How to Dress in Your 50s
Fashion for women, whether they are 20 or over 50, shouldn’t change that much. However, as we get older, we can often become less confident about our style. Every piece in your wardrobe should make you feel confident as soon as you put it on and loving what you're wearing is always the most important thing
With that said, every woman will benefit from investing in some versatile fashion for over 50s wardrobe staples that can be worn throughout different seasons as part of numerous outfits. These basics can all be paired together to create seamlessly elegant outfits that you never need to worry about looking good or feeling good in.
How your style will change as you get older
There are a few key pieces that you may find make for an excellent addition to your wardrobe as you mature, including a well-fitting blazer and some classic button-down shirts.
How to keep your favourite styles in your 50s
Now just because you want your wardrobe to look a little more elevated as you get older, this doesn’t mean you can’t hold onto some of your favourites! You can just find ways to incorporate them into your wardrobe in a way that keeps them fresh.
A Button Down
Button-down shirts are the best of both worlds, becoming part of both dressed up and dressed down outfits with ease. Wear over a dress during cool summer evenings, style with stilettos and cigarette trousers for a night out, or with jeans and loafers for a cool weekend look.
Black Trousers
Whether you choose a cigarette 7/8ths style, prefer a crop or a leg-lengthening full-length pant, a pair of trousers, can be paired with everything from a cashmere jumper to an easy breezy button down. They’re also a step up from your classic jeans, bringing some elegance to your everyday wardrobe.
A Tailored Blazer
From dressing up casual tees to layering over flowy blouses, dresses and chunky jumpers, a well-fitting blazer or jacket will become one of your most worn wardrobe essentials. This item has been a go-to for women in their fifties and beyond for how it can add a stylish edge to mature fashion, and also make a classic white tee and jeans more elevated, to go with your more elevated personality as you grow older.
A Tailored Coat
A beautifully tailored coat can make any outfit look sleek and stylish. Whether you choose black, tan, or even a statement pattern, this is a wardrobe essential that looks great thrown over leggings, dresses, jeans, and more. Check out our coats and jackets to find your perfect fit today.
A Wrap Dress
The sleek silhouette of the wrap dress is iconic – our dresses, are favourable for all shapes, but our guide to the different styles of dresses, can help you find a style you love. While there's plenty of advice out there saying that over 50s fashion should focus on block colours, a patterned wrap dress can be the star of countless outfits whether you're dressing for the office, brunch, or anything in between.
A White T-shirt
This classic wear-with-anything piece is an essential piece of clothing for ladies of all ages. You'll know you've found the right tops, when you find yourself reaching for it often and feel great when you do. A thicker cotton t-shirt can look great at all times of the year, and the thicker material makes it look more luxurious.
Nude Flats
Flats are timeless and are loved by women of every age! Experts in fashion over 50 know that not every outfit calls for a heel. In fact, heels and nude flats are surprisingly interchangeable, giving everything from trendy midi skirts to sleek pencil skirts a fresh twist. Grab yourself a pair that are well-padded so you can wear them all day for a true day-to-night wardrobe staple.
A Long Sleeved Top
Long sleeved tops are hardworking layering pieces that can be worn in different ways to suit the changing seasons. Style with jeans and trainers for a casual between-season look or wear beneath a chunky knit jumper or sleek trench coat in the cooler months.
Jeans
Denim never goes out of style and choosing a classic cut will ensure jeans will remain a wardrobe essential season after season. Wear with a white t-shirt, blazer and heels for a laid-back evening look or with a relaxed blouse and sandals in the summertime. Wide leg jeans are the current favourite style but go for a style that you feel flatters your height and body shape to keep them in your wardrobe rotation after the trends have passed.
A Minimal Tote
From your student days to your time working your way up the corporate ladder, and even for those who have been mums to young children, having a handy tote bag to throw everything you need into at the last minute has been a wardrobe staple. A classic tote bag with room for all your essentials will be by your side for years to come, just be sure to select a shade that will pair perfectly with many items in your wardrobe or find a graphic image that represents you – we personally love the tote bags from the different V&A collections.
Where to shop for your clothes in your 50s
You may find that a lot of retailers aim their marketing and clothing ranges at younger women, and that can sometimes make us older women feel a little unloved! However, just know that the reason for this is that younger women tend to buy and try more clothes as they find their personal style – we tend to already know what works for us and what we like! So don’t worry about shopping at any store, from the big high street brands to small independent retailers, just find the clothing you love and work it! .
Collating the perfect wardrobe is easy if you create a capsule wardrobe – why not check out our guide on how to make a capsule wardrobe, to help you get started? We’ve got plenty of style advice and inspiration for your wardrobe on our blog, so give it a read today.