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5 Easy Ways for Plus Size Women in Their 60s to Embrace Fashion

By Stephen Hadley November 10, 2024 Beauty

Your sense of fashion is like fine wine. It’s really catching its stride when you hit your 60s. That’s true for plus size women, too. If you’re in your 60s now, you may have struggled with negativity about your body all your life.

Don’t waste another day on negative thoughts. Instead, embrace fashion – right now. Make your 60s your most beautiful years ever. If you’re just getting started or want to mix up your plus size style, these 5 tips are sure to help.

Shop Online

Don’t drive yourself crazy trying to find creative, fashionable pieces in local department and clothing stores. Few cater to plus size women, and even those that do tend to have limited selections.

The beauty of shopping online is that you can do it from anywhere in the world, whenever you want. If you’re still a bit nervous about shopping online, uncertain about finding the right fit, or concerned about exchanges and returns, then first:

  • Check the store’s sizing guide.
  • Contact the retailer directly before you buy if you’re unsure about what size to get.
  • Review the store’s return and exchange policy before checkout.
  • Don’t be afraid to try small online retailers. These boutique stores often have the best options for plus size clothing.

Expand Your Color Palette

Don’t fear color. If you’re a die-hard all-black fashionista, go with that. But if you’re just hiding behind black because of years of body shaming, it’s time to break free. Do your own thing – don’t be forced into the darkness by negativity.

New to the idea of bright colors? Worried they’ll clash with your wardrobe or you’ll end up with pieces you can’t put together? Here’s how to make it work:

  • Keep your outfit neutral overall, then add one splash of color. It could be black pants and underrated black shoes with a blue, teal, or red plus size cardigan.
  • Start simple by introducing color into your wardrobe with accessories (more on that later).
  • Focus on building a wardrobe with similar tones that you love and work with your complexion. You might prefer earth tones, jewel tones, or pastels.

Get Creative with Accessories

The little touches you add to your outfits make all the difference. Fall and winter lend themselves to accessories especially well, but you use can these pieces to enhance your style all year long.

Don’t limit yourself – you’ll look just as amazing in colorful, chunky jewelry as you do in shiny gold. Plus size women in their 60s have no reason to hold back their creative style. Here are a few ways simple accessories can really make your ensembles come together:

Dressing Up?

Simple chain necklaces and bracelets work well. Try dangling earrings with a splash of color that coordinates with your outfit. A bright silk scarf can offset your simple dress attire and create a beautiful look.

Going Casual?

Chunky jewelry in bold colors is perfect with simple, casual plus size clothing.

Stand Out!

You don’t have to be matchy-matchy with your outfit and accessories. As long as the colors are complementary, you’ll look great.

Big and Bold

Some plus size women stay away from bold, chunky accessories. But you’re a gorgeous woman in your 60s – you’ve got nothing to fear! Big, bold, colorful accessories will coordinate beautifully with your outfits.

Choose Standout Patterns

Just like too many neutral colors can make your wardrobe seem dull, so can the same simple patters and prints. Break free and get bold in your 60s with plus size clothing in creative prints. These are just a few that may work for you:

Batik

This ancient, unique design creates one of a kind garments. You can’t go wrong in plus size clothing with handmade batik touches.

Tie-Dye

Colorful, fun, and unique, tie-dye is perfect for a beautiful woman who wants to show off her style.

Abstract

You don’t have to go floral or geometric just to have an interesting print. Abstract patterns draw the eye, keep your outfit interesting, and work in both casual and dressier settings.

Get Social with Your Fashion

Have you ever felt isolated as a fashionable plus size woman? Like you stand out and people won’t appreciate your beauty?

You’re not alone. If you don’t have lots of people with whom to share your love of fashion where you are – and even if you do – get inspired and feel good about plus size fashion through social media.

There are plenty of gorgeous plus size women in their 60s showing off their personal style on social media. Send them a positive comment when you love a photo. Share your own. And get new ideas about how to expand your wardrobe.

These are just a few ways to get excited about plus size fashion in your 60s. If you’re new to the idea of bold, standout outfits, use these ideas to get started.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How do you work fashion in your wardrobe? If you’re already a mature fashionista, what tips do you have? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

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Lisa N.

Fashion information on this website is always for readers in the USA/North America. I’m in Europe, so costs include helfty postage rates as well as customs duties. European clothing catalogs usually do not have good return policies – you have to pay for the return postage, and sometimes it turns out to be in China or other country with high postage fees. The only clothing catalog I’ve found in the EU with a free return policy is landsend. Does anyone know of any other clothing catalog in the EU with a return policy?

Lisa Stege

I am not a plus size woman, but I would like to recommend looking up ConnectedApparel.com, a dress manufacturer that I worked for as a patternmaker for years before I retired. They make clothing in all size ranges, and sell to major department stores and (formerly Dress Barn) before it was sold. Moderately priced, well-made dresses.

Diane

I am not only plus size but also short. Double whammy and shopping becomes a huge challenge. Also, I am finding that more and more of my favorite plus size stores are disappearing, so I am having to order online and pay a heft price for something as simple as a v-neck t-shirt. Thus, I am much more selective where I buy. I do not like the quality of most of the clothes out there. When you are overweight, thin materials just does not do us any favors. Most of the accessories are also too long and just end up looking frumpy.

Virginia

What I find crazy, is this new fad of t-shirts with incredibly short sleeves and end where your pants begin! I can’t seem to find a good mid weight pure cotton with sleeves which cover to my elbow! V-necks or deep round style are hard to find as well. I don’t appreciate showing off my “bat wings”.

Lisa N.

Try landsend.com for good t-shirts. They have “nornal” t-shirt sleeve length as well as 3/4-length sleeves, and round, ballet and v-neck styles.

Shirley

Great article. Thank you for recognizing us as part of the fashion world!

Marie

Great suggestions!

The Author

Stephen Hadley, founder of Generous Fashions, has been exclusively creating plus size clothing for women (XL to 4X) since 2002. He designs fabric and garments for https://www.generousfashions.com and his Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/GenerousFashions, which offers Sixty and Me readers a 10% discount here http://bit.ly/Etsy_10Percent_OFF. Sign up for the Generous Fashions newsletter for new arrivals and member discounts.

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