How to Find Your Personal Style After 50
Personal style, to me, isn’t about having a closet full of name brands or keeping up with every trend that pops up. It’s about knowing what makes me feel confident, put together, and like the best version of myself. And I’ll be honest… my style has definitely changed over the years!
There was a time when I looked at my closet and felt completely uninspired. I had clothes, sure, but they didn’t feel like me anymore. That’s when I realized I needed to take a step back and figure out what I actually liked to wear, what fit my life, and what made me feel good. It wasn’t about starting from scratch—it was about getting back to the heart of what I loved!
If you’ve been feeling the same way, I’ve got you! I’m going to walk you through how I found my personal style after 50 and how you can find yours, too.
How to Find Your Personal Style After 50
Step 1: Cleaning Out My Closet
This was the part I kept putting off, but when I finally got serious about finding my personal style, I knew it had to start here. I pulled everything out of my closet (yes, everything!!!) and took a hard look at what I was holding on to.
Some pieces didn’t fit anymore, some I hadn’t worn in years, and some I just didn’t like the way I used to. If I wouldn’t buy it again today, I let it go. That’s the rule I used, and it helped me make decisions without overthinking.
Letting go of clothes I’d spent money on wasn’t easy, but I reminded myself that the cost was already paid. Keeping them wasn’t going to bring that money back, and they were just taking up space and making it harder to see what I did love.
Step 2: Paying Attention to What I Actually Wore
(Medium) | Turn Lock Baguette | Similar Slingback Flat
Once I cleared out the clutter, I started noticing what I reached for again and again. My go-to jeans, a couple of easy tops, a cardigan I could throw on with anything—those were the pieces I felt good in.
I even took quick mirror selfies for a week to help me figure out which outfits I really liked. That helped me spot patterns in my style. I realized I liked clothes that were classic with a little bit of fun… maybe a leopard flat, a statement necklace, or a pop of color in my bag.
Step 3: Finding Inspiration (Without Trying to Copy Anyone)
I spent some time scrolling Pinterest and saving outfits that caught my eye. I wasn’t looking for exact outfits to copy. I just wanted to see what I naturally gravitated toward.
It turns out I love clean lines, structured handbags, a great pair of jeans, and pieces that are comfortable, but still look polished. I’m drawn to feminine details, but I don’t like anything fussy. I also noticed I tend to like a soft color palette of neutrals more than I thought, and a little color here and there.
That helped me feel more confident in choosing pieces that truly reflect my personality.
Step 4: Putting My Style Into Words
After I looked at everything I’d saved and noticed what I was wearing, I came up with three words that described my personal style: fun, comfortable, and polished.
If you try this, just ask yourself: How do I want to look and feel in my clothes? Do you want to look modern, relaxed, bold, feminine, natural, or refined?
Picking a few words helped me stay focused. When I’m shopping or trying to put an outfit together, I can ask myself: Does this feel like one of my words? If it doesn’t, I move on.
Step 5: Finding My Outfit Formula
Every woman has a few outfits she feels best in, and I’m no different. Once I realized that, I started building my wardrobe around what I called my “outfit formulas.”
For me, it might look like:
- Jeans + tee + blazer + flats
- Ankle pants + soft sweater + loafers
- Midi dress + denim jacket + sandals
These combos made getting dressed so much easier because I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel every morning. I just use different pieces within the same formula and add a few accessories to switch things up.
Step 6: Filling in the Gaps (On Purpose)
Once I had my formulas figured out and my closet cleared, I made a list of what I was missing. I didn’t go on a shopping spree. I just looked for a few pieces that would make the outfits I love easier to pull together.
I added versatile tops, neutral sandals, and crossbody bags that went with almost everything. The key here was shopping with intention—not buying things just because they were on sale, but choosing items that really fit my style. And don’t forget to shop your own closet first. You might have exactly what you need already.
And let me tell you—this part was a lot more fun when I knew what I was looking for!
Shop the Essentials That Helped Me Define My Personal Style After 50:
Step 7: Giving Myself Room to Grow
This might be the most important step of all. I gave myself permission to change my mind. Just because I said my style was “fun, comfortable, and polished” didn’t mean I couldn’t try a bold print or a trendy sneaker now and then.
I learned to trust myself and not worry about what anyone else thought. If something makes me feel good when I wear it, that’s all that matters.
A Few Tips That Helped Me Find My Personal Style
If you’re trying to figure out your own personal style after 50, here are a few things that helped me:
- Basics are worth investing in. A good pair of jeans and a well-fitting bra go a long way.
- Accessories can change everything. Add a belt, a scarf, or a fun necklace and watch your outfit come to life.
- Fit matters more than trends. I’d rather wear something that flatters my shape than something that’s “in.”
- Don’t wait for a special occasion. Wear your favorite pieces now.
- Give yourself grace. Finding your style is a journey, not a one-time decision.
Need Help Building Your Closet?
Here are a few posts to get you started on creating a stylish, wearable wardrobe over 50:
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Verse Of The Day
Matthew 21:5 (NIV)
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
🙂 Found it! Cleaning out the clutter, that’s a hard thing for me!
Love them al. ! Found it too!
🙂 Found it !!! Love all your information. Info like this helps me clean out my closet. Thanks!
🙂 found it.
Great post. It is a great thing to clean out your closet. I have tried to do it one fell swoop but needed to do it several times. I still have more to do but I’m getting there. It’s very interesting to see how my personal style has changed.
I found my style words a couple of years ago, and they definitely keep me on track. I use comfortable and fit as basic guidelines. (Life is too short to be uncomfortable or frumpy!) Given that baseline, my style words are classic (timeless), minimalist (no fuss or frills or small prints), effortless (never look like I tried too hard). I also have 3 or 4 shirts or jackets that are in largish, abstract patterns for the every now-&-then I’m feeling artsy or edgy. Thanks for the post…a great reminder to stay true to “me.”
I found it Luv your website🥰
Thanks!
I think I have settled into my own style over the last 3 years or so. Understanding my best colors and defining my style type (the three words like you have) has really helped. I’m working on creating a closet where I wear/use every single item. 🙂
🙂 Cleaning out the closet is something that I need to do. Thanks for tips, it should make it a little easier to decide.
Excellent post! I have begun a MAJOR purge of my closet so this is helpful. I have been guilty of keeping things because of what i paid or because it was an impulse buy that really doesn’t flatter my body, and i may wear it “someday “.
I think that is how a lot of us feel.