The Complete Guide to Dressing When You’re Overweight and Over 50

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Flatter your body and look age-appropriate with our awesome tips & tricks
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Finding something to wear that is flattering and age appropriate can be a struggle sometimes. If you have been struggling to find clothes that make you feel good, start by thinking about what you like to wear. Then, choose colors, cuts, and accessories that will help to balance out your features and increase your confidence.

Things You Should Know

  • Wear an A-line skirt to flatter heavier hips and thighs. This stylish option flares out at the waist and effectively hides wider hips.
  • Stick with long, flattering shirts like tunic tops that cover your entire waist and go down to your hips.
  • Find a good tailor to take any ill-fitting clothes for alterations. This way, your clothes will fit perfectly, guaranteed!
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Building Your Wardrobe

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  1. Dark blue jeans look great with almost any type of top, and you can dress them up or dress them down. If you don't already own a great pair of jeans, find a pair! Look for darker washes, such as indigo. Also, try to find a pair of jeans that have a bit of stretch for a more flattering look. [1]
    • Avoid anything that's tight or that has a strong waist. Instead, look for clothing with elastic waists in lightweight fabrics so you'll be more comfortable. [2]
    • If you like jeans that are embellished, make sure to consider where the details are located. Jeans that have too much flash in certain areas can be unflattering. For example, if you are trying to minimize larger thighs, then a pair of jeans with gems or sequins along the thighs might have the opposite effect.
    • Opt for high-waisted jeans to help smooth out your midsection. Avoid low-riders. The waistband of your jeans should also fit comfortably on you and it should not create extra bumps around your middle.
  2. A white dress shirt is a great go-to piece that creates clean, slimming lines. You can wear it for work with a 2-piece suit or blazer and skirt, or you can wear it with a pair of jeans to go on a date. Make sure that the shirt fits you well and is made from quality materials, such as 100% cotton. [3]
    • If you are not sure about your size, you might want to get measured in the store to find the best fit for you.
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  3. A 2-piece suit is a must-have for anyone's wardrobe. It is a professional staple and you can also wear it on dates and to special events. You can dress a 2-piece suit up or down with different shirts and accessories. Make sure that the suit fits you well for the most slimming effect. Opt for darker colors as well, such as navy, black, or dark grey. [4]
    • A 2-piece suit can be expensive, so you might consider how much you will use it before buying. If you can wear it for your job, then it would likely be worth splurging on a high-end 2-piece suit. However, if you don't have a job where you could wear it, then watch for a sale or skip this item altogether.
  4. Tunic-style shirts are those that come down to your hips and they are the ultimate slimming top. They have a slimming effect because they are so long. Get a few tunic tops (or longer shirts) in different colors to mix and match with the rest of your wardrobe. [5]
    • Look for tunics or longer cardigans in lightweight fabrics like jersey and rayon. [6]
    • Try pairing a tunic top with a pair of jeans for a casual look, or wear a tunic top with a 2-piece suit for a professional/dressy look.
  5. Shapewear is what you wear under your clothing to make your clothes look better on you! There is a lot of great shapewear available for just about every shaping need. You can get shapers that will slim your waist, hips, and thighs, or just 1 of these areas. You can also get pantyhose that will provide all over shaping benefits for your legs, waist, hips, and thighs. [7]
    • When you're choosing a bra, the most important area to fit is the band. That's where most of the support comes from, so if the bra doesn't fit you there, it won't fit overall. [8]
    • Try on the shapewear before you buy it to ensure that it does what you want it to do. Make sure to put your clothes on over the shapewear to see how effective it is.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Selecting Clothing Cuts That Compliment Your Body

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  1. Avoid clothes that do not cover your midsection completely. Midriff-baring tops are best left to the younger crowd, and they are also not the best choice if you are concerned about your midsection. Instead, stick with long, flattering tops that cover your entire waist and that go down to your hips. [9]
    • For example, you could wear a long tank top or t-shirt for a casual look.
    • Try a long sweater or tunic-style blouse for something a bit dressier.
  2. A-line shaped skirts are those that flare out at the waist going down towards the hips. They hide wider hips and thighs with this shape, and they are the most flattering if you are bottom-heavy. [10]
    • Pick a few A-line skirts in different colors, but stick with darker colors to further minimize your bottom half. For example, you could get an A-line skirt in navy, black, dark grey, or plum.
  3. If you carry most of your weight around your waist, then a pencil skirt will be the most flattering skirt option. Opt for a pencil skirt that goes to your knees or just above them. [11]
    • Make sure to choose dark colored skirts, such as black, dark grey, navy, or plum.
  4. Opt for pants that go all the way to your ankles or shorts that are on the longer side, such as bermuda shorts. These cuts will have a slimming effect on your legs. [12]
    • Steer clear of short-shorts. Opt for bermudas or capri pants.
    • Stick with dark colors, such as black, grey, and navy.
  5. Almost any outfit looks better if the fit is good, so you might want to find a good tailor and take any ill-fitting clothes you have for alterations. You can get much more mileage out of suits and dresses if they fit you well. [13]
    • Have your pants hemmed to improve the length.
    • Get skirts and dresses fitted for a more flattering fit.
    • Take suits for alterations to eliminate bumps and sloppy sections.
  6. If you carry extra weight in your face and/or neck, then wearing a shirt that has a broad collar can help to balance you out. Choose dress shirts and casual shirts that have a wide collar rather than ones that have small collars. [14]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Choosing Flattering Colors and Prints

