Written by Samantha Sameea Tinni
You’ve worked hard in your 30s to work your way up to where you stand today, and now is the time to celebrate your achievements; so, what better way to start than with your wardrobe? As the famous American writer, Mark Twain once said, “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it does not matter.” The talk in your 40s about fashion generally focuses on age appropriateness and what not to wear, and we simply end up not buying it. By this time, you supposedly have a well-developed understanding of yourself, which includes how you exhibit yourself to the world. Therefore, chuck off the so-called rulebook and rather look at the effective ways to build your signature look to be much more unique. Regardless of what you identify as, what your gender or orientation is, anyone can be independent to age in style. Let’s talk about three adaptable styles, at the very least, for all types of 40s out there. *
LET YOUR ATTIRE FLATTER YOU
You may be enticed by a new trend, but it is essential to be selective when you think of dressing after 40. Choose only the ones that suit your personality, type of physique, and that looks flattering to yourself first and foremost.
AVOID BEING TOO MATCHY-MATCHY OR OVERLY POLISHED
It’s fun to change things up and be a little more playful. A two-piece suit will quickly become outdated, and so it’s better to pair that jacket with another skirt or pair of pants to look effortlessly chic. Simply keep shuffling through your wardrobe, you might just come up with a new trend yourself!
AVOID CHEAP FABRICS AS THEY ARE GENERALLY NOT LONG LASTING OR FLATTERING
You may have looked cute in a frail, badly crafted t-shirt as a young lady, but as a woman over 40, you need something more robust and solid. Look for lovely natural materials such as silk, cotton, linen, and cashmere, and you are bound to enjoy them for years to come. Consider the cost per wear rather than the initial price of your purchase. Try to avoid fabrics that do not rightly drape or cling as well.
TIGHTEN IT UP
Undoubtedly there are many exceptions, but generally more tight items such as leggings look better when combined with large parts such as a tunic or wider shirt. This is also applicable for skirts. Aim for a tight skirt with a looser top or the other way around.
BANGLADESH IN 40s
In an Asian country like Bangladesh, there are some specific traditional garments worn throughout the year differing from material to material in order to survive all seasons comfortably. Bangladesh has mixed cultures and there is a diversified influence of culture on our costumes. Commonly Bangladeshi women tend to wear saree, salwar kameez. And for men, it is Panjabi, Pajama, Fatua, Lungi ,Dhoti. However, to keep up with the pace of time, the newer generations are leaning more towards western clothing and taking up the fashion sense from all around the world. For example, they would prefer to dress themselves up in T-shirts, jeans, polos, suits, skirts and various other kinds of untraditional costumes likely to be seen in Bangladesh.
As for our previous generations, specifically the ones in their 40s, for the sake this article topic, tend to choose comfort over vanity. Unless they have to dress up for occasions like wedding ceremonies, religious holidays and many more.
Muslin, tant, khadi, Rajshahi silk, jamdani, tangail are all popular fabrics for sarees preferred by the elders to design themselves up for special occasions. However, when at home, most of the women tend to go for comfortable fabrics like cotton in the form of salwar kameez. Whereas, men are commonly seen in lungis at home. Fatua and Punjabi are also very popular dresses to be worn by men in Bangladesh. Fatua, however, is totally a unisex attire and can be frequently seen on both males and females across the country.
Nevertheless, many men and women(especially) of Bangladesh in their 40s are already quite bold and modern when it comes to clothing. Most of the celebrities of the country perceive fashion with vast diversity. Jeans, skirts, blazers for example have become quite constant for many. The following few paragraphs will guide you to see how a modern Bangladeshi in their 40s should dress up to sustain both elegance and comfort.
Blazers – Blazers are the ultimate closet staple. However, finding the perfect fit can be tricky. Spring and summer are ideal seasons for wearing blazers as they provide just the right amount of warmth and style for cooler days when you don’t want to wear a heavy coat. Simply layer a blazer over your jeans and t-shirt to instantly enhance your look. However, if you select the improper fit, your clothing might seem outdated. It can add undesired width if it’s too big. If it’s too small, you’ll feel like you’re wearing a straightjacket all day since you won’t be able to move your arms freely. When you want to look a little more dynamic without trying too hard, a blazer would be the wisest of moves.
Leggings – Leggings are a versatile piece of clothing that can be worn all year long. Leggings are thicker than tights, which makes them warm and provides adequate leg coverage. Leggings can be worn for any sort of activity, from exercise to a night out, depending on the style and its material. Leggings are a terrific spring and summer transitional option since they can be worn underneath dresses or kameez, allowing you to keep wearing your favorite comfortable long fatuas or kameezes even when the weather is still a little chilly. Leggings are much preferable to wear as a supportive element for the rest of your clothes rather than as a main garment as they tend to display all of your legs’ curves, which certainly does not look very classy when you are over 40.
Jeans – Jeans look good on many women regardless of age. But it would be essential to purchase jeans a little more thoughtfully when you’re in your 40s. Opting for dark, solid shades will make one look more dressy. White jeans are perfect for spring and summer since they add a clean look to any outfit. However, they also look great in the colder months, so do not abandon them to the back of your closet. Avoiding heavily stoned or washed jeans in the discussed age range should be highly considered. Many can carry off ripped jeans well, however, it might not be the same for everybody. You may also choose a pair of jeans with a higher rise. They will do a terrific job of tucking the tummy in if you get a firm stretchy fabric.
- Wide Pants – Wide-legged pants, especially wide jeans, were undoubtedly back in style for the 2020 season. These also flatters short legged people. Always remember to either tuck in your tops or get cropped tops to pair with wide legged pants. You can also Wear them with heels and make sure your slacks or jeans are nearly touching the ground for best effect. At the end of the day, wide pants can be considered both stylish and comfortable at the same time without a doubt.
In the era we are currently in, the aforementioned guidelines can apply to any gender, regardless of orientation or age. After all, age is simply just a number.