Style with substance: Demi Moore-approved fashion formulas every midlife woman should try

The actor has impressed fashion commentators with her versatile wardrobe choices. Photo / Getty Images
Fresh off critical acclaim for her role in The Substance, the actor’s red-carpet outfits and off-duty style provide plenty of inspiration.
Earlier this year, Demi Moore made her major cinematic comeback in The Substance, a body horror about ageism and misogyny, in which her character takes an injection that promises to make her young and beautiful again.
Considering the themes of the film, it is all too fitting that Moore has been winning plaudits for her ageless style off-screen, becoming the new poster girl for dressing well whatever your age.
While promoting the film at the Cannes Film Festival, the actress impressed fashion commentators in a series of show-stopping column gowns by the likes of Oscar de la Renta and Balenciaga.
It’s a clever silhouette choice for the actress, with the block shape highlighting her athletic figure. Nevertheless, she’s not afraid to think outside the box either, also showcasing a love of balloon trousers and wide legs in particular.
What’s particularly refreshing about Moore’s approach to fashion is she’s not a champion for any one particular look or trend. Case in point: her last week in outfits, which spanned everything from a boho-chic Gucci ensemble comprising a floaty blouse and tan suede jacket, to a directional Schiaparelli flared trouser suit and Chanel floral appliqué mini-dress. Each look is simultaneously cool and age-appropriate – you certainly could not use the words ‘mutton’ and ‘lamb’ in the same sentence in regards to her wardrobe.
Of course, we don’t all have access to designer fashion like Moore, but these are the major styling tricks and outfit formulas that you can adopt to channel her style yourself.
Moore wore this head-to-toe Gucci look for the recent London photocall of her new TV series, Landman. On paper, this ensemble might sound intimidatingly “trendy”, with its combination of extra-long, baggy jeans and a daisy-print pussy-bow blouse.
Yet Moore’s stylist Brad Goreski knows that when it comes to style it’s all about that delicate balancing act. Pairing the girly blouse with the jeans is the perfect contrast, with the tan suede blazer nipping her in at the waist so she doesn’t get lost in the outfit. For a more wearable take, swap the trendy jeans for a flare, and switch suede for something more durable.
For whatever reason, unless you’re Brigitte Macron, you probably don’t get your legs out as much when you get to a certain age. But if you’ve got legs like Moore (or indeed, Macron) it would be criminal not to.
Take a leaf out of the actress’s book and make a mini length feel more grown-up and less girlish by adding a slightly longer dress coat over the top (this is also useful if the dress is sleeveless and you’re not overly confident about your upper arms).
A word of caution: don’t go for a coat that’s too much longer or it will just emphasise the shortness of your skirt. A mid-heel court shoe further enhances the elegance and is far preferable to a flat shoe (or worse, a trainer).
This is another mini skirt formula that works well during midlife, offering additional coverage while also remaining simultaneously fun and grown-up. Pairing a flat knee-high boot with a mini ensures that if you’re a little unsure about your legs, you don’t need to actually get them out. Meanwhile, long sleeves and a high neck (or even a cape cut, like Moore’s Celine dress) keeps things elegant. By sticking to a monotone look – in this case black – you’re also letting the silhouette do the talking with no distractions.
If in doubt, a black trouser suit will always look cool for the evening – as long as you’ve got the cut right. To avoid looking like you’re in a board meeting, you need to ensure it’s not too buttoned up, so wearing it without anything underneath, à la Moore, is ideal. Fashion maths is at play again here too – team trendy wide-leg trousers with a nipped in waist and fitted jacket. You can also incorporate fun details – like the Schiaparelli gold buttons – to add a little more interest.
The classic ‘New Look’ silhouette pioneered by Christian Dior in 1947 – which features a cinched in waist and full skirt – is eternally flattering, especially in your 50s and beyond. Moore and Goreski clearly knew this when they chose this chic Erdem skirt suit for the Tate Modern screening of Landman. The ankle-grazing length is easy for everyone to wear, while the slight hint of cleavage removes any suggestion of frumpiness.
That classic hourglass shape is also achieved via the cut of the jacket, which flares out over the hips. Looking for a style that features embroidery like this one is an easy way to stop it feeling a little business-like too, and if you can find something with a peep of contrasting underskirt it’ll add more height. Alternatively, wear the separates – a midi length skirt always looks chic with a simple knit.
Pleated skirts are notoriously difficult to wear over a certain age, with their connotations of the school room. Yet the shape is extremely flattering, as it adds structure to your look and glides over your silhouette rather than emphasising anything you might not like about it. Crucially, it comes Miuccia Prada-approved, too.
A mid-calf cut like this one elongates the legs, with the proportions balanced out thanks to the thin knit and cropped cardigan on top (never wear a white blouse or shirt, and definitely don’t tie the cardigan around your shoulders – both are steering you into history teacher territory). You can also play with different textures, with satin finishes being fun for evening too. Finally, toughen everything up with some classic mannish brogues to avoid any Sandra Dee connotations. Chihuahua accessory optional.