Replace your LBD (little black dress) with an all-white ensemble. After a spring and summer full of neon hues, the all-white look is a different way of brightening your wardrobe. White, once a summer color only, is now chic all year round. It’s considered seasonless and looks great worn from top to bottom for a slimming monochromatic effect.
Be sure to choose shades of white that are cool or warm depending on your hair and complexion. Every woman can wear white, but your white right depends on what season you are.
If you have had your colors done and you are a summer then you’ll look best in Soft white. Are you a dramatic winter? Then icy pure white looks smashing. Perhaps you are a glowing golden spring? If so try ivory or cream. That touch of yellow is warmer than stark white against your face. Finally, what white does a tawny Autumn wear? Autumns are warm too, but more on the muted side so eggshell white or oyster white is your perfect version of white.
In addition to wearing your most flattering white, you’ll want to aim to mix patterns and textures of your head to toe white look so your outfit looks alive and modern, not flat and boring. Here are a few Fall 2012 pieces we found that would be nice to combine in an all white look or with other colors.
| Relaxed Elegance Over 40This is a wonderful blouse that flows like a sail. It’s called the Pleione Mixed Media Shirt and we love it because it is casual, but classy and so appropriate so mature gals. It slips on over your head and nicely covers up any giggly bits at the tummy.The look is to tuck it in a touch at the front or slightly off to the side and let it drape over. I ( Deborah) just bought a similar one and have had so may compliments. (Buy it now from Nordstrom) |
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| Holy Moley! This pretty Nick and Zoe Sequin Detail Open Stitch Sweater is classic but just that little bit different to make it modern and interesting. It has an open knit pattern and although you can barely see it here, it has tiny sequins that give it subtle shimmer. The perfect layering piece. (Get yours now before it goes, from Nordstrom) |  |
| Corduroy CasualYes, Corduroy is back but it’s not so thick and heavy that it makes you look and feel like you are carrying around an extra 10 pounds. Today’s corduroy, like these Stilt cords by Adriano Goldschmied, are fine and light and oh so pretty in ivory. (Piperlime has these in stock NOW) |  |
| Crazy for Color block!All white is lovely but mixed with an architectural punch of black you have a look that sculpts your body. Love this Suzi Chin from Maggy London Color block Sheath…. and isn’t a pleasure to see sleeves again? They’ve been absent for a several seasons. This sleeve length is so chic. (Available for a limited time at Nordstrom) |  |
| Get into the SWING of FallSheer and Solid stripes add texture and fun to this pretty Shadow Stripe sweater and fluid matching cover-up. This flowy fashion duo is a pretty twist on the old twinset. (Snap it up before it is gone from Nordstrom) |  |
| Elegant, but Edgy!Here’s a fabulous fashion combination over 40 or at any age. Take a silky sheer white blouse and add a edgy leather collar and you have sweet meets rock and roll. The Hinge Faux Leather Collar Top is just the right combo of feminine and masculine. (It’s is waiting for you at Nordstrom) |  |
| Romantic RufflesIf you are a romantic at heart then this Ruffle Front Ponte Jacket fits your personality. It’s a soft, and refined look that will make everyone want to reach out and hug you. Not the best thing to wear to a power meeting, but certainly the perfect choice to look fresh and feminine. (White House, Black Market is the place to find this sweater.) . |  |
| The Lady Loves LeatherLeather is huge this fall and if you don’t like black, because it can be harsh over 40, here’s a great alternative. This Roches Cream Leather Skirt will look great with anything you wear from a silk blouse to a chunky sweater. Also, its’ an A-line with slash pleats style which is very flattering on all many body types. (Pick one up today from Saks) Do you enjoying wearing white all year long? Please send an email to info@fabulousafter40.com and we would love to post your photo. |  |
Style Expert Deborah Boland specializes in helping mature women to Tweak their Chic®!
I have to disagree with Michelle. I need your website, no matter what the model looks like or age, to help me figure out what to wear. I never had a problem with clothes until I got into my late 40′s. I was complimented on my clothes all the time when I was younger but then I got so confused! You 2 have helped me so much. Now in my mid 50′s I run to your site for help all the time.
I admire your effort and I really like to look into your fashion suggestions, but at this point I agree with Michelle. Your portal is for women over 40. Most women after 40 have a different body shape compare to young girls. So would be nice to see on your site named “Look Fabulous after 40″, real 40+ women with a real body shape. Otherwise your site is like many others.. for young, lean girls. I’m sure you would like to please us – women, so please show us a real life, with real women. We will be very grateful.
Hi Elizabeth,
Please tell us where we can find pictures of women over 40 modeling clothes and we would be thrilled to use them. Unfortunately we rely on what we can find online and no where can we find real women over 40. Sad.
Sorry to be negative, but why are 20 year old’s modeling clothes for a 40 year old? Furthermore, I need to see real women modeling these clothes ideas. I want to see women with typical bodies and curves, not someone with the body I used to have 10 years ago. If I had that body again, I wouldn’t be on the web looking for ideas to make myself look and feel better. Come on! This shouldn’t be news to you guys… gals.
Hi Michelle,
We’d love to use real models but unfortunately the online catalogues we pull pictures from all use young, slim models. Sometimes we can find plus size model pictures but there isn’t any inbetween.
If you know of any sites that use normal sized women in their 40’s, we’d love to hear about them.
Thanks, The Glam Gals
This are great looks. I love the zig zag sweater and think I’ll get that and a bright pencil skirt to go with it. Thanks ladies!