How to Dress After 60

Co-authored by Kalee Hewlett

Last Updated: February 17, 2023 References

Embrace your age! Just because you’re in your 60s doesn’t mean you have to dress frumpy or look “old”—you can always dress age appropriately and still be stylish. When establishing your basic wardrobe, you just need to choose clothing and outfits that accentuate your good features and compliment your current lifestyle.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Updating Your Wardrobe

1
Schedule time to thoroughly clean out your closet and drawers. Cleaning out your closet is a tedious task, so you will only want to do it one time. Be firm in your decision making—if you don’t love it, it’s time to leave it.^{[1]
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Research source} If you are thinking of saving something because “maybe one day you might wear it if. . ." then get rid of it.
2
Get rid of clothing that is too revealing or is uncomfortable to wear. Get rid of shorts, skirts, and dresses that are shorter than 4 inches (10 cm) above your knee; low-cut shirts and tops that show your midriff; and jeans with big rips or tears, embellishments or embroidery, or that fit too tightly.^{[2]
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- Don’t forget to go through your shoes! Get rid of super tall heels that you can no longer walk comfortably in.
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3
Clear out all articles of clothing that look old and overused. Toss items that are stretched out, faded, have stains, or no longer fit. ^{[3]
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- If an item in your wardrobe looks like something someone half your age would wear, or if you did wear it when you were half your current age, it has to go.
4
Buy clothes that fit your lifestyle. If you tend to spend most of your time at home, you’ll want clothes that are comfortable for lounging around in, but that won’t leave you feeling underdressed if company stops by. If you are always out and about, think about the types of activities you do and the events you attend when picking out your wardrobe.
- For around the house, opt for clothing that is still stylish, but focus more on choosing comfortable fabrics like cotton, jersey, and rayon.^{[4]
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5
Dress for your body type to accentuate your good features. Everyone comes in different sizes and shapes, and it’s normal for bodies to change as they age.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
MedlinePlus
Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine
Go to source} Take a good look at your current size and shape and be honest with yourself about which areas are flattering and should be accentuated, and which areas may need more special attention.
- An apple-shaped body tends to be heavier around the midsection. Choose clothing that is loose around the middle, and fits snugly everywhere else.^{[6]
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- A pear-shaped body will be small on top around your shoulders and torso, and wider on the bottom around your hips and thighs. Choose clothing that accentuates your top half and makes it look more proportioned to your bottom half.^{[7]
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- An hourglass figure has a larger chest and hips in comparison to your waist. Choose clothing that nicely accentuates your curves.^{[8]
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- A rectangle-shaped body is mostly straight up and down, with no curves. Choose clothing that defines your waist and helps your top and bottom appear more curvy.^{[9]
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Take your clothing to a tailor to achieve the right look and fit. If you have an article of clothing that you love—whether old or new—but it doesn’t fit quite right, take it in to be tailored. Tailoring is an affordable way to ensure that your clothing fits properly and that you look your best.^{[10]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Dressing in Your 60s for Women

1
Stock your closet with tops for layering. This is essential. Layering allows you to create customized looks, feel more comfortable in fitted clothing, and be prepared for changes in weather. Start with a lightweight tank top for your base layer, then mix and match heavier fabric for your top layers to get different looks.^{[11]
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Research source} Items you’ll definitely want to have on hand:
- Tank tops in black, white, and cream. Add a couple other solid-colored tanks for fun.
- A long or ¾ length sleeved cardigan in white or cream, and black.
- A black fitted, hip-length blazer.^{[12]
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2
Get yourself a few good pairs of denim jeans and trouser pants. You should have at least one pair of dark, straight-leg denim jeans for cooler weather, and a pair of white denim jeans for warmer weather. Black, grey, or tan is the way to go for trouser pants. Have an ankle length pair and a shorter, capri-style pair as well.^{[13]
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- The straight fit jean is very versatile. You can dress them up with a blazer or dress them down with a plain cotton shirt or sweater. They pair well with almost any type of shoes including flats, wedge sandals, and boots—which makes it easy to choose outfits.^{[14]
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3
Keep a black pencil skirt or a wrap dress on hand for special occasions. Your dresses and skirts should be knee-length. A black pencil skirt is easy to pair with almost any style of top, depending on how dressed up you want to be. Wrap dresses with belts or ties are comfortable to wear and tend to be flattering on all body types.^{[15]
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- Wear a peplum top or a silky blouse with your pencil skirt for a more dressy look. Try a t-shirt or button-up top for a more casual look. Really, anything works with this versatile staple!^{[16]
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- You can wear your wrap dress to church, brunch, or a wedding. Dress it up or down with the shoes and accessories you choose.
4
Invest in few pairs of comfortable yet stylish shoes. Picking the right shoes is very important. You want to keep style in mind, but you also need to be safe and comfortable as well. Purchase shoes that can be worn with a variety of outfits.
- Try a pair of grey, black, or tan flats. The sleek style and neutral color will allow them to be paired with almost anything.
- Get yourself a pair of flat or low heel suede booties (ankle-high boots) for fall.
- Have a pair of kitten heels on reserve for when you need to dress up a little.
5
Add accessories to show off your personality. Jewelry can be bold, but shouldn’t be gaudy. Choose colorful earrings, glass beaded necklaces, or bangles for your wrist.^{[17]
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Research source} Have an assortment of colorful patterned scarves, belts, and sunglasses on hand to mix and match with your outfits.
- Put on a necklace if you are wearing a top with an open neckline.
- Add a printed scarf to a solid-colored dress for a pop of color.
- Make a statement with a sunhat and big sunglasses on a warm summer day.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Dressing in Your 60s for Men

