Red Carpet Looks From Celebs Over 40 That Prove Style Gets Better With Age

Hollywood has historically been unkind to aging female actors, with Time reporting in 2015 that women's acting careers typically peak at age 30, while men receive more roles as they grow older. A look at some of the most famous romcoms, including "Roman Holiday" and "When Harry Met Sally," provides a glimpse of this disparity, with the leading ladies often being five to fifteen years younger than their male counterparts. The 2020s have seen some progress for older women in Hollywood, with Women's Media Center stating that women over 40 dominated award shows in 2021, but sexism and ageism remain major issues in the industry. 

So, it's encouraging to see the number of female celebs that are embracing age with refreshing confidence, especially as this self-assurance walks the red carpet to prove that style only gets better with age. From menswear-inspired dresses and sophisticated tweed to playful minis and illusion gowns, the women who own their roles on screen are also effortlessly defending their status as fashion icons. While there is still room to critique the pressure women face in Hollywood alongside our obsession with celeb appearances, it's great to see older women claim their well-earned positions in the industry. So, if you're ever feeling exhausted by the constantly-evolving beauty and fashion rules for older women, turn to these glamorous celebs for some much-needed inspiration.

Sofía Vergara cut quite the figure at the "Carol Burnett: 90 Years Of Laughter + Love" Birthday Special back in 2023, wearing a sexy take on menswear to the NBC event. The David Koma piece resembled a blazer with its lapel-like neckline and double-breasted details, but featured a strapless silhouette and figure-hugging cut. The resulting look added a layer of feminine sexiness to classic elements of menswear, perfectly balancing sophistication and sex appeal in a way that proves Vergara's signature style is here to stay. "You have to accept that you're going to be different," the celeb told E! News about aging and fashion. "But also I'm never afraid to do the best that I can."

Michelle Yeoh has had a decade-spanning career to showcase her fashion prowess, with the "Wicked" actor continuing to turn heads at the Gold House's 3rd Annual Gold Gala in 2024. She stepped out in a cream-colored tweed blazer and matching skirt from Schiaparelli, with both pieces accented with gold. The Hollywood veteran completed the chic ensemble with peep-toe pumps, bold earrings, and a mini handbag decorated with a face. The classic silhouette and chic coloring brought a level of sophistication that fit Yeoh's age, but she kept things fun and playful with unexpected details.

Zoe Saldaña was the picture of elegance at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, wearing a figure-hugging piece from Marni to the 2025 event. The midi-length dress consisted of a high neckline, flared hem, and rosy pattern, which the "Avatar" star paired with pointed-toed heels and a red-toned lip color. The daytime moment brought a splash of red to the celebrity-approved and always-versatile little black dress, with Saldaña balancing class and drama perfectly for an inspiration-worthy look.

Throughout her iconic career, Angelina Jolie's Old Hollywood style has proven she's the ultimate movie star, with the celebrity only elevating this iconic glamour in her 40s and 50s. The "Maleficent" actor walked the red carpet at the Venice International Film Festival in a beige draped gown from Tamara Ralph. The floor-length piece was paired with an off-the-shoulder fur shawl, classic red lip, and matching red nails. "I'm looking forward to my fifties — I feel that I'm gonna hit my stride in my fifties," Jolie told British Vogue in 2021, a sentiment we have to agree with.

Next, Nicole Kidman changed up her iconic style for Time's 2025 Women of the Year Gala, opting for a fairytale moment in place of her usual sleek ensembles. The look consisted of a blush gown with a lace-adorned bustier and a layered, tulle skirt with scalloped edging. She accessorized with a black-banded bracelet, diamond-studded rings, and a tousled hairstyle. The overall look is more youthful and light than Kidman has opted for in the past, but serves to demonstrate that the "Moulin Rouge!" star is capable of nailing a romantic look at any age.

America Ferrera was once synonymous with the maximalist Y2K aesthetic of her titular "Ugly Betty" character, but the LA native's subsequent career has seen her establish a chic fashion sense for the red carpet. For example, she appeared at the 2024 Golden Globes in a sequined Dolce & Gabbana piece adorned with dangly embellishments. The classic silhouette and silvery textile, which she paired with diamond jewelry and a chin-length bob, created a fun, high-fashion effect. "I feel like, with style, I've finally evolved to a place where it's fun and it's about getting to express how I feel on the inside," she told Harper's Bazaar in 2023.

Eva Longoria doesn't shy away from bold fashion choices, evidenced when the former "Desperate Housewives" actor appeared in a purple, leather-look ensemble at the LA premiere of "Gordita Chronicles." For the 2022 event, the celeb combined a pencil skirt dress featuring a bikini-style bodice with a cropped jacket, accessorizing with purple, pointed-toed heels and an updo with face-framing pieces. The leather material, head-turning shade of purple, and revealing bodice culminated in a high-risk fashion look, but the Hollywood veteran pulled off the look with a kind of confidence that only comes from age and experience.

Naomi Campbell conquered the runway back in the '80s and '90s, and her monumental star power translated into a fierce red carpet style in her later career. As an example, the London native attended a 2023 Victoria's Secret event in a metallic cocktail dress from Iamisigo, a brand focused on its environmental impact and unique, artful designs. Campbell's shimmering garment was made up of individual copper and zinc pieces cut into squiggly circles with hollow centers, all combined via gold connectors for a dynamic, light-catching effect. While older celebs often opt for long silhouettes, the supermodel proved that playful minidresses never get old.

If her fashion is any indication, Demi Moore ranks among the older Hollywood figures still embracing their sexuality, as "The Substance" star hasn't shied away from teasing silhouettes and revealing textiles throughout her 60s. For the 2025 LACMA Art+Film Gala, she wore a floor-length illusion gown featuring an array of colorful, embroidered flowers, styling the custom Gucci piece with red nails, dangling earrings, and a voluminous side-part. While the overall look demonstrated that Moore isn't afraid to show off her physique, the artful florals served as a reminder that celebrity fashion remains in full bloom for stars over forty.