Stop Dressing for Your Age: 7 Style Rules Women Over 50 Should Break

++There comes a moment in a woman’s life when she realizes something wonderfully freeing:

I don’t have to dress for my age. I can dress for myself.

At Elsie in Naples, I meet beautiful women every day in their 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond. And one of the things I hear all the time is:

“Can I still wear this?”

My answer?

Why not?

Style isn’t about the year you were born. It’s about how you feel when you walk into a room.

I don’t dress women according to the number on their birthday. I dress the woman standing in front of me.

So let’s forget a few of those old fashion rules we’ve been carrying around for far too long.

Rule #1: “You Should Wear Less Color as You Get Older”

Absolutely not.

Color can bring light to your face, energy to your wardrobe and joy to your day.

A gorgeous coral, turquoise, fuchsia, yellow or Mediterranean blue can completely transform the way you look—and more importantly, the way you feel.

If you love color, wear it.

[SHOP COLORFUL NEW ARRIVALS]

Rule #2: “Prints Are Too Much”

Who decided that?

A fabulous print can actually make getting dressed easier because the print does the work for you.

Put on a beautiful printed dress or caftan, add a great pair of earrings, a fabulous bag and sandals—and you’re finished.

Effortless. Interesting. Memorable.

That’s the kind of dressing I love.

Rule #3: “You Need to Hide Your Body”

I hear women say things like:

“I need to hide my stomach.”

“I don’t like my arms.”

“My body isn’t what it used to be.”

But getting dressed shouldn’t begin with a list of everything you don’t like about yourself.

Instead, let’s ask:

What makes you feel beautiful?

The right silhouette can skim rather than cling. A flowing silk top can move beautifully over the body. A great pair of pants can give you shape without feeling restrictive.

That’s why I love easy, flattering pieces—including many of our one-size styles and our famous Magic Pants.

Comfort and glamour can absolutely live in the same outfit.

[SHOP MAGIC PANTS & EASY SILHOUETTES]

Rule #4: “Statement Jewelry Is Only for Special Occasions”

Not in my world.

I believe jewelry can change an entire outfit.

Take the simplest white blouse or black dress and add beautiful baroque pearls, a dramatic pendant, a handmade necklace or a fabulous pair of earrings.

Suddenly, you’re not just dressed.

You’re styled.

And please don’t save your beautiful things for “someday.”

Wear the necklace.

Carry the fabulous bag.

Put on the earrings.

Today is the occasion.

[SHOP STATEMENT JEWELRY]

Rule #5: “You Should Follow Trends”

I would rather see a woman develop her own style than chase every trend that comes along.

Buy pieces that make you stop and say:

“Oh my goodness, I LOVE this.”

That’s one reason I often buy only one or two of a particular piece for the boutique.

I want you to discover something that feels special—not something you’ll see on five other women at dinner that evening.

Fashion changes.

Personal style stays with you.

Rule #6: “Comfort Means Giving Up Glamour”

This may be the fashion rule I disagree with most.

Especially here in Naples, we want clothes that breathe, move and work with our lifestyle.

Beautiful linen. Soft cotton. Flowing silk. Easy pants. Caftans. Effortless dresses.

You should be able to go from lunch with girlfriends to cocktails at sunset without feeling like you’re wearing a costume.

That’s what I call everyday luxury.

Looking fabulous shouldn’t require suffering.

[SHOP EFFORTLESS LUXURY]

Rule #7: “At My Age, I Can’t Wear That”

This is the rule I want us to throw away completely.

At 50, 60, 70 or 80, you haven’t become less interesting.

You’ve become more interesting.

You’ve traveled.

You’ve loved.

You’ve lost.

You’ve started over.

You’ve raised families, built careers, changed directions, survived things you never thought you could survive and discovered who you really are.

Why should your clothes become quieter just when your story has become richer?

Wear the color.

Wear the print.

Wear the fabulous earrings.

Wear the dress that makes you stand a little taller when you look in the mirror.

Because confidence is always in style.

One Last Thought From Me

The next time you try something on and hear yourself asking,

“Am I too old for this?”

I want you to change the question.

Ask yourself:

“Does this make me feel beautiful?”

If the answer is yes, you’ve found your answer.

At Elsie in Naples, we’re not here simply to sell you clothes. We’re here to help you put things together, discover pieces you might never have chosen for yourself, and walk out feeling a little more fabulous than when you walked in.

Because there is no expiration date on beauty.

There is no expiration date on confidence.

And there is certainly no expiration date on style.

Live beautifully. Dress intentionally.

And remember…

Something good is going to happen to you.