6 Outfit Templates We Use Constantly As Over-40 Women Who Find Styling Our Clothes Both Boring And Intimidating
by The Candidly Team
We recently had a realization. Specific to getting dressed that is. That feeling that we have standing in front of our closet and thinking that we hate all our clothes.
Well, it isn’t actually about the clothes.
After all, we tend to buy clothes we like. So what is it then? Here’s what we think:
We don’t hate our clothes. We hate putting together our clothes. Right?
While we all want to look good and put-together and chic, we lack the time/energy/patience/interest to “style” our clothes. It makes us feel lost. Clueless. Dumb.
And that is why we ADOOOOOORE a template. We have 6 that have never, ever steered us wrong. We get compliments with every single one. And they’re all so easy, we had to share.
1. For When You Want To Effortlessly Transform Into The Coolest Version Of Yourself
Why It Works: Ugh - just everything about it. The mix of casual and serious, tailored and relaxed. There’s no human who won’t look their best in this outfit. It’s so foolproof and easy to put together once you own the right pieces, but when you do, it’s all just *chef’s kiss.*
The Pieces:
Perfect Pair Of Boyfriend Jeans: A boyfriend jean is kind of like a jean jacket. Cool, classic, and we can always rely on it to make us look good. But why is it suddenly so hard to find a bf jean we love? We recently stumbled upon a new sustainable brand that just happens to be making the boyfriend jeans we’ve been looking for for 15 years. And HERE they are.
Flattering Tank: A fitted base layer peeking out from a blazer is one of the biggest hacks to looking chic and feminine without feeling like you’re on full display. We talk a lot about the 3 elements that make up a phenomenally flattering tank. It’s skinny straps (they make arms and shoulders look slimmer), a scoop neckline (it frames chests to perfection), and ribbing (it holds you in so you feel smoothed). THIS tank just knocks it out of the park on all 3. Plus, all the colors! And the price!
Nipped Blazer: We don’t think we need to tell you how smart and low-key luxury a well-tailored blazer will make you look. Our favorite in the world is THIS one aptly called The Favorite Blazer. It’s not H&M prices but it’s not like we own 30 blazers. We buy 1 or 2 perfect ones and are set for life.
Brown Belt: A belt is such a lazy and effective way to turn clothes into a look. And our entire site practically broke when we wrote about THIS belt in black. And we 1000% understand why, because it is, quite simply, the best black belt we’ve ever owned. And then, just like that, it sold out. But the brown which is so rich and beautiful is back in stock, and it is now, our very best brown belt. End of love story.
White Sneaks: All you have to do is go minimalist with a white sneak to elegantly complete this look. THIS one from Quince is gorgeous and leather and a third of the cost of the ones we’ve had pinned for 4 years.
SHOP THE LOOK
2. For When You Want Perfect Proportions Without Any Fuss
Why It Works: If you don’t already own a “nice,” crisp, white button-down, now is really the time to embrace its powers. Because once you have one that fits you perfectly, tuck it into any pair of jeans (though a high-waisted flare will complement your curves like nothing else), you’re suddenly channeling decades of unbelievably chic, classic women from Grace to Marilyn to Audrey to Carolyn Bessette to Jennifer. Moreover, you will spend all of 18 seconds putting it together.
The Pieces:
Tucked White Button Down: We really hope you’re not mad at us for saying that this is another thing that’s worth spending a little more on rather than buying not so great ones over and over for the rest of your life. We (along with Vogue and a bunch of other places but mostly just us real, over-40 women who tried on THIS button-down) recently declared it the best of the best. It’s not a trendy item so once again, we buy once, keep forever.
Flare Leg Jeans: This look is all about an amazing silhouette, so when you tuck that spacious shirt into your pants, you don’t want them too skinny which creates a bulgy, upside-down triangle effect, but you still want some balance and shape, so everything can’t be too baggy. The answer is a subtle, flattering flare-leg. And oooh, oooh, oooh, the most subtle and most flattering of all pairs from Paige is currently on sale HERE. And we also have a code for 15% off. Use CANDIDLY15. BE swift.
Classic Trench: Last thing we want to do is bury this entire look under some thick, shapeless jacket. The solution is the tie-waisted trench. THIS one is textbook perfect and incidentally, the most affordable trench we’ve seen in recent memory.
Structured Bag: We keep it classy by adding a bag that has that luxe, structured look, which we can do because the rest of this outfit is such a satisfying mix of smart and casj. Sensing a pattern? Seeeee? We’re getting the hang of this. Anyway THIS bag from Quince is an Italian leather we melt over and the price is wildly low.
SHOP THE LOOK
3. For When You Want To Look Impossibly Luxe But Feel Like You’re Curled Up In Bed
Why It Works: Our struggle to style our clothes has a lot to do with requiring constant comfort since turning 35. This look is rooted in coziness, and yet, it might be the most sophisticated, expensive-looking outfit on this list. It’s soooooo easy to do though, and you don’t have to spend a fortune.
