6 Style Lessons I Learned From Fashionable Women in Their 40s and Beyond

While Gen Z is firmly in the throes of Y2K dressing, those of us who remember the low-slung jeans and crop tops from the first time around are looking elsewhere for fashion inspiration. It is a widely known fact that great style is ageless, and some of the most stylish women in fashion are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s and have spent a lifetime curating their refined looks while still making current trends work for them.

There are plenty of valuable lessons in figuring out how to build a timeless wardrobe (get ready to take notes) but also how to stay true to your own personal style, as fashion is all about self-expression and what makes you feel good above all else. Having been guilty of buying into a few quick fads and whatever is trending on TikTok, I'm changing to a better approach to shopping, always bearing in mind what will stand the test of time and get the most wear in the future too.

So after looking to some of my favorite over-40 fashion bloggers and influencers for inspiration, I found some reoccurring tips for stylish dressing at any age and for every season. From statement silhouettes to classic wardrobe must-haves, keep scrolling to see some pointers from the fashion bloggers and influencers who know how to dress in your 40s, 50s, and 60s and are inspiring my year-round outfits going forward.

1. GOOD TAILORING IS TIMELESS 

There is a reason that tailoring is known as "power dressing," and getting the right fit can make you feel incredible. At Who What Wear, we are evangelical about the power of a good blazer, and whether worn as a full suit or paired with skirts and dresses, a well-cut blazer appears in the wardrobes of most fashionable women for its ability to elevate any look. Investing in a good-quality, classic blazer is a shrewd choice. You'll get wear out of it for years to come.

A woman wearing a blazer, dress, heels, and a bag.

(Image credit: @thetennillelife_ )

Style Notes: Make a blazer evening-ready by swapping trousers for a slip dress and flats for strappy sandals.

A woman wearing a blazer, t-shirt, pants, sandals, and a bag.

(Image credit: @thatsnotmyage )

Style Notes: Basing an outfit on one color palette gives the polished look of a full suit without being matchy-matchy.

2. HEAD-TO-TOE BLACK ALWAYS LOOKS EXPENSIVE

According to Neiman Marcus, "Women who wear black lead colorful lives," and there is something to be said about the sense of mystery that an all-black outfit portrays. Elegant, refined, and understated, black is a reliable fail-safe for when you want to look put together with minimal effort.

Alexis Foreman wearing a black maxi dress with black sandals.

(Image credit: @alexisforeman)

Style Notes: This year, we're trading in the little black dress for a different LBD. The long black dress is a sweeping maxi that scores highly in the style stakes.

A woman wearing a black coat, black sweater, black pants, and black boots.

(Image credit: @venswifestyle)

Style Notes: As the weather gets cooler, get creative and layer up in black in different textures.

3. DOPAMINE DRESSING IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA 

Now that you've mastered head-to-toe black, it doesn't mean that timeless dressing has to be boring. In fact, statement prints and acid brights are the ones we come back to time and again—just ask leopard print and Barbiecore. Celebrate the joy of dressing up by embracing (and even clashing) different colors and prints for a look guaranteed to turn heads for all of the right reasons.

Grece Ghanem wearing a pink sweater, red pants, black boots, and a pink bag.

(Image credit: @greceghanem)

Style Notes: Pink skeptics, take note. Grece Ghanem shows how to mix and match clashing colors by incorporating her accessories, too.

A woman wearing a green trench coat, a blue beret, blue bag, and black sunglasses.

(Image credit: @msorrig)

Style Notes: Even in bad weather, bold colors can help bring a little sunshine. Just pair a bright coat with equally fun accessories and a simple shirt.

4. INVEST IN A GLOSSY TRENCH COAT

Having a trench coat in your arsenal is the smartest purchase you can make. As we head out of the transitional period between summer and into a cool fall, layering is key, and some of our favorite influencers have already cottoned on to the versatility of the easy trench. Wear oversize and undone for autumn, and opt for a heavier leather version for winter. Just add a cozy knit.

Lisa wearing a leather trench coat, leather pants, loafers, a black bag, and a black top.

(Image credit: @lisafolawiyo)

Style Notes: A black trench is versatile enough to wear with anything your wardrobe from knit dresses to wide-leg jeans.

Frann wearing a brown leather trench coat, beige trousers, black loafers, and a brown top.

(Image credit: @frannfyne)

Style Notes: Layering a leather trench over a sleeveless knit is perfect for the cooler months when wool coats are too heavy.

5. PLAY WITH TEXTURE

One of the easiest style dilemmas to solve is how to make a simple outfit feel a bit more special. The answer? Introduce different textures. Pairing the unexpected adds a point of interest—think a chunky knit and satin skirt, tweed jacket, and leather trousers, or a floaty maxi dress with a faux-fur coat and woven accessories—anything that feels good and looks good, too.

Emma wearing jeans, black loafers, a black belt, a black coat, black bag, white top, and a black sunglasses.

(Image credit: @emmarosestyle)

Style Notes: Mastering the balance of texture pairing, Emma Rose Thatcher's tweed-and-denim combination is polished weekend dressing at its finest.

Erica wearing a printed coat and a top handle bag.

(Image credit: @erica_davies )

Style Notes: Lamé! Pom-poms! Satin! This evening look manages to have it all without being overbearing.

6. BIGGER IS ALWAYS BETTER

Big sleeves, big skirts, big shoulder pads, and plenty of attitude… With age comes confidence, best showcased in voluminous dresses, skirts, jackets, and knits that bring the drama. And if you aren't feeling your most self-assured, fake it to make it. In a big dress or power shoulder, you can't help but walk a little taller. Fashion-forward, and not to mention comfortable, oversize proportions are the secret weapon of some of the most stylish women in fashion. Everyone should have an outfit in their wardrobe that acts as a sartorial pick-me-up.

A woman wearing an oversized blazer, trousers, black heels, sunglasses, and a black prada bag.

(Image credit: @venswifestyle)

Style Notes: A boxy blazer like this doesn't need over-accessorizing. Keep jewelry to a minimum and the shoes and bag simple to let the jacket do all of the talking.

Grece wearing a midi skirt, red sweater, and black heels.

(Image credit: @greceghanem)

Style Notes: Grece's A-line skirt is proof that you can't go wrong with a big skirt and a refined cashmere knit.

This story originally appeared on Who What Wear UK at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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Remy Farrell
Fashion Editor

Remy Farrell is a London-based shopping editor with nearly 10 years of editorial experience covering fashion, beauty and lifestyle. After graduating with a journalism degree and working on the editorial and fashion teams for titles such as Grazia, Elle, Cosmopolitan and British Vogue, she moved into the luxury e-commerce sector, working as fashion assistant at TheOutnet.com styling for the social media channels and helping to develop the collections for the in-house brand Iris & Ink. After expanding an assisting and styling portfolio that includes shooting talent such as Gigi Hadid, Victoria Beckham and Miquita Oliver, she also branched out into beauty, creating tried-and-tested reviews and diverse beauty content.In her role as shopping editor at Who What Wear, Remy is interested in discovering new and exciting brands to share with the Who What Wear readership and particularly loves uncovering hidden gems at affordable prices to make shopping accessible to everyone.Born and raised in Sheffield, Yorkshire, Remy moved to London in 2014 and lives in the Docklands with her partner and pug Billie.