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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"


fall fashion trends women over 50 denim midi skirt
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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.

fall fashion trends women over 50 cropped jacket
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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!”

fall fashion trends women over 50 sweater set
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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.

fall fashion trends women over 50 wide belt
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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.

fall fashion trends women over 50 retro sneakers
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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 LawrenceZoë KravitzKatie 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.

fall fashion trends women over 50 monochrome
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.

fall fashion trends women over 50 leather
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.

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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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