Connie recently told me she loves her tulle skirt but is afraid of looking like, “an aging toddler” if she wears hers.
Melanie said that, “Tea-toting-toddler is exactly the look I was going for.”
How to wear a tulle skirt over 40
When you are over 40 trying to wear an item that is designed for ballerinas and fairies requires a bit of audacity. When you’ve got that and a sense of adventure, really you can wear whatever you want. Attitude and confidence let Gwyneth get away with this.
I recently came across this look from Ms. Jeannie and my jaw dropped.
It put me back in a tulle state of mind.
I was back on the quest for tulle skirts. Look at the inspiration I found.
Okay this last one is just a fantasy look for Shania Twain.
After looking at all these fabulous tulle skirts I’m doing everything in my power not to buy this one. My finger is twitching while hovering over the buy button though.
I have 3 black tulle skirts in my closet. And I hardly ever wear them.
Why not you ask?
I bought 2 of them online for super cheap…$11 (including shipping!) and decided to cut one by hand as it was too long. When they come that cheap I don’t mind taking some scissors to it.
How do you say…big jagged friggin’ mess?
The other one I left long but the waist is weird and I always need to belt it. It is all bulky. The waist is elastic and looks cheap. You get what you pay for.
I’m thinking those two skirts might have to go to the consignment store.
The last tulle skirt I own, I do love. I bought it Anthropologie (big surprise) and it looks much better than the other two.
I decided I needed to get it out of the closet and figure out some outfits. It needs to be worn.
We are in-between seasons here, and it is quite cool outside still so thus the boots, tights and scarf.
Plaid blazer – TopShop (similar), Boots – TJ Maxx (sim), Skirt – Anthropologie (sim)
Top – TJ Maxx (this would be pretty), Boots – TJ Maxx (sim), Skirt – Anthropologie (sim)
Floral Skirt – TJ Maxx (this one is SO beautiful! and this one is making me drool), Boots – TJ Maxx (sim), Skirt – Anthropologie (how about this gorgeous one with tulle & embroidery)
This last look I’m wearing the tulle skirt as a petticoat which adds a bit of length and added detail to the skirt.
My tips for styling a tulle skirt for women over 40
1. Go with fitted on the top. It’ll balance the body.
2. Belt the waist. It’ll give you shape and define your curves. Even if you don’t have any, suddenly like magic they will appear.
3. Opposites attract. Since the skirt is billowy and lacy, leather, knit or denim create a wonderful contrast.
4. Try wearing it under another skirt.
5. Have fun. Who cares if you’re over 40 and want to wear a tulle skirt? As a kid I never had the opportunity to wear tulle. (Not even for my wedding since we eloped.) Now I’m making the most of it. Better late than never!
Do you own a tulle skirt? Do you wear it often?
Linking up with Your Whims Wednesday What I Wore Get Your Pretty On
You look great! Your skirt’s dark color ameliorates its youthfulness and makes it socially appropriate while retaining a pretty spark of femininity. I love tulle and own several such skirts and petticoats.
I love tulle skirts, and consider them ageless. You look wonderful and I really like the counterpoint, with your plaid jacket. xox
I love #5 and couldn’t agree more. And you look fabulous in each outfit! I say get that skirt if you really love it!!
Suzanne!! I did not expect to wake up to my mug on your blog!! You look gorgeous in your tulle. I eloped, too. Maybe that’s why I also have an obsession. I’m seeing a pretty punk ballerina in your looks. Well done. I have been tutu tutored!
I’ve never been very keen on ballerinas, princesses or brides so it isn’t an item of clothing that appeals but you and the gang all look great in yours.
You make me smile when your blog titles start “How to wear….over 40”, I keep imagining zimmer frames, orthopaedic shoes and false teeth. xxx
I had to look up what a zimmer frame was. LOL
I just love how encouraging you are! All the outfits are wonderful, I especially like the third one. Did you create that collage with Connie then? Brilliant! And I love Melanie in her skirt – perfect. I could look at that photo forever, it’s art.
I don’t own any tulle skirts – they did not really come to my radar. I might consider something like the one you like from ASOS, in a bold color, that feels more like me… You would totally rock it! With your long red hair! Go for it, I think it’s made for you! xxx
That is simply gorgeous!
Have a nice day!
Angela Donava
http://www.lookbooks.fr/
I want a tulle skirt so badly but just know it will not get much used so I have resisted. I love how you’ve worn yours and how clever to use under another skirt.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Hope to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
I like the last outfit the best. Really lovely. After seeing all the long tule skirts, your shorter one took some getting used to. The one Ms Jeannie is wearing is much nicer in my eyes than the green one you are contemplating. It is fuller, not see-through (the green one is) and perhaps it has a better finish at the top too. And the green one goes out immediateley at the waist, thus creating big hips. Another point: the one of Ms Jeannie is still available and in the sale, being half the price of the green one. I sound like a sales lady don’t I?
For myself..a tule skirt? No not anymore, but I do like them.
Greetje
lovely! I like how you styled yourself.
