Christin Bryant knows a thing or two about dressing well at any age. The former marketing executive didn’t always plan to become a fashion influencer. Ten years ago, before she created her Instagram account, she was creating her own jewelry that she’d sell on Etsy. Rather than display her bracelets and necklaces against a plain white background, the Edmontonian began styling outfits as inspiration for how to wear her pieces day-to-day.
That practical approach became the underpinning of Bryant’s fashion philosophy. Today, she has more than a million social media followers who are primarily women within the 30 to 45 age range. They look to her for tips on how to style existing wardrobe pieces, invest in elevated staples and more. Bryant’s love of fashion resonates with women who want to maximize their wardrobe and look good doing it.
“I like to look current without looking like I follow every single trend,” she explained. “And I like things that look expensive and polished, but aren’t necessarily that.”
Recently, Bryant asked her followers to describe their biggest over-40 fashion issues. Many replies included how to dress to camouflage certain parts of the body (midsection, upper arms), how to adopt trends without looking like you’re trying to be a teenager and how to stay cool in the summer without showing too much skin.
“As we get older, we naturally have a bit more confidence,” Bryant said. “Lean into the confidence that comes with age and caring less what others think, because if you feel confident in your outfit and you are confident overall, then nobody’s going to remember that maybe your knees are a little wrinkly.”
Here are Bryant’s best fashion tips for dressing when you’re over 40.
Dress for the body you have
Bryant doesn’t believe that age should determine what a person wears, but she does believe in dressing for “the body you have right now, and not the body that you used to have — or that you think you may achieve again in the future.”
Items you used to wear may not feel comfortable anymore, including undergarments. “The older we get, having good quality undergarments can make a big difference,” Bryant said. And, a quality shapewear can also help you feel more confident, depending on the garment.
“If you’re comfortable with your outfit, and it aligns with your personality and where you are in life, you can feel better in the clothes that you wear,” she added.
Don’t get hung up on sizing
Trying on clothes can be a frustrating experience, but Bryant hopes a simple shift in mindset will help make your shopping experience easier.
“Remember that nobody sees the size number on the tag,” she said. “Stores are very inconsistent with sizing, so try several sizes.” Finding the best fit should be top of mind. “If it fits you well, then it shouldn’t matter.”
Invest in classic pieces
Consider spending more on quality fashion staples that you’ll wear again and again, like comfortable shoes, well-made jeans or a nice linen shirt.
“As we get older, we maybe have a little bit more disposable income,” she said. “Spend time doing some research and find items that really speak to you — these can become cornerstones you can build outfits around, whether it’s an accessory or a base piece.”
Investing in classic accessories — like a watch, a piece of jewelry, or a nice bag — that you can wear with every outfit can become your signature look.
Opt for natural fibres — especially in the summer
If you’re someone experiencing hot flashes or simply run hot, you might want to avoid wearing synthetic fabrics like polyester. That’s where natural fibres, such as linen, cotton, or bamboo come into play.
“Linen is amazing. In the summer you could wear long linen pants and be just as cool as if you wore short-shorts,” she said.
Choose trends that align with your style
Incorporating a few trends into your wardrobe is a great way to keep your look current, but wearing too many can come across as inauthentic.
“If you incorporate all the trends at once, then you might look like you’re uncomfortable with your age and trying hard to look younger,” she said.
Instead, Bryant advises choosing trends carefully, sticking only to the ones that align with your personal style. A low-stakes way to incorporate trending colours, textures or silhouettes is sporting some well-chosen accessories.
Follow content creators for inspiration
If you do most of your shopping online, Bryant suggests following somebody whose style, size and colouring aligns closely to what you like so you can use their fashion as a resource. You might have to follow multiple influencers, but it helps to understand what might work for your body type, see styling ideas that works for your climate, or get inspiration that feels achievable and relevant to your personal style.
8 pieces Bryant recommends for summer:
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