As we age, our bodies naturally start to change along with us. It’s a natural part of life and happens to us all, but it certainly isn’t always a comfortable feeling! At times, it can be difficult to accept that the body you’ve always known isn’t the same as it used to be. Part of that difficulty may come when your clothes start to fit differently – it can be a big learning curve to once again feel confident in your clothes and style. However, with a few simple tips you can hopefully start to feel your best again and learn how to dress your over 50 body shape.
1. Find a good tailor
Out of all of the tips on this list, this is perhaps one of the most important ones. Find a good tailor, or teach yourself how to make simple adjustments to your clothes. It will make a world of difference in getting the most out of your current wardrobe and ensuring any new pieces you buy are the perfect fit. A $30-$50 tailoring job can make your favorite pair of jeans look like they cost hundreds (or more) in the way that they fit you. The better the fit, the more expensive you’ll look.
As you get older, a good tailor will ensure that your clothes fit and flatter you in all the right places. Instead of ordering and returning pieces online or in-store until you find a piece that magically fits you absolutely perfectly (which is close to impossible), the right tailor will do the hard work for you. If you’re already frustrated with the shopping experience, this is a great way to gain confidence back. Clothes should be made to fit you, you shouldn’t have to make yourself fit the clothes!
2. Opt for fitted, but not tight
If you want to learn how to dress your over 50 body shape, think fitted, not tight when it comes to clothes. Fitted clothes will complement your natural figure. Tight clothes might highlight areas you don’t wish to highlight. They also might cling, or be generally uncomfortable to wear.
Some good examples of styles that are fitted, but not tight include tailored blazers, wrap dresses, and midi pencil skirts (that have a bit of stretch). Other examples include pleated skirts, belted coats, and long cardigans. When it comes to denim, try to look for pairs labeled “slim” rather than “skinny” or “ultra-skinny”.
3. Highlight the parts of your body you’re most confident in
We’ll get into more specifics on this tip shortly, but an overall trick to try is to highlight the smallest part of your body, or the parts that you’re most confident about. This will vary from person to person. It can also differ from when you were younger! As we age, our body proportions naturally shift due to hormones, lifestyle changes, having children, etc.
A great place to start when it comes to relearning how to dress your over 50 body shape is by taking note of the areas you feel most confident about. It’s always more empowering to focus on highlighting what you love, rather than what you might be trying to hide or minimize. If you feel amazing about your upper body, try choosing a bright color or pattern on top. If your legs are your favorite feature, a high-waisted pair of white (or yellow!) trousers or a light-wash pair of slim jeans can be great staples for you.
4. Try slimming patterns
When it comes to patterns and details, vertical lines go a long way in elongating your look. Vertical lines create length in your outfit by drawing the eye up and down, rather than horizontal patterns that can draw the eye from side to side and create a widening effect. If you’re reading this post about how to dress your over 50 body shape with any concerns about appearing taller or slimmer, this is a great trick to try.
A pleated midi skirt will give you a nice shape with movement that flows with your body. Or, try a pleated dress if you want to lengthen the look of your midsection. You can also reach for a vertical-striped button-down or shirtdress for spring and summer layering pieces.
Related: How to Wear Flattering Clothing Styles for Women Over 50
5. Use the “sandwich method“
As we age and our bodies naturally change, there might be areas that you would like to draw attention away from. Whether you tend to carry weight up top or down below, if this is a source of any insecurity there are easy solutions to help you feel more confident. The “sandwich method” is a low-cost fix that you barely have to think about.
What is the sandwich method? It’s matching the color of your shoes to the color of your top. Think a chocolate brown sweater with a pair of light-wash jeans and a pair of dark brown leather boots or loafers. This method instantly balances out your shape with the appearance of your outfit by creating visual symmetry. Your eye will move up and down from the brown sweater to the shoes. Plus, it’s an easy way to look more put together.
6. Invest in quality basics
Quality basics and fabrics can go a long way in helping you to feel confident about how to dress your over 50 body shape. That’s because well-made pieces can truly appear much more flattering than their less expensive counterparts. The construction and fabric of a piece can change how it appears on your body.
