Owning Your Style Over 40

Not many people inside my social (media) circle know that I’m over 40. Actually well over 40. I’ve even experimented with presenting myself as an #Over40 blogger.

However, limiting myself to a certain age category doesn’t feel natural to me. Instead I prefer to own my style no matter my age. Not that age doesn’t limit what I can wear, because it does! No longer am I comfy in a heel greater than 3 inches.

I applaud women over 40 who buck all the fashion rules. But I prefer to make subtle adjustments to suit my personal style. This helps me feel comfortable in my own skin while experimenting with younger fashion trends.

Today’s outfit is the perfect example of how I took elements of a younger look and made it age appropriate for me.

The two style elements I’m experimenting with here are 1) The Cropped Top and 2) The See-Through Top.

Owning My Style Over 40.

The See Through Top. I’m obsessed with net and mesh tops but they present obvious challenges to modest dressing. For evening wear I’m much more likely to wear a shear top with a lace bralette or camisole as seen in my Natural Haircare post. During the daytime, I chose a more textured knit openwork sweater from Mango, which only “hints” a sheerness. For under the garment I chose a solid bra shaped like a triangle bikini from Organic Basics, giving it that brunch-to-beach vibe.

Speaking of organic and sustainable fashion, this Mango top is made from 100% recycled polyester. Mango, known for fast fashion, created a Committed line as part of their Take Action earth friendly initiative.

The Crop Top – Let’s get personal here. Diastasis recti (separation of the rectus abdominis, or “six-pack” muscles after pregnancy) all but ended my midriff bearing days after 2 births in 18 months. SO, in this look I show just a hint of tummy above my low-waistline. To own the look for my age I chose a longer pencil skirt – a vintage linen Valentino from Neutral Ground. Neutral Ground is one of my favorite online vintage stores which also happens to be founded by a Black female entreprenuer. Since this skirt is one of a kind, I’ve linked an affordable option from Club Monaco as well as a vintage Versace style if you’re interested.

To draw the eye upward, and away from my belly, I reached for a statement making cowrie-shell necklace from Coacoacentric. Voted by Pop Sugar as one of the chicest black-owned jewelry brands. I’ve always been a patron of black owned businesses on this blog. The Black Lives Matter movement has amplified the importance of supporting Black-Owned. I’ve been like a kid in a candy shop discovering all the brands I’ve discovered due to result of BLM.

At the end of the day, fashion should be fun. All the better when you own your style over 40, or at any age.

Xoxo.