Many (if not most) of us women spent our youth and young adulthood shooing away pesky insecurities about what we should and should not wear. At 60 and beyond, you’d think we would be so mature that we would never even need to show up at a blog post like this (or need to write one). And maybe, indeed, you are that self-confident woman. But as well-adjusted as I like to think of myself, I still have occasional doubts when I look at the reflection in the mirror. So today I’m going to try to set our minds at ease a bit and share what women over 60 should wear…and not wear.
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But before we go any further, let me put your mind at ease. This is not a list of items that you must ban from your closet. Nor do I have a shopping list for you to run out and buy. We’re going to sashay through this topic with much broader strokes. And I think you’ll like where this goes.
DO wear clothes that bring you joy.
Let’s go ahead and get this straight: I’m not one to tell you that you should or should not wear certain clothes. I believe personal style trumps fashion. In other words, we – not the fashion magazines or designers – get to develop our own personal style and express it through our clothing, accessories and style choices. I also believe personal style is just that, personal, individual.
With those precepts in mind, I encourage you to wear the things that bring you joy. Right now, in the middle of spring, it’s time to wear fabrics that feel like silky sunshine on your skin, colors that awaken your senses from the doldrums of winter and shoes that let your toes wiggle or even breathe a bit. In other seasons, you may opt for knits that make you feel cozy, hues that deepen holiday moods and layers that feel like a warm hug on a cold day. But whatever the season, wear the clothes that bring you joy.
But there’s more…
DON’T wear clothes that are inappropriate.
Whoa, Bessy! I thought you weren’t going to tell us not to wear certain things! LOL! Before you get your granny panties in a wad, hear me out. My idea of inappropriate is not your mother’s definition. I have a YouTube video deep in my library where I spend 12 worthwhile minutes sharing 9 considerations to determine if something is “appropriate.”
I definitely suggest you take those 12 minutes to watch that video. But the bottom line is that I’m a firm believer in thoughtfully considering things like occasion, weather, event, venue, activity and, yes, other people when choosing what to wear. Again, this is not to say we can’t wear certain things, but if we want to show up at the event and feel comfortable in our surroundings, at ease among other people and confident in the role we’ll play there, then we might want to consider if our outfit is “appropriate.” YOU get to determine what appropriate means, but I kindly suggest we choose wisely.
DO Wear the Best Quality You Can
Experience and wisdom have hopefully culminated in more discerning taste by the time we reach our 60s. Again, YOU get to choose what quality means to you. But at this point in life I’d rather have a smaller curated collection in my closet that reflects my more discriminating taste than a stuffed assortment of throwaway garments that I tire of or wear through too quickly.
Notice I didn’t say you should wear the best quality you can afford. I’ve learned that choosing quality clothing and accessories is not so much a matter of budget as it is a position of learning to be content with fewer but better items. And you can find high quality selections at a wide range of prices and in all sorts of places, from your favorite retailer to smaller boutiques to second hand shops and your best friend’s donation pile. So curating a quality wardrobe is a practice in patience, contentment and appreciation. It’s about making wise choices that you feel confident about rather than settling for things “that’ll do.”
DO Wear Modern Silhouettes
Unless your personal style is strictly vintage and you’re pulling that off like nobody’s business, I highly recommend that women over 60 try to stay current with at least a few key fashions. When we dress in a way that looks modern, we communicate that we – our minds, our thoughts, our interests – are also up to date. We indicate that we are still pressing forward, growing, taking on the challenges of a new day, staying informed and keeping engaged.
And that’s the kind of person that younger generations – your neighbors, children and grandchildren, students and patients and customers and employees, and friends – want to engage with. If our fashion sense does not evolve at least a little, we indicate visually that we are stuck in the past, even if that’s not really true.
I suggest wearing at least a few modern silhouettes. So find out what jean and pant lengths and shapes are current. (Right now they’re relaxed straight, wide leg, flare and barrel shapes in full or ankle lengths). Incorporate those into outfits with the classics you love and try to wear them in modern ways. Stick around! That’s exactly the kind of advice I try to offer consistently here and at my YouTube channel.
DO Wear a Bra that Lifts and Supports
Hahaha! We all know the “why” behind this one surely. The girls just aren’t as perky as they once were. Getting your boobs back up closer to where they used to be can actually make your posture look better and help your clothes to fit more nicely.
