Fall is my favorite season to get dressed. Its the perfect opportunity to express style through layers, richer fabrics, and pieces that offer both warmth and coverage. This season is also an opportunity to curate a wardrobe with pieces that feel refined, modern, and true to who you are.
You may love the idea of adding prints and textures like animal prints, or textured fabrics like suede and leather this season, but how do you wear them in a way that’s not overpowering or too trendy, yet sophisticated?
In this post, I’ll talk about how to wear prints with confidence, which textures instantly elevates your wardrobe and how to pull it all together to create polished, age-flattering looks that still feel fashion-forward.
🍂 Why Prints and Textures Matter More Over 40
As we evolve in our personal style journey, what often changes is not what we wear, but why we wear it. We’re dressing to express our identity, enhance our features, and feel our most confident. Think of prints and textures as tools to show personality while adding dimension to your fall fashion.
Prints and textures bring life to even the simplest outfit. Textures like leather, suede, knit, and tweed add visual richness and depth to your outfits. Meanwhile, prints such as plaid, houndstooth, animal prints, and subtle florals inject personality and interest without needing flashy accessories
A soft cable-knit sweater, a chic plaid blazer, or a touch of leopard print adds interest and sophistication to your look. The key for women over 40 is choosing balance: you can absolutely wear trendy pieces, as long as the overall outfit feels refined and intentional.
How to Wear Prints Without Overdoing It
Prints are a way to bring more character to your outfit. Introducing patterns to your wardrobe, can be a little intimidating. There’s a smart way to wear and mix prints without it being overwhelming. The goal is to highlight your best features while maintaining visual harmony. Here are a few tips on how to make prints work beautifully.
1. Start with a Neutral Base
Begin your outfit with timeless fall neutrals as a base to build upon. Neutrals like browns and black are naturally found in animal prints and will perfectly compliment these designs. Other fall neutrals like camel, cream, or gray are great anchor colors to layer on printed pieces and avoid visual chaos. A neutral foundation lets the print shine and keeps the outfit grounded.
2. One Statement at a Time
Keep it simple by limiting it to one standout print for your overall outfit. For example, if you’re wearing a plaid blazer, keep the rest of the look simple—think dark jeans and a white tee. This approach makes the look sophisticated rather than busy.
3. Pay Attention to Scale and Proportion
The size and the proportion of the print design controls just how bold and overwhelming the pattern will be. Smaller or medium-scale prints tend to flatter mature figures more than oversized ones. They draw attention without dominating your frame while keeping the look elegant and age-appropriate.
Timeless Prints That Always Look Chic After 40
Certain prints never lose their charm. There are some timeless prints that are classic looks for women 40, 50 and beyond and work very well for fall. Here are a few of my favorite classic prints for fall.
1. Animal Print
Leopard, snakeskin, cheetah and zebra patterns have a way of instantly elevating an outfit. These animal prints can be incorporated as accent pieces or be the focal print. Belts, scarves, boots are fall accent pieces that can be worn to break up monochromatic or solid color outfits.
2. Houndstooth
I’ve always considered houndstooth as one of those sophisticated, professional prints that can be worn in formal spaces like at the office, but this print has versatility. Neutral tones such as tan, gray, black, or soft burgundy paired with denim or a simple knit is a perfect balance for a more casual look.
3. Florals with a Fall Twist
Florals aren’t just for spring. Dark floral prints with hints of fall hues such as rust, olive, or navy can bring some softness and femininity an into fall your outfits.
4. Polka Dots
This print is my personal favorite and I love polka dot prints in all colors. This is a simple, minimalist pattern that packs a punch of personality while staying sophisticated. A striped cashmere sweater or polka-dot blouse can easily be layered under a blazers or paired with jeans.
Fall Textures That Feel Luxe and Effortless
Fall is all about touchable fabrics and cozy textures that brings comfort, style and warmth for the season. These textures add instant depth, and when chosen wisely, they make even a basic outfit look elevated.
