Fashion Tips for Women Over 50

No matter your age, you deserve to celebrate your beauty. Fashion for women over 50 can be fun, flattering, and help you feel amazing. We’ve gathered the best fashion tips to help you look and feel your best in your fifties, sixties, and beyond. Remember, these style tips are suggestions, not rules. What matters is that you feel confident in your body, so you are beautiful in whatever outfit you choose. 

Basic Tips for Fashion Over 50

Anyone can build a great wardrobe by selecting the right colors, styles, and fits, especially women over fifty. Following these basic guidelines will help you build outfits that will last you for years to come.

Choose Colors that Enhance Your Natural Skin Tone

Are you a cool summer or a deep winter? If you’re familiar with the color palette theory first popularized in the eighties by Carole Jackson, you might already know what your “colors” are. Knowing which colors compliment and enhance your skin’s natural tone can help you select clothing that makes you look and feel beautiful. Acquiring pieces in a color palette that heightens your natural beauty means your wardrobe will remain timeless and versatile for years to come.

Find Your Perfect Style

Nothing is truly one-size-fits-all, nor is it one-style-fits-all. Crop tops and skinny jeans don’t look great on everyone; you shouldn’t be expected to wear a certain style because it’s trending. Find the style that works best for your body.

For example, if you have shorter legs than your torso, consider high-waisted pants or jeans with a straight or tapered leg to give the illusion of length. A dress with a cinched or empire waist can give the appearance of curves even if you don’t have them–or accentuate the curves you do have! 

Get a Great Tailor

Most clothes are not meant to fit perfectly right off the rack, so if you find a beautiful piece of clothing that doesn’t quite sit right on your body, take it to a tailor. A tailor can adjust the piece so that it fits your body marvelously and looks like it was made for you. 

5 Must-Have Wardrobe Pieces

When it comes to fashion for women over 50, there are certain pieces you simply must have. These five pieces can be mixed and matched with dozens of other items and accessories to achieve virtually any look you want. Once these are added to your wardrobe, you are unstoppable.

1. White Button-Down Blouse

A white button-down blouse is versatile and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Paired with dark jeans and wedges, a white button-down can make a date night outfit look chic. Tucked into wool trousers or a billowy skirt, a white button-down makes for a great business-casual look.

2. The Perfect Pair of Jeans

Finding jeans that fit well is no easy task, but investing in the right pair will transform your wardrobe. Keep in mind that dark denim is more sophisticated than lighter denim, so if you want your jeans to have more versatility, look for a dark wash.

3. A Little Black Dress

Commonly referred to as an LBD, a little black dress can take you places. Little black dresses can be taken from day to night–worn to the office for a work day and transitioned to wine night with the girls. Take the time to find one that fits you like a glove and you’ll wonder how you survived without it.

4. Tank Tops

Flowy or fitted, tank tops are necessary pieces to keep in your wardrobe collection. Wear them alone or layered with a cardigan or jacket. Tank tops work with virtually anything, from jeans to skirts, so have a few on hand to choose from.

5. Statement Jewelry

A beautiful piece of jewelry can elevate the look of any outfit. Invest in jewelry that is timeless and sophisticated, not simply the trending style. Cocktail rings, hoop earrings, and pearl studs are some of the most important pieces of jewelry any woman can have.

Learn more: 10 Staple Jewelry Pieces Every Woman Should Own 

5 Outfit Ideas for Women Over 50

Here are five classic outfits that showcase fashion for women over 50. Take inspiration from these outfits, or recreate them piece-by-piece! You’re sure to look and feel great in at least one of these styles.

1. Easy Breezy White Button-Down

Take inspiration from iconic actress Katharine Hepburn. Hepburn was a pioneer of women’s fashion for her time–she was one of the early adopters of menswear-inspired outfits like loose trousers and collared shirts. To emulate Hepburn, you can pair a trusty loose white button-down with flowy linen pants and add on wedge sandals for a touch of femininity. This is a timelessly casual look that can be worn to garden parties or lunch dates. Add statement jewelry like the Spinel & Gold Water Cast Necklace to make the look more glamorous.

2. Elevated White Button-Down

Fashion designer Carolina Herrera is known for her iconic designs and her own impeccable style. Herrera is often seen pairing the classic white button-down with more elegant bottoms, like a skirt or sleek trousers. You can dress up your favorite button-down with a black silk or satin skirt and heels for an event or dinner party. This outfit is chic, sleek, and sophisticated. Elevate the look with our Sterling Silver Pearl Drop Earrings.

3. Black Power Suit

Professionalism and fashion don’t always overlap, but in the case of the black power suit,  they certainly do. Tailored cropped trousers and a fitted blazer make this outfit an absolute go-to for work. Black pumps and a white blouse are safe classics to pair with the suit, but you can mix it up with colorful tank tops or a fun patterned heel. A 5 Tab Mixed Metal Necklace adds a touch of glam without going over the top.

4. Dressed-Up Denim

Take your favorite pair of jeans to the next level with a fun heel in leopard print or bright red–whichever suits you best. Layer a sweater over the classic white button-down or tank top and don’t forget the accessories. A large designer bag makes you look sophisticated yet casual. This outfit is perfect for shopping, dinner, parties, you name it. Add a colorful Large Asymmetrical Necklace with your birthstone to add a personal touch.

Learn more: Birthstone by Month – Colors and Meaning

5. Casual Denim

For a more casual look, pair your denim with a fitted tee, either plain or printed. Nautical stripes always add a touch of interest to any outfit. To accentuate the waistline and create the illusion of an hourglass figure, tuck the tee in all the way or just in the front. A fun sneaker or ankle boot gives the casual look a touch of sophistication, while the oversized earrings make a statement. Ruby And Gold Waterfall Dangle Earrings would certainly do the trick.

Look Your Best, Feel Your Best

We hope these fashion tips for women over 50 have helped inspire you to build a timeless wardrobe. Remember, looking your best is about more than the clothes you wear. If you take care of yourself and love who you are, your beauty will be radiant and apparent to anyone you meet. 

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