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.
My daughter and I recently went to see the Broadway musical Annie at the National Theater in D.C. While theater used to be a time for folks to dress up, these days people wear most anything to shows. I choose to still look dressed up as I find going to the theater a celebration, and…
It has been a while since I’ve shared what I’ve worn for everyday. And since my mom passed, I haven’t been going to a lot of cool events. But I have left the house and have also done a bit of retail therapy so wanted to share what I wore recently. What I Wore Recently:…
Summer-to-fall transition outfits can be tricky to master. One minute you’re sweating in a tank top and shorts, and the next you’re shivering in the same clothes. But fear not, the key to nailing this confusing time of year is layering. Opt for lightweight fabrics that can easily be added or removed to adjust to…
You know what happens when I go on vacation in August? What I wore in July isn’t posted until it’s almost September! It’s amazing how quickly this month has gone by. Well, better late than never, right? What I Wore in July Universal Standard printed top and shorts For the 4th of July holiday, we…
Since I was in 8th grade I have been on the hunt for the perfect leather moto jacket. Soft buttery leather, something that works with not against my shape, not too cropped but not too long, a style that can zip up when it’s cold but also looks great as a topper over lightweight dresses. …
I first went to see a Broadway musical when I was in 4th grade. My dad’s friend came to visit from NYC and took us to see La Cage aux Folles at the National Theatre in DC. I was hooked, and looked forward to any time in any city to see a musical. So when…
I don’t think anyone who reads Wardrobe Oxygen is surprised I went to see The Barbie Movie as soon as it came out. I am a feminist, a mom, and a child who grew up playing with Barbies. I was expert in creating the most magnificent gowns for my Barbies with Kleenex and Scotch tape,…
Time flies when you’re busy AF! And that is how June was. Our daughter graduated from 8th grade and is heading to high school next year. We had dances, ceremonies, celebrations, and all sorts of other events. It was our 19th wedding anniversary at the beginning of the month, and after all the celebrations, we…
I hesitated to write about this tan satin pantsuit because it’s on clearance and sizes are limited. But at the end of May I got this blazer and these pants from Ann Taylor and wore the pantsuit for three different occasions in June and know this is just the beginning of ways to style this…