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Foolproof Fashion Tips for Women Over 50
The best white tees, the coolest sunglasses shape, and simple tweaks to make every outfit better
VIDEO: 4 Trends to Help You Look Your Best in 2026
Key takeaways
- Black and skin-toned bras are the most versatile under light, dark and bright clothes.
- Ankle-length pants work with flat shoes, low heels, boots and sneakers year-round.
- Boatneck tops, A-line midi skirts and fit-and-flare dresses subtly shape and lengthen the body.
Remember all those magazine do’s-and-don’ts columns? They pretty much vanished when fashion reporting went online and designers adopted an anything-goes attitude toward clothes. Lots of women say, “Too bad, I loved those articles. They were the equivalent of having a personal shopper in our back pocket.”
How do I know? I actually am a personal shopper and beauty/style editor for women over 50, and I wrote columns like that all the time. Women ask, “Aren’t there still some style rules?” Well, we threw out all the old-fashioned rules years ago, but there are still some goof-proof guidelines. Here are the top things to know right now.
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(From left) Playtex Full-Coverage Wireless T-Shirt Bra in Dressed In Black; Victoria’s Secret The T-Shirt Smooth Lightly Lined Full-Coverage Bra in Mousse; Soma Vanishing 360 Front-Close Bra in Pale Sand.
AARP (Target, Victoria's Secret, Soma)
1. Stick with black and nude bras
You really can’t go wrong with black and nude bras. Black bras are stylish, even if you’re the only one who sees them. And they look right under every dark, neutral color.
Nude bras, finally available in a wider range of skin-tone shades from sand to ganache, are also indispensable. Unlike white bras, which always turn dingy, nude bras never show under white, pastel or light fabrics. The best part? It’s easy to pair any black or nude bra with all-black or all-nude underwear, and women feel glam when their bra and panties match, even under old jeans and a tee.
My advice? Stick with your favorite black bras, and personalize your nude bra to match your skin tone. Take a look at Victoria’s Secret The T-Shirt Smooth Lightly Lined Full Coverage Bra in Mousse, Praline, Marzipan, Ganache, Toffee and Black ($30, victoriassecret.com); Soma Vanishing 360 Front-Close Bra in Warm Amber, Pale Sand, Adobe Rose and Black ($30, soma.com); the Skims Fits Everybody T-Shirt Bra in Sand, Mica, Clay, Ochre, Sienna, Jasper, Cocoa and Onyx ($54, skims.com); and the Playtex Full-Coverage Wireless T-Shirt Bra in Almond, Dark Iced Brown, Bronzed Chestnut or Dressed in Black ($27, target.com) to get started.
Does anyone really need a fuchsia or leopard-print bra? No. But if you can’t resist, at least choose a color that blends in with your skin or your clothing: a light pink bra to wear under white; a deep navy or purple bra to wear under dark tops.
(From left) Gap Women High Rise Twill Straight Ankle Pants in Beechwood Tan; J.Crew Women Kaya Pant in Stretch Linen Blend in Black; Old Navy High-Waisted Pixie Straight Pants in Dark Heather Gray.
AARP (Gap, J.Crew, Old Navy)
2. Ankle pants work with all shoes
Most women over 50 have kicked high heels to the curb and live in flat or flat-ish shoes year-round. That makes pants cropped to a length just above the ankle bone ideal for just about all footwear: sandals, loafers, mules and slides, low kitten heels, mini blocks, baby wedges and of course ankle boots and sneakers.
A flash of ankle also helps you look trim. It visually stretches the body just like a V-neckline does. Be aware that some retailers and brands label ankle pants as “cropped.” Look closely at the photos, and review the fit info. Some cropped pants are not true ankle-length but a couple of inches above the ankle. That’s OK as a summer look, but too short for ankle boots in the fall.
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To get a better ankle length, try brands that offer inseam lengths of regular, petite and tall, like the Gap Women High Rise Twill Straight Ankle Pants in Beechwood Tan, Terra Brown or True Black ($44, gap.com); the Old Navy High-Waisted Pixie Straight Pants in Dark Heather Gray, In the Navy, Tan Heather or Black Jack ($25, oldnavy.gap.com); and the J.Crew Women Kaya Pant in Stretch Linen Blend in White, Flax Ivory or Black ($138, jcrew.com). Or take your favorite full-length pants to your tailor to have them snipped into a more versatile ankle-length.
(From left) Ray-Ban The Aviator Max 58mm Pilot Sunglasses in Gunmetal/Blue; Warby Parker Women’s Raider Sunglasses in Polished Silver; Wild Fable Women’s Shiny Metal Aviator Glasses With Brown Gradient Lenses in Gold; Prive Revaux Women’s Nemesia 54mm Aviator Gradient Sunglasses.
AARP (Nordstrom, Warby Parker, Target, Kohl’s)
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.
(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)
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.
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.
(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)
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.
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.
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
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