• Home
    • Start Here
  • Petite Outfit Ideas
  • Peite Style Masterclass
  • Styling Tips
  • Body Types
    • Hourglass Figure
    • Pear Shape
    • Apple Body Type
    • Rectangle Body Type
    • Inverted Triangle Body Type
    • Must Know
  • Youtube
  • About
    • Contact Us

Petite Dressing

Dress for your Body Type and Height

ClassyTrendy · December 15, 2024

12 Chic Tops to Elevate Your Everyday Style After 50

Sharing is caring!

131 shares
  • Share
  • Reddit
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

As a woman over 50, the goal is to look as youthful and stylish as ever without going over the top or sacrificing your comfort. So, if you need some ideas on the best figure-flattering tops with colors that pop, you’re about to discover some amazing ideas we’ve put together.

Check out our complete tops guide, which includes six tops you should definitely have in your closet and the six don’ts of tops for women over 50.

Table of Contents

  • Styling Goal
  • Leather Jackets
  • Peplum Tops
  • Colourful Cardigans
  • Fitted Blazer
  • Striped Pullover
  • White Blouse
  • Animal print blouses
  • Open neckline tops
  • Cashmere sweaters
  • Style neutrals wisely
  • Satin blouses
  • Jewel tone tops
  • In conclusion

Styling Goal

This is the age you know what you want, and know your own body more than any other times of your life.

Therefore, it is important to choose your tops according to your body shape and skin tone.

This is also the age you will no longer choose fashion over comfort. Instead, stick with classics instead of following trends.

Over 50, you can definitely pull off anything that you feel comfortable with, so do not limit yourself from any fashion choices as long as they are elegant and tasteful.

Leather Jackets

Yes, women over 50 can pull off a leather jacket as a massive fashion statement.

So, if you’ve heard that a leather or suede jacket is too young for your age, we’re here to tell you it’s not.

You would look absolutely amazing in a black or brown leather jacket over any pants or skirts you own.

Peplum Tops

Peplum design is a perfect balance of casual and chic, making them a great option to elevate your everyday style.

The best part of a peplum top is its flared hemlines, which instantly gives the illusion of a slender waist and an attractive hourglass shape.

Colourful Cardigans

Stay fashionable all year with cardigans. We absolutely love cardigans because they are classy in all seasons and a great way to cover up your arms that are not as toned as you would like.

The goal is to make your outfit more colourful and cover your arms, not to have you all wrapped up in a weird way. You can also go for longer cardigans that stop right at or below the knee, but these work best with straight-leg jeans.

It’s not a good idea to pair longer cardigans with skirts. We highly recommend getting smaller sweaters that have a snug fit.

Fitted Blazer

Like cropped jackets, fitted jackets that hit the hips will make you look amazing. You can also wear this jacket with pretty much everything, including pants, dresses, skirts and of course jeans.

With skinny jeans, you can go for a longer and less-fitted jacket, which makes you look a lot classier. Black is the most versatile choice because you won’t have to worry about pairing them with different colours.

However, you can spice things up with cream or navy-coloured fitted jackets. So, what tops work underneath a fitted jacket? You have tons of options.

Start with some tank tops and tees in solid colours. Floral tops also work great, especially on high-waist jeans and minimal jewellery.

Striped Pullover

Striped pullovers are not only a classic but also a trendy piece. Because of how versatile and functional they are, they’ve become a must-have in the wardrobe of every woman over 50.

The easiest way to style your striped pieces is to pair them with a neutral bottom, whether it’s your go-to black pants or favorite pair of jeans.

White Blouse

One of the many things anyone will think when they see you in a perfect-fitting button-down white blouse is that you look crisp and clean. White button-down blouses on skinny jeans are an instant hit.

You can also buy a few in different colours and look amazing with them on tennis shoes. The goal of this fit is to have you look as youthful as possible without completely erasing your beautiful aged look. 

