As a woman over 50, you aren’t limited to shopping at places made just for older women, but it’s true that places like Forever 21 just don’t capture the essence of the woman you desire to be, which is timeless, stylish, and age-appropriate. We can probably all recall a woman we’ve seen on the streets, wearing clothes a few sizes too small and a few decades too old, all in an attempt to grasp onto fleeting youth. At the end of the day, what is “age-appropriate” is going to look different for every person. (I’m a big believer in dressing in what makes you feel confident and happy, no matter what people think.) However, dress from a place of confidence, not fear, whether that’s a fear of getting older, a fear of not fitting in, or a fear of looking old. Ready to get started in dressing in a way that makes you feel confident? These are the best places to shop for women over 50 fashion!
But real quick – before we get into the best shopping places, let’s go over some shopping tips to help you select the best things!
Before you shop
Shop for your body shape & skin tone
With your experience in life, you probably already have a good idea about what looks good on you. However, it’s worth repeating that before you buy anything, make sure it suits your body type and skin tone the best.
If bright colors wash you out, then don’t fill your closet with bright tops! If you really love color, a pair of bright pants would be okay because they are not close to your face.
Some may find shopping for your body shape and skin tone too restrictive (I do too sometimes), so just use it merely as guidance to help lead you to the right pieces for you – or to steer clear from the ones that totally don’t work!
Shop quality first
As another year passes, you have probably realized the value of quality items and have favored high-quality pieces to put together a classic look.
I’m not saying cheap and fast fashion are mutually the same (I love H&M for certain items), but usually, basics found at Target, Walmart, & Old Navy are not going to last as long as the higher-quality alternative.
Shop trends sparingly
It’s wise to be aware of the latest trends without adopting them all into your wardrobe. One of the best fashion tips I can give you is to hone in on your personal style.
Whether classic style or preppy style, knowing the look you love and desire will alter your wardrobe and the way you shop. Instead of picking up whatever your best friend is wearing (whether you like it or not), you’ll only buy items that you love.
Before adding another item to your wardrobe, ask yourself if this flatters your body shape and fits into your signature style.
Shop for comfort
Dressing for comfort is key. You already know that as you get older, your body changes…it’s just science! (Even more so if you had kids.) There’s no use squeezing your body into mini-skirts just to feel younger. Great style is cultivated over time, and time is an advantage that you have.
Swap out the mini dresses for wrap dresses, and the mom jeans for a straight-leg style. Take inspiration from a French woman who embraces her age and doesn’t try to fit in with the young crowd. She finds the best jeans for her body and looks for the perfect fit for her.
There are misconceptions out there that the older you get, the frumpier you look. Not true! Yes, a mature woman can still wear skinny jeans (if she wants) and animal prints. They aren’t left to clunky orthopedic shoes (if not medically necessary) and can definitely wear a pair of stylish boots.
The fashion industry has come a long way. And though there’s always progress to be made, there are now good clothing store options for women of all ages. The idea that older women are frumpy and shapeless is only true if you make it so.
Okay, now on to the places to shop & outfit ideas I put together for you!
Where to Shop for the Best Women Over 50 Fashion
Casual Style: Eddie Bauer, L.L Bean, Land’s End
sweater | jeans | jacket | tote | boots
These three clothing stores are a great place to shop if you like casual style. And no, casual outfits don’t have to mean sloppy!
At L.L Bean you can find many athletic-inspired, casual, and classic quality staples, such as a utility jacket, cashmere crewneck, quilted coat, and more. Eddie Bauer, another American store, carries many adventure-inspired pieces. But there are many classicly casual pieces for women here, such as long-sleeved layering tops, crewneck sweaters, and sherpa vests.
Casual meets preppy at Land’s End. From plaid shirts to riding jackets, here you’ll find quality pieces that match your casual preppy aesthetic.
If you love the outdoors, the footwear options available at these stores might catch your eye, too! From waterproof boots to comfortable walking shoes, these styles are ideal for weekend getaways or leisurely hikes!
Preppy Style: J. Crew, Brooks Brothers
turtleneck | trousers | blazer | bag | shoes
Speaking of preppy style, if you lean towards a back-to-school meets preppy style and love blazers, stripes, and chinos, J.Crew is the place for you! Here you’ll find pieces to put together the perfect outfit for work too.
