Spring Fashion Style Guide for Women Over 40 {2024}

If you’re a woman in your 40s & wondering what some spring fashion items are just for you, take a look here! See what’s trending in 2024, with a special focus on a mature, experienced woman – the busy, active mom, the working professional woman & everything in between – most important – the woman who is young at heart.

A New Season of Fashion in 2024

Spring 2024… it’s crazy to think we are here talking about that already, but yet here we are.

Spring always brings all kinds of optimism – and there’s never a better time, in my opinion, to find inspiration for some new spring fashion.

As a woman in her 40s (with 50 quickly approaching), it’s truly something small like fresh wardrobe add- ins to boost your spirits. Even just a little.

Not the lasting-joy-kind-of-boost- but in these crazy times, I think it’s totally fine to find small pieces of joy wherever you can grab them.

Fashion Considerations for an Older Woman

First, I’m going to say off the bat – I don’t think someone is her 40s is old. I prefer “mature” and “experienced” as better adjectives, right?

While I don’t believe there’s anything wrong with looking young and hip, we aren’t teenagers or girls in their 20s, right? Most of us are somewhere in motherhood – maybe work-from-home moms, SAHM, shuttling kids all over, or maybe juggling full-time jobs and motherhood.

As such, while I don’t think age needs to be the main factor, it still is a factor. 

There are so many fun trends in spring fashion, and the spring always seems like the perfect time to experiment with some new ideas or try something a little bit out of your comfort zone.

However, there are some things to consider. For me, these are my guiding principles as someone in her 40s:

Body Shape

I think you need to be comfortable in your own skin, comfortable and confident in what you’re wearing.

To that end, I generally think it’s best to choose what’s most flattering to your body type. If you aren’t sure what type you are – classic silhouette, pear or apple shape, etc. – this is a great assessment, and it also gives you some suggestions for what times of clothes are most flattering.

Personal Style

There are lots of trends that are in style, but that doesn’t mean you have to wear them just because they are fashionable.

Wear what you like, what you will be most comfortable in. It’s totally OK to let some fashion trends pass you by.

Age Appropriateness

Although something is shown on a European or New York runway doesn’t always mean it’s a great choice in real life for an active mom or older woman.

Most of us have a mix of a casual style for every day and dressing it up a bit when needed.

However, you’ll want to think through how and where and when you’d wear it in the real world – and whether or not it’s age appropriate for someone in our age range (crop tops and miniskirts, I’m looking at you).

It’s fine to look youthful, but there is such a thing as trying too hard.

Practicality and Comfort

As I said before, this is a busy time of life for sure, for any woman in her 40s.

Even if we aren’t taking care of our kids full time – maybe we are taking care of our parents? So, while style is important, so is practicality and comfort, right?

Nobody wants to be carting a mini-van full of kids around to extra-curriculars in minis and stilettos.

Current Fashion Trends for Spring 2024

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The spring season of 2024 is upon us, and there’s no shortage of fashion for the … I don’t want to say older women, because honestly, a woman in her 40s is definitely equivalent to the women in her early 30s just a few decades ago (have you seen a side-by-side of Rue McClanahan and Jennifer Lopez at the same age?!?)…

But no shortage of fun ideas for us non-teenage-ladies to consider. How’s that?

I’m going to share with you what’s up and coming this spring. It’s going to be up to you what you think of these new spring trends.

Many can be dressed up as stylish outfits or worn simply as casual outfits. Many can be modified to be more age appropriate than what’s worn on the runway. 

Here’s some of what’s trending. Feel free to adapt these trends to your own personal style and comfort.

Neutral tones and earthy colors will be popular, along with pops of pastel shades such as sky blue for a fresh and feminine touch.

Lots of girly-girl and feminine styles are trending as well: bows, rosettes, ruffles, sequins!

The preppy look is also back, if you love a more traditional style! Think J Crew, Banana Republic type styles for a classic, elevated look.

Big, oversized shoulder bags are also back this year.

Sporty looks are also trending this year: track jackets, oversized hooding, baseball caps & graphic Ts (both of which never went out of style for me!).

If you like to be a fashionista, pedal pushers (capris), big sunglasses, and flats are also trending for 2024.

If you like any of the items below, click on the heading to be brought to several selections or the image itself to be taken to that specific item!

Fashion Items to Add to Your Closet in 2024

Here are some specific items you can add to your spring wardrobe to bring you up to date!

Shark Bite Hems

Shark bite hems are trending this season – and it’s just what it sounds like. It looks just like a shark took a bite out of your jeans! They are a fun, new variation of the cut-off hems.
 

Wide-Legged Trousers and Wide Legged Jeans

We are looking back to the 90s for style tips here! High waisted, wide legs are back! This goes for jeans and well as tailored pants.

You’ll also see a lot of demin out there for all the things, too – skirts, jackets, etc.

