Happy Milestone year! I can attest to liking 40s better than 30s (mostly- but do be careful with your knees and back). I struggle with word selection so much. Can I co-opt yours? I am mostly trying to lean into the Lee Radziwill edict of 'simple clothes / interesting accessories.' and I really want to push myself on 2nd hand shopping. I also want to stop buying anymore "it" items- especially in the summer, which is when they always seem to find me. Xx
Thank you! I’m thrilled to hear that about your 40s, although will in invest some time in extra stretching ;) you can definitely adopt mine, and I love that quote from Lee. I’m not so good with accessories so I will lean into that, for sure! That’s funny about the summer, I’m more of an Autumn, but I do love sunglasses more than almost anything! Happy new year!
Love this!!! My two words for 2025 in general are Ease + Joy--so we share a lot in common. I've had so much fun last quarter exploring what dressing joyfully means and I'd love to continue experimenting.
Loved this piece and great images. It’s funny that joy keeps coming up. I’m working on a post about the undeniable feeling of a major shift in fashion away from the minimalist formula we’ve been under since the Pandemic. My go to word is eclectic with a side of joy. And Happy Birthday! The forties are fantastic!
I love this collective enthusiasm for getting older — you know how much joy it brings this 55yo writer who is committed to changing the narrative of aging. 2025 is a huge year for me creatively, with my own fashion essay collection publishing in the Fall as well as being part of a midlife anthology (I wrote a style essay) that publishes in June, so my first word is creativity. Creativity in how I dress to ensure I wear more of what I own, explore how I wear it and to keep my mind open to new ideas. I am with you that ease is another biggie; I long for greater comfort in my fashion and continued effortlessness in my skin and lifestyle. Joy and peace go hand and hand for my third. I love the notion of happiness but can't live without the harmony that accompanies knowing exactly who I am and how/what fashion works for me. HNY and early birthday wishes!
This is beautiful! I can’t wait to read your published work (outside of this platform, of course, which I always love)! Thank you for fearlessly speaking up and out for aging in style, it is the single greatest blessing to have the chance to grow old, and I don’t want to take it for granted for a minute. Your creativity is a bright light, Christine!
Love your three words and I think if I had to choose, mine would be similar - especially joy! Not necessarily in the colourful sense because I do love neutrals, but just the feeling of being content in clothes that feel like me and not caring what other people think. I definitely want to be less self-critical of and more confident in my personal style. Also, I love this idea of "not growing up, but growing INTO your clothing and style." Sometimes, I second guess myself and will wonder if something is "too young" for me, but age really shouldn't matter as long as you feel like yourself! x
Absolutely! I’m so happy to hear all of us focusing on joy - gratitude is such a big part of that and I think it will be a great year for us all if we lean into it! The battle against self-criticism is so real, sometimes I like to imagine myself ten years ago looking ahead, and I know I’d be so thrilled if I knew this is where I’d be. It’s a helpful exercise for me! Happy new year, Maria!
What a wonderful post, Lindsay, and a reminder to dress with intention. Congratulations on joining the 40s club, and revel in giving fewer fucks as you get older. I loved my 40s, it was a great decade of experimentation with clothes and trying different things, without judgement on myself if they didn’t quite work. After all, I remind myself at 95% of people really don’t give a flying fuck about what you’re wearing.😁
My three words for getting dressed this year are: fun, colourpatterntextureshine (yes, that’s all one word for me lol), and comfort. I’ve been embracing a sportier style mixed with my vintage and classic looks, somewhat in the Diane Keaton vibe, with a heavy dose of Iris Apfel. It’s fun, it’s loaded with colour and all of the other associated adjectives, and I feel comfortable and “me” in it.
Happy new year to you! Thank you for the excellent article.💕
Thank you, Sheila! I love your entire comment, especially your word colorpatterntextureshine and your Iris Apfel inspiration! I love her so much. I’m so glad you have found a personal style that feels so good! Goals! Thank you for leading the way ❤️
100% to choosing joy in 2025. I just reread The Year of Living Danishly and there's a big focus on trusting others as a way to create happiness. I love expanding this with trusting yourself and trusting that things will be okay.
I love that connection between joy and trust! I’ve never explicitly thought of that, but it makes so much sense. I need to check out that book, I love all things Scandi. Thanks, Tina!
I love that JOY is appearing for so many people! I am definitely aiming to have more fun getting dressed and am leaning into colour and pattern. I love the move away from “basics” and focusing on the fun pieces that just bring you joy! Also, 40s have been my best years so far 💚.
