10 Ways to Look Your Age and Love It

At 50+, embrace what makes you feel your absolute best

A woman posing in front of a shop window wearing a black fashionable garment with a belt, looking away and smiling, waist up image with natural sunlight

AzmanL/E+/Getty Images

Lois Joy Johnson,

AARP

En español

Published August 24, 2022

Not long ago my beauty routine included Botox and fillers, a frequently highlighted blonde lob, weekly salon blowouts and a regular mani-pedi. I also wore stilettos, trendy clothes, full makeup and shapewear, which had me at 50 not looking quite my age. As a beauty and fashion editor staying youthful and semi-flawless was my job, but somewhere between 50 and 60 my attitude flipped. I still love looking good (who doesn’t?) but now live happily ever after with my wrinkles, age spots and a few extra curves. Here’s how you can do it too.

Jump to Section

1. Change the way you think about age

2. Get over the ‘age-appropriate’ label

3. Wear whatever you want

4. Cut bangs and smile more

5. Take a few calculated risks

6. Treat age as an invitation-only party

7. Have a gratitude attitude about your body

8. Choose your glam level

9. Have two confidence-building outfits

10. Keep your signature style going

1. Change the way you think about age

Lorraine Toussaint in 2002 and 2022; Jane Fonda in 1971 and 2022; Halle Berry in 1994 and 2022; Jamie Lee Curtis in 1995 and 2022.

(Clockwise from top left) Lorraine Toussaint in 2002 and 2022; Jane Fonda in 1971 and 2022; Halle Berry in 1994 and 2022; Jamie Lee Curtis in 1995 and 2022.

Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage; Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images; Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images; Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images; Steve Granitz/Getty Images; Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images; Jerod Harris/FilmMagic; Francesco Da Vinci/Getty

Think about all the newness you’ve already embraced — like smartphones, rap music, spinning class, kale and banana smoothies, rescue dogs and food trucks. Then instead of bemoaning the extra candles on the birthday cake or freezing your looks in place with help from Dr. Lookgood & Co., treat age as an opportunity to stop looking back and start looking forward. A quote to remember from designer Coco Chanel (who was no slouch about aging) sums it up: “You can be gorgeous at 30, charming at 40, and irresistible for the rest of your life.” Take a look at these celebs age 50-plus then and now for inspiration.

Back to List

2. Get over the ‘age-appropriate’ label

(Left to right) Wendie Malick, Rita Moreno and Tracey Ullman

Steve Granitz/WireImage; Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Women in Film (WIF); Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images

So much of what we buy, apply and wear is tagged as “age appropriate” or (even worse) “age-reversing” — from night cream to support bras, shapewear and elastic waist pants. How boring! How daunting! Sure, less-than-perky breasts, wrinkles and belly bulge are part of the natural aging package, but let’s lose the tag. Try giving the essentials that hold down the fort a fun twist and make it more about “What makes me feel fabulous?” For example, instead of a ho-hum coat try one in red velvet; skip the little black dress and opt for a head-turning leopard fit-and-flare; and just say no to basic pants and choose a pair in leather like Rita Moreno!

Back to List

3. Wear whatever you want

(Left to right) Jennifer Lopez, Drew Barrymore, Chaka Khan and Demi Moore

Pierre Suu/GC Images; John Lamparski/WireImage; Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Project Angel Food; Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Another fabulous thing about aging is deciding what really suits you — and the heck with fashion trends. You can now ignore whatever your best friend/college roommate/pickleball chums wear, and dance to your own tune. After age 50 many women edit their closet and create a new core of clothes that suit their new lifestyle and preferences. No more skirts and dresses for you? Fine. There are plenty of pants, jeans, joggers, jumpsuits, pantsuits and leggings to choose from. No more pants or short skirts? No problem. Midi and maxi skirts and dresses work with boots or sandals all year round. Prefer an all-black wardrobe? Do it your way — edgy, tailored, sporty or a mix of all.

Back to List

4. Cut bangs and smile more

(Clockwise from top left) Goldie Hawn, Tamron Hall, Jane Seymour, Twiggy Lawson, Mary Steenburgen and Sandra Oh

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic; Arturo Holmes/WireImage; Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images; David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Everyman; Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic; Bruce Glikas/WireImage

Wrinkles are normal, but decades of repetitive facial expressions can etch in lines good and bad. Deep forehead creases and between-the-brows grooves can make us look angry even on the happiest days. Loss of fat and collagen can also contribute to saggy cheeks and emphasize deep nose-to-mouth creases. Botox and filler can help, but there are two easier, cheaper solutions to perking up your face. Cut long, full bangs for stylish camouflage, and make your baseline expression a subtle Mona Lisa grin or a toothy smile. The two-step combo lifts your cheeks and lips, brightens your outlook and is contagious to those around you. Punctuate your efforts with whitened teeth and your favorite lipstick — and join this club of celebs.

