How to Dress a Pear Shape Over 50
Feel confident and comfortable in clothing that flatters a pear shape. Your body is likely pear-shaped if your hips and bottom are wider than your shoulders, bust, and waist. There are many ways to look fashionable with this body type, whether you’re headed to the office or enjoying a casual weekend. Keep reading for our favorite fashion picks and styling tips for pear-shaped women over 50:
Opt for Quality Fabrics
Choosing quality fabrics is one of the most critical aspects of creating a wardrobe that works for your body type. Pear shapes of any age can rock flowy fabrics like cotton jersey and linen. Cotton-linen blends are another option for women’s tops, dresses, and pants.
A discussion about fabric isn’t complete without talking about Supima cotton. This cotton species is grown exclusively in the U.S., in a handful of midwestern and western states. It has a long-staple fiber that’s twice as strong as regular cotton, plus it’s colorfast to prevent fading. There are Supima cotton tees, sweaters, and even home goods such as bath towels and bed sheets.
If you’re wondering whether pear-shaped women 50 and over can wear jeans, the answer is a resounding yes. Consider denim enhanced with a small percentage of spandex for a comfortable fit. Skinny jeans are a perfect example of jeans with stretch, although you may find other styles made with this material.
Make Strategic Use of Prints
You can wear your favorite prints regardless of body type or age. Gravitate towards motifs you like best, whether that happens to be retro polka dots, animal prints, or a floral pattern. To emphasize your torso, wear neutral bottoms with a print top. If you’re aiming to create a streamlined effect, vertical-striped slacks and skirts are an option.
Lightweight women’s dresses with a pretty print are great for the warmer months. There are midi and maxi dresses for women in solids and prints, so you can assemble a collection of dresses to fit your lifestyle. A solid dress can be enhanced with a leopard-print or striped cardigan in coordinating hues.
Learn to Love Neutrals
Neutral-toned apparel is a stylish choice for every body type, including pear. Even if you’re 50 or over, neutral colors don’t have to be boring. For the office, consider black or navy dress pants or a skirt with a women’s white blouse. The look can be dressed up with your favorite accessories, whether you love women’s fashion scarves or are fond of gold hoop earrings.
It’s easy to brighten a neutral outfit with one vibrant piece. For example, consider pairing it with a red top if you’re wearing a gray, black, or navy skirt. Any color you prefer can be worn with a neutral, whether your favorite hue is turquoise, purple or sunny yellow.
Create a Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe can simplify putting outfits together. The key to this fashion strategy is choosing several versatile neutral apparel items you can mix and match. Establishing a color palette can make putting looks together from your capsule wardrobe even easier.
For example, your main three colors might be black, white and khaki. Or you may prefer a palette of gray shades. Two or three main neutrals should be enough to provide many outfit options. Plus, you can always accent your capsule wardrobe outfits with colorful touches—like a bright handbag.
Colorful tops and bottoms can be integrated into a capsule wardrobe. For example, if you have a favorite pink blouse, you could pair it with a gray blazer and matching skirt or slacks. The most important things to remember when putting together key pieces are to keep the main color palette neutral and not sacrifice comfort for style, as today's fabrics and designs let you have both.
Choose the Right Swimsuit
If you’re heading to the beach or pool, the right bathing suit can enhance your shape and keep you comfortable. The classic one-piece bathing suit is a style that works for every body type. These suits come in different neckline styles and bottom styles, including lower-cut bottoms for extra coverage. There are one-piece swimdresses in various lengths that cover hips and thighs, in universally stylish colors such as black and navy.
Tankinis offer ample fashion versatility for all ages, shapes, and sizes. Tankini tops come in modest high-neck styles and classic scoop neck designs. There are V-neck tankini tops and bandeau styles with a retro look. Swim skirts pair well with tankini tops, although swim shorts are also an option.
Accessorize Your Look
Shoes, bags, and jewelry can take any outfit to the next level. As mentioned earlier, scarves and earrings are always an elegant choice for any outfit or season. To create a well-coordinated look, consider matching your footwear to your handbag.
There aren’t fashion rules to follow when it comes to over-50 clothing, whether you have a pear-shaped figure or are another shape. Experiment with different fabrics, colors, and styles to find the casual and dressy outfits that work for you.