To find your style after 40 is not the same as it was. Gone are the days where you could follow fashion trends and get away with it.

We are very often busy in our 40’s and beyond, but taking some time out to rediscover our style and ourselves again can leverage some big life changes.

Over the years, life takes over with careers, child rearing and the like. We can lose track of what suits us and even lose ourselves because we are so absorbed in helping others. Coupled with the changes in our bodies over time; we can end up confused and with a closet full of clothes that have never been worn and maybe don’t even like.

Many women find that they only wear 20 percent of their wardrobe. Is this you? Do you still have price tags on items in your closet? Do you hold on to clothes that no longer fit you? Are you confused about what colours suit you so instead turn to black and/or neutrals?

Can you relate?

If you can…then you have come to the right place. Many may think that spending time to rediscover ones style is self indulgent but I can assure you it isn’t. Getting your style after 40 right, can have and has for many women, the most positive of impacts. It’s like a ripple effect. Your confidence will grow, you may be taken more seriously at work and it will just give you the boost you need to grab life with both hands.

To find your style after 40, there are few things to consider.

1. Find colours that suit you.

One of the best things I have ever done for myself has been to get my colours analysed by a colour consultant. That was back a good 12 years ago and I still to this day, follow it. Even though my eye colour has changed (yes, weird I know but they have!) and my hair colour too (dark brown to silvery grey). Finding your colour season, allows you to always be confident that what you are wearing, particularly around your face, is going to suit you and make you look your best- well, healthy and happy. If you can’t justify getting this done, then at least spend some time finding out your skin’s undertone. I have an article here on how you can do that.

2. What is your body shape?

I’ll use myself as an example to give you an idea of what I mean. I am slim but I have very little waist- kind of rectangle shaped. My legs aren’t particularly long nor is my body but I’m of average height of 5 foot 6.

Pear/Inverted Triangle-

This body type has wider hips and the bottom is wider than shoulders, so the upper body is smaller than the upper body.

Hourglass-

The Hourglass figure has slightly rounded shoulders, bust and hips are the same width, small waist, bottom and hips are rounded and thighs are curvy.

Apple/ Rounded-

The rounded body shape has a large bust, narrow hips and a wide mid section with slender legs and no curves for the hips and buttocks.

Rectangle-

This body shape is characterised by the hip, bust and waist having equal measurement and tend to be tall and slim with a flat bottom and an undefined waist.

3. What are your best features?

This is a question only you can answer. That’s because for those of you, for example, who have a large bust, some of you will love it and some of you will not. If you love something about yourself, then absolutely flaunt it, even if you have to break the rules. Styling is about YOU feeling fabulous

4. What are your least favourite body features?

This is similar to above, however if people continually tell you that you have great legs, but you refuse to believe it, maybe you could stop and take notice of what their saying. Sometimes we don’t see ourselves the same as others, so think about this carefully before you start covering up.

5. What is your style after 40 style type?

The personality styles I give to my clients are the following;

Classic– I am a classic. Simple lines, conservative, classy, understated.

Feminine– floaty, girly outfits. You look great in flow dresses and tops that have a lot of relaxed detail like frills, collars and embellishments.

Boho/Hippy/Relaxed– you look great in colour, patterns, different textiles and fabrics- sometimes all mixed together. On you, it just works!

Rock Chic/Edgy-

Think leather jackets, aviator sunglasses, ripped jeans, edgy hair cuts.

Finding a stylist to help you style after 40….

You can always find a stylist in your area to help you with all this, but it is possible to work it out for yourself if you just spend some time on these points.

If you’re not sure about any of the points above, then ask a friend or family member, who you know will tell you the truth to help you come up with the right answers.

When you have all this in place, you can then buy clothes according to what you are looking for and feel the most positive ‘you’ possible. You are so worth it!!! Spending time on your style after 40 is invaluable!

Thanks for reading and don’t forget to join our newsletter found on the site here and to follow @silver_styling on Instagram for daily bitesized content to inspire you to be your best self.

See you there!! Until next time…..

Take care,

Mel ✨