Photo Credit (Pixabay)
A plethora of exciting new trends, shoe styles, and shopping essentials are ushered in this month, marking the New Year of the fashion calendar. Generation Z may be ecstatic about the popularity of cowboy boots, jelly sandals with socks, and footwear endorsed by Taylor Swift, but older consumers like me may be more interested in riding a different trend wave. Only you, my dear reader, can decide whether jelly sandals are your thing. I have selected six stylish yet enjoyable trends that are ideal for ladies over the age of 50 to help you narrow down the apparently endless possibilities.
- Long, Formal Skirts
Long skirts with a trouser waist and zipper have a more refined appearance than skirts with an elastic waist that goes all the way around. I particularly love the fitted aspect of these skirts. The length of this skirt makes it impossible to walk without a back or front slit, or at least some A-line shape. Anything too restrictive would be excruciating for me after years of wearing tight clothing.) Last but not least, these skirts are better than minis or knee-length skirts since they cover more of my legs, making me look both more put-together and suitable for fall. - Vibrant Fringes
Accent red is still all the rage for autumn, and it’s a fantastic alternative to full-on brilliant color-blocking for more mature ladies. Red is eye-catching without being garish, and it has a timeless style. Microtrend warning: cherry red is now king of all fall hues, according to TikTok. - Coats for Bombers
I love that there are numerous iterations of the jacket to play around with, as there are countless ways to wear this fall trend: Cut off! Excessive figures! A kaleidoscope of leather tones! Choose a timeless black style and accessorize with a fisherman’s sweater and loafers for a sophisticated look. Another option is to wear the jacket over a floral-printed, flowing dress and pair it with knee-high boots if you lean more toward the boho style.
Wide-Legged Trousers
If you’re in your 50s and beyond and have a larger waist and hips (like mine), wide-leg pants are a godsend since they accentuate those proportions. These pants not only flatter your shape, but they also come in a wide variety of fabrics to accommodate fall conditions wherever in the country, from the driest linens to the lightest wools. Buying a couple pairs will be a win-win situation for me because I can cut one pair to fit my sneakers and another pair to fit my heels.
- Collarless Bodies
Long vests haven’t been in vogue since the 1970s Norman Lear comedy Maude (I know this is a Gen X reference, but Millennials, believe me). These versatile pieces can be worn as a shirt on their own, over long-sleeve T-shirts or button-front tops, or layered under matching suit jackets. They are hip-length or longer. This style has elements of both menswear and business attire, and it draws the eye in a linear fashion that works well with my ever-expanding bust. - Leather Bits Clutched Together
As an over-50 woman, I strive to consistently pull off this appearance, which exudes an air of refined elegance. Whether it’s a jacket with a long shawl collar or a wrap that’s as thin as a glove, wrapped leather is all the rage right now, adding an air of European flair to everything from a pair of jeans and a T-shirt to a suit. I like neutral-colored imitation and real leather over brighter colors since they give off an air of sophistication and agelessness.
