These outfit posts document real-life personal style on a 5’3″ size 14/16 midlife body. Since 2005, Alison Gary has shared what she actually wears to work, on weekends, while traveling, and during everyday life, offering an honest archive of how style evolves over time.
Unlike curated influencer lookbooks, these outfits reflect real closets, real budgets, and real bodies. You’ll see how pieces are reworn across seasons, how trends are adapted for women over 40, and how fit, proportion, and comfort work together in everyday dressing.
These real-life outfits serve as a visual extension of Wardrobe Oxygen’s fashion advice, showing how capsule wardrobe concepts, denim reviews, footwear recommendations, and layering techniques translate into lived experience.
If you’re searching for outfit inspiration for women over 40, midsize style ideas, curvy petite fashion, or realistic examples of how to style trends in daily life, this archive provides two decades of documented looks to explore.
Use tags to browse by fashion brand, season, occasion, or wardrobe staple.
Green wrap tee and bandeau from Victoria’s Secret, black stretch poplin trousers (that’s how they were described on the Nordstrom website) from Caslon, black booties from Sudini, solitaire necklace and studs from Diamond Nexus Labs. Hair was washed and conditioned, pureology thickener and Got2B curling mousse and scrunched dry. Then hit all with the curling…
Black cashmere puffed-sleeve top from Banana Republic, gray ‘Drew” trousers from limited, black booties from Sudini, silver bracelet from Ann Taylor Loft, silver hoops. Hair is next day, big sections twirled around a curling iron and then a bit of Jonathan Silky Dirt twirled around the sections for hold, separation and shine. Makeup is Revlon…
Pink merino v-neck from J. Crew, black pencil skirt from Old Navy, black tights from Target, black heeled oxfords from BCBGirls. Hair was wet but not washed, added pureology thickening lotion, dried with paddle brush then Croc straightening iron to smooth. Makeup is Revlon ColorStay under eye concealer in Light Medium, then Rimmel Lasting Finish…
Black merino shift from Banana Republic, orange crinkle silk scarf from Banana Republic, tan “Bern” boots from Duo, silver hoops. Not sure where I put my cuff… Hair was washed the night before, this morning smoothed with round brush and occasional touch-up with Croc wet-to-dry straightening iron. Makeup is Revlon ColorStay under eye concealer in…
It is going to be around 80 degrees today! I went to work without a coat! I LOVE this weather, I just hate that it will get cold again tomorrow. Red crepe jersey dress from Maggy London, black tights from Target, black patent Mary Janes with red heels from Nine West. Hair was washed with…
Friday night we went to dinner with very good friends of ours. Had a wait for our table, so we went next door to the cigar shop; the boys got some cigars to puff (it was nice enough to be outside) and the wife and I chatted about the upcoming wedding of her sister-in-law (you…
Green silk blouse from Ann Taylor, black stretch poplin trousers from Caslon, black booties from Sudini, green bead and silver necklace and matching earrings for like $5.99 from Burlington Coat Factory a couple years ago, silver cuff. Hair was washed and conditioned, added Pureology thickening stuff and Jonathan Silky Dirt and blew dry with a…
This weekend will be all about getting myself organized. I had an outfit planned out, and then I couldn’t find a single pair of tights that weren’t footless or argyle. Argh! I gave up on the outfit, and put on this. Pants still fresh from the cleaners, and a sweater that hasn’t yet been worn…
Teal scoop tee from Gap, black ponte cropped jacket from Banana Republic Outlet, dark “The Flirt” bootcut jeans from Old Navy, black booties from Sudini (yes they are new – had to replace the Impo ones I broke), silver necklaces – pendant from B.P. for Nordstrom, chain from Renaissance Festival, silver cuff. Last night got…