17 style tips for women in their 60s who want to look better, not younger in 2022
Emily Wong It's a common misconception that as we grow older, we want to look younger. Sure, we wouldn't mind a style revamp - but who's to say we're not happy with ageing gracefully?
Now, we're not saying that there aren't a fair few tips to take on - but they're more fashion faux pas in general, rather than style adjustments needed to be made to appear younger.
How is any age “supposed” to look? Suffice to say that there has never been a better time to be a grown-up. The caveat is that you have to put some effort in.
What's important to remember is to know yourself. You know what works for you and what doesn't - so while there's no harm in taking on some styling tips, we're past the point of wearing something just because someone tells us to. Listen to your bodies and know what you feel comfortable in - you won't feel confident otherwise.
It's human nature that we can let ourselves go sometimes and that logic applies to our fashion choices too. But with a few simple style suggestions, you can instantly improve your look - and it has nothing to do with your age.
Fashion faux pas for women in their 60s
1. Yellowing teeth
Get them whitened, but not too much. Think Farrow & Ball subtle, and it will knock at least 10 years off, rather than blind your assailants.
Fancy upgrading your skincare routine? These are the new beauty changes to make in your 60s
2. Dated shoes
For unfathomable reasons, women often become absent-minded about shoe trends as they approach their seventh and eighth decades. Age is no excuse for undermining an otherwise stylish outfit with outmoded heels. I’m talking about those elongated toes and stumpy kitten heels. Now that flat-forms are so groovy, there’s a fashionable shoe for every foot.
3. Stray greys
That includes the ones sprouting from your eyebrows and – oh God! – your chin. When it comes to grey it’s all or nothing. Blitz or cultivate.
4. Limp resolve
Nondescript waterfall cardis (in fact any kind of cardi is hard to pull off as you get older), twee frills, bland patterns… none of this will do. Bold, well-chosen statements – a flamboyant ruffle, a confident print – speak of confidence and self-knowledge.
5. Bad bags
The closer a woman was born to the postwar austerity period, the more uncomfortable she seems to feel splurging on a decent bag. Think of a beautifully made bag as jewellery – a sartorial investment (for you and any daughters) that’s more likely to have come from a supply chain where animal welfare is taken into account. J&M Davidson is a good place to start. Aspinal is also a source of modern classics.
6. Overdone hair
As hair becomes drier and less amenable, the temptation is to adopt draconian products. In this, as in most things, less is more. Focus on the best cut you can find (if you come to London it’s hard to beat Joel Concalves at Daniel Galvin, who, with the lightest of touches will give you dream hair (0207 486 9661 for the Marylebone salon). The Stemm range of thickening shampoos and treatments for thinning hair has had rave reviews.
7. Underdone lips
Nothing erases sleepless nights and sagging mood faster and more painlessly than a slick of a bouncingly bright lipstick. Avoid dark Goth reds and burgundies and go for brightening orange-reds, corals and pink. The best red I’ve come across is Victoria Beckham’s Chilean Sunset from her Estee Lauder collection. Bobbi Brown’s Parisian Red is another cult favourite.
8. Too much work...
... makes you look strange. That said, a few sprinkles (as Robin Wright calls her Botox jabs) or some light filler can do wonders. (Dr Prager has a super-light touch). However some experts think Botox leads to muscles atrophying and ultimately sagging. Your best investment is to look after the condition of your skin: sleep, facial massage and exercises, and effective, non-harsh cleansing and moisturising regimes. That’s a no to excessive retinol, peels and dermabrasion. Facial massage guru Alexandra Soveral offers advice on all kinds of skin issues, as well as facial massage tutorials.
9. Too much working out
Those mothers and grandmothers who are more taut, toned (and haggard looking) than their nearest and dearest 20-year-olds? Not a good look. Sure, exercise of some kind is a must, but it needn’t be punitive. Walk as much as you can (but in supportive, springy-soled shoes) and don’t use food as a pay-off. Better to be moderate in both and if ever it’s a toss-up between sleep and exercise, no question, the former should win.