1
Choose fitted shirts to help you look your best. Stock up on slim-fit polos and button-down Oxford shirts. The shirts should fall midway down the fly of your pants for the right fit and the best look. For t-shirts, try a raglan-style baseball shirt. All of these styles have seams that work to accentuate your arms and shoulders and broaden your chest and back.^{[18]
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- While you may be tempted to wear large clothes to help conceal your body, don’t. Clothes that are too baggy can actually make you look heavier and a little frumpy.^{[19]
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- If your waistline has expanded over the years, leave your shirts untucked. Tucking them in draws attention to your midsection.^{[20]
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2
Wear neutral colors and simple patterns to look sleek and stylish. Solid colors are always a great choice, but pin stripes and plaid are okay too. Just be sure to avoid big patterns and bold colors as they are often seen as too trendy and can actually make you look even older.^{[21]
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- Grey, beige, cream, camel, navy blue, and browns should be your go-to colors.
- Be careful with black because it can make you look pale.
3
Wear comfortable but stylish shoes that you can slip on. You don’t have to forgo style for comfort anymore! Have a pair of loafers or deck shoes for casual outings, and a pair of low-cut boots or monk strap shoes for more formal events.^{[22]
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- Put on a pair of suede loafers with fitted jeans and a blazer.
- For added elegance, try a pair of leather double monk strap shoes with your suit and tie.^{[23]
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Add some fun and zest to your outfits with scarves, hats, and ties. Use these accessories as an opportunity to add fun pops of color and/or patterns to your otherwise understated outfits.^{[24]
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- Try adding a floral tie or striped silk scarf to either a casual or formal outfit.
- Choose a fedora hat with a brightly colored or patterned ribbon.
- Wear polkadot socks to give occasional glimpses of your fun personality.
5
Play around with different belts, watches, and jewelry. Keep these additions on the simple side. Stick to a black or brown leather belt. Chains, rings, and watches should be plain with no ornaments.^{[25]
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- Roll up the sleeves on your oxford shirt to show off a gold watch.
- Add a basic gold or silver chain to compliment a solid black or white sweater.

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I dress younger at 60?

Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’

Kalee Hewlett

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

Dress for your body shape. If you have a pear shape, it means you're more narrow across the shoulders and wider on the hips, so you need to accentuate your shoulders, like wearing shoulder pads or tops with detailing on the shoulders. If you're an inverted triangle shape, you're wider across your shoulders, so you might wear an A-line skirt or a peplum to make you look wider on your hips. With an hourglass shape, you can use a belt to cinch in your waist and emphasize your curves.
Question

How should I dress casual after 60?

Tannya Bernadette
Professional Stylist
Tannya Bernadette is the Founder of The Closet Edit, a Seattle-based personal styling service. She has been in the fashion industry for over 10 years and has been recognized as Ann Taylor’s LOFT brand ambassador and Seattle Southside’s official Rockstar Stylist. Tannya received her BA in Fashion Marketing and Business from The Art Institutes.

Tannya Bernadette

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Wear garments that make you feel great. Be picky about your clothing, and ask yourself questions like, "Do I feel frumpy in this? Do I feel good?" Take out all of the pieces that don't work for your lifestyle or your body anymore, and keep what makes you feel comfortable.