Women should dress age-appropriately at every age, and older women can still have fun with fashion and not be confined to velour jogging suits.
There is no doubt about it: The fashion industry caters to younger women. Models tend to be in their teens and early 20s. The few older women who continue to model designer lines are those who have made themselves famous in other venues as well.
Some designers produce more clothes that are friendly to a wider range of body types. Diane von Furstenberg and Liz Claiborne are among the lines that are more wearable as women get older. Shop the department stores that have a wide range of choices to find the designers that best suit you.
Fashion Pitfalls for the Woman Over 50
One of the wardrobe problems for all women as they age is that they get trapped in one time period. Although fashions do repeat themselves, they also get made over with different fabrics and cuts. Therefore, not everything that was in your wardrobe in the '70s may be usable today, if it even fits. Another problem is finding one thing that works and then repeating it endlessly in your wardrobe. This was well-illustrated by the character of Marie on the TV show Everybody Loves Raymond: She is seen in every episode in a different dark floral top with black pants.
Choosing the New Trends that Are Right for Your Age
The extreme fashions sometimes seen on young girls are not easily duplicated by older women, but they can be easily modified. Don't care for the blouse with ruffles all the way down the front? Choose one with ruffles just at the collar and the cuff. Bold print dresses can be tamed with a monochromatic jacket adorned with a narrow belt. Swap the leg-hugging skinny pant for one that tapers. Instead of a blouse or dress inspired by the lingerie look, pick a blouse with a conservative cut yet made of satin and with lace detailing.
Can women wear jeans in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond? Absolutely. Jeans with the trouser cut are much more comfortable and appealing than some of the alternative styles. Darker shades of jeans are generally more slimming and age-appropriate. Avoid jeans with any embellishments such as rhinestones, and keep any stitching on the back pockets simple. Some popular choices are the French Dressing Jeans or Not Your Daughter's Jeans lines.
The Accessory Advantage for the Older Woman
One area in fashion that more mature women do better than younger women is accessories. Big, chunky jewelry on a young lady looks like she is playing dress-up. Older women can wear fun, funky pieces, showy faux items, or even the real thing without looking foolish. The same thing goes for bags. Anyone can pull off a small evening bag on a night out, but a large satchel can make younger women look like they are on their way to the library. While cutting-edge fashion in clothing may have to be toned down as you age, up-to-date accessories help balance the look and announce that you are still a modern woman. Plus, they make great conversation pieces.
Finding fashion forward wardrobe pieces as you get older should not be so hard. Find a few designers who you like and trust, modify the current trends, and don't forget to live it up in your accessories.
The copyright of the article How to Dress Your Age When You're Over 50 in Women’s Fashion is owned by Kelly Whitt. Permission to republish How to Dress Your Age When You're Over 50 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
My sister is 51 years old and does not look a day over 40. She just lost
80 pound and is really looking quite youthful and has rediscovered her
waistline and is accesorizing with her belts, scarves and handbags. She
really loves to dress more now than ever. I am 37 years old and the baby
of the family. She has now inspired me to lose the extra weight I need to
lose and to rediscover my youth as I totally forgot about fashion while
being a single parent and just trying to maintain in my "mom
jeans". My baby is now 18 and about to leave the nest and I am free.
I am now thinking about what kind of fashion statement I am going to make
at 37. I think I would call my fashion sense kind of classic, preppy
conservative. If that makes any sense.
Nov 5, 2008 5:17 PM
Guest :
Thanks, Tim. This is great, but I keep watching your show, waiting to see
50+ make-overs for various boby types.
Nov 9, 2008 7:49 AM
Guest :
Tim ~ Love you! Like the person who commented before me, I'm awaiting
shows which feature women over 50. We are finding that our waistlines are
thicker. We might be shrinking a little bit in height due to menopause.