10. The wrong trousers
No need, ever, to slump into dreary, nondescript territory when there is a style to bring out your best feature, from trim waist (high-waisted, wide legs with tie waists) to dainty ankles (cropped kick flares), long legs (flares) to curvaceous hips (palazzos and pyjama sets). A pair of velvet trousers is every sixty-something’s right – an elegant, modern update on predictable black skirts.
11. Blah spectacles and sunglasses
Assertive frames in classy materials add definition and set off bone structure, eyebrows and sparkling eyes. Sparkling eye deficit? Make sure you’re having regular eye check-ups. If insomnia’s an issue, work a nap into your day. Get outside at lunchtime for a walk in the park. If all else fails, try Vizulize Tired Eye Drops, £3.87, Travel Pharm.
Khaki leopard coat, £230, Jigsaw; White broderie shirt, £60, Boden; Blue trench coat, £139.99, Mango
12. Gloomy greige
It may look amazing if you’re tawny skinned and Italian. But if you’re not, I beseech you to dump it in favour of more life-enhancing shades that make it possible to detect where your clothes end and your skin starts. What suits you may change as your skin tones alter. Start with chic neutrals – grey, navy, chocolate, soft bottle greens – and don’t be afraid of monochrome. It’s harsh on some skins, but works beautifully on others and is so good with silver hair. And always have something metallic to hand – it’s the equivalent of a flashlight on your skin.
13. Defeatist trainers
Never has there been a better time to have bunions, pronation, dropped arches, because trainers/plimsolls have never been more stunning. Go chunky, colourful, wild.
Silk print scarf, £165, Liberty; Portobello bag, £595, Aspinal
14. The Frump Jacket
Some can be too boxy, too shapeless, too long or too dull. Hillary Clinton’s given this a lot of thought and adopted the elongating, streamlining and sleek coatigan. Learn from her.
15. Inadequate scaffolding
Always spend the bulk of your budget on tailoring – and good underwear. Three words: Rigby & Peller.
Burgundy cigarette trousers, £40, La Redoute; Yellow midi skirt, £29.99, Lindex
16. Things you can’t do past 40, let alone 60
Grunge, messy hair, mom jeans, irony, aubergine hair, cheap-tat jewellery, heavy, wonky eyeliner, neglected nails and (worse) toenails, spaghetti straps, sheer tights, mini skirts with bare legs (OK, at 40 it’s still fine), boho.
17. Places you should shop
Zara (why should twenty-somethings have exclusive access?), Massimo Dutti, Jigsaw, M&S Autograph, Cos, & Other Stories, H&M, Vince (superior basics), Whistles, Joseph, CH by Carolina Herrera (princessy classics), Isa Arfen (quirky details and roomy cuts), Roksanda (womanly shapes, beautiful colours), Jacquemus (shirting so stylish, no jacket required).
Best fashion investments to make in your 60s
Your 60s are a transitional decade for many, shifting from professional life to retirement, the pursuit of passion projects or a new post-retirement career. It’s not uncommon for a woman to be more busy and in-demand in her 60s than she was in earlier decades.
With this shift in lifestyle comes a new dress code, often less formal than the clothes you wore in the past, so there’s a fresh opportunity to have fun and be creative. But while it’s important to look and feel good, they’ve got to be practical too - cats, dogs and grandchildren have little respect for dry clean-only fabrics.
By the time you’re in your 60s, you know what works for you and what doesn’t. You don’t need a person half your age telling you that pleated midi skirts are ‘in’ this season when you’ve known for years that they do nothing for your shape. Instead, your wardrobe should be populated by a capsule of tried and tested favourites that you can dress up or down with the treasured accessories that make you ‘you’.
White trainers
Trainers are no longer just for the gym. Over the past few years, they’ve become one of the most versatile fashion essentials, taking wearers from the supermarket to offices and smart restaurants.
Go for an understated pair in plain white with minimal decoration, and wear them with jeans, tailored trousers or midi skirts and dresses.
A good pair of jeans
Jeans are a great basic at any age, but your expectations and needs change over time. While flares may have been your go-to in your 20s and high-waisted tapered shapes in your 30s, jeans for the 60-something woman should be less 'fad'-driven.
Invest in a sturdy straight-leg pair or the popular premium Mom style of jeans to see you throughout the day.
