Best Fall Fashion Trends for Women Over 50

3. Try new-style sweaters to shake up your stack.

Most women have a hefty pile of crews, V-necks and turtlenecks in neutral colors sitting in their closet and think that’s enough. Two new styles — short-sleeve sweaters and sweater jackets — make them change their minds. Elbow-length sweaters like Loft Relaxed Sweater Tee in Olive Grove, White Clay or Black ($42, loft.com) and Chico’s Dolman Sleeve Crew Neck Pullover Sweater in Cacao ($60, chicos.com) are filling the gap between temperate, toasty and torrid. They display trim forearms, slide easily under jackets without bulk and serve as a T-shirt/sweater hybrid.

Women tell me, “It’s cold, but layering a sweater under a jacket makes me feel hot-flashy hot.” Sweater blazers like Charter Club Women’s 100% Cashmere Herringbone Stitch Blazer in Warm Praline Heather or Black Ice Heather ($299, macys.com) and Lands’ End Women’s Drifter Ribbed Collared Blazer Sweater in Canyon Camel ($100, landsend.com) offer another option. They slip easily over tees and tanks and add authority to jeans and everyday pants, so you can skip the tailored blazer!

Still want a new long-sleeve sweater but are bored by neutrals? Buy a rich purplish hue like the J.Crew Women’s Cashmere Everyday Crewneck Sweater in Hthr Deep Magenta ($168, jcrew.com) or L.L.Bean Women’s Classic Cashmere, Crewneck in Amethyst Heather ($130, llbean.com). It’s this year’s fall breakout color choice for those not into brown.

(From left) Lee Women’s Flex Motion Bootcut Jeans in Renegade; Levi’s Women’s 725 High-Rise Bootcut Jeans in Soft Black.

AARP (Kohl’s, Target)

4. Get back into bootcut jeans.

Bored by classic straight-leg jeans, unsure of wide-leg and barrel styles and definitely over skinnies? Try bootcuts, the jeans hero of the season.  Defined by their slight flare at the ankle, bootcut jeans are slimmer on the leg than flares and wide-leg styles. Cropped bootcut jeans are called “kick flares,” not to be confused with flare jeans, which are more exaggerated than a bootcut.

Good options include Levi’s Women’s 725 High-Rise Bootcut Jeans in Soft Black ($60, target.com); Banana Republic High Rise Bootcut Jeans in Medium Wash ($120, bananarepublic.gap.com); and Lee Women’s Flex Motion Bootcut Jeans in Renegade, Paradise Dream or Majestic ($50, kohls.com). You’ll get a subtle “hold” at the belly and a sleek upper thigh without the lower-leg compression that made skinnies so uncomfortable. In addition, the bootcut hem enables you to slip on any ankle-boot style without bulges or effort. Black and darker blue washes are dressier than lighter blues, but choose whatever wash you love. And yes, they flatter everyone.

5. Check out classics with a fashion twist.

Fall always leads with the usual list of traditional cool-weather cabled sweaters, corduroys and barn jackets to ease the cold-weather transition. This year’s batch has pivoted from purely practical to fashion-worthy.

There are three updates worth your time and dime. Kicking off the look are denim barn jackets like Croft & Barrow Women’s Denim Barn Coat ($40, kohls.com); Gap Factory Women’s Relaxed Denim Chore Jacket in Medium Wash ($50, gapfactory.com); and J.Crew Women Relaxed Barn Jacket in Denim in Lily Wash ($198, jcrew.com) to replace the (often too cropped, too snug) standard jean jacket. The roomier fit layers easily over sweaters, provides extra coverage and makes doing a trendy double-denim (top and bottom) look more flattering due to the roomier proportions.

Next up are cozy corduroy pants like Quince Women’s Organic Stretch Corduroy Straight Leg Pants in Seaweed, Espresso, Black or Warm Brown ($60, quince.com) and Maeve The Colette Corduroy Crop Wide-Leg Pants in Dark Mink or Navy ($138, anthropologie.com) with curve-enhancing stretch in straight- and wide-leg options, and rich neutrals including mossy green and navy. Consider them a softer alternative to jeans.

Last are pumped-up cabled sweaters that are far from the stuffy, preppy versions. Slouchy and oversized styles like the Free People Women’s Frankie Cable Knit Sweater in Ivory ($98, bloomingdales.com) and Old Navy Women’s Oversized Slouchy Cable-Knit Cardigan in Camel ($40, oldnavy.gap.com) mix traditional details with a modern aesthetic that channels 2025 cool.

(From left) Ann Taylor Animal Print Sweater Tee in C1_Black; Simply Vera Vera Wang Long Sleeve Crewneck in Light Brown Leopard; Anne Klein Women’s Animal Print One-Button Blazer in Anne Black Multi.

AARP (Ann Taylor, Kohl’s, Macy’s)

6. Leopard is back … again.

Women over 50 know leopard never really leaves our hearts (or closets!), but fashion is fickle, and each year declares leopard “in” or “out.” Well, leopard and its sidekick, cheetah, are back in business and showing up in very wearable pieces to bring a little feisty energy to the clothes you already own.

My advice? Skip an animal print in pants. Just like plaid, it will exaggerate bulges and extra width and volume at the rear, thighs and belly. Instead, wear spotty prints on top, where they merit attention. Choose a tee or sweater like Simply Vera Vera Wang Long Sleeve Crewneck in Light Brown Leopard ($24, kohls.com) or Ann Taylor Animal Print Sweater Tee in C1_Black ($60, anntaylor.com).

For an even bigger style statement, try a structured blazer like the Anne Klein Women’s Animal Print One-Button Blazer in Anne Black Multi ($179, macys.com) or Karen Kane Leopard Print Jacquard Blazer ($179, nordstrom.com). Even those with a bigger bust can wear leopard in a tailored jacket. One piece is all you need to turn any basic outfit into a showstopping, head-turning look. You’ll never say “But I have nothing to wear!” all season long.