What I’ve STOPPED Wearing Over 50 As A Personal Stylist

One of the worst things we can do is get stuck in a rut, style-wise. We wear the same things in the same ways, and we wear them on autopilot, without ever reevaluating whether they still suit us or whether we still love them. It’s a very easy trap to fall into when we’re busy and overextended. Sometimes we just need things to be EASY. So we wear what we’ve always worn, styled how we’ve always styled it, until something makes us change. Maybe it’s catching a glimpse of yourself in a storefront as you walk by, or in the background of someone else’s picture. Maybe it’s changing preferences or the feeling that something just doesn’t feel right about your current go-to. Whatever it is, I take these opportunities as an excuse for a refresh.

I re-evaluate my own wardrobe choices all the time. Trends change, and my tastes can change with them. Lifestyle also plays a role in why I reach for certain items more and other items less. And of course, there is fit and flattery. Although my weight has stayed fairly consistent, it has shifted slightly, so I am bustier than I used to be and some clothes just hang differently.

Today, I share the 5 categories of things that I’ve stopped wearing in my 50s, as well as 12 specific items you will no longer find in my wardrobe. These are items that no longer work for ME, personally, and I would encourage you to assess and come up with a list of your own.

And now, for the 5 categories of items I no longer wear.

• I stay away from clothes aimed primarily or exclusively at “mature” women. This includes splashy floral tunics, double layer hems, acres of floaty chiffon, etc. While there are items in each of these categories that are outliers and actually chic and modern, the vast majority of them are not.
• I stay away from extremes. Increasingly, I’m finding that clothes that look extremely youthful or very classic and prim are aging on me, and not harmonious with my physical appearance.
• I avoid unflattering clothes. This is an obvious one, but I used to wear clothes that were unflattering if I loved them, because I was determined to make them work. I don’t want to work that hard anymore, and I’ll no longer wear clothes that don’t suit my body.
• I avoid clothes that don’t represent my personal style. I have laser focus when it comes to my style. I might love something on someone else, but if it doesn’t align with my style, I’m content to admire it from a distance.
• I avoid colors that don’t flatter me. This is another area where I used to bend the rules, wearing beige or blush from time to time, but I’ve cringed at too many pictures to continue doing this. I will stick with my own color palette, the colors that make me look my best without having to work so hard at it.

And now, for the 12 things I no longer wear.

12 Things I No Longer Wear

For various reasons, I have chosen to omit all of these items from my wardrobe:

1. Over the top platform shoes: Not modern or chic anymore
2. Plastic jewelry: No longer a trend, and they look cheap to me now
3. Lots of Cleavage: My bust has gotten bigger, and I prefer not to let it all hang out
4. Thin Jersey Dresses: Feel and look cheap and unflattering
5. Sweatpants and knit joggers: Make me feel dumpy
6. Oversized sweaters and sweatshirts: Feel boxy and unflattering
7. Oversized event and logo tees: I hate the way these look and feel
8. Thin Tees: I prefer the look and flattery of an opaque, structured tee or top
9. Bikinis: I prefer the look of a one piece on my short torso, post-c-section body
10. Short tight dresses: Just feel off and like I’m trying too hard
11. Short Shorts: See above
12. Long cardigans: Hard to style and don’t feel modern

What do you think of my list of 12 items I no longer wear? And what’s on your list? Let’s discuss in the comments!