10 Things Every Woman Over 50 Looks Great in Now

4. A tailored jacket.

Though the days of gigantic power shoulder blazers are over, the empowering feeling of a tailored jacket remains. That’s because the structure gives mature bodies a crisp line and a well-dressed, swanky feeling even when paired with a tee and vintage wash jeans. Whether you choose an actual blazer with notched lapels like the Talbots Relaxed 90s Blazer in Indigo Blue ($179, talbots.com) and the Chico’s Textured Ponte Blazer in English Cream ($87, chicos.com) or opt for a cropped “couture-like” jacket like the Mango Women Tweed Jacket With Jewel Buttons in Ecru ($130, mango.com/us) is a matter of personal taste. Aside from style, an elongated blazer offers extra coverage at the hips and rear, while a trim cropped jacket pairs perfectly with full-cut bottoms like pleated and A-line skirts and looks great over dresses. Wondering if a tailored jacket has a place in a casual wardrobe? Even if you’ve left a traditional workplace behind, work from home or not at all, this is an indispensable piece that elevates your closet and saves you on days you need to look authoritative, professional or seriously stylish.

(Left to right) H&M Women Loose Fit Cotton Shirt in Blue/Striped; L.L. Bean Women’s Essential Cotton Poplin Shirt, Long-Sleeve in Arctic Blue Stripe.

AARP (H&M, L.L. Bean)

5. Striped button-down shirts.

A win-win for all! Button-front tailored shirts have a sharp silhouette and vertical emphasis (thanks to the stripes and buttons!) that make every woman seem slimmer, taller and fresher. Never out of style and versatile enough to be worn tucked, untucked or semi-tucked, shirts such as the H&M Women Loose Fit Cotton Shirt in Blue/Striped ($25, www.2hm.com), J.Crew Women Garçon Classic Shirt in Striped Cotton Poplin in Blue ($98, jcrew.com) and L.L. Bean Women’s Essential Cotton Poplin Shirt, Long-Sleeve in Arctic Blue Stripe ($60, llbean.com) have a posh, polished look. One important thing — opt for button-downs that are more relaxed or even oversized now for a contemporary look and be sure to style your shirts like stylists do for a “lived-in look.” This means avoiding buttoning sleeves and neck all the way. Instead, roll the sleeves casually and unbutton the neckline to a V.

(Left to right) Lands’ End Women’s Mariner Jersey Boatneck Top in Deep Sea, Ivory Breton Stripe; Universal Thread Women’s Long Sleeve Boat Neck T-Shirt in Red Striped.

AARP (Lands’ End, Target)

6. Boatneck tops.

Thank Coco Chanel, Jane Birkin, Brigitte Bardot and Jean Seberg for inspiring the popularity of striped Breton tops, the ones that give every woman over 50 a je ne sais quoi sassy look. More baring than a crewneck but not as obvious as a V, a boatneck does make your neck look longer and in turn your torso. Choose stripes like the Universal Thread Women’s Long Sleeve Boat Neck T-Shirt in Navy Blue Striped or Red Striped ($18, target.com) and the Lands’ End Women’s Mariner Jersey Boatneck Top in Deep Sea, Ivory Breton Stripe ($60, landsend.com) or solids like the Banana Republic Factory Soft Stretch Boat-Neck T-Shirt in White ($18, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com) and the Gap Factory Favorite Stripe Boatneck T-Shirt in Brown Stripe ($12, gapfactory.com). Note that “boats” range from moderate to extreme styles that are so elongated they practically slip off your shoulders. Opt for middle-of-the-road versions like those above.

7. Elevated athleisure wear and sweats.

Comfort is not negotiable to women over 50 when it comes to downtime, but pieces that look straight from the high school gym are not part of the deal. Grownup women are gravitating toward more polished sweatshirts and sweatpants that can be worn as an outfit or paired separately with street clothes. As the athleisure category grows, look for more “fashion” colors and designs like the Banana Republic Factory Scuba Popover Sweatshirt in Tan ($42, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com), the Zella Soft Modal Blend Scuba Oversize Crew Sweatshirt in Blue Indigo ($69, nordstrom.com) and the Athleta Coaster Luxe Recover Sweatshirt in Fog Grey Heather or Magnolia White ($79, athleta.gap.com). Note the longer, straighter lines and side slits that flatter mature bodies. Even sweatpants such as the Spanx AirEssentials Wide Leg Pant in Smoke, Ashwood or Very Black ($110, spanx.com) have the same understated luxury of designer sportswear. All are streamlined and urbanized enough to wear as streetwear. Note that scuba fabric (a.k.a. neoprene) has now joined classic fleece-y cotton/polyester and cotton/elastane blends. It’s simply a smooth, cozy and durable blend of polyester and spandex.