A classic watch
A great watch is like furniture in that you live with it day-in and day-out, so it’s important to choose something that you really love that delivers on both quality and style.
The Telegraph's jewellery editor Sarah Royce-Greensill, suggests going for a timepiece by a traditional Swiss watchmaker like Longines or Tissot. Go for something that looks good with your jewellery but don't feel you can't wear silver with gold. If you have your heart set on a Cartier or Rolex, consider buying one at auction for the best bargains.
White trainers, £55, Superga; Shaping straight jeans, £80, Levi's; Goldrun Sapphire Lady, £1220, Tissot
Tips on how to be a stylish grandma
Invest in great glasses
Choosing a pair of sunglasses that tick both the style and substance box is a must, and your 60s are the ideal time to invest in a high-quality pair. While you may be wedded to neutral, nondescript shades, there’s a lot to be said for using them as an accessory, and making them part of your look. That’s not to say they need to be statement: ease in and choose tortoiseshell, cream or brown if black feels too harsh against your features. A cat-eye or butterfly frame can lift the face, accentuating cheekbones, while oversized or rectangle shapes will add width to slender faces.
Apply the same principles when shopping for opticals, as practical eyewear needn’t be boring. We’d recommend Moscot or Cutler & Gross for chic, classic-with-a-twist styles that you can easily add your prescription to.
Denim isn’t off limits
You may have sworn off denim in your 50s, but the right style will be a welcome alternative to your much-loved separates, and the array of cuts and shades available means there’s a style to suit every age.
You’d be right to be wary of looking scruffy as the wrong fit or wash can easily have this effect, but smarter styles are the key to nailing grown-up denim. Tailored cuts - think slim flares, a sharp blazer or an A-line skirt - will add an effortless vibe to monochrome separates, and you can dial up the chic with jewellery and great footwear. Opt for mid-blue or indigo which are far more flattering than their bleached or light-wash counterparts and lend themselves well to more formal looks. Look to Me + Em, Massimo Dutti and Baukjen which all excel at jeans with polish.
Don't be afraid to dress down
While we’re on the subject of effortless looks, it’s worth nudging you in the direction of casual dressing which is often shunned by women in their 60s and beyond. While we’re not suggesting you crack out an oversized grey sweatshirt, an array of casual pieces (much like the aforementioned denim) that can be dotted throughout your looks will prove rather useful for the days when a frock and mules feel too much.
One of the three pieces you should look to acquire is a striped Breton top. A classic navy style is timeless and looks just as good under a trouser suit as it does with a pair of chinos, the second key piece. While camel might be your first port-of-call, khaki, terracotta and sky blue are all stylish options that would add a pop of colour to spring ensembles. The third item is a pastel knit. It’ll work year-round - throw on over a floral dress in the spring, then use it as a middle layer in the winter. Cornflower, blush, mint and lemon are all excellent options.
Buy a fabulous bag
When you've worked towards having an effective wardrobe full of pieces you love, it's easy to make a case for a fabulous bag as the cherry on top of your stylish cake. After all, the aim over the years has been to invest in longevity and high-quality, so it's only right that a well-made bag, particularly one you'll wear every day, is on the list.
We'd recommend the likes of Loewe, Anya Hindmarch and Saint Laurent, should you want a timeless designer buy, but yours needn't cost a fortune. There are myriad brilliant options at the £500 mark you could consider. The likes of Loeffler Randall, Wandler, Acne Studios and Mansur Gavriel are all worth a look, and offer styles you'll love for years to come.
Don't shy away from trends
For every rather questionable, tricky trend (fringed skirts or latex jackets, anyone?) there's a host of wearable grown-up ones (hello satin blazers and maxi smock dresses) that'll update your signature style.
The easiest way to tap into the trends is by way of the season's It colour. If you're keen to modernise your signature look and add a new hue to your sartorial repertoire, choose a piece in the shade (hot pink or pistachio green, if you're wondering) in a tried-and-tested silhouette. That way, you can be certain it'll suit your style, figure and will work alongside everything else in your wardrobe. Take Angela Bassett as inspiration: the actress is a fan of tailoring, so opted for a fuchsia trouser suit, tapping into this spring's trend to excellent effect.
This article is kept updated with the latest fashion advice.
