Over 40 Style

Nordic accents add a colorful, sporty touch to any outfit!

Day Dresses by Vero Moda
Scarves & Wraps by Lord & Taylor

When thinking about a color that goes with anything, green wouldn't be the first color to come to mind. But an olive green shade is surprisingly neutral, and can be paired with both black and brown color palettes.

Cardigans by All Saints
Platforms by MICHAEL Michael Kors

Hardcore fashionistas would probably argue that this list is at least two seasons old, but for the rest of us, these are the designer bags that influenced what we saw in the stores this year.

Evening Bags by Anya Hindmarch
Satchels by Alexander Wang

It's time to take a break. A break from practical things like budgets, like deciding whether or not something fits, is appropriate, is wearable or is a good value. In other words, it's time to enjoy fashion for it's own sake.

An Oscar de la Renta ball gown, a minimalist Prada shift, Herve Leger's bandage dress, a Missoni print or Marc Jacobs whimsical style: just looking at a designer's iconic pieces is a welcome reminder that clothes and buying do not always have to go hand in hand. Sometimes, its enough to just look.

Day Dresses by Prada
Cocktail Dresses by Marc Jacobs

Straight from the pages of a romance novel---plucky, beautiful 40 something heroine melts the heart of a handsome business tycoon (or is he just called the One Percent these days?). Price is no object wedding outfit follows:

Bridal Gowns by Lanvin
Diamond Earrings by Sydney Evan

After the holidays are over, when I take down the Christmas tree and all the decorations, my house starts to look a little bare. I can't explain this---it didn't look bare in October, but I guess three months of neon orange and black, orange and brown, then bright red and green all over your home can have that effect.

This may be why I tend to buy things for the house around January; that and the sales, of course. These prints from Kate Endle are less than $50, and their bright colors make me look forward to Spring.

Artwork by Kate Endle
Artwork by Jefdesigns

Jeans are one of the few clothing items that most of us have already spent decades (!) shopping for. It doesn't seem to get any easier though. Just when you find a brand you like, the fit will change, your tastes will change---something will happen and you'll have to start all over again.

A good place to begin your search is with manufacturers that design with women, and not junior sizes, in mind. These brands will usually have a higher rise, have a little more give in the fabric and come in darker rinses, like the three shown here:

Bootcut Denim by White House
Bootcut Denim by LOFT