Mary Murphy
Style doesn’t have an expiration date, but sometimes our wardrobe choices need a fresh perspective as we age. Many women over 70 fall into fashion habits that might not showcase their best selves. The good news? A few simple adjustments can transform your appearance from outdated to sophisticated without sacrificing comfort or authenticity.
1. Choosing Uncomfortable Shoes
Foot comfort becomes increasingly important with age, but many women swing too far toward purely functional footwear that compromises their entire look. Orthopedic-looking shoes paired with otherwise elegant outfits create a visual disconnect. Fortunately, shoe designers have responded with stylish options featuring hidden comfort technology.
Brands like Naturalizer, Clarks, and Aerosoles offer fashionable flats, low-heeled pumps, and supportive sandals that don’t scream ‘comfort shoe.’ Podiatrist-approved doesn’t have to mean visually unappealing. The right shoes support both your feet and your style confidence.
2. Choosing Styles That Are Too Young or Trendy
Fashion should reflect who you are today, not who you were decades ago. Chasing youthful trends often backfires, creating a disconnect between your natural elegance and clothing choices that seem forced or uncomfortable. Age-appropriate doesn’t mean boring! Modern classics like well-cut jeans, beautiful blouses, and timeless dresses can be both contemporary and sophisticated.
The trick is selecting trends that complement your personal style rather than following every passing fad. Your clothing should feel like an authentic expression of the confident, experienced woman you’ve become.
3. Wearing Clothes That Are Too Baggy
Drowning in fabric creates an unintentional frumpy appearance that adds years to your look. Many women mistakenly believe loose clothing hides figure concerns, but excess material actually creates a shapeless silhouette that’s unflattering. Instead, aim for a relaxed fit that skims your body without clinging. Structured pieces like blazers with subtle waist definition or straight-leg pants provide polish without restriction. A tailor can easily adjust existing favorites for a more refined fit.
Remember that comfort doesn’t require sacrificing shape – the key is finding that sweet spot between constricting and billowing.
4. Ignoring Proper Fit
Clothing that fits perfectly looks expensive regardless of its actual price tag. Many women settle for whatever size seems close enough, missing the opportunity to truly flatter their current shape. Bodies change with age – shoulders may narrow, waistlines shift, or height slightly decrease. These natural evolutions require wardrobe adjustments. Take current measurements rather than relying on what worked years ago.
When shopping, focus on how garments actually fit rather than the size on the label. Different brands size differently, and the number matters far less than how confidently you wear the clothes.
5. Sticking Only to Dark, Dull Colors
Navy, black, and brown form the foundation of many mature wardrobes, but limiting yourself exclusively to dark colors creates a monotonous look that can drain vitality from your appearance. Skin tone often becomes more muted with age, making vibrant colors even more beneficial.
Rich jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, and ruby bring warmth to your complexion and spark to your eyes. Even small doses of color through accessories can transform an outfit from forgettable to fabulous. Your wardrobe palette should energize rather than diminish your natural glow.
6. Wearing Too Much Beige or ‘Mom Colors’
Beige can be beautiful, but an all-beige wardrobe risks making you invisible. Soft pastels and washed-out tones – those classic ‘mom colors’ – can unintentionally drain the life from your complexion rather than enhancing it. For neutral lovers, try richer alternatives like camel, ivory, or taupe paired with one stronger accent color. These sophisticated choices provide the same versatility without the washing-out effect.
Your clothing should frame your face and bring attention to you, not fade into the background. Even subtle shifts in shade can make remarkable differences in how vibrant you appear.
7. Overdoing Accessories
Statement necklaces, bold earrings, stacked bracelets, and eye-catching scarves create visual interest, but wearing them all simultaneously overwhelms rather than enhances. Many women accumulate beautiful accessories over decades but haven’t adjusted their styling approach. Coco Chanel’s advice to remove one accessory before leaving home remains perfect guidance. Choose a single focal point – perhaps those gorgeous earrings or that special bracelet – and let it shine without competition.
Quality accessories deserve their moment in the spotlight. When every piece competes for attention, none receives the appreciation it deserves.
8. Ignoring Tailoring
Ready-to-wear clothing rarely fits perfectly off the rack at any age. For women over 70, whose proportions may have shifted over time, tailoring becomes even more essential yet is frequently overlooked. Simple alterations make remarkable differences. Hemming pants to the proper length prevents tripping hazards while creating a polished line. Taking in waistbands eliminates gapping, and adjusting sleeve lengths creates proportion.
Many department stores offer reasonably priced alterations, making tailoring accessible. This small investment transforms ordinary pieces into garments that look custom-made for your unique body.
