6 Tips for Layering Clothes If You’re Over 60, Stylists Say
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As we transition to fall, it can be difficult to figure out exactly what to wear every day. To dress for this tricky season, stylists recommend layering as the perfect way to navigate your wardrobe while the weather is getting cooler and more uncertain. But when you’re over 60, you may have trouble finding the right way to balance this. Some layering pieces could make you feel like you look too young, while others might age you more than you’d like. To help you stay comfortable yet fashionable, we talked to stylists to get their best suggestions. Read on to discover their six tips for laying clothes if you’re over 60.
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When it comes to layering, finding the perfect foundation is essential. Elizabeth Kosich , certified image stylist and founder of Elizabeth Kosich Styling, tells Best Life that she always recommends people start with tissue tees as they are lighter and more absorbent than a regular shirt.
“Layer under a boyfriend cardigan, jean jacket, or sweater coat and, when temps heat up, peel away the outer layer and drape it over your shoulders to stay chic while improving airflow,” Kosich advises.
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But if tees aren’t your thing, there are other options for your base layers. Shideh Kaviani , style expert and president of the global womenswear brand Naked Wardrobe, suggests incorporating other lightweight, breathable fabrics such as merino wool or cashmere.
“These materials provide warmth without bulk and allow for better temperature regulation, keeping you comfortable as the weather fluctuates,” she explains. “This approach combines style and practicality by ensuring a mature and refined appearance while preventing overheating.”
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As you get older, it can be harder to dress trendy without feeling like you are dressing too young for your age. But Holly Chayes , personal style coach and consultant, says she recommends people over 60 try experimenting with monochrome layering to make for an easier and more stylish look.
“Balancing colors in a layered outfit can get time-consuming, so consider keeping your outfit within the same color family and bringing interest with the layers themselves, the textures, and accessories,” Chayes says.
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If you don’t want to go for the monochrome look, but still prefer not to mix and match many colors, Kate Adams , styling expert and founder of Linions, says it’s a smart idea to lean towards neutral colors like beige, camel, and muted earthy tones.
“Neutrals exude elegance and maturity, making them a go-to choice for those over 60 while maintaining a comfortable temperature in the transitional season,” she explains.
For a refined look while layering, Adams recommends pairing a neutral-colored skort with a coordinating blouse and cardigan. “Neutral tones offer versatility and can be easily combined to achieve a polished appearance,” she notes.
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If you don’t already have a pashmina wrap in your wardrobe, now is the time to get one, according to Kosich.
“Every woman should have a pashmina wrap at the ready at all times,” she says. “It’s small enough to stow in a handbag, heavy-duty enough to do the job, and versatile enough to transition from shawl to shrug to neck scarf to headscarf.”
You can pair your pashmina wrap with any type of outfit to make for the perfect layer piece. “They are miracle workers and if you don’t already have a rainbow collection, invest in a new one each fall season until you do. You will have them forever,” she adds.
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You can also transition into the fall season by throwing a shacket over any outfit—especially if it’s still too warm to pull out your winter coats. “Heavyweight like a jacket, but styled like a shirt, the all-purpose shacket is a mashup of form and function in a single garment,” Kosich explains.
They also help keep you looking stylish yet mature, according to Kosich. “When dressing down, shackets are instant outfit-polishers, keeping ‘sloppy’ at bay, plus are camouflaging for anyone wanting midriff coverage,” she says. “Keep it casual with flannel or corduroy, or level up your look with suede or leather.”
6 Prints You Need in Your Wardrobe as You Get Older, Stylists Say
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If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably started many sentences with the phrase: “My wardrobe would be complete, if I only had”—and then ended it with a closet essential like trousers , a button-down, straight-leg denim, or a leather jacket . Without these core pieces, it’s difficult to put together cohesive outfits, and you might often feel like you have nothing to wear. But staples don’t only apply to clothing items and silhouettes. There are also core prints you should own, especially as you get older. Here, personal stylists spill their favorite clothing prints that create the backbone of a mature, sophisticated wardrobe. With these in your closet, you’ll be able to create interesting, layered looks that truly shine.
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There’s no way around it: Stripes are a classic .
“Pairing a chic striped top or bottom with a basic [bottom or] top will balance a look well and give it an effortless Parisian vibe,” says Sahra Schukraft Brandt , personal stylist and founder of Shop the City . “If your style errs maximalist and bold, pair it with another print like a floral or an alternating stripe!”
If you opt for a second stripe, choose one in a different size. If you match your stripes with a second print, choose one in a similar size as the stripe.
You’ll also want to pair the color of your stripes to your outfit properly. “Use the color in the pattern, not the background of the pattern, to match other garments or accessories,” says Michelle Barrett , stylist and founder of Capsule Closet Stylist . “This way, the block color of other garments or accessories will lift and link the colors in the pattern.”
So, if you have a cream sweater with a black stripe, you’ll want to pair it with black pants, as opposed to cream ones. It’ll make the pattern pop.
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Polka dots have been on-trend for ages, and you can expect them to retain that status. Add them to your wardrobe for an easy way to make any outfit more fun.
“Remember that the larger the dots, the bigger the trend statement, so go smaller the older you get,” says Elizabeth Kosich , certified image stylist and founder of Elizabeth Kosich Styling .
She also says it’s important to consider the dots’ contrast in comparison to your own. If you have a low contrast between your complexion and other features (say, if you have dark skin and dark eyes), you’ll want to avoid dots that have a high contrast (like black and white). It’ll take your entire look to the next level—even if people can’t quite put a finger on why.
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This print doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, Schukraft Brandt says it can be timelessly chic.
“I think going small with leopard print can help it feel more approachable—think a leopard-print shoe, neckerchief, or hair scarf,” she shares. “Pairing it with other basics and using it as a neutral ensures that it isn’t too statement-making but just enough of fun.”
If you want to try something bold, team a leopard midi skirt with a streamlined black heel or boot.
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Add some grooviness to your wardrobe with a funky swirl print piece. “A cool psychedelic print can really be a statement item that can help you feel bold and young,” says Schukraft Brandt. “I love a bright ’70s print paired with a bold solid color dress or pants and top for a monochromatic look, paired with a more tame shoe.”
If you go big on this print, you’ll want to keep things fairly minimalist elsewhere.
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It wouldn’t be a list of essential prints without a floral. “The key is to complement your skin tone,” says Barrett. “As a general rule, if you have pale skin and hair, choose pastels ; if you have dark hair and medium to dark skin, you can choose brighter tones; and if you have dark skin and hair, choose medium to dark or bright tones.”
No matter what, you’ll be able to style florals year-round. Barrett is particularly fond of wearing them on a silk scarf that’s paired with a Breton striped top.
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Similar to florals, there’s paisley. “It’s a classic, traditional motif that—depending upon color palette—can skew either fresh and youthful or stately and mature,” says Kosich. “Shop paisleys in summer brights like turquoise, teal, orange, and coral to project a light-hearted, spunky mood, or choose a quieter palette in earthy tones like mustard, burgundy, and forest green to send a conservative, quiet message.”
It’s a fun pattern for a scarf, dress, or shirt. Try a paisley tank top under a solid-color blazer to dip your toes in the trend.
