When Caroline Baudino says “CODE RED ALERT,” her 1.5 million followers know exactly what that means: Stop what you’re doing and buy this — immediately. One such item this fall? Ballet flats. “They’re my go-to,” says Baudino. “A total look-for-less dupe for ALAÏA, and I wear them year-round. They go with practically everything, and they’re from Amazon — fast shipping and super affordable.”
Baudino is the style-savvy best friend you wish lived next door. Known for her honest takes, motivational coffee walks and fashion advice that fuses real life with real style, the 52-year-old influencer is redefining what fashion over 50 looks and feels like.
Her ability to mix trends with practicality is part of her appeal. Take leopard print, which is back in a big way. “It’s all about balance,” she says. “Treat it like a neutral with personality. Pair a leopard blouse with structured trousers or just add a printed shoe to denim and a white tee. Skip the head-to-toe look.”
The same goes for espresso tones, this season’s moody alternative to black. “It adds depth. I love it with creams, olives, even denim. Head-to-toe works beautifully if you mix textures.”
Speaking of texture, suede is also making a fall return in the form of boots, skirts and boho accessories. But don’t go full ’70s revival. “Mix suede with modern basics like a crisp white shirt or structured denim,” says Baudino. “Add gold or silver jewelry. The goal is a nod to the era, not a full Woodstock reenactment.”
Baudino’s real talent lies in what she calls the “high-low” lifestyle — pairing a Bulgari-inspired Amazon watch with Helena Rose initial rings. She shows her followers that a $30 blouse can live harmoniously with a designer bag. And on days when life feels a little too much? Her armor is baggy jeans and a simple tank top. “It lets me be myself. No performance, no pressure. Comfort can be healing.”
Her motto — “Get up and get dressed” — isn’t just a catchphrase. It’s a life philosophy born from necessity. “It started as a way to show up for myself,” she explains. “Now it’s become something much bigger. It’s a mindset shift, an act of self-respect and intention. I’ve seen it ripple through my community: women telling me they feel more confident, more seen, more energized.”
She credits TikTok for accelerating trend cycles, but warns that not every micro-trend deserves your wallet. “The ultra-specific aesthetics that vanish before your online order even arrives? Fashion should be fun, not disposable.”
For those overwhelmed by it all, Baudino suggests three foundational pieces to buy this fall: an oversized blazer, a great pair of wide-leg trousers and a statement shoe. “These give you structure, comfort and instant style. Start there; you don’t need to overhaul everything.”
Living in Los Angeles has also shaped her take on fall fashion. “We don’t get real seasons, so it’s about playing with texture and layering. A leather jacket over a slip dress, a chunky sweater with denim shorts. We get the mood of fall without committing to the weather.”
She’s also quick to debunk fashion myths — especially the “dress your age” edict. “That’s outdated,” she says. “Confidence is what makes an outfit work. Not your birth year. If a crop top or leather pant makes you feel good, wear it.”
And what about the idea that women should feel guilty for wanting to look good? Baudino doesn’t hold back. “We’ve been taught that caring about your appearance makes you vain. That it takes away from your depth. But getting dressed is self-expression. Feeling good in your skin — and your outfit — shouldn’t come with guilt. It should come with power.”
Power, for Baudino, can be a “uniform” of vintage Levi’s, a white tee, a moto jacket and standout accessories. “It’s easy, comfortable and elevated. That formula always works for me, whether I’m running errands or heading to dinner.”
For fall accessories, there’s one unsung hero she wants us to stop ignoring: the structured belt. “It’s the quiet MVP. Cinch a blazer, break up a sweater dress — suddenly your whole look feels polished.”
Despite all the fashion advice, it’s Baudino’s honesty that resonates most with her followers. From her experience caregiving for aging parents to her transparent takes on Botox and marriage, she shares everything — cellulite, success, spray tans and more. “Women need to talk more, be more open,” she says. “And I don’t care what you think. I’m going to live my best life.”
She didn’t always feel this way. A decade ago, Baudino was a stay-at-home mom in what she describes as a state of “mommying burnout.” The turning point? A call from her mother revealing her father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. The next morning, Baudino looked in the mirror, threw on a fabulous outfit and began what she calls her rebirth. “I was like, ‘You are smart. You are strong. No more excuses.’”
She launched Shop with Caroline shortly after, posting daily outfit videos and building a brand from scratch. “I had no tech background. I didn’t even know how to turn on my computer. But I taught myself everything [with] YouTube.”
Today, her empire includes a top podcast, Coming in Hot; brand deals with Nike and Sephora; a book in the works and plans for a television show. All of it, she says, is proof that age is irrelevant. “I’m 52 and just now living my dream. I thought I was waiting — but the waiting was preparation. Now, I’m ready.”
So, what’s next for the woman who dresses like every day is a fashion show? “More. More of everything,” she says. “A book. Maybe a show. I want to be everywhere. Because if one woman says, ‘You helped me get up today,’ that’s everything. That’s the dream.”
Baudino’s story is a master class in resilience, reinvention and radical self-love — with great accessories, of course. And if her journey proves anything, it’s this: The best things happen when you get up, get dressed and never count yourself out.
