Over 40 Fashion Rules: fact or fiction

Usually, I’m comfortable in my clothes and wear what I like and call it a day, absolutely denying there are over 40 fashion rules except wear what looks good without try appear 20+ years younger. My body issues have changed over the years, and I dress for them. But I was genuinely surprised when I was told I was too old for this leather skirt. *confidence shot* Normally, I ignore other people’s opinions (at my peril), but this one affected me. In fact, I let my skirt hang in my closet for over a year while debating if this woman was correct. This DVF skirt, as opposed to mine from 2 years ago, would be perfect! It’s stretchy and a great length; but, I can’t justify another DVF leather skirt (yet).

Here was my thought process after sulking a bit:
Denial - She’s wrong. I’m not too old.
Questioning - Perhaps it is too short, but leather is a classic. The cut is tailored, the leather is buttah, the color is timeless — and it fits like a leather glove.
Concession - I’m out of shape, it’s too short, she was right. If only it reached my knees. I’ll save it for Chloe.
Oblivion - I”ll move it to the back of the closet and forget about it… for a while.
Denial - ”What would Anna Dello Russo do?” Although I’ll never, ever have her sartorial flair, boldness or closet, I’ll be darned if she wouldn’t wear a simple short leather skirt!! Game on (or rather skirt on).

Looking at the photos, I’m not in love with my styling or my pale legs, but what do you think: is leather only for under 45 and is this length too short for someone of my age (47)? Do you follow any over 40 fashion rules?

leather skirt swing coat jcrew cashmere sweater woven clutch

cashmere sweater: J.Crew | leather skirt: Diane von Furstenberg | mirrored silver shoes: similar | woven clutch: similar

photos by Erin Trimble

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  • babychicken1

    You totally rock this skirt! You’ve kept the styling simple and understated and it works for you. BTW, I’m 50 and have been keeping my eye out for that perfect leather skirt.

  • Hunter

    I think you totally rock this outfit; and I think you are never too old to wear leather! It is a classic piece :)

    Hunter
    http://www.preponabudget.com

  • http://www.sewsnbows.com/ Amy mayen

    I’m torn, because you look great in that skirt! I had a fashion crisis around 30 because I wanted to still dress trendy and not look like a soccer mom…but I also wanted to dress my age and look sophisticated and less junior department. So I had to make a lot of decisions about what to keep and what to donate. I definitely say to keep the skirt, you’re in shape and it’s a classic. You could pair it up with black tights if the length bothers you. It’s a tough call for me because you don’t look your age. You should ask Stacey Clinton from what not to wear. She’s in her 40s, looks stylish and fabulous, but never too “old” or frumpy. Tweet her lol! She’s my fashion idol.

  • Rea Alducente

    I honestly think you look great on that leather skirt! In fact, I like the entire outfit. To me, it doesn’t seem like you’re 47 but it also doesn’t look like you’re trying hard. It’s perfect! Love it :)

    REAlity Bites

  • http://lady-of-style.blogspot.de/ Lady of Style

    Kim, this is a classy skirt and your styling is excellent (my honest opinion)!
    “Appropriate” doesn’t necessarily depend on your age but more how much a certain piece or look flatters you and your body as well as the occasion you wear it to. You have fantastic legs and it would be a shame not to show them! And you are so right - trying too hard to look younger can only go into the wrong direction… certainly not the case here, you look stunning!

    Annette | Lady of Style

  • ann

    I’d say you look great! No worries here, I love this outfit, your coat and purse. I think it matters most…..how do you feel, is it good? If so you are fine. You have great legs so show them. This would also look good with tights and booties. I feel uncertain about sleeveless in the summer for me. So I don’t wear it often although others say I look fine. So probably a look I won’t be sporting often.

    blue hue wonderland

  • Beata B

    Dearest Kim, you look fabulous! Funny you should touch on this subject, just today I had a little discussion with Ariane from Style Sud Est because I felt my last dress was also a little short. Bottom line is, if it fits and flatters you, you should wear it, and this skirt definitely does!! You have fantastic legs and should show them off :) Hugs & kisses, Beata xxx

  • Patti_NotDeadYetStyle

    Kim, you look gorgeous and the skirt is wonderful! Do not follow any rules except your own, and dress with confidence, I say (at my advanced age of 58!). Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday.

