10 Fashion Tips For Women Over 50
As a woman in her 50s or beyond, it's essential to dress in a manner that celebrates your journey and identity. However, societal pressures often push older women to chase youthfulness, leading to a constant struggle to mimic younger fashion trends. Yet, this approach isn't the solution.
Approaching 63 this year, I've never felt more confident, not because I aim to appear decades younger, but because I prioritize self-care and tailor my style to resonate with my true self. My goal isn't to look like I'm in my 30s; instead, it's to embrace and accentuate my age gracefully, and I'm proud of how I carry myself.
That’s why I've curated these fashion tips specifically tailored for women over 50! Before diving in, it's crucial to understand that I never advocate for "dressing your age." In my Dressing Your Truth system, age isn't the deciding factor for your style! Instead, I guide women in creating a personalized style based on their unique Type of beauty. With 4 Energy Types, identifying your dominant one is simple using a few profiling tools. From there, the focus shifts to embracing your natural energy and movement, allowing you to dress authentically.
What Not to Wear After 50 and What to Wear Instead:
1. Excessive makeup:
Let's address it head-on. Want to instantly add years to your appearance? Overdo your makeup.
Regrettably, when older women pile on excessive makeup, they risk appearing unappealing, severe, or as if they're wearing a costume. With age, natural fine lines and skin texture become more prominent. However, heavy layers of makeup exacerbate these features. In reality, heavy foundation, bold blue eyeshadow, intense blush, and bleeding, feathered-out red lipstick contribute to an unflattering appearance.
What to do instead:
Embrace the less-is-more approach! Steer clear of the outdated makeup styles I mentioned earlier. Skip the sparkles in your eyeshadow, as they tend to accentuate creases. Opt for matte shades instead; you'll experience a significant improvement in your overall look.
2. Cleavage:
There's a common misconception that revealing cleavage signifies empowerment. While baring more skin might seem like a statement of sexual maturity and liberation, for women in our age group, it often comes across as desperate and unappealing. When it comes to cleavage, it's evident what to avoid!
A valuable insight: Confidence and femininity don't stem from plunging necklines or the cut of your blouse; they come from a deeper, internal source. Clothing should serve as a means to further express the beauty and maturity within you.
What to do instead:
Showcase your feminine allure with sumptuous fabrics like silk, satin, and cashmere. Incorporate fur accents and rich hues from your Style Guides (such as your Type's cream or champagne, plum, or soft purple) to embody your innate sensuality without resorting to desperation or seeking undue attention.
3. Baggy and Oversized Clothes:
Periodically, fashion trends emerge featuring baggy attire. We observe celebrities and younger individuals donning baggy pants, oversized shirts, or large sweaters. You might be enticed to follow suit, assuming they'll conceal any extra weight or perceived "imperfections" that come with aging.
However, instead of camouflaging these aspects, baggy clothing tends to accentuate them.
So, steer clear of them! Baggy garments at this stage of life tend to create a bulky appearance.
There's one exception. It's acceptable to wear stylishly loose bottoms, provided you pair them with a fitted top or a well-tailored blazer. Alternatively, you can rock a slouchy sweater as long as you complement it with fitted bottoms, like skinny jeans. The key is to avoid drowning your body in baggy clothing; it simply doesn't flatter mature women!
What to wear instead:
Opt for clothes that fit you properly. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the transformation. No more feeling frumpy or hiding away. Instead, you'll exude pride in your style, body, and confidence. However, be cautious not to veer into overly tight clothing, as it can also draw attention to features that naturally shift with age.
4. Light, Neutral Colors:
I'm not suggesting that you should completely avoid neutral colors, but it's best to refrain from assembling your entire outfit, including jewelry and accessories, in a uniform light, neutral hue.
This monochromatic style can be overly harsh on mature skin.
A special consideration for Type 4 women (the only Type who can confidently pull off black): Ensure that your clothing, jewelry, shoes, and accessories don't solely consist of black. While black is a stunning neutral for you, given the array of captivating Type 4 colors available, incorporating bold and vibrant hues can infuse your outfit with more depth and personality.
What to wear:
Neutral colors are perfectly fine, but ensure they're mixed with various shades from your Type of beauty palette. As a Type 3, I personally enjoy monochromatic ensembles, but I balance them with other vibrant and dynamic Type 3 colors. Curious to see examples? I frequently share my #OOTD (outfits of the day) on Instagram. Follow me there for a glimpse into my daily style choices and more personal moments.
5. Heels:
Although heels have long been associated with femininity, I believe we sometimes place undue emphasis on them. They're not essential for feeling sexy, and in reality, they can wreak havoc on your feet, knees, and hips!