A cheaper piece might cling, look see-through, or highlight areas you would rather draw attention from. Meanwhile, a more expensive basic (even a quality white t-shirt) can drape beautifully on your body. It won’t be see-through, will hold up well, and can give you a more flattering look.
Fabrics make a difference, too. Quality fabrics with high percentages of wool, cashmere, linen, cotton, etc. will hold their shape after many washes. If your pieces are stretched out easily or lose their natural shape, it may give you that “frumpy” look that you want to avoid. Plus, quality fabrics will just feel better on your skin overall!
Basics are the perfect place to spend a little more because chances are you wear them quite frequently. Investing more at the start in your piece will ensure you’re not replacing it as often. Some of the best pieces to start swapping out are your capsule wardrobe staples.
7. Smooth out your look with shapewear
You might have a love/hate relationship with shapewear. It is sometimes marketed as a necessity, which can be frustrating. No one needs shapewear, you’re perfect as you are! However, if you’d like the option of creating a cleaner style, it can be helpful to smooth areas of the body for an uninterrupted look. The little details can go a long way in making you look more put-together and elegant over 50.
Even if you aren’t concerned with the shape part of shapewear, it can be helpful to disguise unwanted lines from undergarments, soften the look of our body’s natural bumps, and overall create a sleek look if that’s what you want.
8. Embrace one color in monochrome outfits
Make it easy to get dressed in the morning and create a flattering look at the same time with a monochromatic outfit. Not only is it easy to pair pieces that are the same color, but it will also make it appear like you put more thought into your outfit than you actually did. (Win win, am I right?)
Now, here’s why it’s flattering. We all have parts of ourselves that we sometimes wish to draw attention away from – and this might have changed for you after 50. If you want to focus attention elsewhere, a monochromatic look shifts the focus from your area of insecurity to your total look and overall shape. Plus, it creates a clean line in your outfit for a vertical, slimming effect. So, not only will you appear more put together with minimal effort, but it will give you a chic, slimming look as well.
9. Add a belt
Adding a belt is a very simple yet powerful way to feel confident in how to dress your over 50 body shape. A belt can help to accentuate your features at their narrowest point. If you’re worried about oversized pieces overwhelming you and making you appear larger than you are, try belting your waist. It will give you a natural hourglass shape and enhance your natural curves. This is a great trick to try over your winter coat, a blazer, or a coatigan.
If you carry weight around your midsection, try styling the belt slightly higher than your natural waist. This will help to lengthen the look of your torso. Or, it will help if you want to try to minimize the appearance of a larger bust. A belt around your waist will help to draw the eye downward, and away from your chest.
Go for a medium-width belt in a darker shade to get the most out of this styling trick.
10. Go for v-necks and open collars
If you want to minimize the appearance of a larger bust, one easy solution is to reach for a v-neck. V-neck shirts and sweaters help to open up your chest. They create a vertical, continuous line that runs down the center of your body. Although it might seem counter-intuitive, a v-neckline minimizes the look of a larger chest. A crewneck style or turtleneck can actually make it appear bigger with a boxy effect.
A v-neck also helps to elongate the appearance of your torso. If this is something that you’d like to change with an easy styling hack, swap out your higher necklines for a v-neck version.
11. Opt for pointed toe shoes
Did you know that just the shape of your shoe’s toe can make a big difference if you want a slim look? Little details like this can have a big visual effect! The tapered end of a pointed-toe shoe extends past the natural end of your foot. This gives the illusion of longer legs. Plus, a pointed toe acts as a line that draws the eye forward. A rounded toe ends at your foot’s natural shape and curves side to side, which can make your legs appear shorter and wider.
The great thing is that you don’t have to commit to a pair of heels to get this flattering effect. Even pointed-toe sandals will do wonders if you want to elongate your shape. Try it out yourself some time, even a quick comparison photo will show you the immediate results!
How to Feel Confident in Your Style After 50
Feel confident in your style after 50 with a few low-cost tips and tricks. You don’t have to reinvent your whole wardrobe! Finding a good tailor and investing in quality basics is a great place to start. You deserve to look as amazing as you feel. Age shouldn’t have an impact on great style, and you’re just getting started!
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