How to Wear a Leather Jacket Over 40: Practical Tips & Outfit Ideas for Women in Their 40s and Beyond

Am I too old for the leather jacket? Is 40 too old for the leather jacket? Can I still pull it off? The answers to your questions are: no, no, and yes!

Leather Jackets After 40: Yes or No?

Because of its edgy vibe, many women find leather clothing challenging once they hit 40. In reality, the leather jacket is ageless. You can wear it in your 70s, 60s, 50s and certainly in your 40s!

The leather jacket is a great basic element in your fall/winter wardrobe and can be worn with almost anything, from jeans in casual ensembles to skirts and dresses in elegant looks. The key is to go for a classic style and avoid too bikery and too tight versions.

If you still have the leather jacket from your 20s and it's a classic style, it's time to rediscover it! If you don't own a leather jacket, don't be afraid to make the investment - you'll get plenty of wear out of it. Just look at these ladies in their 40s and 50s pulling off the leather jacket with aplomb.

Here are 3 classic combinations which prove that leather jackets look amazing on mature women. The best part is, most of these outfits are so simple you can easily recreate them with items you already have in your closet.

Casual: The Leather Jacket with Jeans

Incorporating a leather jacket in your everyday casual looks is very easy. Wear it with light colored basic tops and shirts paired with jeans in indigo, grey or black. For footwear, choose boots - ankle, mid-calf or knee high.

Sharon Stone, 58, looks fabulous as she shows off her figure in double leather.

Smart Casual: The Leather Jacket with Slim Pants

The leather jacket is good not only for running errands in the city. It's very easy to dress up for smarter occasions as well. The leather jacket has a rough, edgy vibe, so try pairing it with feminine tops to balance the look and create a chic contrast. Throw it on a silky blouse paired with slim pants and heeled shoes for a modern, yet age-appropriate look.

Kim Cattrall, 60, is not afraid to pair a leather jacket with statement trousers in green plaid.

Elegant: The Leather Jacket with a Sheath Dress

Cindy Crawford is clearly a fan of leather jackets. The 50 year-old beauty incorporates her leather jackets in off-duty outfits as masterfully as she does in evening looks. Take cues from Cindy and try layering your leather jacket over a sheath dress in a dark color. Go with a cropped button down leather jacket for a modern ladylike look or a biker jacket for a beautiful contrast.

Helen Mirren, 71, stuns in a black leather jacket layered over a gorgeous leopard gown, while Julianne Moore teams her black jacket with a chiffon midi dress in navy.

Colored Leather: How to Wear Grey, Brown, Red and Green Leather Jackets After 40

A black leather jacket is classic. But don't limit yourself to just this color. In fact, you may find that a leather jacket in brown or tan is even more versatile.

Do you like the featured outfits? These are some of the most stylish and popular combinations out there. But you can also filter out the outfits you see to match your own clothes.

Add some of your clothes to your digital wardrobe on Lookastic, and we'll show you outfits you can put together. Click here to get started .

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