I just turned 50, help me not descend into frump town.

[Anonymous]

Find a good tailor. Truly. Clothes that are tailored for your particular body style will make you look so much more put together than clothes off the rack. I used to be a perfect size 6 on top and bottom. As I've aged, I'm more like a size 10 bottom, size 6 top. I get all my dresses tailored and many of my pants. It helps so much.

Another thing to watch out for is that many stores (I'm looking at you, Loft and WHBM) have been going down this sort of bohemian, floral chic route lately. Lots of flower prints and ruffles. Those styles look lovely on people in their 20s. They make people in their 40s look 60. Avoid. Stick with classic styles in solid colors.

And finally, it's easy to give in to the temptation to buy a lot of black. But black doesn't play well as you get older and your skin tone fades. Try navy or ivory.

[Anonymous]

PP from above -- also wanted to add that the blogger Hot N Flashy does great makeup tutorials and reviews for women over 40.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every chic over 50 woman I've seen is slender.

+1

Even Oprah looks like a disaster when she isn’t in full hair and makeup and professional lighting.

No one wants to say this, but excess weight is what often drags women into Frumptown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find a good tailor. Truly. Clothes that are tailored for your particular body style will make you look so much more put together than clothes off the rack. I used to be a perfect size 6 on top and bottom. As I've aged, I'm more like a size 10 bottom, size 6 top. I get all my dresses tailored and many of my pants. It helps so much.

Another thing to watch out for is that many stores (I'm looking at you, Loft and WHBM) have been going down this sort of bohemian, floral chic route lately. Lots of flower prints and ruffles. Those styles look lovely on people in their 20s. They make people in their 40s look 60. Avoid. Stick with classic styles in solid colors.

And finally, it's easy to give in to the temptation to buy a lot of black. But black doesn't play well as you get older and your skin tone fades. Try navy or ivory.

This is so true. The wrong prints can look old lady church dress in a big hurry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been using the outfits at Halsbrook.com as inspiration. Their price points are all over but I find that the looks can either be gotten by rethinking stuff in my closet plus buying something from them plus supplementing from the gap (especially jeans). I like the nice priced classic handbags on their site that are both age appropriate and look classic. If you look at enough of their clothes/outfits, you will begin to see that they are careful to mix in some dresses with flats, long sleeves to hide arms, knee and midi lengths, scarves, ponchos and all with coordinating jewelry.

Here are some links so you can see what I mean:

https://www.halsbrook.com/catalog/product/25694

https://www.halsbrook.com/shop/dresses/fatima-midnight-blue-silk-dress-29652.htm

https://www.halsbrook.com/shop/dresses/navy-belted-dress-29452.htm

https://www.halsbrook.com/shop/dresses/navy-tweed-dress-with-white-multi-fringe-trim-30876.htm

https://www.halsbrook.com/shop/handbags/paley-midnight-navy-satchel-24638.htm

I'm on there email blast list. The emails are great -- they have outfit suggestions, sometimes tied to a particular destination (wedding, NYC weekend, beach party, etc).

HTH

This is the OP. I really love these looks. Thanks for posting, their prices are a bit steep for me but I can definitely use them for inspiration.

[Anonymous]

Une Femme d’un Certain Age blog is good too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here. I suspect that the older that you get, the more that you need to be really thoughtful about investing in your clothes in order to look stylish. The 20-somethings can throw on something fairly cheap and unstructured, and still pull it off. We can't. A bit of structure is good, and worth paying for. Also worth paying more for shoes that are comfortable AND interesting looking.

Same deal with hair. It was easy to just let it be in my 20s, but now that I'm in my 40s it needs much more maintenance, and the greys are beginning to change the texture a bit (even when they're covered up). Whatever you do, don't grow your hair long if it doesn't look good - much better to have a shorter cut that flatters you than a long do that drags you down

All so true.

You also need to invest more to staying fit, watching your weight and your health. 20-somethings can usually get away at doing the bare minimum but as you age, staying healthy (and looking good) takes a lot more effort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here. I suspect that the older that you get, the more that you need to be really thoughtful about investing in your clothes in order to look stylish. The 20-somethings can throw on something fairly cheap and unstructured, and still pull it off. We can't. A bit of structure is good, and worth paying for. Also worth paying more for shoes that are comfortable AND interesting looking.

