26 Tips to Look Ageless in Knits (Styling Guide)

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stylist with a long red A-line leather skirt with sweater and cardigan

This general guide provides tips on how to achieve ageless style in knits.

Contents
  1. Knits are basics in the cold season
  2. What works
    • Knits outfit ideas for over 40
  3. What doesn’t work
  4. Stylist’s remarks

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post.

Knits are basics in the cold season

Knits are great to add color to our wardrobe. They are also comfortable and most of them do not require ironing. When wearing knits think beyond chunky heavy sweaters and jackets. There are no reasons for wearing baggy and chunky knits when temperatures drop into the single or negative digits.

There are so much more options. Norwegian Lice sweaters or jackets are real classics and look great with both jeans or wool trousers. Wearing an original with the right fit of this iconic pieces is a great start for an ageless look. Learn more about what to look for in an Fair Isle sweater to be able to distinguish a trendy version from an ageless original piece and about what the key characteristics of the original Irish cable-knit sweaters are at the links (Posts open in new tabs).

Know the high quality originals.

Season-less, light knits in silk, cashmere or Merino wool are great investments and layering pieces. Layering is always in style. Actually, layering is timeless, chic and stylish. Thin jersey allows for great cuts and tailoring. It’s also travel friendly as it won’t wrinkle.

Pro advice for buying knits: For ageless style invest in classic pieces in the highest quality you can afford.

over 50 years old fashion blogger having an ageless look in knits

woman in short sleeve cardigan with skirt

fashion for mature women putting a faux twinset together
Outfit details: “Faux twinset” made of Moda International cashmere sweater with August Silk short sleeve cardigan worn with Anne Klein slingback pumps, Hermes collier de chien cuff, Jaeger tote, statement necklace and studs (all own) plus striped pencil skirt c/o eShakti

What works

  1. Twinsets – faux or real
  2. Knit skirt with cardigan as an unmatched suit
  3. Silk or cashmere sweater with an evening dress
  4. A cardigan instead of a blazer
  5. Cardigan over a shift or sheath dress
  6. Jersey layering top or cashmere/silk sweater under a sheath or jumper
  7. Tailored wool or cashmere sweater knit coats or jackets
  8. Cotton jersey tailored dresses
  9. Sleek sweater dresses. See this post for how to wear a sweater dress.
  10. Turtleneck Fair Isle sweater in natural colors with a pencil skirt, wool dress pants (for work in winter) or dark jeans on the weekend
  11. Fishermen cable-knit sweater with pencil skirt or wool pants (for work in winter) with jeans (for weekend)
  12. Jersey (wrap) dresses, coats, skirts, pants or blazers
  13. Tights
  14. Leggings for the gym

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Knits outfit ideas for over 40

Here are some styling options of what works well for the office, vacation and weekend. Get inspired.

midlife style blogger in posh jersey wrap dress with delicate print Samantha Brown jersey wrap dress with a delicate print c/o HSN, accessorized with wood watch c/o Jord, worn with own Dr. Scholl wedges, Jones New York cardigan, and Kate Moss for Longchamp satchel

style blogger in snake print skirt with brown J. Crew skirt, GNW tight, Söfft boots, GNW Luxe (dyed) sweater, smoky quartz statement necklace, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Festina watch (all own) and pearl studs c/o Wendy Mignot

jersey fit-and-flare long-sleeve paisley print dress Karina Dresses paisley print long-sleeve fit-and-flare dress, Gucci belt, GNW tight, L.K. Bennett suede leather boots (all own)

fashion over 40 woman in knit dress Anne Klein scarf, statement belt, GNW polka dot tight (all own), dress c/o Amiclubwear and Musse & Cloud booties c/o Coolway

stylist in knit dress and booties Barbour cable-knit dress with brown GNW tights, Kieselstein Cord belt and buckle, smoky quartz statement necklace, Hermes collier de chien bangle and Coach logo fabric leather booties

stylist with cotton jersey tailored dress eShakti tailored cotton jersey dress with Jaeger tote, Madden Girl lace-up sandals, Hermes cuff, garnet statement necklace, and Medor watch (all own)

style book author donning ageless style in a fit-and-flare knit dress eShakti fit-and-flare color blocked cotton jersey dress with Anne Klein pumps, Hermes collier de chien bangle and brooch (all own)

mature woman wearing a chic cashmere V-neck knit sweater with A-line skirt GNW Luxe cashmere wool V-neck sweater with Burberry skirt, unbranded pantyhose, Hermes collier de chien bangle, native mother-of-pearl and onyx watch, opera length pearl necklace, H-bracelet (all own)

