6 Winter Style Lessons I Learned From Fashionable Women in Their 40s and Beyond

While Gen Z is firmly in the throes of Y2K dressing, those of us who remember the low-slung jeans and crop tops from the first time around are looking elsewhere for some fashion inspiration. It is a widely known fact that great style is ageless, and some of the most stylish women in fashion are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s and have spent a lifetime curating their refined looks while still making current trends work for them.

There are plenty of valuable lessons in figuring out how to build a timeless wardrobe (get ready to take notes) but also how to stay true to your own personal style, as fashion is all about self-expression and what makes you feel good above all else. Having been guilty of buying into a few quick fads and whatever is trending on TikTok, I'm changing to a better approach to shopping, always bearing in mind what will stand the test of time and get the most wear in the future too. 

So after looking to some of my favorite over-40 fashion bloggers and influencers for inspiration, I found some reoccurring tips for stylish dressing at any age and for every season. From statement silhouettes to classic wardrobe must-haves, keep scrolling to see some pointers from the fashion bloggers and influencers who know how to dress in your 40s, 50s, and 60s and are inspiring my winter outfits going forward. 

There is a reason that tailoring is known as "power dressing," and getting the right fit can make you feel incredible. At Who What Wear, we are evangelical about the power of a good blazer, and whether worn as a full suit or paired with skirts and dresses, a well- cut blazer appears in the wardrobes of most fashionable women for its ability to elevate any look. Investing in a good-quality, classic blazer is a shrewd choice. You'll get wear out of it for years to come.

According to Neiman Marcus, "Women who wear black lead colorful lives," and there is something to be said about the sense of mystery that an all-black outfit portrays. Elegant, refined, and understated, black is a reliable fail-safe for when you want to look put together with minimal effort. Well, if it's good enough for Coco Chanel…

So now you've mastered head-to-toe black, it doesn't mean that timeless dressing has to be boring. In fact, statement prints and acid brights are the ones we come back to time and again—just ask leopard print and Barbiecore. Celebrate the joy in dressing up by embracing (and even clashing) different colors and prints for a look guaranteed to turn heads for all of the right reasons. 

Having a trench coat in your arsenal might actually be the smartest purchase you can make this season. As we head out of the transitional period between fall and firmly into a chilly winter, layering is key, and some of our favorite influencers have already cottoned on to the versatility of the easy trench. Wear oversize and undone for autumn, and opt for a heavier, leather version for winter. Just add a cozy knit. 

One of the easiest style dilemmas to solve is how to make a simple outfit feel a bit more special. The answer? Introduce different textures. Pairing the unexpected adds a point of interest—think a chunky knit and satin skirt, tweed jacket, and leather trousers, or a floaty maxi dress with a faux-fur coat and woven accessories, anything that feels good, looks good too.  

Big sleeves, big skirts, big shoulder pads, and plenty of attitude… With age comes confidence, best showcased in voluminous dresses, skirts, jackets, and knits that bring the drama. And if you aren't feeling your most self-assured, fake it to make it. In a big dress or power shoulder, you can't help but walk a little taller. Fashion-forward, and not to mention comfortable, oversize proportions are the secret weapon of some of the most stylish women in fashion. Everyone should have an outfit in their wardrobe that acts as a sartorial pick-me-up.

Next, underwear-as-pants is taking over Hollywood right now—4 celebs perfecting it. 

This post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK.