Ageing is perhaps one of the trickiest fashion avenues to navigate. At what age are certain items deemed not ok anymore? For some, that time never comes — because we’ll be damned if anyone tells us what to do. But for some, dressing differently with age is just part of life. But what fashion items are best for the ladies over 50 years old?
Fashion for older women doesn’t have to be scary or harder than it ever was before. In fact, it can be more interesting than ever before, if you know how to navigate it. We enlisted the help of Nicole Adolphe, the Head of Style at The Iconic to guide us through exactly what to wear (and the avoid) once you’ve surpassed the 50 mark.
What to avoid
“When it comes to styles to steer clear of, my top tips are to purge your wardrobe of plunging necklines, bodycon dresses, miniskirts, crop tops and the whole bike pant trend. After 50-plus years of fashion experimentation, it’s your time to enjoy fashion, and dress for you in styles that make you feel confident and empowered.”
You want to wear trends, but which ones are best?
“AW19 has some great trends coming through that are perfect for more mature women. One of my favourite trends right now is the power trouser suit. This will be the go-to trend for the confident, and style inspired older woman.”
“Animal prints are also huge this season, great for adding an age appropriate ‘fun-factor’ to a more classically styled wardrobe. Adding prints of leopard, snake or zebra are sure to spruce up your look.”
“Transport back to the late 90’s with square-toe shoes and block heels. To really make a statement with your outfit, pair your shoes with a billowing sleeve top, which are having a big fashion-moment right now.”
Three go-to outfits
1. Pants and a nice top
“You simply can’t go past a classic blouse and fitted pants. It’s an elegant and classy staple outfit that can be dressed up or down with the right accessories.”
2. A LBD
“Every woman should own a classic black dress. Pair it with heels or add a classic Superga sneaker for a more casual look on the weekend.”
3. A go-to trench with a simple dress
Another must-have outfit is a simple silk dress paired with a trench coat. A quality trench will provide wear for years to come, and partnering it with a feminine silk dress is a match made in heaven.
The pieces you should invest in
A classy blazer
“A well-made blazer is a key wardrobe staple worth investing in and it’s the perfect item to dress up any casual outfit! Match it with a pair of pants, or give your weekend denim look an instant polish with this addition.
Cooper Street ‘First In Line’ Blazer, $169; theiconic.com.au
Georgia Alice ‘Boy’ Blazer, $1,150; georgiaalice.com
Well-fitting jeans
“It’s important to invest in quality denim jeans that are going to flatter you in all the right places. My advice is to opt for higher-waist cuts for a cleaner silhouette, like these Nobody Denim Cult Skinny Ankle Jeans. Also, stick to a classic pair which aren’t overly ripped or embellished.”
Nobody Denim ‘Cult Skinny’ Jeans, $219; theiconic.com.au
Levis ‘314 Shaping Jeans’, $129; levis.com.au
An off-duty dress
“A simple day dress is another staple item for all women to have in their wardrobe. When choosing, go for a shell shape, shirt dress or wrap dress (whichever you feel best suits your body shape). Bold prints can often date quickly, so try sticking to block colours, which you can then accessorise with items like a silk scarf or a trench. The Camilla and Marc Dylan Dress, and Atmos&Here Camilla Pleated Dress are great staple dresses that won’t go out of style.
Camilla and Marc ‘Dylan’ dress, $650; theiconic.com.au
Atmos&Here ‘Camilla’ Pleated dress, $99; theiconic.com.au
The perfect bag
“Finally, an investment handbag is another key wardrobe piece. To get maximum longevity, opt for a neutral-tone, like this Marc Jacobs Tag Tote 27, or a classic style black bag, which is perfect to wear across seasons.”
Marc Jacobs ‘The Tag’ bag, $635; theiconic.com.au
Salvatore Ferragamo ‘Gancini’ bag; salvatoreferragamo.com
