4 Photogenic Outfits Celebs Over 40 Always Wear

Looking great in photos isn't just about your pose or how much or how little you smile, or which direction you tilt your head. All of these things are certainly factors, but your outfit can be equally as important. You probably know by now that some things that look great IRL just don't translate in photos. And in the age of Instagram that we live in, that's a bit of a shame (you never know when your 'fit will be documented).

So why look to celebs over age 40 for their photogenic outfit secrets? Well, many of them have been walking red carpets for years, so they undoubtedly know what works and what doesn't work, and there are plenty of photos to prove it. Below, you'll find four of those highly photogenic outfits that we see them wear time and time again. They're not complicated and they don't require an entirely new wardrobe, so scroll away. (Sidenote: They all involve heels, but they're your feet—wear whatever shoes you want.)

The Outfit: Coat + Dress + Heels

A dress and heels isn't exactly groundbreaking, but celebs over 40 adore wearing the combination with a coat. It adds interest and polish to the simple look.

photogenic-outfits-284156-1575415851241-image

(Image credit: MediaPunch/Backgrid)

On Sarah Jesssica Parker: Ulla Johnson coat; Emilia Wickstead dress; Wolford tights

photogenic-outfits-284156-1575415843563-image

(Image credit: Best Image/Backgrid)

WHO: Naomie Harris

photogenic-outfits-284156-1575415849378-image

(Image credit: Best Image/Backgrid)

WHO: Anna Wintour

Shop the Look

The Outfit: Suit + Heels

If you want a no-brainer outfit that always looks good on camera, a suit (whether pants or skirt) is always a safe bet, and it can easily be spiced up with accessories.

photogenic-outfits-284156-1575415828952-image

(Image credit: Gotham/GC Images)

WHO: Cindy Crawford

photogenic-outfits-284156-1575415834356-image

(Image credit: Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for AT&T)

On Kerry Washington: Armani suit

photogenic-outfits-284156-1575415845097-image

(Image credit: T. Jackson/Backgrid)

On Jennifer Lopez: Alex Perry coat, top, and pants

Shop the Look

The Outfit: Blazer + Jeans + Heels

You probably wear this outfit a lot anyway, and it happens to look great in photos. The beauty of this combination is that you can wear it with any style of jeans (or blazer, for that matter), and it’s just as successful with trousers.

photogenic-outfits-284156-1575415830987-image

(Image credit: Jackson Lee/GC images)

On Katie Holmes: Chanel jacket and bag; Re/Done Heritage Cotton Classic Tee ($62); Jimmy Choo Ivy 85 Heels ($675)

photogenic-outfits-284156-1575415832810-image

(Image credit: BG017/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

On Jennifer Aniston: Chanel bag

photogenic-outfits-284156-1575415846533-image

(Image credit: Backgrid)

On Penelope Cruz: Chanel bag; Paige Genevieve Flare Jeans ($229)

Shop the Look

The Outfit: Minidress + Heels

A minidress and heels has always been (and always will be) a celeb favorite, especially on the red carpet, which is the ultimate test of just how photogenic an outfit is. (As you can see, this one succeeds with flying colors.)

photogenic-outfits-284156-1575415837423-image

(Image credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

On Gwyneth Paltrow: G. Label blazer; Jimmy Choo shoes

photogenic-outfits-284156-1575415839569-image

(Image credit: Frederick M. Brown/FilmMagic)

On Halle Berry: Zuhair Murad dress

photogenic-outfits-284156-1575415842024-image

(Image credit: Josiah W./Backgrid)

On Reese Witherspoon: Alexander McQueen dress; Saint Laurent shoes

Shop the Look

Next up, 10 celeb-approved ways to style the most important winter basics.

Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing . She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing . Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.