When it comes to chic style over 50, sometimes it’s as much about what you don’t wear as what you do. Fashion is personal, so you should always wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident! However, as a general guideline, avoiding these 9 things can help you make the most of your fashion for over 50 women, and feel like your chic self every day!
1. Cheap, Ill-Fitting Clothes
Ill-fitting clothes can cheapen your whole look – no matter how much you spent on them. These two terms are important to avoid in combination. Just because a piece is inexpensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s ill-fitting. However, there are certainly times when the two go hand in hand – which should be avoided. Ill-fitting clothes can throw off your whole look, and don’t do anything for your frame or confidence!
dress | scarf | heels | bag | sunglasses
What they wear instead:
Even though stylish women tend to prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to their pieces, that doesn’t mean they break the bank every time they add something to their wardrobe. If they do find a great deal on a new item, they make sure it fits well – even if it’s a bargain.
It’s not worth adding something to your wardrobe that will only give you future headaches when it doesn’t fit right. Instead, consider spending a little bit more upfront to purchase a piece that fits well and makes you feel confident any time you put it on. And if you find a great piece at a low price that you love but doesn’t fit quite right, consider taking it to a tailor! Even a $30 alteration could make any piece look designer. You can also use little tricks, like going for a wrap-style dress or adding a belt, to custom fit your pieces to your unique body type.
2. Heavy Makeup
Stylish women know that in most cases, heavy makeup doesn’t do them any favors. Makeup generally works best when it’s utilized to enhance features, rather than cover them up. Heavy makeup, especially on women whose skin shows natural signs of aging, can actually settle into and accentuate fine lines and wrinkles. Makeup that’s too bright or heavy can also distract from the natural features that a stylish woman would like to accentuate, and look dated outside of special events.
What they wear instead:
Stylish women focus on makeup that flatters their favorite features. They also use makeup sparingly – less is more! This is a great lesson from French women when it comes to makeup. Instead of heavy bronzer and full-coverage foundation, French women focus on lighter, brighter products for making the skin glow with as little products as possible. Hydration is key, and so the French prioritize moisturizing products that also offer sun protection. They prefer to use tinted sunscreens, barely-there blushes, and hydrating lip balms. For special occasions, they might add a red lip – but as a general rule, bright colors are used sparingly.
3. Too Many Bold Colors at Once
Speaking of bold colors, stylish women tend to avoid wearing too many bold colors at once. That’s because too many bright colors in one look can be overwhelming, and end up wearing them instead of the other way around. There’s a time and place for colorful looks, but most times, stylish women over 50 tend to prefer neutral looks that feature a single pop of color.
What they wear instead:
When it comes to fashion for over 50 women (or any age, really!), stylish women tend to stick to one statement color per outfit. This is enough to make any look more interesting, without going overboard with too many competing visuals. However, that doesn’t mean the rest of your pieces have to be solid-colored neutrals.
You can still incorporate patterns into your look as well, as long as they aren’t made up of too many bright shades. Leopard print, plaid, and stripes are all examples of patterns that you can easily find in more muted tones that still let your primary color shine!
4. Low-Cut, Cropped Tops
If you’re going for a sophisticated, classic look, it’s generally best to avoid low-cut, cropped tops. Although this is certainly a personal decision based on your comfort level, these pieces tend to not look as polished as those that offer full coverage. Plus, they’re that much more likely to accidentally lead to wardrobe mishaps – and no one wants to feel self-conscious every time they bend over!
What they wear instead:
Full-coverage pieces not only give you peace of mind, but also give you a polished, put-together look overall. Don’t be afraid to style v-necks or scoopneck tops – just make sure that they work for your proportions, and aren’t cut too low! And as for crop tops, if you do style a cropped shirt or sweater, try pairing it with something high-waisted. This will give you a more flattering look and also ensure you have proper coverage to move about with confidence. High-waisted skirts, jeans, etc., will all do the trick!
5. Too Many Matching Pieces in One Look
Although stylish women know that monochromatic looks are an easy way to create chic outfits, they also know to avoid getting too matchy-matchy throughout their entire look. Just like matching furniture sets are generally avoided in interior design, so goes the same with outfits that are coordinated from head to toe in matching tops, bottoms, and accessories.
