An article popped up in my newsfeed that intrigued me. It’s called “Here are 40+ Outfit & Styling Tips to Keep You in Style if You’re Over 70.” Surprisingly, it was written by a man. Oh well, I guess there are some style-conscious guys.
It had some good ideas but what concerned me was that it included photos of several over 50 women bloggers I know and I’m not sure if their images were credited or if they gave him permission. It was linked on Facebook and the comments were rather hilarious. Most of the women made remarks such as “I am a master of myself,” “I wear what I want and what I like,” or “At 75 I’m grateful to have no need to please or be like anyone but myself.”
It’s true that as older women, style rules go out the window. Anything goes. Most of us want to be comfortable or individual but it’s always nice to look sharp. I didn’t agree with all the suggestions in the article. For instance, there’s no way in hell I’m going to wear high heels. They are simply dangerous. A bad fall can be catastrophic at our age, so no thank you. If you love wearing heels, good for you but I go flat all the way.
Also, all the women featured had excellent figures which is nice but most of us don’t. Some of the styles featured would look horrendous on someone over size 6. However, it’s always a good idea to be at a healthy weight so more power to them.
Below are some styling tip suggestions from that post I thought are worth considering.
Add a lovely scarf to your outfit
A scarf can not only add a pop of color to your look but is a good way to cover up a turkey neck. If you don’t like your neck creases, cover it with a pretty scarf. However, you may want to give your infinity scarves to a thrift store as they are considered to be very 2010s. I’ve always liked them because I don’t have to worry about tying them correctly but apparently, they are now passe.
Scarves are also a good way to cover up a bad hair day. Wrap one around your head but be careful not to look like a Babushka, unless, of course, you want to.
A shawl is another way to cover up flaws. If you are wearing a sleeveless dress, a shawl will not only keep you warm but will cover up your arm or shoulder flaws.
I made a video about a pretty evening shawl I found you can watch it here.
Wear attractive sleeves
As older women, many of us suffer from arm flaps. You can do all the strength training exercises you want but once you’ve started flapping it’s hard to get rid of. Sleeves will cover that up but I tend to like ¾ inch rather than long because I’m less likely to dip them in my soup. Another reason I like ¾ inch sleeves is that I’m petite and most long sleeves on me need altering.
The article suggested big bell sleeves but that would never work for me. I often suggest wearing cocktail dresses with sleeves, unless you look like Wonder Woman.
Wear cutouts or off-the-shoulder tops
Showing a little skin in a top can be sexy. There’s nothing wrong with being alluring at any age. Just make sure you wear a bra that isn’t going to pop out and look messy. I’ve never had much luck with strapless or built-in bras because I have too much on top to go bra-free like I did in the 1970s. (Sigh)To be young again!
I love this off-the-shoulder sweater available on Amazon that is available in multiple colors.
A crisp white blouse is a wardrobe staple
White blouses always look chic but be careful if you have a tummy like I do. If you wear a white blouse with dark pants, it cuts you in half which makes you look shorter and plumper. If that’s the case, wear a white blouse with white or cream pants for a monotone look because it’s more slimming.
This white blouse from Karen Kane is feminine and looks lovely with jeans, trousers, or a skirt.
Wear a flattering style of jeans
The article suggests that women over 70 wear skinny jeans but I’m not a big fan. Even though my legs aren’t heavy they ride up and are uncomfortable. They are also harder to get on and off. I much prefer bootcut or flared jeans because they are more flattering on most women.
Wear fitted dresses?
Say what? Okay, if you have a waist, and are skinny, you can get away with wearing a fitted dress but most of us over 60 have lumps and bumps. On the other hand, you don’t want to wear a tent. I like the dresses Camilla Parker Bowles wears. She does not have a tiny waist and often wears tailored dresses with just a little room in the tummy area to hide her muffin top.
Opt for high-waisted pants
I love wearing high-waisted pants because they give me tummy control. When I wear mid-rise or, heaven forbid, low-rise, my pants slip off. No one wants to look at an over-60 woman with a plumber butt and a G-string popping out. Of course, that depends on your body shape. If you can pull off lower-rise pants, go for it.
Wear sheer blouses?
Uh . . . probably not unless there is a lining or camisole underneath to cover up certain areas. If you do wear sheer clothing, it’s best to wear nude underwear to match your skin tone. Sheer sleeves are lovely if the style is attractive.
Try wearing a jumpsuit
I bought a jumpsuit the other day at Macy’s, and I absolutely love it!
It’s super slimming and has a lovely design at the waist that is figure-flattering. My only issue is that it has a zipper on the back that requires assistance if I have to go to the bathroom. A side zipper would have been a much better idea. I solved that problem by purchasing a zipper helper on Amazon. It works like a charm.
