This post provided mom and daughters opinions on the secrets of style by bloggers who blog as a mom-daughters pair. There are these sayings
“like mother, like daughter”
“she is a chip from the old block.”
I always wondered about these sayings. The first one leaves open whether the similarity is due to genes or education or both. The second one suggests that genes are the cause. Read what these women have to say about effortlessly chic style for women over 40.
- Let’s Some Mom-daughter Fashion Experts Weight In
- Mothers on the Secrets of Great Style over 40
- Nancy, Jodie’s Step Mother, and the 60’s Model at Jodie’s Touch of Style
- Charlotte, Jodie’s Mom, and the 70’s model at Jodie’s Touch of Style
- Abby at Abby and Elle
- Victoria from A Mother, a Daughter and Life
- Tina from Tina’s Pink Friday
- Sheela Goh, Eve’s mother, and blogger at Sheela Writes
- Daughters on Fashion Trends to try over 40
- Jodie, the 50’s model at Jodie’s Touch of Style
- Elle at Abby and Elle
- Katie at A Mother, a Daughter, and Life:
- Sarah at Tina’s Pink Friday
- Eve, Sheela Goh’s daughter, and blogger at The World according to Eve
- Look of the Day Featuring Secreats of Great Style
- Conclusions on Mom and Daugther Opinions on the Secrets of Style
Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post.
Let’s Some Mom-daughter Fashion Experts Weight In
There are many mother-daughter fashion blogs and in some families both the mother and daughter run a fashion blog. These women are all very stylish and inspirational, but their outfits show personal style, i.e. the daughter is not a copycat of the mother or vice versa. While the sense for style may be genetic, the differences may be education in its broadest sense (culture, friends, traditions, etc.). More on how to deal with copycats.
I asked the mothers to answer just the following question
What is your most important advice to look to their best fashion and style wise for women over 40?
and the daughters to answer this question
Which of the current trends would be awesome for women over 40 to try?
I was quite astonished about the answers. Read yourself.
Mothers on the Secrets of Great Style over 40
Nancy, Jodies’s Step Mother, and the 60’s Model at Jodie’s Touch of Style
If I were to give advice to women over 40, I would share several things that my step-daughter has taught me. First, don’t be too matchy-matchy!! Put different colors together, not just a white shirt! She has also taught me to look for items with interest in them, so as not to be so plain. I also have learned to pay attention to my shoes. They can be a standout-item! I could probably go on and on but those are my top three ideas!
Charlotte, Jodie’s Mom, and the 70’s model at Jodie’s Touch of Style
Having worked professionally in alterations – I would have to say fit is the most important advice for looking fashionable. It’s amazing how a person thinks an item “fits okay” until it’s been altered to “fit perfectly”. Of course the bright colors are also very nice to balance out our white hair.
Abby at Abby and Elle
I think women over forty could try most of the current fashion trends if they feel comfortable with them. I might question the cold shoulder trend for that age group. That would depend on how comfortable they feel with baring their shoulders. The one I would not recommend (to anyone) is the swimsuit top; wearing your one piece like a shirt.
All the other trends this season should be pretty easy to pull off no matter what your age. Like a pop of yellow, sometimes it seems older women are better at accessorizing than the younger generation. So pulling off this trend should be easy. You can get a two for one with a skinny scarf that is yellow.
Plaids and stripes don’t have an age limit either. Right now comfort is in, which should bring a sigh of relief to women over forty. You can don a striped dress with tennis shoes and be trendy this season. Or you can take the same dress, assuming the color coordinates, and pair it with chunky brown sandals.
Victoria from A Mother, a Daughter and Life
I am an over 60 woman and I know I look at fashion a lot different now than I did 20 years ago. My advice is step out of your comfort zone. I think sometimes we find a “formula” that works and instead of trying new things we stay with the tried and true. There is nothing wrong with tried and true but you have to add to it to look fresh and vibrant. My body and shape have changed over the years but my mind still feels like I am 30. lol
Tina from Tina’s Pink Friday
Women over 40 can wear everything what they want to wear. I think that an optimal fit of the clothes is key. Don’t compromise when purchasing a beautiful piece, when it lacks a great fit, for instance, when it is too tight. In that case, it has to stay in the store.
Personally, I pay attention to classic basics to have great quality fabrics. I love to mix modern with classics and I love accessories. For my money, they are the icing on the cake.
