Foolproof Fashion Tips for Women Over 50

3. Aviator sunglasses flatter all

Big black frames are bold, and tortoise is classy, but for a no-fail flattering look, pop on a pair of aviators. First of all, they’re almost all lenses, thanks to their lean-and-mean super-skinny frame. And their minimalist style makes it hard to tell the difference between an expensive pair and a pricey one. The classic teardrop, like Wild Fable Women’s Shiny Metal Aviator Glasses With Brown Gradient Lenses in Gold ($16, target.com); Warby Parker Women’s Raider Sunglasses in Polished Silver ($145, warbyparker.com); and the iconic Ray-Ban The Aviator Max 58mm Pilot Sunglasses in Gunmetal/Blue ($202, nordstrom.com), looks good on everyone due to their unique shape that powers up eye size, whittles cheekbones and draws attention away from any neck or jawline sag. They’re also lightweight, so no worries about marks on your nose, dents on your cheeks or divets behind the ears.

Look for a size, frame and lens color that complements your face, skin tone and hair. Aviators now also come in a more squared shape, like the Prive Revaux Women’s Nemesia 54mm Aviator Gradient Sunglasses ($34, kohls.com).

(From left) J.Jill Relaxed Jersey Tee in Vibrant Blue; Gap Women Modern Boatneck T-Shirt in Terra Brown; Universal Thread Women’s Long-Sleeve Boat Neck T-Shirt in Tan Striped.

AARP (J.Jill, Gap, Target)

4. Wear boatnecks, not crewnecks

By now you know the legendary neck-lengthening effect of a V neckline. And it is sexy. But boatnecks are a close runner-up. Their wide, collarbone-level slash displays just enough skin to extend the neck vertically and horizontally, creating a graceful, firm shoulder line that also balances width at the hips and thighs. Once a mostly seasonal choice, boatnecks are now a year-round staple in sweaters, tees and dresses.

Check out the current crop of boatnecks in stripes and solids, like the J.Jill Relaxed Jersey Tee in White/Vibrant Blue (stripe), Vibrant Blue, White or Black ($59, jjill.com); the Universal Thread Women’s Long Sleeve Boat Neck T-Shirt in Cream Striped or Tan Striped ($25, target.com); and the Gap Women Modern Boatneck T-Shirt in Red & Light Blue Stripe, Black, Fresh White, Navy Blue or Terra Brown ($23, gap.com), to start your collection.

(From left) Nine West Women’s Belted A-Line Skirt in Blue Clare Floral; Madewell Smocked Waist Denim Midi Skirt in Dark Cove Wash; Sanctuary Women’s Nostalgia Pleated Polyester Midi Skirt in Lotus.

AARP (Kohl’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom)

5. A-line midi skirts make going bare-legged easy

Midi skirts were designed for women who consider their legs “not my best feature.” They make chubby inner knees, chunky calves, leg veins and discolorations disappear beneath seriously chic style. All you need to do is choose the right one. Slinky slip skirts and stretchy pencil skirts that cling to curves like plastic wrap, or a midi length that stops at the widest part of the calves or just above very full calves, are not the answer, however.

The ones you want are roomy, A-line-shaped skirts that hit just below the calves, such as the Style & Co Women’s Indigo Gauze Tiered Midi Skirt in True Indigo ($32, macys.com); the Madewell Smocked Waist Denim Midi Skirt in Dark Cove Wash ($148, nordstrom.com); or the Nine West Women’s Belted A-Line Skirt in Mineral Black or Blue Clare Floral ($36, kohls.com). They let you cross your legs without revealing all, and slip on a pair of sandals or flats without pantyhose or leg makeup. It doesn’t get easier than that!

(From left) Gap Factory Women Oversized Gauze Top in White; L.L.Bean Women’s Wrinkle-Free Pinpoint Oxford Shirt, Long-Sleeve Relaxed Fit in White; A New Day Women’s Modern Ribbed Elbow-Sleeve Top in White.

AARP (Gap Factory, L.L.Bean, Target)

6. White tops erase fatigue, brighten skin  

Collect white tops. They’ll save you on days when your skin looks drab, dull or tired. Like a filter or luminous primer, white reflects light, erasing shadows and lines and blurring discolorations, giving mature complexions a fresher look even without makeup. Choose pure white tees for daily wear; crisp white shirts for polish; breathable white linen or gauze tops for steamy days or nights.

Consider A New Day Women’s Modern Ribbed Elbow Sleeve Top in White ($12, target.com) a hard-to-find boatneck tee; the Loft Cotton Blend Everyday Relaxed Pocket Shirt in White ($20, loft.com), a classic; or, for a no-iron version, the L.L.Bean Women’s Wrinkle-Free Pinpoint Oxford Shirt, Long-Sleeve Relaxed Fit in White ($80, llbean.com) or the Gap Factory Women Oversized Gauze Top in White ($30, gapfactory.com), both breezy choices for muggy days.