Be creative with patterns and prints
The idea of being perfectly matched has gone by the wayside. That’s fine because it’s fun to be creative with clothing. However, I suggest you consider smaller prints unless you are an Amazon-size woman who can carry off a large design as they tend to add more bulk.
Wear your hair in a bob
The article suggests that older women wear their hair in a bob cut. I must have hit the jackpot because that’s how my hair is styled. I had bangs for a while to cover up my non-eyebrows but decided to grow them out. When it comes to haircuts for women over 60, find a style that you love that’s easy to take care of.
There are no rules anymore about hair length for older women. If you like short hair, wear it short. If you want it to be long, grow it out. Just make sure it’s clean. I find that as I get older, I wash my hair less to keep it from falling out or fading out my dye job. If you’ve already gone gray, good for you. It’s way less fuss and expense and can look stunning with the right cut.
Carry a sturdy tote bag
Most women our age carry a purse. However, you must be careful not to lug one around that’s too heavy as you can hurt yourself. Another consideration is that your belongings stay safe. I bought a gorgeous red handbag at a thrift store that has tons of compartments. However, it’s a little too big and the straps keep coming off, leaving it to dangle and spill.
Look for a bag with a secure closure that is the right size for your height and body type. Bigger is not better. You may want to carry less stuff.
This bag I found on Amazon is inexpensive but is the perfect size for me and has zippered compartments to keep my items safe. I love it and make sure to take it with me when I travel!
Wear a timeless watch?
Watches are beautiful pieces of jewelry, and we grew up with them, but I always check the time on my smartphone. I often wear a fitness watch instead to track my steps and activity.
Wearing minimal jewelry is usually classier and safer to walk around with in the long run. Catching yourself on a doorknob with a long bulky necklace could be catastrophic if it causes you to fall. I gave up wearing long necklaces for the most part because I broke them after a while. It depends on your style preferences. Iris Apfel is over 100 and wears gaudy jewelry every day. She is a force to be reckoned with.
Keep your hands manicured
Going to a salon for a manicure is almost as tortuous as getting my hair dyed for me. I don’t enjoy sitting in a salon for long periods because I feel there’s a better use of my time. It can also be expensive.
I prefer my fingernails to look natural and would rather have them buffed or apply a clear polish. My nails keep themselves short without my help because I always forget to wear gloves.
Cover your bulges with shapewear
I have a few outfits where shapewear would be helpful but I often avoid wearing it. I’ve heard that bike shorts are just as good to cover up a big tummy. If I do wear it I prefer to have a separate bottom and top. I bought a one-piece that has an opening at the crotch much like ladies wore pre-20th century. However, I don’t want to go to the bathroom with it on because I’m convinced it would get wet.
Shapewear can also be difficult to get on and off if it’s too tight.
Make sure your panties fit correctly. Mine sometimes fall off if I’m wearing a dress. I guess my butt has flattened over time. There’s nothing so embarrassing as having to hike up my bloomers in public.
Wear cool shades
I hardly ever go outside without a pair of sunglasses. My problem is I always break them or get them scuffed up because I throw them in my purse. As much as I would love to wear designer shades, I buy mine at Nordstrom Rack or another discount store.
Stick with natural fabrics
I’m not a fan of ironing, but nothing feels cooler and more comfortable than cotton, silk, linen, or cashmere. If you are still having hot flashes, natural fabrics are the best and always look expensive and classy.
Don’t go overboard with makeup
I agree wholeheartedly with this idea. Less is more as I wrote about in a post about minimal makeup. Older women generally do not need powder, smokey eyes, or glaring red lipstick, unless they crave being dramatic.
Excellent skincare and sunscreen are much more important than painting on layers of makeup. My routine consists of eyebrow pencil because my brows have disappeared, a tiny bit of dark cream shadow to line my upper eye instead of eyeliner, mascara, a good bronzer, and a rosy but subtle shade of lipstick. If I’m shooting photos or a video, I will apply CC cream foundation or tinted moisturizer but that’s about it.
Other suggestions in the article I mentioned were somewhat redundant or not relevant to women over 70 and I could only scroll so much.
What other styling tips do you have to offer women over 60? Please leave a comment below.
Laurie Stone says
Almost embarrassing, but I’ve been wearing the same kind of outfit for years — jeans with a fitted top and light make-up. The only thing that’s changed are the heel height—from full-on in my youth, to princess heels (still wear to restaurants), to barely there. My back can’t take it anymore. Other than that, all the same.
Rebecca Forstadt-Olkowski says
I totally understand, Laurie. Flats for me too and if a basic uniform makes you feel great, go for it.