Sportliche mode für frauen ab 50

What comes to your mind spontaneously when you think of fashion for women over 50?

I have never loved strict rules. Especially when it comes to my style: from “10 things every woman must have in her closet to not be a loser” to “clothes that are simply forbidden from 40 or 50”, I’ve really seen and read all kinds of things in recent years.

Unfortunately, I also know a few people who really firmly believe in these absolute rules and also strictly follow them.

Not only that, but in addition to putting them into practice, they often reprimand other women for not following them!

Therefore, in this post I would like to make a short list of the rules that are most often quoted in relation to fashion over 50, and write my personal opinion about them. I hope that these reflections will also be a small impetus for a lively discussion – I’m really curious what you think about it!

1 – AFTER 50 THE KNEES MUST ALWAYS BE NICELY COVERED

Perhaps the most common rule when it comes to fashion for women over 50 is to significantly lengthen the hems on dresses and skirts, so that the knees always remain nicely covered.

Well, even though the new midi and maxi lengths are back in fashion and in some cases look very pretty, I personally wouldn’t be so absolutist on this point.

And for two reasons:

• Not all 40- and 50-year-old women are physically identical: some women have more beautiful legs at 40 and even at 50 than at 20, simply because they exercise more.
• Proportions: Midi lengths do not suit every woman! I, for example, have relatively long legs, especially the thighs are relatively long, and some midi or even long lengths do not suit me at all.

For this reason, I think it is worth replacing this rule with a slightly more individual approach that takes into account our body shapes and proportions.

This graphic explains very well which lengths look good on whom and that apart from age.  

Otherwise, the best thing to do is to experiment with different lengths!

Here you can find a small selection of absolutely wearable skirts in different lengths:

2 – WEAR ONLY CLASSIC AND TIMELESS CLOTHES WHEN IT COMES TO OVER 50 FASHION

If I had to define my style, I would say that it is modern and contemporary, certainly quite classic in some respects.

Nevertheless, avoiding every new trend can sometimes be fatal for our style. Because that risks making us look years older, far more than wrinkles or crow’s feet!

In short, sticking to those clothes that shaped our style at the age of 20, 30 years is certainly fine (I keep my fondness for coats of the Italian brand Fay, for example!), but to completely neglect the new trends is also a mistake, in my opinion.

Especially since sometimes it takes very little to add a fashionable detail, even sometimes quite simply with a special accessory.

And its effect, combined with the (more classic) clothes that we also like to wear otherwise, is often just fantastic.

In addition, there are many new trends to choose from each year, some of which definitely look good on us and accentuate our strengths!

Here is a small selection of classic yet modern pieces:

3 – AFTER 50, WOMEN SHOULD ONLY WEAR NEUTRAL AND SOFT COLOR SHADES

As you may have already noticed, I myself have a preference for neutral colors. They are also the shades that I use the most.

That said, I think going without color altogether can make us look older.

Sure, we’re not risking any fashion faux pas in the process, but why limit ourselves with the color palette at all? There’s a fantastic world of colors out there – colors that combine very well with neutral tones, by the way!

The ideal – and probably the most efficient – solution is to have good basic pieces in neutral colors (but not only) and besides a number of individual pieces in different colors, depending on taste, also strong, bright colors that look good on us.

But how do you even find out which colors suit us best?

Here, a color analysis can be a good starting point.

But there is also a practical way to discover shades that suit our type particularly well: they are those colors for which we receive compliments again and again (“today you look particularly in shape!” or “did you just go on vacation?” etc.).

In short, it is simply the colors that, when we wear them, give us a healthy skin tone or bright eyes!

4 – AFTER 50 WE SHOULD SIMPLY FORGET EVERYTHING THAT IS FIGURE-HUGGING

While I don’t think this suggestion is entirely wrong (I’m 55 years old, so I can say it: after 50, our bodies lose definition slightly even with regular exercise, and this is true even for slim women.

In addition, there is the contrast between face and body, which is further emphasized by super-tight clothing.

BUT: Also in this case, be sure to adjust the rule to our own figure!

In many cases, the ideal is a mix of clothes that fit the lines and proportions of our body: a mix of figure-hugging and softer pieces is often the best choice.

It is important to take into account our own proportions and correct them if necessary, highlighting our strengths a bit.

If you have long, slim and trim legs, skinny jeans, for example, can be an excellent choice. If you have a nice cleavage and a defined waist, tops can be more fitted.

Here are some of my favorite jeans when it comes to fashion for women over 50:

BEST JEANS SHAPES FOR MANY WOMEN OVER 50:

5 – AFTER 50 EVERYTHING SHOULD BE AS “MATCHY – MATCHY” AS POSSIBLE

I find this rule to be one of the most boring of all – and also one that often yields dramaticly negative results when it comes to aging us fashionably.

The rule perhaps made sense in the 50s or 60s, but remains prevalent today, often with fashionably tragic consequences.

To be clear, I don’t think that’s why we should just combine our clothes and accessories wildly and without any logic.

However, I would rather opt for a set of accessories that harmonize with each other or have a common element (perhaps a gemainsame color, but also metallic details in gold or silver, etc.).

But combine everything too perfectly with each other – “matchy-matchy”, so to speak – is just boring. Often it’s just one fancy piece that doesn’t quite seem to fit with the rest of the outfit that stands out and gives the whole outfit a special tone!

6 – WOMEN OVER 50 SHOULD ONLY WEAR PRACTICAL, COMFORTABLE SHOES WITHOUT HEELS

I really read that one several times on the subject of “over 50 fashion”. You’ve got to be kidding, right?

Because if there is one accessory that can be freely chosen at any age and with any figure, then most certainly shoes!

Not to mention that nowadays there are many shoes that are both comfortable and have a heel – for example, the super trendy sneakers with platform that look so good gerate 40- and 50-year-olds.

In short, in my opinion, any footwear is fine, as long as it is modern and current. Because the wrong shoe can actually age: Before classic pumps should be carefully chosen and combined.

Better to avoid too traditional models and especially avoid certain combinations, for example, suits reminiscent of the 80s / 90s + traditional pumps with medium heel.

Beautiful yet comfortable and modern shoes are out there – you just have to find out where!

Here is a small selection:

7 – AFTER 40 WOMEN SHOULD ONLY WEAR THEIR HAIR SHORT

As you can see in my photos, I have not yet subjected to this rule. Should we really all cut our hair short from a certain “age limit”?

My role model here is a friend of mine, R., who is about 3 years older and not only looks fantastic for her age, but also proudly wears her brunette, wildly curly hair and looks great doing it.

I always tell myself that as long as she wears her hair long, it’s absolutely fine with me too!

I think we should just wear our hair as long as we want and as we like it. And also stands well. And here, too, every woman is simply different.

On some women over 50, shorter hair looks really better, on others just not. Hair quality also plays a role.

Besides, I think it’s not only absolutely OK, but also good if our hair doesn’t always look like it’s fresh from the hairdresser – somewhat “wilder” hair often has a rejuvenating effect.

By the way, here you can admire my personal over 40 / over 50 style icons.

And what do you think about fashion for women over 50? Do you agree with these rules or do you also think, like me, that they should be absolutely broken?

Here you will find a small, neat selection of modern pieces for women over 40 that will add style to any wardrobe:

Want more outfit tips for women over 50? Check out this video (turn on English subtitles):

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