Dianne Hip & Chic Over 50
“It’s not the years; it’s the mileage!” This is one of my husband’s favorite sayings. He could talk about his little rumbly two-seater, but he’s typically talking about age. Unless we are six-feet under, we are all getting older. The good news is, age is just a number and does not define us as long as we have the right mindset. How we look and feel matters. I am sharing five fashion tips to look younger & chic over 50.
After reading this post, you may also be interested in reading about casual-chic outfits for women over 50.
The Simple Mindset
Feeling good and looking younger & chic is a lot about our mindset! If we do a few things such as (1) focus on the positive things in our lives, (2) take pride in how we look, (3) stay current with happenings around us, (4) make good choices about diet and exercise and (5) live our lives like we are younger, we will actually look and feel younger.
In our 50s, our bodies are changing, and clothes fit and look different on us. But there is hope for looking and feeling good on the other side of 50 when we make the right choices about the clothing we wear.
1. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Solid Color Neutrals
Solid Color neutrals create the foundation of every amazing outfit. They are simple and grounding and elegant with a simple accessory or create a beautiful backdrop to showcase your favorite wardrobe accent: color pieces and patterns.
At any age, these pieces look stylish and chic. Whether you look back at style icons from the past, like Coco Chanel, Jane Birkin or Jackie O, or the most stylish women today, like Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, or Gigi Hadid, they look elegant, stylish and polished wearing solid color neutral pieces.
Ideal Neutrals
Neutrals are black, navy, charcoal, camel, or ivory. But choose to wear whatever neutral color you gravitate to and serves you.
We wear solid color-neutral pieces countless times, so when deciding which wardrobe items to spend money on, these are the ones!
2. Wear Outfits with Shape
Let’s face it; especially for women over 50, we can not wear a tent and look younger & chic. We all love our over-sized sweaters and loose lounge-wear because these clothing items are super comfy and cozy. However, there is a time and place. However, when we want to look younger and chic, we need to wear outfits that are slim fitting and have shape.
Even if we’re carrying a few pounds, we still look thinner, younger, and more chic if we wear something that has shape. And this does not mean we need to feel uncomfortable!
If we wear a blazer tapered at the waist, a wide belt, or a wrap-dress with a waist tie, we can create shape and still be comfortable.
If you have unstructured blazers in your closet, consider having them tailored to fit you, or add a belt, like I am showing below. The black, wide belt I am wearing has an elastic panel in the back to move and breathe without feeling uncomfortable.
3. Wear Stylish Shoes
Frumpy old-lady shoes can instantly age you. Many great options are stylish and comfortable, so don’t fall victim to unattractive shoes when there are so many beautiful choices available.
If you’re not a fan of high-heels, there are plenty of lower kitten-heels that look chic without enduring the pain of stilettos. Personally, I love a heel because they definitely make you appear younger & chic. They provide an instant butt-lift, change your gate, and give you a more sophisticated walk.
If you absolutely must wear flats, I highly recommend pointed-toe shoes. They are instantly more stylish and chic and elongate your legs. Rothy’s are my favorite! They are super-comfortable and have a huge selection of stylish flat shoes. I can walk in them for miles without any pain or blistering. Choose whatever shoes suit you, keeping this in mind.
No matter how you look at it, shoes can make or break an outfit. Wearing stylish shoes is one of the most important outfit features for looking younger and chic. Choose wisely.
4. Wear Monochrome and color Blocked outfits
Some of the most elegant, stylish outfits are monochrome and color-blocked. If you look at any of the pictures in this post, you will note the similarity among these stylish outfits. While I’m a fan of neutral colored monochrome and color-blocked outfits, they don’t need to be. As you can see below, color-blocked outfits can be created in any color and look beautiful, stylish, and elegant.
The really great thing about wearing solids is you have a perfect backdrop to showcase your favorite accessories. Add a colorful handbag or chic pair of shoes to create an impressive look that reflects your personality.
5. Stay Current with Fashion Trends
Stay current with the latest fashion trends, but do not become a fashion victim. When building outfits with your new fashion finds, choose to wear one trend piece at a time. Adding one piece shows that you care about what’s current, and this makes you look younger and chic, while wearing them all screams “fashion victim.”
Adding some trend pieces to your wardrobe keeps your look fresh and interesting. While experimenting with new and different trends is fun and can expand your traditional look, edit out things that don’t ultimately align with your personality.
As you can see below, faux leather leggings and suede boots are some trends I am enjoying. They are fun and fresh, and I have loved pairing them with several of my wardrobe classics.
Sometimes trends can become classics. Leopard is a pattern that started as a trend, but ten years later, it’s still going strong. Will it ultimately become a classic? Only time will tell. Whatever you choose, be true to yourself and wear what works for you.
Budget-Friendly Style
The good news is, you don’t need to break the bank to keep your wardrobe looking fresh. Trends are available at many price points to fit your budget.
By choosing a few trendy pieces each season, you can keep your solid, neutral wardrobe basics looking chic. My recommendation is to focus on pieces that really speak to you and leave the rest behind.
Most importantly, do not spend a lot on trendy pieces. It’s always good to live within your budget, and it’s imperative here because the life span of these items is typically more fleeting.
Bonus: Limit Use of big Patterns
If you love big patterns, by all means, wear them – but wear them in moderation. They are very statement-making, but a little pattern goes a long way.
Let’s face it, when big patterns are worn without being toned down, they “wear us” and tend to make us look big. When you wear a big, busy pattern, be sure to pair it with a classic solid neutral. This grounds the pattern and adds calm to the outfit.
As you can see in the pictures below, both of these styled animal prints are toned down with a calming solid. It looks stylish and chic while remaining “under control.”
Wardrobe essentials
Check out my wardrobe essentials lists for the pieces you need in your closet, so you always have something classic and timeless to wear:
– Ten Basic Wardrobe Essentials
–Ten Fall & Winter Wardrobe Essentials
– Ten Spring & Summer Wardrobe Essentials
Get the look
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