This post is written by guest author, Helen Bradford. More information on Helen can be found at the end of the post.
Long gone are the days when women over 50 were expected to wear ugly jumpers and shape-concealing robes. Today, women of every age want to feel attractive and free of restraints that were forced upon them by society’s expectations. Being an attractive woman doesn’t imply being young – it means being elegant, confident, radiant and, most importantly, being comfortable in your own skin.
Luckily, fashion these days is starting to address women in their 50s – designers realized that these women still enjoy dressing up and they are not afraid to show their figure. They do not want to wear the same clothes as when they were in their 20s or 30s but they sure want to express their own style and personality through fashion. What’s more, they are financially stable, aware of their strengths and weaknesses, they know their place in the world and they want to enjoy it. So, if you are one of them, go through these tips on how to quickly update your existing clothes and be even more stylish than you used to be!
1. Have THE dress
Every woman should have this dress in her wardrobe – a stunning short-sleeved, knee-length dress, perfectly shaped for your waist. It’s a dress that you can wear with confidence at every important occasion. If there is a layer of lace somewhere on it, to bring in a touch of grace and elegance – even better!
2. Perfect-fitting pants
Whether it is a formal occasion or a private event, elegant pants are always a sure bet. Most women find straight, wide-leg pants to be the best fit for their figure, whatever the figure is. It is also the type of pants easiest to match with other pieces of clothing. Try to find crepe pants, as this fabric holds its shape and softens the bumps. Additional tip: if you match the color of the shoes with the pants, your legs will appear longer!
3. Elegant blouse
First, don’t settle for anything else but chiffon. If you want to go with the classic and elegant look, a V-neck and a tied bow detail or a necklace will do. If it is a long-sleeved blouse, make sure the sleeves are cuffed. Gathered shoulders are also very eye-pleasing. What’s more, these types of blouse go well with both pants and jeans.
4. Proper jacket
A perfectly fitted jacket needs to be a cherry on top – it should flawlessly incorporate with your frequently worn pieces of clothing and your best jeans. If you need to, have it tailored, it will be worth the price. Of all the basic pieces, this is the one that should be most versatile. Make sure the lapels are long and thin, with three simple buttons, not more. Most female figures look best with mid-bottom length, together with mildly padded shoulders.
5. Chic and comfortable shoes
Finally, the times when spiked shoes were popular are over! They were terribly uncomfortable to wear, but luckily, now is the time when high-quality brand shoes are about comfort as much as they are about elegance and beauty. If you are over 50, it is better you don’t bother yourself with very high shoes. Instead, there are various options for your feet that go great with different styles and pieces of clothing that you have. You can elongate your legs in Nine West wedges combined with either dark jeans or knee-length skirt or pull off a cheerful and comfortable look with Palmaira sandals and a wrap dress accompanied by a light airy cardigan. In short, it’s not about ultra-high heels – it’s more about how you combine appealing and comfortable shoes with the right style on the upper part of your body.
6. Favourite pair of jeans
Every woman has those pair of jeans that make them feel attractive and comfortable at the same time. If you have them, check if they fulfill these conditions: firstly, they should be straight-leg jeans; secondly, dark denim is a must; thirdly, without unnecessary embellishments, especially if they are horizontally placed over the hips – they’ll make your hips look wider. These type of jeans can be combined with basically anything you have in your wardrobe and they also match with any type of shoes.
Final comment
In the end, fashion and clothes are only there to boost our already-existing confidence and inner beauty. If you feel positive and good about yourself, clothes that you wear will only accent that feeling. In other words, the better you feel, the better you will look to others. And there is no reason why you shouldn’t be happy with who you are.
Author Bio: Helen Bradford is an interior design and fashion enthusiast who constantly seeks new ideas to write about. She spends her spare time doing fitness and travelling.
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31 Comments
I totally agree with all the above. The difficult part is finding all the items.
Ingrid
http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au
Personally, I’ve had more success at finding appropriate fashion items via social media and online than doing the footwork … but then maybe I’m a lazy shopper! lol
I buy quite a few items after scrolling through social media too! I love seeing the item on someone of similar build and colouring to myself before purchasing!
Same here!
I would love to give away everything in my wardrobe and start again Min. When you retire, you don’t need as many clothes and especially ‘dressy’ or ‘corporate’ wear. I want to look stylish and casual but also have the ‘dress’ and ‘shoes’ if I want to dress up. Maybe you could be my stylist? LOL:)
I feel the same Sue. I really need to start from scratch with my wardrobe. I have accumulated a lot of stuff over the years – much of which is either too small, too large, or too out of fashion! I need to do a ruthless cull! I don’t think I’d make a very good stylist! LOL This post was written by Helen (guest author) not me … but I do have a good eye for what suits a person and what doesn’t! xo
Ok, I need to start from scratch. Great post, by the way, but I’m lacking in every single one of these categories. I have a couple of A-line skirts I had made in Vietnam for when I need to be in Sydney in the office & the rest of the time tend to be very laid back. I truly need to make more of an effort to look ok. #TeamLovinLife
I need to start from scratch too! I no longer live the corporate life and don’t need all the clothes I still have from that life. I need smart, casual, classy and cool!