A good bra also makes you look 5 to 10 pounds lighter. It helps restore your waistline a little and gives you a prettier silhouette in your dresses, sweaters and t-shirts. I’m frequently asked for bra recommendations, but I’ve learned that finding a well-fitted bra is truly a personal journey. If you don’t care to go into a store for a professional fitting, I suggest you use either the Perfect Fit Finder here or check out the Bra Guide here. Those are both great at-home sizing options and their undergarments are good quality.
DON’T Wear an Outdated Hairstyle
I find that generally when women over 60 want to know what to wear and not wear, they’re really asking how to look a little younger. My mantra is “don’t try to look younger because you’ll end up looking a little clownish, inauthentic and like you’re trying too hard; instead, aim to look modern and you’ll actually appear more youthful and vibrant.”
Choosing modern silhouettes and styles is one thing, but there’s more to our appearance than the clothes we wear. We completely sabotage our efforts at looking modern when we continue to wear an outdated hairstyle. What’s out of style in hair? Tight dos, fussy styles and overly coiffed. Just recently I asked my hairstylist (who styles hair at New York Fashion Weeks on the regular) what hairstyles are on trend for 2025.
But instead of describing a specific hairstyle or two, she insisted that the most stylish thing right now is a natural looking cut and shiny, healthy hair. Look, I’m not using my hairstyle here (especially since the wind was blowing and I had to pull it up off my face) as an illustration of the perfect, modern hair style. But it is natural, healthy and shiny. I use these haircare products, if you’re interested (and you can get 20% off today and tomorrow only). @colleenrothschild #crpartner You can try out the products at a discount with this set. Bottom line, I suggest you find a hairstylist who keeps current to give you a good cut and suggest some products that will help you achieve your goals. If you color your hair, try to achieve a color that is multi-dimensional and vibrant. Healthy, shiny hair. That’s the goal.
DON’T Wear Anything Uncomfortable
Well, that bra I suggested may not be all that comfortable. Hahaha! (I take mine off right after dinner most days, truth be told!) But we women over 60 are old enough to insist on comfort in general, don’t you think?
But an insistence on comfort does not give us license to look frumpy, boring, slovenly or ill-fitted in our clothing. Instead we want to look for fashionable, stylish, elevated pieces that do also feel comfortable for our real lifestyles.
The key to shopping for clothes that are comfortable but also stylish is to prioritize style, not comfort. Remember, “comfortable” is not a style. It’s a feature of a piece of clothing. So when you start perusing the offerings, first shop for something stylish and then ensure that the items you select are also comfortable to you.
DO Wear Good Quality Shoes
And finally, I’m just done with uncomfortable shoes. Amen? But, again, that doesn’t mean I’m just wearing squishy loafers and cloddish sneakers. I’m constantly on the pursuit of footwear that is both stylish and comfortable.
Many women over 60 have developed foot conditions that require specific features in their footwear, such as arch support, cushioned insoles, wider toe boxes, heel straps on sandals, etc. I do my best here at Dressed for My Day to help you find shoes that provide true comfort and wearability as well as flattering style.
I’m sure you have discovered that most of the time shoes that are both flattering and functional are also pricey. Let’s face it, we women over 60 have to be willing to pay for good materials, engineering and stylish features. But in my opinion the answer to the conundrum is simply to own fewer but higher quality shoes. Stylish, high quality, comfortable shoes are indeed available, but we have to choose carefully and curate a collection that serves our wardrobe and our feet well.
Throughout today’s post about what women over 60 should wear, I have been wearing a favorite spring outfit. I’ve linked to these items and similar items at a wide range of prices in the shopping widget below. Tomorrow, April 30, is the final day to use code LOVE at Frank & Eileen for 15% off your entire purchase. It’s a one time use offer.
If you enjoyed this discussion about what women over 60 should wear and shouldn’t wear, you might also like reading the following blog posts:
- This post provides tips for shopping 🛍️ smart for a wardrobe you’ll love.
- In this blog post I offer tips to help you define your personal style 👗.
- Define your style for your REAL 🏡 lifestyle in this blog post.
