Here is our list of 5 things not to wear over 50:
-
FISHNET TIGHTS
-
POM-POMS
-
PLUNGING NECKLINES
-
CROPPED TOPS
You have probably spotted that our list of what not to wear over 50 has only four items instead of five. That is because on one topic (Ripped Jeans) we disagree! Cyndy feels they are a no-no; Jan not so much…
We have compiled a list because we are frequently asked what an older woman should not wear. That’s difficult, as we never – or almost never – say “don’t wear” because we think most trends can be worn by women over 50. We think that it’s never (or hardly ever) about the particular trend or item of clothing, but about how, as a woman of 50-plus, we wear it and style it…
But even with that ethos, we feel these belong firmly on the “Not to Wear Over 50” list:
FISHNET TIGHTS
No! Fishnet tights have come and gone as a trend at regular intervals since the early 1960s. Mainly they seem to have become the default hosiery of sex workers.
And… TBH they are best left alone by all chic women of any age, though a woman with long, slender legs could team fishnets with a midi-skirt and ankle boots…
POM-POMS
No! Pom-poms are popping up all over the place, usually in candy colours as befits their “little-girl” vibe. We are not normally proscriptive but when it comes to Pom-poms, we are prepared to say, “Leave Pom-poms to the under 18s.”
So no Buts!
PLUNGING NECKLINES
No! Plunging necklines are best avoided over 50 as a wrinkly décolletage can be a bit distracting. A plunging neckline on a tight-fitting vest is a double no-no over 50.
But… A vest (we’re talking the cami kind here) that is not too low or too tight, glimpsed under a blazer or open cardi/shirt is a good look for a chic over-50 woman.
CROPPED TOPS
No! If you are average height or taller, avoid cropped tops at 50-plus, as they are waaay too girly.
But… If you are a petite especially a petite with an hourglass shape, a carefully chosen cropped top could be the perfect partner to your high-waist jeans or midi-skirt. But there’s ‘cropped’ and there’s ‘cropped.’ At over-50, a discreet flash of flesh as you move, is acceptable, but over-50 it’s not chic to put your belly or midriff out there however wash-board your tum is. Try to ensure your top is long enough to meet your bottom half!
RIPPED JEANS
No! Cyndy firmly believes this is a trend best left alone by the older woman, so we’ll include them on our list.
But… Jan feels that if you choose them carefully (that is, neither in a wash nor a cut that’s too extreme, and with discreet rips) and if you style them with a blazer or a slouchy jumper and flat trainers, even a woman over 50 could look fabulous in these jeans.
P.S. BIKER JACKETS & WHITE JEANS…
“What Not To Wear Over 50” lists on the Internet often include items such as Biker Jackets and White Jeans. At the risk of repeating ourselves, it is all about how you style them…
We both own biker jackets and frequently rock up to meetings in them, so do not expect to see biker jackets on any “Don’t Wear Over 50” list on SoSensational!
And don’t expect to see white jeans on a banned list on this website, either. We have both bought a pair to be summer-ready. Again, it’s not your age that determines how chic you look in white jeans. White jeans need to be the right cut and rise for your body shape. Then add a slouchy top or jumper or maybe a blazer, plus metallic trainers and you will look fabulous, at any age.
What would you never wear, now that you’re over 50? We’d love to know your opinion! And what do you think of our n0-no’s?
[su_button url=”https://www.sosensational.co.uk/blog/” target=”blank” background=”#6c20b1″ size=”7″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ icon=”icon: arrow-right”]Read more blogs like this…[/su_button]
You might also like
14 Comments
Dress based on what you look like, not your age! Not everyone has a crepey bust! Joan Collins still looks great in fishnets. Do not wear ankle books with skirts, they will make your legs look stubby and fat. Crop tops are great for holiday packing, they can be worn over and dress up a plain black dress or top. White jeans are for people who were like chavs in the 80s. Honestly, do you know anything about fashion or even like people in your own age group!
Dressing for how you look rather than your age is an excellent ethos. Unfortunately not everyone is as savvy about what works for them, so want suggestions. As for ‘Do we even like people in our own age group?’ Mostly, yes, but we’re prepared to make exceptions!
