Okay, let’s get real for a second. 👀 Last week, I walked into a boutique and overheard a salesgirl whisper, “Maybe we should show her the classic section.” Classic. Code for beige cardigans and elastic waistbands. I turned around, smiled sweetly, and said, “Actually, I’ll take that neon leopard print blazer and the leather pants. Extra tight, please.” Cue the awkward silence. 🙃
Here’s the tea, babes: Turning 40 doesn’t mean signing a contract to become fashionably deceased. Yet somehow, society keeps sliding us brochures for “age-appropriate” outfits like we’re joining a witness protection program for our personalities. Newsflash: My personality wants sequins at 3 PM on a Tuesday.
Let’s unpack this absurdity. A 2023 study in the Journal of Aging Studies found that women over 40 are 60% more likely to be styled as “conservative” or “muted” in media compared to younger demographics. Meanwhile, my Instagram feed is full of Gen Z kids thrifting grandma sweaters and calling it ~vintage~. The hypocrisy? Astronomical. We’re told to disappear quietly while our actual lived experience – careers, passions, swagger – is louder than ever.
My Fashion Manifesto (Because Rules Are for Board Games):
1️⃣ Wear the damn color
Last month, I bought a fire-engine red blazer with shoulder pads that could rival a 1980s CEO. My college-age niece said, “Aren’t you… too old for that?” I nearly spit out my matcha. Since when did joy have an expiration date? Science backs this up: A Cambridge University study found that wearing bold colors triggers dopamine release at any age. My red blazer isn’t just fabric – it’s neurological rebellion.
2️⃣ Mix eras like a cocktail
Yesterday’s outfit: Victorian lace collar (eBay find) + dystopian mesh leggings + chunky dad sneakers. A stranger at Whole Foods stopped me to say, “You dress like my Pinterest board threw up on you.” Best. Compliment. Ever. Aging means collecting decades of inspiration – why limit ourselves to one aesthetic?
3️⃣ Let your closet tell your story
Found this insane metallic skirt at a Paris flea market? Wore it to my kid’s PTA meeting. Kept the receipt? No. Regrets? Also no. Our clothes should scream “I’ve lived, I’ve loved, I’ve survived three recessions and still want glitter.”
But wait – it’s not all confetti and catwalks. Last year, I almost didn’t attend a music festival because “midlife women don’t do crop tops.” Then I met Sarah, a 57-year-old graphic designer rocking a holographic bralette and Doc Martens. Her mantra: “If it sparks joy, it sparks a middle finger to ageism.” We’re now festival buddies.
The Pushback Is Real (And How to Handle It):
– “Aren’t you trying too hard?”
Counter with: “Aren’t you not trying enough?” 👊
– “Shouldn’t you dress for your… shape?”
“Darling, I am. My shape is ‘badass rhombus.’” 💎
– “But what will people think?!”
“They’ll think I’ve got better things to do than police my joy.”
Final Thought: Fashion after 40 isn’t about defiance – it’s about existing unapologetically in a world that wants us to fade. Our laughter lines? Earned. Our silver streaks? Lightning bolts of wisdom. Our wardrobes? Living proof that curiosity and confidence only deepen with time.
So next time someone suggests the “classic” section, smile and say: “No thanks. I’m writing my own sequel.” 💋