Buying Clothes When You're Over 40

Dressing appropriately after age 40 is a challenge. Or is it? Do you pay attention to the “rules” or throw them out with our grandmothers' other archaic traditions?

If there are rules on how to dress when you’re over 40, I’d like to know them. Because right now, I feel like a fish out of water or rather, a fashion faux pas waiting to happen. When I look at those pictures in In Style magazine, (you know the ones where they show you a similar outfit for 20,30,40,50 and 60 year olds) I feel like the models my age look, well, sort of fuddy duddy (is that expression even used anymore?) and the models in their 20’s and 30’s look almost too youthful, sort of childish sometimes. Am I alone here? Or are all the fashions looking either matronly or Hannah Montana-like?

I’m not ready to don the polyester pantsuit yet, but I know I need to stay away from ruffles and bows. The other day, I wore a shirt that had slightly puffed sleeves and cute shoes with a small ribbon. And yet, I felt very self-conscious that day.

Please, someone make up some rules for us 40-somethings…And don’t simply tell us to look in the mirror. I’m already doing that and it’s not helping!