(Left to right) Boden Women Emilia Cotton Crew Cardigan in Mandarin Orange; Allegra K Women’s Notch Lapel Buttons Long Sleeve Casual Blazer in Hot Pink.

AARP (Boden, Target)

8. A pop of color.

Let’s get real. When it comes to a “You look great” color, it’s probably not going to be black, brown or gray. These neutrals make you look slimmer, trimmer and richer than you actually are and absolutely belong in your wardrobe. And yes, one of those neutrals is mocha mousse, the 2025 official fashion color of the year (according to the Pantone Color Institute). However, your secret favorite hue — the one you may not own — may be a warm turquoise, brilliant orange or robin’s egg blue. That’s the cheerleader color you want to reach for when tired, the one that boosts your mood, peps up your looks and makes you stand out in the crowd. There are no rules anymore, so go with your heart on this one, but know that blush and lipstick colors — which come in warm and cool tones — like rose, soft pink, coral, apricot and red will always add a healthy glow. Want extra guidance? Warm greens and blues like mint, aquamarine and turquoise and yellow-based oranges, peaches, corals and tomato reds flatter skin with a yellow or olive undertone; cool blues and purples, fuchsias, plums, berries, ruby red and icy pinks energize a cool or rosy skin tone. Check out the colors below for inspiration.

(Left to right) Donna Karan New York Women’s Printed Faux Leather Belt Shirtdress in Black Parchment.

AARP (Macy’s, 2)

9. A fit-and-flare dress.

A dress that fits on top, defines or suggests a waist, and then flows or flares below never lets you down. Don’t get too hung up on the “fit-and-flare” wording since the exact style might be a shirtdress, a wrap or a faux-wrap style. The belt, tie or crossover creates the illusion of an hourglass shape and firms, whittles and whooshes right past extra pounds and bulges. Opt for a knee or midi length, but know that longer hemlines provide the benefits of more flare or flow. Good choices include the Croft & Barrow Y-Neck Maxi Shirtdress in Smooth Cabernet, Blue White Oval Geo or Brown Oval Geo ($24, kohls.com), the City Chic Selena Long Sleeve Cotton Blend Wrap Dress - Plus in Navy ($110, nordstrom.com), the Free Assembly Women’s and Women’s Plus Cotton Eyelet Maxi Shirtdress in Darkest Navy ($36, walmart.com) and the Donna Karan New York Women’s Printed Faux Leather Belt Shirtdress in Black Parchment ($179, macys.com).

(Left to right) A New Day Women’s Jackie Ballet Flats with Memory Foam Insole in Black.

AARP (Target, 2)

10. Elegant flats with a refined shape.

Apologies to your clogs and favorite sneakers, but chunky shoes with bulky platforms, thick block heels and wide rounded snub toes may be comfy but they’re not leg lovers. Some shoes have a graceful look that, despite the grounded silhouette, creates a leggier effect without resorting to higher heels and pointed toes. While luxury brands like Christian Louboutin, Chanel and Manolo Blahnik famously deliver this well-shod shape, affordable brands now do too. Look for classy ballet flats like the Anne Klein Willow Ballet Flats in Biscotti ($89, zappos.com) or the A New Day Women’s Jackie Ballet Flats with Memory Foam Insole in Black ($20, target.com) and flat slingbacks such as the Naturalizer Connie Flat in Black, Blush or Sage ($100, dsw.com) and the Franco Sarto Teagan Flat in Burgundy ($120, dsw.com), all with tapered toes.  For a little more substance without going clunky, try chic loafers with a slimmed-down profile like the Bandolino Meonna Loafer in Black or Dark Blue ($79, nordstrom.com). Note that many have stylish embellishments like bows, horse-bit and chain details and tassels that add a hint of glamour. Who couldn’t use that?