Same deal with hair. It was easy to just let it be in my 20s, but now that I'm in my 40s it needs much more maintenance, and the greys are beginning to change the texture a bit (even when they're covered up). Whatever you do, don't grow your hair long if it doesn't look good - much better to have a shorter cut that flatters you than a long do that drags you down

All so true.

You also need to invest more to staying fit, watching your weight and your health. 20-somethings can usually get away at doing the bare minimum but as you age, staying healthy (and looking good) takes a lot more effort.

I personally think people need to stay fit, watch their weight and health at ANY age. It's pretty hard to get into fitness in your 50s because it needs to be a lifestyle. Whatever you do OP, please strength train so you can maintain bone density into old age.

[Anonymous]

Go vegan. Dress wild. Enjoy life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Geez - all these posts suggesting Botox and surgery are depressing. If that’s what you want, it’s fine but it’s also fine to not choose that route. OP - I think Vince is a good label for older women. Their stuff is simple but modern. Think about updating your makeup too. It’s really easy to get into a rut for years and the sort of makeup that would look better on you now may be different from what you wore when younger. Try playing around with jewelry too. Nothing expensive is necessary but a cool bracelet or pair of earrings can really punch up a look.

+1

I like the Style at a Certain Age blog.

Just looked at this blog. Awful. The certain age must be 75.

Everyone ages. Even you will age. True story!

I just took a look at that blog and really like it - I'm 44 and I think she looks great.

[Anonymous]

Buy clothes that fit 90% of the battle.

If you wear heels, don’t wear chunky heels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been using the outfits at Halsbrook.com as inspiration. Their price points are all over but I find that the looks can either be gotten by rethinking stuff in my closet plus buying something from them plus supplementing from the gap (especially jeans). I like the nice priced classic handbags on their site that are both age appropriate and look classic. If you look at enough of their clothes/outfits, you will begin to see that they are careful to mix in some dresses with flats, long sleeves to hide arms, knee and midi lengths, scarves, ponchos and all with coordinating jewelry.

Here are some links so you can see what I mean:

https://www.halsbrook.com/catalog/product/25694

https://www.halsbrook.com/shop/dresses/fatima-midnight-blue-silk-dress-29652.htm

https://www.halsbrook.com/shop/dresses/navy-belted-dress-29452.htm

https://www.halsbrook.com/shop/dresses/navy-tweed-dress-with-white-multi-fringe-trim-30876.htm

https://www.halsbrook.com/shop/handbags/paley-midnight-navy-satchel-24638.htm

I'm on there email blast list. The emails are great -- they have outfit suggestions, sometimes tied to a particular destination (wedding, NYC weekend, beach party, etc).

HTH

This is the OP. I really love these looks. Thanks for posting, their prices are a bit steep for me but I can definitely use them for inspiration.

I'm so happy to hear that! I just turned 50 as well so I'm right there with you. I'm slowly trying to transition to more, ahem, age appropriate and classic looks.
Best wishes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:are you opposed to botox or other procedures?

That's not really my thing and I'm afraid of it not looking natural.

go to an actual plastic surgeon for injections. I just got under eye filler two days ago and I LOVE IT! I took five years off. I have been getting botox for a decade (I am 44). so I have no permanent lines, as its preventative. It may be too late for botox to make a huge difference for you.

You can get a stylist to shop for you. Don't wear a pixie but to hear past your shoulders at our age. Make sure you cover the gray.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly feel like it is the sensible shoes. If you take the same outfit and where heel you look better/younger/hip. I can't wear heels so I don't know what the solution is.

Pointy-toed flats is the solution.

Those hurt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Geez - all these posts suggesting Botox and surgery are depressing. If that’s what you want, it’s fine but it’s also fine to not choose that route. OP - I think Vince is a good label for older women. Their stuff is simple but modern. Think about updating your makeup too. It’s really easy to get into a rut for years and the sort of makeup that would look better on you now may be different from what you wore when younger. Try playing around with jewelry too. Nothing expensive is necessary but a cool bracelet or pair of earrings can really punch up a look.

+1

I like the Style at a Certain Age blog.

Just looked at this blog. Awful. The certain age must be 75.

Everyone ages. Even you will age. True story!

I just took a look at that blog and really like it - I'm 44 and I think she looks great.

she looks great for a woman in her 60s. gingham capris? um no.