The Best Spring Fashion Trends for Women Over 50

More of a pullover type? Check out knits like Chico’s Striped Rib Knit Bell Sleeve Top in Black ($80, chicos.com) with attention-getting flare sleeves; and Lauren Ralph Lauren Women’s Striped Boat Neck T-Shirt in Stem/White or Cruise/Royal White ($60, macys.com), with hard-to-find elbow-length sleeves.

(From left) Woman Within Plus Size Perfect Side-Elastic All-Cotton Button Front Jeans Skirt in Medium Stonewash; Gap Women Denim Puff-Sleeve Top in Medium Wash; Banana Republic Factory Women Denim Tie-Front Top in Medium Wash.

AARP (Kohl’s, Gap, Banana Republic Factory)

2. Fashion-worthy denim and chambray

Get More From AARP

MEMBERS ONLY

View

MEMBERS ONLY

View

MEMBERS ONLY

View

Denim is one of this season’s breakout stars, and we’re not talking jeans. Of course, you can always get a spring reset by switching to a flare jean or opting for a lighter “warm-weather wash,” but denim in dresses, skirts and tops is stealing the spotlight right now. Take a look at the feminine flourishes on Chico’s Tencel Ruffle Front Shirt in Bailey Indigo ($100, chicos.com); the Gap Women Denim Puff-Sleeve Top in Medium Wash ($70, gap.com); and the Banana Republic Factory Women Denim Tie-Front Top in Medium Wash ($48, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com), with an elastic waist and peplum.

Not into frills? Midi-length denim shirtdresses, like the DKNY Women Tie Waist Roll Tab Chambray Midi Shirtdress in Stream Wash ($169, nordstrom.com), and A-line midi skirts, such as the Woman Within Plus Size Perfect Side-Elastic All-Cotton Button Front Jeans Skirt in Medium Stonewash or Light Stonewash ($44, kohls.com), may be your best warm-weather alternative to jeans.

(From left) Gap Factory Women Sleeveless Boatneck Midi Dress in Tomato Sauce; Gap Women 100% Linen Oversized Shirt in Chakra Red; Mango Cotton Midi Skirt in Red; Universal Standard Cooling Long Sleeve Stretch Cupro Blend Shirtdress in Orange Flame.

AARP (Gap Factory; Gap; Nordstrom, 2)

3. ‘You look great’ colors

Bored with neutrals? Designers may have gotten the message, because color is a big deal this year. But here’s a word of warning: While the fashionista crowd may be mixing combos like an orange top and turquoise pants, in real life this can look kind of clownish. You don’t need the whole crayon box to brighten up; all you need to do is choose one color that makes you swoon, and then get strategic about how and where you’ll wear it. Warm, makeup-like pinks, corals and reds act as a hefty dose of blush to liven up fatigued, sallow, sun-damaged or ashy skin tones. Blues, purples and greens counteract ruddiness and flatter rosy/blue-based skin tones. However, there are no rules! You might choose a dress like the bold Gap Factory Women Sleeveless Boatneck Midi Dress in Tomato Sauce ($56, gapfactory.com) or the tangerine-colored Universal Standard Cooling Long Sleeve Stretch Cupro Blend Shirtdress in Orange Flame ($248, nordstrom.com) for a full dose of color. Or try a basic black or white tee with a statement skirt, like the Mango Cotton Midi Skirt in Red ($80, nordstrom.com), or black or white pants with a vibrant shirt such as the Gap Women 100% Linen Oversized Shirt in Chakra Red or Neon Pink Rose ($80, gap.com).

(From left) Old Navy Women High-Waisted Linen-Blend Wide-Leg Pants in Black Jack; Lands’ End Women’s Sport Knit Elastic Waist Wide Leg Crop Pants in French Pecan Heather; Banana Republic Factory Women High-Rise Wide-Leg Airstretch Pull-On Cropped Pant in Preppy Navy.

AARP (Old Navy, Lands’ End, Banana Republic Factory)

4. Wide-leg pants for a comfort boost

You may have heard fashion insiders predicting the return of “skinnies.” Indeed, slim, structured (but not restrictive) jeans and pants are trying to worm their way back in. But before you panic, understand that the bigger trend for spring and summer is roomy pants. Let’s face it — loose pants do make sense for warmer, and eventually hotter, weather.

Stick to pull-on styles to keep the ease going at the waist and belly. You can’t lose with a breezy, loose, full-length pair in linen, like the Old Navy Women High-Waisted Linen-Blend Wide-Leg Pants in Black Jack or Flax Linen ($29, oldnavy.gap.com) or Quince Women 100% European Linen Wide Leg Pants in Deep Navy, Martini Olive and Black ($42, quince.com). You can start wearing linen pants in deeper neutrals earlier in the season, and darker colors aren’t see-through.

Ankle-cropped styles in lightweight stretch fabrics, like the Banana Republic Factory Women High-Rise Wide-Leg Airstretch Pull-On Cropped Pant in Pewter Gray, Black, Preppy Navy ($54, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com), and casual knits, like Lands’ End Women’s Sport Knit Elastic Waist Wide Leg Crop Pants in Black or French Pecan Heather ($36, landsend.com), also make ideal go-anywhere pants and work with all your flats, sneakers and sandals.

