The Modern Way To Wear Leggings After 50
Anyone who tells you that leggings are dead or women shouldn’t wear them is sadly mistaken. With more of us living casual lifestyles, leggings can be a great fashion option, when worn with attention to a few details. How to wear leggings after fifty has been an extremely popular post, so I’m updating it with some new ideas and fresh resources to help you look fabulous wearing leggings.
Leggings are hugely popular and one of the easiest garments to get wrong. We’ve been reaching for leggings since they became streetwear in the 70 and ’80s. They now have style details and shapes that resemble pants, so they don’t all look like workout gear.
Are tunics and leggings still in style? You bet. Can you wear them and still look polished? Absolutely! Can older women wear leggings? Yes!
Related –Ā Leggings For Spring
Here are the best leggings to wear over 50 and tips for wearing them. Let’s start with the most important feature of leggings…the fabric.
You might also enjoyĀ What To Wear Instead Of Leggings This Fall
Fabric
This is critical because leggings are not the same as footless tights! I’ve seen too many women traversing the airport wearing footless tights as leggings which shows the world way too much. The fabric of leggings needs to be thick, 100% opaque (not see-through), and very stretchy. They should closer to stretch pants than tights. Here are some great fabrics for leggings:
- heavyweight Ponte knit
- faux suede
- denim also called Jeggings
- velvet
- faux leather…no these are not just for young women and yes, they are comfy!
On the subject of faux leather leggings, they’re no different than other spandex leggings and they do breathe and the best fit doesn’t feel or look like a sausage casing.
All of these fabrics need high spandex or Lycra content so they spring back in the knees and seat, Fabrics with a four-way stretch fit the best and have the best recovery. Darker colors are more slimming and dressy. Patterns are tricky so choose the smallest ones in subtle colors.
Faux Suede leggings have long been a favorite of mine. They give a softer look than faux leather and feel more relaxed. Here are some great options.
Related – How To Wear Leather Leggings over 50
Fit
Leggings are meant to be snug but if they feel like a sausage casing, go up one size. You won’t sacrifice the style and they will be more comfortable. Choose high-rise leggings with a wide, no-roll waistband. There’s nothing worse than sitting down and feeling your waistband roll down under your tummy.
Tops For Leggings Over 50
It doesn’t matter how shapely and fit you are, leggings require a top that covers your crotch and backside. Full stop here ladies. This is critical. Even the heaviest weight leggings look best worn with a top that’s long enough to cover your lady parts.
Leggings look great worn with:
- tunic sweaters
- long line blazers
- tunic-length shirts
- thigh-length blouses
- dresses, both long and short
Choose tunics with some shaping through the torso. You don’t want tight, but too boxy is just as unflattering. You’re going for length, not width and bulk. Side slits in tunics and blouses are great for elongating your legs and helping to balance the proportion. Try a knee-length cardigan worn open over a fingertip-length blouse. Unbutton the lower buttons of longer jackets to show some leg. Beware of extra bulky sweaters, which can make your legs look like stick figures and your torso look huge by comparison. Proportion is key here.
Shoes To Wear With Leggings Over 50
So what do you wear on your feet? Knee or riding boots are a classic combination. Choose boots in a color similar to the leggings to create a long lean line. Ballet flats are another classic look; think Audrey Hepburn. Low-heeled pumps or sandals look great with leggings but beware of the stiletto which is hard to get right and can easily lean toward trashy. Booties are perfect with leggings.
Related – How To Wear Ankle Boots Over 50
What’s your favorite way to wear leggings?
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Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
I find it interesting that several people left comments that say they wear anything they want. I am not sure why they read the article to begin with. I was a Occupational Therapist who worked in the school system who had to look her best when giving important information to parents. It would be nice, if we all took people as who they are rather then how they look but that is not the reality of life. back then, I would wear clothes that were more flamboyant on the weekends. Now that I am retired, I do cherry pick more about style advice that I will incorporate into my life. As we get older our bodies change and what you mostly see is fashion for very young and very slim women. I found this information very enlightening.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Mary.
