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Top Tips for Dressing Fashionably in Your 40’s
When you’re in your teens, fashion means wearing whatever style you identify with. Some people go Goth, some opt for a sporty look, and others pick up the latest sexy designer gear. When you enter the world of work, your fashion sense tends to get a little smarter, but it’s still, well, fashionable.
At some point, though, responsibilities catch up with you, and between work, motherhood, home responsibilities, and snatched moments of “me time”, it’s easy to get caught in a fashion rut. If you’re still wearing the same slacks, and sporting the same hair style, as you were ten years ago, perhaps it’s time to update your look!
Flatter Your Body
The styles that you wore when you were in your 20s or 30s may not suit you in your 40s. Your figure may have changed, your complexion will be changing, and you probably want something that will flatter your changing body. Generally, that means opting for something elegant such as a silk shirt that has been cut to flatter your shape, rather than skin-tight man-made fabrics, or, worse, baggy clothes that can end up looking frumpy rather than casual.
Pair those silk shirts with knee-length skirts or flattering pants and you’ll have an outfit that looks good, is comfortable, and flatters your figure. Choose colours that compliment your natural skin tone, and try to pick out a hair cut that flatters the shape of your face, and also suits your hair. If your hair is thin or fly-away, consider choosing a shorter haircut.
Accessorise
You can dress up even simple outfits with carefully selected shoes, handbags, and gloves. Silk gloves are a great addition to an evening wear outfit, and leather gloves are great for days out during the winter. Consider picking up silk gloves in several different colours, to go with different outfits.
Stop Chasing Trends
By now you should have a strong sense of your personal style. There’s no need to chase fashions – in fact, if you do it will probably backfire. You don’t want to look like someone who is trying too hard to be trendy. Instead, you want to look like someone who is comfortable in their own skin and knows what looks good on them.
If you have a body part that you dislike, or something that you’re self conscious about, try to fix it with fashion. For example, polo-necks and turn up collars can hide wrinkled necks. Shorter haircuts can mask thinning hair, and carefully selected suit cuts can help to give you an hour-glass figure even if you’re slightly thicker in the middle than you’d like.
If you are genuinely interested in fashion, you could try to keep up with the latest in accessories, but a signature look may be more effective. Perhaps you always wear a bold necklace. Perhaps there’s a particular cut that you love, or perhaps there’s a fabric that you enjoy the feel of. Choosing a style – be that formal, earth mother, sporty, or something completely unique, and working that style well is always effective.
Written by James Harper on behalf of Patra International who stock fantastic silk products including silk gloves and silk shirts cut with a classic style.
