10 Wardrobe Problem Solvers Every Woman Should Own at 50+ (2024)

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1. Pull-on jeans

(Left to right) Riders by Lee Indigo Women’s Pull-On Waist-Smoother Bootcut in Dark Wash; Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Gold Label Women’s Pull-On Bootcut in Point Bonita 5d; Women’s Croft & Barrow Classic Pull-On Jeans in Dark Wash Denim or Medium Wash

Amazon (2); Kohl's

This is one of the secrets of many stylish women who always wear jeans. With an elastic waist and flat front panel instead of a zipper, pull-ons make belly bulge and bloat a nonissue. They keep untucked tops and layers looking smooth, and come in straight and subtle flared styles. Try theSignature by Levi Strauss & Co. Gold Label Women’s Pull-On Bootcut in Point Bonita 5d, which come in standard, plus-size and three lengths ($28, amazon.com); the Women’s Croft& Barrow Classic Pull-On Jeans in Dark Wash Denim or Medium Wash Denim($40, kohls.com); or theRiders by Lee Indigo Women’s Pull-On Waist-Smoother Bootcut in Dark Wash($29, amazon.com). Make them your dailies or have a pair on standby.

2. A tailored knit jacket

See Also

Styling Tips for Busy Moms

(Left to right) J.Crew Eloise Sweater-Blazer in Navy; Lauren Ralph Lauren Sweater Knit Blazer in Birch Tan; Chico’s Denim Coatigan Jacket in Dark Denim.

J.Crew; Zappos; Chico's

By age 50 women know the blazer drill — wear it for immediate coverage, authority and confidence. But back-of-the-closet oldies and even new versions may feel out of sync with more casual life and work styles ... like wearing a lacy push-up bra under a sweatshirt. Knit blazers with notched lapels like theLauren Ralph Lauren Sweater Knit Blazer in Birch Tan($195, zappos.com), J.CrewEloise Sweater-Blazer in Hthr Khaki or Navy($158, jcrew.com) orChico’s Denim Coatigan Jacket in Dark Denim($139, chicos.com) combine a crisp shape with soft, stretchy fabric. They feel right at home with casual clothes and soft, floaty dresses and skirts.

3. A-line tunics

(Left to right) VTSGN Women’s Crewneck Sweater Tunic with Side Slits in Caramel; Anrabess Women’s Turtleneck Batwing Sleeve Asymmetric Hem Top in Camel; Chico’s Ponte Faux Leather Inset Tunic in Black.

Amazon (2); Chico's

Big, untucked tops skim over mid-sections and allow you to get on with the day or evening — even when pants feel snug after a night of salty snacks. And yes, there’s a fine line between stylish and sloppy. Instead of oversized shirts, choose soft A-line sweaters and ponte knits with curve-friendly features like piping, high-low hems and side slits. For instant ease pair tunic sweaters like theVTSGN Women’s Crewneck Sweater Tunic with Side Slits in Caramel, Khaki, Navy or Army Green($39, amazon.com) orAnrabess Women’s Turtleneck Batwing Sleeve Asymmetric Hem Top in Camel, Gray Coffee or Celadon($40, amazon.com), or go with an elegant knit like theChico’s Ponte Faux Leather Inset Tunic in Black($90, chicos.com).

4. A dressy blouse

(Left to right) Beyove Women’s Silk Satin Button-Down in Navy Blue; Pilcro Plus Relaxed Velvet Buttondown in Grey; Gap Satin Shirt in Huckleberry Purple; JayGate Women’s V-Neck Puff Sleeve Wrap Blouse in Blue.

Amazon; Anthropologie; Gap; Amazon

Need a fancy top that’s not so fancy you’ll wear it only once? A simple blouse in a luxurious-looking fabric like silk, satin or velvetpairs with any pant you currently own — and elevates it. Just choose a rich neutral or jewel-tone in a contemporary style that flows, like theGap Satin Shirt in Huckleberry Purple($70, gap.com),Pilcro Plus Relaxed Velvet Buttondown in Grey, Moss or Plum($130, anthropologie.com),Beyove Women’s Silk Satin Button-Down in Navy Blue or Light Coffee-Style 1($29, amazon.com) orJayGate Women’s V-Neck Puff Sleeve Wrap Blouse in Blue($33, amazon.com). The tops work for the most elegant event or dinner and jeans with the girls.

5. An uncomplicated dress

(Left to right) Knox Rose Women’s Long Sleeve Maxi Dress in Red; Coldwater Creek Valley View Maxi Dress in Cider Multi; St. John’s Bay Long Sleeve Midi Peasant Dress in Pink Floral.

Target; Coldwater Creek; JCPenney

Wriggling into compression bike shorts every time you slip on a dress is not fun, but many women have a few pairs right this second awaiting their turn. Everyone needs one confidence-boosting dress that doesn’t need shapewear. The answer these days is a midi — like theKnox Rose Women’s Long Sleeve Maxi Dress in Red($40, target.com),Coldwater Creek Valley View Maxi Dress in Cider Multi($138, coldwatercreek.com) orSt. John’s Bay Long Sleeve Midi Peasant Dress in Pink Floral($84, jcpenney.com) — with a hint of waist definition and a small allover print that is flattering and flowy.

