How to Hone Your Personal Style Over 50
By the time we’re over 50, 60, or 70, we’ve done a lot of living and want our personal style to reflect our confidence. We want our clothes to tell the world who we are and allow us to step out confidently…knowing that we look our best. We’ve also recognized that life is short, so we need to wear our good stuff because there’s no value in saving it. Dressing to express our personal style is a skill we can learn, and like anything else, the more we practice, the more confident we become.
Few women discover their personal style and stick with the same formula for the rest of their lives. Dare I say that could be boring? Our style unfolds as our lives change and we grow emotionally. We may go through phases of trying on different looks the way one would sample at a smorgasbord, which helps us stay in touch with how our taste is changing.
In the hunt for a personal style that feels right, we need to pay attention to our inner voice in order to understand what we really love. We needn’t discard entire looks because the stereotypical vision of it seems too intense for us. Our personal style will likely be a blend of styles and feelings that are distinctive to us.
A touch of tomboy style doesn’t preclude a smidge of feminine. An elegant outfit can easily have a touch of whimsy. A classic look can have edgy bits, and bohemian style needn’t mean everything oversized and heavily patterned. Women are complex, and so is our personal style. We need to give ourselves permission to change course and start over as our personal style develops.
KNOW YOURSELF
- Everything starts with self-knowledge. How do you want to be seen? How do you want to feel in your clothes?
- What’s your lifestyle? There’s no point in building a wardrobe for a sophisticated urbanite if you live in a rural area and need clothes for your casual activities.
- Your wardrobe needs to be functional for your climate. If you live year-round in Florida, you don’t need a wardrobe of suede boots and faux fur jackets, no matter how much you adore the vibe.
- Understand your body shape and dress to accentuate your best features and downplay the ones you’re not crazy about.
- Buy what you love, and wear what fits your current shape. Wearing clothes that are too loose or too tight doesn’t give your body the respect it deserves.
GET INSPIRED
Pay attention to the women around you. Are there certain looks you gravitate to over and over? Be aware of the colors you’re attracted to and the shapes you like. My taste is constantly evolving because I’m inspired by the world around me and the direction that fashion is evolving.
COLLECT IDEAS
Start a Pinterest board and save images of outfits that appeal to you. After you have a large collection, go back through them and look for similarities. Are the colors in the same family? Do most of them have classic elements, or are they more creative? Are the details feminine or dramatic? This helps train your eye to see what aspects of an outfit you admire.
If you’ve always loved the classic style, be sure to keep it fresh and modern by styling pieces in new ways. Pop your collar. Half-tuck your shirt. Stay abreast of trends, but don’t be a slave to them, or you risk looking tragic.
Try new combinations and see what feels right. Take selfies in the mirror, which gives you a unique perspective of how things look. Do you recognize that woman in the mirror? Does she look the way you want to look? There are no wrong answers with fashion, so don’t let fear stop you from trying.
ACCESSORIES MAKE THE WOMAN
Personal style is all about taking fashion and making it your own with personal touches that only you can add. Be inspired by another woman’s style, but give it your own twist. Accessories are the game-changers that give your outfits personality. Collect the ones that spark joy, then mix and match them to create your signature look.
Keep your eye out for pieces that speak to you. You’ll find one-of-a-kind pieces in consignment stores, antique markets, and especially during your travels. Etsy is also a great source. Perhaps you’ve inherited ones with sentimental value that you can mix in a new way. Try pinning a broach on your sleeve or just peeking out from under a collar. Wear belts in fun patterns and fabrics.
Great style can be found at every price point, so don’t feel limited by your budget.
How would you define your personal style?
Such a great post! I’ve been reading your blog for years and you always come up with something new to inspire me.
How do you take a good selfie? How do you get over the cringe of looking at a selfie?
I realized this is a big challenge for me and possibly for many readers. I’d love a how-to post of tips. How did you get the confidence to take selfies and post them for thousands of followers?
TIA!
Lots of practice! I hold my phone upside down so my legs are in a better proportion. Just take tons and tons. No one need see them except you!
Thank you for this good advice. And for others who have added how they evaluate outfits and trends. Recently, I have started to take care of my nails again. Because of all the activities I do that are hard on my hands, I have not been trying very hard, but one can keep the nails looking presentable without a lot of effort. I think it makes one’s hands look somewhat younger. Plus! Now I want to wear all my nice rings! We will see whether I can keep it up.
Such timeless advice!🥰
Thanks for your thoughts and inspiration. I really like all your looks today. I have tried to find my style but I have not been successful. I am still a mess!
It’s a constantly moving target for many of us so keep trying and don’t get down on yourself.
Bravo! You outdid yourself on today’s post, everything you covered is spot on! Thank you for inspiring me to continue to be different yet still fit in, that is my lifelong secret formula I’ve practiced for 50+ years now.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Colleen.
Thank you so much for this well thought out post today. You have absolutely nailed it for me today. I am going to be 60 in a few weeks and I sense so many changes in a lot of aspects of my life. The know yourself is the start of all of everything for me at this time in my life. Thank you for your blog and I look forward to reflecting me in my fashion choices with confidence and reflection of my true self.
Jennifer Holcomb
Port Angeles. WA.
I was just in your neck of the woods last week!! We love it there.
Good afternoon,
I love the all-black collection. Can you provide some information as to where we can get similar items?
Thanks,
These are all old pieces I have had for many years. That’s one of the best things about black, the pieces all go together.
Fun post and great comments from your followers.if j Crew brings back the sweater coat, I also want it!
