Let's get one thing straight: Just because you've reached a certain age doesn't mean you have to give up your sense of style entirely. Sure, you might prefer to reach for more conservative pieces that you wouldn't have worn previously, but nowadays, fashion for women over 50 has never been more sophisticated, stylish, and fun. And most importantly, today's looks enhance your assets in all the right places. Need proof? Take a look at what 50+ fashionistas like First Lady Jill Biden, Jennifer Lopez, and Sarah Jessica Parker wear publicly. We rest our case.
Ahead, we tapped top stylists who have helped craft looks for the likes of Maye Musk, Oprah, and Christie Brinkley for the best fashion tips and inspo for women over 50.
Start with the staples.
"I'm not into trends for people of any age, really. Everyone should be timeless, chic, and sophisticated. Some staples you should have are a white blazer, a cream blouse, and a black sweater; pieces that won’t fade away." —Ashley Pruitt
Opt for daintier jewelry.
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"A lot of women tend to wear big statement necklaces and I think that more often than not it looks unsophisticated and cheap. It can make an outfit pop in the wrong way. It’s chicer to err on the side of minimalism." —Andrew Gelwicks
Get yourself a good bag.
SHOP NOW Tory Burch Lee Radziwill Double Bag, $1,298
"Accessories are fun! While they are of course functional, they can be transformational for your outfit. A lot of designers are playing around with bag sizes—oversized, super tiny. A woman carrying a 'power' bag demands attention." —Andrew Gelwicks
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Make sure you're wearing the right bra size.
"More than anything, it’s really important to have your bra properly fitted. That's a staple every woman should have in their closet and they should be fitted for it rather than just going to the store and guessing their size." —Paul Cavaco
Don't be afraid of color.
"Jane Fonda wore this amazing Brandon Maxwell gown to the 2017 Emmys and it was a huge pop of color. Since seeing that on her I’m so into it, especially on older people. It’s sophisticated and young but not immature or obnoxious." —Andrew Gelwicks
Buy a white button down.
SHOP NOW J.Crew Classic-fit Washed Cotton Poplin Shirt, $89.50
"A crisp white button down is the perfect piece every woman should have. It looks polished but can be worn running errands, and it can go from day to night. It's a hero piece." —Negar Ali Kline
More: The Best White Button Down Shirts
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Find the right jeans.
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"Dark denim is more polished whereas a light denim reads a bit more casual. In a professional setting, dark denim is a safe choice but more important than the wash of the denim is the fit." —Negar Ali Kline
Have a go-to pair of heels.
SHOP NOW Sam Edelman Pumps, $140
"Sam Edelman does a great job playing around with color. They have a lot of shoes that are good for a staple but also a statement." —Andrew Gelwicks
More: The 20 Most Comfortable High Heels That Won't Leave Your Feet Achy
Wearing a skirt? Mind your knees.
"I think that after a certain age your skirt should really be at or below the knee, no matter how beautiful your legs are. It looks more appropriate and it doesn’t look like you’re trying to look young." —Paul Cavaco
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Flaunt a fresh manicure.
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"Having your nails manicured goes a long way. It's really all of the little details that make you look good." —Paul Cavaco
Make a statement with your watch.
SHOP NOW Cartier Tank Française Watch, $3,700
"Fashion is always changing but you should be sure to have a nice watch. Maybe you can’t afford a classic Cartier tank, but if you know what it looks like then you can easily find something similar." —Paul Cavaco
More: Amazing Things You Didn't Know About the Cartier Tank Watch
Chose where you want the most attention.
"A lot of the women I dress have a certain area of their body that they don't feel as confident of. If you’re going to be more conservative with one part of your body then you need to compensate by highlighting another area. Have a leg moment if you don’t want to draw attention to your shoulders." —Andrew Gelwicks
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Shapewear is key.
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"Wearing the proper shapewear underneath everything helps to give you smooth lines." —Julia Perry
Don't let anybody tell you not to take risks.
"While women at fifty know who they are and are authentic to their style, I think there’s no reason why they can’t be a little daring and try something new. Whether that be a print or a new color, I don’t think there should be limitations." —Negar Ali Kline
Don't forget about accessories.
SHOP NOW Burberry Heritage Stripe Border Silk Twilly, $490
"A scarf is extremely multi-purpose. A silk scarf can be tied at the neck or draped over your shoulders in the evening." —Negar Ali Kline
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Chose versatile shoes.
SHOP NOW Gucci Princetown Loafers, $860
"Loafers are the perfect shoe to finish your look. They're so multi-purpose because you can wear them to run errands in then to meet friends for dinner." —Negar Ali Kline
More: The Best Loafers for Women
Mix it up.
"Carolina Herrera wears a white button down with a ball gown skirt and it’s so chic. It’s sort of unexpected to pair those two items together but it works really well." —Negar Ali Kline
Use textures to guide attention.
SHOP NOW Norma Kamali Diana One-shoulder Ruched Stretch-Jersey Dress, $205
"Stomach and arms are typically the two spots women are most worried about. If you’re wearing a dress with draping or ruching it can help the stomach area." —Ashley Pruitt
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Define your waist.
"Typically speaking, oversized items are hard to pull off. It’s usually flattering to define your waist." —Negar Ali Kline
Default to black heels.
SHOP NOW Manolo Blahnik BB 105 Suede Pumps, $725
"Every woman should have a nice pair of black high heels." —Paul Cavaco
Kara Thompson
Contributor
Kara Thompson is a Denver-based journalist with over five years of experience writing lifestyle content. She has written for a variety of publications, including townandcountrymag.com, elledecor.com and Parents, where she covered all things home, travel, food, health and holidays. Her sister's German Shepherd, tennis and mystery books are a few of her favorite things