Hello Dears, I agree with your opinion about ripped Jeans. I have a few pairs of ripped Jeans and I like it. But I wear it only in my free time. I mix them with long Shirts and trainers. Or with High heels and a long pullover. But sometimes I feel a little bit crazy, if there is standing a young girl with ripped Jeans close to me and I am thinking was she is thinking about this elderly woman in the ripped Jenas. LOL
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Anna. It sounds as if you’ve nailed it perfectly with ripped jeans.
I think there are a few over 50s women who could pull off the ripped jeans look. We all know that woman, petite, slim and with a funky haircut. Lulu is a good example.
For me I know I could never make that look work. I aim to look smart and stylish, which is probably a better look for the majority of ladies my age.
I am not so sure about your ruling on pompoms. I would say it depends on the outfit and the size of the pompoms. But I loathe those handbag charms with pompoms and feathers and other little bits of tat. Just horrid and chavvy to my mind.
Thanks for your valuable and insightful comments, Ami. Like you, we feel some things work for some women over 50, and some do not. That is why we are reluctant to say ‘Don’t Wear’, or even ‘You Must Wear….’ Re pom-poms, you are right – it sooo depends on what is trimmed with pom-poms, size, etc. I loved a Dolce & Gabbana basket trimmed with pom-poms and considered buying it for a nano-second till I saw the price…
I agree that ripped jeans are for the younger generation. I think it is perfectly possible to look smart or chic in younger fashions, but I prefer to avoid looking like a recycled teenager. The other thing I find I personally have to be careful of is sleeveless tops or dresses, and very short sleeves such as caps. I think they can look lovely on very skinny women but otherwise they tend to make arms look fatter, or show up ‘chicken wings’. My philosophy as I get older (I am on the verge of 68) is that less exposure of an older body is more attractive! It is always going to be a personal call, though, as we are all built so differently.
Thanks for your very insightful and valuable comments, Veronica.
As a general rule I feel mini skirts should be left to the younger generations. We over 50’s can get away with them with dark tights and boots if we are the right shape but there are so many beautiful fashions and styles that women of all ages can wear leave the young fashions to the young and stop trying to hijack their trends. I wore hot pants back in the day but would have been mortified if my mum had worn them! However it is all about personal choice and if you have the personality and va va voom to do it, go for it. You have to accept you will be classed as eccentric though 🙂
Hi from one Jan to another. Thanks for commenting. Your philosophy is eminently sound and sensible and we agree with every word! Especially the bit about how there are so many ‘beautiful fashions and styles that women of all ages can wear.’
I’d say daisy duke shorts are not a good look for a woman over 50! I don’t care how cute or tiny you are. I’m not that fond of them on teen girls!! That being said, we should wear what we’re comfortable in, what’s flattering to us individually and the look we’re trying to display. I love leggings/jeggings, tunics and boots – the top has to be thigh length. I love loose flowy tops with slim cut slacks and flats. Scarves – I love scarves and have a drawer full. My hope is no one thinks I look awful – but if I like it when I look in the mirror, that’s the bottom line.
Thanks for commenting Cathy. We agree with every word. And we love your ethos of only wearing ‘what we’re comfortable in and what’s flattering to us individually’. I’d forgotten that hot-pants are also called ‘daisy duke shorts’ but doesn’t THAT name conjure up an image that reminds us all how wrong they are over 50! Based on what you say, we feel sure you always look fabulous. Warmest wishes, Jan x
Leggings worn as if they’re jeans, with a short top look terrible no matter what your age I think. Too short minis and huge amounts of bosom likewise. Some beautiful dresses described on-line as alluring are show way too much bosom for me. I think white jeans are fine if slim rather than skinny, and worn with a long, good quality sweater/shirt or smart blazer and heels you don’t totter in!
Clearly you know your fashion, Dorothy. Thanks for your valuable insights. Personally, I’m with you 100% on the leggings and short tops and too much cleavage, but I’ve learned that looking good often comes down to subtleties of individual proportion, height, length of garment, colours, etc, plus clever accessorising, which is why we never (or hardly ever) say ‘never wear…’ And on the topic of leggings, they can sometimes be a clever way to extend the life of a dress we love but can’t wear because it is too short…