Love these outfits, I am definitely over fifty and I love wearing clothes that can make you look younger!!!!!
I’m attending a holiday party for a financial firm that I am enrolled with. Every year they have a party at the National Cathedral in Washington DC. The attire is holiday. I was considering wearing my black faux leather leggings with a green shimmery jacket or a black woman’s tuxedo jacket.
What’s your thoughts.
I like the sound of a tuxedo jacket so long as it’s long enough to cover “things”.
I made a decision to follow my English mumās style. She always looks so put together, and found a wealthy bf on her daily walk who is now wining & dining her around Europe. Sheās 80, soā¦! I only wear leggings if Iām working out. Iām not blessed with good legs (airport security recently felt around my knee when I was wearing skinny jeans they thought I had a pack of drugs or something, no its just plain olā fashioned knock knees!) that was a bit of a moment. So Iām back to straight or very slightly bootleg cut pants/jeans and they are sexier, forgiving, cuter after 50, I think. And pro-mum-tip, colored jeans are great (eg green, or for her, pink!).
That would be a moment at the airport:) Your mum sounds like she’s really got it going on! Bravo
I have a smaller waist than hips or bust. I just can’t find longer tops with shape. They are all boxy! Where can I shop?
Most tunic tops tend to be boxy. You could try belting them to show off your shape.
The rule with leggings is..just because you can doesnāt mean you should! In other words dress appropriately for your size. Thatās all š
I love to wear jeggings but with a long blouse and in winter a jersey that coverd the but,
Thank you for such an informative and meaningful segment. I feel like I have learned so much about what and what not to wear (leggings, of course š).
I’m so glad you found this helpful
If you are. comfortable with the way you dress and are not breaking the law, it shouldn’t matter what you wear. That is just my opinion. I am in my 50’s and I dress how I want to, not how others want me to. Yes, I wear leggings often. Usually with long T-shirts and sneakers.
I agree. I think all women should dress to feel confident.
Very easy nice look comfy at the same time. It makes me feel good when I can wear something and not feel out of place just because I am over 60.you project energy and life when you dress like this.and no one ever guesses my age.i am not as small as I use to be but I try to dress in good taste take away from what I can’t fully help.meds and age take their toll but doesn’t mean I don’t want to feel good about myself when I go out in public.it helps alot.thanks for sharing..I do wear leggings..
Lea here from Gold Coast Aust ā¦ Iām 61 and love love love Freddyās best but lift ever
Source for the long blue top please? Great article, thank you!
I’m sorry it’s sold out
Pet peeve: Flesh- colored leggings, pink leggings or almost any light color leggings. Jiggly parts are emphasized and I feel embarrassed for anyone wearing them.
I love this post!! I’m almost 51 and like to wear leggings; my problem is finding tops that are long enough. I’m 5’8.5 and it seems everything is made for shorter gals. š
Look for tops at j Jill they carry tall sizes
Best place to buy good leggings in UK please. I am 5ft 2″ and find most leggings wrinkle at my knees!
Thank you.
Iām not familiar with the brands in the UK, but be sure to check the fabric has 10% or more, Lycra! Itās what keeps the knees from bagging.
I have just discovered leggings with pockets from Snagtights, very soft and smart looking.
I’m in UK, leggings are Scotland.
I am 63 and were them all the time . Skinny stretched jeans and leggings with high and thick panel . Love them
I think 50 year old leggings belong in the trasjh.
If the leggings are 50, I would agree with you
I am 64 and love J Jill leggings. I can wash and dry and they keep their shape plus don’t fade easily. I am 5’7 115 and love the looks you can achieve with leggings. Dress up or down! I don’t care for Jennings, the are to bulky for my thin legs; they just bunch up. Great article! Hopefully leggings will never go out of style
I think the important thing is to always match them with a dressy top and/or blazer (of course, appropriately LONG-ish enough to cover your “business” lol!) so it doesn’t look like a sloppy gym outfit. I’m in my 30s and might have a more casual attitude toward leggings (I basically LIVE IN THEM and don’t care about having others’, unfortunately, often sexualized judgements trying to dictate what my personal choices “should be”), but I like pairing them with velour blazers over a satin shell cami with booties or ballet flats for a professional or holiday formal situation. I have a pear shape and I feel leggings accentuate my lower-body curves in a confident way vs. something which would make me look heavier if I were worried about hiding my perfect imperfections (like constantly wearing really frumpy oversized sweaters or parkas!). Thank you.
