Where Do You Shop?
Shopping in your 50s and beyond can be a tricky affair. You want clothes that are fashionable and flattering, but also stylish and comfortable. Shopping should be fun, but plenty of stores target young teens and the clothes can be a bit childish. So with that in mind, here are 10 places older women should avoid if they want to, and 10 they should trust for their style needs. Of course, at the end of the day, it’s totally up to you!
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1. Uniqlo
Uniqlo is a Japanese store that sells inexpensive basics, casual clothing, and functional apparel. It has simple tops, trousers, and jackets as part of its minimalist wardrobe collection. The store is good for inexpensive casual and youthful staples, but many of its styles are aimed at younger or fashion-forward clientele.
2. Hollister
Hollister is a casual, teen-oriented brand that is the sister brand to Abercrombie & Fitch. It's known for comfy hoodies, sweats, and on-trend denim. The whole vibe is young, very California, and targets teen and young adult customers. It's not a place where women over 50 will find age-appropriate items for creating a polished wardrobe.
3. Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch is a brand rebranded as a teen-focused store with on-trend basics, low-rise jeans, TikTok-approved dresses, and bodysuits. The fitted, youthful silhouettes and wacky designs can be a struggle for older women to wear. Most items only work on younger women looking to shop current teen trends.
4. Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters offers edgy, trend-driven clothing, house labels with quirky names, and has a teen and college-age customer base. Items may be too graphic or loud, with shorter, more cropped fits and trendy fast-fashion pieces. It may be too trendy for your style, or you may not care for the style of the items they offer.
5. American Eagle
American Eagle carries basics like jeans, joggers, and loungewear and is frequently advertised by teen influencers. The fits, styles, and marketing messaging are clearly directed at young consumers looking for casual, trendy clothes. Women over 50 will find few items that seem age-appropriate or sophisticated.
6. Garage
Garage features cute, Y2K-inspired casual wear, such as mini tops, bodycon dresses, and big sweatshirts. The style leans super teen, and the overall vibe is more edgy streetwear. The silhouettes and styles can read a bit young for more mature women.
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7. Lululemon
Lululemon is a high-end athleisure brand known for its top-quality leggings, sports bras, and activewear for fitness fanatics. While they're great for working out in, their performance-oriented, fitted designs are largely targeted at a younger, trend-driven crowd. In addition to their limited versatility, their styles may not be the best fit for women over 50 looking for activewear for more casual or work wear.
8. Aritzia
Aritzia is a Canadian retailer for minimalist staples and trendy "It-girl" pieces such as statement coats and sleek tops. The marketing and sizes seem to be more aimed at younger, fashion-conscious consumers rather than mature ones. Fits may be too fitted for youthful shapes or too trendy for the classic wardrobe of women over 50.
9. Madewell
Madewell stocks long-lasting wardrobe staples such as jeans, casual tops, and simple dresses. However, the brand's aesthetic leans young and minimal. Some basics can be classic, but many of the cuts and the way they're sold are geared toward young women looking for on-trend styles.
10. Free People
Free People is famous for boho-style dresses, festival clothing, and comfy loungewear. It has a youthful, whimsical aesthetic with flowy, oversized silhouettes and playful prints. The brand may attract younger customers looking for a free-spirited vibe.
Now that we’ve talked about some stores focused on younger audiences, here are 10 that are perfect for older women.
1. Reitmans
Reitmans is a Canadian clothing retailer that offers classic, comfortable, and versatile womenswear. They carry a range of blouses, trousers, dresses, and knitwear, all of which feature flattering cuts and timeless styles that flatter a variety of body shapes. For women over 50, Reitmans is a go-to source for sophisticated, practical clothing that balances style with everyday comfort.
2. The Bay
Hudson’s Bay, also known as The Bay, is a large department store that carries a vast assortment of brands from the relaxed to the formal, including footwear and accessories. With such a diverse range of stock, it will appeal to many different tastes and styles, including classic, chic, and sophisticated, with items that work well for more mature women.
3. Eddie Bauer
Eddie Bauer offers high-quality, functional clothing, specializing in outerwear, casual wear, and travel-ready pieces. The brand's classic designs and durable fabrics make it popular among women who prioritize comfort, practicality, and longevity in their wardrobe choices. Eddie Bauer provides stylish yet sensible options for women over 50, offering a combination of ease of wear with refined and mature style.
4. Laura
Laura is a contemporary clothing brand that offers stylish and sophisticated pieces. The brand's focus is on modern cuts and flattering silhouettes, with a range of dresses, tops, and tailored separates. Laura's designs are polished and versatile, making them perfect for both work and casual occasions.
5. Talbots
Talbots is an American classic clothing brand that specializes in timeless, tailored apparel. The store offers a wide range of items, including jackets, blouses, skirts, and trousers. Talbots is known for quality fabrics and sophisticated designs. The store caters to women who want a classic, polished look.
6. Suzy Shier
Suzy Shier is a Canadian women's retailer that carries modern, easy-to-wear fashion. It includes dresses, knitwear, and other casual basics. Items are often interchangeable, with timeless, flattering cuts that work well on mature figures. Suzy Shier allows women over 50 to have a modern, put-together wardrobe that is both comfortable and practical.
7. Winners
Winners is a discount store that stocks a great variety of brand-name clothing, shoes, and accessories at discounted prices. The ever-changing selection of clothes is perfect for women who want to keep up with trends or just find classic, fashionable staples for less. Women 50+ can use Winners to their advantage by buying great, quality pieces that they love and that flatter their style without spending a lot of money.
8. Anthropologie
Anthropologie features bohemian, artistic, and sophisticated styles. Their collection includes dresses, blouses, skirts, and home goods. Some pieces can be cutesy, but many are quite elegant and flattering for the mature woman. Women over 50 can have fun at Anthropologie with statement pieces that add personality to a classic wardrobe.
9. Banana Republic
Banana Republic is known for offering modern, professional, and polished pieces. This includes tailored blazers, dresses, trousers, and classic separates. The overall style is more timeless, elevated, and perfect for those looking for a refined, polished look.
10. Marshalls
Marshalls is a discount store that sells brand-name clothing, shoes, and accessories at low prices. They have a wide variety of trendy and classic styles, so it's easy to find versatile pieces. Women over 50 can use Marshalls' selection to update their wardrobe with stylish, budget-friendly finds that are age-appropriate.
