9 Ways to Look Fabulous Over 50 (Without Looking Like You’re Trying Too Hard)

“True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she knows, and the beauty of a woman, with passing years only grows!” Audrey Hepburn said it perfectly – aging is a privilege that brings with it treasured memories, experience, and wisdom. You’ve spent years developing your sense of self, and you want to look as good as you feel. If you want to refine your sense of style to reflect the chic, classy woman that you feel like inside, keep reading for 9 tips to look fabulous over 50 – without looking like you’re trying too hard.

1. Prioritize Skincare and Minimal Makeup

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Although fabulous makeup might bring to mind a dramatic cat eye or a perfectly blended contour, don’t worry! You don’t need a professional makeup artist or flawless technique to look fabulous at 50. In fact, heavy makeup can actually make us look older as we age because thick products can settle into the skin and emphasize texture and wrinkles.

Makeup experts and beginners rejoice! When it comes to makeup over 50, less is actually more. Embrace a natural look and you’ll glow from the inside out. Focus on moisturizing, lightweight products that enhance your skin rather than trying to cover it up in thick layers of foundations or powders. Try to slim down your daily routine to a few tried and true products. French women can teach us a lot here – they often only rock a few daily steps like sunscreen, moisturizer, a skin tint, mascara, and a bit of blush.

2. Mix Up Your Layers

Have fun with layers in your fabulous 50s and beyond. Simply swapping out a go-to sweater for a leather jacket can transform the look of your white t-shirt and jeans. And if an edgy moto jacket isn’t your style, you can find alternatives in other leather pieces, like a blazer or a cropped vinyl style instead.

Having a bit of flexibility in your favorite outfit formulas can allow you the freedom to evolve your style at any age! This evolution can be a great way to reflect the personal growth that’s also going on inside as you gain life experience.

3. Do Denim Right

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When it comes to denim, think modern, not necessarily trendy styles over 50. That’s the key to adding vitality to your fashion over 50, without looking like you’re trying too hard. Instead of chasing ever-changing trends, try to stick to modern versions of go-to classics. For example, swap out your skinny jeans for a slim-cut instead. These will be much more flattering and give you a more modern look in a close-fitting pair of denim.

Another tip when it comes to jeans – avoid rips, embellishments, or distressing. Although these elements go in and out of style, it’s better to stick to a clean, classic cut that won’t date your denim as time goes on.

4. Embrace Signature Pieces

There are a number of ways to make your daily fashion stand out in your #fabulous50s, but one of the best ways is to embrace a signature piece or two that reflects your true style. Knowing yourself better is one of the most beautiful parts of aging. Pay homage to that hard-earned knowledge by investing in a piece or two that you incorporate into your daily style.

Examples could include a fun pair of glasses (both practical and chic), a silk scarf, a certain style of shoes, staple jewelry, etc. Wearing one or two pieces consistently indicates that you’ve unlocked your dream style and are sticking to it! Other examples could be a certain lip color, a signature scent, etc.

5. Upgrade Your Basics

One of my favorite tips to give older adults when it comes to elevating their style is to upgrade their basics. Upgrading your staple items can give your wardrobe a whole new life! You can choose more modern versions of your tried-and-true favorites (as I mentioned before), as well as spend a little bit more upfront for quality materials and fabrics.

Staple items that fit you well and make you feel great will give your style an instant boost. The best part is that you don’t have to commit to relearning how to dress in a brand new wardrobe. You can still dress as you were doing before, but in pieces that will give you a more tailored, expensive look that matches your sophisticated and curated style over 50.

When you’re shopping for elevated basics, pay close attention to the fabric composition. Look for high percentages of natural fibers like cotton, linen, cashmere, wool, and silk to get the most bang for your buck.

6. Play with Proportions

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You can make your outfits instantly stand out and look more interesting by experimenting with the proportions of your pieces. Your instinct might be to lean toward slim-fitting items if you want a flattering look. In reality, oversized pieces can actually make you look slimmer when styled correctly! The trick is to balance your oversized pieces out with smaller ones.

If you want to style two oversized pieces together, this can also give you a showstopping look. You just have to find other ways to flatter your figure underneath. Rolling your sleeves and choosing a v-neck top helps to balance out the extra fabric by highlighting portions of your skin. As for pants, choose footwear with a pointed heel to help extend the length of your legs underneath wide-leg trousers for a slimming look!

7. Add a Pop of Color Strategically

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Use color sparingly if you want to create a look that’s fabulous, yet also classic and understated. A pop of color is an easy way to add personality and interest to your look, but the key is not to add too many varying shades that overwhelm you. Stick to a limited color palette to ensure that you still shine through the look. A pop of red is the perfect addition to your fall and winter looks – just limit yourself to one or two pieces in the bright shade.

8. Curate Your Closet (As Many Times As Necessary)

It’s easy to accumulate clothes over time (I know I’m guilty of this). Closet purges can be easy to procrastinate on. Decluttering is a lengthy process, takes a lot of effort, and can even be a little emotional if you feel sentimental attachment to some of your pieces. However, regular clean-outs can help you to ensure that you always love every piece that’s hanging in your closet, and feel excited about wearing any piece that’s there.

A clean, organized closet also helps you to style outfits more easily. Less is more when you can see what you actually own, and the ways in which different pieces could be worn together. Decision paralysis can be a real thing when you have too many pieces to choose from! Slim down your wardrobe and fall in love with the pieces you do have if you want to upgrade your style to a whole new fabulous level.

Helpful Hint: To keep track of what you actually wear, put a divider on each rack of your closet. Then, after you’ve worn a piece, move it to the other side of the divider. At the end of each season, take note of what you wore and what’s still on the original side of the divider. If you didn’t wear it, think about why not and consider its future in your wardrobe!

9. Create Go-To Fashion Formulas

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Feel fabulous over 50 by having go-to fashion formulas that you know you always feel great wearing! These outfit combinations make you look as great as you feel, and will be your saving grace on the days when you feel like you have nothing to wear.

Once you have your go-to formulas, you can style them depending on your mood and the occasion. Dress up your favorite white tee and jeans with a red lip and heels for date night. Or, add a blazer and a pair of loafers for casual Friday. If you love a slip skirt and a sweater, pair them with flats, a woven tote and cat eye sunglasses for a chic shopping look. Or, wear them to work by adding a pair of kitten heels, a work bag and a pair of pearl earrings.

Fabulous Over 50 and Beyond

Who doesn’t want to feel fabulous?! After all, there’s no age limit to looking and feeling your best. That feeling should grow and evolve with you as you get older. With these simple-to-follow tips, you can elevate your style to bring out how fabulous you feel inside!

Ready more chic style tips over 50? Up Next: How to Dress Like a French Woman Over 60: 9 Ways to Get Their Chic Style

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