Is it possible to be comfortable and stylish in your 40s?

[Anonymous]

The people who look cool, are not because of their clothes, but because of their lack of obsessiveness about it. Those are the types everyone comments "oh you really pull that off!"

It's all about the confidence.

[Anonymous]

Wrap dresses in a variety of colors

[Anonymous]

OP you sound like me. I'm a similar dress size but I carry my weight differently than pre kids and have a rounder belly for my frame. I have been WFH and I just can't get back to "real pants" they feel so constricting. Some of it is fit but some of it is just preferences and I notice discomfort more now.

I basically just wear Rothys for shoes. Same "too constricting" feel otherwise.

I find dresses way more comfortable than pants. Boden has a lot of cotton. I don't like synthetics any more.

I try to look a little more polished with some tasteful jewelry that's more in my "style."

I would not say I am stylish but I get a surprising number of compliments. I feel like so many clothes today are unflattering even if they are "in style" so I don't really look worse than people wearing less comfortable stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm asking for examples! Please send me examples of business casual outfits that are comfortable. I haven't been in an office environment for 15 years so I'm totally at a loss here.

In my current life, I wear lots of leggings and joggers with cute tees or sweatshirts. I also like midi and maxi skirts and dresses if they are not constricting at all (looser fit, elastic waist, long enough that I will not need to worry sitting down or riding a bike).

I went to try on work pants recently at a few stores (Madewell, Nordstrom, Loft, etc.) and was frustrated both by how they felt and how hard it was to find flattering pants for my late-40s body. When I sized up to a comfortable waist size, they just felt frumpy and voluminous. I don't have a huge waist, I'm a relatively small person, but I used to consistently wear a size 0 in pants and now it's more like a size 4, which just looks huge on my small frame.

Unfortunately the trick for comfortable pants is finding the right cut for your body, which means you have to try a bunch. I find Ann tay;or yo be a good place to look as they have a variety of cuts, some with more room in the waist than others.

[Anonymous]

Actually slighter looser and wide leg pants look less frumpy and are more current. You can do wide leg pants and jackets or button downs and look professional. Personally I prefer to wear a heel (usually low wedge or boot) at work because I am shorter. Pointed flats work with this silhouette too. Try Aritzia or Theory for pants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is for me; might not be possible for you.

heh.

[Anonymous]

Yes. But only if you’re skinny.

[Anonymous]

It's only in my 40s that I've really felt more confident in my clothes and my person.
Previously I was in the trenches of parenting, and not really thinking about fit and style of clothes.

[Anonymous]

I disagree with a lot of advice here. I like voluminous, loose fitting clothes in natural fabrics. I never wear heels, but do sometimes wear platforms or clogs. Try Toast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The people who look cool, are not because of their clothes, but because of their lack of obsessiveness about it. Those are the types everyone comments "oh you really pull that off!"

It's all about the confidence.

This is true but I will go on to add that also those with nice body shapes and/or who feel 100% comfortable and confident in that shape are the most chiq and stylish. Clothes are often designed and cut for slim or well shaped people. I'd also say that you need to look around for brands that are tailored for your specific shape. And unfortunately for some people that means have things altered.

[Anonymous]

I started using Rent the Runway when I got called back and I'm loving it. I use the monthly subscription and have bought a few pieces I've tried. The rotating wardrobe is really fun!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The people who look cool, are not because of their clothes, but because of their lack of obsessiveness about it. Those are the types everyone comments "oh you really pull that off!"

It's all about the confidence.

This is true but I will go on to add that also those with nice body shapes and/or who feel 100% comfortable and confident in that shape are the most chiq and stylish. Clothes are often designed and cut for slim or well shaped people. I'd also say that you need to look around for brands that are tailored for your specific shape. And unfortunately for some people that means have things altered.

+1 I’m not slim but with work you can figure out what outfits work and what stores cut patterns that work for your body. For example I have realized that nothing from White House Black Market will ever fit me properly, ever, no matter what it looks like on the rack. Old Navy or Talbots, for better or worse, are more consistent and fit me better.

[Anonymous]

As another shorty I struggle with current styles, I have trouble finding shirts that are work appropriate but not too long or baggy to wear with the current wider leg pants.

So I'm probably not actually stylish, but I have a wardrobe of several very comfortable Boden dresses (not the flowy flowery ones, the knee length 3/4 sleeve solid ones or wrap dresses). I also lean on plain black pants (Athleta) and shirts (whatever brand, if it's all black nobody cares)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. But only if you’re skinny.

I’m a poster who thinks op was nuts for even asking the question but I do agree with this. You don’t have to be model skinny, but there are certain middle aged body types that just don’t look cool in any clothes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in my 60's and stylish & comfortable and I work. Not sure about you.

What’s the point of this post? OP is clearly looking for advice. Are you this mean and snarky in real life?

OP I’m petite and a size 4/6 in pants. Forget about Ann Taylor and Loft. Their quality has gone down over the years. If you are looking for that price point but better quality then try Talbots, j crew and Banana Republic. Otherwise you will have to go up in price to get something better in quality. Mm la Fleur is a good place to start with work clothes. But I find them very over priced for their quality so I only buy from them on sale. They have a store where you can book an appointment. I did this once in the past and it really helped. I really like Ayr for jeans (yes not for work but their jeans fit well and help me not look frumpy during the weekend), Me + EM especially for tops and dresses, banana republic for silk shirts (surprisingly!), L’Agance for blazers, Hobbs for coats, Sezane for almost everything. I used to like Vince and Theory but find that their quality has plummeted. I recently purchased a top from Gaala that I love. I like many of the pants at Aritizia especially their linen pants. If anyone has brand recommendations please do share! OP you will need to go to the tailor. I often go to hem my pants, take out the pockets because they gape and sometimes to shorten the sleeves.