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fashion for the ages

Style over 40

With Style Expert Kim Johnson Gross

Are your pleated pants giving away your true age?

If you are a woman over 40, you need to know that you can be just as sexy and vital looking as your younger counterparts, according to style expert Kim Johnson Gross, creator of the Chic Simple line of books and Style Guide for About.com.

It just takes looking at your wardrobe and beauty habits with a critical eye and finding what works for you.

Big Changes

One of the more difficult fashion challenges women over 40 face is how to dress for the changes that are occurring.

Our bodies are in transition. Our lifestyles are changing. Women in the 40’s are ever changing and as your body changes so must your clothes.

And even if you are in the best shape of your life your body is physiologically changing. The key to dealing with the changes and being your best is to refresh your look".

Shoes and bags are the quickest way to update your look. For women over 40, the key is adapting trends to accommodate lifestyle.

Most of all you need learn not to hang onto what worked before; think of it as "style evolution”.

Fashion Sins for Over 40

Here are a few guidelines that will help you look your best:

Don't dress too young.
Skip baggy clothes and look for pieces that give you shape.
Don't think you can wear the same colors you did in your 20s (at least not against your face).
Don't pick colors from color charts; experiment by trying on different colors when you go shopping. You can wear (most) colors on the bottom- just be cautious of what you put near your face.
Don’t over do it in the trend department; be selective when introducing new styles, colors and silhouettes into your wardrobe- the key is to update not over-haul.

Remember: Don't worry about the trend of the moment; instead invest in pieces that make you feel great and will help develop your signature look.

Most importantly (and we can’t say this enough) getting clothes that fit is the key to building a stylish yet age appropriate wardrobe.

Fashion and Beauty Fixes

Gravity takes its toll on women of a certain age, a little camouflage goes a long way!

Wrinkled neck - Stand-up or turn-up collars, according to Gross, are a great way to cover that area and bring focus to the face.

Thick in the middle - Add jackets and pieces that will give you shape.

Thinner hair - "Your hair has to suit you. Get a fresh cut," she said. She also said shorter hair gives more of a lift and the variety of new products can improve your hairstyle.

Focus on shoulders and legs - They are the slowest to age. That doesn't mean wearing miniskirts, but you can bring attention to legs with a knee-length skirt and sexy shoes.

Change in coloring – Stylist tip: Always wear a bit of white close to the face. Soft colors -- pale pink, ivory/ beige, ice blue – all bring light to the face.

Style over 50

The solution is being comfortable in your over-50 skin: wisdom, maturity and fulfillment boost your sense of well-being.

The challenge is simply finding wearable, modern clothes to fit your lifestyle, budget and figure.

Pros may tout fashion now as being ageless, but that's no consolation when you have to pick through racks of miniskirts and low-rise jeans to find styles you love.

Keeping up with trends can be even more difficult because many fashion magazines ignore women over a certain age.

And even when the glossies try to address the issue, they tend to forget that mature women can be just as fashionable as young girls. (In August Vogue's "The Age Issue" the cover promises to show you what to wear from "17 to 70." A typical spread showed a suggested ball gown for a 60-something, with 23-year-starlit wearing it.)

Can I wear that trend?

Designers and magazines show styles on youthful models, but realistic merchants know not everyone sports taut forearms and flat tummies.

So while it may seem that stores are packed with teenage clothes, you can still find fresh, current looks that can work for you.

As a matter of fact, practically any fashion trend can be adapted if you know some general guidelines.

Quick tips to keep current:

Let the very young think (mistakenly) that dressing sexy means you have to bare every body part.
Watch your handbag: it is usually a dead giveaway to your age. Have some fun with your handbag choice by trying lively colors and different shapes. The key here is to find a bag in a good proportion to your size. Shoulder bags that fit under the armpit (not too tiny or huge) are generally the most flattering.
Know that today you don't have to trade style for comfort and ease. Shop for comfortable, updated shoes. Wear stretch fabrics whenever possible, and use accessories to create maximum impact.

Getting older and looking great while you're getting there:

Don'ts

Don't get too skinny.
Don't wear baggy, shapeless clothes.
Don't wear ditsy and fussy prints like tiny florals.
Don't wear overdone, fussy styles or details (gold buttons, gold trim, etc.). They are terribly aging.
Don't think you have to wear skirt suits to look well dressed. Even though they may be "in," some skirt suits can be very aging. Pants are generally much more youthful, so a better choice would be a pantsuit or a pant and coat ensemble.
Don't shy away from all black. It looks great, especially when textures are mixed: i.e., leather, crocodile, and patent (this lightens it up a bit and gives it life).
Don't expose your upper arms and neck: these are both tricky areas for most women over a certain age.
Don't wear your skirts too short.
Don't overdo it. Red nails, red lips, eye shadow and blush (especially when used together) -- are terribly aging.
Don't wear fussy, frilly evening attire. Go for tailored instead!

Dos

Think young.
Effect a natural look in beauty.
Choose solids: camel, red, gray, khaki and especially black and white. In fact, when in doubt, go for black and white. You can't go wrong with this combo.
Go for bold, classic patterns in black and white: houndstooth checks, stripes, argyles. They are very snappy.
Choose classic shapes (they're "snappy," too!) Shirtdresses, trench coats, pea jackets, car coats, jean jackets and jeans are eternally youthful in spirit.
Go for unfussy chic: minimalist, functional designs and details. (Hint: zippers are far more youthful than aging gold buttons).
Wear short skirts if you have good legs (but not too short -- they should fall around the knee).
Show off your shoulders- for most women shoulders are one of the last body parts to show signs of aging.
Invest in several fitted black turtlenecks. They are indispensable, flatter everyone and they always look great for day or night.
And finally, follow the old adage: Aging is a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter!