Over 40 Style

One of the things that can age a woman is wearing a style silhouette that is dated. Nothing says "my best style years were in the 90s" than a closetful of boot cut jeans with no variation. A skinny fitted pant in a bright color may seem like going to the other extreme, but sometimes we all need a nudge towards the middle...and comfortable tunic tops may just be the incentive.

Longsleeve Tops
Tunics

I'm a tall person. I have long hair. But for years I shied away from big statement necklaces, mistakenly thinking that they would be too much: too attention getting, too flashy. It took only a minute in front of a mirror in a department store, when I was killing time trying on necklaces while waiting for a friend to realize that big necklaces actually looked good. They either balance out your outfit, or your hair, or your, ahem, boobs. Or they make your outfit finished. As millions of Parisian and New York women have already discovered, they make a t-shirt and jeans combo look great.

Necklaces by Betsey Johnson
Necklaces by RJ Graziano

The benefit of getting older, sartorially speaking, is that you eventually figure out what works for you. It's a relief to know that you aren't wasting money on clothes that will languish in your closet, or held captive by a need to be trendy. The downside is that everything you wear starts looking the same, which is why this week is focused on wardrobe alternatives. I don't think I'll ever give up cardigan sweaters, or flats, or my black blazer. It's just nice to have one or two items to remind me that stepping out of the box has it's own rewards.

Cardigans by INC International Concepts
Turtlenecks by Coldwater Creek

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

I like wearing shorts. I could say it's because shorts are comfortable, and cool, and allow me to go about my day without worrying about how I sit. But I like skirts, too, so this wouldn't be the reason.

No, I think the reason I like shorts (and skirts) is because my legs are the youngest part of my body. Whether it's from years of playing tennis, or whether I can always do a half hour on the treadmill even when I don't feel like doing anything else, my legs, unlike my neck, have held up pretty well.

I like the shorts in winter trend, but the shorts with boots trend still looks very fashion forward to me. Funny, I'm usually not fashion risk-averse. Then again maybe I just saw "Pretty Woman" one too many times. Anyway, I saw a forty-something mom wearing shorts with Uggs at dropoff today, and she certainly didn't look like an LA streetwalker, so maybe it's time to re-think this combination. Just think low heeled flat boots, wide leg shorts, tights with everything else loose, long and casual.

Shorts by Old Navy
Boots by Skechers

I can't believe Uma Thurman is 41! It doesn't seem that long ago when she was playing a young girl in "Dangerous Liasons".

Anyway, if you look beyond her six-foot tall, blond-goddess fabulousness, and the fact that she is wearing thousands of dollars worth of Chanel---well, this outfit is simple, really. Take a Chanel-style cardigan (a knit with contrast piping and gold buttons) over a black sweater dress and wear it with strappy sandals. It's a conservative, upscale look, perfect for business dinners or the theater.

Day Dresses by J. Jill
Cardigans by Topshop