6. Black ponte pants

(Left to right) Spanx The Perfect Pant Hi-Rise Flare in Classic Black; Eileen Fisher Tencel Ponte Cropped Wide-Leg Pants in Black; Maeve The Colette Ponte Pants in Plus in Black.

Spanx; Garnet Hill; Anthropologie

Black pants have always been a savior. They make every woman feel slimmer, taller and sleeker regardless of size or shape. However (and this is important), any old pair of black pants — especially those that are pleated, boxy, baggy or too sausage-casing skinny — won’t do. Opt for a pair of ponte knit ones — like theSpanx The Perfect Pant Hi-Rise Flare in Classic Black($168, spanx.com),Eileen Fisher Tencel Ponte Cropped Wide-Leg Pants in Black($198, garnethill.com) orMaeve The Colette Ponte Pants in Plus in Black($120, anthropologie.com) — to upgrade your style and keep the black-pant benefits going. The thick, sleek, no-crease stretch fabric and lack of bulk-adding zippers and pockets make these a never-fails splurge worth every penny.

7. A pull-on skirt

(Left to right) Zara Printed Midi Skirt in Black; Max Studio Women’s Faux Suede A-Line Midi Skirt in Vicuna; Lane Bryant Faux-Leather Pleated Midi in Black.

Zara; Amazon; Lane Bryant

Pants are not always the answer. Working on the same principle as pull-on pants and jeans, elastic-waist skirts — like theZara Printed Midi Skirt in Black($50, zara.com/us),Max Studio Women’s Faux Suede A-Line Midi Skirt in Vicuna or Russet($40, amazon.com) orLane Bryant Faux-Leather Pleated Midi in Black or Sugar Almond($90, lanebryant.com) — provide a smooth base for sweaters and tops. You’ll want one with an A-line shape, substantial fabric and longer length to benefit from the extra volume that makes these skirts so nonstop flattering.

8. A real coat

(Left to right) Eloquii Strong Shoulder Coat with Cinched Waist in Racing Red; Zara Belted Faux Leather Trench in Black; Angashion Women’s Fuzzy Fleece Lapel Long Button-Front Coat in 2226 Brown; Ava & Viv Women’s Plus-Size Faux Leather Belted Trench Coat

Eloquii; Zara; Amazon; Target

Count on a chic coat and a change of shoes for the ultimate last-minute fix. Most women have a puffer or two, an anorak and maybe an old, tailored coat from workdays past. Those won’t be your best choice now. Thrown on over jeans or a “nothing-special” outfit, a trench coat — like theAva & Viv Women’s Plus-Size Faux Leather Belted Trench Coat in Tan or Black($55, target.com) or theZara Belted Faux Leather Trenchin Black ($129, zara.com/us) — or a button-front style such as theAngashion Women’s Fuzzy Fleece Lapel Long Button-Front Coat in 2226 Brown or 2226 Black($53, amazon.com) orEloquii Strong Shoulder Coat with Cinched Waist in Racing Red($170, eloquii.com) will raise the fashion bar fast. Add it for job interviews, important meetings and events, of course, and as your “everyday” topper for an instant boost.

9. Bodysuits and long-sleeve tees

(Left to right) A New Day Women’s Plus Turtleneck Bodysuit in Black; Madewell Wrap Bodysuit in Hthr Smoke; Hanes Women’s Perfect-T Long Sleeve V-Neck T-Shirt in White.

Target; Nordstrom; Amazon

You need both and probably have neither! Bodysuits like theA New Day Women’s Plus Turtleneck Bodysuit in Black or Brown($20, target.com) andMadewell Wrap Bodysuit in Hthr Smoke or True Black($50, nordstrom.com) streamline tuck-ins by eliminating excess fabric. They work as stand-alone elegantly fitted tops or under jackets and cardigans. Sleek, refined tees with long sleeves like theHanes Women’s Perfect-T Long Sleeve V-Neck T-Shirt in White, Navy and Ebony($10 each, amazon.com) are “outies” with a contemporary fit meant to be worn untucked. They not only give clothes edge and attitude, but also take the itch out of winter sweaters, provide extra warmth as a base layer and pair easily with anything from jeans to a leather skirt and your favorite joggers. Buy them in neutrals two at a time for backup.

10. Textured chunky cardigans

(Left to right) Old Navy Shaker-Stitch Cardigan Sweater for Women in Dark Brown Heather; Universal Thread Women’s Open-Front Cardigan in Charcoal Gray; a.n.a Plus Women’s Long Sleeve Open Front Cardigan in Avocado.

Old Navy; Target; JCPenney

Enhanced with ribs, cables or visible stitchery, cardigans such as theUniversal Thread Women’s Open-Front Cardigan in Charcoal Gray or Rust($28, target.com),Old Navy Shaker-Stitch Cardigan Sweater for Women in Dark Brown Heather($45, oldnavy.gap.com) anda.n.a Plus Women’s Long Sleeve Open Front Cardigan in Avocado or Oatmeal($49, jcpenney.com) use volume and texture as a fashion statement and as a problem solver. Wear a textured cardigan open as a “frame” for your body to shift the emphasis front and center, making them perfect for those who wear belts, dresses with a wrap or tie waist and bodysuits.