Chic Fashion Influencers Over 40 That Older Women Should Be Following

Celebrities have long been proving that older women can have so much fashion fun by wearing adventurous outfits to red carpet events. Research shows that as women age, they start to feel more confident and self-assured. However, ageist stereotypes often restrict how women express that confidence through fashion. Ageism in fashion is an outdated trap that pressures women to wear clothes according to their age, rather than what reflects their personal style. Often, the stigma leads society to believe that older bodies and faces are less appealing.

The 40s are particularly notorious for bringing fashion difficulties and style confusion, but they can be used to revive self-discovery and expression. Khloé Kardashian is just one celebrity and influencer who has enthusiastically embraced the 40s. "I know so many people dread turning 40, or just getting older," she said in an episode of the "On Purpose" podcast. "I probably talked about my excitement in turning 40 for at least three years prior to turning 40," Kardashian added, recognizing that, due to gender stereotypes, growing old can be particularly challenging for women.

Celebrities are not alone in facing ageism. In recent years, more mature women have emerged as content creators, challenging traditional fashion norms and beauty standards. From styling aged tattoos and embracing trends to dressing up for date nights and confidently wearing silver hair, their content is tailored to women over 40. By transforming themselves into fashion influencers, these women have made a space for an often-overlooked demographic online.

Grece Ghanem is now in her 60s, boasts a staggering 2.2 million followers on Instagram, and is a widely recognized fashion influencer who proves style has no age limit. She dons an iconic silver bob and knows how to work a camera. Her wardrobe is characterized by vibrant colors and bold patterns, predominantly floral motifs or animal prints. She experiments with her fashion choices, and statement accessories have become a staple for every outfit — one thing every woman in her 60s should have in her closet. On a mission to dress like herself at any age, it's no surprise that Ghanem often merges an array of materials and color-blocking techniques.

Despite having a lasting interest in fashion, her career in social media started unexpectedly. As Ghanem would relentlessly borrow her daughter's phone to find fashion inspiration on Instagram, her daughter eventually encouraged her to start her own account. "It began as a hobby — we would always take 'fashion' photos while we were travelling," Ghanem told British Vogue. It wasn't long before Ghanem garnered attention from fellow fashion enthusiasts and soon found herself being photographed at New York Fashion Week.

Despite her success, Ghanem recognizes how the industry still needs improvement. "There is still some ageism in modeling," she said. "Often I will be styled in a more conservative and classic look compared with the younger models, just because I am older. But being more mature doesn't mean I have a classic style," Ghanem added.

Hsu Sho-Er and Chang Wan-Ji are over 80 years old, have more than 700,000 followers on Instagram, and are considered among the world's oldest fashion influencers. The Taiwanese couple have been together for 70 years, working behind the scenes at their laundromat. However, the pair went viral after their grandson set up an Instagram account for them.

They quickly drew attention for modeling their customers' forgotten clothes, creating stylish outfits that are often coordinated according to color, pattern, or aesthetic. On many occasions, they have posed wearing unique accessories and garments often marketed towards younger wearers. While some outfits include Adidas loungewear and jorts, other looks stray from streetwear and include tailored pieces like blazers and shirts. By using lost property to curate their trendy outfits, not only have Sho-Er and Wan-Ji shown fashion is ageless, they've also proved style belongs to everyone.

In an early post on Instagram, Reef Chang, the couple's grandson, explained his inspiration behind the dress-up account was to inspire others to have fun with fashion, no matter their age. In an interview with CNN, Chang also revealed that his grandma had a lasting interest in fashion. "When my grandma was young, she was a fashionable girl. There are two wardrobes full of her old clothes, and the style is similar to that of the female stars of her generation," he said. "But now, she is more concerned that the clothes are comfortable," Chang added.

Astrid Zeegen-Holt is a sexagenarian fashion influencer who has more than 850,000 followers on Instagram. She is favored for her vibrant wardrobe and tattoos, which she often shows off wearing matching lace underwear. Zeegen-Holt is not afraid to show some skin, and with all of her ink, she truly treats her body like a canvas. While she enjoys an oversized silhouette, she occasionally embraces sophisticated looks and Gen Z trends. However, like most mature content creators, her career as a fashion influencer was a complete accident.

In an interview with Hello!, Zeegen-Holt said she was encouraged by friends to start an Instagram account, and it suddenly took off. Despite having trouble navigating social media as someone born into a world without smartphones, it wasn't long before Zeegen-Holt was editing reels. As someone who never conformed to society's expectations surrounding personal identity and fashion, she is on a mission to stop older women from hiding their bodies. "The underwear thing started when I got sent some really beautiful underwear and I thought, 'why are we hiding?'" Zeegen-Holt said. "If you feel good in what you're wearing, you look good. I just want to live my life to the fullest," she added.

Tennille Jenkins is a fashion influencer in her 40s who also promotes wellness and skincare. She has more than 310,000 followers on Instagram. Jenkins is a huge advocate for self-love and combats ageism by empowering women to embrace their natural beauty. Her wardrobe is characterized by minimalism, businesswear, and sophisticated silhouettes. She often poses wearing satin slip dresses and blazers, and predominantly enjoys a monochrome color palette. She embraces her silver locks and has even made them part of her personal brand.

Jenkins' career started with the belief that any stylish outfit starts with inner confidence and a healthy routine. "Wellness is something that I really believe in," she said in an interview with Hello Beautiful. After her social platform launched her into the modeling world, Jenkins found herself on a new journey of self-love and empowerment.

Jenkins' modeling career also inspired her to speak out against the misrepresentation of older women in the fashion industry. "I definitely want to continue changing the conversation with my image in the beauty market. I think there is such a gross lack of representation there, not just for Black women, but for aging women, for women with white hair," Jenkins added.