The 40 Best Hairstyles For Women Over 40
Paras Griffin/Getty Images Textured curlsBest for: All hair types
Aging is all about being fully confident in who you are and not trying to hide or blend in, says Brown. So, why not pick a Style to match? Tracee Ellis Ross is a prime example of this with her voluminous, look-at-me body wave curls. Not familiar with this term? Body wave curls are a looser wave pattern, as opposed to tighter ringlets, and they're great for women with naturally textured hair, which tends to be on the dry side. That's because this type of wave doesn't require any heat styling.
Pro tip: To get waves like Tracee, you want to prep your strands the night before. Create four sections of hair. Then, take each section, divide it in two, and twist those two sections together. Once the four sections have been put into twists, wrap hair in a silk scarf or bonnet and go to sleep. When you wake up, pull the twists apart, run fingers through your hair and you'll have big, voluminous waves.
Robert Smith/Getty Images Tousled with volumeBest for: Round faces
A slightly messy 'do is a great way to distract from neck wrinkles. "The key to making this work is adding lift at the roots," says Porter. And rather than perfect waves, tousled is the way to go. This helps keep the whole look youthful and fun.
Pro tip: To get the slightly roughed-up look that Gabrielle Union has, use a two-inch curling iron. Take two-inch sections of hair, and going in alternating directions, wrap it around the barrel halfway for just a few seconds. When you're done, run your fingers through to loosen the style and make it look effortless.
Leon Bennett/Getty Images Deep side partBest for: Round and heart-shaped faces
Are you ready for the easiest styling trick ever? Where you part your hair can really switch things up, and a deep side part is by far the most elegant option. Whereas a middle part feels young, Reese Witherspoon proves that a deep side part gives off a pulled-together vibe.
Pro tip: To keep your part crisp, spritz a little hairspray on your fingertips and pat down along your part. This will keep the hairs from popping up.
Cassidy Hutchinson's Subtle New Style
After Cassidy Hutchinson's history-making testimony before the Jan. 6 committee last June, threats to her personal safety compelled her to leave Washington, go into hiding and eschew all public appearances. Now she's back, in a big way, publicizing her new memoir, "Enough." And for her book tour, Ms. Hutchinson has been refining her style.
On camera during her testimony, Ms. Hutchinson's style was muted and tailored (she wears the same look on her book jacket). A blowout, blazer, fitted black pants and black top, tiny circle diamond necklace, and a white manicure. Her Zara jacket was white, too — a color associated with purity, the suffragists; the color of the Capitol building that had been breached and sullied on Jan. 6.
That structured, buttoned white blazer allied Ms. Hutchinson visually with the Capitol. White also suggested that Ms. Hutchinson was turning over a fresh page, moving away from Trumpworld (and the President Trump-affiliated attorneys who'd encouraged her to answer questions with "I don't recall"), and offering the committee her full cooperation — total candor. The word "candor," in fact, derives from a Latin word for "whiteness."
When Ms. Hutchinson resurfaced on "The Rachel Maddow Show" this September, her outfit recalled her look of last spring — but with notable differences. This time, while she spoke of her ongoing loyalty to the Republican Party (calling herself a "moderate Republican"), her blazer was of brightest blue — a potential nod at least to the other side of the aisle. Beneath that jacket she wore a drapey, low-neck top of high-gloss white silk. The blouse's high-sheen fabric and cut added glamour, suggesting a new, more relaxed stance and ease in the spotlight. And Ms. Hutchinson did seem more relaxed and unguarded — in both demeanor and in what she had to say.
Some of what she had to say actually involved clothing and style — including startling details about the powerful Republican men who had felt free to comment on and assess her appearance, even to touch her body.
Ms. Hutchinson claims, for example, that on Jan. 6, 2021, at Mr. Trump's rally, Rudolph Giuliani groped her under her jacket and skirt. The episode, which she discussed on the Maddow show, is also vividly described in "Enough": "Rudy wraps one arm around my body, closing the space that was separating us. I feel his stack of documents press into the small of my back. I lower my eyes and watch his free hand reach for the hem of my blazer. 'By the way,' he says, 'I'm loving this leather jacket on you.' His hand slips under my blazer, then my skirt. I feel his frozen fingertips trail up my thigh."
