Over 40 Style

Blouses, accessories and other details that go well with jeans.

Flare Denim
Clutches

In Manhattan this summer, I saw a few jeans bars; stores where you give your measurements to a sales clerk, describe the kind of cut, or style, or look you want, and she picks out, from the dozens of labels available, several for you to try on.

I didn't go in for several reasons, price being the biggest factor. While it's great to have a personal shopper, I'm old enough to know that they aren't going to make a profit selling $50 jeans. Which leads to my second reason---one glance at the low cut jeans on display, and I knew there was nothing there for anyone over 35. Which was a relief, actually. There's a certain clarity with realizing that you don't have to try twenty different pairs of jeans, back towards the mirror, to know what you'll like. For me the list is simple: dark wash, mid rise, cotton with two or three percent spandex. Preferably under $100, bonus if it's under $50 and gold stars if it has "control" somewhere in the product description. The rest: trouser cut, skinny, boyfriend style is what makes shopping fun.

On that note, here are two brands of skinny jeans to consider.

Not Your Daughters Jeans Janice Legging Super Stretch Denim

Miraclebody Jeans Corded Pocket Skinny Jean in Cascade Wash

Two jeans styles that can adapt to different looks: the skinny jean and wide leg.

Flare Denim by Levi's
Boots by Jeffrey Campbell

If the video from TLC inspired you (see last post) to shop for trouser jeans....

More LOFT...

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

Carrie 1971 LEGGING WITH ELASTICATED WAISTBAND

Writing a blog about fashion and style over 40 causes me to regularly think about how our clothes change as we get older. There are the typical, but not necessarily inevitable, changes to our bodies. We also get to the point when we realize that all the plastic surgery and exercise in the world is not going to fool anyone into thinking that a 45 year old in a tight short skirt is actually 25. (Apologies to some members of the RH of Beverly Hills, New Jersey and New York...)

But for me, the biggest difference is in my priorities. In my 20s, I dressed to impress, to attract, to advertise my personality. Now, when it's all about efficiency, comfort, quality and taste, I try to strike a balance between slipping into a daily cocoon of fleece and jeans while still maintaining everything that is fun and self-expressive about fashion.

If there was ever a perfect mix in an article of clothing, I'd have to say these pants are it. They are made by one of Kate Middleton's favorite labels: Reiss, and while skinny denim leggings are trendy, it is a style that women of all ages can wear. These pants are sexy enough for girls night out, but casual and comfortable enough for brunch the next day. Need more? The name of the pant: Carrie 1971 is all but a sign that these pants are for women in their 40s.

Keep the top half of your outfit fitted with these combinations:

Flare Denim by New York & Co.
Pumps by Naya

After making up 75% off my casual wardrobe in my 20s, it's hard for me to wean myself off GAP. It's inexpensive and it's everywhere, but that doesn't overcome the fact that these clothes are still meant for young women, and I have...matured.

BUT, those are also the same reasons I will continue to at least window shop there. If a celebrity is photographed wearing the latest "IT" jeans, chances are good that GAP will soon put out a similar cut for much less than the $300 original. This has allowed me to avoid the dreaded mom jeans look by incorporating things like boyfriend jeans, skinny cargos, and wide leg trousers into my wardrobe at relatively low risk.

Along with Banana Republic (see yesterday's post) and Old Navy, GAP is having a 25% off sale. Use code BRONGAP25. Here are my picks for GAP:

Flare Denim by Gap
Button Front Tops by Gap