  • Pam@over50feeling40

    I want a skirt just like this! You look amazing and I love the coat! You should be very confident…you are amazing! I set my own rules and decide the others which fit me to follow! Have a wonderful week…

  • Carylee

    Um. You look absolutely fabulous! Your legs are amazing, and I was honestly picturing the worst as I was reading your post. There’s a fine line between young/slightly trashy and this skirt is neither of those things. If it looked like it was sprayed on you, that would be one thing- but that would also be pretty bad on anyone- big, small, old, young. There are definitely “young” looks, and this is not one of them. You rock it, and feel proud!
    morepom.blogspot.com

  • Happinessatmidlife

    I think this skirt looks amazing on you! As someone that’s over 40, I personally feel uncomfortable in a shorter skirt but found that wearing tights with it makes it feel less exposed. I think you have great legs and be proud of them!

    Alice
    http://www.happinessatmidlife.com

    P.S. I am hosting a Kensie giveaway, I hope you will stop by and enter :)

  • http://www.therandomwritings.com/ Rachel G

    I’m no big fan of fashion rules in general. I think anyone can wear leather…and I do think leather can be worn in ways that don’t look good at all as well as ways that look great! I think you look very good!

  • http://spashionista.com/ Spashionista

    If you can’t wear leather then neither can I. If you can’t wear a short skirt neither can I. At age 52 I wear both frequently and don’t look half as good as you do in that skirt. Wear the skirt and thumb your nose at that hypercritical, incorrect woman who made you doubt you could wear it in the first place ;-)

    Alicia

  • http://www.fortsmithstylista.blogspot.com/ Jan Graham-McMillen

    WHAT? Horsehocky. You wear it beautifully, and it’s quite appropriate. I don’t know who said that to you, but whomever it was has another think coming. Nope. It doesn’t even hint at inappropriateness. You look sleek and perfectly dressed and very grown up! And there’s about a bazillion ways to wear it. You have the legs and it’s not too short for YOU.
    Did you ask for an opinion? If so, clearly the wrong person to ask about style for you!

  • http://rockcurvatude.blogspot.com Curvatude

    rules are for tools! i will be 45 in 4 months and i wear what i want!

    rock it!

  • suzanne

    **ck the fashion rules. Pardon my French but gal…this looks grand on you! Don’t let those ageist ideas or anyone else’s creep into your brain. If you like it, and you feel you can wear it, do it! I am so sick of people saying what someone is allowed to wear because of their age. Wear what makes you happy… that is the only rule in my book.

    bisous
    Suzanne

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    Mine too… don’t know why this comment bothered me so much!

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    LOVE that quote!

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    I did ask for an opinion… but she didn’t even see it on me. That’s what threw me for a loop. It was just a blanket statement. But, I really like this skirt (and totally trust our over 40 groups’ opinions!)

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    You total badass you ;) ) I know you can wear a short skirt and rock leather!

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    Agree about the rules… and about the leather!! Maybe it’s the leather that had me hesitating!

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    I do think I should have worn tights after seeing my very pale legs. I don’t tan (and don’t want to) but the black against the white with the silver wasn’t too flattering and I think tights would also help the skirt not look so short!! Great advice.

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    Aw, thank you!

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    I definitely set my own rules… but maybe just had a few too many doubts. I needed my husband around to say - you look great (he wasn’t here :( )

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    Working on that confidence…. :)

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    I haven’t noticed anything too short on your blog… but isn’t it interesting how we are so critical of ourselves??? Gotta stop!!!

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    Thank you, Ann! I remember your post about your arms and still don’t understand. Like I mentioned to someone else, we are so self-critical. I wish I wasn’t (and try not to be). It’s harmful to us… and so bad to be like that in front of my daughter. Your arms are gorgeous and I guess I should break out the skirt more often!!!

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    Thank you, Annette!!! You also have a teen daughter so you understand the temptation and the resistance :)

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    Thanks, Rea! I always feel a little shocked when I see my age written down. Looks so old, but I definitely don’t feel it!

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    30?! Dress YOUNG because you are!!! And I agree, Stacey Clinton is a great act to emulate. I need to see what she’s wearing. Hmm, maybe I will even tweet her!

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    Yay, leather IS a classic, right?!