I’m so happy to hear that about your 40s, Jane! I agree, love adding more color and pattern. Especially unexpected combinations, I’m feeling an anything goes vibe that I want to lean into!
Lindsay I’m VERY into Joy for dressing in 2025; I will join you in that!! I am focusing on what I call Hero pieces (you call Big Hitters) to make my closet happy and exciting. I’m so happy we found each other on here and can find inspiration with each other.
I really want to be a skirt person but I am also a pants person. That Alex Mill/Becky Malinsky collab skirt could be a good “bridge” skirt between pants and skirts (it even has belt loops!) but I’m torn about buying items if I’m not confident about how much I’ll wear them.
I hear you, I’m also hesitant. I missed the belt loops! That makes it even better. Maybe a google image search for a similar, less expensive style to try?
So many thoughts! First off- so glad you reshared your style resolution here as it’s a GOOD one! Thanks again for participating 😊 Second- WELCOME TO THE BEST DECADE OF YOUR LIFE. Granted I’m only 2 years into it but honestly I cannot express how liberating and enjoyable being in your 40s is. Finally I love the 3 words for the year idea! Can I steal yours lol bc they are EXACTLY in line with how I’m feeling. Great minds….! Xx
Steal away! You were partly the inspiration! I’m bookmarking your post and planning to revisit every month - it was SO GOOD! Thank you so much for including me x I’m excited for my 40s - especially with so many incredible women leading the way!
Thank you, Elle! I loved yours, too! I’m realizing in my old(er) age that a lot of what I have worried about isn’t worth it. I’d like to redirect that energy towards true Joy, and when I think back to some of my happiest childhood memories, clothing has been a great source of that (for me)!
Happy Milestone year! I can attest to liking 40s better than 30s (mostly- but do be careful with your knees and back). I struggle with word selection so much. Can I co-opt yours? I am mostly trying to lean into the Lee Radziwill edict of 'simple clothes / interesting accessories.' and I really want to push myself on 2nd hand shopping. I also want to stop buying anymore "it" items- especially in the summer, which is when they always seem to find me. Xx
Thank you! I’m thrilled to hear that about your 40s, although will in invest some time in extra stretching ;) you can definitely adopt mine, and I love that quote from Lee. I’m not so good with accessories so I will lean into that, for sure! That’s funny about the summer, I’m more of an Autumn, but I do love sunglasses more than almost anything! Happy new year!
This 40-something working mom DID NOT NEED jelly shoes.
LOL!
Wow what a fabulous mantra; simple clothing/ interesting accessories. That could certain be the descriptor I’ve used for several years!
Love this!!! My two words for 2025 in general are Ease + Joy--so we share a lot in common. I've had so much fun last quarter exploring what dressing joyfully means and I'd love to continue experimenting.
Congrats on this milestone year!!
No way! Great minds and all that ;) I’m excited to see what you come up with in the year ahead, Xue!
Thank you for the mention! This was a true feast for the eyes in terms of fashion inspiration. Love!
Thank you, Julia! Happy 2025!
Loved this piece and great images. It’s funny that joy keeps coming up. I’m working on a post about the undeniable feeling of a major shift in fashion away from the minimalist formula we’ve been under since the Pandemic. My go to word is eclectic with a side of joy. And Happy Birthday! The forties are fantastic!
Thank you, Jolain! I can’t wait to read your post. Eclectic is one of my three words to describe my style, love it!
I love this collective enthusiasm for getting older — you know how much joy it brings this 55yo writer who is committed to changing the narrative of aging. 2025 is a huge year for me creatively, with my own fashion essay collection publishing in the Fall as well as being part of a midlife anthology (I wrote a style essay) that publishes in June, so my first word is creativity. Creativity in how I dress to ensure I wear more of what I own, explore how I wear it and to keep my mind open to new ideas. I am with you that ease is another biggie; I long for greater comfort in my fashion and continued effortlessness in my skin and lifestyle. Joy and peace go hand and hand for my third. I love the notion of happiness but can't live without the harmony that accompanies knowing exactly who I am and how/what fashion works for me. HNY and early birthday wishes!
This is beautiful! I can’t wait to read your published work (outside of this platform, of course, which I always love)! Thank you for fearlessly speaking up and out for aging in style, it is the single greatest blessing to have the chance to grow old, and I don’t want to take it for granted for a minute. Your creativity is a bright light, Christine!
