The New Rules for Dressing In Your 70s in 2024 - Nada Manley

There’s never been a better time to dress for yourself than in your 70s, and many women discover a new perspective on style and start having fun with fashion as they enter their 70s. You may have a more relaxed lifestyle which gives you the freedom to dress the way that you want to dress, as well as more time to explore your style and maybe even a little bit more money to spend on it.

The recurring theme during Decades Week has been leveling up, and in your 70s that includes leveling up the fit and the quality while keeping practical and comfort considerations in mind.

Here, what stylish women in their 70s are really wearing in 2024.

Shop my 70s catalog here.

The Stores:

There was a wide range of stores mentioned by women in their 70s, including: Talbots, Chicos, J. Jill. Eileen Fisher, Neiman Marcus, Saks, Halsbrook, Tuckernuck, The Bay, Marks & Spencer, and H&M

The Tips

Dress for Yourself

Whether your style is bold and eclectic or understated and elegant, lean more heavily into what you love and don’t compromise. Curate your closet to represent who you are and what you want to look like now.

Modern Comfortable Shoes

Mary Janes, loafers, platform and flatform sandals, Oxfords, ballet flats, Birkenstocks, and fashion sneakers are all modern, cool, and depending on the pair that you choose, comfortable. If a heel is out of the question, look for fancy flats in metallics or velvet

Skip comfort shoes like the ones on the left in favor of shoes like the ones on the right.

Add Personality Pieces

Invest in pieces that are a trademark of your personal style. A bag, a shoe, a piece of jewelry, and a jacket are quick ways to infuse your personality into your wardrobe. To keep the look modern and not too fussy, pair these pieces with wardrobe essentials for a cool look. For example, a statement jacket looks lovely worn with a pair of simple trouser jeans and a solid tee or blouse.

Elevate Your Bags

Your bags should match your personality. They should be notable in some way. Either fancy and designer, or cool and vintage, or picked up on your travels and a personality piece, or have interesting shape, color, texture or detail, or timeless and high quality and well made. What they should not be is boring and strictly utilitarian, with multiple pockets on the outside.

Your bags should fall into one of four categories: 1. Designer, 2. Vintage, 3. Sleek and simple, or 4. Statement.

Practical + Polish

Your clothes should be pretty and comfortable, and should be easy to wear, and take on and off. If an item is too difficult to wear, you will never reach for it. Don’t pretend you’re going to wear restrictive clothes that are hard to get on and off when you know that you won’t. Find beautiful clothes that adapt with you and suit your lifestyle and requirements. If you can’t manage buttons anymore, try styles that pull on but look tailored and leave cardigans and blazers unbuttoned (most look better that way anyway. It can be harder to find these pieces but it is worth it. Front fastening bras are also a good idea in many cases.

Focus on Fit

Buy fewer pieces and have them tailored to fit, if necessary. You don’t need a ton of clothes. Just the right ones. Many clothes for mature women are cut boxy. Choose streamlined silhouettes instead for a more modern and flattering look. Both vertical fit (length and proportion) and horizontal fit are critical elements of a flattering look. Avoid the sad and saggy sacks aimed at women over 50.

Beware of Prints

Most prints aimed at older women are awful. If you are into prints, stick to stripes, simple classic plaids, polka dots or neutral animal prints. If your style is more eclectic, creative or boho go with a statement print from a contemporary brand, like Desigual or Sezane. Avoid prints from Talbots, Chicos, etc. or check with me. Choose simple, classic prints (stripes, dots, plaid, animal) and skip the “fun” prints from over 50 brands, like the bad floral on this bathing suit.

Dress for your Current Size

Your size may have changed, and if so, you should treat yourself to new clothes. We all deserve to have pretty things in our current size. Clothes that are too tight or too loose are never going to look chic.

Wear Your Nice Clothes

Stop saving your clothes for special occasions, and start wearing them regularly. Every day is a special occasion. The worst thing you can do is ruin them. It’s better than not wearing them at all.

Update Your Colors

Your colors may have changed with age, whether it’s the softening of your skintone or the transition to gray or silver hair. If so, you will want to update your wardrobe color palette to reflect that. Build a wardrobe around your best neutrals as well as a few accent colors.

Stylish 70s Ladies

And now for some stylish ladies in their 70s from my Ageless Style Community.

Carolyn

When I was wheelchair-bound in my 60’s, I shopped exclusively at Kohl’s for their accessibility and good basics. In my 70’s, I’m using a walker and going to a few more stores. Even better, I’ve found online shopping and thrifting. I shop a lot at Quince and Boden. I’ve also been sewing some clothes for the first time since my 30’s, plus doing lots of alterations to meet my FFF numbers. Thanks to Nada Manley and all the ladies in this group, I’m enjoying fashion now more than ever.

Sherry

I like to say I’m a young 77. Having been raised by my mother, who struggled to raise 3 children after a divorce, I still have trouble spending a lot on individual pieces of clothing. Over the years I’ve bought most of my dresses at JC Penney, pants and tops at no place in particular. Since discovering thrifting a few years ago, I’ve found a lot of things that way. Amazon is an easy go-to place if looking for something specific. Since finding Nada I’m trying to be more intentional in my buying, especially as to color and silhouette. I don’t always succeed.

Montz

‘m 75,5’2″ and 135 lbs. Last year I lost 30 lbs doing Weight Watchers. I retired from nursing 10 years ago. I live a casual lifestyle with my husband. We live in Ozark, Mo. I wear a lot of casual skirts and dresses. I shop at Macy’s and Dillards. I order online from Thredup. I have several items from eShakti. I like classic looks but with a twist, like a leather skirt, dress, and statement shoes.

Lynda

I am 73. I shop everywhere from moderate to very high-end and love everything I own. I am trying to buy less and give up something if I feel the urge to buy something new. My 7 closets look like Nordstroms, Dillards, and Saks. I buy mainly classics but splurge on leather. I attend a lot of charity events and kayak/hike during the day. I am trying to lower my heels to 2.5″ and have given away the higher ones.

Judy

I turned 74 in May. Love all of Nada’s suggestions. I shop my closet but also H&M, Reitman’s, Mango, Sezane, Old Navy. I loved Nordstrom before they left Canada. I love feminine things – I wear what I love. I like dresses – one and done – most of my friends are not at all fashion-conscious. I usually get compliments. I have only in the last couple of years paid much attention to basics – but have most of them now – I know they are versatile but I don’t tend to gravitate to an all-neutral outfit. We still have a few fancy things to attend, but since Covid there are a lot less.

Sherry H.

Will be leaving the 70’s in 18 months. Have lost 40 pounds and still a few to go, have been shopping my closet, pulling out what I love and can wear, altering some and hitting up the thrift shops for basics. Discovered a Dillard’s’ clearance center and fell in love with the tan Calvin Kline jacket (66% off). Nordstrom and Chico’s used to be favorites, not sure now as more conservative with my spending. Want to continue, quality vs quantity at reasonable prices.

What are your thoughts on dressing in your 70s? And which of these tips did you find the most helpful? Let’s discuss!