Going back few decades ago, you would reach 40 and would retire from the fashion nest, relocate your wardrobe at Marks & Spencer ensuring you have comfortable cotton knickers as you have been told time was gone for frivolity. Fashion was a youthful and slightly perilous hobby, like rock-climbing.
Since there has been a slight change to the scenario. Divorcing or a come back on the work place at 40-50 is no longer an exception for women. Does that mean we don’t stand any chance to still look good at 40?
Whereas younger women were before favoured in promoting brands, beauty is not any longer regarded in terms of age. Older women, such as Nicole Kidman, Monica Bellucci, Kristin Scott Thomas, Sandra Bullock, Halle Berry, and the sublime Elle McPherson to name a few get the front cover and prove you can still look fab.
But there has been a twin effect of both empowering and disorienting women. On the one hand, women over 40 can't see any longer why we should wear dull clothing. This is good - it is about valuing ourselves.
On the other hand, there is the luring tale we've swallowed about age being only a number and 40 being the new 30. This is all great news however some haven’t learnt the new rules.
If you take Madonna as an example in her hot pants or Gwyneth Paltrow in her mini and it reminds us that there is "age inappropriate" clothing. Looking young is certainly possible but not at any cost. Having great legs and being able to show them may not imply you get to dress as a 20 something. Maybe we don't look cool and cutting edge in our teen clothes, we just look foolish.
Being aware of an age etiquette is not a discrimination. Women in a desperate attempt to reverse the clock achieve the opposite. They look silly. And men follow the same rule. Even when a man over 40 has a good body he should wear clothes differently than he did in his younger years. For example, even if he has a six-pack and a great butt, he should avoid wearing low cut and tight fitting jeans he might have worn in his 20s and 30s. He can still wear flattering, stylish jeans and t-shirts, but just differently.
So it is grotesque to see some who can afford the best trainers, make-up artists and hairdressers, not to mention pricey little nips and tucks and still dress like Barbie.
10 rules to look good at 40.
It’s not so much what you wear but how you wear it that matters the most.
1. There are certain parts of your body that you have to really watch once you hit your mid-forties: armpits, knees, cleavage, tummy. No matter how fit you are, you will never look as good in a low belted jean as you hope to.
2. Simplicity works better as we get older. This does not mean you need to look dull. A plain basic shirt on a tailored trouser or on a pair of jeans looks great. Add a statement necklace and you’ll look really smart. The well maintained look is key. Too much excentricity looks desperate as we pile on years. Avoid adding weight to your look and keep it simple. Stick to accessories instead.
3. Learn how play with accessories whether it’s the shoes, a bag or a jacket/ coat. Get the part by getting a cutting-edge piece which will be a statement. That’s the grown-up investment that will upgrade your look and be less predictable. So jazz up a classic suit and pair it with some funky shoes. It can take years off you. Subtly surprise your audience rather than bore them. And ditch the precious jewellery on a classic outfit. You are not the show-case of your bank account.
4. Baggy or floaty outfits are great on teanagers and 20’s.Passed 40 and you will look like hiding stones or wearing a potato bag. Older women are always at their best when well groomed. So if you want to stay trendy adapt a loose dress with a quality belt to enhance your waist while smartening up the overall. Or show off your legs and get the edge with smart tights and a great pair of boots.
5. Think more long lasting trends rather than the extreme ones which will only last a season. So chuck away last season’s must-have. On a younger person, it looks okay. On you, it will make you look years older. Teanagers are experimenting and mock the ridicule. Instead you might not be forgiven.
6. Jeans are ageless. Some would say it’s boring, other would wear for any occasions. The key factor in wearing jeans and still looking the part when getting older is to get the right one. Start investing in a good pair which has a cut that suits your body shape, a quality tailored cut and a great colour. Dark blues should be favoured as they give this neat, impeccable look rather than the washed out ones.
7. Underwear are always underestimated when it comes to looking young and that’s where we should start focusing on. So get a proper good fit and indulge in some nice piece you enjoy. Women should be buying nice one for themselves first.
8. Too short hair is ageing. Long hair can look witchy on older women. Get some inches off and get a neat cut. Looking like a babe might not be the point at +40. Make sure your dyed hair is never just one colour, or too dark or light. The more extreme the colour, the more washed-out you look. As your hair get finer layering is good and adding some contrast with highlights helps out.
9. And stay away from the crush diet. Getting in control of your weight does not mean going extreme. Don’t get too thin. It smacks of desperation and makes you look worn. What goes unnoticed at 20’s is maximized at a matured age.
10. Bad foundation in bad light is the biggest enemy of women. Get a make-up lesson. You can't do without it, but you don’t need to advertise it. Looking painted cries for help. Remember, too-red lipstick is for young beauties and dowagers — tread carefully. An old adage: A good make-up is one that goes unnoticed.
For a colour, style or make-up session contact Nathalie at info@renaissanceimage.co.uk
Some of my favourite brands: Gerard Darel; James Lakeland; LK Bennett; Karen Millen;
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