Nicole of High Latitude Style featuring Femme Luxe's Penelope sweater midi knit dress GNW purple tight, Söfft shearling buckle booties, unbranded belt, Heide Ara buckle, amethyst earrings (all own) and Penelope sweater dress c/o Femme Luxe

blogger Nicole in blue, taupe, white, green fall outfit with shades Celeste c/o Eagle Eyes with skirt c/o LilySilk, studs c/o Wendy Mignot, own Sak bag, unbranded pantyhose, Gloria VanDerBilt open-toe pumps, Burberry London trench coat, Brooks Brothers top, lapis and malachite beads necklace (all own)

blogger in mock neck cashmere knit sweater under a sheath dress Brooks Brothers mock neck cashmere sweater under Ruby Belle plaid sheath dress with GNW tights, Steve Madden booties (all own)

work outfit with knitted dress over skirt Barbour cable-knit dress worn over suede skirt belted with vintage MOSCHINO belt for shape and proportions and red tights and red Manolo Blahnik booties to elongate the legs

style over 50 woman in dress with cami Karina Dresses empire-waist dress, BP ankle strap espadrilles, statement necklace and bracelet, Ray Ban mirrored aviator sunglasses, Jockey camisole, and Coach bag (all own)

BF jeans, short sleeve blazer, jewelry, bag Dressing up distressed BJ jeans with a white short sleeve blazer, floral pumps, a silk cashmere knit sweater, Tissot watch, golden bangle, Hermes collier de chien bangle and white jade and onyx necklace c/o Almo Jewellery

fashion blogger in plaid sheath, red cardigan and tights Dyed Moda International long silk cashmere cardigan over Ruby Belle plaid sheath dress with GNW tights, Hermes collier de chien bangle, statement leopard pendant necklace, and Peter Kaiser block heel pumps (all own)

mature woman in white leather pants with red turtle neck top Anne Klein cable-knit turtleneck sweater with Newport News leather pants, pearls, Kieselstein Cord belt, H-buckle, Hermes collier de chien bangle, and Apostrophe pumps (all own)

mature fashion blogger in maxi skirt with slit, purple pumps and sweater Unbranded purple cashmere sweater, DIY belt, Prada pumps, unbranded pantyhose, Hermes collier de chien bangle, headband, amethyst earrings (all own) and studded skirt c/o Misook

influencer in Fair Isle sweater with pencil skirt Eddie Bauer Fair Isle sweater with Ann Taylor leather pencil skirt, GNW tights, and Harley Davidson booties

stylist wearing a blue dress, boots, belt, statement necklace and floral scarf holding MessyWeekend sunglasses Sunnies c/o Messyweekend with own unbranded silk scarf, Diane von Fürstenberg dress, Gucci scarf, statement necklace, topaz earrings, L.K. Bennett tall boots, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Festina watch, Prada bag (all own)

over 50 years old style blogger with a galaxy print fit-and-flare dress Lula Roe abstract galaxy-like print fit-and-flare dress, statement belt, Very Fine sandals, Belorita fish bag, statement necklace with moonstone and citrine, Hermes collier de chien bangle (all own) and c/o Tricia Tanaka cape hoodie

What doesn’t work

  1. Cheap jersey
  2. Any dress shorter than two hands above the knee (aka micro minis)
  3. Baggy knit dresses – frumpy
  4. Ruffles, embroidery and embellishment (sequins, pearls, etc.) all on one piece
  5. Shapeless knit skirt plus baggy knit sweater/jacket combinations –
    frumpy

    Knitted skirt and top with ruffles
    Cute on a doll, but frumpy on a real woman. “Nyssa kaye wiggs” by soudane is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

     

  6. 50s’ cropped cardigans with beading along the neck and at the end of the sleeves – old-fashioned
  7. Fair Isle vests – past your prime. You don’t want to re-live the 70s.
  8. Holiday sweaters. There is a reason they are called Ugly Holiday sweaters, right?
  9. Crochet bikini
    crochet bikini
    Knitted “crochet bikini” “Shades of blue” by picable is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

     

  10. Woodstock-type crochet coats, jackets, vests or sweaters. It looks like you want to re-live your youth again. We are happy with who we are!
    Woodstock crochet jacket. “Woodstock Duster pattern photo” by mtnmermaid is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

     

  11. Tight and super mini knit dresses (sausage alert) with over-the-knee boots (too young)
  12. Knit ponchos

Stylist’s remarks

Cashmere, Merino wool and silk jerseys in the neutral colors of you palette in simple, classic cuts are worth the investment. Buy them in the highest quality you can afford. Cotton pieces are great for vacation and the weekend. Musk ox underwool, qiviut, is great for scarfs and hats.

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Do you like wearing knits? What’s your favorite, sweater, cardigans, or dresses? Where do you wear them? How do you wear your knits? Have you already stocked up on knits for the cold season? Do you prefer knit tops or dresses? Let me know, I am curious.

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Photos: G. Kramm

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