How should you dress in your 50s?
Now that’s a great question, and the answer will depend upon your lifestyle and your style personality.
Not that many years ago women in their 50s tended to dress very similarly and conservatively and boringly sensible.
For example, you would never see a 50+ woman in jeans, never mind one in her 60s or her 70s.
Thank goodness those days have long since gone and nowadays women can virtually wear what they like, whatever their age.
Just like a pair of trusted trainers has become part of a woman’s staple wardrobe (unheard of only a few years ago), most garments are no longer restricted by the age of the wearer… as long as you know how to wear them and with what.
Importantly, they need to be suitable for your body shape so make sure you know what it is. I have another blog on body shapes here too:
Some garments however, I would avoid and leave them to those in their teens and 20s where all too often suitability, comfort and appropriateness are overlooked in favour of fashion trends.
“Remember in your 50s you are still young but have the benefits of knowledge and sophistication.”
Age is just a number
What you may be surprised but happy to hear is that there are no rules for dressing in your 50s. When I first meet a new client I don’t think for a second about their age.
The important factor in knowing how to help them look great and feel confident in what they wear, is learning about their lifestyle, because what outfit might be good for one person may be totally unsuitable for another, simply because of how a person lives their life.
Work, Rest and Play
I firstly need to know what they like wearing and feel comfortable in. I question whether they work, and if so, what they do, how they choose to relax, and how they choose to play.
This way I can create different capsule wardrobes that will be uniquely right for them.
If you aren’t already familiar with the term “capsule wardrobe,” it’s a small collection of garments that can be mixed and matched to create lots of different outfits.
I’ve written another blog on this subject too:
It’s a great way to build the foundations of your wardrobe as you’ll be confident knowing that whichever garment you put on with another, you are going to look great.
“By the time most of us are in our 50’s we know what we like and don’t like wearing”
Your Style Personality
As part of my first meeting with a client I also identify their style personality.
That’s because knowing how a client sees themselves or wants others to see them, is key to building a wardrobe they love to wear.
So, at this point, I would say stop worrying about what you should wear in your 50s, as it’s all about knowing what suits your unique body and your unique lifestyle.
Below is a list of Style Personalities. By understanding which Style Personality you are (and you can be more than one), it will help you narrow down whether the garment you are considering buying is going to be loved and worn, or end up at the back of your wardrobe never to see the light of day.
Older but wiser
Remember you are still young but have the benefits of knowledge and sophistication.
What’s more, if you always dress in styles which complement your body shape, you are unlikely ever to go wrong.
The Natural
A ‘natural’ is relaxed and enjoys ease of movement. A ‘natural’ loves the comfort of natural fabrics, wears jeans, cotton trousers/shorts, simple tops, little or no jewellery and little or no make up.
If a ‘natural’ wears classic clothing as part of their working life, they will take them off as soon as they get home. Easy to care for, practical, hard wearing and non fussy clothing is what a ‘natural’ prefers.
A ‘natural’ benefits from a stylist who will help them extend beyond their comfort zone along with focus and attention to detail they prefer to avoid (such as shopping for themselves in the first place).
They experience ‘relief’.
The Dramatic
A ‘dramatic’ wants clothes that will trigger attention. They love shopping though sometimes forget practicality and budget. They buy high fashion or street fashion.
A ‘dramatic’ is likely to love hats, sunglasses (even when the sun is barely shining), wears statement jewellery and accessories and full make up is often a must.
A ‘dramatic’ needs to stand out from the crowd. Shoes wise, a dramatic loves patterned, colourful statement shoes. Platforms or heels are their most popular footwear.
A ‘dramatic’ benefits from a stylist through the organisation and wardrobe attention to detail. Saving money in the process.
They experience ‘appreciation’.
The Creative
A ‘creative’ wants to be unique. They have artistic flair and enjoy accessorising and altering their clothes to make sure there is no one else alike.
They love interesting patterns, textures, scarfs and like to accessorise their outfits with creative earrings and necklaces in wood, ceramic or unusual materials.
A ‘creative’ will spend hours looking for interesting items and loves shopping in unusual places, vintage stores and markets.
Few, if any ‘creatives’, will ever see value in a stylist. I’d be surprised if one ever reads this blog.
They experience ‘frustration’ being told what to wear.
The Classic
A ‘classic’ always look smart, neat and tidy, where everything worn appears coordinated. They enjoy a more formal look even when they are dressing casually.
If they wear jeans, these will be washed and quite often ironed. Always with neat hair, and a small amount of make up.
A ‘classic’ avoids any fabrics that crease easily, such as linen and seeks outfits that retain a crisp appearance throughout the day. Shoes will be polished. They wear understated jewellery. A ‘classic’ enjoys shopping and wants quality, investment garments but rarely chooses high fashion.
A ‘classic’ benefits from a stylist’s speed and efficiency. Saving them time and money and enjoying the second opinion.
They experience ‘assurance’.
The Romantic
A ‘romantic’ is very well planned with their look. They love feminine clothing with pretty details, such as bows, frills and lace.
A ‘romantic’ loves experimenting with new skincare products and always wears perfume. They spend time on their grooming routine.
Floral prints and dangly jewellery will be popular and worn often.
A ‘romantic’ will benefit from a stylist through the discovery of new brands and time saving research.
They experience ‘satisfaction’.
The Contemporary
A ‘contemporary’ loves wearing the latest high street fashions. They are very aware of the latest trends and will research magazines and online for tips and buy accordingly.
A ‘contemporary’ will buy off the peg as soon as the latest garments are in the shops, however she will shop selectively. They often have a knack of coordinating new pieces with other outfits in their wardrobe.
A ‘contemporary’ will benefit from a stylist who can help by curating the most suitable options. The second opinion is particularly beneficial as it avoids unnecessary waste or disappointment.
They experience ‘clarity’.
Cristina Holm
Cristina Holm is one of the UK’s leading personal stylists. Cristina is based and operates from her studio in Warfield, Berkshire (United Kingdom). She serves clients locally and internationally.
Cristina is also the founder of My Secret Stylist, the UK’s best kept clothes shopping secret. For only £35.99 per year, you can find and ‘see in seconds’ clothes which complement your body shape across all the popular brands. For more information, go to www.mysecretstylist.co.uk