 

 

Flowy Midi Dresses and Skirts

You’ll find these trending in soft, natural fabrics and girly floral patterns. Floral maxi skirts are also really popular for 2024! Cottagecore aesthetic in fashion is also really popular right now!

 

Cargo Clothing

Not only are cargo clothing super-convenient (hello, pockets!), but they look super-cute, too! You can find cargo clothes in pants, skirts, jackets, shorts… all of it!

 

Floral Prints

Floral prints never really go out of style, but since bold colors are in this season, florals that are bright look amazing. In 2024, the bigger the floral pattern, the better. 

Tropical prints are also really popular for spring leading into summer.

The other side of the spectrum is also trending – small vintage, floral prints as well. Think vintage. Even think ‘Grandma.’
 

Tailored Jackets

Tailored jackets in pastels as well as denim are in style for 2024. You’ll see blazers in pastel shades as well as tailored denim jackets and trench coats.

 

Embroidery Tops

We are talking shirts, dresses, sweater vests… it has something of a boho meets Grandma vibe but if you like following the trends and can rock a vintage look like this, take a look at this one! 

 

 

Girly Details 

This season, you can find fun details like fringes and ruffles, feather, bows, lace – all things frilly, girlie and girlcore. You can find feminine details in all kinds of clothing this season! Incorporate what you like best!

 

Closet Staples in Your Spring Capsule Wardrobe – A Style Guide

I’ve lately become a fan of a modified capsule wardrobe. I’m not a strict minimalist, but I love the idea of mixing and matching staple items.

As far as what’s trending, adding in a piece or two from that list can bright up a capsule wardrobe and create a brand-new outfit without needed to buy a new wardrobe every season.

A few new items can feel like a fresh start to a new season.

Here are a few wardrobe staples for spring that I think should be in the closet of every woman in her 40s. These are versatile spring items; basic capsule pieces are the best way to stretch your budget and your closet.

This list isn’t exhaustive, but it covers most of the bases.

While you might get a chilly day in the spring and need a few items from your winter wardrobe that are suited for colder days – but you can probably ditch the bomber jackets and black boots for now and make sure you have these items.

Cute Cardigan

I love cardigans in all kinds of different colors for spring, layered with sleeveless blouse, tank tops or white v-neck tee.

This is ideal for a casual look or something you can dress up – in solids or fun patterns. 

 

Long-Sleeved Tunic

This is one of my favorite staples. You don’t need a jacket, or you can throw a vest over it. They look great with jeans, leggings, and they are so comfy.

 

Tennis Shoes

In the real world, sneakers are a must. There are so many fun styles in neutral colors – that they look like a hip outfit rather than exercise wear.

 

Blue Denim Jacket

A jean jacket has been in my uniform since I was a teenager, and they’ve never, ever gone out of style.

This year, denim on denim is acceptable as well! In my book, a denim jacket is a fresh chic look that is classic.

 

Pencil Skirt

If you need to dress up your wardrobe just a bit, pencil skirts are the way to go. They are flattering on so many figures, and they are classic.

These skirts look amazing with high heels or business casual wear with flats.

Jeans

Blue jeans, baby. You can never, ever go wrong with a pair of jeans.

There are so many different ways you can wear them today: skinny jeans, straight-leg jeans, boyfriend cut, bootcut, high waist, baggy – there’s a style for all different body types. Simple jeans with a white tank top and cozy cardigan is a favorite way to wear this staple.
 

Closed Toe Sandals

Too soon for flipflops or strappy sandals, but it’s time to lose the boots. Closed toes sandals are the perfect solution and a great way to dress up a casual outfit.

 

Spring Outfits: Trendy, Personal, Comfortable

All taken together, I’m a firm believer that clothes should be your own personal style. There’s nothing wrong with following trends, but at the same time, not every trend works for every preference or body type.

For me personally, I want my clothes to be comfortable and flattering. I want to feel comfortable AND comfortable in my own skin, whatever that means on any given day.

So as you look through this list, you may decide somethings just aren’t for you (bu- bye bra tops) or maybe there’s something you truly love that’s not on this list. Wear it anyway!

Trends are just people’s opinions – it’s always, always right to be yourself and choose what you like!

More Fashion Resources

If you are a busy mom and want to see my picks for a mom spring wardrobe – you can take a look here! And if you’re a mom with a little princess, be sure to check out The 10 Best Mommy and Me Outfits for Spring!

If you’re moving on to summer, here are Casual Summer Outfits for Women over 40 as well as 5 Easy Steps to Build a Fabulous Summer Capsule Wardrobe. If you want to see what I love for fall fashion for moms, take a look here.

If you try any of these out, I’d LOVE to see! Please tag me on Instagram @100affections or leave a comment on Pinterest!

 

Other thoughts? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below!