While Gen Z is still 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—yes, these outfits are perfect for women over 40, but they're great for anyone who is looking to refine their personal style. 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.
Style Notes: Make a blazer evening-ready by swapping trousers for a slip dress and flats for strappy sandals.
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.
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.
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.
Style Notes: Pink skeptics, take note. Grece Ghanem shows how to mix and match clashing colors by incorporating her accessories, too.
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.
Style Notes: A black trench is versatile enough to wear with anything your wardrobe from knit dresses to wide-leg jeans.
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.
Style Notes: Mastering the balance of texture pairing, Emma Rose Thatcher's tweed-and-denim combination is polished weekend dressing at its finest.
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.
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.
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.