This week, I’m sharing a full style roundup featuring the five outfits I wore, plus your top-loved fashion finds from the past month and a brand-new, 5-minute styling video where I walk through each look. These are easy, wearable outfit ideas for women 40 and up—mixing everyday essentials, great-value finds, and pieces you can style multiple ways. Whether you love classic staples, casual layers, or budget-friendly picks from Nordstrom, Quince, J.Crew, Target, Amazon, and more, this post brings everything together in one place for quick inspiration and effortless dressing.
What I Wore This Week
Below are five outfits I wore this week—a blend of everyday casual, seasonal layers, and a few festive pieces. As you scroll, my hope is that you’ll spot styling ideas, color pairings, or outfit formulas you can easily recreate with items already in your closet. Think of these looks as a starting point to spark inspiration and help you build outfits that feel like you.
Look 1: Cozy Chic Layers
I slipped the Quince $30 grey fleece insert into my thrifted red Veronica Beard jacket, and it works perfectly. I kept the rest simple with a soft-white, under $20, must-have Quince ribbed tank, my older Pilcro wide-leg flare jeans, Back 70 suede mule sneakers, a Longchamp Le Pliage large tote, and my Look Optic “Cooper” sun progressives (now 25% off, here).
Look 2: Classic + Festive
If you caught last week’s holiday styling video, you’ll recognize this J.Crew pink sweater. Instead of the gold skirt, I went with a plaid one today, added Anine Bing mules, a stretch belt for definition, and my vintage faux fur collar (worn slightly off to the side) for an extra festive touch.
Look 3: Head-to-Toe Sequins
Head-to-toe sequins for our annual Sparkle Breakfast—a tradition that started seven years ago when one of us found a disco-ball jacket at a consignment shop. This year, I paired a silver maxi skirt (All Saints) with a semi-matching blazer (Rachel Zoe, thrifted), added tights, booties, and vintage accessories, and we kicked off the season with another morning full of sparkle and shine. I’ve linked some similar skirts and blazers below, all on sale at Nordstrom Rack.
Tap the arrows on either side of the image to browse the full selection.
Look 4: Faux Fur & Hoodie: A Chic Twist on Cozy
Heading out on a date night to my favorite brewery and to check out Christmas lights, I styled my J.Crew sweater pants (now 50% off!) with a vintage faux fur animal-print coat and a chunky camel Berber hooded sweater (Sandro, thrifted). I finished the look with square-toe Vince booties and my go-to Longchamp Le Pliage Énergie crossbody bag—perfect for keeping my hands free while walking around town. I love how the hood adds a bit of extra styling, creating a playful tension between the glam coat and the casual hoodie.
Look 5: Elevated Casual: Faux Leather Leggings
Faux leather leggings and a chunky grey turtleneck styled two ways for a nighttime holiday parade: first with a Faherty quilted jacket and lug-sole boots, then with my Apparis faux fur hooded jacket—dupe found at Quince for $100, (here)—and cozy Uggs. A plaid cashmere pom-pom hat pulls both looks together.
Tap the arrows on either side of the image to browse the full selection.
Top 5 Most-Loved Items This Month
Between the blog, Instagram, and LTK, these five pieces have been the most-clicked and most-shopped this month. A few are wardrobe staples, and a couple are great value finds and budget-friendly dupes.
1. Quince $30 Blazer Insert
Love a good dupe? I was curious whether the Quince Blazer Insert — a lookalike for the Veronica Beard Dickey — would work with my Veronica Beard jackets, so I ordered two of the $30 Organic Fleece Hoodie Inserts. And yes, they work! Compare for yourself: Veronica Beard (here, $175) vs. Quince in three colors; PRESS HERE, $30.
2. J Crew Delaney Sweater Pant – now 50% off
This pant sold out last fall before I could grab a pair. When I finally tried them on at J.Crew this year, it was—no joke—85 degrees outside, and I walked out thinking, This is not a California winter pant. But as soon as the temps dropped into the 60s, I realized I needed these pants in my winter wardrobe, and now I wear them all the time.
The shape, quality, and styling won me over. With a wide waistband (think your favorite wide, semi-compression waistband), a ponte-knit flare, and flattering pintuck details, this is a must-have. Like Spanx pants, I wouldn’t tuck anything in the front, but the fit is incredibly flattering—more substantial and polished than a typical knit legging.
Dress them up with mules or down with sneakers or booties—they even pair perfectly with my Hunter lug-sole rain boots. And yes… they’re warm, in a good way!
The Delaney sweater pant is available in petite, regular, tall, and six colors. I bought the black. Regularly priced at $168.00, now 50% off, $82.50. PRESS HERE to shop.
3. Quince $100 Hooded Faux Fur Jacket
The Quince Hooded Faux Fur Jacket is a great dupe for my Apparis faux fur jacket ($335), shown in Outfit 5 with faux leather leggings. While I don’t own the Quince version, the reviews are excellent. Available in three colors, it’s an easy way to elevate your casual winter looks for just $100. PRESS HERE to shop.
4. Look Optic Readers and Progressives
I have both the “Cooper” sun progressives and the “Muse” readers (currently, $64.50). Chic yet affordable, they’ve become my new favorites. The brand is currently offering 25% off sitewide, a 90-day trial, and free shipping on orders over $120. PRESS HERE to browse all Look Optic readers and progressive lenses.
5. Back 70 Sneakers
As a picky sneaker wearer, I find the Back 70 sneakers to be the perfect mix of comfort and style. I love my Easter Mule in suede—so easy to wear all day and elevate any outfit. The sneakers come in fun colors with suede, faux fur, or metallic details, while the mule’s sleek, slip-on design makes it effortlessly polished. True to size for me. PRESS HERE to shop all Back 70 sneakers, now restocked in new colors, at Anthropologie.
Watch the Video – 5 Minutes, 5 Outfits
If you’re more of a visual person, here’s the video version where I walk through the three of the outfits above – and 2 others – and how I put them together. It’s quick (under 5 minutes!!), casual, and filmed in real time — think of it as getting ready with a friend.
Shop Today’s Post
Scroll and click on any image below to link to 25 items featured in today’s post
Thanks for hanging out with me for this week’s style roundup! Let me know which outfit was your favorite and if you’ve shopped or tried any of this month’s most-loved pieces. Your clicks and messages help me plan what to style next — and I love hearing what you’re enjoying. If you want more daily looks, sales, and outfit ideas, be sure to follow along on LTK and Pinterest as well.
