If you have a jacket on this season's shopping list, but you are not sure what kind to buy, here are 6 Fall Jacket Trends to make you Look Fabulous after 40.
1. Romantic Ruffles
Though Ruffles are one of the hottest trends this season, they can be hard to pull off if you are over 40. Why? They can look too "little girly" and all those busy ruffles can just add bulk if you are busty or have a few extra midlife pounds at the waist. If you do find a jacket with ruffles that you like, don't buy it unless it is in a strong color like red. (Pastel blue or pink will make you look like an outdated mother of the bride) Next, balance out the feminine jacket with something tailored and masculine, like simple black pants, to give it a modern edge. Add some "I mean business black heels" to make you look grown-up and sexy.
2. Long live Leather
If you like leather but you are worried about looking like an old biker, then try a leather jacket with a new style twist. Soft quilting gives a leather an upscale Chanel look. Military pomp and detail on a leather jacket is also fresh and new.
Be careful about wearing jet black leather which can be too harsh for many women over 40, because in midlife our skin and hair color pales a bit and the harsh black combined with masculine leather creates quite a jarring contrast.
Soft brown, burgundy, even cobalt blue is a popular choice this fall. If you think black leather is o.k. for your coloring, then try wearing a more elegant style like a swing jacket in black leather. You want to look chic, not tough.
3. Dusters
Very chic and very fun, Dusters are a great option for fall. They fall anywhere from mid thigh to just below the knee and create a nice long line that draws the eye down and makes you look slimmer and taller. (Petites- be careful your dusters stay above the knee).
It's best to wear a solid colored top and bottom underneath your duster (black or brown is always flattering) and put a brightly colored duster overtop. Fuchsia, gold or red or whatever bold color suits you will give the most dramatic impact and make heads turn.
4. Metallic + Plaid
Giant plaids, checks and tweeds mixed with metallics are the newest arrivals on the fashion scene creating a glamorous high fashion look. Choose a jacket with a classic trench or swing coat cut and 3/4 sleeves to look most modern and youthful. If you want to look Fabulous after 40 you have to be willing to try new things.
Get rid of that stodgy two button navy blazer and try a version of this. One other tip-with any patterned jacket, make sure the patterns line up at the seams of the shoulders and lapels.
5. Color+ Comfort
Structure is good because it makes a soft body look more angular, but we all want comfort too. That's why more structured cardigans in an array of modern styles are so popular at the moment.
Try a 3/4 length sleeve, double breasted, burnt orange, merino wool cardigan for example, or how about a gorgeous wool swing back leopard print jacket? These pieces are simple, rich and that just what you need to make the statement I'm over 40 and I'm fabulous!
6. Texture Galore
One thing you'll notice this fall is texture. You'll see lots of textured fabrics like boucle, houndstooth and tweed. There are also many interesting textured details on jackets- at necklines, on sleeves and pockets giving this season's clothes a cutting edge look. Texture can be beautiful but sometimes too much texture can add pounds, so just remember that wherever the texture is you are going to look heavier.
Pants with textured detailing at the hips, such as suede accented hip pockets, is not a great choice if you are someone with who is pear shaped. Better to put the texture up top. Leather accents on a neckline would be fine for a pear shape woman as the texture up top would help balance out her shape by drawing the eye up.