What Stylish Women Over 40 Wear To Work

Good style hardly trails off as you age. If anything, women over 40 have hit their personal-style stride and mastered dressing in a way that's perfectly them and tasteful as ever. Which begs the question: What do the most stylish women over 40 wear to work? For the answer, we looked to a range of exceptional women whose sense of fashion is not only expert but embodies a polished and practical ethos all working women can take note of and apply to their own routines. From easy outfits to fail-safe pieces, continue on for stylish workwear tips and shoppable picks from nine impeccable women over 40.

Rachel Zoe

Co-CEO and Editor in Chief of The Zoe Report

"When dressing for the office, a few go-to 'uniform' items make you feel polished and also save you time in the morning. Start with a versatile pant—wide-leg trousers or culottes in a slight stretch material are comfortable to wear all day and won't easily wrinkle while you're at your desk or sitting during longer meetings. Pair with a sleeveless blouse and a structured blazer, and transition between a tuxedo vest, a chunky knit or even a slouchy T-shirt for a more casual look. Add a kitten-heel bootie, a go-to slide or a heeled loafer. Finally, always take a few minutes to accessorize—a couple of pieces of jewelry will complete your ensemble and elevate your look."

Elizabeth von der Goltz

Global Buying Director of Net-a-Porter

"For the colder months, my office uniform consists of a cozy knit, tailored pants and booties topped off with a statement blazer or coat. I'm drawn to knitwear with interesting accents such as a high neck with a bell sleeve or a festive intarsia design. Co, Chloé and Loewe all have gorgeous knit pieces for winter. A flattering pant is also a must for any office wardrobe and is very versatile—pair cropped flares with a kitten-heel mule or bootie or long wide-leg pants with a platform boot. Stella McCartney is a favorite brand for classic pants, and I love my wide-leg navy corduroys from Acne Studios. For shoes, I tend to lean on my Aquazzura leopard booties and white Gianvito Rossi boots. I'll complete my outfit with a novelty menswear-inspired blazer from Saint Laurent or Gucci, or a statement coat. Sacai's navy wool coat with gold accents is one of my favorite pieces of the season, or a trench by A.W.A.K.E. or Simone Rocha."

Amy Smilovic

Founder and Creative Director of Tibi

"For the office, I gravitate toward items that aren't literal. If I'm wearing a blazer, I want proportions that are unexpected—an enlarged shoulder or an asymmetrical hem. If it's a traditional white shirt, I look for a twist on the sleeve. If it's a pleated pant, maybe the scale is more exaggerated so it makes a statement. I like garments that say something; something that makes me feel creative, smart and thoughtful. Clothing has the power to transform the way you feel."

Deborah Nicodemus

Chief Executive Officer of Moda Operandi

"There is nothing more important than feeling physically and mentally strong as well as understanding the emotional impact of color. When it comes to the office, the color palette is pure and monochromatic. With that said, working at a place like Moda Operandi I have the best of the best in luxury fashion for every occasion. No day is ever the same, as I am out and about all day, so it's important to feel comfortable in what I'm wearing. I tend to pair tailored pants with a smart cotton or silk blouse and mid-height heels. Some of my go-to designers include Rochas, Prada and Valentino among others. There are also emerging designers I gravitate toward such as Yeon."

Jennifer Fisher

Creator and Designer of Jennifer Fisher Jewelry

"My go-to office look on a daily basis is whatever I can throw on in the morning before I have to run out the door with my children. Our office is pretty casual, jeans are allowed. Jeans are pretty much an everyday thing, so therefore, I own a lot of jeans. I love Vetements, Off-White, Re/Done and 3x1. Depending on the season, I may pair them with a Gucci turtleneck or a Balenciaga button-down. My favorite shoes are the Balenciaga pointed boots that I have in every color leather, including metallic and patent. My day-to-day earrings are the Samira hoops, or Karlas or Erins, depending on what I'm wearing—I like them to match the hardware on my bags."

Charlotte Tilbury

Creator of Charlotte Tilbury Cosmetics

"I don't wear clothes to hide in, or let my clothes wear me, and I don't really stray from my own sense of style to follow the latest fashions. The clothes I choose paint me in the best light possible—I dress for my own confidence, not for fashion. I have the same approach to clothes as I do to makeup—for me they should enhance your natural assets to create the best silhouette and impression of you. I go for cuts and colors that flatter and celebrate my curves—pencil skirts, close-fitting pin-up dresses (quite 1950s style), ribbing, Lycra, artfully placed zips, peplum tops, netting features over the décolletage, etc. I love deep colors like dark greens, night crimsons, deep plums and dark navy and teal colors that contrast with my red hair. I love leopard print. I'm also a high-heel addict—if I wear flats my personality feels flat too! My favorite designers include Tom Ford, Alaïa, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Miu Miu, Roberto Cavalli, Versace, Alice Temperley, Roland Mouret, Donna Karan, Antonio Berardi, YSL, Stella McCartney, Vali Boutique and Zara."

Lalena Luba

Vice President of Global Public Relations for Kate Spade & Company

"My office formula reflects my overall design and dressing preference, which is finding the perfect balance of masculine and feminine. The blazer is absolutely essential to a workwear formula—my favorites are from Céline. The second go-to for me is a killer shoe. That can mean a color or a unique shape, but most importantly it has to be comfortable and not a super-high heel. For this, I often look to Isabel Marant and Dries Van Noten for great flats and booties. To balance the masculinity of a blazer and booties, I tend to get feminine with the other pieces. I love statement earrings (I'm lucky to have access to ours at Kate Spade, which are truly some of my favorites), easy dresses and midi skirts (Kate Spade makes amazing leather ones I wear over and over)."

Jennifer Meyer

Chief Executive Officer of Jennifer Meyer Jewelry

"A pair of large statement earrings are the ideal finish to any outfit. My current favorites, my Hammered Disc earrings, dress up my uniform of a pair of Levi's and a cozy sweater, but also go perfectly from day to night."

Desiree Gruber

Chief Executive Officer of Full Picture

"I always feel my most confident in flats. While some people associate my line of work with sky-high stilettos, I keep my feet firmly planted on the ground in a pair of super-stylish Sarah Flint flats. And I'm obsessed with Rag & Bone blazers right now. They're chic and easy and pair great with jeans or pants."