How to Look Chic in Camo When You’re Over 40

Camo is on trend once again! Camouflage patterns have come and gone in fashion through the years, but you may have noticed it is back again – with a vengeance.

You may be wondering, “Can women over 40 wear camo prints?” I believe the answer is yes! Of course there are several tips I’ll share for styling the trend so you won’t look like you are hunting, going into battle or trying too hard. Plus, I adore how camo prints work with a summer wardrobe. Here’s how to wear camo when you are over 40.

Camouflage Fashion For Women Over 40

We all might worry about wearing trends that come back around if we wore them when we were very young! I remember going on a hunt (no pun intended) for camouflage pants back in the 80’s and right after college.

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With my limited budget I checked out the Army-Navy Surplus store, but I eventually scored a customizable pair of men’s pants in the sporting goods area at Kmart. I tailored them to fit better at the waist and I believe I even tapered them at the ankles a bit to be more fashionable, like “baggies.” I wore them with a short sleeve white t-shirt, a metallic belt and skinny strap metallic flat sandals. Well, I would, could and will absolutely wear this look again today! Only today I can find pants that fit properly and are already fashionable.

Camouflage patterns pants whit tee gold sandals fountinof30
Updated 80s Camo Outfit: ATM Anthony Thomas Melillo Camouflage-print cotton-blend slim-leg pants, now $118 | rag & bone The Tee slub Pima cotton-jersey T-shirt, $85 | HM Gold-Colored Narrow Belt, $5.99 | Kaunas Maceio 4-Strap Sandals, $139

Camo Trend Styling Tips For Summer

1. Wear Camouflage Print Accessories

Camo can be worn in place of an animal print pattern, like leopard or snake prints. After all, animals have patterns to camouflage themselves in the wild, just like a soldier or a hunter who needs to blend in with the leaves and trees and other natural surroundings. So if you would like to try the trend in small doses, try camo print shoes or a camo bag. You can wear it with black or white or colors echoing the camo print, but just like animal prints, you can also be creative and try pairing camo with bright colors or other prints.

2. Find Tonal Camo Patterns

If you find camouflage prints be too busy or you think it will draw attention to areas you may not want to highlight, think again. Designers are showing camouflage patterns in very muted tones right now, so you can find patterns that are not so bold or attention-grabbing. Think dark greens on dark browns, or white backgrounds with bleached out camo patterns.

3. Wear Camo On Areas you Want to Hide

Camo Trend Styling camouflage tee white jeans gold bag fountain of 30
Minimize With Camo: Sanctuary Camo Cotton Blend Tee, $59 | Paige Denim Hoxton High Waist Skinny Jeans, $189 | Vince Camuto Citriana Sandal, $98.95 | Salvatore Ferragamo Gancio Leather Camera Bag, $739

Did you ever notice how some prints can actually make you look slimmer? Camouflage is one of them – it can literally camouflage you!

If you want to slim down your legs and hips, you should try some of the new trendy camo pant styles. There are a wide variety of styles from wide leg to cropped silhouettes. These look fabulous with a black tank or a crisp white blouse, and they are a great and more formal alternative to jeans. I think they actually look better dressed up than jeans, especially if you wear them with heeled strappy sandals and with a metallic bag or shiny jewelry.

On the other hand, if you want to tone down your top half, a camo pattern tee, jacket or top will work for you. Keep the rest of your look clean with white skinny jeans or your best fitting blue jeans.

4. Wear Camouflage with Solids or Mix With Other Prints

Basic black, white and neutral pieces look fabulous with shades of green and tan camouflage prints. But you can treat camo like a neutral and pair it with solid bright colors like blue, orange or yellow. You can also try mixing camo prints with other types of patterns, such as bold stripes or large florals. Keep the main rules of print mixing in mind – small prints pair well with larger ones, and stick the same color palette.

camo patterns with mixed prints bold color fountainof30
Mixing Prints With Camo: ATM Anthony Thomas Melillo Camo Tank Dress, $195 with Kate Spade New York Amelia Shoulder Bag, $208.60 or Ted Baker London Jenii Berry Sundae Shopper, $149 | ATM Anthony Thomas Melillo Camouflage Silk Satin Cami, $225 with Leith Easy Crop Pants, $55

Have fun styling with camouflage prints. You can definitely wear camo at 40, and at any age!

Shop The Camo Fashion Trend

Carol Calacci

You may also like to read more of Carol’s styling tips for women over 40 like How to Wear The Newest Pleats Trend When You Are Over 40 and How To Wear Satin When You’re Over 40.

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