What they wear instead:
Stylish women know the key to creating chic monochromatic outfits is to also incorporate some sort of variety. Maybe they’re sticking to one color throughout their whole look, but they also add different textures, patterns, etc. Or, maybe they’re styling a look with very similar colors and fabrics, so they throw in a second color to help bring things up. The stylish woman above paired her ecru jumpsuit and mules with olive accents to add dimension and interest to her look – and it works!
6. Shoes That Are Too High
Although the ideal shoe height can be subjective, lower heels are generally easier to walk in… which makes stylish women feel more confident that they can go about their days without worrying about stumbling! The perfect height can certainly differ from person to person depending on their comfort level with walking in heels, but for the most part, it’s a good idea to stick to just a few inches when it comes to your daily shoes.
boots | jeans | shirt | sweater | belt | bag | scarf
What they wear instead:
Although it’s true, high heels can make you look taller and slimmer, they’re not worth foot pain, pain from a fall, or feeling unsteady on your feet! A pair with just a couple of inches of heel height can give you the same stylish, slimming effect, but without any unnecessary risk of falling or feeling uncomfortable. And if shoes are your love language, we have a post on How to Create a Shoe Capsule Wardrobe for Every Season.
7. Too Many “Loud” Accessories
Too many bright or big accessories can make your outfit look cluttered and unpolished. Accessories do play an important role in creating stylish outfits, but the key is to avoid overstyling your look. Otherwise, the end result might end up overwhelming you and distracting from your otherwise chic look.
What they wear instead:
Stylish women tend to prefer minimalist accessories when it comes to their daily looks, and might choose just one or two statement pieces to serve as the focal points in their outfit. This prevents accidental clashes and makes the ensemble look more polished and intentional.
Start by choosing just one accessory to serve as your focal piece. Then, keep the rest of your pieces simple and small. It could be a patterned pair of boots paired with your everyday jewelry, or a wide belt worn with a shoulder bag and sleek sunglasses. Starting small will help you to get into the habit of learning where the fine line is of “just enough” and “too much”.
8. Outdated Silhouettes
Stylish women know when to leave behind outdated silhouettes. Skintight jeans, super low-waisted pants, shoulder pads… these are trendy styles from a bygone era that aren’t easy to incorporate into a classic, yet modern look. Although certain silhouettes do come and go, swapping out old styles for a newer alternative is an easy way to instantly look more fashionable.
What they wear instead:
Instead of reaching for low-waisted, skintight denim, swap out your jeggings for a pair of wide-leg jeans instead. Contrary to their name, they typically look more flattering than super-tight pairs! The wide-leg cut can help to subtly balance out your lower proportions and give you a more streamlined, slimming look overall. Plus, they just look more current than the overly tight denim of the past.
Staying on top of current fashions isn’t necessarily giving into every trend that’s thrown your way; rather, it’s acknowledging current styles and choosing to update your closet now and again when you find a better silhouette that works for you.
9. Too Many “Safe” Pieces
Too many safe pieces can actually prevent you from reaching your most fashionable self. Although a reliable capsule wardrobe is certainly important (it’s a big part of our style philosophy here at MCO!), it’s also crucial to incorporate experimental or statement pieces into your style over 50. These pieces are what set you apart as an individual and showcase the personal aesthetic that you’ve been curating over the past 50+ years.
skirt | sweater shell | heels | bag | earrings
What they wear instead:
Embrace “hero” pieces that embody your personal style to really take your fashion to the next level. Love a bold, bright color? Try brilliant shades of chartreuse, cobalt blue, pink, etc. Are you obsessed with adding a fun pattern to your look? Cow print may be trendy, but in small doses, it could be a fresh new look for you to play with. Have you accumulated a large collection of costume jewelry pieces over the years? Don’t be afraid to wear them, but stick to one per look!
Fashion Over 50 Made Easy
These 9 rules aren’t necessarily hard and fast ones that you absolutely have to follow, but are meant to serve as guidelines if you want to elevate and streamline your fashion for over 50 women. We always say that great style has no age limit, and we mean it! Have fun, and don’t be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone. These tools and tips will help guide you to your favorite fashion era yet.
Looking for more on mature style? Up Next: Aging Gracefully: How to Dress Your Age Without Looking Old
Carolyn,
I love your wardrobe you put together while in the Cotswolds. You capture the surroundings perfectly. J
Thanks, Ann. It was so beautiful there… it was hard to take a “bad” picture!