Back to List

5. Take a few calculated risks

Brooke Shields, Helen Mirren in 2013, Helen Mirren in 2022 and Tracee Ellis Ross

(Left to right) Brooke Shields, Helen Mirren in 2013 and 2022, and Tracee Ellis Ross

TheStewartofNY/GC Images; Samir Hussein/Getty Images; Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images; Raymond Hall/GC Images

Flexibility is one of the gifts of being 50-plus. It enables us to do things like start a personal dog-walking service, donate a lifetime of clothes or move from New Jersey to Florida without freaking out. It also means being able to approach changes in the way you look, dress or shop without worrying what anyone else thinks. For starters, ban the phrase “Will it make me look older?” from your brain and conversations. Want to go gray or wear the coolest trendiest jeans? Do it. Wear a black leather dress to your high school reunion? Go for it. Role model Helen Mirren dyed her hair punk pink at 67 and decided to grow it long and silver at 77. Brooke Shields at 57 dresses with more edge than she did at 30 and has no problem wearing her glasses to galas, while Tracee Ellis Ross at 49 (she turns 50 in October!) makes wide-leg jeans look super cool.

Back to List

6. Treat age as an invitation-only party

(Clockwise from left) Susan Sarandon, Belen Rueda, Cate Blanchett and a closeup of the manicured hand of La Toya Jackson

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Christian Siriano; Juan Naharro Gimenez/Getty Images; Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images; Amanda Edwards/WireImage

This is an opportunity to flaunt your brains, beauty and adventurous spirit along with the enhanced status and privilege of being older. Try applauding the things you’ve come to call imperfections like a crooked tooth, neck creases, hooded eyelids (French women call them bedroom eyes!) and age-spotted hands with a positive spin. Attention-getting lipstick, eyeliner and shadow, neck-lengthening necklines (like a boatneck, square or V) and bold nail polish do it. Think of all your personal “beauty marks” as medals of a life well-lived.

Back to List

7. Have a gratitude attitude about your body

(Left to right) Sofia Vergara, Hoda Kotb, Lorraine Toussaint and Tamron Hall

Hollywood To You/Star Max/GC Images; Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Woman's Day; Dominik Bindl/Getty Images; Arturo Holmes/WireImage

The scale may not be your friend at 50 and neither are the way-too-small jeans from 2010 still hanging in your closet. While a commitment to portion control, healthier eating and regular exercise is a smart choice, it is also important to take control of your style. Resist giving in to shapeless baggy clothes that hide excess pounds and start promoting a stylish attitude that shows off your fine points. Maybe it’s time to go sleeveless and highlight your toned arms, flash your midriff with a slightly shorter top, and wear an above-the-knees dress to display still-great legs or ruched dresses to celebrate allover curves. Showing your shape is ageless and sizeless.

Back to List

8. Choose your glam level

(Left to right) Jean Smart, Emma Thompson and Andie MacDowell

David Livingston/FilmMagic; Dave J Hogan/Getty Images; Taylor Hill/Getty Images

Age can be freeing beauty-wise once you ditch the “musts” and opt for what makes you feel good. Some women decide to go more minimalist and swap a pouch of products for multitaskers like tinted moisturizers and tinted balms. Others skip the daily blow-dry and simplify their hair routine with a bunch of scrunchies and a more low-maintenance color solution like balayage. And then there are those who choose to reinvent their looks with a brand-new hairstyle (even if it requires frequent trims), enhanced color and a pro makeup lesson. The important thing to know: There are no rules. The only person you need to please is yourself.

Back to List

9. Have two confidence-building outfits

(Left to right) Geena Davis, Nancy Meyers, Viola Davis, Molly Ringwald and Tracee Ellis Ross

Justin Ford/Getty Images for Bentonville Film Festival; Fred Duval/FilmMagic; Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Kering; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images; Michael Tran/AFP via Getty Images

Clothes can’t make the woman, but they sure can do a lot for your self-esteem and ability to say yes to any invitation or last-minute meetup. You need one outfit that makes you feel composed and powerful, and another that makes you feel totally gorgeous. Maybe it’s a sparkly cocktail dress that lights up your skin, a knit maxi that makes the most of your shape but discreetly covers, a flowy print blouse that elevates your pants, or an elegant pantsuit. These are your social “cocoon clothes.” They’ll save you on days when stress, weight fluctuations or a bad haircut try to snap your mojo.

Back to List

10. Keep your signature style going

(Left to right) Donna Karan in 2003 and 2022; Uma Thurman in 2004 and 2022.

Evan Agostini/Getty Images; Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images; Gregg DeGuire/WireImage; Nancy Rivera/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Some savvy women 50-plus have a look they love that’s as much their ID as fingerprints. Simply adding a couple of contemporary pieces each season keeps them updated and refreshes old pieces from years past. Check out how designers Norma Kamali and Donna Karan continue their respective trend-forward attitude as they age without losing sight of their personal likes. Or look at Uma Thurman, who makes jeans and a jacket her go-to. Personal style is never about age so long as you keep it evolving.

Back to List

%{postComment}%

Benefits Recommended For You

See All