Love your three words and I think if I had to choose, mine would be similar - especially joy! Not necessarily in the colourful sense because I do love neutrals, but just the feeling of being content in clothes that feel like me and not caring what other people think. I definitely want to be less self-critical of and more confident in my personal style. Also, I love this idea of "not growing up, but growing INTO your clothing and style." Sometimes, I second guess myself and will wonder if something is "too young" for me, but age really shouldn't matter as long as you feel like yourself! x
Absolutely! I’m so happy to hear all of us focusing on joy - gratitude is such a big part of that and I think it will be a great year for us all if we lean into it! The battle against self-criticism is so real, sometimes I like to imagine myself ten years ago looking ahead, and I know I’d be so thrilled if I knew this is where I’d be. It’s a helpful exercise for me! Happy new year, Maria!
Love this exercise. Happy New Year, to you, too! x
I love all these inspiration images! And yes to dressing for joy
Thank you, Sarah! Loved the latest podcast episode!
What a wonderful post, Lindsay, and a reminder to dress with intention. Congratulations on joining the 40s club, and revel in giving fewer fucks as you get older. I loved my 40s, it was a great decade of experimentation with clothes and trying different things, without judgement on myself if they didn’t quite work. After all, I remind myself at 95% of people really don’t give a flying fuck about what you’re wearing.😁
My three words for getting dressed this year are: fun, colourpatterntextureshine (yes, that’s all one word for me lol), and comfort. I’ve been embracing a sportier style mixed with my vintage and classic looks, somewhat in the Diane Keaton vibe, with a heavy dose of Iris Apfel. It’s fun, it’s loaded with colour and all of the other associated adjectives, and I feel comfortable and “me” in it.
Happy new year to you! Thank you for the excellent article.💕
Thank you, Sheila! I love your entire comment, especially your word colorpatterntextureshine and your Iris Apfel inspiration! I love her so much. I’m so glad you have found a personal style that feels so good! Goals! Thank you for leading the way ❤️
100% to choosing joy in 2025. I just reread The Year of Living Danishly and there's a big focus on trusting others as a way to create happiness. I love expanding this with trusting yourself and trusting that things will be okay.
I love that connection between joy and trust! I’ve never explicitly thought of that, but it makes so much sense. I need to check out that book, I love all things Scandi. Thanks, Tina!
Same re: all things Scandi. It's a great read!
Yay, thanks for the rec!
I love that JOY is appearing for so many people! I am definitely aiming to have more fun getting dressed and am leaning into colour and pattern. I love the move away from “basics” and focusing on the fun pieces that just bring you joy! Also, 40s have been my best years so far 💚.
I’m so happy to hear that about your 40s, Jane! I agree, love adding more color and pattern. Especially unexpected combinations, I’m feeling an anything goes vibe that I want to lean into!
Lindsay I’m VERY into Joy for dressing in 2025; I will join you in that!! I am focusing on what I call Hero pieces (you call Big Hitters) to make my closet happy and exciting. I’m so happy we found each other on here and can find inspiration with each other.
I agree! I can’t wait to see what you wear, you’re a total style source for me! I think it will be a fun fashion year!
I really want to be a skirt person but I am also a pants person. That Alex Mill/Becky Malinsky collab skirt could be a good “bridge” skirt between pants and skirts (it even has belt loops!) but I’m torn about buying items if I’m not confident about how much I’ll wear them.
I hear you, I’m also hesitant. I missed the belt loops! That makes it even better. Maybe a google image search for a similar, less expensive style to try?
So many thoughts! First off- so glad you reshared your style resolution here as it’s a GOOD one! Thanks again for participating 😊 Second- WELCOME TO THE BEST DECADE OF YOUR LIFE. Granted I’m only 2 years into it but honestly I cannot express how liberating and enjoyable being in your 40s is. Finally I love the 3 words for the year idea! Can I steal yours lol bc they are EXACTLY in line with how I’m feeling. Great minds….! Xx
Steal away! You were partly the inspiration! I’m bookmarking your post and planning to revisit every month - it was SO GOOD! Thank you so much for including me x I’m excited for my 40s - especially with so many incredible women leading the way!
Joy being on both word lists is really resonating with me. LOVE and loved seeing your resulution in Sogole's letter as well <3
Thank you, Elle! I loved yours, too! I’m realizing in my old(er) age that a lot of what I have worried about isn’t worth it. I’d like to redirect that energy towards true Joy, and when I think back to some of my happiest childhood memories, clothing has been a great source of that (for me)!
We both picked joy!
It seems to be a big one this year! I think we all need it xx