As fall approaches, we can see many different trends that seem to be everywhere these days. It’s tempting to hop onto these fall fashion trends, but when you’re over 40, not everything feels right. This year, I tried a lot of different trends but as fashion has always been a trial and error process, it’s already a given that many of these trends didn’t work for me.
But hey, no worries — I got you! I narrowed down all these trends for you and came up with these 5 trends that will surely work if you’re over 40 (and petite like me!).
Rich Lady Leather/Suede
Maximalism is starting to take over, and part of this fashion movement is the rise of leather and suede pieces. The texture is the winning point here as leather and suede easily creates a statement with its distinct texture alone. I love this trend for women over 40 because of how practical it is, especially if you live in colder areas like me.
This fall leather skirt is from Loft and just look at how classy it is! Who would actually think that this leather skirt and my H&M top isn’t even a hundred dollars?
Sweater XS | Skort S | Bag | Shoes
Another piece that embraces the rich lady suede trend are these faux suede skorts I got from Abercrombie. The texture is super nice and the fact that it’s a skort makes it so versatile.
Top XS | Jeans 27/4P | Bag | Booties
This trend isn’t just going to be limited to clothing but in accessories and shoes as well. This pair of this faux suede booties I got from Amazon are perfect for petites like me, particularly because of its skin-tone color. Plus, they work so well with pretty much any outfit I go for!
Sweater XS | Top S | Jeans 27/4P | Bag | Loafers
I love loafers for women over 40 because of how it’s so easy to pull off. Unlike the usual flats that can easily make you look frumpy, loafers instantly elevates your look and gives you that polished aesthetic. I have loafers in genuine leather and suede which are both feel very classy.
Maxi Outerwear
Coat S | Top XS | Skirt S | Shoes
Maxi outerwear is such a sophisticated fall trend but I have to admit that the ones that come is maximalist designs like animal print or plaid don’t really work for me. What I’m going to share with you are those that are sleek and elegant-looking for women over 40.
Coat S | Top XS | Jeans 27/4P | Bag | Shoes
I got this camel coat from Quince made from 80% Italian wool and I’m just super in love with it! To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much because I’ve never bought outerwear from Quince before sine I typically get mine from petite brands. The length is the key here so I measured it myself from shoulders to hem. I’m 5’2 and this 80 inches coat length works perfectly for me as a petite woman!
Lady Jackets
Jacket S | Top XS | Jeans 27/4P | Bag | Booties
This trend has been around for nearly 3 years — when the Old Money trend became such a huge thing in fashion. We can blame it on Chanel’s iconic tweed jacket that captured everyone’s attention at that time.
We’ll see a lot of the usual denim and leather jackets this fall, but these pieces tend to lean on a more masculine aesthetic. This year, it’ll be about jackets that feature feminine details like button placements, collar shapes, and many more.
This faux leather jacket from Loft is my take on the lady jacket trend. It’s in crop length so it goes so well with my petite frame by giving my legs a visually longer look.
Jacket S | Jeans 27/4P | Bag | Shoes
Another lady jacket piece I like is this one from Mango. Just look at how chic the metallic buttons are! It easily gives my outfit that polished look oozing with classy, feminine energy. It’s so versatile that I can wear it everyday with pretty much anything.
Darker Shades of Red
Remember when everyone started wearing rich burgundy a year ago? This sultry color is still going to be quite prominent this year — from clothes, shoes, and accessories! Apart from burgundy, you’ll see more pieces in darker shades of red in fashion and believe me when I say that this color is going to look phenomenal on women over 40.
This new cashmere dress I got from Quince feels buttery soft on my skin and because of its premium fabric, the deeper red shade just flourishes even more. To style it, I added a belt to emphasize my waistline and elongate my legs.
Now for mt all-time favorite — this burgundy silk midi skirt! Would you even believe how affordable this one is? At first glance, you’d think it’s expensive because of it being satin and for its elegant color! I actually have this in three different colors and I strongly suggest you hoard some for yourself too because it’s worth every penny.
Wide Leg Trousers/Jeans
Top S | Pants S/4P | Bag | Shoes
Wide leg shapes for trousers and jeans will continue to dominate the fashion scene this season. It seems like this trend is here to stay and fortunately, they work so well for women over 40. In fact, I believe they’re one of the most flattering trends for women over 40 because of how it sets the foundation for the entire silhouette, making you look instantly modern and elegant.
Another great find I got from Quince is this pair of wide-leg trousers made from crepe fabric, which is so similar to the pricier pair I have from Aritzia. This has a nice drape — something that’s very impolrtant to consider when you’re buying wide-leg trousers.
Jacket S | Jeans 27/4P | Bag | Shoes
You’ve probably seen this pair of wide-leg jeans from Loft so many times in my other videos and posts — that goes to show how much I love it! If you’re petite like me, wearing full-length jeans like this may drown your frame so I always wear them with my slingback heels for that extra height.
I love fashion, but I’ve learned that not every trend is worth chasing. Over 40, style becomes less about proving you can “pull it off” and more about feeling incredible in what you wear. The best trends are the ones that adapt to you, not the other way around.
Flattering doesn’t mean boring—it means balance. It means knowing your proportions, your lifestyle, and the silhouettes that make you feel unstoppable. And when you get that right, everything else just clicks.
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