It’s a tricky trendy piece but, it can be done right!
xo,
nancy
I don’t really associate tulle skirts with ballerinas or children! I’ve got a black one which I enjoy wearing. You look fabulous in yours, it looks fab with the tartan blazer. xxx
I love the look of tulle skirts (especially the fluffy, midi length ones!) but haven’t ever tried because I don’t think they are very practical… not just in that I won’t wear them often but in how windy it is All. The.Time. here…. still, you give me ideas!
I love how versatile you showed yours to be.
You and Connie and Melanie all look fantastic in your tulle. I love how yours is chic and black. It is so you! I have no desire to wear a full tulle skirt but I have thought of putting a tulle trim on a basic cotton underskirt, just to let that tulle layer peek out. Then I would definitely wear it with boots. I am more of a gauze girl than tulle and can find tulle a bit itchy, but I am definitely admiring your looks here. Very inspiring as always, Suzanne. I still want you to have your own television show. xoxo
I have now added tulle skirt to my spring shopping list because this is GORGEOUS on you! I especially love it with the floral skirt on top.
Radness. Melanie is a boss. She gives no f*cks. I love it. I needed this post, because I have exactly one tulle skirt and I want to do so many awesome (i.e. annoyingly unfeminine) things with it, but I’m tapped out in the imagination department. I want to make it my own and I can’t quite get there…
Anyway, I’m in love with your plaid blazer. I just have to get that out. Also, I like the burst of colors and peek of tulle in that last look. Dramatic! 😀
– Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com
OH…MY GOSH! You look so cute in that tulle skirt! Now I want one!
Darlene
http://whosaprettygirl.com
I am SO going ahead and buying one like NOW!!! Carrie, here I come.
p/s I adore both ways you’ve styled yours, feminine without appearing Lolita.
I really like it layered under that floral skirt! I don’t have any of the really dramatic, ballerina-style tulle skirts like some of the ladies you posted pictures of are wearing, though I think they look so fabulous and fun. Mine is a black one that was very inexpensive (I bought it at the supermarket), but I wear it often, most often petticoat-style to give a full skirt a little more volume and a black ruffle at the hem.
Love it! I love tulle and agree it can be worn with good effect as you so beautifully showed, even on someone in our age bracket, with me being towards the top…
Love your paired with the anther top and I also love the pallid blazer.
I love seeing a variety of season or outfits that are transitional.
You gave great advice about how to wear and then walked the walk!
I have two taller skirts, one I will feature soonish,
on later in the season for an early pre fall look.
Well done, you chose these pieces with your perfect eye, to great effect!
xx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
sorry, let me translate—
I’m meant anthro
and plaid
and taller = tulle,
i was not watching my auto correct, I must confess I am in georgia, it is 74 and sunny, and I am itching to get outside!
xx, Elle
I too have been toying with the idea of a tulle skirt…love the sort of nonchalant way it looks, but not sure if it is “me” or not. Something I will have to investigate further. Yours is perfect…just the right amount of volume to keep it looking feminine without venturing into tutu land.
Of course I love how you styled your tulle…I might have to try mine under another skirt like you did though. I’ve thought about buying a more expensive one (read “better made”) because I think I have the same cheapie one you’re referring too and the waist band is definitely cheap looking. Hmmm…something to think about…
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
I’m not over 40 yet, but I will be someday and plan on still wearing tulle. I only have one, and it’s not the best…I’m dying for that ASOS one, too >.< Great style tips, and I adore the second look.
I’m still on the hunt for the perfect Tulle skirt. I have a couple of tulle crinolines that I wear under my full skirts, but I’ve always wanted a perfect, full tulle skirt to wear with docs and converse!
Haha. I missed this post! Thanks for pointing it out, Suzanne, and thanks for including me in your lineup. I have seen lots of amazing tulle stylings lately and I like how you’ve done up your slim-line black version. I laughed about your scissor job. That stuff is unforgiving. The tulle in that photo of me is old and it looks like it’s had some mishaps over the years, but I like to think it adds to the charm. If I stay in motion nobody will notice.
I have about a dozen tulle skirts in all colors. I used to wear them a lot. Sometimes just one, sometimes under another not tulle skirt and sometimes two tulle skirts (or more) over one another. Since I am in Singapore 6 months per year, I have not gotten around to wearing my tulle skirts a lot. I would never wear one in Singapore and In Holland it sort of did not happen the last years.
But I still love them!. One day I will return to them.
I found your website when I googled “Am I too old to wear a tulle skirt?” Ha! But here’s the thing….I’m not just over 40. I’m 61! I just bought a black tulle skirt, midi length, from Garnet Hill and it’s lovely! Now I just have to have the nerve to wear it to my sister in law’s anniversary party over the holidays. I love the plaid blazer you wore with yours, so maybe I’ll find a cute blazer and strappy heels to wear with it. Thanks for the encouragement !
I love you found my blog! And I’m really stoked that you are going to wear it to an anniversary party. I know you will be the belle of the ball…regardless of age.
If you get a chance take some photos of your final outfit. I’d love to see it : )
bisous
Suzanne
Hey can you pleaseeeeee tell me what do you call the last skirt, like the big one, not an ordinary tulle, if you can please please name what do we call the skirt Adriana Lima is wearing in Victoria secret’s commercial 2008?! Please reply I’ve given up searching!!! ???
Hi, Sorry I don’t have any more information on that fantastic tulle skirt.