what to wear: to a casual wedding, over 40

When you’re over 40, it seems like most of the great options for dresses disappear.  Either they’re too young (e.g. low-cut with short skirt) or they’re too marmy (e.g. taffeta suit with pearl buttons.)

Sometimes a skirt and blouse combo can do the trick for a simple and casual wedding as long as the skirt isn’t ultra girly.  Usually, I end up getting things made for my clients because good skirts are hard to find.

But thankfully, Catherine Malandrino comes to the rescue with this muted floral skirt with a pin-tuck hem.  I’d be happy wearing a fitted tank and black sandals with it but for a wedding, it can do wonders.

Because the skirt has a beautiful rosette waist detail, you want to find a blouse that you can easily tuck in.  For options, you can go with this simple draped jersey top in sage or a sexy 3/4 sleeve ivory chiffon blouse.

Because the skirt is the focal point, you want to keep everything else understated.  Wear some long yet delicate earrings and if you run cold, take a tissue-weight cashmere wrap in a soft ivory color. By using a neutral-colored wrap, you increase the number of times you can wear it which is always great in my book.

Carry a textured clutch like this beautiful woven metallic leather clutch by Fendi.  These moss sandals by Elie Tahari add a nice touch and keep it casual.