Over 40 Style

Topping the list of basics that every woman "must" own, is a pencil skirt in a season spanning fabric like Super 120 (a lightweight wool). This skirt from J. Crew fits the bill, and in this color, it's a perfect updater. I've paired the skirt with other bright colors to show how well seemingly unrelated shades can look together.

Mid-length Skirts by J.Crew
Turtlenecks by Coldwater Creek

How to wear a wardrobe staple: roll up your khakis, belt them and wear with a tank top. Pair with a denim jacket (roll those cuffs, too). Result? Less soccer mom, more supermodel, just like Heidi Klum.

Dress up or dress down this wardrobe basic.

Black Dresses by T Tahari
Pumps by Calvin Klein

Worn with jeans, khakis or an A-line skirt, a schoolboy blazer is an easy and contemporary way to dress up wardrobe staples. This one, from TopShop, is ideal. Priced at under $100, it has all the right elements (contrast piping, front pockets) without veering into Gossip-Girl cliches.

I keep finding these bargains online, and can't resist posting about it. It's not really the focus of this blog, but anything that can help us stretch our wardrobe budgets a little further is fine with me!

One other thing, if you order these pants online, and use the code ONSECRET25 before June 28th, you'll get an extra 25% off, making these cropped pants less than $10.00 before shipping.

Pants & Shorts by Old Navy

It must be true that the arms are the last to go, because after months (ok, six weeks) of dieting to get ready for summer my shoulders are the only things ready to be shown. Hence my love for halter tops.

(Silly tip that I got from movies geared to teenage boys: if you do push ups before going out, your arms actually do look better, at least for awhile.)

Halters by Calvin Klein
Camisoles by Asos

Paired with a black pencil skirt, this top would be great for meetings, or an evening reception. With a looser, lighter colored skirt it would work for daytime events, and worn with capri pants and sandals, it's ideal for travel. But what really makes it perfect is the price---it's currently on sale for $59.50! Add hoop or chandelier earrings and an armful of bracelets to accessorize.

I am always looking for new ways to wear denim, and Katie Holmes seems to come up with outfits that are stylish but not too trendy. (Which means something I can wear in my real, non-celebrity, non-Mrs. Cruise life...) Here she uses one of my favorite color combinations: denim blue and orange. For the look for less, the key elements are high waisted flare jeans and a slim fitting chambray shirt.

Flare Denim by Rock & Republic
Totes by Kate Spade