I will keep an eye out for it
Hi Jennifer,
Loved this so much thank you! I am 60 and struggling with weight gain due to life and medication and complex family drama and l so loved your advice, just when l needed it! How did you know!! I take great pleasure in enjoying the fashion trends and keeping and looking current, and then taking stock and listening to my inner voice as to what suits me. Often l am right! Love being independent and imaginative making my own path. And the women bloggers l follow tend to do the same. Empowering!!
Love following you friend, happy week xo
Sending warm thoughts of encouragement your way! I HATE family drama which just sucks the energy and life out us. The pounds will be lost when you get to it. What counts nowmy friend, is giving yourself the self care you deserve. I just said that to also remind me 🙂 xo
I will turn 80 in December and my body has slowly changed even though my weight hasn’t changed. Thanks to you and your suggestions and your look in casual clothing, I bought all new daily wear clothes. This updated my jeans and tops, even some sneakers. I foolishly bought a few dresses that I have never worn. This rural mountain town is very western and casual. It is important to keep climate and lifestyle in mind. I keep to my cool neutrals and shades of blue and lots of comfortable denim and chambray. I prefer cardigans to blazers or shirts as a third layer. Today it is 62 degrees and raining. This is a huge shift from high 80s. No dog walk today. Thank you for all of your wise suggestions Jennifer.
It’s so important that we buy a wardrobe for our current lifestyle and location. I still make those mistakes and often just have to donate them.
Love this post and love people watching especially in Europe because people dress up more there (e.g. shorts are for the beach, not in town). I can still recall 20+ years later being in a cafe or similar and a woman would walk in wearing one statement piece: an oversized paisley shawl; hat; necklace or brooch; handbag in a statement color. My style goal is “standing out while fitting in”: knowing how others will dress for that venue or occasion, and taking it up one notch. And sometimes that one statement accessory is all that’s needed.
I love that. Standing out while fitting in is such a great way to describe it.
Is that a jacket or top (animal print in the last photo)…..I have some animal print accent pieces that I never got rid of because I liked them and I’m trying to incorporate into current wardrobe….. just curious.
It’s a jacket I bought in a boutique many years ago.
LOVE IT! It is a great textured pattern w/o too much color. and obtw, Jennifer, I started following you a couple of months ago in preparation for a 2025 Euro river cruise. I just have to tell you – the past 4 posts – you look AMAZING! The outfits, your hair, makeup – you look simply fabulous! Thanks for your great advice, suggestions and all the ‘sample outfits’!!!!
Thanks so much! Have a fabulous cruise, I know you’ll look great.
I was going to ask about that jacket as well, love it!
I hope they restock it
Dear Jennifer,
I absolutely love this post!! It is full of wisdom. I read several blogs daily and many of their authors have written about personal style. I think that your post is the most comprehensive that I have seen. I especially like your suggestion to keep re-evaluating as one grows through life. I am turning 70 in 40 days and feel that my style is still evolving – as it should! I am not the same person that I was 5 years ago, much less 10 or 20 years ago. The one thing that has not changed for me is still wanting my wardrobe to express who I am. I believe that our clothing choices do send a message. I truly do think about what my choices are “speaking”. Thanks for all of your marvelous tips!
Happy Birthday!! I think it’s so important for our style to evolve.
Great post. I retired a year ago and you have helped me thru that style transition. I take a picture of my OOTD often. I take pics from front and side view. I have learned that an outfit can look fine straight on and not so great from the side (no more tie tops on this apple body). I save them to an album on my phone. Just went thru them yesterday and picked out a few pieces that will be going to the thrift store ASAP. Thrift stores are a great place for unique treasures or to try a style without making a big $ commitment. Plus , it s better for the environment!
You’re so right about the sideways selfies. They tell a story many of us forget to notice. Your system is such a brilliant way to determine what needs to be donated!
I love shopping at thrift stores.
I have that exact same animal print jacket with the zipper up the back. Great transitional piece. Obviously you have excellent taste.
We do have fabulous taste! It’s a great jacket.
Love ur looks especially the casual ones!
This is a great article and a lot to think about, I wish I had a magic wand to use in my closet for what needs to go and stay. I stay with black and whites . We live in a relaxed South Carolina area of 55+ and most outfits are exercise clothes that are great for the gym but not to run errands in at 70. I do wear jeans but need to refresh my selection. Thank you for your daily inspiration.
Yes to all of this!!! This is exactly where I am after changing sizes. I’ve figured out what works on the new me, transitioned my wardrobe to my colors and decided which trends I will incorporate. I really relate to wearing the treasures we have collected over the years that are truly “us.” (For me that’s a drawer of scarves, brooches, bags I love, and some chunky turquoise jewelry that was my mom’s.) Jennifer, you should consider collecting your musings into a book. We need a “fashion” book for our stage in life! (And I’m 10 years younger than you!)
Your turquoise collection sounds amazing!! You’re very fortunate. Thats an interesting thought about collecting them together. I’ll see what I can do.
Good morning. Can you tell me about your gray longer coat, worn with jeans and a lavender top and scarf, on the street in front of an “Honest to Goodness” sidewalk sign?
Brand? Current? Size?
Have a wonderful day!! Mo
(FYI my F&E order arrives today, thanks to you!)
That’s a longer sweater blazer from J Crew last year. Hopefully they’ll bring it back this season. I love it!!
Good morning!
Thank you for suggesting a “Pinterest board” of items that are appealing to me. It will avoid the purchasing of clothes I thought I’d like but then I never wear.
I also appreciate the point you make about keeping in mind that our style changes as our body changes.
Your points are well made and very useful!