AARP Hearing Center
The Best Fall Pants Trends for Women Over 50
Up your style game with cuts and fabrics that fit and flatter
(From left) Don’t stick with the same old pants. Embrace new shapes and styles, like the Old Navy Women High-Waisted Wide-Leg Trouser Pants in Light Black Heather; Loft Palmer Wide-Leg Pants in Ponte in Classic Olive; and Aqua Women’s Faux Leather Flared Pants in Brown.
AARP (Old Navy, Loft, Bloomingdale’s, Getty Images)
Key takeaways
- Six pant trends stand out for fall, including ponte knits and barrel pants.
- Pull-on and knit designs offer comfort while still looking polished enough for work or dinner.
- Wide-leg, flare and slim silhouettes are replacing skinnies, with brown, navy and olive joining black as key colors.
“All I really need are new black pants.”
“Should I try barrel pants or stick with wide-leg styles?”
“Are skinnies and leggings totally out?”
More Ways to Benefit
- Related Benefit 1
- Related Benefit 2
- Related Benefit 3
- Related Benefit 4
- Related Benefit 5
Black pants are the cold-weather version of the little black dress. Women know a pair can get them through every situation feeling pulled together. However, this year, even basic black pants have gone fashion-crazy as women over 50 try updates like knits, wide-legs, barrels and pull-ons … often in colors other than black. All it takes for a wardrobe refresh is one pair of perfect pants. Here are six that don’t slack off on style.
(From left) Loft Palmer Wide-Leg Pants in Ponte in Classic Olive; Style & Co Women’s Straight-Leg Ponte-Knit Pants in Deep Black; Gloria Vanderbilt Women’s High-Rise Wide-Leg Pull-On Trousers in Midnight Affair.
AARP (Loft; Macy’s, 2)
1. Ponte knit pants
If you want anywhere, anytime pants that make you look flawless and fresh, ponte pants are it. The luxurious-looking, double-knit stretch fabric, usually a blend of rayon or viscose, nylon and spandex or elastane, feels comfy and keeps its shape. Think of it as gentle shapewear without the compression. Ponte also refuses to wrinkle, even after long days of sitting, crossing your legs or traveling. You can roll them in a carry-on and they’ll still look great.
Choose a pair in your favorite style, since they come in wide-leg, flare, straight and slim silhouettes and ankle- to full-length options. Pay extra attention to the top portion. If you never tuck or even semi-tuck tops or want pants that can accommodate weight fluctuations and bloat, choose flat-front pull-ons, like the Gloria Vanderbilt Women’s High-Rise Wide-Leg Pull-On Trousers in Black or Midnight Affair ($58, macys.com); the Banana Republic Women High-Rise Wide-Leg Drapey Ponte Pull-On Pant in Ganache Brown, Navy Blue, Spiced Olive Green or Black ($120, bananarepublic.gap.com); Style & Co Women’s Straight-Leg Ponte-Knit Pants in Deep Black, Hannah Deep Black or Industrial Blue ($50, macys.com); and Lysse Lyssentials Elysse Ankle Ponte Pants in Black, Charcoal, Midnight or Espresso ($98, nordstrom.com).
If you prefer a “holds-me-in” fit that’s similar to your jeans, prefer a tuck/semi-tuck option or want a professional look when wearing a tailored shirt or blazer, opt for a zip-front style, like the Loft Palmer Wide-Leg Pants in Ponte in Classic Olive, Java Chip, Deep Space Blue or Black ($36, loft.com); the Banana Republic Factory Women Wide-Leg High-Rise Ponte Pant in Black, Preppy Navy, Dark Chocolate or Charcoal Heather ($60, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com); or Talbots Polished Ponte Wide-Leg Pants in Indigo Blue, Black or Dark Chocolate ($129, talbots.com). While black may be your first choice, consider dark navy, charcoal gray or brown. If your wardrobe leans toward warm beiges, browns, earthy greens and creams, try a pair in a lighter neutral, like camel or olive.
(From left) Banana Republic Factory Women Weekender Barrel-Leg Mid-Rise Pant in Dark Chocolate; A New Day Women’s High-Rise Ponte Barrel Pants in Tan; Lands’ End Women’s Sport Knit High-Rise Barrel Ankle Pants in Forest Moss.
AARP (Banana Republic Factory, Target, Lands’ End)
2. Soft-knit barrel pants
There’s a lot of curiosity about barrel pants right now. Younger women wear them loose, slouchy and low-slung, and they’re trending as a "cool" pant. I encourage women over 50 to look for softer, streamlined knit barrels. Styles like the Lands’ End Women’s Sport Knit High-Rise Barrel Ankle Pants in Rich Coffee, Black, Forest Moss or Radiant Navy ($36, landsend.com); the Banana Republic Factory Women Weekender Barrel-Leg Mid-Rise Pant in Dark Chocolate, Black or Preppy Navy ($56, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com); and A New Day Women’s High-Rise Ponte Barrel Pants in Tan ($30, target.com) combine a gentle-on-the-skin knit with a flat, wide, elasticized waistband and a subtly rounded shape at the sides that’s much more flattering than the exaggerated “parentheses” of structured barrels. Try them yourself and see.
3. Everyday pull-on ‘lifestyle’ pants
Wide-leg, elastic-waist pants were a fashion hit among women last summer. In fact, they were so successful that a new category of “lifestyle” pants with a similar look is making waves this fall.
