11 Best Fall 2020 Fashion Trends For Women Over 40 For Less

This article first published on February 29, 2020. We reviewed the fall collections back in February, right before the lockdown of 2020. Now that autumn is here, we thought you may like to take a look at the fall 2020 trends we found for women over 40. This year most of us are not revamping our entire wardrobes, but you may like to add a few of the newest fall trends to your closet. So we included shopping links from our favorite affordable stores like Amazon, H&M, Target and Walmart so you can get these runway looks for less. 

It’s always exciting to take a look at the best new fashion trends each season. As the Fall 2020 RTW collection fashion shows are coming to an end, now we can see what stood out at the fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris. But what stood out is not always appropriate nor do we necessarily want to wear all the trends that were shown (at any age). After carefully reviewing the shows, we put together our selections of the best fall 2020 fashion trends for women over 40.

In a nutshell nothing was really earth-shattering in the Fall 2020 RTW collections, but when you look closely you will notice that overall many of the recent trends from the last few seasons have been refined. We saw less dark fall florals and animal prints. Instead there is a movement towards clean tailoring and solid colors with texture and movement. Some of the textures that played out in a really big way were fringe and feathers (which if you remember were huge about 5 years ago). The leather apparel and menswear jackets we embraced last year are still there for us in full force. We will be able to enjoy head-to-toe leather looks and a variety of jacket, blazers and coat styles to fit our needs and flatter us.

Fall 2020 proves that more is more! There is more refinement in the shapes of silhouettes, more belts and broader shoulders, more fabric in big billowing sleeves and much more intense color in monochrome head-to-toe looks. Take a look at the fall 2020 trends.

Best Fall 2020 Fashion Trends

Fall 2020 Fashion Trend 1: Leather All Over

To say that leather is big for Fall 2020 may be a bit of an understatement. Leather was all over the runways! Not only was leather shown in various pieces like pants, skirts, dresses and coats in New York, London, Milan and Paris, but many designers showed full-on leather ensembles. From an elegant and voluminous black jacket and pants look at Alberta Feretti, to slim pants with billowing sleeves in brown at Jil Sander and a pleated full skirt and top with matching pine green boots at Ferragamo, these allover leather looks are totally appropriate for women over 40. And yes, you can always wear the pieces separately!

Fall 2020 Fashion Trend 2: Capes and Ponchos

We saw many capes in 2019, and the cape and poncho trend still prevails for Fall 2020. Besides ponchos and capes that are practical and elegant, this seasons capes are a bit more creative. I especially like the innovative cape/coats as shown at Burberry in plaid, a short capelet with matching coat at Chalayan and a gorgeous belted cape at Jason Wu Collection with a peek of bright fuchsia lining.

Fall 2020 Fashion Trend 3: Fringed Frocks

One very noticeable embellishment for Fall 2020 is fringe! From opulent silks to heavy knits and leathers, fringed frocks made their way down the runways sparking a lot of drama in many collections. Looks ranged from a minimal amount of fringe at the shoulders at Boss to thick floor length knit fringe at Bottega Veneta. I like the overall hairlike use of silky black fringe over a grey midi dress at Prada.

Fall 2020 Fashion Trend 4:  Crop It At The Top

This look was not at every show but I predict we will be seeing many more cropped jackets, especially since waistlines are continuing to get higher and silhouettes are longer and fuller at the bottom. The cropped black and white jacket at Emporio Armani hits just right over a pair of shiny leather pleated pants, and the strong shouldered cropped jacket at Alberta Ferretti accentuates a gold embellished belted waistline. Marc Jacobs offered a huge variety of classic shapes reminiscent of every era in his collection. It included a few 60s and 40s inspired cropped jackets like this suit in bone white with a slim midi skirt.

Fall 2020 Fashion Trend 5: Brown is the New Black

I know designers have shown this time and time again, but warm chocolate brown is a wonderful alternative to black, especially for fall. There were a variety of shades popping up across the runways from dark caramels to milk chocolate to dark chocolate 99% cocoa. Are you hungry yet? These browns are yummy and not drab. Besides chocolate shades can be very flattering on women over 40 and much softer than black. Choose the shade that is right for your skintone from an array of coats, suits, dresses and shiny leathers. Chocolate brown head-to-toe leather looks were shown at numerous shows including one at Roksanda. This beautiful wool topper from Mugler proves how well the color works with other bold colors as does this modern belted pant suit from Petar Petrov.