I feel so much better after reading the comments Min – I looked at the list and failed dismally. I kept thinking “Yes, I want that but I either can’t find it or I can’t afford it”. In all my years of living I don’t think I’ve EVER found the perfect dress that you describe and now I really want it! I’m also not a big fan of wearing the same outfit to everything, so I tend to have several things I can mix and match. I guess we just do our best and work with what we have – maybe one day I’ll be rich and have a stylist 🙂
I don’t have all the items on the list either Leanne. Still have never had the perfect jacket! Oh to be rich and have a stylist! Wonder how they would dress me?
Thanks, Min, for sharing these great tips. I’m slowly working through my closet and could use the tips as my guide.
Good luck Natalie. I need to do the same!
I have literally none of these. And refuse to wear blouses ever haha.
I wore blouses when I lived the corporate life but not so much now. I wear a variety of different style of tops though!
These are fabulous tips for the over 50s and any other age group really. I think you need to work with a style or item of clothing that suits your shape and go with that. If you have great legs then wear those skinny jeans or a short dress (but not too short). If you have great boobs show them off with a flattering v-neck top. If you have a skinny waist then wear a dress with a waist or wear a belt. I think we can wear anything really as long as we don’t try to look like mutton dressed as lamb!
Totally agree Kathy! I’m one of the flattering V-neck tops tribe! LOL
I totally agree with you Kathy, skinny jeans fan here and I can’t wear V necks but they look great on others x
I couldn’t agree more!! It’s truly amazing how the right clothes can make us feel better about ourselves!!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Yes – find the right kind of clothes to flatter your figure and you’ll feel a million bucks! 🙂 xo
I agree with some, but working from home there’s not much call for me to wear chiffon blouses!
Probably not Janet! Me either … but maybe if going out on a special occasion!
I am glad to have the opportunity to start all over in some ways with my clothes. Once retired from all education work I needed none of the items I wore and as we never socialise due to my husband’s health then many items were redundant. However, a significant weight loss and a low mood which related to being sad about leaving our family and more meant I literally had clothes falling off me and none was at all flattering.
So after cancer surgery in July and taking better care of myself once I was independent in September/October lifted my mood and I saw I needed clothes. I have been posting an outfit a day since late October and am enjoying the experience and becoming prouder of myself for my efforts to dress as appropriately as I can. I am loving doing this and it has helped my recovery.
Denyse x
You’re looking fabulous these days Denyse (though I know it’s been a hard road you’ve travelled) and it’s wonderful to see you enjoying clothes and gaining self confidence through participating in the outfit a day postings! xo
My trouble is throwing anything out. I even have painting wear!! Help….! haha x
I am the same, so I’m afraid I am no help at all! lol
Agree! #teamlovinlife
Yay!
I have to be totally honest here Min and say that I never agree with posts that tell women what to wear. A list of basics is a great starting point for us all but some of us suit straight leg jeans, others suit skinny jeans, some of us suit lace on dresses some of us don’t. I think the broad concept is great but the details of the suggestions are way too specific and formulaic. For me as an older woman it is time to create my own ‘rules’ not follow the rules of others which seem to cover everything from lipstick colour…. No offence intended but these posts always touch a raw nerve with me.
Fair enough Jan – you’re entitled to your opinion. I don’t see this post in quite the same way though. It’s a light-hearted post with some style suggestions and that is all. There’s no intention to dictate what women must wear. The intention is that you take on board what you like and disregard what you don’t. I didn’t write the post but I’m happy to listen to the style/fashion opinions of others as it provides a different perspective to my own. I’m a short, curvy, busty girl and I’m well aware that the styles that I like would be very different to that of a taller and different shaped woman for example. I am an advocate for woman wearing whatever the hell they like. Sometimes though, they like a little guidance and/or suggestions … and that was the only intention of this post.
Min I have offended you. I am sorry. Please delete my post if you wish.
I’m fine Jan. I just felt a need to defend the author and the intention of this post. I know that not everyone will ever agree with the all the contents of style posts like this but the intention is only to serve as a guide and source of inspiration, certainly not to dictate. It’s a take on board what you want to, dismiss the rest kind of thing. Moving on now! 😉