Growing older doesn’t mean losing your unique sense of style. Too many women fall into the trap of assuming they must avoid fashion trends and chique clothing choices. Instead of putting on that outfit they once loved, they settle for drab clothes that make them look drab and frumpy. It doesn’t have to be that way.
No rule book says you can’t have great fashion style as a fifty plus woman. Nobody alludes to a rule that dictates you cannot look good in your fifties, sixties, or beyond.
These years are the prime of your life, and you should look beautiful for every waking moment. Follow these tips to help select clothing that makes you feel great about yourself.
Tip 1: Choose Flattering Cuts
The body you have today is probably a bit different than the one you had thirty years ago. Instead of picking out clothes for your former self, you should select items that look great on your body today. Look for cuts that flatter the best parts of your body. For example, if you are heavier on the bottom, look for straight-cut trousers instead of a slim fit. A flowing blouse with a simple cut may be more flattering than a skin-tight V-neck.
Tip 2: Don’t Avoid colour
Too many mature women shy away from wearing colour. Instead, they opt for blacks, browns, and greys. While these hues do have a space in your wardrobe, they shouldn’t be your only colour options.
Adding a few pops of colour will bring an outfit together. A bright purple blouse under a black blazer is a unique surprise. Paring a pair of red shoes with a black dress is another way to add some colour back into your life.
Tip 3: Avoid Busy Prints All Over
As a general rule of thumb—the busier the print, the older you will look. Wearing a bold floral print from head to toe, for example, will make you look more like a set of curtains than a person. It doesn’t mean you can’t wear prints, but you should do so in moderation.
If you want to wear a printed skirt, pair it with a solid colour jumper or blouse. You can tame a printed maxi dress with a sturdy blazer and a trendy handbag. Only wear one print at a time—mixing prints may cause sensory overload.
Tip 4: Wear High-Quality Fabrics
Instead of filling your wardrobe with countless options, invest in fewer, higher-quality pieces. Cheap fabrics will make you look, well, cheap. They’re notorious for clinging to all the wrong spots, and they don’t hold their shape very well.
Selecting items made from better materials will cost you more, but they’ll also last much longer. Some of the best fabrics are cashmere, wool, and silk. You won’t have to worry about pilling or fading. Best of all, these materials will remain in great shape for years to come.
Tip 5: Be Careful with Trends
Younger generations follow trends very precisely, but as a mature woman, these trends are less relevant to you. The outfits featured on runway shows are on very young models, and the target audience is often in their twenties or early thirties.
This tip doesn’t mean you can’t be on the trend, just don’t take it to the extreme. Use it as a tool. Select a few accent pieces of a fashion trend you enjoy. Try working them into your existing wardrobe to add more variety. And, most importantly, always try things on before you buy, and remember the value of a skilled tailor.