1. Suede
Suede is one of my personal favorites. Its a versatile material that can be used for clothing, outerwear, footwear and accessories. You can’t go wrong with adding a least one suede piece to your fall look. Typically suede boots and jackets are common but try other unique pieces like suede belts and skirts to bring some character to your outfit.
2. Leather or Faux Leather
Leather is another popular fabric worn in both fall and winter. Its a go to texture that known for its sleek look that brings an edgy and fun look to your outfit. Leather jackets and trenches are most popular but consider longer leather skirts this fall in various colors. Pair it with knits or blouses for a more balanced look. A sleek leather skirt or leggings can look edgy yet sophisticated when balanced, softer look. Choose rich fall colors like burgundy, chestnut, or espresso, to match the season.
3. Chunky Knits
Chunky knits have a two fold purpose. This fabric brings not only style but also warmth and comfort. Its great for a casual fit such as a cable-knit sweater with a silky, shiny, flowy skirt. You can also replace the skirt with jeans or high waisted trousers.
4. Tweed
Tweed is a sophisticated fabric that not only keeps you warm, it also bring a traditional style to your wardrobe. Chanel made this fabric popular in women’s fashion with their cardigan style tweed jackets. The tweed cardigan became a popular redesign by other designers throughout the years, but tweed works very well in other pieces such as skirts and handbags.
5. Velvet and Satin
Perfect for date nights or holiday events, velvet and sating are fabrics that add richness and elegance to your overall look. Try velvet blazers or belts, satin dresses or skirts, for a touch of glamour. The flow and shine of both fabrics adds elegance and flare.
How to Mix Prints and Textures Like a Pro
Mixing prints and textures might seem intimidating, but it’s actually simple once you understand balance.
- Repeat a Color: If you’re mixing two patterns, keep one color consistent across both pieces.
- Add Structure: When wearing bold prints, balance them with structured pieces like a blazer or tailored pants.
- Ground the Look: Use neutral accessories to tie everything together, including gold or silver jewelry.
- Think About Weight: Pair heavier textures (like tweed) with lighter fabrics (like silk or satin) for visual interest.
Example Outfit: A tweed blazer layered over a cream silk blouse, dark-wash jeans, and leather ankle boots.
💸 Affordable Ways to Add Prints and Textures to Your Wardrobe
You don’t need to splurge on designer pieces to look expensive and sophisticated. You can easily build a fall wardrobe full of beautiful prints and textures on a budget.
1. Shop Smart at Budget-Friendly Retailers
Amazon Fashion, H&M, and Mango offer excellent options that look luxe but are wallet-friendly. Look for well-tailored silhouettes and elevated fabrics rather than trendy cuts that won’t last.
2. Invest in Accessories First
Slowly add textures and prints with accessories. Accessories are an easy entry point if you’re experimenting with prints for the first time. A patterned scarf, textured crossbody bag, or a pair of suede boots can completely transform your basics.
3. Mix High and Low
Pair affordable finds with quality staples. For instance, a $30 Amazon plaid blazer can look designer when styled with a crisp white blouse and leather loafers.
🚫 Styling Mistakes to Avoid
Even the most stylish women can make small missteps when experimenting with prints and textures. Here’s what to steer clear of:
- Wearing multiple loud prints together without a unifying color.
- Ignoring proportion—oversized shapes can overwhelm.
- Choosing poor-quality fabrics that don’t hold structure.
- Over-accessorizing (when everything is a statement, nothing stands out).
Keep your look simple, balanced, and confident.
Be Modern, Not Trendy This Fall
Fashion after 40 isn’t about following every new trend—it’s about refining your personal style. Prints and textures are your tools for expressing personality, sophistication, and confidence.
Whether you love bold leopard, classic plaid, or cozy tweed, remember: style is timeless when it feels like you.
Want to try prints this fall but don’t know where to start? Start small with accessories! Shop my Amazon Storefront for timeless pieces.