Women are still asking, “Are barrel pants flattering?” Here’s my advice: Pants with an exaggerated parentheses/horseshoe shape add width to your outer hips and thighs. If you want to give barrel pants a try, look for those with a modified slim shape, like the J.Crew Factory Women Barrel-Leg Jean in All-day Stretch in Madeleine Wash, Jeanne Wash or Ecru ($70, factory.jcrew.com) and A New Day Women’s Barrel Leg Tencel Pants in Gravel Beige, Navy Blue or Brown ($45, target.com). You’ll get the stylish look without the extra bulges.

5. Florals with a rom-com mood

Some women make florals their seasonal signature, but for those who typically wear solid colors and stripes, garden-like prints may be an acquired taste. If you want to give your jeans a quick trending boho look, add a relaxed floral top, like the LC Lauren Conrad 3/4 Length Sleeve Henley Peasant Blouse in Navy Ditsy Astrid ($40, kohls.com), the Gap Factory Women Oversized Puff Sleeve Top in Navy Floral ($35, gapfactory.com), or, for those with a more classic taste, the I.N.C. International Concepts Long-Sleeve Printed Button- Front Collared Shirt in Luna Blooms ($75, macys.com). The trick to avoiding a too-sweet look with florals (the complaint I hear most) is to choose a sophisticated neutral base. The same trick works for floral midi skirts, like the Madewell Womens Smocked-Waist Midi Skirt in Vintage Floral in Classic Navy ($128, madewell.com). Or look for a floral with a black or white background, like the Karen Kane Women Floral Print Bias Cut Midi Skirt in Yellow Floral ($138, nordstrom.com), a perfect partner for basic solid black or white tees.

You May Also Like

MEMBERS ONLY

View

MEMBERS ONLY

View

MEMBERS ONLY

View

MEMBERS ONLY

View

MEMBERS ONLY

View

Previous Next

1. Experience 1
2. Experience 2
3. Experience 3
4. Experience 4
5. Experience 5

(From left) Everlane Women The Boxy Sweater in Everyday Cotton in Mocha; Gap Factory Women Oversized Crochet Sweater in Bedrock Beige; Sonoma Goods for Life Women’s Open Stitch Sweater Cardigan in Harper Blue.

AARP (Everlane, Gap Factory, Kohl’s)

6. The cozy-enough cotton sweater

Some women don’t see the point of buying a sweater at the end of winter. Reason enough: icy A/C in workplaces, restaurants and theaters, steamy days and chilly nights at the shore or lake, or any time you need stylish arm coverage over a sleeveless dress or tank top. Your fall and winter sweaters are probably a tightly woven, dense blend of wool, acrylic or maybe cashmere that efficiently keep icy blasts out and body heat in. For a spring look, opt for lighter, airier pullovers and cardigans that offer breathability, machine washability (you can toss most in with your tees and jeans), and that pair easily with lighter-weight spring fabrics and clothes.

Take a look at the Gap Factory Women Oversized Crochet Sweater in Bedrock Beige or Navy Uniform ($39, gapfactory.com) and Sonoma Goods for Life Women’s Open Stitch Sweater Cardigan in Mocha Froth, Harper Blue or Ivory Marl ($40, kohls.com), both loose knits; and cozy cotton knits, like the J.Crew Factory Women Classic Mockneck Sweater in Mountain Stream Ivory and Ant Navy Ivory Stripe ($77, factory.jcrew.com) and the Everlane Women The Boxy Sweater in Everyday Cotton in Canvas, Black or Mocha ($108, everlane.com).

(From left) Everlane Women The Short Anorak in Imperial Blue; Gap Women Oversized Chore Jacket in Modern Red; Nine West Women’s Knit Open-Front Blazer in Modern White.

AARP (Everlane, Gap, Kohl’s)

7. Lightweight spring jackets

Both in between-season and spring/summer jackets are not easy buys. In fact, most women shop for one with no real idea of what they’re looking for, other than “I don’t want a raincoat or a jean jacket.” The choices can really be edited down to a group of lightweight, all-purpose but super-stylish chore jackets, like the Gap Women Oversized Chore Jacket in Modern Red ($134, gap.com); short anoraks like Everlane Women The Short Anorak in Imperial Blue, Trench Coat Khaki, Black or Hunter Green ($178, everlane.com) — the latter is actually water-resistant and water-repellant but doesn’t look like you’re wearing a raincoat — and the Banana Republic Factory Women Canvas Utility Jacket in Natural Stone ($90, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com), which can be worn straight or cinched. More elevated than a jean jacket, the streamlined look and multiple pockets work over tailored, casual and athleisure looks.

Need something a little more polished? A seasonal soft blazer in white, ivory or vanilla, like Nine West Women’s Knit Open-Front Blazer in Modern White ($50, kohls.com) or the Nic+Zoe Elegant Knit Blazer in Sugar Cookie ($198, bloomingdales.com), is the perfect topper to swap for your darker, wintery versions. Wear it over a head-to-toe monochromatic neutral outfit for maximum impact, or over a white tee for a double radiance boost.