J.Crew has a beautiful aesthetic, but they’re not cheap. Thankfully, if you wait for sales you can usually score a pretty good deal.
Brooks Brothers is another preppy brand with a history of sophisticated fashion. From crisp button-down shirts and tailored blazers to trousers and sweaters, it’s the perfect choice for anyone seeking timeless style with a touch of prep.
Classic Style: Banana Republic, Eileen Fisher, M.M LaFleur, Uniqlo, Quince
shirt | trousers | trench coat | scarf | shoes | bag
If you frequently find yourself wearing neutrals, a pencil skirt, and timeless pieces, then you may love classic style. At these classic clothing stores, you can add to your wardrobe staple pieces like a white shirt, a little black dress, and other key pieces like a black blazer.
At Uniqlo and Quince, you can find a lot of great pieces where affordability and quality meet. Eileen Fisher and M.M. LaFleur lean towards the high-end scale and don’t typically have sales. Banana Republic is right in the middle. And here’s a little tip, you can shop at Banana Republic Factory to save even more – it’s their online outlet store!
If you’re on the lookout for specific fall and winter pieces, consider investing in structured blazers from M.M. LaFleur or lightweight wool coats from Banana Republic, both great for welcoming the colder months of the year. Eileen Fisher’s pieces are great for building a chic, streamlined, and versatile wardrobe, while Uniqlo offers high-quality cashmere sweaters at great prices.
Professional Style: White House Black Market, Ann Taylor, Loft
dress | jacket | shoes | earrings
Though there is a lot of cross-over between classic and professional styles, these clothing retailers are geared towards making upscale polished clothing.
From sheath dresses to tailored suits, if you are looking to add to your workwear wardrobe or business professional aesthetic, these places will allow you to do just that!
Ann Taylor and Loft offer both petite and tall sizes as well, making it that much easier to find high-quality, elegant office pieces that are the right fit. Frequently launching new collections with elevated basics, White House Black Market is the perfect way to transition effortlessly from work to leisure time.
Classic Meets Trendy Style: Evereve, NYDJ, JCPenney, Boden
Not Your Daughter’s Jeans started by creating jeans for women that were stylish while still being comfortable. The brand is especially known for its lift-tuck technology in jeans that provides a super flattering fit for a large variety of body types. They’ve branched out, and now carry everything from tank tops to dark denim. Some of these items are on the trendy side, but you can still find staples too.
At JCPenney, you’ll find brands like St. John’s Bay and Liz Claiborne, which are geared towards a more mature audience without compromising on style. The department store also offers collections with slightly trendier pieces under a.n.a., which can work well when paired with some of their more classic items!
For the perfect mix of current styles meets classic silhouettes, Boden and Evereve have your back!
Bohemian Style: Anthropologie, Free People
skirt | clogs | shirt | jacket | bag
Who says people over 50 can’t have a fun, eclectic style? If you resonate with flowy fabrics, floral prints, and bright colors, then a bohemian style may be for you. To look age-appropriate and less “hippie gone wild”, the key is to still balance it out with timeless pieces or timeless colors.
For example, a flowy floral dress in a darker color or a floral print in a tailored piece like a blazer.
Anthropologie also offers a range of accessories, from bags and scarves to jewelry, that can add that extra touch of personality and flair to your closet.
French/Minimalist Style: Frank & Oak, Everlane, Madewell
sweater | jeans | shoes | necklace
For women who lean towards simple, timeless pieces, these stores offer minimalist designs that never go out of style. Frank & Oak and Everlane focus on sustainability, transparency, and neutral palettes, making them both great options for building a versatile and thoughtful wardrobe.
Madewell, in its turn, combines practicality with some trendy flair, offering everything from denim jackets to chic leather handbags. All of these brands are perfect for those who believe less is more, and want pieces they can return to season after season.
Honorable Mentions: Talbots, Chico’s, Soft Surroundings, J. Jill
These clothing stores carry a mix of styles – from trendy to classic – and they’re worth keeping on your radar for women over 50 who want to look stylish and feel comfortable!
Talbots is a go-to for classic and timeless pieces that never go out of style, offering everything from chic blazers to cozy sweaters. Chico’s is perfect for those who love a splash of color and unique prints; it’s all about fun and flair here.
