Ageless Style vs Fashion Only Midlife Women Wear
I often talk about classic, timeless fashions. The simple cardigan, white shirt, ballet flats, loafers, trench coat, and straight-cut pants all stand the test of time. They can look as current today as they did 20 years ago. Boho fashion also has its timeless essentials, as do preppy and traditional styles. Today, I want to talk about some fashions only midlife women wear. As always, my goal is not to convince you to give up wearing something you love. I hope to help you become aware of the messages your clothes are sending so you choose with intent.
As I go in and out of some of this community’s favorite retailers lately, I am occasionally struck by some of the unfortunate fashion they’re offering. This topic has been on my mind more and more lately, and lo and behold…I see we’ve discussed this before…so let’s dig a bit deeper.
You may also enjoy- An Easy Guide to Boho-Chic Wardrobe Essentials.
Our style evolves as we age, but that doesn’t mean we should embrace clothing that makes us look older than we are. Fashion is a tool for self-expression, and regardless of our age, it’s empowering to choose outfits that reflect vibrancy, individuality, and confidence. Wearing clothes that feel outdated or are overly conservative can send the wrong message. Conversely, outfits with juvenile prints can unintentionally undermine the polished image many older women want to portray. The overly puffy sleeve has been an unfortunate trend lately, and few women over 60 can pull it off well.
Since people judge who we are by how we look…dressing in ways that embrace a modern look and personal flair allows older women to feel visible, relevant, and celebrated. We need to wear fashions that reflect our personal style recipe, work for our lifestyle, and complement our body shape. I also firmly believe they should bring us joy.
By this age, many of us have tried and true brand favorites that we rely on for the fit and styling we like. That makes shopping easier and life simpler. However, and this is a big one, just because we appreciate and trust a brand to carry our aesthetic doesn’t mean we can go into the store with a carte blanche attitude and count on everything they offer to work in our best interest.
Fashion that puts women in an identifiable age bracket is not ageless, timeless, or modern. For example…capri pants. I’m not talking about cropped pants, but capris that stop at the widest part of your calf. Despite their resurgence among the young last season, they only seem to proliferate at retailers that cater to midlife women. See also Are Capri Pants Out Of Style For 2024.
In the same vein are tee shirts and dresses in tiny, childlike prints we might expect to see in the toddler section.
Ageless dressing means choosing clothes that accentuate our best parts and subtly camouflage the ones we don’t want to draw attention to. By our age, we’ve got plenty of body parts we’d prefer to cover, but I’d like to see us doing it with styles that people can’t pigeonhole into an age bracket.
One could argue that silk scarves and brooches also date us because young women have not adopted those accessories. And you would have a point…except they’ve been worn by some of the chicest women in history.
I have no problem looking my age. I just want to look like the best version of myself and dress in a way that keeps me visible and modern. I’ll admit that I find capri pants one of the most unflattering garments a woman can wear, so I have a clear bias. I also steer clear of most prints, but that’s my personal preference. By this age, we’ve earned the right to wear whatever we please. So, if you love capris, by all means, wear them with pride. If teeny, childlike prints ring your bell, enjoy them. Just be aware that they may visually slot you into a distinct age category.
Let’s talk about this. What are your thoughts?
Thanks for reading, and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
I have enjoyed this post and all the responses. I enjoy fashion, and I want to look my best. I am tall, and I enjoy that there is such a wide range of acceptable pants length. I personally like crops, I wish there were more Bermuda shorts available.
So, the photo that leads your post today, of a back view of a woman looking at a rack of clothes, what length are those pants? Are they capris or cropped or ankle or what? And what width are they. Not skinny for sure, but what are they? Thanks. I find all this confusing.
Those are ankle pants.
I have kept my tailored flat from Bermuda shorts for a few years now. They fit, still look good on me even though I am 5’1” and still have nice legs. I do have a long scar from total joint replacement but it is white and barely is noticeable. I wear plain tees shorts and sandals except when walking the dog then I have to wear my Brooks Ghost Max walking shoes in white. I refuse to suffer the heat for fashion! I also have a few pairs of skimmers which fit close and cut off just above my calves. They cover my scar and are flattering on my slim legs. I just turned 80.
