Style After 40

Style, now we are speaking true diva language. Styling after forty can be challenging but fun. For as long as I can remember, style and fashion have always been two of my favorite subjects.

When I was in high school, Seventeen magazine was the pubescent fashion Bible. I remember flipping through its glossy pages to find out everything from the hottest prom dresses to how to achieve Madonna’s then street urchin style.

As I got older, I evolved to getting my fashion fixes from Cosmopolitan, Essence, Glamour and Vogue. However, my biggest fashion influence was my mother, the Grand Diva of them all.

My mom has always had an impeccable sense of style. From watching my mom, I learned everything from proper color coordination, to accessorizing the right shoe with the right bag.

It's kind of like Angie Stone meets Beyoncé, easy-going with a touch of sophisticated-glam. Never one to be classified as a “Soccer Mom” or any other “mom stereotype,” I try always to be practical but stylish when I am out with the kids.

I keep the denim fitted and the hair and makeup simple. No “mom jeans” or over-the-top “hoochieness.” Besides, you can only be so fly with a six-year-old in tow, but I think I do a pretty good job. I haven’t embarrassed them yet.

For older women it’s best to keep your style as updated as possible without dating yourself. It's important to allow your look to evolve with the current trends, but don't try too hard. Nothing looks more foolish than a 40 year old woman trying to look 20.

Trying to compete with your younger counter-parts will just make you look older. The key is not to out do them, but to out style them.