On the very day the Capitol would be overrun by rioters, whom Mr. Giuliani approvingly exhorted to "have trial by combat," Ms. Hutchinson says he let his icy hand overrun her personal, physical boundaries. This display of entitlement, disrespect, and abuse of power mirrored, in microcosm, the transgression Mr. Giuliani would condone at the Capitol. And yet it was all couched in a fashion compliment.
Other high-ranking men also felt free to assess Ms. Hutchinson's style choices. As she recounted to Ms. Maddow, John Boehner, the former speaker of the House of Representatives, once intrusively tugged on the ends of her hair and told her to "lose the ponytail." (To grasp how strange this is, imagine a male politician reaching over another man's shirt collar to finger his tresses.)
Mr. Trump — known for taking great interest in his female staff's appearance — weighed in as well on Ms. Hutchinson's hair: He counseled her to visit the salon frequented by the former communications director (and former Ralph Lauren model) Hope Hicks, even advising her to emulate Ms. Hicks's specific look. "Cassidy," she recalls him telling her, "you should get some of her highlights. I think they would look really nice on you." Ms. Hutchinson lightened her hair immediately, a choice she says she later regretted. But she had internalized an ethos in which not even her body — the way she groomed and presented her physical self — was exempt from the oversight of her superiors, especially the president.
A remarkable passage in "Enough" makes this point even more starkly: Ms. Hutchinson recalls being sworn in before testifying to the Jan. 6 committee. Raising her right hand to take the oath, she noticed that the motion made her white blazer sleeve bunch up around her forearm. "Trump will hate this," she recalls thinking to herself. "He hates when women wear ill-fitting clothes."
Even at this landmark moment, as she swore to reveal truths deeply damaging to Mr. Trump, Ms. Hutchinson could not shake her sense of his gaze upon her — imagining his displeasure, not at the words she was about to speak, but at her attire.
Now though, Ms. Hutchinson seems to be owning her style choices. On CBS News Sunday Morning, she strode the beach in jeans and a cozy sweater. And on "The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell," she forewent her usual businesslike blazer, and leaned into slouchy glamour in a soft, almost pajama-like, dark green silk button-down, open at the collar. The cocktail-ish look complemented well the very different tenor — and more revealing nature — of this interview.
While she spoke at length about the Trump White House, Ms. Hutchinson also got more personal, allowing Mr. O'Donnell to draw her out on the subject of her family. She spoke, as she does in her book, of struggling to gain the approval of her erratic father, an avid supporter of Mr. Trump. ("You don't know how to love without conditions," Ms. Hutchinson recounts telling her father.)
The interview and the memoir clearly suggest that a lifetime of coping with her father's transactional approach to relationships, and his volatile and often cruel behavior — especially after she breaks with Mr. Trump — may well have "primed Hutchinson to succumb to the alternate reality of Trumpworld," as Laura Miller wrote for Slate. It's a chilling reminder of how closely the personal and the political can be interwoven.
But the personal and the political can interact in more benign, even inspiring ways: In "Enough," Ms. Hutchinson explains why her mother chose to give her the middle name, "Jacqueline": "Jacqueline Kennedy, was one of the most intelligent, elegant, and generous souls Mom knew of … she hoped I would look to Jacqueline Kennedy as a role model." And in fact, there is a whisper of Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis' style today in Ms. Hutchinson's media persona — the unadorned sleekness of her clothes and hair (even her color palette); her soft-spoken and diplomatic responses — often to probing, even intrusive questions. A subdued yet arresting presence emerging from a moment of national crisis.
The 64 Best Luxury Gifts For Women With Style
A Glimmering Statement Ring
Dorsey Theodora RingA Glimmering Statement Ring
Dorsey Theodora Ring Credit: DorseyDorsey founder Meg Strachan is responsible for an entire lineup of jewelry the women in your life will want to unwrap this holiday season. While you can't go wrong with any of her label's lab-grown sapphires and emeralds, one of Dorsey's elegant rings is a great place to start. This trillion band can easily spruce up an everyday outfit or complement special-occasion eveningwear—and it stacks beautifully with Dorsey's emerald and blue sapphire styles (hint, hint).
A Candle She'll Always Keep
Diptyque La Forêt Rêve (Forest Dreams) Refillable CandleA Candle She'll Always Keep
Diptyque La Forêt Rêve (Forest Dreams) Refillable Candle Credit: DiptyqueDiptyque candles are a repeat presence on our holiday wish lists, but this one is particularly special. A selection from Diptyque's new "Les Mondes de Diptyque" collection, it's a refillable candle that she can replenish with a candle insert after the wick burns all the way down. It has 60 hours of burn time, but she may want to power right through it—the jasmine and vanilla notes are heavenly.
