My super cute friend Suzanne has a question: “What are your thoughts on printed jeans for women in their 40s?” Ooh, that’s a really good question.

I would like to have an open mind about printed denim for grownups — I refuse to believe that age is ever a really valid reason not to wear something you love. In fact, I just bought a pair of neon pink skinny corduroys and I am totally smitten with them, even though the combination of neon and skinny really seems to be something that would work much better on a younger woman. I’m also hesitant to argue that a print is not appropriate for anyone’s post-40 body. I’m a big fan of printed pants, particularly for grown up women — I mean, is there anything more chic than a crisp pair of graphic print capris? I think not.

But I just cannot get behind printed denim for grown ups. Sorry.

A bold print draws the eye, so a print pant — of any sort — is an invitation to have people gaze at your bottom half. But unlike a tailored trouser in a crisp graphic print, jeans are designed to fit your curves — which means you’re plastering a print right over those curves. And let’s face it: After 40, most of us are a little curvier than we were 20 years ago. That’s not a bad thing — at all — but it is important to recognize when we’re shopping for jeans, or pants of any sort.

Printed denim can add bulk where you don’t need it — or create the illusion of bulk where there really isn’t any. I say pass on the printed jeans — stick with straight leg, mid-rise, dark rinse denim. If you’re looking to satisfy a deep urge for prints, go with cotton or cotton blend print trousers in a perfect fit.

What do you think: Is printed denim ok after 40? Are you working a print jean this year? Or are you skipping the prints all together?

Photos via Nordstrom

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