It’s fashion month! We’re a month into the new year and if you’re like me, excited for different ways to re-energize your wardrobe. Incorporating fashion trends is not about getting new clothes or changing your personal style. It’s about using the fashion landscape to maybe give those ballet flats or polo shirts in your closet, another chance. Here’s 10 top wearable 2024 fashion trends for over 40 women. And don’t miss these trends to skip below!
1. Drop waist dress
This past year, it’s been impossible to ignore the drop waist silhouette. It’s a classic style that is one of the biggest fashion trends this year. In previous seasons we’ve seen a big focus on the waist or cropped tops. And although waisted and belted looks are still trending, the drop waist is a fresh take if you love dresses. This look is perfect for women over 40 because it’s elegant and timeless and best of all….comfortable. Drop waist dresses can take the place of casual day dresses or date night outfit.
An easy way to to get the drop waist look without buying a new dress is by wearing a belt lower on your hips for the illusion to get this wearable 2024 fashion trend!
2. Polo Shirts
This timeless wardrobe staple is having a moment. We first saw it all over the Gucci spring runways and other fashion shows. The preppy look is an extension of the year of quiet luxury and serves us women over 40! The polo shirt is extremely versatile and looks beautiful with everything from skinny jeans to wide leg jeans, maxi skirts and trousers. These shirts are also a great segway from winter to early spring and a great head start to your summer wardrobe. Another way to incorporate the polished preppy aesthetic is with a sweater vest.
3. Maxi Skirts
The irony of these top trends is that along with maxi skirts, micro shorts and mini skirts are ALSO very trendy. I personally don’t feel comfortable in very micro hemlines, and if you don’t feel comfortable showing the top of your thigh either, then we’ve got the maxi skirt. These skirts are great in any season; fall and winter with boots and thermal tights, spring/summer with tanks and ballet flats or espadrilles. Another chic way to try this trend is by wearing a sheer maxi skirt with a longer blazer over this spring season. My Bordeaux bag is linked here and 15% off with code ziba15.
4. Maxi Coats
The floor sweeping coats from trench coats to faux fur coats are always in style! For women over 40, it’s a great way to incorporate a more glam look and also invest in a forever piece like a Max Mara coat. The maxi coat is functional and the perfect pairing piece to add a powerful silhoutte to any outfit. You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to wear these beautiful coats.
As spring approaches, you can also opt for a maxi cardigan, like this one here.
5. Leopard Print
The leopard print is fashion’s obsession and usually a part of major trends, especially in the fall. This year, there seemed to be a delayed explosion of this very popular print even in home decor! Thanks to Mob Wife aesthetic and a handful of designers, leopard print is on fire lately! I love this print for any age, but for women over 40 it’s a sophisticated way to add texture and little pops of color to neutral outfits. If you don’t have leopard print accessories yet, it’s a great time to look for pieces that work with your personal style.
6. Rose Trend
The best part of the spring/summer season are spring florals, polka dots and stripes! I love the laser focus on rose print as one of the top florals this year because it’s so versatile. You can go big roses or small, very colorful or muted, and the summer runways were full of all variations. Just take a look at the Simone Rocha show! New York fashion week spring/summer 2024 had a range of evening wear and perfect dressed-down iterations of this print. There’s a couple of pieces I really love and have been wearing on repeat here.
Two ways to wear the rose trend is with print or 3D. For example, you can rock this trend with a blazer with a rosette, a rose choker or even a bag with texture.
7. Cargo Pants
If you’re not a huge fan of jeans in warm weather, the good news is that cargo pants are a great alternative! They are one of the most versatile pieces and can be dressed down or up depending on what type you get. If you want a more casual vibe, opt for some pants with more cargo pockets and a denim or “parachute” type of material. For a dressier look, satin cargo pants look great with pumps and a blazer.
One thing to caution against is to wear all cargo everything! For example, instead of doing cargo jacket, cargo bag, cargo pants, etc. , just do cargo pants and diversify the other pieces.
8. Ballet Flats
Thanks to Miu Miu, Tory Burch and others, this upcoming year is embracing ballet flats. What’s there to love? Regardless of what you may see on social media, uncomfortable shoes are not flattering on anyone. So to have the luxury of chic mobility in a classic pair of ballet flats is great. In recent seasons, ballet-core has remained a constant. You don’t have to wear tutus, leg warmers or cropped sweaters to incorporate ballet flats into your wardrobe. For women over 40, ballet flats look super chic with most denim styles, and appropriate for business casual and formal alike.
9. Big Tote Bags
From Louis Vuitton to Saint Laurent to Quilted Koala, large tote bags are iconic and in demand right now. I wear my silver Quilted Koala bag a lot because it carries everything!! Get 20% off Quilted Koala site with code ZIBA20. Great for travel, and errands. For outfits that look more polished, I much prefer I small shoulder bag that reminds me of the iconic Gucci Spring/Summer 2024 show in Milan. However, the good news is that much like denim, bags range in all shapes and sizes this season!
10. Low-Rise Jeans
As mentioned before, anything goes in the land of denim for 2024 trends! In recent years, the wide leg jeans have had a dominance and those jeans are still relevant! However, if you want to do barrel leg, skinny jeans, flare, or even low-rise jeans go right ahead! When are low-rise jeans flattering? Well, I love a baggier low-rise vs a super tight low-rise jeans because it will fall nicer down your hips if there’s more fabric and the actual denim isn’t super tight. To beat a muffin top, a button down shirt helps camoflauge! Here’s a few pairs I have my eye on and go hand in hand with the very trendy 90’s minimalism! Which by the way, is much more wearable than mermaid core.
For ways to wear skinny jeans in 2024, see here. For 10 pieces to wear winter to spring, see here! My daily outfits are on LTK! Thank you for reading, XO, Z