A Bag at the Top of Her Wish List
Chanel Mini Flap BagA Bag at the Top of Her Wish List
Chanel Mini Flap Bag Credit: ChanelShe's probably wishing for a Chanel flap bag even if she hasn't said so yet. This quilted velvet version is high on my own list of dreamed-about gifts. There's a vintage glamour to the contrast between the chain straps and the plush black velvet. In a touch referencing the house's signature camellia flower and the inspiration for the fall 2023 runway where this little bag debuted, it closes with a shiny, whimsical floral embellishment.
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A Book for Sofia Coppola Fans
Archive 1999–2023, by Sofia CoppolaA Book for Sofia Coppola Fans
Archive 1999–2023, by Sofia Coppola Credit: MackThere's definitely a well-dressed woman in your life who considers Sofia Coppola one of her style icons. A 488-page coffee table book that takes her inside the making of films like Lost in Translation, Marie Antoinette, and The Virgin Suicides is just what she'll cherish. "Making a movie can feel like such a mystifying process to the outside world—and even to you, while you're making it—so I hoped [this book] might provide some kind of insight into how a film gets from point A to point B," Coppola told Bazaar about the project.
A Colorful New Cashmere
Guest in Residence Striped RugbyA Colorful New Cashmere
Guest in Residence Striped Rugby Credit: Guest In ResidenceDon't give her just any rugby shirt to mark the style's return to fashion. Choose one with a coolly relaxed silhouette and some of the softest, cuddliest cashmere on the market. She'll pull it on as soon as she unwraps it.
A Chic Keepsake
Monica Rich Kosann Viv Gold LocketA Chic Keepsake
Monica Rich Kosann Viv Gold Locket Credit: Monica Rich KosannMonica Rich Kosann's lockets are the best way to commemorate a special moment or relationship in wearable form. This slim locket crafted from 18-karat gold includes two windows to store photos of your favorite memories with your giftee. The gold shines without overpowering her necklace stack—between the fine materials and the sentimental value, she definitely won't want to take it off.
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A Pair of Party Flats
Loeffler Randall Leonie Crystal-Embellished Tulle Ballet FlatsA Pair of Party Flats
Loeffler Randall Leonie Crystal-Embellished Tulle Ballet Flats Credit: Net-a-PorterIf she's one for dressing up, treat her to shoes that will be the life of the party. The satin version of this Loeffler Randall pair is one of Bazaar's best-rated ballerina flats; these have the same comfortable fit, plus the fun addition of crystal embellishments and a tulle upper.
A Timeless Timepiece
Cartier Panthère de Cartier WatchA Timeless Timepiece
Cartier Panthère de Cartier Watch Credit: CartierA gift isn't the only way to show affection, but a Cartier watch really says you love her. The Panthère is one of the most sought-after timepieces among fashion insiders (including the women on your list); this rose-gold-and-steel edition is lined with brilliant-cut diamonds.
A Goal-Setting Necessity
Smythson 2024 Soho Weekly AgendaA Goal-Setting Necessity
Smythson 2024 Soho Weekly Agenda Credit: SmythsonWhether she has ambitious plans for 2024 or she's expressed interest in getting more organized, she'll feel excited about tackling a new year ahead with this leather planner in her bag. It comes with week-view pages, a pocket for loose notes, and the option to personalize the front cover with her initials.
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A Convertible Dress
Christopher John Rogers Convertible Color-Block Midi DressA Convertible Dress
Christopher John Rogers Convertible Color-Block Midi DressIt's impossible to be in a bad mood while wearing a Christopher John Rogers dress: They're exceptionally soft and excitingly (and often, unconventionally) colorful. This dress has two-in-one functionality that's even more appealing: slits in the long sleeves allow for them to be tied around the front like a layered sweater.
A Sweet-Tooth Treat
Ferrara Bakery Goldbelly Favorites Dessert BoxA Sweet-Tooth Treat
Ferrara Bakery Goldbelly Favorites Dessert BoxBring Little Italy to her front door if she lives far from New York City, or help her cut the long lines at this institution if she's in town. Curated by Ferrara Bakery, which has been charming Manhattan since 1892, this mouthwatering gift box includes hand-dipped cannolis, tiramisu, tricolor cookies, and a can of espresso.
