The Ultimate Sundress Guide for the Fashionable 50 Year Olds

Casual dresses don’t have an age limit. Of course, just like with anything else style wise, there may be some changes you make if you wear sundresses when you’re over 50, compared to the options you may have chosen in your 20’s and 30’s.

Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to choose the best casual dresses when you are over 50.

Styling goal

The styling goal is to look effortlessly chic in the sundresses. You want dresses that are casual but not frumpy, stylish but not over the top.

Sundresses, like many other types of dresses, come in a variety of different silhouettes, fabrics, etc. Not all of them look flattering on you equally, especially when you are over 50.

There is one major don’t when it comes to selecting the best sundresses for women over 50: shapeless sundresses!

Unfortunately, some of those styles include sundresses that are really boxy and/or shapeless. The reason this isn’t ideal for women over 50 is because it can cause you to appear frumpy and even bigger than you are.

I know, those shapeless dresses are ‘comfortable,’ I hear this ALL the time, but unfortunately, they’re just not flattering for a mature woman.

Instead of opting for those shapeless sundresses, it’s super important for women over 50 to stick to silhouettes that offer some sort of shape or structure to them. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the dress has to be extremely fitted or stiff! There’s a happy medium here, and that happy medium needs to be your sundress bff.

White eyelet dresses

A little white dress is something that every woman must have in her closet, no matter what age group. When you go with eyelet fabrics, it adds a touch of sophistication to the outfit, because the fabrics look more intentional.

Flowy linen dresses

Linen dresses are the favorites for many women, especially if you live in a warmer area.

Because the fabrics are structured, linen dresses can make you look more expensive even when on a budget.

The key is to look for a waist definition and avoid anything that is too baggy.

Belted dresses

If the dress has a belt, it is a great option that instantly adds shape to the dress and in turn your body shape.

Talking about waist definition, there’s a lot of misunderstanding among mature ladies. Our bodies go through changes as we age, and it is really common that once you are over 50 you might have lost the small waist you used to have in your 20s.

If you are thinking you now need to “hide” your waist with a dress, it is quite the opposite. Compare yourself in the mirror in two different dresses, one has a defined waistline, and the other doesn’t.

I think it is quite obvious that the one defining the waist “gives” her the illusion of a waist, while the one that lacks a waist definition just shows that you have no waist!

Necklines are key when choosing dresses, especially when you are over 50. The key here is to make sure that we see YOU and your shape in the dress.

Wrap dresses

Wrap dresses are not only a universally flattering style, but also it is a classic.

This style of dress is suitable for women over 50 because they will make you look feminine, without being too revealing.

Go for the length that you feel most comfortable with, and choose your favorite color. A wrap dress is so easy to style, you will be ready in under 10 minutes!

Open neckline dresses

Open necklines are universally flattering, especially for women with a full bust.

Here’s some of the most popular necklines for casual dresses

• V neck
• Scoop neck
• U neck
• Cold shoulders

In general, less is more when you’re a woman over 50.

Keep it simple with the silhouette of your sundresses.

Even though most open necklines are quite flattering no matter your age, you do want to make sure it is not too low as well. If the neckline is too low, it tends to lean on the edge of being too revealing.

Therefore, it is important to keep a fine balance of being fun and flirty but at the same time also tasteful and age appropriate.

You may have noticed that sundresses often come in various prints, patterns and fun colors.

This is one of the reasons sundresses are so stylish and easy to wear during the winter months.

When you’re a woman over 50, some of these different prints look better for your age than others.

This is why it’s essential you choose any of the prints or patterns wisely for your own sundress collection.

Geometric prints

I noticed one of the most flattering prints on mature ladies is the geometric prints.

Geo prints look sophisticated, and they are suitable for different skin tones.

Besides, these are quite fun to play with, because there are numerous kinds of geo prints!

Animal prints

Animal print can be a great choice for women after 50s. It adds a sensual vibe in a very subtle way. It looks powerful, without being pushy.

Subtle printed dresses

Not all prints will look equally good on you.

In general, subtle prints are not only suitable for all age groups, but also most versatile because they will look good with any of your shoes.

Meanwhile, some prints designs, for example, ditsy pink florals, may just look like they are a little too childish to wear when you are past certain age.

Flipping your mindset around how you’re selecting the prints of your dresses will help you to choose a dress that gives you a modern, classic appeal.

Maxi dresses

The first casual sundress option to try is a maxi length style. I know I don’t have to remind you the variety of maxi dresses available to us right now.

When choosing your maxi-length sundress(es), make sure you take the previous tips in mind so you’re selecting a style that’s flattering!

If you’re a petite woman over 50, the key to wearing a maxi dress is ensuring that the length is right. Tailoring may be needed here.

Bright T-shirt dresses

The second best casual sundress to try is a t-shirt sundress. Yep, I told you sundresses can be cute, flattering AND comfortable. T-shirt sundresses are SUPER comfortable and perfection for your casual time.

A few things to keep in mind when selecting a t-shirt dress is:

First, make sure it’s not totally shapeless (as mentioned previously, it does apply to this as well.

Second, keep the length in mind. In terms of length with a t-shirt sundress there are two options I suggest:

• Above the knee
• Just below the knee

Both of these lengths work for a petite woman, as long as below the knee doesn’t rest right at your calf, go just above the calf!

The sundress styles I mentioned above are great to wear when you can keep things pretty casual. Now let’s flip it a bit.

While the spring and summer tend to be more casual as a whole, I’m sure there will be times when you can’t be QUITE so casual. Whether you’re going out to dinner, a party, or even a casual wedding you can wear a sundress.

Let’s chat about the best options for the times you need to step out of the casual realm.

Colorful fit & flare dress

Fit and flare dresses if the number one option. This is such a great type of sundress to wear because it really keeps the spring/summer vibe in place, it’s really figure-flattering, and it’s an easy dress style to dress up or down.

Wasit defined midi dress

Option number two: waist-defined midi sundress.

Midi-length dresses have become incredibly popular over the past couple of years and as a bonus a great length for mature women. It’s a bit longer so you don’t have to worry about showing too much skin, and you can feel really comfortable in it. Just keep in mind where the midi length lays on your body – especially if you’re petite (as I mentioned above!).

Finally, while I said a waist-defining midi length sundress is a dressier option, it’s not to say you can’t wear it casually! That’s the great thing about sundresses – most of them can be transitioned from day to night with different shoes and accessories.

Sheath dress

Option number 3: a sheath sundress. This one may be a bit surprising because in general we don’t often think of sheath dresses as sundresses, but they certainly can fit into the sundress category.

Sheath dresses are incredibly figure-flattering, regardless of your personal body shape. Whether the flowy sundress just isn’t really something that resonates with your personal style, or if you need something that looks a bit more sophisticated, a sheath sundress is a stunning option!

I actually love a linen sheath dress for a summer wedding or even for work. Sheath dresses get their sundress transition with the use of different fabrics, like linen.

Simple accessories

As we’ve discussed, the great thing about sundresses is how easy they are to wear. I’ve found that accessorizing them is also incredibly easy, making them that much more enjoyable to wear this time of year. That being said, when you’re completing your sundress outfits keep it simple! Typically a simple earring and bracelet are enough.

Keep your shoe selection light, though! What do I mean by this? Basically, avoid chunky or heavy feeling shoes with your sundresses. Wearing shoes that feel very heavy can drag down the look of you dresses, and throw off the whole look. Since sundresses often have that light, airy, flowy feel to them you want to keep that consistent with the shoes you choose. Strappy sandals, dainty ballet flats, etc. are ideal!