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Blessed for My Day
Let’s face it, if we’re women over 60 we probably have bigger concerns than what to wear and what not to wear. Life is full of ups and downs all along the way, but in our later years we will undoubtedly face a bigger share of hard things such as personal illness, caring for loved ones who suffer, losing those dear to us and nearing the end of life on this earth. My goal here at Dressed for My Day is to offer you a little fashion help as a little respite and a little “me time.” But I never want to trivialize the bigger things in life that you may be facing. And that’s why I also offer a blessing of sorts at the end of each post.
Today I simply want to encourage you to choose to press on. Some days just putting one foot in front of the other may be a struggle. But at our age we know that doing that just may be the best we can do on any given day. Choose courage over despair. Choose grieving with grace over hopelessness. Choose joy over self-pity. Choose to let the Lord guide you through hard days rather than digging your heels in with resentment and bitterness.
Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons. And they took for themselves Moabite women as wives; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other, Ruth. And they lived there about ten years. Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. ~ Ruth 1:3-5
But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. ~ Ruth 1:20-21a
Great post. I loved the fact that you didn’t provide us with a list of do’s and don’t’s but rather offered insightful ideas to help us reflect on how we each approach fashion as we age.
Thank you Kay for this informative post. I am always looking for comfortable shoes and I will be checking out Ally shoes
“Before you get your granny panties in a wad…” 😂🤣😂 Thanks for the laugh and the great tips.
Great information Kay!!! Thanks for reminding us of these very important guidelines for dressing over 60!
I made myself a short sleeve camp shirt last fall out of that same Liberty print, Unfortunately, it’s not my best color. I’m realizing that although I want to wear all the colors, some are kinder to my coloring than others especially now that I’m gray haired. I’m going to get the same print in the pink color way and make the shirt again. You look lovely in that shirt and sweater. They are great colors for you and I feel they will also be the same for me. Will be looking for a sweater that color but a little less pricey than Fran and Eileen.
What a great post! I get all heart eyes over things I see on Social Media and have to step back and ask myself, how long will this item hold up and is it worth buying for the cheap price. Trying to get better.
This is so important to talk about as we age. I find it hard to feel youthful since I’ve had to let my hair go grey due to allergy to the dye. I use to have more brown hair with lighter blonde highlights and now it is grey, but looks like I highlighted with grey. People say I’ve greyed pretty, but I don’t feel youthful even though I have up-to-date, short haircut. I don’t look good in long or even bob length hair, so short it is and has been most my life. How do you feel about greying hair? One thing I like is it feels freeing and less hassle and expense and the process I thought I’d be doing in my latter 70’s is over. I started letting it go when I was 3 months from 61. It happened fast since I have short hair and no raccoon affect at all. Thanks for keeping us updated in our 60’s. 🙂
I agree that some days my grey hair feels a little lackluster. People tell me it’s a pretty color, but I think it’s hard to see ourselves through the same lens that other people see us through. Overall I really like not coloring my hair. So I do think the key for me is keeping a cut that is both current and flattering. That’s easier said sometimes than others. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I agree on all points! But I especially think shoes can make or break an outfit. Yes as I’ve gotten older I’m spending more to get a comfortable and stylish pair of shoes but it’s worth it! Since I’m spending more I don’t have as many pairs as I used to. But I find I’m more selective and therefore the shoes I do have are very versatile.
I love this post! Thank you for putting into words what I need to keep in mind when creating and sustaining my wardrobe. It can be a battle.
I enjoy each of your daily blogs but today really encouraged me as I read through wearing clothes that bring me joy to a haircut that is natural, healthy and shiny. It made me smile so thank you, Kay.
Thanks for this post. You always offer helpful tips.
Wise tips for sure. Thanks for the encouragement and wisdom to look our best over 60 Kay!
Thank you for this post. As a woman, almost 70, I am finding that I feel better when I look better! It is difficult to shop for clothes at this age. The stores seem to have the idea that we all are “frumpy” and we like it. There are many styles, colors and patterns that have been around for ages. Often times it is hard to find the modern style for us. Stores cater to the younger generation. Thank you Kay, for your continued encouragement and help to keep us modern and not outdated. Thank you for also talking about the importance of wearing the right bra this is essential to feeling good also. Blessings to you and your family.
Really good advice and like your outfit. Loved the BFMD. I had to pause and reflect on these verses and reflect on your words of wisdom.
