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7 Fall Fashion Trends Perfect for Women Over 50

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September is like the New Year’s of the fashion calendar, ushering in a slew of fun trends, fresh collections and new must-haves for every type of shopper. And while Gen Z may be overjoyed by the rise of corset tops, cargo pants and food-adorned handbags, more mature shoppers may be more interested in embracing a different wave of trends. (Unless corset tops are your jam, in which case you do you, dear reader.) To help you wade through the seemingly endless options and narrow your focus, we cherry-picked seven incredibly chic, fun trends perfect for women over 50.

6 Fall Fashion Trends That Are Perfect for Women Under 5'3"


Streetstyleshooters/Getty Images

1. Denim Midi Skirts

There are endless ways to wear this fall trend, and we love that there are so many versions of the skirt itself for us to experiment with, like black or white washes, high slits or A-line silhouettes. If you’re going for a posh aesthetic, opt for a classic dark blue wash and pair it with a structured jacket or blazer and some pointy-toe flats or pumps. Or, if you’re more of a boho gal, try a flowy blouse in a floral print and a slouchy knee-high boot.

Shop Denim Midi Skirts

Old Navy High-Waisted Jean Midi Skirt

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Madewell Denim Mid-Rise Maxi Skirt

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Banana Republic Pia Denim Skirt

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Free People Wild Roses Midi Skirt

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Boden Denim Paneled Skirt

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Goldsign Vogel Paneled Denim Skirt

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Raimonda Kulikauskiene/Getty Images

2. Cropped Jackets

A jacket that hits just above your hips is incredibly flattering because it nips in your figure just above your widest point (at least for most women). Cropped outerwear also tends to feel a bit more polished than knee- or calf-length toppers, as it keep the focus up near your beautiful face rather than dragging the eye down toward your feet. Stylist Molly Dickson recommends this style particularly for petite frames. “Whenever you wear something cropped, you’re playing with proportions,” she notes, “so the rest of your pieces need to balance out. If you’re wearing a cropped top, think about balancing with a trouser, but remember the tailoring!”

Shop Cropped Jackets

M.M.LaFleur Nicky Faux-Leather Jacket

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J.Crew Wool Lady Jacket

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Barbour Cotton Wax Jacket

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UGG Takara Faux-Shearling Jacket

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Free People Highlands Peacoat

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Aqua Plaid Cropped Jacket

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Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

3. Knit Sets

Cozy sweater sets are perhaps our favorite perennial fall outfit because they look wonderfully put together and yet feel like a comfy sweatsuit. Feel free to play around with different textures, fabrics and silhouettes depending on your personal style, but remember to keep your accessories elevated—gold hoops, pointy-toe flats, sleek boots, a classic leather tote, pearl earrings, etc. More casual pieces run the risk of making you look like you’ve just rolled out of bed.

Shop Knit Sets

Bleusalt Bell Sleeve Crew Sweater

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Bleusalt A-Line Skirt

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Jenni Kayne Everyday Sweater

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Jenni Kayne Ludlow Skirt

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Everlane Organic Cotton Ribbed Turtleneck

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Everlane Organic Cotton Sweater Skirt

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Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

4. Wide Belts

You heard that right, belts are back, baby, in just about any and all forms. The style we’re most excited to rock, however, is a classic wide belt cinched around our waists. The look evokes images of ‘50s silhouettes, but when layered over the right pieces can feel supremely modern. Try layering one over a slim-fit knit maxi, a timeless blazer or even a trench coat or car coat. When in doubt, opt for coordinating colors to create a smooth, clean line, rather than breaking up your torso with contrasting hues.

Shop Wide Belts

By Anthropologie Wide Waist Belt

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Banana Republic Corset Whipstitch Belt

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B-Low the Belt Kyra Belt

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Free People Waltz Waist Belt

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Isabel Marant Telma Belt

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L’Academie Downtime Belt

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Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

5. Retro Sneakers

To be honest, this might just be our favorite fall trend simply because it’s so easy to wear. Adidas’ Samba sneaker is leading the charge on this trend—Jennifer Lawrence, Zoë Kravitz, Katie Holmes, both Hadid sisters and Rihanna have all been spotted wearing the throwback shoe—but there are other soccer-inspired kicks you can choose if Adidas isn’t quite your style. You can wear them as you would any other sneaker, but we highly recommend embracing an “opposites attract” approach and using these sleek kicks to make posh staples, like a midi skirt and button-up shirt or suit, feel a bit more casual.

Shop Retro Sneakers

Adidas Samba Sneakers

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Tretorn Rawlins 2.0 Sneakers

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Onitzuka Tiger Edr 78 Sneakers

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Gola Badminton Plimsoll Sneakers

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Loewe Flow Mixed Leather Runner Sneakers

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Feiyue Fe Lo 1920 Sneakers

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Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images

6. Monochrome(ish) Outfits

Monochrome will never not be en vogue, but this season it’s all about embracing shades of brown to create a luxe ensemble. The best part? You don’t need to be particularly strict about matching pieces exactly. In fact, we really love the effect of mixing camel with dark chocolate or cinnamon with beige. Opt for simple, tailored pieces over boho silhouettes to really nail the quiet luxury vibes of this chic trend.

Shop Monochrome Pieces

J.Crew Wide-Leg Corduroy Trousers

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525 Margot Sweater

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Madewell Knit Cutaway Sweater Tank

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By Anthropologie Faux-Leather Jacket

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Madewell Lightspun V-Neck Midi Dress

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Eloquii Faux-Leather Split-Hem Pants

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Kristin Sinclair/Getty Images

7. Leather Separates

Age lends a certain gravitas to leather pieces that makes them feel inherently more polished, especially if you opt for simple silhouettes over highly embellished styles. We’re talking clean blazers, midi skirts, straight-leg trousers or even a pair of overalls. Lean into that high-end feeling with other luxe materials (cashmere, silk, wool) to round out your ‘fit.

Shop Leather Separates

Agolde '90s Recycled Leather Pants

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Babaton New Tabloid Trench Coat

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Halogen Faux-Leather Blazer

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Wilfred Faux-Leather Song Skirt

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Susana Monaco Faux-Leather Crop Pants

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A.L.C. Tracy Faux-Leather Skirt

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Abby Hepworth

Editor

Abby Hepworth is an RRCA-certified running coach who has worked in fashion for over 10 years. Want to know what shoes are in this season? She's got you. Need recommendations on...
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