Best Stylist Secrets to Look Modern in Tweed

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Tweed is a high-quality fabric, sustainable and a classic. However, it’s also often associated with conservative, old-fashioned. This post covers how you can look modern in tweed creating a young and hip, open-minded impression in this fabulous fabric.

 

 

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Tweed Dreams and Nightmares

Fashion has its great tweed moments. Which girl has never dreamed of a Chanel tweed jacket? How awesome did Jackie O. look in her tweed skirt? Tweed is a classic stylish material. Tweed is a classic and it is so versatile. A high-quality tweed skirt is worth the investment. However, it’s important to know how look great in tweed over 40, to not look old-fashioned or Old Lady.

The reason is that tweed is also associated with often boring conservative winter clothes (e.g., suits, skirt suits with a hem below the knee). Furthermore, tweed was what our mothers wore for Sunday’s Best when they were our age. Some of us may have worn a tweed (skirt) suit with pumps to our first job interview.

 

 

mature fashion woman in sheath dress with cutouts
Go for interesting details like the cutout.

 

fashion over 50 woman in office appropriate look
BB Dakota dress, gemstone animal necklace, Jeanne Pierre sweater, GNW tights, Steve Madden Mary Janes.

 

stylist looking ageless in a floral tweed sheath under an aqua sweater
Ann Taylor sweater dyed aqua blue, BB Dakota floral sheath, GNW tights, Seiko watch, and Hermes collier de chien bangle.

 

 

Tweed Is an Often Overlooked Classic

Tweed is a classic stylish coarse wool  fabric and is so versatile to style. An item in this material is worth the investment. However, don’t wear it your mother’s way or like in the 1980s. Instead, strive for a modern look in tweed over 40.

 

 

style blogger in bomber jacket riding boots, coarse wool skirt, cashmere sweater
Brooks Brothers turtleneck sweater, Rebecca Collins necklace, Moda International aviator jacket, Eddie Bauer skirt, Hipstik tights, Sanchez riding boots.

 

 

unexpected tweed with floral print outfit
Back view of outfit described below.

 

style book author in a tweed skirt with floral top
Eddie Bauer skirt, Notations floral top, BCBGMAXARIS belt, Festina watch, Hermes collier de chien bangle and Valentino pumps.

 

Stylists’ Tips to Look Modern in Tweed

  1. Try to style a straight, just above-the-knee tweed skirt casual with a sport vibe by adding a belted cable knit sweater and statement sneakers.
  2. Wear a tweed jacket with a white button-down shirt or turtleneck sweater and jeans or leather pants and pumps for the office (if your dress code allows denim and leather).
  3. For date night try a distressed denim just above the knee skirt with sequin top and a tweed blazer, a clutch and black patent leather pumps.
  4. If you can pull off high waisted pants, try a pair in tweed and pair them with a turtleneck sweater and pumps. Think a modern interpretation of Marlene Dietrich’s signature style from the 40s.
  5. For the daring, try pairing a tweed skirt with a floral top. So unexpected.
  6. Get your tweed piece in an unexpected cut, for instance, cut as a motorcycle or bomber jacket. Style it like you would style a piece in that cut.
  7. A tweed coat in a classic cut works with nearly everything. Add a pop of color with your accessories. Think of your outerwear like you think of your OOTD. Your outerwear is your urban/outdoor OOTD.
  8. Wear a straight tweed skirt with riding boots, opaque tights, a crew-neck sweater, a bomber jacket and chandeliers for casual Friday.

 

 

 

 

stylist in Casual fall outfit
The Limited striped T-shirt, Eddie Bauer skirt, Levi’s jacket, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Camel bag and Steve Madden fall booties.

 

 

style blogger in winter work outfit with tweed skirt and denim jacket
Eddie Bauer skirt, GNW Luxe sweater, Pavlova scarf, Star denim jacket, Hermes collier de chien bangle, pearl barrette, GNW tight, and Vice Camuto boots.

 

 

Create Cool Looks with a Tweed Jacket, Blazer or Coat

A tweed jacket provides instant chic Business Casual Style with a white button-down shirt or turtleneck sweater and jeans or pants and pumps for work. A Chanel-type tweed jacket with a graphic Tee plus distressed jeans make a cool Casual Friday look. A just above-the-knee denim skirt with sequin top and a tweed blazer are perfect for going out for drinks with the girls on Friday night. A tweed coat in a classic cut works with nearly everything and is great for a capsule coat wardrobe. It looks so posh chic with a pop of color.

 

Stylist tip: Glam up your tweed clothes.

