7 Film And TV Characters We Channel When Getting Dressed Now That We're 40
And they might just surprise you.
by The Candidly Team
We all have those wardrobes we saw in shows or movies that grip us in the moment then go on to live in our heads rent-free.
But the ones that really stick around are the ones we can see ourselves in. The ones where the moment we see the character living her on-screen life we realize that that - THAT! - is how we want to dress forever and ever.
There are actually two new such characters about whom we recently had that feeling, and we of course rushed to write about them HERE and HERE.
But there are 7 that have stood the test of time - 7 characters we still draw inspiration from whenever we get dressed as over-40 women because their timeless, classic, chic, flattering, but also realistic to our time and budgets.
Enough build up. Let’s take a look:
Rachel Green - Friends
Images: NBC
Why this works:
We start with one that is not a surprise. We loved Rachel’s clothes then and we love them now. She represented the good, sophisticated side of the 90s/ early 200os that was classic but still interesting, chic but also casual. Somehow she was queen of the jeans and tee, work fits we want to wear, and the most flattering fitted dresses on earth.
How to recreate it:
Pick pieces with flattering cuts and smart tailoring. Think classic, straight fit jeans and ribbed, white tees (with a scoopneck, of course). You can wear skimming skirts and tops to work but choose a fun, playful color or print here and there to give it life. And finally, don’t be afraid of a fitted dress. There are many that complement curves and hold everything in, like THIS one, a literal dupe for Rachel’s iconic yellow dress.
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2. Tracy Lord - The Philadelphia Story
Images: MGMG
Why this works:
We know were reaching back through cinematic history, but Katharine Hepburn was a pioneer for women wearing long drapey pants, tailored blazers, and structured pieces more commonly worn by men. She was the originator of the feminine tomboy, which are the two words we most relate to in our style.
How to recreate it:
It’s all about the staples. The most flattering, drapey trouser. The crisp, white button-down. The nipped waist blazer. And finally, the drop-dead gorgeous occasion dress that fits like a dream. Not to brag, but we found it all.
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3. Catharine Banning - The Thomas Crown AffaiR
Images: MGM
Why this works:
Do you remember René Russo in this movie? if you don’t go and watch it immediately and report back. Her looks were so lustworthy yet classic; almost all of it being Michael Kors for Celine. Every 40+ woman we knew at the time started wearing luxe knit turtlenecks, tall boots, and fitted skirts, and every one of them looked 72% chicer because of it. And now that we’re 40, this is still the proven formula for flawless style.
How to recreate it:
Start with the luxe knits. We love THIS brand because their cashmere is incredibly low priced. A sleek leather jack and a perfect camel coat are critical. Then find yourself a pencil skirt with actual stretch that smooths your curves (actually we found one for you). Finally, add a tall boot but only THIS tall boot because it feels like a literal tennis shoe and we won’t do a second of foot pain. It’s miraculous.
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4. SALLY ALBRIGHT - WHEN HARRY MET SALLY
(But actually every character Meg Ryan played in every movie she was in)
Images: Paramount, Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox, Tristar Pictures
Why this works:
We couldn’t choose just one of her films because all of her wardrobes had that amazing balance between tailored and playful, masc and fem, comfy and styled. And, of course, she pretty much set off the entire fall, rom-com style aesthetic we all love. She gave us some iconic moments, including maybe the first sighting of cute, matching loungewear in movie history (Sleepless In Seattle).
How to recreate it:
Think layering classic things and adding a little something extra: a cozy, cropped turtleneck but in red, a perfect trouser but in plaid, a white button down but with a vest. And, of course, we must include the classic French tee called a marinière that she wore throughout the lesser known movie French Kiss. Iconic.
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5. AMANDA WOODS - THE HOLIDAY
Images: Columbia Pictures
Why this works:
Was she not the originator of cozy-chic? She surely had the budget to buy the best, best, best of sweaters and softest of house clothes, and everything fit amazing.
How to recreate it:
Aim for really soft, buttery textures first. Then focus on cut second. For instance a cashmere pencil skirt, a silky wrap coat, a sweatpant that’s actually chic, and a ludicrously capacious scarf ( a term coined by another show we duped by the way).
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6. OLIVIA POPE - SCANDAL
Images: ABC
Why this works:
Her suiting and coats belong in a museum. We longed for every perfect-fitting thing she owned … to wear to work … to wear out at night. It’s the quiet luxury aesthetic translated into staple, everyday pieces.
How to recreate it:
A killer matching suit and a staple work dress that fits phenomenally are both critical. After that, just focus on outer layers: one perfect blazer, one perfect trench, and one perfect coat (double up from René’s coat from above. And poof, you’ve done it.
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6. Marge Sherwood - The Talented Mr. Ripley
Images: Paramount
Why this works:
Is it 50s? Yes. Is it still the silhouettes and skirt and top pairings we still use today to look our best? Also yes. She paired skirts and tops to perfection, and it was all so feminine and romantic. Even though she was practically a baby when she was fitted for these costumes, the formula is a way of looking more youthful while still looking sophisticated and “our age” at 40+.
How to recreate it:
Pair tied button-down shirts with poplin skirts, comfy heels, great-fitting sweaters. These are understated elements you can add prints and colors to, and your silhouette will always be perfection.
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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.
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