The Most Wearable Spring & Summer Fashion Trends in 2024 for Women Over 40

Spring & Summer Fashion Trends in 2024

Each season I share the best and most wearable fashion trends for women over 40. These are the trends that more mature women can actually wear without looking ridiculous. This year, we’re seeing lots of new, exciting, and fun fashion trends you’re going to love. As with all trends, you should pick and choose the ones you like most and then aim to give the trends your very own spin…. make them your own. You also do NOT have to try ANY of these trends. I just want to make sure you have all the resources you need to stay up-to-date and be your most stylish self! Below are the *TOP 10* 2024 spring fashion trends I know we can all wear.

If you are someone who loves outfit inspiration, this post is for you. We share 40+ spring outfit ideas for every casual to dressy occasion or event you have coming up this spring. It’s such a priceless resource!

#1) Sheer White Dresses

We see white dresses for spring every year…but the twist for this season is sheer white dresses! Floating fabrics, sexy draping, and frilly layers that expose more of the body, but in the most angelic of ways. Designers like Valentino, Stella McCartney, and Prada had super sheer styles on the runway for the ultimate in barely thereness. But we can still embrace this trend in a more wearable way…with sheer sleeves, semi-sheer lacey layers, and sheer hemlines. And, you can always add a full or partial slip, bralette, tank, or even boy shorts underneath if you want to add a bit more coverage. It’s a great way to show a little skin but still feel covered up, elegant, and sophisticated. Sheerly delightful!

#2) Color Trends

If you enjoy pops of color, this spring trend is for you! From Millennial Pink to gold and silver metallics to icy blue, lilac, bright red, and all shades of green…it seems just about every color of the rainbow is fair game this spring. Last fall, red was seen everywhere and it’s still going strong, but if red isn’t your color, a wider net was cast on spring runways. There are gorgeous pops of color from designers like Hermès, Tory Burch, and Valentino. But there was also a huge focus on black and white which is always a chic and timeless combo. If you aren’t sure what colors look best on you, I have a simple but reliable tip. Just hold the color up to your face. You should immediately see that it either brightens or dulls your complexion. Easy peasy!

#3) Sculptural Volumes

Sculptural volumes that look like art…that is what this trend is all about. Going beyond bold puff sleeves and shoulders, we’re seeing twisting and molding of fabrics like never before. Think ruching but even more intense. Peplums but super dramatic. Ruffles that are SO exaggerated, they seem to have a life of their own. For every day, voluminous pieces are easiest to wear when paired with more streamlined counterparts. It’s all about creating the right proportions and taking the opposites-attract approach. For example, a super voluminous blouse can be worn with a sleek slip skirt. Baggy or barrel jeans can look more balanced when worn with a fitted tee, vest, or top. We’ll link some wearable options below that pay tribute to this trend!

If you’re wondering how to embrace the baggy jean trend, I shared my 3 secrets to wearing them with confidence in this post.

#4) Denim Everything

You’ve heard of the Canadian Tuxedo, right? Basically, wearing denim together on top and bottom. But the new take on this trend takes things up a notch. Denim handbags, shoes, dresses, trousers, matching denim sets, you name it! Denim-on-denim can be casually cool and slouchy worn with sneakers or super structured and polished…just add heels. You can wear the same denim wash all over, mix up the shades of blue denim, or mix blue with white or black denim. This trend has no rules! But what’s the best way to pull it off while looking ultra-chic? Look for denim pieces with interesting details like ruffles, asymmetrical hemlines, or oversized silhouettes. If going full head-to-toe seems out of your denim comfort zone, start small by pairing a denim skirt, shirt, or pair of jeans with a denim accessory like a handbag or shoes.

If you’re a denim lover like me, make sure you check out this post next where we share our favorite ways to style a denim jacket.

#5) Feathers

You would be hard-pressed to NOT see feathers in some design element or another on the spring runways. We’ve seen them mostly on the sleeves and arms with designers like Proenza Schouler and Acne Studios, but feather details can be found on hemlines, cuffs, and front-and-center on tops and dresses. While I’m not sure I’d wear an all-over feather dress (although never say never!) I do think feathery details are so modern, chic, and fresh. I have a hot pink feather bustier that I LOVE! You can see how I styled it in this post if you need some inspiration. If this trend seems unattainable to you, don’t think you have to go full-on Big Bird here. Feathery accents and touches might be a great place to start.

#6) Basics-With-A-Twist

Basics with a twist are the best basics! I love a great quality blazer, jacket, or blouse that I know I’ll keep in my closet for years, but when it has an interesting or unexpected detail, I love it even more. Quiet Luxury and Stealth Wealth are trends that are still going strong and are considered adjacent to the elevated basics trend. Chanel embodies this trend year after year. Chic minimalism whether that’s a high-waisted pair of jeans, a white button-down shirt, or classic pointed-toe heels will always be “in”. So, if you tend to avoid taking big fashion risks, this is the trend for you. Across the board, simple, timeless, versatile pieces are always great go-to’s…but they don’t have to be boring! Basics with a twist can infuse some personality into your wardrobe.

#7) Preppy Style

Sporty and preppy styles are all the rage right now. Polo shirts, pleated skirts, plaid, anything that harkens back to the Facts of Life prep school days! On the runway, Gucci, Y/Project, and Miu Miu revisited those Ralph Lauren 80’s summer camp vibes in fresh new ways. You can easily embrace this trend with varsity-like sweaters, striped button-downs, and by just…popping your collar. You can also try pairing a baseball cap and sneakers with a striped dress or button-down top to achieve this collegiate look.

#8) Polka Dots

You might remember last season we talked about the popularity of polka dots. I love polka dots because they’re a subtle, wearable pattern that’s fun and timeless. I’ve been wearing polka dots for years, and while black and white or navy and white dots are the most common, the new twist for spring is red polka dots! This is more of a street-style trend, but we just had to share it because it’s perfectly wearable for women over 40 and a fresh new take on a classic. What do you think? Would you wear red polka dots? Sharing few pieces you can shop below.

#9) Sensational Skirts

Mini, midi, maxi, voluminous, ruffled, striped, pencil, or floral skirts…take your pick because they are all on-trend this spring. Any length is on-trend so you can embrace the styles that suit you best. We saw skirt suiting and see-through skirts most frequently on the runway, but nearly every designer had skirts front and center. You can take any of the other trends we mentioned in this post like denim, metallic, and pops of color, and double-up on your trends by finding a skirt in these colors and fabrications. I love pairing a skirt with combat boots or sneakers to edge things up a bit. Or, keep it lovely and feminine and pair your skirts with kitten heels or strappy sandals this spring.

#10) All Things Feminine

All things feminine like bows, tulle, ruffles, floral prints, lace, and rosettes dominated the runway this spring. Feminine touches are everywhere. Also referred to as Girlcore, you can go all in on this trend or choose a few thoughtful accessories like a floral choker or hair bow to test the waters. Think light, flirty, and soft. We had similar takes on this trend in past seasons like Barbiecore and Coquette. I love that this trend is still going strong!

More Exciting Spring Trends

Here are a few more spring fashion trends and micro trends that you can embrace this season.

AirCon – Open Work Materials
Brown & Navy
Red & Gray
Fringe
Statement Belts
Sheer Layers

Which trend is your favorite, or which one do you want to try? Let us know in the comments below!

If you liked this post, please share it using the buttons below! You can share it on Facebook, add it to your Pinterest style board for inspiration, or email it to your friends. We SO appreciate your support. Don’t forget, you can get posts delivered directly to your inbox by subscribing to the newsletter. Thanks for stopping by!