Thank you for this post! I am 62 and always can use tips on what to wear at my age! I’ve spent the last couple of weeks purging my closets of clothes that didn’t fit, I didn’t like or just didn’t wear. I got rid of so many clothes! I had so many clothes that I really wasn’t getting any good out of anything. I thought about the money I had spent on them but it was stressing me out seeing all those clothes. I like your tip to buy fewer, better quality clothing. I’m going to try to just buy what I know I will wear and that I can wear with more than one item.
I find the quote at the end of the devotion hard. On the other had, I love the blog post and your outfit. Thanks!
Kay, thank you for another post full of helpful advice!
Thank you Kay, this was very insightful and encouraging! I will probably refer back to this blog post again and again. I especially agree with the comfortable but stylist factor and current hair styles. Now I need to go back and watch the video you mentioned. Thanks again!
This outfit is testimony to your message. You look modern and stylish in every appropriate way.
Very much love the idea of wearing both comfortable shoes and clothing. I gave up my college stilettos and pencil skirts a long time ago. I am very thankful for all your encouragement to be comfortable, not only in what we wear but in who we are!!.Thank you, Kay!!
I have decided to become more flexible and letting the Lord guide me and continue to be grateful and letting go of some of my preconceived notions that would have kept me in the past.
You can always count on change and the Lord.
Very good advice. I agree with you. I also love the devotional advice. Last year I was 70 and more things begin to happen. I’m blessed I’m in good health but I know things can always change. I put my faith in the Lord and take of myself as much as I can through exercise and nutrition. Back to quality I’ve decided I’m not buying cheap T-shirts anymore. I bought 2 recently from Gap factory. They’re not well made in the shoulders either. The cotton is also thin. I’m going to start buying better quality ones. I also buy good support shoes. You can find stylish ones.
Great, honest post. Love your sincerity!
Kudos!
LOVE your focus on women over 60 lol. Pretty soon I’ll be over 70! Appreciate your input, ideas and thoughtful choices.
As always you make excellent points about how we can look modern and stylish at any age!
Thanks Kay for gently saying what has to be said. Yesterday a young lady about in her 40s said something to me in my late 70s. I love your style and I would like that for myself, when all I was wearing was a striped cotton sweat, slightly flared jeans and adidas tennis shoes. Who knew! I follow you and it paid off!
Excellent tips for women of all ages.
Thank you Kay! I totally agree with this post! I am over 60 and now that I am retired I am trying to create a wardrobe that is modern and stylish without being trendy. Thanks for all the tips!
I also love the story of Naomi and Ruth! Beautiful story!
Wonderful informative post that every woman needs to read. Thank you!
Good points. I watched the video, which I had not seen before, and especially like the reminder that what is appropriate is respectful, too. The BFMD speaks to difficulties I’m having. Yes, some days it’s hard just to get out of bed, but staying in bed – literally or figuratively in terms of not meeting those difficulties – just doesn’t help. For better or for worse, the only way out is through.
I’m really glad you changed your blog title to over 60. You are right. Women in their 50’s are often busy with child and in a different stage of life. I enjoy reading your posts. Thanks for your hard work!
Really enjoyed your post today and the Blessed message. Your outfit looks so bright and cheery!
Good points! Love your outfit, fits my everyday style. You look great in bright colors!
These tips can apply to women of ANY age, fantastic post!!! And no wadded undergarments here at your suggestion of dressing appropriately. 😉
This was a great post, Kay. And, yes, I did watch the youtube video too. I was very interested to hear what you had to say and was pleasantly surprised that it was more strategic overviews than specific items to avoid. Good job.
I enjoyed this blog post so much so that I read it twice this week! Your pink sweater worn over the shoulders of your Frank and Eileen blouse is a so fresh and modern looking. I’m inspired to re-think my sweaters and create some similar looks in my closet. Thank you for another great post!
Ahh, that’s so nice. Thanks for letting me know how much you enjoyed it. 🩷
Yesterday I watched a YouTube video from a fashion guru in Paris. She wasn’t wearing a bra in every outfit she styled. She was young & fit & the look was so off putting & upsetting. Honestly she didn’t look good but more than that I would not want my 2 young adult sons to encounter this look. What do you all think?
As always, Kay, excellent advice that makes oh so much sense for those of over 40, 50, 60 and yes, 70 and beyond! Thank you so much!