Style for Seniors

There’s a misconception about seniors that when you reach a certain age all your desire to maintain your sense of style disappears. However, for many seniors, this couldn’t be further from the case. Many senior citizens love to express themselves through their style but might feel like they can’t “pull off” certain trends due to their age.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Style for seniors doesn’t have to mean dated floral prints and pastels if you don’t want it to. You can follow fashion trends, feel like yourself, and dress your age all at once. If you have been looking for ways to dress fashionably, but dress your age, try these style tips.

Be empowered by your age

You should never dress in an attempt to hide your age. You should be proud of the years of experience you’ve amassed, and that should be reflected in your style. Don’t dress your body to fit what you might have worn 40 years ago—or what 20-year-olds are wearing today. This will make you look older.

“You have to dress for yourself before you dress for your age,” Iris Apfel, White House interior designer says. The brilliant woman turned 101 this year and is still making a statement with her fashion sense.

Lean towards what you’ve always enjoyed

Buying new clothes can be overwhelming to some, but it doesn’t have to be. You don’t have to try on the more unique articles of clothing draped over mannequins. Instead, you should veer towards what you’ve always enjoyed.

Are you the type of person who wears a dress no matter the occasion? Or are you a lover of cardigans? Whatever the staple of your wardrobe is, lean into it. Try something in a different pattern, color, or perhaps slightly different cut to update your look.

Know your body type

As referenced above, it is natural for your body to change over time, and there is no reason to be embarrassed about it. Instead of trying to squeeze into clothes that are too tight or keep up clothes that are too loose, find clothes that fit the body you currently have. It may take some experimenting to figure out what clothes look best on you, but don’t be discouraged.

Don’t be afraid to go classic

The fashion industry is cyclical. Every handful of years, you’ll see the younger generations wearing clothes that you would have worn 20, 30, or even 40 years ago. Just because a certain cut of clothing was popular many years ago, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t in style now—or that it doesn’t look good regardless of current trends!

Certain looks are classic for a reason—see the wardrobes of Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Elizabeth Taylor. Understated and tasteful looks with a little bit of flare will look great no matter the time of year, and no matter your age.

Stay comfortable

Certain clothes, like tight-fitting dresses or well-tailored suits, might look good on you, but they’re probably not comfortable. Don’t waste time going through life uncomfortable. Instead, try shaped but looser-fitting silhouettes and breathable materials. Cotton and denim are great for more casual looks, whereas silk and rayon are perfect for occasions you need to dress up.

Look at celebrities for inspiration

There’s nothing wrong with turning to celebrities for new ideas. If there is a particular actress, musician, or other celebrity whose fashion you’ve always revered, try to recreate their looks on a budget. Women like Tina Turner, Dianne Keaton, Meryl Streep, and Angela Basset have been making a statement on the red carpet for years, and look just as good as ever.

Embrace what you like

You may have heard of the “Green Lady of Brooklyn,” an 81-year-old woman who fills her life with bright shades of green, from furniture to her clothes, to her hair. At first look, the story is about an eccentric old lady, which is true in a lot of ways. However, as you continue reading, you see that all this woman is doing is chasing what makes her happy—and that happens to be green.

Devoting your wardrobe to a single color is a bit extreme to most, but you can follow the Green Lady’s lead in another way: wear what makes you happy. At this point in your life, you should focus on whatever brings you joy, and that includes your clothing.

At home caregivers can help you look and feel good

As you age, certain activities of daily living may grow difficult. Laundry requires an exhausting amount of lifting and bending over. Bathing and grooming aren’t so simple for those with mobility issues or arthritic fingers. Because of this, maintaining one’s sense of personal style can feel nearly impossible.

An at-home caregiver can help. At Home Care Powered by AUAF, our staff can assist with all the non-medical activities of daily living you struggle with, including laundry and personal care. To learn more about our program, call us at 773-274-9262.