Anonymous wrote:i like simple patterns and silhouettes in brighter (or neutrals for fall) colors in tops, dresses, scarves. the colors will immediately brighten you up as a person. when you're 40 something, the silhouette and accessories should be more luxe, not dripping in diamonds necessarily, but just things that are relatively simple, elegant. no hooker tall towering shoes. the fit should be impeccable.

a designer that comes to mind is michael kors. i think he does very pretty clothes that fit my above criteria.

for inspiration:
http://www.thestylefolio.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/20somethingchic.jpg

Are you the pp from NJ? I can see this working in NJ. DC, not so much. Former NYer here.

i like simple patterns and silhouettes in brighter (or neutrals for fall) colors in tops, dresses, scarves. the colors will immediately brighten you up as a person. when you're 40 something, the silhouette and accessories should be more luxe, not dripping in diamonds necessarily, but just things that are relatively simple, elegant. no hooker tall towering shoes. the fit should be impeccable.

a designer that comes to mind is michael kors. i think he does very pretty clothes that fit my above criteria.

for inspiration:
http://www.thestylefolio.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/20somethingchic.jpg

Anonymous wrote:I'm from NJ. Sometimes at 65 I'm cold. Honestly though, I wish more people were looking like they're trying too hard!! Most people look like they haven't thought about themselves in years (especially in DC). I enjoy taking some pride!!! Not that I always look perfect or anything, but I have some go-to outfits for most occasions (work, playground, weekends etc). I might wear the same outfit two days in a row, but its better than looking dowdy IMHO.

What are your go-to outfits?

I'm from NJ. Sometimes at 65 I'm cold. Honestly though, I wish more people were looking like they're trying too hard!! Most people look like they haven't thought about themselves in years (especially in DC). I enjoy taking some pride!!! Not that I always look perfect or anything, but I have some go-to outfits for most occasions (work, playground, weekends etc). I might wear the same outfit two days in a row, but its better than looking dowdy IMHO.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm puzzled by the heavy reliance on riding boots. At what point do you think it looks and feels appropriate to wear riding boots? I think if the temperature is above 70 at any point during the day riding boots look silly.

I agree with this, maybe even 65.

I think this depends. 65 at the start of Fall feels chilly; 65 at the start of Spring seems hot.

It might be 65 when you leave the house, but then at midday it's 73, and you look like you are trying too hard.

Boots are for cold weather, ladies. Cold. Unless you're from Arizona or Florida, 65 degrees is not cold. My tall boots don't come out unless it's in the 40's.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm puzzled by the heavy reliance on riding boots. At what point do you think it looks and feels appropriate to wear riding boots? I think if the temperature is above 70 at any point during the day riding boots look silly.

I agree with this, maybe even 65.

I think this depends. 65 at the start of Fall feels chilly; 65 at the start of Spring seems hot.

It might be 65 when you leave the house, but then at midday it's 73, and you look like you are trying too hard.

Oh hell. I'm 50. I'm wearing a tshirt and boot-cut jeans from the cheapie rack at gap with converse and a belt---because if the jeans fit in the thighs they are big in the waist and I have no butt. I wear whatever fits at the moment and whatever suits what I'm doing. The only thing I don't wear are vneck tshirts---too many nursing toddler grandkids, I'll be flashing everyone.

Anonymous wrote:chanel suits
structured bags
silk scarves

Chanel is for my mom's generation. Try Akris.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm puzzled by the heavy reliance on riding boots. At what point do you think it looks and feels appropriate to wear riding boots? I think if the temperature is above 70 at any point during the day riding boots look silly.

I agree with this, maybe even 65.

I think this depends. 65 at the start of Fall feels chilly; 65 at the start of Spring seems hot.

Anonymous wrote:I'm puzzled by the heavy reliance on riding boots. At what point do you think it looks and feels appropriate to wear riding boots? I think if the temperature is above 70 at any point during the day riding boots look silly.

I agree with this, maybe even 65.

-oh and I take it back about sneakers...there are some outfits that look cute with converse or pumas, but not your nike trail runners.

-Skinny or straight leg jeans as body shape allows...
-Shoes (not sneakers, dansko or crocs...there are plenty of comfortable flats out there...just go on zappos or shoes.com...if it looks like a nurse would wear them, put them back.)
-look at blogs for fashion ideas...aintnomomjeans is one...ployvore is another.
-if you've had it for more than a decade...take a really good look at it, to see if you should still be wearing it. Is it faded, worn, or just dated. Some classic items will never go out of style, but some things may have outlived their use.
-learn your body. there is nothing more important than figuring out what styles fit you. no matter what you read about what's in style, you can't do it all. It MUST flatter you. It doesn't mean you are stuck with one style forever, there are always updates to shapes/cuts/etc., but you must know what looks good.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:dark wash jeans
cashmere sweaters
scarves, scarves, scarves
fur or faux fur vests
shooties or platform shoes
structured handbag
rich, glossy haircolor
polished makeup

This alone screams 40+ yr old mom trying to look hip.

agree!

chanel suits
structured bags
silk scarves

The one area of so-called fashion where I think age does matter, is that 40 year olds are supposed to be mature enough to wear seasonally appropriate clothing. So Uggs with sundresses should never have been seen on someone over the mental age of 30.

Probably more important than age is activities. A lot of what is "hip" for the younger set is geared toward clubbing. I honestly cannot remember the last time I went to a club or to hear live music. My activities are office, errands, trying to teach my kid to ride a bicycle, dinners in with friends, dinners out with DH and friends, shows at the Kennedy Center, skiing, golf, walking the dogs.... Those activities and locations determine the broad guidelines of what is appropriate. And I often don't have time to change between activities, so clothes and shoes that can do it all are important to me.

Some might not think the tan quilted vest is "hip", but it can be the perfect amount of warmth for a visit to the playground or watching your kid's game or walking the dogs at 6 AM.

As we go through different phases of our lives (and different shapes, thanks to changing metabolisms, injuries, childbirth, crazy work schedules...), we might struggle with finding what fits well and what our style is. And as most people don't have proportions that match those of models, it can be challenging to figure out what cuts are most flattering and what actually fits you.

I'd like to hear / see more examples of what real women wear for real-life activities.