Monday 2 March 2020

Five ways to Update your Style in your Forties

Glamorous mature woman
Photo by Adalia Botha on Unsplash
{This is a collaborative post}

This year I'll turn 47 and I don't think I'd win any prizes for my personal style. Don't get me wrong I am always clean and presentable but comfort is definitely my number one priority rather than fashion. It's not that I like jogging bottoms or anything quite so horrendous, but I am usually spotted in jeans, a fairly smart top and a cardigan. I think that is my signature look and I've been starting to wonder if I ought to have a rethink.

I am plus size and that impacts what I feel comfortable to wear. I know many body-positive activists will tell me to wear whatever I like, to go for a crop top or body con dress if I fancy and I get that. But the thing is I don't fancy either of those things, I like to dress modestly and in a way that I think is appropriate for a 46-year-old married mother of three. We're all different and we have to embrace our personality and who we are.

Despite not wanting to change too radically, I am thinking that this year should be one of growth for me and updating my style is one way to do that. So here are five ways to update your style when you are in your forties and don't want to go too extreme!

1.  Invest in a human hair wig

I do love my blonde hair but it has a tendency to frizz and won't grow any longer than I have it now. It would be a dream come true to get long and thick hair easily by buying a best human hair wig. I don't think I'd change from blonde, but I would maybe go for a few shades lighter and definitely longer. I've only ever worn a wig for fancy dress before and they've never been great quality, so it would be such a treat to try a decent one that actually looks natural and matches my skin tone.


2.  Choose some signature colours

Navy seems to be my colour of choice, usually teamed with something a little brighter. I love red and fuchsia pink before but as I have got larger I have tended to wear bold colours less often. Unlike my lovely friend Helen at Actually Mummy, who has embraced wearing bright pink and vivid yellow no matter what the season and it suits her so well.







To those women who tell me they wish they had the confidence to wear colour, please believe this: it’s rare for me to go out dressed like this and NOT get a compliment. Last weekend a woman I’ve never met came up to me and said this: ⁣ ⁣ “Can I just say, you are the best dressed person in this entire place. Is it your daughter you’re here with? She must be so proud to have such a cool mum!” (debateable, she’s 15 😂). ⁣ Word.For.Word. Not lying. ⁣ ⁣ Honestly, I get an ego boost every day. Just put on the yellow coat. Start with a scarf if you’re nervous. You won’t regret it. ⁣ ⁣ [Coat is old @riverisland; jumper @fandfclothing; jeggings are this season’s staples from @marksandspencer; boots old @clarksshoes]⁣ #ColourfulMums #50NotOut #coolmom #colourfulstyle ⁣ ⁣
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3.  Enjoy a session with a personal shopper

If like me, you've got to a point where your body has changed so much that you don't really know what suits it, then a personal shopper experience may be a great idea. Many of the big high street clothing stores and department stores offer these free styling and shopping experiences, so choose a store which stocks yous size and the kind of outfits you know you might enjoy. Although it might be good to try somewhere really different as that change might just be what you need.

4.   Have a make-over

It doesn't have to cost a fortune to have a make-over. Most of the large beauty counters in reputable department stores like John Lewis and Debenhams will book you a time to consult with you about what you want from your beauty regime and make-up. You don't have to pay for the consultation but there is normally an expectation that you'll buy some of the products used afterwards.

5.   Invest in something that makes you feel amazing

We all have different things that give us a boost and make us feel good. For me it is handbags, I have a friend for whom it is shoes and for you, it might be sunglasses or maybe some statement jewellery. Whatever it is, why not invest in a really nice piece and enjoy wearing it?

Meg & Bee handbag worn by forties woman

I hope you have fun updating your style and feel confident and joyful in your forties.

Why not pin this post for later?

women forties style pin