5 Style Rules To Live by After 60 to Look and Feel Your Best
Style rules shouldn’t be rigid mandates that limit our creativity. Rather, they should be viewed as simple guidelines to help you create looks that enhance your appearance, showcase your personality, and make you feel confident. Since style is a form of self-expression, these tools need to be flexible principles that you can adjust or break to suit your unique taste and body. Here are 5 style rules I live by after 60 that resonate with me on many levels.
1-Dress For The Body You Have Now
It’s tragic to avoid buying something you love simply because you’re waiting to lose that last 5, 10, or even 25 pounds. This kind of thinking sabotages your confidence, diminishes your appreciation of yourself, and affects your overall well-being. Instead, embrace the woman you are right now. Dress for the body you have today, and treat yourself with the kindness and respect you deserve. You deserve to wear clothes that make you feel fabulous, regardless of any number on a scale.
2-Own and Wear What You Love
Mediocrity and average fashion becomes tiresome very quickly! Yes, it’s important to have some basic pieces in your wardrobe that serve as a solid foundation for your outfits. These basics can help support your sartorial choices and create a cohesive look. However, let’s be honest: an entire closet filled with basic items can feel boring and uninspired. I’m not saying you need to fill your wardrobe with all the latest trends, but before you decide to invest in yet another pair of black pants, take a moment to consider whether it might be more exciting to add a pair in a vibrant red or a pattern. Wearing what you love not only enhances your style but also boosts your mood and confidence.
3-Don’t Save Your Best For Later
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is saving your favorite clothes for a special occasion. Leaving your beloved items unworn because you’re worried they might get a stain or a mark is counterproductive. Remember, these pieces are your best for a reason, and you should wear them whenever you have the chance. Clothes that are left to languish in the back of your closet for that elusive perfect occasion are forgotten, which is such a shame. That fabulous skirt you adore? Don’t hesitate to toss it on with a simple tee shirt and comfy sandals for a casual outing. And that sparkly scarf you only wear once a year? Pair it with a classic white shirt and your favorite jeans to elevate your everyday look. Life is too short to wait for the perfect moment—make every day special by wearing what you love.
4- Prioritize Fit Over Trends
Let’s be honest…trends exist to encourage us to buy new clothes and accessories. I think a nod to what’s happening in current fashion helps keep us from looking outdated. But jumping aboard trends that are unflattering is a waste of money and derails your personal style. By this age, we have a pretty good idea of what styles we like. We’ve (hopefully) learned through trial and error which silhouettes and formality levels fit our body and lifestyle. I’m not saying we shouldn’t try new things because we should. But look at every trend with a discerning eye to be sure it flatters you.
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5-Don’t Wear Uncomfortable Clothes
If your clothes bind, tug, pinch, pull, gap, or require constant readjustment, you’re essentially torturing yourself. It’s important to wear clothes that you can put on and forget about so you can focus on enjoying your day rather than worrying about your outfit. That strapless bra you find yourself constantly hiking up? It’s simply not worth the effort and doesn’t improve your overall look. Choose a top or dress that doesn’t require one. High-maintenance clothes certainly have their place, but only when the care required is related to their cleaning. And even then, comfort should always come first.
Style rules can provide a sense of security for some women, but they should never prevent you from enjoying the process of getting dressed. Our clothes send a message about who we are, and while it’s important to manage that message, they are also meant to be enjoyable. Life is far too short not to take a few risks with your style. Remember, fashion risks are seldom fatal, and they can lead to some of your most memorable outfits.
Thanks for reading, and always remember to wear what makes you feel confident. Embrace your unique style, and don’t be afraid to express yourself through your clothing choices. After all, fashion is not just about following rules; it’s about celebrating who you are and feeling great in your own skin.
I give myself permission to hang onto things that mean something to me even though they may not fit or be in style. Not many, of course. But I do have a couple of jackets that I love and will probably never wear again hanging in the basement in their own protective bags, and it makes me happy to know they are still mine. Of course, one could go overboard with this, but considered restraint is the key.
Thank you for reminding us to be comfortable in our clothes. I literally donated all of my jeans because I couldn’t get the zipper to close let alone the button! So I bought a size larger in the wider leg so you don’t notice that the hips and thighs are too big. After all, at nearly 80, next month, I would not be comfortable in skinny jeans anyway.
I’m a newly retired nurse at 66 and wearing scrubs every day and pajamas at night do not make for a good closet! Yikes! Thanks for your information and advice as I try to figure out my style going forward. Once I actually looked at my closet it dawned on me how little I have to wear. Happy shopping!
You’re not alone trying to figure out your style but it’s especially challenging when you’ve been wearing a unifrom for years
It’s good to have these rules reviewed again. I’ve been going through my closet and I have so many things that still fit but I just don’t wear for some reason. I’ve donated several bags already and decided I need to be more deserning about purchases. Perfect time to read this, thanks.
Boy, have you hit that nail. As I bag up a closet worth of clothes to donate. I wish I had that list over the years. And yes, sorry ladies, the body does betray us as we age. Everything shifts and things don’t fit right. Thank you, for the truth Jennifer.
It is so nice to see a stylist who wears classic styles. I love fashion and subscribing to major fashion magazines I am tired of seeing bandage dresses, completely transparent fabrics worn over no underwear, and skirt slits up to the neckline. My mother had a wool double-breasted, medium beige coat that she bought in the 1940s. I inherited it and wore it until my early 40s when it finally wore out.
Thank you for your style tips. I need to remind myself of “don’t save the best for last”. Your suggestions are always helpful and a great reminder to dress the way that makes me feel confident.
I’m guilty of not wearing a favorite pair of earrings because I love them so much!! It’s silly so I’m making myself wear them today.
Thanks for this. I feel my body changes on a daily basis! This weekend I went to Nordstrom to find jeans that fit so that I was no longer tortured by my jeans I bought last year. Acceptance of the body I have now!
Yes! I’m so glad you did that for yourself!
This article comes at the perfect time for me because I have just started cleaning out my closet and there are definitely items that need to go because my shape is changing now that I am over 70. I also have things I hang on to because they might work for something I think it might be time to release them too.
Thank you for your great ideas.
Our bodies change whether we like it or not, so let’s honor it! xo
These rules are great!!! Thank you for sharing 🤗
I like you wearing Winter white. It looks good with your hair color.
Thanks, Daneen. I’m really loving softer whites as my hair goes silver.
I really like the navy sweater over the white shirt with the jeans but $398….could you find a few that are not so expensive please.
There are lots of options. You may like some of these budget friendly navy sweaters.
I’m guilty of breaking every one of these rules and am worse off for it. Thanks for holding a mirror up (ha!) to my bad habits, and for the great advice, Jennifer!
I’ve done the same, so I needed the reminder too. Happy Monday Sue!
Thanks for this amazing post and excellent tips. I recently donated lots of clothes and shoes that I don’t wear or shouldn’t wear. The shoes were almost brand new, spike heels. At this age, no more spike heels! It was a great feeling to off load so many items that I had been holding onto, but don’t wear. It’s hard to accept our changing bodies, but, what is the alternative?
We’re better off finding joy in what we have and not waste time lamenting about what we don’t.
I totally agree! Let’s embrace and celebrate who we are now!!