Start with the staples.

Fashion tips for women over 50
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“I’m not into trends for people of any age, really. Everyone should be timeless, chic, and sophisticated. Some staples you should have are a white blazer, a cream blouse, and a black sweater; pieces that won’t fade away.” —Ashley Pruitt

Opt for daintier jewelry.

tiffany necklace

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“A lot of women tend to wear big statement necklaces and I think that more often than not it looks unsophisticated and cheap. It can make an outfit pop in the wrong way. It’s chicer to err on the side of minimalism.” —Andrew Gelwicks

Get yourself a good bag.

a brown leather bag

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“Accessories are fun! While they are of course functional, they can be transformational for your outfit. A lot of designers are playing around with bag sizes—oversized, super tiny. A woman carrying a ‘power’ bag demands attention.” —Andrew Gelwicks

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Make sure you’re wearing the right bra size.

Fashion tips for women over 50
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“More than anything, it’s really important to have your bra properly fitted. That’s a staple every woman should have in their closet and they should be fitted for it rather than just going to the store and guessing their size.” —Paul Cavaco

Don’t be afraid of color.

Fashion tips for women over 50
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Jane Fonda wore this amazing Brandon Maxwell gown to the 2017 Emmys and it was a huge pop of color. Since seeing that on her I’m so into it, especially on older people. It’s sophisticated and young but not immature or obnoxious.” —Andrew Gelwicks

Buy a white button down.

jcrew white shirt

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“A crisp white button down is the perfect piece every woman should have. It looks polished but can be worn running errands, and it can go from day to night. It’s a hero piece.” —Negar Ali Kline

More: The Best White Button Down Shirts

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Find the right jeans.

jeans

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“Dark denim is more polished whereas a light denim reads a bit more casual. In a professional setting, dark denim is a safe choice but more important than the wash of the denim is the fit.” —Negar Ali Kline

Have a go-to pair of heels.

same edelman pumps

Wearing a skirt? Mind your knees.

Fashion tips for women over 50
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“I think that after a certain age your skirt should really be at or below the knee, no matter how beautiful your legs are. It looks more appropriate and it doesn’t look like you’re trying to look young.” —Paul Cavaco

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Flaunt a fresh manicure.

hermes nail polish

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“Having your nails manicured goes a long way. It’s really all of the little details that make you look good.” —Paul Cavaco

Make a statement with your watch.

Fashion tips for women over 50
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Chose where you want the most attention.

Fashion tips for women over 50
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“A lot of the women I dress have a certain area of their body that they don’t feel as confident of. If you’re going to be more conservative with one part of your body then you need to compensate by highlighting another area. Have a leg moment if you don’t want to draw attention to your shoulders.” —Andrew Gelwicks

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Shapewear is key.

Fashion tips for women over 50
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SHOP NOW Spanx Shorts, $58

“Wearing the proper shapewear underneath everything helps to give you smooth lines.” Julia Perry

Don’t let anybody tell you not to take risks.

Fashion tips for women over 50
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“While women at fifty know who they are and are authentic to their style, I think there’s no reason why they can’t be a little daring and try something new. Whether that be a print or a new color, I don’t think there should be limitations.” —Negar Ali Kline

Don’t forget about accessories.

burberry scarf

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“A scarf is extremely multi-purpose. A silk scarf can be tied at the neck or draped over your shoulders in the evening.” —Negar Ali Kline

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Chose versatile shoes.

gucci loafers

Mix it up.

Fashion tips for women over 50
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“Carolina Herrera wears a white button down with a ball gown skirt and it’s so chic. It’s sort of unexpected to pair those two items together but it works really well.” —Negar Ali Kline

Use textures to guide attention.

norma kamali dress

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“Stomach and arms are typically the two spots women are most worried about. If you’re wearing a dress with draping or ruching it can help the stomach area.” —Ashley Pruitt

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Define your waist.

Fashion tips for women over 50
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“Typically speaking, oversized items are hard to pull off. It’s usually flattering to define your waist.” —Negar Ali Kline

Default to black heels.

Footwear, High heels, Court shoe, Basic pump, Leather, Shoe, Beige, Suede,
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“Every woman should have a nice pair of black high heels.” —Paul Cavaco

Headshot of Kara Thompson

Kara Thompson is a Denver-based journalist with over five years of experience writing lifestyle content. She has written for a variety of publications, including townandcountrymag.com, elledecor.com and Parents, where she covered all things home, travel, food, health and holidays. Her sister’s German Shepherd, tennis and mystery books are a few of her favorite things 

Headshot of Lauren Hubbard

Lauren Hubbard is a freelance writer and Town & Country contributor who covers beauty, shopping, entertainment, travel, home decor, wine, and cocktails.

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