As you mature, heels become increasingly impractical additions to any woman's wardrobe. They're more likely to cause blisters and back problems than to boost confidence.
What to wear:
Opt for slingbacks and flats instead. These shoes are much gentler on your joints and balance. In StyleInspire (exclusive Type-specific shopping boards for our Lifestyle members), we frequently showcase footwear that not only complements your Type but also prioritizes comfort without compromising on style.
6. Crop Tops and Hot Pants:
Let's face it, these styles are primarily geared towards teenagers and young women. Influencers and fashion bloggers effortlessly rock these trends, but as a mature woman over 50, it's important to remember that you can exude sexiness without revealing too much skin. Crop tops can significantly age you, and hot pants (a.k.a. "short shorts") won't necessarily make you appear young and trendy.
One of the most empowering aspects of being a woman over 50 is no longer being concerned about others' opinions of you. For me, clothing isn't just about impressing others; it's about feeling comfortable and confident in my own skin. We've moved beyond that stage! At this stage in life, I want my clothing to complement my lifestyle. I value freedom of movement, comfort, and the ability to stay active without worrying about my clothes riding up or being too revealing.
What to wear:
T-shirts and shorts are perfectly acceptable—just ensure they provide adequate coverage. Opt for form-fitting shirts that aren't overly tight. Bermuda shorts, which hit just above the knees, are a stylish and age-appropriate option.
7. Too Many Outdated Fashion Styles:
Exercise caution when combining multiple "old-fashioned" items in one outfit. For instance, wearing a tweed skirt, Brogues, and flesh-colored tights together may transport you back several decades—not in a chic, vintage manner, but in a way that ages you beyond your liking.
While some women seek to maintain a youthful appearance by embracing trends, others may inadvertently pigeonhole themselves into a "grandma" fashion category by abandoning style altogether. But here's a motto for you: "Grandma is a role, not a style."
There's no reason for you to adopt your mother's or grandmother's fashion choices once you hit 50. Their attire reflected the trends of their time, but that doesn't mean it's suitable for you! There's no need to embrace a Granny from the Beverly Hillbillies aesthetic.
What to wear:
Elevate skirts with stylish boots to infuse modern sophistication into your ensemble. Sneakers can also be a fun, casual option, but ensure the rest of your outfit is well put-together so that your shoes complement your overall look rather than appearing like an afterthought.
8. Fleece:
Fleece zip-up sweaters are convenient and budget-friendly choices for quick errands or outdoor activities like walking the dog or fetching the mail. However, they don't say much about your style or personality, and I don't believe they flatter our bodies as we reach 50 and beyond.
What to wear instead: Opt for a warm, chunky, slouchy cardigan instead of fleece. Choose a style that falls around your hips or opt for a longer one with a fashionable oversized look. Consider investing in a well-designed "coatigan" that you can wear for any occasion. Every day is a special event, so enjoy your wardrobe and embrace your style! Especially with the pandemic altering social gatherings, take pleasure in dressing up just for yourself at home.
On the topic of fleeces: If you're wearing a fleece for outdoor activities, consider investing in a higher-quality item with better structure and a more flattering appearance. Cheap, baggy fleece pieces can leave you feeling frumpy and detract from your overall look.
9. Elastic Waistbands:
Ladies, I understand the allure of elastic waistbands for their comfort, but they can instantly age you. If you're reluctant to part with them, it's crucial to conceal that waistband!
You can achieve this by wearing a longer top that covers the waistband or by employing a French tuck—tuck the front of your top in and then pull out just enough fabric to cover the band. This simple technique adds a touch of style while allowing you to wear your elastic waist pants comfortably.
What to wear instead:
Consider opting for tie-waist trousers as an alternative. These high-waisted pants feature a noticeable waistband, and they're designed to be flattering for women of all body types. You can still enjoy comfort and define your waist without sacrificing style. Pair them with a fitted, tucked-in top for a chic and flattering look that will leave you feeling fabulous.
10. Heavy Earrings:
You're probably already anticipating where I'm headed with this one. That's correct—time and gravity can eventually lead to stretched earlobes, especially with heavy earrings that weren't designed with your long-term comfort in mind!
Fortunately, jewelry is now crafted using much lighter materials, offering plenty of options to replace those heavy pieces in your collection.
What to do: Explore the DYT Online Store for jewelry releases featuring beautiful options tailored specifically for your Type. We ensure a great mix of small and large pieces, so even if you prefer chunky or substantial earrings, rest assured they're light enough for you to wear repeatedly without risking stretched earlobes.
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