A Wear-Anywhere Slipper
Leset Romy MuleA Wear-Anywhere Slipper
Leset Romy Mule Credit: LesetI'm a big proponent of Leset's debut shoe, a slipper mule that pairs as easily with satin pajamas as with an actual suit set. In time for holiday gifting, the brand has released a 100 percent wool version in a bright poppy shade.
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A City Getaway
The Wall Street Hotel Two-Night StayA City Getaway
The Wall Street Hotel Two-Night Stay Credit: @wallstreet.HotelnycA girls' weekend, couple's retreat, or solo trip should start with an above-average hotel stay. The Wall Street Hotel just opened in downtown Manhattan and has quickly become a top destination in the FiDi neighborhood (and the city at large). It's in a renovated Beaux Arts building close to buzzy restaurants and luxury shopping, and has its own share of impressive amenities.
Rates start at $405/night.
A Smart Speaker
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Emerge SpeakerA Smart Speaker
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Emerge SpeakerWatching TV, streaming a new album, or catching up on a favorite podcast all become theater-like experiences with this small but powerful speaker. It's the size of a small hardcover book, so it can easily slot onto her shelf, but it projects a full range of sound.
A Chic Shearling Coat
Toteme Teddy Shearling Clasp Jacket in Saddle BrownA Chic Shearling Coat
Toteme Teddy Shearling Clasp Jacket in Saddle Brown Credit: TotemeShe knows a shearling coat will deliver on warmth and easy winter layering. Toteme's jacket levels up the fabric with sleek leather toggles and a cool, collarless shape. In other words? It's a coat that will enhance her winter outfits whether she's spending the season in Aspen, the Alps, or just at home.
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A High-Flying Travel Kit
Aēsop Arrival Travel KitA High-Flying Travel Kit
Aēsop Arrival Travel Kit Credit: Net-a-PorterShe shouldn't have to give up her self-care rituals on the road; Aēsop's mini luxuries make her usual routine possible while traveling. A set of richly scented shampoo, conditioner, body balm, and cleanser will make her upcoming journeys much more pleasant.
A Quiet Place to Chill
Sundays Embrace Lounge ChairA Quiet Place to Chill
Sundays Embrace Lounge Chair Credit: SundaysAt the end of a busy day, there's nothing I crave more than a few quiet minutes alone with a book and a comfortable chair to read it in. If the woman you're shopping for is similarly in search of her own space for R&R, give her a piece of furniture to anchor her quiet corner. This curved chair is covered in a performance bouclé that's both cuddly and knit to last.
A Runway-Approved Sneaker
Miu Miu x New Balance 574 Denim SneakersA Runway-Approved Sneaker
Miu Miu x New Balance 574 Denim Sneakers Credit: Miu MiuMiu Miu's ridiculously relatable runway styling for fall 2023 included a second iteration of the label's coveted collaboration with New Balance. These pairs take everyday walking sneakers to their stylistic peak with shirred denim edges and a versatile neutral palette. She can add pieces she already owns to channel the Miu Miu gir''s look (a sweater layered with a T-shirt and blazer, heathered leggings, and a pair of crew socks). Some sizes are sold out on Miu Miu, but they can pop up on StockX and Grailed if you're willing to search.
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A Fresh-From-the-Garden Subscription
Flamingo Estate Seasonal Harvest BoxA Fresh-From-the-Garden Subscription
Flamingo Estate Seasonal Harvest Box Credit: Flamingo EstateFlamingo Estate's Harvest box brings together its best kitchen, bath, and home goods in one convenient package. With a single order, you'll give her all-natural, aromatic indulgences for every room in her home. (If she uses each item down to the last drop, you can also order an annual subscription, with four boxes delivered in a year.)
A Set for Her Tablescape
Completedworks + Sister by Studio Ashby Set of Four Napkins and Faux Pearl RingsA Set for Her Tablescape
Completedworks + Sister by Studio Ashby Set of Four Napkins and Faux Pearl Rings Credit: Net-a-PorterLet's say she's in pursuit of the most Instagrammable dinner party setup. Handmade linen napkins and pearl napkin rings set with colorful charms are the finishing touch to bring her vision to life.
Fashion Commerce Editor
Halie LeSavage is the fashion commerce editor at Harper's BAZAAR. Her style reporting covers everything from reviewing the best designer products to profiling emerging brands and designers. Previously, she was the founding retail writer at Morning Brew and a fashion associate at Glamour.
