it’s also smart to consider what material your clothing is made out of. “Natural fibres help to keep your body temperature regulated, and wearing something cooling and lightweight can make hot flashes more bearable,” Voloshin adds.

As we get older, bra shopping can be a tricky negotiation. Sometimes it feels like a toss-up between comfort and lift – but it doesn’t have to. These days, bra designers better understand women’s bodies and have found novel ways to address those issues simultaneously. Thick and stretchy straps and customised back zones are just a few of the many attributes a well-designed bra can bring to the table.

It’s a common misconception that after a certain age, women have to hide behind cover-ups or wear a boring one-piece at the beach or pool. Not so! There are new rules for women 40-plus, and these include looking sexy in and out of the water. Look for styles that play with dimensions and have a peek-a-boo factor; cut-outs can play with the eye and accentuate your best assets. Just make sure to apply (and reapply) sunscreen so that you don’t end up with some very strange tan lines.

Check out these swimming workouts that burn fat quickly.

Certain styles can seem like a faux pas waiting to happen and so unapproachable that even trying them on seems off-limits. But some bold styles can actually yield big surprises. Case in point: over-the-knee boots. This style actually directs attention below the knee and tricks the eye into slimming the whole leg. To achieve this look, opt for a boot that hits a few centimetres above your upper knee area, and pair them with skinny jeans or sweater dresses. Pick a brand that has a stretchy and roomy top and you are on your way to the chicest cold-weather outfit imaginable.

Find out what Jackie Kennedy did to every single pair of her shoes.

We’ve been conditioned to position belts at our hips because that is where traditional belt hooks are found. But this positioning creates an optical illusion that can widen us. Instead, slide your belt higher, at the waist, to create an hourglass shape that cinches your waist and accentuates your breasts and hips. How’s that for a double whammy? Wide belts are a particularly good idea since they will make the hourglass illusion even more pronounced.

Here are some fashion secrets personal stylists won’t tell you for free.

Certain looks are synonymous with youth, and that’s definitely true when it comes to playing with accessories. But our accessories game seems to get less and less adventurous the older we get. That’s a mistake! Tap into a layered style to achieve a youthful look. You don’t have to be an expert stylist to get this right – many brands offer pre-layered styles that are as easy to put on as one single necklace. Pro tip: make sure the necklace combination you choose lands right between the beginning of your breasts and your collarbone. This will draw eyes to your décolletage and help you flaunt a sexy style. Make your life easier by ensuring that your new necklace doesn’t get tangled when you’re not wearing it.

A lot of women bundle up in a scarf during warmer weather because they believe this accessory hides a perceived problem area: the neck. Don’t fall into this group—step away from that scarf! Adding on this unnecessary layer will actually create more bulk in the neck and chest area. Instead, pick a bold accessory above your neckline to draw attention to your face. Big drop earrings will do the trick, as will statement necklaces. Although necklaces sit in the neck area, they provide negative space around the collarbone, which can help slim and glamorise the whole area.

Don’t miss these outfit tricks to look instantly younger.

In addition to hiding sleepless nights and under-eye wrinkles, as well as protecting your eyes and the delicate skin around them from damage, sunglasses can jazz up an outfit like no other. You can also play with a frame’s shape to help accentuate your facial features. Cat-eye shapes slim your face, while larger frames can add volume to a gaunt jawline.

Find out what your eye colour might reveal about your health.

Although you’ve promised yourself countless times that you would cut back on the athleisure, now is not the time to swear off leggings. These stretchy pants got a bad rep as they migrated from a gym necessity to a closet staple. But when worn correctly, leggings can slim your legs. They are also incredibly versatile. Pair a shiny black pair with heels and a big sweater for a night out, or wear them with ballet flats and an Oxford shirt for a shopping trip.

Sign up here to get Reader’s Digest’s favourite stories straight to your inbox!

Source: RD.com