Our breasts are heading South, and our hips are heading further East and
West! And we don't know what to do, how to adapt. We don't want to look
like sleazy cougars, but we want to look as vibrant, sexy, etc. on the
outside, as we still feel on the inside. XO
Nov 20, 2008 3:09 PM
Guest :
I am also waiting for someone in the fashion industry to realize that
older, bigger women also spend money on wardrobes and they usually have
more money to spend. But, the designers seem to cater to the younger
smaller women. Maybe because it is easier. I would love to see some
makeovers of older women sans breasts, sans waistlines, sans style. Thank
you
Nov 20, 2008 4:05 PM
Guest :
I am simplifying my life in my fifties. I'm a physician. How many dress
shirts and pants do I need, casual pants, jeans? What about 5 dress
shirts, 5 dress pants(by "dress" I mean "work") 2
jackets, one dressy dress, a couple of all occasion shirts, few sweaters,
get rid of everything else. Charity, I mean. Thank you. Jill
Mar 15, 2009 12:05 PM
Guest :
I'm 52, and very petite/thin. (5 feet 2.5 inches tall & about 92
pounds). My problem: only Junior-size clothes (0, 1, 2, or 3 - depending
on brand) or size 16 Girl's fit me (size 14 Girl's sometimes fit in the
waist, but often are too short). Usually nothing in Women's or Misses pants
fit; tops will, if I can find extra small; and dresses don't unless I can
find a size 2 or 3. I usually have to shop in Junior's or Girl's. This
means, I often have to buy what is currently in-style for the
"Teeny-Boppers", not for someone over the age of 50. (Or, in some
cases, I don't buy, and continue to wear what I have... for example, I
refuse to buy those really low-waisted, skin tight jeans the kids wear, or
those tops or pants with all the glitter, etc). It seems that the fashion
industry thinks that anyone old enough to shop in Women's or Misses, must
be at least a size 6. Many people I know can't understand my complaints
(as they are always battling the pounds, and wish they were thin like me),
but it does cause a problem when someone over 50 has to shop in the kids'
and junior departments because sizes are too large in the Women's section.
Any chance of this changing in the future?
Apr 21, 2009 8:09 AM
Guest :
I TOTALLY AGREE ABOUT THE CLOTHING OF TODAY, I AM OVER 55, GOING THROUGH
THE BIG "M" TAKING BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICINE, ETC. GAINED TOO MUCH
WEIGHT TO WEAR MY GREAT CLOTHES NOW. CANNOT FIND ANYTHING TO WEAR EXCEPT
WHAT LOOKS LIKE MATERNITY CLOTHES IN ALL DEPTS. I AM SICK OF THOSE HORRIBLE
UGLY THINGS. LIZ C. ONLY MAKES STRIPPED TOPS WHICH MAKES YOU LOOK EVEN
BIGGER. LARGE SIZE ARE FOR TEENY BOPPERS WITH NO BOOBS, WOMENS SIZES ARE
EITHER TOO BIG & UGLY OR TOO SMALL & UGLY. THE DESIGNERS JUST WANT
TO MAKE YOU LOOK BIGGER.I WANT SOME NICE COTTON SWEATERS, NOT THE CLINGY
POLY STRETCH MATERIAL. HELP ME SOMEBODY
May 25, 2009 2:25 PM
Guest :
My heart goes out to the "over 55". I had the same problems
until I found the "Cato" store at my local shopping plaza. The
clothing is reasonably priced and stylish. No, it is not designer label
but it is priced so you do not cry when you need to change sizes, either!
The clothes are nice, simple styles and there Plus sizes are as stylish as
the Misses. My husband is so glad I found this store because I feel so
much better in stylish clothes that don't make me feel like a teeny-boper
want to be or an old, old woman! I was shocked at what they carried-I only
went in because I was so desperate for nice looking, simple styles! Give
them a try.
Jul 13, 2009 12:07 PM
Guest :
Tim. Thankgoodness ! at last we have a stylist with classical good
taste,who is gracious, and refined, caring, sensitive, and totally
impeccable, in every way. I love to watch your show,and greta is a
very talented adorable person, obviously, like so many other people
,who have posted comments, would love you to work with the more mature. I am 68, and many peole say I look younger, and I know I do .and there
lies the quandry.I myself have always dressed in a contempary classicical
style.but eagerly awaited direction from,someone who I have enormous
respect for.
My very best wishes always. Alison
Sep 13, 2009 5:48 PM
Guest :
Dear Guest "over 55";
I am 61 and shaped
"round". Between Tim Gunn and designers who present their wares
on QVC, I am finding my most flattering styles. Working on sprucing myself
up (skin, hair, nails, etc) to get back into the work force.
Though it isn't easy to find flattering styles out there, they can be
found - especially online. Other sources include HSN, Roman's, Dress Barn,
or Target.
I love what the physician says about simplifying your
wardrobe...it sounds similar to Tim's 10 essenials list.
So, my
bottom line is this, "over 55", if I can find flattering clothes
out there, so can you. I wish you well!
Oct 1, 2008