(From left) Caslon Women Twist Detail Allover Print Midi Dress in Ivory/Navy Daisy Garden; Banana Republic Factory Women Pleated Midi Shirtdress in Navy Stripe; Lands’ End Women’s Plus Size Creaseless Scoop Neck Smocked Midi Dress in Vibrant Lapis Tropical Floral; Simply Vera Vera Wang Women’s Short-Sleeve Maxi Dress in Green/Blue Multi.

AARP (Nordstrom, Banana Republic Factory, Lands’ End, Kohl’s)

7. Let fit-and-flare midi dresses shape you up

Many women think shapewear or a blazer is their best bet for camouflaging extra pounds and bulges. They’re always surprised to find that printed midi and maxi dresses with a fit-and-flare shape do that too, without the need for compression or a jacket. It’s another fashion illusion that works for everyone.

The magic is in the subtle, shape-making design details, like waist definition, an elongated skirt flow, and prints that keep the eye moving and away from areas of concern. No pun intended, but two kinds of fit-and-flare dresses make it all a cinch.

Shirtdresses with an adjustable self-tie waist, like the J.Jill Belted A-Line Shirtdress in Vibrant Blue Painterly Tiles ($139, jjill.com); the J.Crew Women Cerise Shirt-Dress in Striped Cotton Poplin in Poolside Stripes ($89, jcrew.com); or the Banana Republic Factory Women Pleated Midi Shirtdress in Navy Stripe or Light Blue Stripe ($110, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com), will give you a more crisp and defined shape.

Dresses with a stretchy, smocked waist, like the Caslon Women Twist Detail Allover Print Midi Dress in Ivory/Navy Daisy Garden ($119, nordstrom.com); the Lands’ End Women’s Plus Size Creaseless Scoop Neck Smocked Midi Dress in Vibrant Lapis Tropical Floral ($60, landsend.com); or the Simply Vera Vera Wang Women’s Short-Sleeve Maxi Dress in Black White Floral or Green Bl Multi Floral ($56, kohls.com), create a softer version of an hourglass.

(From left) J.Jill Pure Jill Linen Collared Popover in True Navy; J.Jill Pure Jill Linen Cropped Pants in True Navy; Gap Women 100% Linen Oversized Shirt in Flax Beige; Gap Women Linen-Blend Easy Wide-Leg Pants in Flax Beige.

AARP (J.Jill, 2; Gap, 2)

8. Go monochromatic for a polished look in seconds

Want to look taller without heels? Slimmer in seconds? Wear one color from head to toe. An uninterrupted flow of color stretches and whittles the body, giving your outfit a pulled-together effect. It doesn’t even have to be black, the one-color look most women gravitate toward. A medley of browns or a compilation of blues also work.

You can certainly take the DIY route and pull together same-color pieces from your closet, but the monochromatic method just got simpler with pant/top duos designed to match. Take a look at the Gap Women 100% Linen Oversized Shirt in Terra Brown, Black or Flax Beige ($63, gap.com) with the Linen-Blend Easy Wide-Leg Pants in Terra Brown, Black or Flax Beige ($80, gap.com);  the J.Jill Pure Jill Linen Collared Popover in Navy, Smoky Topaz, Flax or Coast Blue Cream ($84, jjill.com) with the Cropped Pants in Navy, Smoky Topaz, Flax or Coast Blue Cream ($89, jjill.com); or the Charter Club Women’s 100% Linen Shirt in Blue Ocean Delave or Intrepid Blue ($48, macys.com) with the Linen Drawstring Pants in Blue Ocean Delave or Intrepid Blue ($48, macys.com). Pair them with mules or sneakers for the day, embellished sandals for the evening, and you have a summer wardrobe to go.

(From left) Maybelline Serum Lipstick in Wild Card; Style & Co Layered Beaded Pendant Necklace; The Sak Tess Shoulder Bag Hand Crochet in Scarlet Primrose Straw; Croft & Barrow Women’s Linen-Like Jacket in Manolo Olive.

AARP (Ulta, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Kohl’s)

9. Always make a ‘third piece’ style statement

Many women slip into a tee and joggers, or a button-up and ankle pants, and call it a day. Then they wonder why their outfits never feel “finished.” As a fashion pro, I can list 100 reasons, but the most common is a lack of what I call an “eye-catcher.” Even the most basic everyday look goes from flat to fabulous when zhuzhed up with something extra that elevates the outfit and shows your personal style.

It might be a standout jean or linen jacket, like the Chico’s Denim Leopard Print Jacket in Classic Animal ($150, chicos.com) and the Croft & Barrow Women’s Linen-Like Jacket in Beige Crossdye or Manolo Olive ($34, kohls.com); layered necklaces, like the Style & Co Layered Beaded Pendant Necklace ($27, macys.com); or a statement bag, like The Sak Tess Shoulder Bag Hand Crochet in Scarlet Primrose Straw ($139, nordstrom.com), toned to match the Maybelline Serum Lipstick in Wild Card ($8, ulta.com). Give yourself a signature that makes everything you wear you.