A darker version of red hit the runways for fall. Shades of burgundy, Merlot, oxblood and crimson were a focal point for designers like Tibi and Diane Von Furstenberg. These deep red shades are rich, gorgeous and very chic for women 40+.
| Brushstroke of Burgundy
If you don’t know Milly then you should get to know this label. Milly makes beautiful dresses. I (Deb) own about 5! Milly dresses are elegant, modern and feminine and fit really well. This Burgundy belted sheath dress with patent leather belt is a perfect example of how to look chic after 40. It’s clean, unfussy and very sexy in this potent new color. (Buy it now from Nordstrom) |
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| “Check” out this Color Combination
Tory Burch makes this darling Tweed Victory Jacket that is perfect to throw on with a blouse and jeans or over a dress. Love the color combination of deep red shades that add life to your looks but don’t overpower. (Get yours now before it goes, from Nordstrom) |
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| Step Ahead in Red!
The boots were made for walking down a city street and turning heads! They’re are a cool combination of berry hued suede + snakeskin detail. Refined and classy this almond toed booties would look great with a dress or pants and the perfect way to wear this new shade if you prefer the color in small doses. (Nordstrom has this in stock NOW) |
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| Wonderful in Wine
Call it Merlot, Burgundy or whatever wine shade you may, this Kische Open Front cardigan with tiny scalloped edge sleeves and hem is a sweater set worth toasting! Cheers to pretty, practical and slimming outfit. (Available for a limited time at Nordstrom) |
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| Edgy in Oxblood
Take red, add some brown and what you have a rich new shade that women are snatching up called Oxblood. If you like an edge to your look then this Trouve Quilted Leather Biker Jacket is a great addition to your fall wardrobe. Love the horizontal corded quilting which gives it that touch of biker detail. (Snap it up before it is gone from Nordstrom) |
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| A “Berry” Nice Wrap Dress!
You always need a “go to dress” that you can dress up or down and wear just about anywhere. This is exactly that type of dress. It’s a Berry colored Ruched Faux Neckline Dress from Karen Kane. There’s ruching at the back and at the waist that creates soft elegance and lovely curves. (It’s waiting for you at Nordstrom) |
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| Wine Not??
If you are looking for dress for that special occasion then this could be it. It’s a David Meister Asymmetrical Neckline Dress with gorgeous shoulder detail. The beautiful thing about it is that it has the illusion of a one shoulder dress, but with more coverage. This burgundy shades dips into purple making it a very interesting and outstanding hue. (Get it now at Nordstrom) Have you bought anything in Burgndy this fall?. If so, please send a photo to info@fabulousafter40.com . We’d love to post it. |
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Style Expert Deborah Boland specializes in helping mature women to Tweak their Chic®!
I think you do a great job of showing various size and shape women in your examples. Perhaps take a look at Chico’s catalog–their models are still stick thin, but are not 12 (or even 25). Thanks for your inspiration!
I bought a lovely tweed-like burgundy skirt from Talbots. I have a burgundy/red sweater to wear with it, or black shell & jacket. I’m looking forward to getting a lot of wear from it.
Hi Flybabymom! Good for you!!! Please send us a photo, we want to see!!! Isn’t it easy to just pick a “fashion color” and then make an outfit with it. Try paring your burgundy with other colors too..like mixing up red and burgundy or burgundy and pink… it can be an interesting new “neutral”!
not everybody in life can afford to shop at neimans and nordstoms.
Hi Linda,
Yes, you are right about that… we just use these photos as examples because those stores us plus size models and we like to show a variety of body types! It is very hard for us to find clothes on models that aren’t 14 and stick thin! Thanks though for your feedback!
Thanks for the suggestion to look at Milly brand dresses, but the $400 price tag tells me you may be out of touch with your readers. The more reasonably priced Karen Kane dress has limited availability. Can you recommend more dressmaker lines less expensive than Milly?
Hi Paula,
You could try Jones New York, Calvin Klein, Kay Unger or Tahari sold in many department stores. Banana republic is more reasonable too.
This is a Fabulous after 40 site yet the models in your pictures look like they’re in their 20′s – if that! Come on already! Let’s get some true age appropriate models. Thanks!
Hi Beth,
I think we are just going to put a disclaimer up on the site because we have answered this question so many times.(LOL) We would LOVE to use 40+ models, but as we post photos from online catalogues, there are no models over 25 to be found. If you come across a site that sells nice clothing shown on 40+ models please let us know and we will gladly show some fashion examples. Thanks!
Hi Beth, Oh how we wish we could find more over 40 models…we do like Karen Kane and there is another company, Dobbin, that has reasonable priced dresses and clothes. http://www.Dobbinclothing.com
I’m happy to see that you have included a picture of a real size woman rather than just the emaciated runway models and the size 6 catalog models.
Why is that many of the pictures you post, and most other image consultants, are of models who are probably wearing size 8 or smaller when the average woman wears a 12/14?
Clearly I’m not part of your target demographic.
I did buy a burgundy knit dress with a rhinestone buckle at the waist. I want to switch out the buckle for one one without bling. That way, I could wear it for less dressy occasions, too. But like the other reader, I wonder what color shoes to wear with it. Burgundy?