The fashionistas over 40 spotted at Copenhagen Fashion Week (and the style lessons I’m stealing)

Marianne Theodorsen seamlessly integrates high-fashion accessories with authentic vintage streetwear, showcasing a relaxed and intelligent approach to personal style. The star of her oufit is a retro, red and blue nylon track jacket by Brooks, featuring classic piping and branding. This nostalgia piece is effortlessly paired with baggy, light-wash denim. The brilliance is in the polish: red-lensed futuristic sunglasses and a structured, small dark Hermes handbag, pulling the entire ensemble out of the gym and onto the street.

Styling Advice: The “high-low” mix is fundamental to modern midlife style. The bag and sunglasses are crucial, proving that a single, quality accessory can completely transform a casual look. Don’t retire your vintage or casual wear; instead, find ways to “finish” them.

Idalia, 42, wears voluminous, black parachute trousers with gathered ankles – an incredibly modern take on relaxed volume. She contrasts this with a sharp, striped button-down shirt layered over a simple white top, defined by a distinct gold-buckled belt that creates a clear waistline in the centre of the volume. Leather flats and statement jewellery complete the look. 

Styling Advice: Volume must be intentional. Idalia achieves this by creating multiple focal points: the belted waist, the gathered ankles, and the texture-play. For midlife women, architectural trousers (paperbag, parachute, barrel-leg) are a phenomenal and comfortable alternative to skirts. The rule is: when wearing volume on the bottom, keep the top more fitted or, like Idalia, use a belt to restore balance and definition.

Tins opted for a head-to-toe monochromatic palette. Her look is conceptual and beautifully structured thanks to the crisp, architectural white tunic with asymmetrical drapes, paired with perfectly matching wide-leg white trousers. She uses textures and accessories to create interest: dark sunglasses, statement gold earrings, and a small, dark bucket bag. A woven straw hat is the final, inspired touch that elevates the entire look into a work of wearable art.

Styling Advice: When building a tonal look, think about silhouette and texture rather than just matching colour. The asymmetry and volume in the tunic are crucial to making this all-white outfit dynamic. For a practical midlife update, invest in coordinating separate pieces in a signature neutral (cream, white, navy, black) that can be mixed or worn together as a core uniform of effortless style.

Marianne demonstrates her uncanny ability to take 90s sports nostalgia and make it feel like high-octane luxury. She anchors a vintage varsity vibe with a dramatic, ankle-sweeping slate-grey trench coat featuring contrasting dark charcoal lapels. Underneath, she layers a crimson football graphic tee tucked into slouchy, low-slung khaki cargo trousers fastened with a slim leather belt. 

Styling Advice: An ankle-length trench coat instantly pulls together an outfit into a long, sleek silhouette.

Another day, another great look from Idalia. This is sophisticated power dressing with a creative twist. She wears a structured, peplum-style top, paired with dark, wide-leg trousers in a subtle, charcoal-grey leopard print. The electric pop of electric blue pointed-toe heels creates a stunning visual contrast. Her accessories – chunky wooden bangles and a unique woven basket bag with a yellow handle – reflect her creativity.

Styling Advice: This outfit proves that leopard print can be a sophisticated neutral for midlife. Idalia makes it work by keeping the print refined in colour and scale and letting the structure of the peplum top be the main focus. Unexpected colour pops, like the blue shoes, are a fantastic way to inject fun into your look. Don’t be afraid to mix unexpected accessories. 

Gili shows us how to revitalise a capsule wardrobe with playful twists. She builds her look around two powerful basics: an oversized, textured red button-up cardigan and a full bodied midi skirt. Red heeled sandals, red scarf at the waist and a white crossbody bag complete the look. The addition of a pearl necklace with a gold fish charm adds a layer of fun. 

Styling Advice: This outfit is a goldmine of advice. First, use a bold colour to revitalise your staples. Second, reconsider how you wear classic items: roll up the sleeves, wear it open, get a scarf and tie it at the waist. The structured midi skirt is an excellent midlife piece that provides elegant coverage with interesting architectural elements. It’s about playing with classic elements and giving them permission to be playful.

Tina’s back and this time she’s giving us a stunning lesson in unexpected high-contrast dressing by pairing utilitarian outerwear with romantic liquid volume. She chose a high-collared, cream lightweight bomber jacket with pushed-up sleeves, tucked neatly into a dramatic, mid-calf pleated bubble skirt in rich espresso brown. The look was brought alive by its accessories: oversized 70s-style yellow-tinted aviator glasses and a soft leather handheld pouch in brilliant cherry red.

Styling Advice: Combining an athletic, high-neck windbreaker with a soft, gathered silk or satin skirt creates an instant high-fashion contrast that feels less sporty, and more chic. 

Gili mastered the art of cool with an architectural monochrome base elevates by a single brilliant accessory – the addition of a bright red bandana tied snugly around her neck, complemented by dark aviator shades and sharp cherry-red heels peeking out beneath her long hems.

Styling Advice: Tying a small, brightly coloured neckerchief or silk scarf close to the throat draws the eye upward, illuminates the complexion, and adds a youthful element to your outfit.

Idalia brought a tactile, artistic sensibility to the streets by mastering the tension between heavy and delicate fabrics. She wore a thick, short-sleeved cream hand-knit sweater adorned with a bold floral intarsia graphic, paired effortlessly with an ethereal ice-blue satin slip skirt complete with delicate lace trimming at the hem. She anchored the romantic, delicate bottom half with rich burgundy multi-strap pointed shoes, a monogram leather clutch, stacked wooden bangles, and vibrant drop gemstone earrings.

Styling Advice: Embrace the ‘knit and slip’ formal. Balance the lingerie-inspired nature of a silk slip skirt by pairing it with n oversized, or textured heavy knit. This “hard and soft” dynamic keeps the look daytime-appropriate.

Marianne anchored her look with a traditional, boxy beige canvas barn coat featuring a contrasting dark brown corduroy collar. Instead of pairing it with classic denim, she subverted expectations by wearing electric cobalt-blue satin runner shorts and a crisp, white ribbed crop tank. The colour story continued through her intentional accessories: blue-tinted rimless oval sunglasses, a long silver pendant necklace featuring a blue stone, a hot-pink mini shoulder bag, and playful, multi-coloured patterned sandals.

Styling Advice: Oversized heritage outerwear – like a corduroy-collared field coat or barn jacket – is the ultimate modern styling cheat code. Its utilitarian, relaxed structure instantly tones down skin-baring or high-energy pieces (like satin shorts or a fitted tank), making them feel grounded and effortlessly cool for daytime.