Who Decided What a 40-Year-Old Should Wear?

Fashion trends are simply there to present an ideology, a set of choices, even, and it's up to us whether we bite...

If a trend is well received, it's well bought and well worn. Before long, you end up seeing a variation of clones. I've never really liked trends, but I now understand that trends simply help us make a decision. We either go against the wave, ride it sensibly, or dive in with twists and turns, creating what many call personal style.

Still, people with their own opinions will tell you how they think you should dress when you're on the 39th floor, preparing to step onto the 40th.

Imagine being expected to dress like "a 40-year-old." Ha ha ha! That was a theatrical laugh, in case it didn't quite translate through the written word.

Seriously though, what does that statement even mean?

How should you dress in your thirties? And when, exactly, does it shift from your early thirties to your late thirties? Is 36 different from 39? Or is 39 dramatically different from 40?

Make it make sense.

And while you're figuring that out, I'm going to continue wearing what I want based on the occasion, the season, and what flatters my frame.

We wrote about dressing in your thirties a couple of years ago, and the summary was simple: have fun, experiment with different looks, and wear whatever the corset you want! Honestly, not much has changed.

What I have noticed, however, and perhaps it's not new, just new to me, is that elevating a simple, one-toned outfit with a heel, no matter how small, seems to send people into a frenzy.

"Ooo... where are you going?"

Little do they realise, I am exactly where I set out to go this morning. I'm simply standing here talking to you, now wondering whether my usual attire suggests I wasn't going anywhere in the first place.

Apparently, looking nice, polished, and sophisticated becomes the trend once you approach 30 and begin nudging 40. Society seems to expect you to hang up the oversized everything (which I personally have no intention of doing) and instead opt for clothing that hints at your lady dips and curves without revealing all your lady dips and curves, if you know what I mean.

The funny thing is, most people in this age bracket still feel 25 on the inside. They don't necessarily feel different, and often they don't look drastically different either. Naturally, that mindset translates into how they dress.

The biggest difference I've noticed about dressing in your thirties isn't your age, it's your choices.

The choice of retailer.

The choice of garment.

And then the choice of how you put it all together.

There's a subtle, yet incredibly obvious, maturity that comes from how something is worn rather than what is being worn.

Let's take a typical UK summer. It's lovely to have the sun beating down on our necks, regardless of how temporary it feels.

So what do you wear?

Denim shorts, a crop top, and trainers?

Or...

Denim shorts, a crisp white linen shirt, and ballet pumps or sandals?

Now think about the accessories.

The first look: oversized hoop earrings, black sunglasses, and a shoulder bag.

The second: understated gold studs, mahogany sunglasses, and a structured handheld bag.

Same woman.

Same age.

Same summer.

Completely different vibe.

And that's the beauty of personal style.

Whether you choose to show your midriff or keep it tucked away, the choice is yours, whether you're 30, 35, 39, or well beyond.

Fashion doesn't come with an age limit. Confidence certainly shouldn't either.

The only style rule I'll always stand by is this:

Dress how you want to be addressed.

So the real question isn't, "How should a 40-year-old dress?"

It's...

How do you want your reflection to introduce you?