In your 40s? Stop Making These Style Mistakes!

40 is a beautiful age, as this is when you are getting confident, and wise and you have experienced life. Your style should be inspired by the wonderful person you’ve become. But the truth is, there are style habits we picked up back in the day that have a tendency to stick and they don’t always have our best interests at heart. That’s all right — it is never too late for a wardrobe refresh, and with a few carefully considered tweaks, you can appear effortlessly stylish, contemporary, and utterly you. Point #21 is a must-see — it’ll show you the trick to selecting colors that instantly make you radiant and confident!

So, here are 30 styles that don’t dos to quit after 40 and pointers to make you feel empowered, comfy, and chic in your own skin.

Holding Onto Old Trends

Remember those low-rise jeans, that heavily distressed denim or those platform flip-flops you wore in your 20s? That was fun back then, but clinging to these styles can look dated. Trends may change, but holding onto them doesn’t give the advanced, assured you the credit you deserve.

What to Do Instead: Invest in classic staples, such as high-rise jeans, tailored blazers, and classic dresses. These pieces never become dated and make for a polished, put-together look that matures with you.

Dressing Too Young

If it rings true, it may be fun to attempt to reinvigorate each young trend — crop tops, micro-mini skirts or flashy designs; however, it can appear out of line. Dressing “too young” is at odds with the elegance and self-confidence you’ve grown into over the years.

What to Do Instead: Choose stylish, age-appropriate pieces such as midi skirts, silk blouses, or tailored trousers. You can play with trends and still come off polished and sophisticated if those pieces are balanced with classic pieces that feel authentic.

Ignoring the Fit of Your Clothes

There is nothing worse than rocking a sweater that’s too tight, that digs into your skin — or something baggy that makes you feel like a lump of carrion. Clothes that don’t fit you well don’t accentuate your shape and can make your outfit appear less than polished.

What to Do Instead: Get clothes that actually fit your body. Well-fitted clothes, such as a cinched waist dress or a tailored blazer, will help shape your silhouette and enhance your defined image.

Skipping Accessories

Accessories are the final bit of magic that can change an outfit. “Skipping them can leave your look feeling undone while overloading on them can feel like too much.” Accessories are meant to accentuate, not overtake, your style.

What to Do Instead: Be simple and considerate. A chic leather handbag, a classic wristwatch, or pearl earrings will take an otherwise simple outfit and make it look polished and put together.

Sticking to Cheap Fabrics

We’re all tempted by those inexpensive, synthetic fabrics, but they don’t last. Cheap materials tend to cling in all the wrong places, wrinkle easily, and lose their shape rapidly, which can make even the most stylish outfit look cheap.

What to Do Instead: Go for high-quality fabrics such as silk, wool, cotton, or cashmere. These materials drape beautifully, wear long, and put a little more luxury and timelessness into your wardrobe.

Dressing in the Wrong Undergarments

No matter how fabulous your outfit is — if your undergarments don’t fit, they can ruin the entire look. Visible bra straps or bumpy seams or tight shapewear all can detract from your style.

What to Do Instead: Invest in silky, seamless undergarments that fit well. Get fitted for a bra that’s perfect, and buy girdle-ish shapewear that smooths your silhouette without pain. The right foundation makes a huge difference.

Overdoing Prints

You have to have a lot of attitude to pull off big, bold prints because they can clash or dominate a frame. “Overly loud prints tend to compete for attention with your general look, and can look dated very easily.”

What to Wear Instead: Subtle, chic prints such as pinstripes, polka dots, or soft florals. If you wore a bold print, balance it out with neutral pieces to keep your outfit a more cohesive — and refined — look.

Wearing All Black Too Often

Black is flattering and classic, yes, but a closet full of black can feel uninspired. It can even age you or give you a washed-out appearance, depending on your skin tone.

What You Should Do Instead: Inject some color to liven up your look. Instead, try jewel tones like emerald green or sapphire blue, and warmer shades with undertones of mustard or rust that look beautiful next to black but also keep your whole outfit feeling alive and bright.