Elevated pull-ons with a polished aesthetic, like the Loft Sawyer Pull-On Pants in Brushed Flannel in Desert Camel Heather ($36, loft.com); A New Day Women’s Modern Wide-Leg Pull-On Pants in Navy Blue, Cream, Brown or Black ($30, target.com); Gap Women Brushed Twill Easy Wide-Leg Pants in Dark Heather Gray, Black and Brown Heather ($90, gap.com); and Old Navy Women High-Waisted Wide-Leg Trouser Pants in Light Black Heather, Surface Brown, Toasted Almond or Chrome Gray ($24, oldnavy.gap.com) are a step up from “on-my-way-to-the-gym” joggers and sweatpants. The upscale neutrals, built-in pockets (women tell me pockets are an everyday pant must!) and ability to feel comfy but look well-dressed enough to go to work or dinner holds major appeal. And no, they don’t look like pajamas.
Worried about a belly bulge? Ignore the model photos; their pants were purposely styled to create a low-slung, slouchy, sometimes belly-revealing look. You do you. Just know that lifestyle pants with narrow elastic waistbands should sit like mid-rise pants: at your actual waist. Those with a wide waistband can sit a little higher, like a high-rise pant. In either case, look for a smooth fit across the stomach with no puffiness or excess fabric, and wear a longer top. Elastic waistbands are not meant to be shown.
(From left) Ann Taylor The Jayne Crop Trouser in Faux Leather in Pure Chocolate; Halston Women’s Wide-Leg Faux Leather Pants in Black; Aqua Women’s Faux Leather Flared Pants in Brown.
AARP (Ann Taylor, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s)
4. Faux-leather flares and wide-legs
Leather pants have moved a little out of the spotlight this season, but don’t think for a minute that they’re gone. They still make women feel like they’re wearing something sexy (without showing legs or cleavage) and make any wardrobe edgier. This fall, warm browns rival black in appeal, and flared, bootleg and wide-leg styles are trending. There’s less cling, more chic.
Do your body a favor and skip leather leggings, cargoes and extreme balloon pants (a.k.a. “harem pants”). Instead, buy leather pants in very wearable and flattering ankle-length flares, like the Ann Taylor The Jayne Crop Trouser in Faux Leather in Pure Chocolate ($129, anntaylor.com) and Aqua Women’s Faux Leather Flared Pants in Brown or Black ($78, bloomingdales.com); or wide-leg styles, like the Maeve Colette Faux Leather Full-Length Pants in Java ($148, anthropologie.com), in standard, petite, plus and tall; and the Halston Women’s Wide-Leg Faux Leather Pants in Black ($89, macys.com). All are easy to wear with ankle boots thanks to the width at the hem. For a softer look, try faux suede instead of leather, like the Anne Klein High-Waist Wide-Leg Faux Suede Pants in Deep Mahogany ($100, nordstrom.com) or Allegra K Women’s Solid Flared Hidden Side Zipper Faux Suede Flared Pants in Brown or Dark Brown ($57, kohls.com).
(From left) Banana Republic Women Sloan Slim High-Rise Knit Ponte Ankle Pant in Preppy Navy; Simply Vera Vera Wang Luxe Twill Mid-Rise Slim Straight Pants in Black.
AARP (Banana Republic, Kohl’s)
5. Slim — not skinny — pants
This may surprise you: Not everyone is sold on the wide-leg-pant idea. Many women are still in leggings mode and prefer narrow pants that show their shape, paired with a looser, longer top. There’s nothing wrong with that; it’s a tried-and-true dress-slim solution that women over 50 have applied for years.
But instead of molded-to-the-body, “skinny” styles, switch to slim pants, like the Banana Republic Women Sloan Slim High-Rise Knit Ponte Ankle Pant in Black or Preppy Navy ($54, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com); or Chico’s Emme Slim Ankle Pants in Black, Passport Blue or Cattail Brown ($84, chicos.com), two fly-front styles; and Simply Vera Vera Wang Luxe Twill Mid-Rise Slim Straight Pants in Camel Melange Twill or Black ($34, kohls.com), pull-ons with a full flat elastic waistband and functional front slant pockets. Aim for trim, straight legs and some space between skin and fabric.
My advice? If the pants hug your calves and ankles, they’re not the ones you want.
(From left) Donna Karan New York Women’s Sequin Wide-Leg Pull-On Pants in Black Forest; A New Day Women’s High-Rise Wide-Leg Velvet Pull-On Pants in Dark Brown.
AARP (Macy’s, Target)
6. Dress-up pants
Satin, velvet or sequin-studded pants may not be on your shopping list, but maybe they should be. You know how a white shirt, sparkly earrings or a red lipstick instantly perk up a fatigued complexion? Dressy pants turn basic tops into head-turning outfits and make evenings out, last-minute invitations and parties a cinch.
Instead of wearing black pants and a glam top, flip the strategy and go swanky on the bottom. Dressy pants in satin, velvet or sequins immediately turn an everyday top or sweater into a party-ready look. The secret is sticking to a wide-leg style and a neutral color, like A New Day Women’s High-Rise Wide-Leg Velvet Pull-On Pants in Dark Brown ($45, target.com); Donna Karan New York Women’s Sequin Wide-Leg Pull-On Pants in Black Forest ($129, macys.com); or Open Edit Satin Wide-Leg Pull-On Pants in Brown Seal, Navy Night or Black ($80, nordstrom.com). Wider-leg styles give fancy fabrics room to flow over curves for a more flattering look, and sticking to black, brown or navy (rather than gold or metallic green) makes pairing them with tops you own easy. Together, they create a seamless, monochromatic look that’s flattering to all.
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
AARP Membership
Join AARP for only $15 per year with automatic renewal. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of benefits, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine.
You Might Also Like
Cardigans are Back. There’s One for You
Here’s what you need to know to wear this season's must-have sweater with confidence
Best Bras and Underwear for Women Over 50
Top picks that deliver support, comfort and a smoother fit
The Fall 2026 Style Guide for Women Over 50
Refresh your closet with jeans, suede pieces and refined jackets