Women 40-plus breaking the mould

Your children are grown, you're doing well in your work, or maybe you have retired. You feel good about who you are and you're over 40 years old. How do you dress for this new stage of life? 

The first step in dressing for over 40 is realising that your body is changing, so what worked in the past may not necessarily work now. Summer is coming up so time to give your wardrobe an overhaul, dress to enhance your good points, lighten the colors, change accessories, ignore the trendy clothes and throw away the mini skirt. 

 

Significance 

One of the biggest mistakes women make as they age is that they don't change their look. They try to hold on to the past. Your body is changing even though you may exercise and have a good figure. Your skin is paler, not quite so vibrant. Your hair may be thinner, and your body has reshaped itself regardless of exercise. The reality is you are not 20 or even 30 anymore. It's time to enhance your maturing body. 

 

Identification 

Examine your body. What are your assets and what is changing? If you are starting to get wrinkles in your neck, you may want to look for high-collared tops. If your hair is thinning, consider a new short haircut with highlights. If your skin is dulling, shop for lighter colors such as off-white or pink blouses. If you are heavier than you were in your 20's and 30's, look for tailored clothes. 

This is the time to spend more money on clothing. Shop at stores with stylish clothing for the maturing woman, such as Dorothy’s in Warkworth. If you have nice legs, wear skirts and great shoes. Skip the mini skirt and go for a nice pencil shape that touches just below the knees. If you have nice shoulders, show them off appropriately. It's only necessary to show a little skin. 

 

Misconceptions 

Staying stylish doesn't mean buying trendy clothes. It means finding what works for you. As you age, the best way to keep with trends is to keep stylish with a few accessories. Buy a new handbag or add a piece of jewelry. You want to concentrate on what looks good on you, not the trend. 

A few accessories show that you are aware of fashion changes, but you are not willing to wear something just because it's trendy. This is the mark of the mature woman. 

www.dorothyswarkworth.co.nz