The Pieces:
To-die-for Oversized Sweater: No way we are giving you just one option for this. All you need is a fabulous, cocooning sweater. Why are we suddenly sounding like Samantha from SITC? Maybe it’s because our first PICK for a sweater is a smoldering, cashmere boatneck that can be pulled off-shoulder which creates the kind of allure that gets us as close as we personally get to feeling like a Samantha (are we not all Charlottes?) We digress. THIS turtleneck is also unbelievably soft - like a big, hug from a cloud. Both are from Quince, where the prices for real cashmere and alpaca wool are simply insane.
Sleek But Extremely Comfy Skirt: To balance the big sweater, we pick a sleek skirt. There are two ways we go with it. Stretchy and smoothing like THIS magic skirt from J.Crew. Or silky, slip skirt like THIS washable one from Quince. No bulges. No self-consciousness.
Tall boots: Anytime you slip on a tall boot, you look put-together and in command. THIS pair from Dolce Vita is surprisingly comfortable for a skinny heel, and their boots amazing come in wide and extra wide calf, which is incredible for us pair-shaped ladies.
SHOP THE LOOK:
4. For When You Want To Channel Your Inner French Lady But In The Laziest Possible Way
Why It Works: If you hang out with us around here, you already know we love a French lady uniform, mainly because it’s so simple, so easy, and so untrendy. And it all starts with a stripe.
The Pieces:
Striped Mariniére Tee: A traditional French mariniére is usually a boatneck and we do have a favorite for that category HERE, but a scoop neck is just so flattering, especially on broader shoulders and THIS one from AYR creates a look all by itself.
Cropped Sailor Jeans: This is where we have to tell you about our favorite cropped jeans from our favorite French brand. The high waist makes them comfy and excellent over a belly pooch. They’re called Le Crop, and they come in too many colors we want so we can create outfits like these daily.
Le Mary Jane: This is the perfect shoe to wear with a cropped jean where you find yourself asking why every shoe you try on somehow looks wrong with it. THESE are the most beautiful Mary Janes around. They come in a dizzying number of colors we love. But what sets them apart is how light and supportive and inexplicably comfortable they are to walk in.
Light Scarf: The minute you add a scarf, you’re styled. So once again, we turn to Quince and their featherweight cashmere scarf because it’s the same beautiful materials at a much lower price. (This article is in no way sponsored by Quince by the way. They just do some classic things very right.)
Optional Red Bag And Red Lip: Last-minute details make such a difference .. and they make this look 17x more French. So we toss on THIS bag from Clare V. appropriately named Elodie Tomate (as in tomato) and our fave red lipstick from Merit. And we feel transformed.
SHOP THE LOOK:
5. For When You Refuse To Wear Anything Tight But Still Want To Look Balanced And Chic
Why It Works: We all have those mornings when the idea of our clothes restricting us in any way makes us feel deep fury. But if we cave and just wear sweats or daytime pajamas our mood stays a little low-key bad all day. Well, this outfit is the solution. To bloating. To needing comfort or else we’ll weep. To still wanting to somehow look put together. All of it.
The Pieces:
Luxuriously Spacious Cardi: Start with the cardi. If you want the butteriest. most heavenly feeling on your skin and the richest caramel color, we love THIS one. If you want an amazing, affordable cashmere option go HERE.
Whisper-soft White Tee: White tees are just decidedly cool and chic. But the goal here is comfort, and THIS tee, in addition to being unbelievably light and soft, is soooo flattering and waist-nipping - both tucked and untucked. You know those tees that just mysteriously look amazing on you? Yeah, it’s one of those.
Long, Wide-leg Jeans Or Pants: We often won’t wear jeans on our puffy days because they feel restrictive, but not THESE sublimely wide-leg jeans from Madewell. They’re like drapey pants or pajamas, yet they make us look so good. You could also just go for wide-leg trousers to complete this look. In that case, THESE are a true favorite, especially around the belly.
Chic Lug-sole Shoes: You won’t believe the balance a chunky shoe gives you so you don’t look bottom heavy or like your clothes are just swallowing you up. THESE loafers are so comfortable that we wrote a whole article about them.
Oversized Necklace: Adding a statement-y necklace over a white tee and jeans, makes you seem like you know exactly what you’re doing where fashion is concerned. We have a new favorite jewelry brand for such pieces. THIS necklace is a fun one from them, but we recommend perusing their whole selection.
SHOP THE LOOK:
6. For When You’re Fiiiinally Ready To Dress Up And Go Out But Still Require Maximum Comfort
Why It Works: We’re too old and exhausted to feel like squeezing ourselves into something deeply uncomfortable to go out 99.9% of the time, which is a shame because in theory, we love the idea of getting dressed up to go out. We agree, however, that a long, black dress is a great path forward - it’s foolproof visually, but getting one that’s also ribbed and stretchy and “holds you in” then layering it under a leather jacket is just so easy, it feels like cheating. We actually found every piece in this ensemble at Quince, which also means this entire look is an excellent price.
The Pieces:
Soft-As-Air Maxi Dress: THIS dress is something we could literally sleep in … but it’s soooo chic.
Leather Jacket: The shape of THIS one is perfection. But the price for real Italian leather is even better.
Comfy Platform Heels: Platforms are the way we do heels without enduring an ounce of foot pain. And THIS pair is a showstopper amongst platforms.
SHOP THE LOOK:
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
We have to eat.
