The Most Wearable Modern Jeans For Women Over 50
It’s no secret that I love a great pair of jeans. A peek into my closet reveals them in all colors and washes. I grew up in the 60s and 70s when jeans were a uniform, and I’ve kept them as an integral part of my casual wardrobe ever since. Since jeans play such a large role in my wardrobe, I like to keep on top of the denim trends because outdated styles can be aging. Let’s look at some of the current trends in denim and a few ways I like to style modern jeans for women over 50.
If you check the internet, you’ll see lots of articles suggesting that women are too old to wear jeans after 50. What do you think? At what age should women stop wearing jeans? I think we should ditch jeans when we feel we’re ready to, and not a moment sooner. If you’re unsure, ask yourself these questions:
- do they still fit my lifestyle?
- do they send the message I want my clothes to send?
- are they comfortable?
- do they make me feel like myself?
Jeans come in so many silhouettes, sizes, washes, and leg shapes; there is a great pair of jeans out there for any woman who wants to wear them.
Skinny Jeans
We all knew this was coming, and many of you will rejoice. The skinny jean is making a comeback for fall 2024. They’re your best option if you like to tuck jeans into boots during fall and winter. They’re also a great option under longer tops and tunic sweaters. I prefer mine with pull-on styling and a slightly looser calf section. These Derry Illusion pants/jeans are the closest I own to a skinny jean, and they’ll be great all fall with booties
Straight Leg Jeans
A classic straight-leg is my current favorite. They’re looser than a skinny but not sloppy. They are usually fitted through the hips and drop straight to the ankle, giving nice room in the thigh area. These look great with everything from a sneaker to a pair of heels. My current favorites are these Pistola slim straights which fit like a dream.
Flare or Bootcut Jeans
Somewhere in the middle of wide and straight, we have the ever-flattering bootcut jean. These have the best of both worlds and are available in varying leg widths. They were called bell bottoms back in the day and are also called flares. They’re an excellent option to wear with, you guessed it, boots and any footwear with a slight elevation.
The boot-cut silhouette also looks great with flat shoes or low heels. They’re flattering for all body shapes because they add balance for wider hips, pear-shaped figures, broad shoulders, or a full tummy. They should skim the thighs and then widen from the knee down. My Kut From The Kloth flare jeans have an inset panel at the inside flare which gives it the shape.
Wide-leg Jeans
The wide-leg silhouette is stronger than ever for fall 2024. Many shorter women don’t think they can wear the look, but they can with attention to proportion. Super wide legs that start at the hips need to be in flowy, light fabrics so they will lay flat unless you’re walking. Wide-leg jeans that are fitted through the seat and hips and then widen to a moderate width are a better option for shorter women. Palazzo leg jeans can be overwhelming on a short woman.
My summer favorite has been the Galway Gaucho Jean by Frank & Eileen. The denim is as soft as butter and stretches where you need it while holding its shape. The fabric is woven in Italy, and the jeans are made in California. Even after a day of errands and sitting for hours on end, these never bag out or lose their shape.
For fall, I’m planning to lean into a full-length wide leg that will cover my booties and footwear and help elongate the look of my legs.
Baggy Jeans
Extra loose, baggy jeans are another trend for fall 2024. I would also include barrel-leg jeans here, which I have tried on but haven’t embraced. I am a fan of lantern-shaped legs, which are a more refined version of barrel-leg jeans. Boyfriend jeans can fall into this category as well, as they have an oversized fit with lots of extra room.
Petite Jeans
If you’re petite, shop your bootcut and flare jeans in the petite department. The act of shortening them removes some of the width from the bottom of the leg, which can ruin the shape and proportions. You can find great petite jeans at J. Jill, Loft, Talbots, J. Crew, Madewell, Banana Republic, and Anthropologie. I’m wearing the Itty Bitty Bootcut jeans in 8P, which is scaled for a shorter woman.
Related – How to Shorten Your Jeans and Keep the Original Hem
Styling Tips For Jeans
- Keep in mind that the lower the back pockets, the longer and lower it makes your butt look.
- Medium-wash denim will be more timeless than trendy washes.
- White jeans are in style all year…especially in warmer climates.
- Back-gapping in the waistband is common for curvy women and can be helped by a flat belt like this.
I’ve had very expensive jeans that ended up with twisted seams after the first wash and budget jeans that look like a million bucks after years of wear. I recommend you buy the most flattering jeans that fit within your budget.
Thanks for reading, and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
My Mother-in-law is 83 and only started wearing jeans about five years ago! She looks fantastic in them.
Who says women over 50 shouldn’t were jeans? How absurd! Like you, I have been wearing jeans since the 1960’s/1970’s and have no plans to ever stop. I am now 69 and they are my daily choice for most of what I do outside of the home. I recently picked up my first pair of skinny jeans at Kohl’s from the clearance rack for only $10! They are pull on in the same type of style as the Derry Illusion that you show above. They fit like a dream! I am 5’-2” and also have straight leg and flare styles. I prefer darker washes and white or colored jeans. I’d love to find a nice pair of red ones (not burgundy or the muted reds currently popular).
They sound like a great find!
I wear jeans at least 5 days a week. However since we rarely go anywhere, I don’t keep up with the fashions. I wear the same jeans I’ve worn for years because no one other than my husband sees me and he doesn’t care.
What’s most important Pat, is how you feel in your clothes.
I love jeans!!!! I love how they are great with sweaters, shirts, blazers, leather. My preference is slim or straight leg. I just can’t get used to the wide leg, but my daughter loves them.
Stop wearing jeans because of my age? I must say I have never given it a thought. I agree with you that you should wear what makes you feel confident. I love jeans but I find I am really hard to fit (petite, skinny legs, and thick middle). I stick to skinny, straight and flare/bootcut. I have tried wide leg jeans and returned them twice as they overwhelmed me. Recently I have found myself reaching for cords or slacks when I go out because I don’t feel as polished in my jeans. Maybe I need to pay better attention to the tops and footwear I choose to wear with my jeans so that I feel more put together when I wear them. I bought some booties largely because I have admired them on you so this is a start. I just ordered the cords from Talbots and am looking forward to them. Great posts this week!
The cords are great, I think you’ll love them.