 

midlife style blogger featuring how to look modern in tweed motorcycle jacket and denim skirt
DIY necklace, Jacket Society motorcycle tweed jacket, Oliveoskirt, GNW tight, Kieselstein Cord belt , college Tee, Hermes collier de chien bangle, and Nicole fall sandals.

 

over 50 years old stylist looking modern in tweed jacket and leather pants
Jacket Society jacket, London Jean leather pants, Ann Taylor sweater, DIY necklace, GNW socks, Steve Madden Mary Janes, Festina watch, and layering top c/o Adea.

 

leather cullotes and wool blazer
Anne Klein blazer, Jones New York button-down shirt, Christian Louboutin pumps, unbranded leather culottes, Coach bag and DvF sunglasses.

 

 

fashion blogger over 50 in leather pants fall work outfit
Newport News leather pants, Ann Taylor blazer, snake-buckle belt, Oscar de la Rente scarf, Philip Lim 3.1 bag, and Anne Klein pumps.

 

 

Try a Tweed Skirt with (Fake) Twinset for a Modern Business Casual Look

A coarse wool skirt always looks stylish with a fine knit sweater, opaque tights and loafers. More on how to wear knits.

Stay with the basic classics: A sweater, cardigan, tight, boots and the American Classic tweet skirt. Go for an unexpected fake twinset with sweater and cardigan in the same material, but different color. Either go with matching colors, color blocking, or one of the two having a pattern where you pick up one color. Use one color to ground your look. In this example, the gray occurs in the skirt, sweater, tight, and cardigan.

 

Stylist tip: Wrap the cardigan around your shoulders

 

style book author in winter look with tweet skirt with sweater and cardigan worn over the shoulders
L.L. Bean argyle sweater, Moda International cardigan, Vince Camuto boots, GNW tight, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Bulova watch, gemstone bangle, Ray Ban sunglasses.

 

A belt gives shape to a twinset business casual style look.

 

midlife lady in long cardigan, belt, necklace, and knee length tweed skirt with boots
Philosophy cardigan, Eddie Bauer skirt, Gucci belt, DIY necklace, Hermes collier de chien bangle, GNW tight, and Vince Camutto boots.

 

over 50 years old blogger in casual winter style with gray skirt, black boots, tights, jacket and huntergreen sweater with cat
Eddie Bauer tweed skirt, GNW tights, Sanchez riding boots, GNW Luxe sweater, gemstone necklace, Jäger knit janker.

 

 

 

Add Interest by Wearing It Your Way

 

Stylist tip: Create interest by wearing classic pieces in an unexpected way.

 
See, for instance, the Chanel-inspired sheath with three brooches.

style blogger in Chanel style sheath dress
Chanel-inspired sheath  c/o Shein, brooches, GNW sweater and tight, Hermes collier de chien bangle and leather cuff, barrette, Antonio Melani booties.

 

Another example is wearing a sheath as skirt with belt.

 

coarse wool sheath worn as skirt
Jeanne and Pierre sweater, BB Dakota sheath dress, smoky quartz belt, Hermes collier de chien bangle, studded head band, GNW tights, Jimmy Choo boots, and sport watch c/o Jord.

 

 

Wear a Tweed Skirt/Dress Beyond the Office

A straight, just above-the-knee tweed skirt with nude pantyhose, a twinset, pearl necklaces and flat loafers are an evergreen classic. To not look dated make sure the skirt’s cut and shoes are modern; the colors are neutrals or the current It color.

 

Stylist tip: Take inspiration where you see it and twist it your way.

 

Create a casual sporty weekend look with a cable-knit sweater and statement sneakers. A coarse skirt with floral top is an eclectic style Must-do. Or wear a straight tweed skirt with riding boots and motorcycle or bomber jacket, opaque tights, a crew-neck sweater, and chandeliers.

 

style book author in tweed skirt and floral bomber
GNW Luxe sweater, Eddie Bauer tweed skirt, GNW tight, Vince Camuto boots, Rebecca Taylor bomber, Hermes collier de chien bangle, and baroque pearl necklace c/o Pearl Clasp.

 

style blogger in coarse wool skirt and cable knit sweater
Anne Klein sweater, Halogen skirt, silk scarf, GNW tight, Hermes collier de chien, and Jimmy Choo boots.

 

style book author in otk suede caloches
Carhartt gingham shirt, Ann Taylor floral skirt, Dior otk-boots, YSL bag, Ray Ban aviators, Moda International sweater, Festina watch, and Hermes collier de chien bangle.

 

 

What to Wear with Coarse Wool Pants

Style high waisted tweed pants with a turtleneck sweater and sturdy heel pumps. Wear them with a sweat-shirt or tee, lace-up oxfords, pearl necklace, and diamond studs.

