Best Evening Wear for Women Over 50 in 2024

3. Let draped tops and dresses solve body concerns.

There’s a really good reason luxurious designer evening gowns feature fabric that’s softly draped, artfully ruched or gracefully wrapped. All that gathered fabric elegantly hides bulges and extra pounds … and looks fabulous on everyone regardless of size and shape. These design details are built-in confidence boosters, and you can also find them now in some of the best evening tops. Try the Jessica London Shimmery Side-Gather Tunic in Black Shimmer ($45, ellos.us), Donna Karan’s New York Women’s Long Sleeve Burnout Velvet Faux-Wrap Top in Black/Gold Multi ($59, macys.com) or the Aqua Faux Wrap Top in Champagne or Black ($78, bloomingdales.com) and stop stressing over a wiggly middle.

The same strategy works for dressier nights — like a wedding or charity dinner — when long, draped maxi dresses like the Banana Republic Bias Cut Velvet Maxi Dress in Copper or Black ($180, bananarepublic.gap.com) provide the magical touch.

(Left to right) Ann Taylor Sequin Column Midi Skirt in Silver Spark; Modern Supply by Sanctuary Everyday Sequin Tee in Taupe; Liz Claiborne Women’s Long Sleeve Button-down Shirt in Black Sequins.

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Ann Taylor; Kohl's; JCPenney)

4. Add sequins for maximum sparkle and compliments.

Nothing beats the shimmer and shine of sequins for lighting up the night and getting a “Love your outfit!” compliment. Sequins grab the spotlight so choose a top or a skirt, depending on where you want the attention. A sequined top like the Anna-Kaci Women’s Long Sleeve Sequin Top Round Neck Sparkle Blouse in Black and Gold or Gold ($33, target.com) will add a luminous glow to your face, while a sequined skirt like the Ann Taylor Sequin Column Midi Skirt in Silver Spark ($97, anntaylor.com) will emphasize shapely curves. On a flattery note: Do your body a favor and skip sequined pants. Unlike the simpler sleeker lines of a skirt, shiny pants are difficult to wear and amplify everything you want to keep to yourself.

Black sequins are a smart choice for those who wear a lot of black and want to create a more dynamic monochromatic evening look. For example, just add Liz Claiborne Women’s Long Sleeve Button-down Shirt in Black Sequins ($41, jcpenney.com) to any black skirt or pant or pair the Modern Supply by Sanctuary Everyday Sequin Tee in Black ($32, kohls.com) with a black blazer and black pants for a pulled-together “pantsuit” look for work festivities. But if you really want to make a statement, just throw a sequin duster like the Boston Proper Paillette Bell Sleeve Duster in Gold or Black Multi ($180, bostonproper.com) over any basic black outfit or dress to turn it into a showstopper. Between us, neutral sequins in black, brown, gold, silver and beige offer the most versatile and sophisticated look. Bright and pastel sequins can look cute at 16, tacky at 50 and boring after the first wearing.

(Left to right) Lane Bryant Sweetheart-Neck Sweater Dress in Black; Open Edit Women’s Button Sweater Midi Dress in Purple Magenta; Eloquii Scarf Sweater Dress in Evergreen.

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Lane Bryant; Nordstrom; Eloquii)

5. Let sweater dresses provide star quality.

Knit midi dresses are not flashy and splashy, but they do grab the spotlight. In fact, they’re one of the biggest cold-weather evening wear trends showing up at restaurants, reunions and cocktail parties. Their allure is due to a mix of shapely confidence and a desire to stay stylishly cozy and comfy. Don’t let the sweater-y minimalist style fool you. Dresses like the Lane Bryant Sweetheart-Neck Sweater Dress in Black ($100, lanebryant.com), A New Day’s Women’s Long Sleeve Maxi Sweater Dress in Red ($40, target.com) the Open Edit Women’s Button Sweater Midi Dress in Purple Magenta or Olive Ivy ($80, nordstrom.com) and the Eloquii Scarf Sweater Dress in Evergreen or Maroon Banner ($130, eloquii.com) offer a perfect backdrop for shoes, boots and jewelry and have desk-to-dinner-to-party versatility.

6. Count on a swanky V-neck black dress or jumpsuit.

Never underestimate the power of wearing black and a V neckline. It’s a fast track to a super-versatile evening look. Though special separates can get you through parties and celebrations, many women over 50 like having one drop-dead glam dress on call for weddings and big deal events. This is where dresses and jumpsuits with a V neckline come in. Black is still a guaranteed winner — always chic, slimming and classy — and it requires no what-goes-with-what fuss other than a little radiance-boosting makeup. That V neckline is essential too. First of all, it has what I call “tabletop appeal.” A V elongates your neck and torso, shapes the bust and emphasizes the waist-up part of your look. (That’s the part people see most whether you’re seated, mingling at cocktails or dancing your heart out.) There are plenty of long-sleeved choices with a modern aesthetic. The only tough part is deciding between a dress or jumpsuit. You’ll find all the essential elements in wrap and faux wrap dresses like the H&M Women Sequined Wrap Dress in Black ($75, hm.com) and the Adrianna Papell Tuxedo Wrap Sheath Dress in Black ($149, bloomingdales.com). Also, try jumpsuits like the Eloquii Velvet Wide Leg Jumpsuit in Black Onyx ($120, eloquii.com) and the London Times Women’s Tuxedo Chiffon-Sleeve Jumpsuit in Black ($77, macys.com). You can’t lose.

(Left to right) Aldo Sadey Silver Cap Toe Slingback Flat; Givenchy Gold-Tone Crystal Chandelier Earrings; Mango Cascade Earrings with Faceted Crystals.

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: 6pm.com; Macy's; Mango)

My final word: Let shoes and bling take over.

Sometimes all you really need is an accent piece or two to give a blah black outfit or back-of-your-closet dress extra evening sizzle. This is when metallic shoes and ear bling can quickly solve the problem by adding a gleam at either end of your outfit. There are three trends to jump on now. The first are classic metallic shoes in cap-toe slingback styles like the Naturalizer Gazing Pump in Gold ($80, dsw.com) and the Aldo Sadey silver ballerina slingback flat ($50, 6pm.com);  the second are ballet-flat hybrids with mini heels like the Maeve Ballet Heels in Silver or Bronze ($160, anthropologie.com). All have wearable toes rather than the needle-sharp pointed toes of many evening shoes. Dangly crystal earrings are the third must-have. Lightweight versions like the Mango Cascade Earrings With Faceted Crystals ($40, shop.mango.com) and the Givenchy Gold-Tone Crystal Chandelier Earrings ($69, macys.com) have the sizzle to wake up a fatigued face fast and the statement-making size that can compensate for last-minute dry-shampoo-tousled hair and pulled-back ponytails.