It is important to feel comfortable in the clothes. Be honest, tight uncomfortable clothes, and/or bad-fitting clothes are history for us 😉
Sheela Goh, Eve’s mother, and blogger at Sheela Writes
To have fun. Really, really. At the end of the day, it’s basically playing dress-up. That’s all it is. What other absolute daily requirement allows you to build and enact a character, if only for the time you’re wearing those clothes? To be someone else, just for a wee bit. I’m convinced rules and guidelines were created as part of a larger marketing ploy (read: to sell more) and thus, ought to be thoroughly set aside in favor of personal preferences; what puts a smile on our faces; and a lift in our steps. Anyone who tells you differently shouldn’t technically even be in your circle of friends. I’m just saying.
Daughters on Fashion Trends to Try over 40
Jodie, the 50’s model at Jodie’s Touch of Style
Right now it seems like shoulders are having their day in the spotlight, so I’m campaigning for older women to wear the open shoulder shirts! I bought one for both mom & Nancy (as we’ll be doing a series on them soon) since I loved mine so much! I think they cover all the bits that need to be covered, yet still are fashionable and sexy!!
Elle at Abby and Elle
I always recommend sticking to the classics because you can’t go wrong, no matter your age. But if you want to make a statement, flirt with accessories: funky jewelry, trendy shoes, flashy scarves or belts with bling. Of course, the advice here is moderation. I would pick one or two accessories and go wild.
I consistently get compliments from friends and strangers on my style, and I think it’s because I give thought to every item I’m wearing, from my shoes to my earrings. I love the idea of feeling “put together,” especially because, at my age, I’m being pulled in many different directions at the same time and, thus, often feel emotionally disheveled. I feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that at least I’m telegraphing the appearance of having it all together!
The other piece of advice I have is to be good to yourself. I always told my girls as they were growing up that their body was a temple and to treat it so. Drink lots of water; eat your dark, leafy greens; wear sunscreen; love deeply; meditate every morning; forgive; and belly laugh every chance you get. Whether you’re twenty or ninety, you’ll be absolutely beautiful.
Katie at A Mother, a Daughter, and Life
Two current trends that would be awesome for women over 40 to try are the “cold shoulder” and block heel shoes! The cold shoulder trend is a great way to stay somewhat cooler in these hot summer temperatures. With so many new trends being too revealing for any age, but especially “seasoned” women, the cold shoulder makes it easy to stay up with the latest styles but still have that sophistication that exudes from us wiser women.
Sarah at Tina’s Pink Friday
I like jumpsuits and Off shoulder blouses for women over 40. A jumpsuit can look cool with a denim jacket or elegant, for instance, with a blazer. Meanwhile they are available in all varieties and all sizes.
I like the Carmen or off shoulder blouses because they show off the shoulders and look so feminine even with jeans. They look romantic feminine with a skirt. There is nothing wrong about it. Women are already empowered and don’t need pants to show it. I wear mainly dresses and skirts, which is rather uncommon for my age.
Eve, Sheela Goh’s daughter, and blogger at The World according to Eve
I think jumpsuits would be a great trend to try out! Most women in their 40s (at least the ones I see in Houston) resort to athletic clothing or college tees with worn-out jeans because they don’t believe there are any other options for them. Personally I think jumpsuits are the greatest things in the world (besides chocolate)! They’re incredibly comfy and versatile. You can just slip it on in the morning if you’re late to work and all you would need are a cool pair of shoes to match. Then you could go out with some friends later that night with only having to change your shoes or putting on some accessories to switch it up.
Conclusions on Mom and Daughter Opinions on the Secrets of Style
The block heel shoes are a great style for all ages! Not to mention they are more sturdy for us women in midlife who aren’t as light on our feet as we once were! Plus, with the styles and heel height being so varied, it gives us many choices to find the perfect fit for our own lifestyles.
Yes, friends don’t let friends wear bad outfits. Interestingly there is agreement on jumpsuits and the Carmen look among the daughters and on having fun with fashion among the mothers.
Have you tried the jumpsuit and/or the Carmen trend? What trends do you think women over 40 should try? What do you think is the biggest difference in dressing fashion-forward and stylish in your twenties and over 40? Are there differences at all? Do you think your daughter or mother needs a makeover? I am curious.
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Photos of me: G. Kramm
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