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  1. How the clothes make you feel should be your main focus when choosing clothes, because confidence will make you look better in just about any outfit. Make sure that you pick out clothing in colors that you love and want to wear.
    • For example, if your favorite color is blue, then pick clothing in different shades of blue that you like.
    • You may want to steer clear of neon colors because they can bring out imperfections in your skin. [15]
  2. You can use color to accentuate the top or bottom section of your body and minimize the appearance of the other section. If you are bottom-heavy, try wearing a dark colored bottom with a light or bold color top. If you are top-heavy, pair a light or bold colored bottom with a dark colored top. [16]
    • For example, you could balance a bigger bottom by wearing a pair of black leggings or an indigo pencil skirt with a magenta blouse or Kelly green sweater on your top half.
    • Balance out a larger top half with a navy blue blazer or black t-shirt and a pair of white capris or a yellow skirt.
  3. Big bold prints can overwhelm a larger frame, so steer clear of these if you are plus sized. Instead, look for clothing that has small, simple prints. Some good options include: [17]
    • Small polka dots
    • Tiny flowers
    • Fine vertical stripes
    • Gingham
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Incorporating Flattering Accessories

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  1. Belts may make a round tummy look even rounder and they may not even help to hold up your pants. Instead, try wearing suspenders with your pants or choose pants that have built-in suspenders. [18]
    • Overalls are also a good choice since they will have a similar effect. The front panel of overalls will also help to give you a slimmer look.
  2. Hats can help to make you seem taller, which may help to create a slimming effect. It is also a great way to dress up an outfit, even if you are going for a casual look. [19]
    • Try a wide brimmed hat with a maxi sundress for an effortless summer look.
    • Pair a baseball cap with a pair of jeans and t-shirt for a casual, easy weekend look.
    • Put on a fedora with a suit for a fun, fancy look.
  3. You can use necklaces, watches, earrings, and bracelets to help minimize larger features. Wear a large accessory on the area that you want to minimize. [20]
    • For example, if you want your neck to look smaller, wear a long, chunky statement necklace or a big bow-tie.
    • For a smaller looking wrist, wear a large-faced watch or a chunky bracelet. A stack of bangles on each of your wrists will also have a slimming effect on your arms. [21]
    • For slimmer looking fingers, put on a large statement ring.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What clothing cuts are most flattering for older, overweight people?
    Katie Quinn
    Image Consultant
    Katie Quinn is an Image Consultant, Personal Wardrobe Stylist and the Founder of Q the Stylist, an image consulting service based in New York City helping men and women understand their specific goals, improve their wardrobe, performance, and life. She has over 11 years of image consulting experience and has worked as a stylist for Trunk Club, Modewalk, and Moda Operandi. Her work has been featured in Vogue, InStyle, Martha Stewart Weddings, Sheridan Road, Slate, Newsy, Rue, and Thrillist.
    Katie Quinn
    Image Consultant
    Expert Answer
    Look for pieces in lightweight jersey or rayon that have soft lines and are easily layered. Avoid anything with a strong waist or that's too tight.
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  • Question
    What should you not wear over 50?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    What you wear is totally a personal choice. When you’re over 50, you should wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident—just like at any age! Clothes that fit well (and aren’t too tight or too baggy) will look the most flattering. Experiment with different styles, patterns, colors, and cuts until you find the look that feels the most “you.”
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    What is the most flattering dress style for plus-sized people?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Plus size people come in many different shapes, so it depends on your figure. For example, if you have a classic hourglass shape (curvy at the chest and hips, narrower at the waist), A-line dresses with cinched waists and flaring skirts are a good bet. If you have a more pear-shaped figure, an empire waist dress might be a better option. For apple-shaped figures, wrap dresses or bias cut dresses are flattering choices.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing/full-figured-wardrobe-staples
      2. ↑ Katie Quinn. Stylist. Personal interview. 8 May 2020.
      3. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing/full-figured-wardrobe-staples
      4. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing/full-figured-wardrobe-staples
      5. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing/full-figured-wardrobe-staples
      6. ↑ Katie Quinn. Stylist. Personal interview. 8 May 2020.
      7. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing/full-figured-wardrobe-staples
      8. ↑ Katie Quinn. Stylist. Personal interview. 8 May 2020.
      9. ↑ http://www.oprah.com/style/what-not-to-wear-if-youre-over-a-certain-age_3/all
      1. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing/full-figured-wardrobe-staples
      2. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing/full-figured-wardrobe-staples
      3. ↑ http://www.oprah.com/style/what-not-to-wear-if-youre-over-a-certain-age_3/all
      4. ↑ https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/large-man-style/
      5. ↑ https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/large-man-style/
      6. ↑ http://www.oprah.com/style/what-not-to-wear-if-youre-over-a-certain-age_3/all
      7. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/advice/a3174/how-to-not-look-fat/
      8. ↑ https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/large-man-style/
      9. ↑ https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/large-man-style/
      10. ↑ https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/large-man-style/
      11. ↑ https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/large-man-style/
      12. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/advice/a3174/how-to-not-look-fat/

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