Soft Surroundings is where comfort meets elegance, offering luxurious fabrics that feel as good as they look. Plus, they often focus on pieces that are easy to wear and care for, which is always a win. J. Jill is all about relaxed and effortlessly stylish clothing that is both flattering and easy to mix and match.
Elevate Your Style with Confidence & Timeless Choices
You and I both know that women over 50 care about style. Sometimes even more so than the younger age group! While previously, fashion for mature women might have been synonymous with frump, thankfully, the fashion industry is catching on and there are now better options to find more mature clothing that suits an older woman without making her look like one.
This collection of stores and brands can be your new go-to whenever you’re feeling stumped on where to shop as a woman over 50. Of course, it’s worth noting that not every single item at these stores will be stylish or work for you. It’s always still wise to use your fashion sense and have an idea of what you’re looking for before going shopping!
Using your fashion sense, you might find that mixing and matching can help you put together an outfit you love. Hungry for more style tips? Check out How to Dress Like a French Woman Over 50!
This is such a nice post, I really like it, Thanks for sharing this post with us, and keep sharing this kind of post
How about stores that have petite options?
Great article, your blogs are original and easy to understand, and the content is very helpful and inspiring. Keep up the good work!
Yes! Petite options please! Thank you Judy M.
This has always been a problem for me. Although there are more stores that carry petite, us little people still need more.
Great article by the way.
Talbots, Banana Republic, NYDJ and maybe some others carry many items in petite sizes.
A very helpfull hints thank you
Tall options, too please! No physical store has a tall section. Forget finding anything in a store for tall women, online is our only option, and even then, choices can be limited. Shopping is very frustrating, and I’m only 5’10.
JJjill has a great petite line of clothing.
Thanks for sharing!
Jill has a large selection of tall clothing. I buy almost all of my clothes there. I’m also 5’10”
I appreciate the great article that is written by yours! Everyone finds it really useful when they will find where to shop the best clothing stores for women over 50. Before you shop you must read this post, In the end, your articles are very authentic and easy to understand as well as you made it look easy which will be very helpful for women. Keep it up! you’re doing a great job.
Nice idea. How about showing some women who are really over 50? Most of the models look way younger than 50, 60 or 70.
Though I can’t control the product photos, I did make sure that all lifestyle models I chose were over 50! I’ll make note of including more in the 70s and 80s for next time. Thanks for the feedback.
This is a great article if you are 5’7” or taller and weight within range. It’s hard to find great looking clothes for those of us who aren’t tall or slim I’m 69 years old 4’11 and 200lbs. It’s near impossible to find business casual casual without looking like you are doing morning chores and evening out clothing that fits. I’ve almost resolved myself to buying what I like that may not fit and hopefully getting it tailored, which adds to the cost.
I agree. I am 59 years old, 5’6 1/2″, 30″ inseam and weigh 250. I am built like a keg on a stilts, NO CURVES, longer, thinner legs; size 11.5 foot, which translates to size 42 EU. Broad in the back, small bust, barely a C-cup. Anything I buy to fit around my waist is huge in my hips and legs and blouses and tops are too small across my back if I buy size 22W, or 2X tops. It’s the pits.
Unfortunately women’s clothing manufacturers still don’t get the more mature woman’s body. It is disheartening to try on one pair of pants after another and not find one that fits. They still make such narrow waists. If you struggle to get them zipped up, the tightnessakes your stomach bulge….not a good look. Looking for style AND comfort. Thank you for the wardrobe ideas.
I notice no one in your article is slightly heavy. They are all slim types and petit. Also none of them
have any bust to speak of.
Many older women unless they are incredible lucky carry some extra weight.
I’m 80 years old and weigh 130 lbs. at 5’4″ Most of the outfits and clothes you show make me look fatter! It’s
difficult to find things that are suitable for a much more rural lifestyle.
There is a store in Ottawa, Canada that caters to all sizes and older women. They do daily fashion shows online.
Shepherd’s Fashion
Worth a look.
Thanks for sharing this clothing place for older women, Sheila!
Interesting, but you’ve left out my favorites. What about J Jill and Quince?
They’ve been added 🙂