Animal print blouses

While animal prints might sound intimidating, they are one of the best prints for women over 50.

The boldness of the animal prints will make you look more confident and sophisticated.

Because these are statement pieces, it is best to be worn with simple bottoms such as jeans, or pants of neutral colors.

Open neckline tops

In general, lower necklines are more flattering for most women, because they lengthen your neck and show your collarbone, which is a delicate and attractive area of a woman.

Opt for V neck, U neck, or any open neckline, which are universally flattering for women of all body shapes.

On the other hand, you want to make sure they are not too low.

While showing more skin may make you feel liberated and mature, it may not be the best for women over 50.

Cashmere sweaters

Baggy or oversized clothes are a trend we see in many young women, especially large sweaters and baggy pants. You may think wearing baggy clothes will help you hide your bodily imperfections or take attention away from all that extra weight under your clothes.

However, it’s exactly the opposite that happens. When you put on baggy tops and bottoms, they make you look much bigger and emphasise the features you’re trying to hide. So, you don’t get the good results you were expecting.

The better choice is to wear baggy bottoms on a fitted blazer or top. Mix it up instead of wearing baggy clothing on every inch of your body.

Style neutrals wisely

Neutral colors are great, but when you make your entire outfit, including your accessories, in a similar light color, the result is usually very harsh on your skin.

So, rather than putting all-black colours in your outfit, mix it up a little with bold and bright colours. It could be a bright jacket with earrings that pop. Mixing this up will give your outfit more personality and make you stand out in a good way.

The key here is to always mix your neutral colours with some bold ones, and you’ll feel more confident about your body and style.

Satin blouses

Satin or silk blouses are a must have for women over 50, because they can make your outfit look elegant without much effort.

Because of the natural shine of the fabrics, they will make you look more expensive without having to spending too much.

These are perfect for celebrating occasions such as formal events, weddings or holidays, but of course, you can wear them on a regular basis too!

Jewel tone tops

Jewel tones, such as ruby red, emerald green, and amethyst purple can make your outfit look more sophisticated and therefore can be very flattering for ladies over 50.

In conclusion

After 50, the principal of styling is quality over quantity, and less is more.

With these recommendations, you will be find the best tops that are suitable for your own shape and taste.

Most importantly, no matter what you decide to wear, confidence is key for you to always look stylish!

Posted In: ClassyTrendy

Hello there! My name is Chi Li, 5'2", founder of PETITE DRESSING, the clothing line for women 5'4" & under. Are you petite and have you been frustrated with what to wear?
This is an issue few truly understand and even fewer brands truly address.
Being petite myself, I have been writing about fashion for short women since 2016 and my brand petitedressing.com has touched the lives of millions.
My styling concepts for petite women not only focus on the perfect fit but also on flattering & elongating the petite frame for a lean silhouette, optimizing the proportions.
Shop my clothing line here.

You’ll Also Love

These Cozy Layers Will Level Up Any Winter Outfit
The Effortless Outfit Formulas Women Over 60 Are Wearing on Repeat
10 Items You Should Retire From Your Summer Wardrobe Now
Next Post >

I’m 5’2″, here’s 25 Ways to Look Stylish in a Basic Outfit if You are Petite

the petite style bible

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Never miss a beat! Be the first to know about our weekly styling tips for petites!

Must Know

  • Petite Women’s Clothing Styling Tips
  • How to Dress for Your Body Type
  • Best Places to Shop
  • Petite Resources
  • Shoes for Small Feet
  • Petite Celebrities
  • Web Stories

SHOP

  • Best Petite Dresses
  • Petite Jumpsuits
  • Petite Jeans
  • Petite Pants
  • Petite Tops
  • Petite Coats & Jackets

Legal

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclaimer

Copyright © 2026 Petite Dressing · Theme by 17th Avenue

131 shares
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard
  • Reddit
  • Threads
  • X
  • Bluesky
131 shares