Work Outfit Ideas for Women Over 50 That Are Stylish, Comfortable and Professional
If you're like us, you've had the same work wardrobe for years, rotating between five blouses, a few pairs of slacks and the occasional dress or two. We get it since it's very easy to get stuck in a rut when it comes to getting dressed for work. However, as much as we may not want to bother with it, it is important to clean out your closet and refresh your wardrobe once in a while ā and that includes your work wardrobe. Plus, our bodies change, our taste changes, trends change and more, which means an update in what we wear to the office may be overdue. And thankfully, it doesn't have to be painful process! Curating work outfit ideas for women over 50 is all about being strategic while shopping and keeping it simple. Here, we rounded up the best office attire for women over 50 that will look stylish and feel comfy all day.
What to look for in work outfits
When putting together any outfit, it usually takes more consideration than just what looks good on the hanger. Different styles look different on everyone, and you may like something, but it may just not be your taste (which usually means you won't feel confident in it). There are a few key things to keep in mind when brainstorming work outfit ideas for women over 50.
1. Pick pieces that are comfortable
First and foremost, comfort is probably high on your list of priorities for work outfits ā and rightfully so. With so many different brands, materials, fabrics and styles available today, there's no reason you should have to sacrifice style for comfort. And especially when it comes to the office where you're likely sitting at a desk for 8+ hours a day, being comfortable is key.
Looking for fabrics like cotton, linen, rayon and polyester that are lightweight, have stretch and are generally durable is what you should keep in mind when searching for comfortable work clothes. We recommend avoiding anything super restricting or structured, as well as heavy fabrics like wool.
2. Versatility is key
The more uses you can get out of one article of clothing, the better. Not only does it save you time and money shopping, it also saves you closet space (which is valuable real estate in our opinion). And keeping versatility in mind also makes picking out your work outfit in the morning easier: When you have those few pieces that you know you feel good and confident in, there's no guessing involved.
For example, take a cozy cardigan: you can wear it the "regular" way (tossed on over a blouse/top), or you can tie it around the shoulders, button it up as a top or button just the middle button. You have three or four different looks with just one piece of clothing.
The best work outfit ideas for women over 50
Keep reading for our favorite pieces to wear to the office that are versatile, comfortable and cute for women over 50. Treating yourself to a wardrobe refresh will help you feel confident at work.
Calvin Klein Belted Midi Dress
First things first, make sure you have a solid work dress. A black one like this makes it easy to wear over and over with different shoes and accessories. We like that it has a skinny belt around the midsection to define curves and a fit and flare style that's modern yet appropriate.
J. Jill Wearever Satin A-Line Skirt
It seems like there are infinite tops you can wear with a satin midi skirt. Pair it with a button down, a solid-colored blouse, a satin tank, cute sweater and more. Plus, it's very lightweight and breezy so you won't get too hot.
As explained earlier, a simple cardigan can be worn many different ways. Leave it unbuttoned over a blouse, button it all the way up as a top, tie it around the shoulders for a preppy-chic look or even wrap it around the waist of a dress. Choosing a neutral color will make your options that much more open, too.
LOFT Cotton Blend Oversized Shirt
A classic white button down is similar to cardigans in the sense that they can be worn multiple different ways. What we like about this one is it's a bit oversized (but not too much), so it feels roomy and comfortable rather than stuffy.
LOFT Flip Cuff High Rise Wide Leg Crop Jeans
If jeans are included in your company dress code, we recommend opting for a wide leg pair. They look a bit more elevated than the typical pair of jeans, and not to mention are a lot comfier.
Halara High Waisted Wide Leg Waffle Work Pants
These dress trouser pants have gone viral all over TikTok and other social media platforms because of how comfortable they are. They're ultra lightweight and have a stretch waistband and wide leg design. Even better, they cost less than $40.
White House Black Market Luna Wide Leg Trouser
A pair of colored dress pants is always fun to have, too. You can pair it with just about any neutral-colored top, sweater or cardigan, or do a monochrome moment with a matching blazer. We love these dress pants because of how soft and stretchy they are, even after multiple washes.
A pleated skirt adds a touch of elegance to any work outfit. Plus, pleats optically create the illusion of longer legs, drawing the eye up and down.
White House Black Market Woven Tee
On the mornings you wake up and just don't have the energy to put together anything fancy (trust us, we get it), turn to an elevated tee. This one fits nicely and looks a bit more interesting than the basic tee with the contrasting fabric on the sleeves.
LOFT Dotted Dolman Midi Shirtdress
The reason we love shirtdresses is because they essentially take no effort at all. Not sure what to wear? Slip into a shirtdress. There's no deciding what pants go with what top or anything of the sort. And best of all, they're so comfortable.
Ann Taylor Square Neck Cap Sleeve Sheath Dress
Sheath dresses are a great option for offices that have a business formal dress code. The thick material and fabric of these types of dresses create an overall dressier look, and they typically hit below the knees. We love the fun pop of color of this sheath dress, and the unique neckline.
For more style inspiration, click through these stories:
The 16 Best Shorts for Women Over 50: Bermudas, Denim and More
The 9 Best Shoes to Wear With Jean Shorts, Trouser Shorts and More for Women Over 50
19 Ways To Wear Butter Yellow, Plus How the Trending Color Is Flattering for Women Over 40
