The Best Fall Dresses for Women Over 50

Do you dread the cold weather because it means having to put away all your summer dresses? I hear you, my friends! I often wear dresses well into the fall–until it gets too cold! Then I get into trousers and jeans. Until then I wear some of my summer dresses, just accessorized differently well into the fall. It is the best way to get lots of mileage from our wardrobes. As I put some of my summer dresses away, I begin bringing in different styles, colorways, and patterns that have more of a fall/winter feel. I also have a few dresses that definitely fall and winter styles so that I can enjoy the versatility and stylish aspects of wearing dresses no matter the season, or body shape. In today’s post, I thought I’d walk you through some of the things I am doing to extend my favorite wardrobe pieces.

Special Occasions:

Fall often brings the need for a dress for a special occasion, such as an outdoor wedding. We older women sometimes get a bit stuck for outfit ideas, especially for special events–it seems like most events call for casual outfits. I personally like getting dressed up for special occasions and have dedicated a whole blog post on the best fall wedding guest dresses, and it’s packed with outfit ideas. Be sure to check out that post if you have a wedding invitation in your mailbox. You can also check out this post for the best cocktail dresses and party dresses. If you are looking for something great to wear to a fall wedding, click here, and if you are looking for something fabulous to wear to a more formal event, click here.

Current trends:

The best fall dresses for mature women this season include midi and maxi dresses, as well as shorter dresses being worn with a pair of sneakers rather than high heels–(not a great look in my book–but I am warming to it).

Finding the perfect shoes depends on your personal style and comfort. Don’t be afraid to experiment with boots, booties, sneakers, and clogs. We are seeing a wide selection of dress styles, which is really great because it allows you to choose the perfect dress whether you love contemporary or classic style. The midi dress in fall is a classic look and looks great on an older woman.

Cutouts are surprisngly wearable, look for cutouts that enhanse, or draw they eye upward. Avoid too much skin showing.

Your Body Type:

Let’s take a moment to discuss body type and dresses. A wrap dress tends to look amazing on all body types, (Thank you Diane Von Furstenburg). If you have an hourglass body type as well as most pear shape, you will look great in dresses with waist detail such as belted sweater dresses, the wrap dress and a sheath dress with a belt, or those with princess lines that accent the waist. If you are an apple shape, you will look amazing in an A-Line, princess line, shift style, and empire style. These can be found in both an evening dress and for those with casual style.

No matter your body type, we’ve got a dress that will look great on you along with a few ideas on accessorizing.

*These jackets have the perfect lines to be worn over sundresses to make that summer to fall tranition. I love the more feminine details to these jackets. The are also great with denim and other trouser styles.

Styling summer dresses for fall:

While I put many of my summer sundresses away in August, the best dresses–the ones that stay out longer– are those that look great with a lightweight jacket or sweater and a pair of boots or booties out. Dresses in neutral colors or that have warm-toned patterns work great. To be more specific, I put away those with a summery floral print, dresses with a bold print in “summer” colors, and some of the sleeveless styles that seem too summery. I keep out the summer dresses that are substantial enough to look good with a black leather jacket, and are heavy enough to work in cooler temperatures–though it won’t be until December! Here are a few more details I look for when choosing which of my summer dresses to continue wearing in the fall. For example, I look for dresses with short sleeves rather than strapless dresses, and those that are of slightly thicker cotton so they will look good with heavier pieces layered over them.

I also love a great denim jacket or trench coat thrown over a dress!

And finally, don’t forget the scarf! A beautiful scarf can add so much to your look and keep you warm at the same time.

So, go ahead and keep wearing those summer dresses! Just style them differently for fall, and you’ll be all set.

What to look for this fall:

As the weather gets cooler, I look for dresses with stronger textures and warmer fabrics such as knits and wool dresses–think boucle’ and scuba fabrics. I look for more tailored styles such as sheath dresses, and shirt dresses with a belted waist. These styles look great with blazers and dusters and are great for doing double duty from work to cocktail hour for example. Just change your accessories and you are good to go.

When it comes to floral designs, I opt for those with a dark background, preferably in dark tones rather than the bright colors we choose in the warmer months.

For those who aren’t working or are looking for casual vibes, simply choose more casual accessories–that’s the beauty of dresses. They make a statement on their own and can be accessorized several ways and you can create different looks with a single dress. I will often add a tailored cardigan over a sheath dress to give it a suit-like look or use a jacket from one of my suits to create a completely different look.

Best Styles for Fall:

Wrap dresses are great for all body types as well, and can be dressed up or down. I have a knit wrap dress that looks fabulous with sneakers, a jean jacket, and a scarf for running errands, but I can also add heels, jewelry, and a blazer for a more polished look.

Knit dresses are also a great option for fall. Look for those with long sleeves, and that hit at or below the knee. A good knit should dust the body, not cling. When I wear knits, I always wear a shaper to keep the lines looking smooth. Knit dresses can be worn with tights, boots, and a scarf for a warm and stylish look.

A-line dresses are also a great option, as they can be belted to give you more of an hourglass shape. Wear them with a cardigan or blazer for work, or add a leather jacket and some booties for a night out.

Best fabrics for fall dresses :

Early fall, cotton, linen, and silk. Mid-fall light jersey knits, light wool, and nubby silks.

Wool boucle dresses are also a great option for fall. These can be dressed up or down, and look great with tights and boots.

Color and pattern:

The colors and patterns we choose can definitely set the tone for our look. I tend to go for darker, richer colors in the fall and winter. And while I love a great animal print year-round, they definitely seem more seasonally appropriate in the cooler months. As far as patterns go, I gravitate towards plaids, stripes, and dark florals in the fall. By wearing different colors, those of us who live in warm climates get a little taste of fall.

The key to remember is that you can wear any color or pattern in any season, you just have to style it appropriately for the weather.

Accessories:

Your accessories can really make or break your look. In the fall and winter, I gravitate towards closed-toe shoes such as pumps, booties, and ankle boots. I also add tights or leggings to my dresses for an extra layer of warmth. And scarves, hats, and gloves are always a great way to accessorize and add a pop of color or pattern to your look.

The wrap up:

Don’t despair if you love dresses but are dreading the cooler weather. There are plenty of ways to style summer dresses for fall so you can keep wearing them all season long and as the weather gets cooler, grab a few versatile dresses and see how many looks you can create using your sweaters, blazers, scarves, boots, and shoes. I also love a great denim jacket or trench coat thrown over a dress!

And finally, don’t forget the scarf! A beautiful scarf can add so much to your look and keep you warm at the same time.

So, go ahead and keep wearing those summer dresses! Just style them differently for fall, and you’ll be all set.