How to Wear Vintage Clothing for Women Over 40

Knowing how to wear vintage clothing for women over 40 can help you get more mileage out of the clothing you already own and love. These are six dos and don'ts for retro dressing for older women.

Do raid your own closet. For women over 40, retro dressing is as close as your own closet. Good quality clothing in classic and flattering styles can help you maintain a full wardrobe of clothes you love to wear instead of purchasing items that you throw out every season.

Do scavenge for parts. Couture depreciates like a new car. It's a gamble if even the most expensive outfit will resell for anything significant so be ruthless if you want to salvage some parts from a garment you no longer wear. One of my best pay off's with recycling vintage clothing came from lifting a heavy braided rope belt off an Yves Saint Laurent evening jacket. It makes almost any coat or long sweater look fabulous. Intricate buttons could also be put to good use if you sew.

Do invent new uses for old outfits. Even the best made garments will eventually show signs of wear. Old cashmere or silk sweaters and leggings make luxurious and practical pajamas or winter underwear. Sometimes pieces that you used to wear together start looking better on their own. I still wear some Valentino cocoon sweater coats from the 80s although I wouldn't pair them with their matching silk dresses anymore.

Don't waste time on lost causes. Sometimes you just need to say goodbye to fashions that should be put to rest. Small shoulder pads may be removable. Anything over a couple of inches will leave you with a top that flops around too much.

Don't get deluded by an old body image. Face the facts when an outfit you love would now look better on a younger person. I was a little sad when it came time to part with my beloved Alaia black leather lace-up skirt but it couldn't have gone to a better new home. An assistant at the consignment shop snapped it up before it even hit the floor.

Don't submit to arbitrary rules. Wear whatever makes you happy regardless of any arbitrary fashion rules. Consider advice on how to wear vintage clothing from people you trust but make your own decisions. Women over 40 should be wise enough to know what suits them when it comes to retro dressing.