How to Wear "Young" Trends into Your 30s and 40s

In Sex and the City 2, Samantha (played by Kim Cattrall) finds herself sharing a hot sequined outfit with one Miley Cyrus. The scene played off the obvious conundrum: two women wearing the same fancy garb. But the movie took things one step further; clearly Samantha was "too old" to be rocking the same sparkly strapless mini. Outside of a few chunky accessories the outfits are virtually identical. This little fashion faux pas may have worked in Movie Land. But in the real world, there are few 50-somethings who could play Doublemint Twins with a 16 year-old, without coming across completely ridiculous. Nonetheless, women in their 30s and 40s are finding some amazing ways to keep their wardrobes looking fresh, but age-appropriate. Here's how to translate 'tween and college trends into doable fashion-forward ensembles.

Pick one funky trend and "dumb down" the other parts of your outfit. There's no reason to toss your favorite rocker Tees. You can even pick up some new ones. But instead of rocking them with short cut-offs and bright, chunky wedges-give them a grown-up flair. Wear them with dress slacks and vests. Or sport a funky T-shirt with some sophisticated dress shorts, a cropped jacket and some killer heels. The point is to take one fun trend and transform it with more muted pieces.

Go for trendy colors instead of trendy styles. Sometimes you can incorporate a fresh approach into your wardrobe simply by mimicking the color schemes featured in department stores aimed at younger women. You needn't dress in head-to-toe pink simply to reestablish your femininity. If you like bubblegum pink, opt for a muted color that compliments your skin tone. Bright magenta, deep purples, and even cobalt blue are juicy, delicious shades that will wake up your wardrobe. If you've been inclined to wear lots of blacks and other neutrals over the years, you will be surprised by how much color injects a huge pop of youth into your overall look.

Wear "adult" accessories. While it may seem that 14 year-olds are dressing much more adult these days, there are still ways to assert your "grown-up-ness" while exploring all the fun and happy trends you might find in your local juniors department. One trick is to keep your accessories classic. Wear nude heels with that bright mini; pair funky, playful T-shirts with stately chunky stones. Or pair a timeless fedora with shorts and your "sensible" sandals. The key is in pairing down the excessive frivolity that typically accompanies most of the clothes filling junior department shelves.

It's all in the hair. There are probably several reasons why sex symbol Halle Berry could easily be mistaken for a 20-something. Sure, it could be her flawless skin, figure, or stunning smile. But there is also a reason why even through that youthful glow lies the sensibility of a woman who understands her 40s. Halle's short classic pixie haircut was cute during the 1990s. But her updated take on the hairstyle screams sophistication. Women of all ages are experimenting with short do's. But there is something extremely confident about a woman who maintains a chic hairstyle while donning young and trendy apparel. Finding a hairstyle that bridges the gap between Soccer Mom and Sorority Girl will make all the difference.

SOURCES:

www.mystyle.com
www.ivillage.com
www.target.com
www.cosmopolitan.com