Neglecting Footwear

Your shoes say a lot about your sartorial game. Worn-down, scuffed, or out-of-date footwear can immediately pull down an outfit — even the best and most polished of the rest of it.

What You Should Do Instead: Invest in good quality, versatile shoes that are comfortable and can work with different outfits. Classic leather loafers, ankle boots, or neutral-hued pumps are staples in your wardrobe that will elevate your look in a minimalistic way.

Not Using Modern Trends at All

It’s easy to shy away from trends, assuming they’re only for younger people, but eschewing them altogether can render your wardrobe outdated and stagnant.

What to Do Instead: Invest in trends in small ways — perhaps a chic handbag, trendy earrings, or fashionable sneakers. These understated updates contribute to maintaining a fresh look without overpowering your unique sense of style.

Wearing Overly Baggy Clothing

While baggy clothes are comfortable, they don’t show off your figure, and they can make you look shapeless or frumpy.

What to Wear Instead: Structured pieces that lend comfort and style. Tailored blazers, wrap dresses, and high-rise trousers accentuate your shape but still feel elegant.

Keeping an Outdated Wardrobe

Keeping clothing from years past may feel sentimental, but an old wardrobe can inhibit you from embracing new fashions that truly define you in the present day.

What to Do Instead: Update your wardrobe with modern essentials every season — a pair of fitted jeans, a sleek blouse, or a well-tailored coat. Just refreshing a handful of key pieces can change your entire look.

Wearing Chunky, Loud Jewelry

Big, colorful jewelry was trendy years ago, but now, it comes off as dated and can undermine the sophistication of your outfit.

What to Do Instead: Tone down your accessories. Opt for delicate gold chains, pearl earrings, or sleek hoops for a classic, chic aesthetic.

Overlooking Tailoring

Clothes don’t come off the rack fit perfectly, and ignoring alterations can make your outfits look innately sloppy.

What to Do Instead: Get your staples, including blazers, trousers, and dresses, tailored to your body. Nothing looks more polished and intentional than a tailored fit in any outfit.

Holding on to Creative Hairstyles

Some hairstyles, like overly layered cuts or unstyled long hair, will only make you look older, not younger.

What to Do Instead: Give your hairstyle an update with a modern cut that flatters your features and looks current. It can be soft waves, a chic bo,b or natural volume.

Wearing Loud Logos

We were all about ostentatious brand logos in our younger days — but today, those flashy brand logos can feel sloppy or detract from your entire look. While big and bold logos may feel hot, they rob your look of its chicness.

What to Do Instead: Break out clean, understated pieces that are free of visible branding. A structured blazer, a logo-less handbag, or a neutral sweater will project a sophisticated, polished vibe.

Forgetting About Layers

Layering is a fine art, and forgoing it completely can leave outfits feeling one-dimensional, while going too far can add unwanted bulk. Layering adds dimension and function, especially during the colder months.

What Not to Do: Overcomplicate layering. Consider wearing a crisply pressed blouse topped with a tailored blazer, or layering a lightweight sweater over a collared shirt. The result? A polished, sophisticated look with an injection of personality.

Wearing Overly Trendy Shoes

Shoes that are trendy, like platform sneakers or overly embellished sandals, may be fun in the short term but don’t always pair well with a sophisticated wardrobe. These styles, at times, can diminish a more elegant aesthetic.

What to Do Instead: Wear classic shoes. With their versatility, classic ankle boots, leather loafers, or chic flats will take your outfits to another style level without seeming out of place.

Dressing Too Conservatively

When we’re trying to avoid trends, it’s too easy to settle into a pattern of blandness in the way we dress. But always staying on neutral and basic styles can make your wardrobe feel stale and uninspired.

What to Do Instead: Throw on a bold scarf, printed skirt, or leather jacket as a statement piece or two. These are some aspects that allow the personality to shine while making you look elegant.

Neglecting Outerwear

Outerwear is the first thing people notice, but it is often overlooked. Your coat and jacket should never be so old, not fit quite right, or be so darned informal to spoil the effect of the clothes you are wearing underneath.

