Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be young to look stylish and attractive. You can look chic and fabulous no matter your age as long as you understand what looks great on you and what doesn’t. Additionally, your fashion choices will evolve as your body, lifestyle, and priorities change through the years.
That said, the key to looking fabulous at fifty and beyond is embracing your current self—not the person you were decades ago—and learning to dress that beautiful self well. If you’re looking for ideas on how to maintain a great sense of style in your golden years, read on. From choosing the right clothes to playing with colors, this article will offer several style tips to help you look and feel your best.
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Dial Up Your Wardrobe
While you may have worn a lot of plain t-shirts and joggers when you were younger, the same types of outfits can look drab if you are still wearing them decades later. Evolve your style by choosing more elegant fashion pieces. For example, you can swap your oversized t-shirts for button-down tops, cashmere sweaters, and collared shirts. Instead of sweatpants, buy leggings in dark hues and quality fabrics, like corduroy and denim, to elevate your casual look without sacrificing comfort. These are just some examples of small changes you can make that can significantly boost your style game and confidence level.
Mind Your Shoes
If you’ve been wearing high heels for years, you may want to start letting them go before they cause severe foot problems. Problems such as bunions, hammertoes, and musculoskeletal injuries are common among people who wear high heels, and they’re more prone to accidents as well. Heels can break, snag, or otherwise feel unbalanced, which can cause fall-related injuries.
Your feet and legs become stiffer and less flexible with age, so it’s best to stick to less complicated footwear. Espadrilles, sneakers, loafers, and ballet flats are casual footwear options that look fashionable yet feel comfortable. On the other hand, leather flats with dainty embellishments, low-block heel sandals, and kitten heels look great at formal events and dressy occasions.
Tone Down Your Accessories
You may want to steer clear of loud and overly trendy fashion accessories that look almost costumey as you reach the half-century mark. Bold and statement pieces may look edgy and playful on your younger self, but they may look out of place with your current fashion preferences. It’s worth pointing out that toning down your accessories doesn’t mean you’re giving up the glam. Instead, you can rely on classy, minimalist pieces that elevate your outfit in a tasteful way.
Let’s say you’re wearing a monochromatic ensemble. Instead of wearing flashy and colorful jewelry pieces, you can opt for an elegant crystal brooch that adds just the right amount of sophistication to your wardrobe. A steel or leather bracelet watch, a pair of diamond stud earrings, oversized sunglasses, and a silk scarf are other examples of gorgeous but not-over-the-top accessories that can spice up your wardrobe effortlessly.
Go Beyond Black
Black is often the go-to fashion color as it suits all body types and helps create a streamlined, elongated, and slimmer silhouette. However, you may want to opt for softer hues as you grow older. This is because wearing black pieces near the face can make the shadows around the eyes, wrinkles, and dark necklines under the chin appear more prominent.
To avoid this aging effect, choose tops, jackets, hats, and similar items in other neutral shades, such as charcoal gray, navy blue, beige, and khaki. Do you want to keep wearing black? If so, there’s a way to make it work in your favor. All you have to do is add a pop of color near your face to brighten it up. For instance, if you have a little black dress on, you can wrap your neck with a light-colored silk scarf or wear a chunky statement necklace.
Invest in Flattering Pieces
Fill your closet with clothes that complement and flatter your figure. Choose pieces you’d love to wear over and over again because they make you look and feel great. Peplum tops and wrap dresses that create the illusion of a slimmer waist, structured blazers that accentuate your curves, and pencil skirts that hug your lower body perfectly are some staples you may want to consider. When you have quality clothes and flattering cuts in your style arsenal, it’s easier and more enjoyable to create fashionable outfits.
To cap off the style tips above, be confident. When you carry yourself with pride and composure, it becomes apparent to those around you. More than what you wear, this is the quality that will attract people to you. So, as you pick out your clothes, style your outfits, and select the right accessories, look in the mirror and give yourself a huge smile. Embrace your golden years and let your natural beauty shine through.