 

Fall 2020 Fashion Trend 6: Big Knits

Just as the volume on apparel is pumped up, it only follows that textures needs to be bigger, too. Big knit sweaters with oversized weaves kept looks soft and cozy for Fall 2020. Oversized knitting needles were used at Dolce & Gabbana, where they got carried away and even knitted the handbags! An oversized blush sweater softened up and balanced off a full sharp pleated skirt at Fendi and even Missoni went big on texture on an iconic colorful knit cardigan.

 

Fall 2020 Fashion Trend 7: Plaid With A Twist

Fall 2020 offered a lot of deconstructed grunge stye plaids and schoolgirl looks, but those are more appropriate 20-somethings. However, women over 40 can take advantage of some very novel plaid creations on the runways. I’m calling this trend “plaid with a twist!” Some designers literally twisted up two plaid patterns like this look from Prabal Gurung. At Victoria Beckham the pattern was stitched together in opposing directions at the waistline to create a flattering silhouette. But some collections went even bolder like mix of oversize and smaller plaid head-to-toe look at Burberry. These plaids are nothing like parochial school uniforms and make a strong statement.

Fall 2020 Fashion Trend 8: Feathers

There was an absence of snake and animal prints for Fall 2020, but the designers looked to the sky. Feathers fluttered on the runways and added soft texture, volume and glamour to simple fall looks. This black with red trim feather jacket at Dries Van Noten is an exciting and versatile daytime piece, and the intense royal blue wrap dress at Jason Wu Collection is amazing for evening. Prabal Gurung went with a minimal amount of wispy feathers on a white jacket.

Fall 2020 Fashion Trend 9: Extreme Sleeves

We have seen oversized puffy sleeves for the last few seasons but for Fall 2020 designers amped up and fine-tuned them. These oversize statement sleeves are one reason you need a cape for fall! You will never be able to fit them in your current coat collection. These statement-making sleeves are super flattering for women over 40 because let’s face it, our arms might not be ready for prime time. This beautifully tailored floral dress at Dreis Van Noten offers a 3/4 set in sleeve version, and Victoria Beckham’s high neck white blouse has supersized yet soft billowing sleeves. And Fendi gets sculptural with a strong shouldered coat with shapely lantern sleeves.

Fall 2020 Fashion Trend 10: Brilliant Monochrome Colors

We adored the monochrome look last fall and this year the colors are even more bold and brilliant. Intense one-color looks not only popped but practically leapt off the runways. Don’t be afraid to wear them because these colors are gorgeous and flattering. This brilliant orange with hot pink monochome look at Carolina Herrera is a welcome alternative to black for evening. Rochas showed head-to-toe looks in intense colors like this amazing violet, and Sally LaPointe never disappoints with her bold use of one-color dressing throughout her collection. She opened her show with this eye-opening, glimmering lemon-lime number.

Fall 2020 Fashion Trend 11: Ladylike Purses

I always like to cover at least one accessory trend each season. Besides the chain bags, mini bags, belt bags and oversized tote bags we have seen for several seasons now, one handbag trend that stood out as a new trend for Fall 2020 was ladylike purses. This trend is a perfect for women over 40 and you probably already own the other bags. The mini-bags are whimsical, lovely, personal and quite collectible.

These bags are for evenings or events when you only want to carry your essentials, and you will look pulled together doing so! Some had only one loop or a satin cord handles and come in soft shapes and patterns. A red satin classic bag was shown at Marc Jacobs in a fiery red, a black and white Harlequin pattern ball at Oscar de la Renta and a bright colored a plaid ladylike bag at Ulla Johnson all made perfect finishing touches on the fall 2020 runways.

What is your favorite Fall 2020 fashion trend for women over 40?

Photos: Vogue.com; Accessories: Elle.com

You may also like to read 7 Of The Best Resort 2020 Trends You Can Wear Now and A Look at The Front Row Celebrities At NYFW Spring 2020

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