What to Do Instead: Save the extra cash to invest in edges for your jackets. A classic trench coat, a wool-tailored coat, or a sleek leather jacket will keep you warm while making sure your look is chic.

Wearing Unflattering Colors

Wearing the wrong colors can wash you out or make you look tired — particularly if the color doesn’t complement your natural undertones.

What to Do Instead: Determine whether your undertones are warm, cool, or neutral, and choose colors that will flatter your complexion. Jewel colors, earthy hues, soft neutrals — all are generally flattering and enhance the vibrancy of mature skin.

Forget About the [Power of] Belts

Belts are another understated element but can add a lot by cinching your waist and pulling an outfit together. Some outfits can look shapeless without a belt, as a dress or oversized top.

What to Do Instead: Bring some structure to your looks with a no-frills, high-quality belt. Whether black, brown, or tan, leather belts can be infinitely layered, matching beautifully with dresses, trousers,s or even oversized shirts.

Wearing All the Same Texture

When you wear just one texture, head to toe, whether it’s cotton or denim or something else, it can feel flat or boring.

What to Do Instead: Combine textures to add depth and interest. Worn with leather trousers under a cashmere sweater, or a silk blouse with a wool skirt. This contrasts and adds elegance and dimension to your outfit.

Sticking to Old Makeup Habits

Heavy makeup from your 20s — thick eyeliner, bold lipstick, or full-coverage foundation — may sometimes emphasize, rather than conceal, fine lines or appear heavy-handed on mature skin.

What to Do Instead: Go for a natural, glowing look. Pick up lighter foundations, soft eyeliner, and neutral shades that draw out your features instead of over-dramatizing them. The right blush and creamy lipstick can work miracles for a youthful glow.

Not Wearing Matching Accessories

Accessories that don’t fit with the rest of your look — wearing, say, a casual tote bag with a formal dress — can leave your outfit feeling disjointed.

What You Should Do Instead: Make sure your accessories have a similar attitude to your outfit. A structured handbag and slick pumps add polish to all manner of workwear, while a crossbody and ankle boots are well-suited to casual looks.

Overcomplicating Outfits

Avoid Overdoing It Too many layers, clashing patterns, or bold accessories can distract from your look and make it less elegant.

What to Do Instead: Wear simple but bold outfits. Choose one statement piece — a bold necklace, perhaps, or a patterned blouse — and let the rest of the look remain understated for balance.

Always Using the Same Style Forever

Sticking to the same styles for years, with hardly any experimentation, can leave you feeling uninspired with a stale wardrobe.

What to Do Instead: Take small risks; shake up your look. Switch skinny jeans for straight-leg ones, or try a new silhouette, such as a wrap dress or wide-leg trousers.

Ignoring Statement Pieces

Avoiding daring or statement pieces, in bright handbags or loud jewelry, can make your closet feel too basic or neutral.

What to Do Instead: Keep adding a single bold piece to each outfit, such as a printed scarf, a bright handbag, or a statement necklace. These details bring personality and flair to your look.

Wearing Overly Tight Clothing

Tight clothes are unflattering and uncomfortable. They often emphasize areas you’d prefer to underplay and limit movement.

What to Do Instead: Select clothing that lightly skims your body rather than attaches itself to your skin. A-line skirts, wrap dresses, and tailored trousers are all flattering and forgiving styles.

Irresponsibly Dismissing Your Own Style

Emulating someone else’s style or dressing how you feel you “should” will leave you feeling uncomfortable, and out of place.

What to Do Instead: Celebrate your uniqueness. Whether your style skews classic, bohemian, or minimalist, home in on the pieces that instill in you confidence, comfort , and authenticity.

Conclusion

For us, fashion after 40 is not only about accepting our confidence, and refinement, but most importantly: our true selves. Follow these 30 style tips and you will have a wardrobe that is current, flattering, and suits your lifestyle.

And remember, your age doesn’t determine your style — your choices do. Invest in quality, prioritize fit, and be willing to experiment. With these tips, you will look effortlessly chic and feel your absolute best at any age!