9. Wearing Outdated Patterns or Fabrics
Some prints simply announce their decade of origin. Those large floral patterns from the 1980s or tiny calico prints from the 1990s immediately date an outfit, regardless of its cut or quality. Modern patterns tend to be cleaner and more graphic. Consider geometric prints, abstract designs, or updated florals in contemporary color combinations. Similarly, fabrics have evolved – today’s textiles offer better drape, comfort, and ease of care than their predecessors.
Updating your pattern and fabric choices refreshes your entire look without requiring radical style changes.
10. Neglecting Undergarment Fit
Foundation garments create the canvas for everything else you wear. Bras that no longer provide proper support or underwear that creates visible lines disrupts even the most beautiful outfit’s silhouette. Professional bra fittings make tremendous differences in how clothes hang and how comfortably you move. Many department stores offer this service free of charge. Similarly, seamless underwear options eliminate distracting lines.
The right undergarments shouldn’t restrict or pinch – modern options prioritize comfort alongside function. This invisible update might be the most impactful style change you make.
11. Avoiding Color Completely
Color brings joy, energy, and personality to your wardrobe. Yet many women gradually eliminate it entirely, creating a monochromatic existence that can reflect in their overall demeanor. Your perfect colors may have shifted with changing hair color and skin tone, but they haven’t disappeared! Experiment with shades that make your eyes sparkle and complexion glow. Even color-cautious women can incorporate small touches through scarves or jewelry.
Color psychology shows that what we wear affects how we feel. Bringing thoughtful color back into your wardrobe often brings corresponding brightness to your outlook.
12. Opt for Well-Fitting, Flattering Silhouettes
The most elegant women understand that shape trumps trend every time. A well-defined silhouette that honors your current body creates an impression of confidence and self-awareness that turns heads for all the right reasons. Experiment with A-line skirts that skim hips, straight-leg pants that elongate, and tops with subtle waist definition. V-necks typically flatter by drawing the eye upward toward your face, while three-quarter sleeves highlight the slimmest part of your arm.
Your personal best silhouettes become your signature style – the shapes that consistently make you feel fabulous.
13. Incorporate Pops of Color
Strategic color placement brightens your entire appearance without requiring a complete wardrobe overhaul. A crimson scarf against a neutral outfit instantly draws attention to your face and creates visual interest. Consider your natural coloring when selecting these accents. Silver-haired women often shine in cool blues and purples, while those with warm-toned hair glow in peach or terracotta. Even lipstick counts as a color pop!
Start small if color feels intimidating. A single vibrant accessory provides the perfect entry point to a more colorful style approach that enlivens both your appearance and your attitude.
14. Choose Quality Over Quantity
A carefully curated collection of excellent pieces serves you better than closets overflowing with mediocre options. Fine fabrics drape more flatteringly, quality construction maintains its shape, and classic designs transcend passing trends. Investing doesn’t necessarily mean extravagant spending. Secondhand luxury items often cost less than new fast fashion while offering superior quality. Watch for natural fibers like wool, silk, cotton, and linen that typically age more gracefully than synthetics.
When evaluating potential purchases, consider cost-per-wear rather than sticker price. A perfect jacket worn weekly for years proves more economical than rarely-worn bargains.
15. Select Comfortable Yet Stylish Shoes
Modern footwear technology has revolutionized options for women who prioritize both comfort and style. Brands like Vionic, Ecco, and ARA create shoes with orthotic support discreetly hidden in fashionable designs. Look for features like cushioned footbeds, proper arch support, and secure closures that prevent slipping. Lower heel heights (under two inches) provide stability without sacrificing elegance. Metallic finishes and interesting textures elevate even the most comfortable options.
Your walking comfort directly impacts your confidence and enjoyment. Beautiful shoes that hurt create tension that shows in your expression and posture.
16. Tailor Your Clothes
Custom-fitted clothing creates a polished impression that ready-to-wear rarely achieves. Taking existing garments to a skilled tailor transforms them from acceptable to exceptional with minimal investment. Beyond basic hemming, consider having waistbands adjusted, shoulders realigned, or sleeves shortened to your perfect length. Even inexpensive pieces look remarkably more expensive when they fit impeccably. Establish a relationship with a local tailor who understands your preferences.
Bring photos of your desired fit to ensure clear communication. The difference between almost-right and exactly-right creates that elusive quality of effortless elegance.
17. Embrace Simple, Sophisticated Accessories
Thoughtfully chosen accessories elevate even the simplest outfit to memorable status. A single standout piece often creates more impact than multiple competing elements. Consider signature accessories that become part of your personal brand – perhaps distinctive eyeglasses, a collection of sculptural brooches, or always-present pearl earrings. Quality matters more than quantity here; genuine materials generally age better than plastic or costume pieces.
Accessories should complement rather than compete with your natural presence. The most elegant women understand that their personality, not their possessions, should remain the focal point of any ensemble.
Comments
Loading…