Javascript is not enabled.

Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.

Skip to content
Content starts here
CLOSE ×

Search

Leaving AARP.org Website

You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.

She's Got 50+ Style: Gayle King

Take some fashion cues from the 'CBS This Morning’ coanchor


spinner image Gayle King event in a sleeveless purple dress, gold necklaces and purple multi-tone glasses
Presley Ann/Getty Images for Cantor Fitzgerald

Gayle King is the coanchor of the TV news show CBS This Morning, Oprah Winfrey's best friend and the editor at large for O, The Oprah Magazine. But did you know that she's also a style icon for women like us? Model-tall at 5 foot 10, the 63-year-old favors fitted clothes that show her curves, bright colors and lots of accessories to accent every outfit. King's 24/7 life is a never-ending schedule of work, meetings, events, speaking engagements, parties and galas — but that's where having a style strategy takes over. Here's how she does it. 


1. She's a dress person

spinner image 112064_D0123b2.jpg
Michele Crowe/CBS via Getty Images

King's "uniform" of shapely knee-hovering sheaths and fit-and-flare dresses makes it simple to pull together a polished daily look and shows off her long, amazing legs. Going sleeveless (above) is clearly not an issue, so short, elbow-length and three-quarter sleeves are all part of the dress code.

spinner image Gayle King in a yellow dress, and an aqua dress
Ben Gabbe/Getty Images; D Dipasupil/FilmMagic/Getty Images

2. She loves bright colors

King wears a lot of sunny yellow (her favorite color) and orange, but bright purple, blues, greens and pinks also keep the revolving rack of dresses lively. Bold colors work well for HDTV and send a warm, friendly vibe to all. But those brilliant hues also happen to play up her warm, glowing skin tone.

spinner image Image Alt Attribute

AARP Membership— $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal

Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.

Join Now

3. She knows the value of optical illusions

spinner image Gayle in a color blocked pale pink dress with a black midriff panel.
Gonzalo Marroquin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

King often chooses dresses that feature color blocking — with instant body-sculpting power — and has favored them for years. A color-blocked dress uses light or bright sections to emphasize certain body parts, as well as dark or black insets or panels to diminish others — which is an instant confidence booster.

spinner image Gayle King in various dresses
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Hollywood Reporter; Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for NARAS; John Lamparski/WireImage/Getty Images

4. She breaks the rules

Gayle does it her way — and she has an edgy side, too! She'll wear a designer dress backward (above left, with dress zipper at the rear instead of in front, as designed), she'll mismatch shoe color and dress, she'll throw her black leather biker jacket over a ladylike dress, or she'll wear a dressy gown in leather, like a true fashionista.


5. She found the secret to wearing wild prints

spinner image Gayle King in a printed dress
JEALEX Photo/Getty Images for SXSW

The bolder and busier the print, the simpler the dress. No tricky necklines or offbeat sleeves — just elegant tailored lines. When wearing a busy dress, King keeps her jewelry, glasses  and  makeup muted and neutral.

spinner image Shots of Gayle Kings with different bob hairstyles and color
Monica Schipper/Getty Images for EPIX; Roy Rochlin/Getty Images; Dia Dipasupil/WireImage/Getty Images

6. She keeps tweaking her signature bob hairstyle

spinner image Gayle King wearing a dress off her shoulders.
Jim Spellman/Getty Images

King likes to play with her hair. She varies the texture and color, from straight to waves and from coppery to chocolate to  auburn . She even switches up how she styles her bangs. But the one consistent: her versatile, medium-length bob.

spinner image Gayle King wearing different style of necklaces
Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images; Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Town & Country
See more Health & Wellness offers >


7. She makes eye-catching necklines a staple

Way before Meghan Markle did, King favored boatneck, off-shoulder, asymmetric necklines that showed off her collarbones, long elegant neck and knack for spicing up even a little black dress.

8. She has a penchant for jewelry

Accessories are a part of King’s signature look. Necklaces are often the star — from long, layered chains in gold or silver to a whopper statement piece or a simple diamond heart pendant necklace that's worn solo or with other necklaces.

spinner image Gayle King wearing different bracelets
Getty Images (4): Clockwise from left: Laura Cavanaugh/FilmMagic; Steve Granitz/WireImage; Jim Spellman/WireImage; Gary Gershoff/WireImage

9. She stacks bracelets for an extra personal twist

King's bracelets are an anything-goes mash-up of styles — day and night — from beads and bangles to cuffs, sparkly links, rubber "cause" bands and even her black Fitbit. Since she prefers clutches (no schlepping around a big bag for her!), the wrists are a major focal point. In addition to the fun stuff, she always wears a watch on her left wrist. No wonder she's always on time.

spinner image Gayle King wearing glasses
Mike Pont/FilmMagic/Getty Images; Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Wall Street Journal

10. She collects eyeglasses in every hue

Sometimes King matches the tone of her specs to her dress, while other times she sneaks in a contrasting hue. It’s a great way to mix in some extra style. Makes you wonder what comes first — the glasses or the dress?

What's your current signature style?

Discover AARP Members Only Access

Join AARP to Continue

Already a Member?