The Mayo News

Over 40 – and still got it


Fashion
Rita Mylett

What does 40-plus look like in 2009? Think Sandra Bullock (44), Halle Berry (42) and Courtney Cox (44). And then there’s those Desperate Housewives, Teri Hatcher who plays Susan (44), Felicity Huffman who plays Lynette (46), Marcia Cross who plays Bree (47) (okay, Eva Longoria is only 34, but at 45, the gorgeous Nicollette Sheridan who plays Edie more than balances up that equation!).
How about 50? Well, Sharon Stone, Michelle Pfeiffer, Madonna and Meryl Streep have all hit the half century, and they never looked better.
Gone are the days when being in your 40s or 50s meant elasticated waistbands and tightly permed grey hair. You only have to look at these women to know that you can still turn heads when you are older.
Here are five shopping dos and don’ts to get you off the style fence and help you look fabulous after the 40s.

Understand sales patter
Don’t blindly listen to sales people. We have all fallen into the trap of letting a sales person talk us into buying something we are not really crazy about. Women in their 40s and older are easy prey. While there are some good sales people out there, most are on commission and want you to buy. Best to listen to your gut about an outfit or develop a long-term relationship with a sales person that you like and trust. Also, be sure to take a good look at how the sales person has put herself together. If she doesn’t look chic, how can you expect her to help you to look chic? It’s always a give away!

Test-drive clothes
Most stores/boutiques have excellent return policies, so if you are not sure how you feel about something, take it home and try it out. It can look very different when you are more rested or if you are in a different light. Maybe you will even notice how well it works with something else in your wardrobe, or start to feel differently about it when you slip it on and get all kinds of compliments from your family, or perhaps you will realise your instincts were right, and return it.

Experiment
Don’t say no to your first encounter with a new style. When a new style arrives in the store/boutique it can seem so foreign that even though it looks fabulous on you, it feels strange. This is particularly true after the 40s. For example, if you try on a pair of high-waisted trousers and you like them but are just not sure, then try on several versions of the same look from different designers. Sometimes a slightly different look or a small detail change can make all the difference and suddenly you are sold.

Look around you
Check out what other women are pulling off. If you are not sure if a style is age appropriate, then take a look at what other stylish ladies your age are wearing. If you’re worried that chunky stylish platforms or wedge heels may look too young, but you notice stylish women over 40 wearing them, then great – just go for it. Also notice what hair styles and accessories these women are wearing with their shoes. It is important to coordinate the total look.

Fall in love
Don’t buy clothes that you are not in love with. If you don’t feel confident in what you are wearing, you will never look fabulous no matter what anyone says – and if you don’t love what you’re wearing, you won’t feel confident. Remember, you have to feel fabulous to look fabulous!

---

Share this page