Soft Linen, Good Sandals & No Nonsense: Summer Style After 40
Welcome to My Comfortable Season
I recently celebrated my 40-ish birthday…
And somewhere between blowing out the candles, having multiple bites of ALL the varieties of Nothing Bunt Cake that my partner so thoughtfully came up with — “because, why just have one flavor?”
If that’s not love — and realized I now make invoiluntary noises when standing up from the couch, I came to the conclusion:
To HELL with Hot Girl Summer, and why is that even a fucking thing?
Don’t get me wrong. If your version of happiness involves bodycon dresses and six-inch heels, you do you.
As for me?
I am officially entering my Comfy Season.
Actually, if we’re being honest, I’ve been living in my Comfy Season year-around for quite some time now.
Gone are the days of squeezing myself into clothing that requires a deep breath, prayer, and possibly a friend to zip me in.
Gone are the shoes the looked cute online but felt like torture devices created by a committee of people who clearly have a fetish for watching women wobble around on stilts.
Gone are the trends that require me to sacrifice circulation for fashion.
At this stage in my life, I know who I am.
And who I am is a woman who wants soft linens, drapey cottons, breathable fabrics, and shoes that don’t make me question my will to live halfway though brunch.
As for footwear?
If my tootsies are more than half an inch off the ground, someone better be paying my rent.
The beauty of getting older is realizing that style and suffering do not have to coexist.
Comfort isn’t giving up.
Comfort is confidence.
Comfort is knowing what works for your body.
Comfort is walking into a room feeling life yourself instead of spending the evening adjusting, tugging, pulling, and praying nothing pops open unexpectedly.
These days my style philosophy is simple:
Comfort.
Casual.
Chic.
The trifecta.
I want clothing that moves with me through coffee runs, weekend markets, dinner date, late-night walks with Ellie, cooking at home nights, and whatever calm chaos life decides to throw my way.
The truth is, there’s nothing more attractive than a woman who feels completely comfortable in her own skin.
And if that woman happens to be wearing linen pants with an elastic waistband while sipping sauvignon blanc on a patio?
Even better.
The Foundation Pieces
If you’re building a summer capsule wardrobe after 40, start here.
The beauty of a capsule wardrobe isn’t owning less — it’s owning better.
Every item should mix, match, layer, and multitask its way through your week without requiring a second thought.
The Elevated White Tee
The humble white tee deserves a standing ovation.
Not the paper-thin one you’ve had since 2017.
We’re talking about a beautifully draped cotton tee that looks polished whether it’s paired with denim, linen trousers, or a maxi skirt.
Perfect White Tee Fit -
Shop:
The Linen Button Down
A summer wardrobe MVP.
Wear it
open over a tank
tied at the waist
over a swimsuit
half-tucked into trousers
It instantly makes you look like you have your life together — even when you’re running simply on caffeine and positive vibes.
Relaxed Demin
Skinny jeans aren’t banned.
They’re just no longer mandatory.
A relaxed straight-leg or wide-leg jean creates an effortless silhouette that’s comfortable enough for everyday wear.
Favorite Brands:
Good American
Madwell
Old Navy
The Perfect Tank
Look for:
Quality fabric
Wider straps
No constant adjusting
A great tank becomes the foundation for nearly every summer outfit.
Dresses Worth Packing
At this stage in life, we appreciate a dress that does all the heavy lifting.
One piece.
Minimal effort.
The Linen Midi Dress
This is the dress you’ll reach for all summer long.
Perfect for:
Vacation dinners
Winery visits
Farmer’s markets
Summer parties
I often steer toward neutral shades like:
black
olive
navy
soft blue
natural linen
The T-Shirt Dress
For days when life feels particularly offensive.
Throw it on with sandals and gold jewelry and call it fashion.
No one needs to know you got dressed in under sixty seconds.
The Smocked Maxi Dress
Comfortable enough for a road trip.
Pretty enough for date night.
The holy grail
Brands to Browse:
Petal & Pup
Antropologie
Maeve
Hill House Home
The Hero Piece: The Linen Button Down - yes again!
If there is one item every women over forty should own this summer, it’s a quality linen button-down.
I own several.
Because once you discover how versatile they are, there’s no turning back.
Bottoms: Linen Trousers
Discovering wide-leg linen trousers.
Life changing.
They are literally everything we need in this season of life.
Shop Similar Styles -
ANTHROPOLOGIE COLETTE LINEN PANT
OLD NAVY LINEN BLEND WIDE LEG PANT
The Shoes
Friends.
Let's have a serious conversation.
The era of sacrificing our feet for fashion has officially ended.
I've retired from footwear that requires a recovery period.
The perfect Coastal Grandmother sandal should be:
Comfortable
Walkable
Chic
Neutral
Notice nowhere on that list does it say painful.
Shop Similar Styles
Birkenstock Arizona Big Buckle
Still stylish.
Still supportive.
Still undefeated.
Podiatrist approved and surprisingly cute.
Elevated without trying too hard.
The Accessories
Accessories should whisper luxury.
Not scream trend.
Raffia Tote
Every Coastal Grandmother owns one.
Whether she lives by the ocean or not.
Look for:
Structured shapes
Leather trim
Natural textures
Favorites:
Madewell
Anthropologie
Target
Sunglasses
The bigger the better.
Not only do oversized sunglasses elevate an outfit instantly, but they also hide evidence of poor sleep decisions.
A public service, really.
Favorites:
Quay
Coach
Jewelry
Simple.
Classic.
Gold.
Think:
Chunky hoops
Layered necklaces
Everyday rings
Tennis bracelets
Nothing fussy.
Nothing trendy.
Just beautiful pieces you'll wear for years.
Bonheur Jewelry
Not trendy, over-the-top pieces you'll wear once and forget about six months later. I'm talking about timeless, everyday pieces that quietly pull an outfit together.
What's one fashion trend you've happily retired from after 40?
Tell me in the comments below, and don't forget to shop my favorite capsule wardrobe finds throughout this post. Your feet, your closet, and your future self will thank you. ✨👡🤍👒🍷
Smocked Maxi Dress
Shop Banana Republic Factory for your Summer Capsule Wardrobe
Catch up on the latest Stilettos & Mascara edits —> Here
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July 4th style does not have to mean uncomfortable shoes, itchy outfits, or dressing like a walking flag. This Stilettos & Mascara outfit edit keeps things festive, coastal, and effortlessly cute with white linen, denim shorts, breezy blue dresses, woven bags, gold accessories, and sandals you can actually survive the day in. Red, white, and unbothered — exactly how summer style should feel.