11 Things In My Cart For Winter As A Very Lazy Over-40 Woman Who Still Wants To Look Chic
Fine, I bought them all, but that means loads of try-on photos.
by Carolyn Firestone
I am not a fashion influencer. That’s not much of a spoiler. I figure the photos of me trying to squeeze myself into the frame of a skinny Target mirror that I perched against my kitchen counter will do their part to give me away.
What I am is an ordinary lady north of 40 who likes clothes a lot, but in the grand scheme of daily life, has zero time, energy, or oomph toward putting those clothes together to form cute, much less influential, outfits.
I guess what I’m trying to say is while my desire to look chic is alive and well, I’m dead lazy about making it happen.
Because of this, I want clothes that are foolproof in their standalone chicness. Clothes that are very easy to assemble. Flattering in ways that are deeply satisfying. And comfy to a degree that I could sleep in them.
Now for someone as lazy about getting dressed as I am, I have spent wild amounts of time seeking out such clothes. So this winter, I am prepared.
There are 11 things I meticulously added to cart that are now among the most prized cold-weather clothes in my closet. They have made my life easier. They have made me feel chicer.
Now have they made me an influencer? That one’s kinda up to you.
Let’s find out, shall we?
1. The Cozy Turtleneck That Isn’t The Slightest Bit Frumpy
Z Supply Ursa Turtleneck Sweater
Turtlenecks are one of those things that sound very elegant but can go very wrong with the fit. You know, where you picture yourself as Cameron Diaz in The Holiday but you end up more Velma Dinkley in Scooby Doo. This one is cut to perfection. The drop shoulder and wide open sleeves are so flattering and comfortable over arms. The neck also “slouches” just right. But the best part is the length. It hits jusssst at the top of your pants so you don’t have to tuck but you still look crisp and polished, and your legs look longer cause you’re not swallowed up in a long, shapeless sweater.
Price: $69
2. The Life-Changing "Nice" Jeans I Finally Invested In
Paige Anessa 31” Wide Leg Jean
I can’t take credit for these jeans. Our Editor-in-Chief Audie found them and wrote about them, and they basically went viral amongst our little team of Candidly ladies. None of us are the same shape. None of us are usually willing to spend this much on jeans. And yet, every single one of us who bought a pair, agrees that these are the best jeans we own. They’re the magical fit that flatters every curve. They’re soft, stretchy, and smoothing in a way that makes them feel as comfortable as joggers, and yet, they always keep their perfect shape. I first bought them in ankle length, but over several years have added this full-length pair in a blue and black wash. They’re now the only jeans I want to reach for any moment they’re not in the laundry basket. So I couldn’t be happier about the investment.
They come in a sea of washes and have sizes in petite and plus. And since we all collectively agreed Paige makes the hands-down best jeans, we asked them for a code we could share with you. Use code CANDIDLY15 for 15% off.
Price: $249
3. The Soft And Spacious Coat That Isn’t the Slightest Bit Bulky
I’ve been searching for that oversized, classic, “cool girl” coat for the better part of a decade, and oof, so many of them are either thick and boxy and make me look like a linebacker OR they’re so stiff and restrictive I couldn’t lift my hand high enough to reach a mug from my lowest kitchen cabinet. But this coat is soft, flexible, and knit. Plenty of room to layer under it, but you always look very clean-lined and sleek. Comes in five colors, one of which I own, three of which are in my cart.
Price: $199
4. The Belt That Makes Everything Look Chic
Favorite Daughter The Jordan Croc Embossed Belt
I did not find this belt. This belt found me. Late one night when watching Nobody Wants This, it appeared on my screen as part of one of Kristen Bell’s outfits (which, sidenote, are amazing outfit templates for women over 40). But this belt’s appeal comes from the fact that you can slip it on with your laziest, most basic jeans and tee, and it elevates your whole outfit so it looks like an actual “look.”
I mean, just look.
Cards on the table, the exact one I’m wearing sells out frequently but there’s a croc embossed version that might be even more special.
Use the code THECANDIDLY15 to get 15% off.
Price: $98 - $108
5. The Cashmere Cardi That Doesn’t Cost A Fortune
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Fisherman Cropped Cardigan Sweater
I’ve always wanted a cashmere cardigan similar to the famous $500 one that gets advertised to me 27x a day. You too? Well, this one is also 100% cashmere. It’s also buttery soft with zero itch and comes in a head-spinning number of creamy, neutral colors that make your slobbiest self look luxe. BUT it is less than a third of the price of that other one. Needless to say, I wear it 5 days a week. Often as a top:
But even untucked with loose, long pants, I think it gives a teeeeeeny bit of Katie Holmes street style.
Perhaps I exagerrate but this sweater remains a godsend.
