5 Fall Jackets to Make you Look Fabulous after 40

Romantic Ruffles

Though Ruffles are one of the hottest trends this season, they can be hard to pull off if you are over 40. Why? They can look too “little girly” and all of those busy ruffles can just add bulk if you are busty or have a few extra midlife pounds at the waist.

That being said, we adore this red Armani wool jacket. It’s simple, elegant and nips in beautifully at the waist, which is what we always preach (No boxy jacket please! It won’t hide extra pounds. It will only make you look bigger, like a football player)

The key to making this feminine ruffled jacket work is to balance it out with something tailored and masculine (like these simple black pants) to give it a modern edge. The simple “I mean business black heels” are grown-up and sexy. The color red is bold and powerful. If you think you might be able to wear a jacket like this in pink, pastel blue or even with a ruffled skirt, think again. The combination of pastels and ruffles will make you look like an outdated mother of the bride.

Long Live Leather

If you like leather, but you are worried about looking like an old biker, then this is a great jacket for you. It’s a Tory Burch quilted leather jacket with super soft leather diamond quilting and military pomp detail.

Again, it’s fitted (see how it nips in at the waist) so it will give you a great shape. Also, it is a warm brown shade which is softer than black.

Jet Black leather can be too harsh for many women over 40, as in midlife our skin and hair color pales a bit and the harsh black combined with masculine leather creates quite a jarring contrast. (If you feel black leather still works for you, then try something elegant like a swing jacket in black leather.)

Last word about the brown leather jacket above…It is best suited for someone with a small to medium bust, as there is a lot of detail going on with those upper patch pockets. A big bust plus all of that detail will look too bulky.

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Dusters

Very chic and very fun, dusters are hot for fall. Dusters create a nice long line that draws the eye down and makes you look slimmer and taller. (Petites: Be careful with your dusters. Don’t go past the knee.)

This hot shot of Fuchsia is all you need to keep you feeling happy during the long winter and make heads turn.

Metallic + Plaid

Giant plaids, checks and tweeds mixed with metallics are the newest arrivals on the fashion scene creating a glamorous high fashion look.

This Burberrry trench coat inspired jacket is a classic cut, always flattering to women over 40, and it has 3/4 sleeves which makes it youthful. If you want to look Age-mazing™ you have to be willing to try new things. Get rid of that stodgy two button navy blazer and try something like this.

One other tip-with any patterned jacket, make sure the patterns line up at the seams of the shoulders and lapels.

Color + Comfort

Structure is good because it makes a soft body look more angular, but we all want comfort too. That’s why this burnt orange 3/4 length sleeve-merino wool cardigan by Tory Burch is such a find. It’s simple, rich and that pop of color is just what you need to make the statement “I’m over 40 and I’m fabulous!”

Double breasted (very in at the moment) and shiny buttons give it that military feel, but the 3/4 length sleeves, which seem to be everywhere this year, make it a little more casual.

Texture Galore

One thing you’ll notice this fall is texture. There are textured fabrics and interesting textured details on jackets – at necklines, on sleeves and pockets. This Dior Swan Neck Peplum jacket has a 40’s inspired silhouette with waves of gathered fabric at the pockets that give it a cutting edge look.

With this jacket the attention will be on your curvy hips so if you don’t want the focus there, this is not for you.

This Robert Rodriguez textured jacket is tweed and has fabric rosette detailing at the collar. These nostalgic rosettes, plus the long gloves (which you will see everywhere with cropped jackets this fall) gives this outfit a high fashion feel straight out of the 50′s. Here the jacket is paired with a matching skirt, but you can also wear this it with a solid colored skirt or pants. If you want a much more casual look then take off the gloves, pair it with jeans and change your top. A long loose sleeveless satin top or an empire waist blouse that grazes your hip bones, would look great underneath.