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    Thank you so much! Definitely check out that one I mentioned in the article… I’m dying for it. I wish this one had some stretch in it. I think we’ve been spoiled by all the stretch in jeans lately, and I can’t live without stretch in everything, haha!!

  • http://www.sewsnbows.com/ Amy mayen

    I don’t think 30 is old. But I don’t want to look like I shop at the same place as my kid. The younger, trendier stuff is made cheaper because that demographic has the smallest disposable income. I just looked in my closet one day and decided I wanted a smaller wardrobe with classic styles that are made to last. Not “older”, just better:)

    Totally tweet her:) she’ll love you!

  • MilaXX

    Personally I view so called “fashion rules” more like gudelines than hard and fast rule. I take heed that I am not wearing something a teenager should wear, but this is a simple, black leather skirt. Perfectly fine for an over 40 gal to wear.

  • http://www.acolourfulcanvas.blogspot.com/ Sue @ A Colourful Canvas

    Woah!!! Kim, you look fabulous! I believe that fashion is very, very individualized. Anyone can wear leather, as long as they *feel* great in it. And skirt lengths? I don’t think this length is too short for you, because you’ve got such great gams! I would love to see you wearing this skirt with black tights and flats…but again, maybe that style isn’t something you’d be comfortable in. The coat is ah-mazing! I love it!!!

  • http://the-travel-guru.com/ Roni Faida

    You look phenomenal. I do think that as we get older we have to be careful about some of the things we wear but that outfit you have on in these pics? Stunning.

  • http://www.nofearoffashion.com/ No fear of fashion

    What a difficult (and dangerous) question to ask. Everybody’s opinion is just their own and does not offer you any help. What is good for one person, is not for somebody else.. etc etc.
    I have been in discussions about honesty on blog comments a lot. Most of the times criticism is regarded as offensive and rude. Which I can understand, especially when it is unsollicited.
    When you ask for an opinion and everybody only flatters you… What is the point of asking?? Then again, if you do get opinions which are not nice to hear… (See my first point.) So many people, so many opinions.
    If I read between the lines of your own observations, you love the look from the past but would prefer the skirt to be longer (i.e. the DVF skirt you linked to). Really that is all the answer you need.
    A good rule to live by (IMO): when in doubt, be very careful, take a photo and assess it again. Still in doubt? Or finding flaws? Pity, but say goodbye. If your doubt is gone or you can adjust it (in this case by f.i. wearing opal tights), the better. But you are the judge, nobody else.
    A good friend of mine (Anja) wears skirts a lot shorter than I would do. Because it is who she is, because she wears it with confidence, it is totally appropriate. I would spoil such a short skirt by looking very insecure (deadly for any outfit).
    As for leather… You can wear leather till you die.
    Beautiful coat, shoes and clutch too by the way.
    Helping you or not?
    Greetje

  • Josie Mills

    You look damn fine & far from 47, my dear!

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    VERY helpful and love the honesty! Looking at the photo, I think I need tights ( my legs are too white) and flats. I think it’s a bit short, but I’m ok with that… but I’d need to see it sitting. For me, that is the test of a skirt, how does it look when I sit!! And I agree, I don’t ask for flattery (I can get that from my husband) I really wanted to know about the leather. What’s interesting is the woman who made the proclamation never even saw the skirt on me - she was a closet organizer and simply said a woman my age shouldn’t wear that skirt. She looked at it hanging and made that decision. And you have the legs to wear a short a skirt — not just flattering you!!!!

  • http://www.nofearoffashion.com/ No fear of fashion

    I am glad you are somebody who appreciates honesty. I have learned the hard way to be careful with that, but it is so against my nature not to be.
    I don’t think there is anything wrong with wearing leather. I saw a woman in a shop who turned out to be 70 (she told me) wearing pinkish grey leather trousers. Fabulous on her. It gave me such a happy feeling for the future.
    You are right to have a look at how the skirt behaves when you sit down. I remember from my tapered black leather skirt that it rides up a lot.
    Greetje

  • Amy Hobbs

    WOW WOW WOW WOW - you do NOT look 47 my dear. Embrace your youthful look and don’t let people get to you. This look is classy and timeless. No slit up to the butt and no cleavage showing. I do not think it is short, but I understand if you feel uncomfortable. I think we are all critical of ourselves and get worried about what others think. Don’t sweat the small stuff. :)