Love this post and all the comments! There is such a big difference in the fabric weight and stretch of leggings. I love leggings for wearing around the house, they are so comfortable!
I always wear a top that covers the crotch area and my butt and often add a longer cardigan,
special thanks for the information of weight and colors, and how to style the rest of the ensemble.
I am 71 , love clothes and looking my best , Great article , I liked it very much, I think this article would be good for younger ladies as well. Cheap thin leggings are not a good fit for most girls, and women!
I agree!
Love your article. I am 55 years old and I enjoy wearing my ponte knit leggings and my faux suede leggings with my boots during the winter months.
All women are beautiful and they should take pride in the way they present themselves in public. To look sexy does not mean you should look trashy.
I love your advice. Iām 80 and active. Love wearing jeggings and my jeans with pretty tops. Most of my clothes come from Talbots. Their petite pants are a perfect fit.
I am 83 yrs old & I wear leggings & jeggings. Love them.
Good for you. I love them at 63
It’s great that older women have come out from behind aprons and baggy pants. You go girl! I’m 75
Awesome, great attitude—- wear what makes you feel good
I have avoided buying leggings – although I think I would love them(!) – because I have knobby/swollen knees from arthritis AND am, how shall we say, bow-legged.
Do you think I should continue to avoid them?
If youāre not a fan of very tight ones because of your knees, you could try skinny straight stretch pants instead. Just as comfy too.
Iām 64 and I love my leggings. I buy a higher waist style with a panel, thick knit with a regular waistband, and super tight knit fabric . I love them all, safety, snugged up and I donāt trip over my pant legs. Go for it! You might like it-I did! I just wish more had some kind of pocket.
What brand?
I am 71 and have worn leggings for several years…LOVE them…for high waist and many lengths, prints, and solids huge selection look at Marika often on Zulily…they wash well and hold their shape. I usually hang dry but have put in dryer. Many have pockets and they introduce more each season.
Try leggings from Old Navy to get started. They are very reasonably priced and are often on sale. I am 73 and not skinny but they look great. I have several pair in black and dark navy. Depending on the fabric and what you wear on top, they can even be nicely dressed up. i wear them year round now – capri length in the summer – and even found some fleece ones for cold winter days and nights.
How i wish i could buy leggings of Old Navy?
From Philippines herešššš
I was bow legged until I had knee replacementā¦I always wear leggings and Jeggings. Love the stretch and comfort.
Buy a pair, you will love them. Swollen knees with or without so Enjoy
I really like leggings and jeggins because they are so comfortable and easy to dress up or down. A third piece like a long cardigan and boots along with some jewelry and then youāre ready to go most anywhere. Definitely go up a size if they feel too tight because you should be able to move with ease:)
This was a great post. I wear leggings all the time but only with tops that cover the bum. I totally agree about the weight. They need to be thick at my age unless I am wearing a long tunic.
I wear leggings at home but rarely out. You styled them beautifully. Unless I get the portions correct I often feel I look like an apple with legs when I wear leggings and skinny jeans. At home yes, out no. I prefer straight jeans and corduroys, or trouser pants.
I do not like leggings. I live in my jeggings but they are not as tight or revealing as leggings. The thicker fabric helps. Leggings do not feel polished enough or warm enough for me. I prefer my jeans.
A big THANK YOU for all of this excellent advice, Jennifer!
Just a thought, I like to show a bit of ankle when wearing leggings because it seems to give a modern take on things and not look frumpy. What do you think?
Agree!
Vancouver Island Nancy!