I dont disagree that they might age us but I live in Texas and its too hot for pants and my legs dont look good in shorts. whats an alternative?
oh, and linen is just too sloppy looking within 30 mins of wearing it…
Capris are kaput! : )
I’ve never owned a pair of capris! Tried on a few pairs but they were never flattering! I do have a couple of friends (who are much taller than myself) who wear them and look nice. I noticed the ones they wear are the longer version that would be ankle length on my short body. I love your style! It is very inspiring and similar to what I love wearing as well. Lots of great advice and ideas to try – thank you!
If they end around your ankle, they’re ankle pants, no matter what the brand calls them 🙂
I’m not a huge fan of capris as they seem rather dated. However, since I only wear shorts for exercise these days, capris (and cropped pants) are my go-to during our long, hot Texas summers. I found some cute ones (modified cargo style) at a retailer near my home. I’m fairly tall (5’7″) so capri pants seem to fit my body pretty well. That said, ladies should wear whatever makes them feel comfortable and confident.
I totally agree with you on the capri, however, I also think the ankle pant on any woman other than a teen looks terrible. They look like the wrong size or that the pant has shrunk. Also, the skinny pants don’t look appropriate on any woman over 30. Just my thoughts.
Capris can look / be fashionable (think cigarrette pants in the 1950s), but they aren’t at the moment, and you are correct that young women don’t wear them. Young women don’t wear brooches or pins either, but I don’t see those detracting greatly from a look. After all, older women wear pins with classic (usually skirt) suits, and most young women don’t own a good suit. Young women do wear scarves – not silk but knit or cotton that can be doubled and bunched at the neck. At the end of the day, though, I think slim and tall women can wear most styles: add young to the mix and you can pull off almost anything.
I am short, 5’2”, have thighs that are somewhat “generous “ in my eyes, and weigh 135. I’m not comfortable is shorts that hit above my knees, and wide-legged pants make me look even shorter and wider. I’m pretty comfortable in cropped pants, and when it’s so very warm outside I do wear capris. I’d definitely be interested in any suggestions to bring my wardrobe forward into a more classic look.
I too prefer ankle length pants in summer and I don’t wear shorts. I agree the right footwear makes a big difference, even with ankle length, I prefer a sleek sandal, vs. clunky anything. I love scarves but not in the summer heat. I agree with other comments that it can sometimes be difficult to find fashion that works for my age, so I find myself wearing items I’ve had for several years, and hope the next season will bring more options!
We just returned from a European river cruise with many younger well-dressed women mixed in (not that young, 40-50ish). I took some good looks at what they wore on excursions. No capris or jeans. Lots of bermudas and skorts and knee length skirts. Some lightweight jogger or yoga pants. No jeans. A widely variable collection of leg coverings, I must say. Is making me rethink skorts, which are the most comfortable, but I thought limited to golf.
This is such a ‘touchy’ subject. My personal opinion is wear what you feel comfortable in. However I agree some capris are not flattering. I have a couple of pairs that are for hiking and I wear them, though I would be the first to admit, worn with hiking shoes and socks they are not at all flattering. How ever the mosquitos, bears, and wildlife here in B.C. Canada seem not to care what I look like! After reading a similar post from you earlier this year, I did review my other ‘dressier’ capris and did ditch them. To be fair I have gained weight since retirement and they had become too tight in all the wrong places! I now wear dresses most of the summer, as I find were we live now too hot for any pant or shorts. I agree with many of the comments, it is difficult to find nice casual dresses, or skirts that are not either skimpy or ruffles, not a look I can pull off. I have bought a few skirts, which I find are comfortable, and nice to wear when around the grandkids as you can run around with them and keep decent. Love your posts Jennifer.
It is a touchy subject and I knew it would ruffle some feathers. I encourage women to wear what makes them feel confident but also be aware of the message it’s sending.
I understand what you’re saying about Capri pants. I don’t wear them anymore except for work out capris. I think they are appropriate for women of all ages. Everyone wears them here in the NW anyway. For golf I usually wear golf pants or shorts.
Since I am 76 and have white hair, I think I am already sloted into the older category. Lol! We spend our summers at our cottage on the lake. Since I don’t wear shorts anymore I wear capris and cropped pants. I love them and try to look very nice with my tops and the rest of my outfit. I appreciate your thoughts and feelings about capris but I am going to enjoy life and my capris .
Ps: I believe we all have our likes and dislikes. This would be a very boring world if we all liked the same things. Just think, we wouldn’t be having this lively discussion this morning. Have a wonderful day !
Bravo Judy. That’s the goal. Dressing with joy and confidence.