At the ski resort, coarse wool pants look fabulous with a colorful fake Fair Isle sweater or Norwegian lice jacket and loben boots for dinner or drinks at the bar.

Try a British-inspired outdoor look: Slim tweed pants, Wellingtons, a paisley button-down shirt, and  leather patches corduroy jacket.

 

monochromatic weekend look with coarse fabric bottom and opaque tight
Eddie Bauer Fair Isle sweater and skirt, Hermes collier de chain bangle, statement belt, GNW opaque tights, and Vince Camuto boots.

 

Stylist tip: Tweed fabric is as versatile as denim. Wear it the same way for instant style.

 

 

Further Tweed Skirt Outfit Ideas

The floral weave of the Ann Taylor skirt shown below looks unexpected. The unmatched suit combination creates a modern vibe.

 

woman in tweed skirt with blazer as unmatched suit
Vittari blazer, Landsend sweater, Longchamp satchel, L.K. Bennett pumps, Kieselstein Cord belt, quartz necklace, and Hermes collier de chien bangle.

 

influencer in mix prints/pattern
Burberry blazer, L.K. Bennett pumps, Gucci scarf and Longchamp satchel.

 

The following is an alternative version of Casual Friday outfits.

 

fashion blogger over 55 in tweed skirt and denim jacket
Great Northwest jacket, Ann Taylor tweed skirt, GNW Luxe sweater, GNW tight, LV bucket bag, DIY necklace and Ampbell ducks.

 

 

midlife woman in a posh corporative office style
Ann Taylor skirt, Oliveo button-down, smoky-quartz necklace, Tissot watch, Oliveo blazer, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Longchamp bag, and Dior otk-boots.

 

 

The Coarse Weave Looks Great with a Pop of Color

See these inspirations with an Eddie Bauer skirt.

 

over 50 years old Alaskan style blogger in tweed skirt with down blazer and polka dot tights
GNW polka dot tights, Vince Camuto slouchy boots, Max Mara blazer, Brooks Brothers turtleneck sweater, quartz pendant necklace, and Judith Leiber charm belt.

 

fashion blogger in heels and above the knee skirt
Pantyhose, Christian Louboutin pumps, J. Crew top, and gemstone necklace.

 

mature woman in tweed skirt with motorcycle vest
GNW tights, fall booties, Landsend sweater, Modalu Pippa bag, and VS leather vest.

 

over 50 years old stylist wearing a tweed skirt with pop of color
Brooks Brother sweater, halftee, GNW tight, Christian Louboutin neon  pumps.

 

 

More Tweed Jacket Outfit Ideas

See these outfit inspirations with a Jacket Society biker jacket.

great look in tweed with unexpected cut
Brooks Brothers sweater, Oliveo leather skirt, Prada bag, DIY pendant necklace, Valentino pumps, and wooden watch c/o Jord.

 

mature style blogger in a tweed motorcycle jacket with sheath dress
Unbranded leather sheath, Anne Klein sweater, DIY pendant necklace, Festina watch, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Haftee, pantyhose and Apostrophe Mary Janes.

 

fashion over 50 midlife woman in tweed motorcycle jacket with leather pants
London Jean leather pants, Salvotore Ferragamo pumps, Jaeger tote, Hermes collier de chien bracelet, statement belt, and layering top c/o Adea.

 

 

Tweed Provides Stylish Thermal Comfort

Tweed is a great fabric. It has great insulation properties and can make the stretch from elegant to casual without problems. This means a tweed skirt, jacket or blazer are a good investment.

 

over 50 years old blogger with shoulder long hair looking street chic in biker, skirt, boots and floral scarf
Pantyhose, Anne Klein scarf, Lookbook Store biker jacket, GNW cable-knit knee-highs and sweater, Sanchez riding boots.

 

 

How Not to Wear Tweed over 40

  1. Matching skirt and/or pants plus blazer as this combination was the go-to in the 80s for the twenty somethings. Thus, this look lets us over 40 look old-fashioned/trapped in time.
  2. Wearing it like your mother did. It would send the message that you never developed your own style and/or ideas. Copy-cat alert in the worst sense!
  3. Wearing a straight tweed skirt with lace flat shoes and a matching embellished twinset or a boxy long (shapeless) jacket.

 

 

In a Nutshell How to Look Modern in Tweed

The main secrets to create great looks in tweed clothes are:

  1. Unmatch the suits,
  2. Add bold color or prints,
  3. Glam them up.

 

You may also like to read about how to create a posh monochromatic look.

 

Photos: G. Kramm

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