5 Summer Wardrobe Essentials for Women 50 and Over

A renowned fashion editor helps you kick off the season with these easy, breezy warm-weather picks

Cindy Weber-Cleary,

AARP

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Published May 21, 2025

Memorial Day is fast approaching — and with it, barbecues, beach days, pool parties, road trips and weekends with friends. As a 17-year fashion director at InStyle, with similar gigs at Vogue and Glamour, I know what it takes to pull together easy outfits that look effortlessly chic.

Whatever your plans, you can count on these five items to enjoy your summer in style.

(From left) Lands’ End Women’s Cotton Voile Billowy Oversized Shirt in Deep Sea Navy; Lilly Pulitzer Gracee Tunic in Resort White; I.N.C. International Concepts Plus-Size Linen Blend Tunic in Winter Garden.

AARP (Lands’ End, Lilly Pulitzer, Macy’s)

1. The multipurpose tunic top

There are so many reasons to love tunics. They are light, airy and non-constricting. They hide your tummy and backside. They look great with jeans or capri pants. Many can double as a swimsuit cover-up. Embellished or embroidered ones, such as the Lilly Pulitzer Gracee Tunic in Resort White ($198, lillypulitzer.com) or the J.Crew Factory Printed Beach Tunic in Brilliant Azalea ($60, factory.jcrew.com), need little in the way of accessories. Solid tunics with open necklines, such as I.N.C. International Concepts Plus-Size Linen Blend Tunic in Winter Garden ($70, macys.com) and Lands’ End Women’s Cotton Voile Billowy Oversized Shirt in Deep Sea Navy ($63, landsend.com), can be dressed up with collar-length necklaces. They can go to a cocktail party, a cookout, the pool or beach, the grocery store or a lunch date. Tunics know how to multitask.

(From left) Ann Taylor The Belted Cropped Palazzo Pant in Poplin in White; Tommy Bahama Two Palms Easy Linen Pants in White; Old Navy Curvy High-Waisted OG Straight Ankle Jeans in White; Wit & Wisdom Bennet Ab’Solution High Waist Jeans in Optic White.

AARP (Ann Taylor, Bloomingdale’s, Old Navy, Nordstrom)

2. The perfect white jeans or pants

Nothing says summer like white jeans and pants! They are the ideal partner for tunic tops, striped or solid tees, shirts, blazers, and linen or cotton sweaters. This high-waisted pair, Wit & Wisdom Bennett ‘Ab’Solution High Waist Jeans in Optic White ($88, nordstrom.com), has built-in power mesh panels for subtle shaping and is available in standard and petite sizing. The Old Navy Curvy High-Waisted OG Straight Ankle Jeans ($22, oldnavy.com), designed for women with fuller hips, come in regular, plus-size, petite and tall sizes. If you prefer a looser style to jeans, try Tommy Bahama Two Palms Easy Linen Pants in White ($118, bloomingdales.com), which have a comfortable elastic waist, or this wide-leg, cropped Ann Taylor Belted Cropped Palazzo Pant in Poplin in White ($71, anntaylor.com) with a sash-like belt.

(From left) Rebecca Minkoff Megan Mini Fan Tote; Gap Straw Shoulder Bag in Natural Tan; Madewell Camren Mini Bag in Natural Multi.

AARP (Bloomingdale’s, Gap, Madewell)

3. The casual straw bag

It’s time to switch out your leather bag for a straw or raffia one. Whether you select a shoulder bag like the Gap Straw Shoulder Bag in Natural Tan ($55, gap.com), a tote such as the Rebecca Minkoff Megan Mini Fan Tote ($178, nordstrom.com) or a pouch such as Madewell’s Camren Mini Bag in Natural Multi ($88, madewell.com), straw bags are lightweight, work with virtually every color and add textural interest to outfits.

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(From left) Old Navy Fit and Flare Crinkle Gauze Maxi Dress in Bright Coral; J.Crew Cabana Dress in Linen in Black; Alexa Maxi Shirt Dress in Sandpiper Beige, Cheetah Pop; Whistles Gloria Trapeze Dress in Turquoise.

AARP (Old Navy, J.Crew, Boden, Bloomingdale’s)

4. The long, flowy dress

Keep cool with a loose-fitting midi or maxi dress in cotton or linen. These billowy silhouettes allow air to circulate freely and work for both day and night, depending on how you accessorize them. Bold colors such as the Old Navy Fit and Flare Crinkle Gauze Maxi Dress in Bright Coral ($22, oldnavy.gap.com) and Whistles Gloria Trapeze Dress in Turquoise ($209, bloomingdales.com) are beachy and festive. Neutral colors and patterns such as Boden’s Alexa Maxi Shirt Dress in Sandpiper Beige, Cheetah Pop ($198, boden.com) and J.Crew’s Cabana Dress in Linen in Black ($136, jcrew.com) offer a sophisticated look suitable for both town and country.

(From left) Easy Spirit Susana Wedge Sandal in Metallic Gold; Vionic Emma Toe-Post Sandal in Tan Leopard Print Suede.

AARP (Nordstrom, Vionic)

5. The comfort sandal

Footwear companies specializing in comfort technology offer chic sandals in neutral colors that will complement all your summer outfits. Whether you are looking for a wedge heel such as the Easy Spirit Susana Wedge Sandal in Metallic Gold ($62, nordstrom.com) or flats like the Reef Vista Porto Cruz in Natural ($65, reef.com), choose a shade that’s close to your skin tone for subtle leg-lengthening. Try a warm metallic or an animal print, such as Vionic’s Emma Toe-Post Sandal in Tan Leopard Print Suede ($125, vionicshoes.com), which can be worn with every color in your closet.

Summer is all about no-stress dressing. Kick back, relax and enjoy!

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Cindy Weber-Cleary is a freelance writer, consultant and on-air fashion expert who has appeared on Oprah, The View, Good Morning America and the Today show. She began her career as a fashion editor at Vogue and was fashion director at InStyle, Glamour and Cosmopolitan.