Totally agree with you. I’m 70 and live in SW Florida. I wear 7 inch shorts and tanks/tees during the day (or tennis skirts/workout clothes, depending on the days activity). For going out at night, it’s a sundress or ankle length pants.
Hi Jennifer~ I am with you, I don’t like capri pants at all. I prefer an ankle length. I am 5’1.5 inches and they cut me off terribly. I love your blog, you are humble, honest and your posts so relate to me. So many blogs are “all about them”! I am not a grandparent and will never be, so tired of seeing grandchildren on the blogs. Occasionally okay but it just makes me sad.
Okay thanks for listening. Thank you, you are the first I read every morning.
Thanks Mary Ann. I’m pretty opinionated too 🙂 Have a great day.
I agree with other comments that it is more difficult to find appropriate clothes at our age (I’m 68 next month) than when we were younger. Up till a few years ago, I could walk into a store, spot something I liked and know it suited me and would buy it immediately. Now, I second guess almost everything I buy, even when it’s something I really like as I’m questioning whether it’s “age appropriate” or fits into my lifestyle. Since my hair is now white, I feel I’m more easily identified as a “senior” and am very careful to keep my hair and make-up stylish and current. I have a vision of what I want my style to be (classic, elegant with a touch dramatic) but since my lifestyle is so casual now, I sometimes find it difficult to translate that look.
It gets harder for me every year. I’m struggling too! That’s why I want us to discuss options and help each other out. Elegant, classic and a touch of dramatic sounds fabulous!
Same here, at 62 and still working.
I used to go shopping and buy whatever I liked. But I am also second guessing almost every purchase.
Is it to young looking? Does it make me look old…ugh!
This topic keeps cropping (pun intended) all the time on 50+ fashion posts. And I’m sure I’ve commented on this topic many times and even here. I live in SW Florida. It’s hot and humid more than half the year. I spend 2 months in Australia during their incredibly hot summers visiting my daughter and grandchildren. I’ve had knee replacement surgery with a big old scar on my knee. I only wear shorts on my 6 am walk or doing things around the house. I do, however, wear capris. I found some are lightweight cotton that hit just below my knee. I’m 5’8″ with a medium build and I think they look fine on me for casual wear. When I’m going out for lunch, dinner, church or something “nice” I do wear ankle or cropped pants or one of the many dresses I own. And plenty of glamorous women have worn capris (named after the island of Capri) like Audrey, Liz, Grace and Jackie. I think a lot has to do with one’s height, weight and how capris are styled. I cringe, however, just as much you do about capris when I see women my age wearing too much sparkles, glitter, loud prints, or just plain sloppy tee shirts and shorts (very common in SW Florida).
Sparkles are another issue, and so many ladies love them, so brands keep sprinkling them on 🙂
I dislike sparkles on eyelids, nails and most sparkly shoes. Sorry to offend anyone!
I will just second everything Suzanne says except I’ve never been to Australia. But I would love to go there.
I am taller like you, and capris usually hit right below my knee and not mid-calf like many people. I think just below the knee is a flattering length for me, but I rarely wear capris. Height and weight definitely should be considered.
hi when next in Australia, try a shop called Blue Illusion they are a chain of shops and in most capital cities and at 64 years I always find something nice on the sale rack. LOL
Hello SuzanneGabrielle! What lightweight cotton capris have you found? I’m also about 5’8” and that length may work for me too. I do understand Jennifer’s input about where the pant hits and it may not look good for many. My issue is I’m in the heat of Texas; a capri that hits just above my ankle is too warm.
I can identify with this post and agree that capri pants are marketed for women of a certain age. I also like your statement about staying visible and modern. If we age naturally we’re the first to see the signs but that doesn’t mean we have to give up on fashion and being relevant. Love your blog. Keep up the great posts!
I used to wear capris, because as a middle aged woman, my legs started to not look good in shorts, especially my thighs and knees. In Texas, Louisiana, Florida it has always been too hot to wear long pants in summer.
A few years ago I noticed crops , and I liked the way I looked in them. They make me look taller and slimmer. I still find it hot in these pants though. I think dresses are the answer for keeping cool, but there just aren’t enough casual dresses to choose from for my age. I find sleeveless and spaghetti strap sundresses not flattering for aging arms.
So yes, I choose crops over ankle pants over capris. Capris do not flatter my figure.
Crops are so much more flattering and not age specific.