Price: $120
6. The Most Flattering Pants That Feel Like Joggers
The Colette Cropped Wide-Leg Ponte Pants by Maeve
It’s very rare to find a pair of “nice” pants that are this comfortable. The material is soft and stretchy and thick enough for you to feel “held in” but also like you can breath and stretch and basically do yoga in them. They’re the most comfortable pants to ever button over a belly pooch on your most bloated of days. They’re flattering on hips and butts and slimming on legs.
I wear the ponte version to work and out to dinner and on the weekend to run errands because, like I said, it’s rare to be this comfortable while looking “put together.”
They also come in another slightly more casual “magic fabric” (Anthropologie’s words but I wholeheartedly agree) and so many colors, you feel like you’re in some glorious pants exhibit in a museum. Point is, you can’t go wrong with either version. Both will be your favorite cropped pants.
Price: $120
7. The Going-Out Top With Arm Coverage
Abercrombie Long-Sleeve Off-The-Shoulder Mesh Top
Oops, so this is another thing I stole right off of Kristen Bell’s character in Nobody Wants This. Hey, I told you I was lazy. Where else am I going to get ideas for outfits besides curled up in the fetal position in front of the TV? But it has become my favorite going-out top of the past 10 years (at least)! First of all, it has sleeves. They’re mesh, so you still look “alluring” but boom, you have arm coverage, especially since the fold on top covers half your arm. Oh, and speaking of the top fold, it’s actually the whole reason I’m comfortable finally wearing something off-shoulder. It looks great over any comfy bandeau or strapless bra (or even no bra because the stretchy material underneath holds you in place). It all works because of that foldover top. Here is the whole outfit. Notice the above belt and jeans and the only pointed heels I have ever loved as someone who routinely tumbles in heels.
Did I mention this excellent, life-changing top is only $40? Well, it is.
Price: $40
8. The Sweater That Doubles As Your Finest Top
Wearing sweaters as shirts is the biggest hack for looking chic when the weather gets nippy. And this one had been on my wishlist for ages. Last year, it sold out in 32 seconds, so this year, when it came back in stock in 4 colors, I moved fast!
The fit is spacious but the neckline and almost cropped length makes it look polished and flattering. I wear it with jeans and over dresses but also with my favorite slip skirt ever created (elastic waist my friends!) and it’s also from Z Supply, which is making incredible stuff in general at a really good price.
Price: $89
9. The Longsleeve French Lady Tee
J. Crew Factory Long-Sleeve Striped Artist Tee
Most days, I wear t-shirts. And there is this one very dumb trick I learned about one them And that is if you wear a long-sleeve tee with stripes and a boatneck, you are wearing a staple in every sophisticated French woman’s wardrobe. It’s called a marinière, and it is foolproof at turning dull jeans and tee outfits into “looks.” Behold.
So easy, took all of 22 seconds, didn’t even brush my hair, and poof, doesn’t it look like I put a little effort in?
Price: $15
10. The Perfect Sweater Dress
J. Crew Factory Midi Sweater-Dress In Extra-Soft Yarn
Do you too want to feel like you’re still in pajamas with a favorite throw draped round your shoulders? Do you also want to look “quiet luxury” and commanding and like you have winter style mastered? Then the sweater dress is for you. No need to spend $300. This one is buttery soft and doesn’t crumple and isn’t too tight but also isn’t so big and bulky that you feel twice your size. I wear it loosely belted with the above coat for extra warmth.
But I also don’t even bother to belt it on days I really want to feel free. And it still isn’t just a sack. Right?
Amazing color and size range too!
Price: $39
11. The Knit Skirt
This skirt is not for everyone. But for some of you, it will be your favorite thing on this list. It has the same knit coziness thing going for it as a sweater dress, but the ribbing is very flattering and the stripes just make everything look styled. I literally wore it with a sweatshirt, jean jacket, and sneakers the other day and still felt dressed up.
It runs small so size up, but when you do, it’s very cozy and very worth it to own such a timeless fall/winter skirt.
Price: $175
Bonus: The 4 Essential Shoes
The Loafer: These are as comfortable as sneakers and they work with every length of pant.
The Boot: Yes, you spotted them in 2 colors above. But I actually own them in 3. That’s how flawless they are.
The Ballet Flat: This shoe is so graceful, I’d wear it year-round even if it weren’t the softest, lightest shoe to ever exist.
The Heel: I’ve never been able to walk on a skinny heel. This one is the first. It feels like a kitten heel, it’s so stable, and the shape is stunning - not too pointy. They make everything I wear them with look 12X better.
Carolyn is the Managing Editor of The Candidly. Her favorite thing to do is to write about her favorite things, especially when they have even the slightest chance of making someone else’s something (mood, relationship, travel plans, or toiletry kit) a little better. You can find more of her articles here.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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