10 Easy Style Updates to Make at 50

4. Personalize your accessories

If you never give shoes, hats, glasses, scarves and hair accessories a thought, do so now. They’re an easy way to update an overall look without changing your entire wardrobe. You might opt for show-off shoes like white loafers or metallic sandals instead of black; decorative hairbands in elegant fabrics; or a pair of new glasses for up-to-the-minute impact. Use your stash of silk scarves as belts like Sharon Stone does or make a collection of caps and hats your signature like Sting. The quickest foolproof way to upgrade your usual jeans and tee is to throw on a tailored blazer (yes, consider these handy add-ons as accessories!) and swap your sneakers for more polished shoes.

(Left to right) Idris Elba, Don Cheadle, Viggo Mortensen and Javier Bardem

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5. Mix your neutrals

Just like women, men 50-plus now know that dressing tonally in one solid color head to toe always makes them appear slimmer and more pulled together. Though matchy-matchy works, combining neutrals not only maxes out your fashion options but has a little more sizzle and personality now. The secret is to keep the “core colors” top and bottom toned and add an unexpected spark with a jacket, print and shoes.

(Left to right) Phylicia Rashad, Danielle Cormack, Amy Sedaris and Nicole Kidman

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6. Trade heels for festive flats

Considering tossing your stash of high heels? Good move! We can survive without them now thanks to the trend of flats and loafers that are embellished, metallic, sparkling with gold chains and pearls and that look great with dresses and skirts, ankle pants or jeans for day or night. Stock up!

(Left to right) Rosie Perez, Uma Thurman, Carla Bruni and Gina Gershon

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7. Tweak your pant width and sleeves

No need to reinvent your style; it’s all in the details. Just be aware that proportions — like a higher waistline or lower hemline — are what make clothes look current. A dress with puff sleeves or a pair of wide pants (cropped or ankle length) are all it takes to elevate a basic look. Eye-catching trends like these are easier to blend into a wardrobe when you stick with a favorite neutral shade for a seamless transition.

8. Get a leather item that’s not a biker jacket

OK, we made our point. Yes, a black leather moto-style jacket makes us all feel edgy and irreverent, and we love it. Now it’s time to add another leather item. A buttery-soft tailored leather jacket or trench coat, a skirt, pant, dress or top will deliver the same cheeky attitude without the tough-girl effect. No need to stay true to black though it’s always a good choice. Try another neutral like brown, gray or cream for a softer touch.

(Left to right) Debbie Allen, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Laura Linney

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9. Brighten up with red

Women who wear a lot of black know the face-brightening impact of a red lipstick. It never fails to look sharp and is still a perfect switch to make now. To energize your face and wardrobe fast, amplify that lipstick benefit with a red jacket, sweater or top. It’s an easy wardrobe addition with no regrets.

(Left to right) Isabella Rossellini, Leslie Jones, Garcelle Beauvais and Catherine Keener

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10. Cut loose or show your shape

Body positivity and fashion is all about having options. No need to flaunt your shape 24-7 (although if you want to, great!) or stress over weight shifts. Some women prefer the freedom of oversize tunics and loose shifts and empire-waist dresses and make it a 50-plus lifestyle change with no apologies. Others revel in their newfound ability to accept their size and shape or celebrate it by choosing curve-defining clothes like shirred dresses and leggings. And you can bounce between the two options whenever you want. That’s a modern approach to fashion that ignores the scale and is the epitome of “cool.”

Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and style editor who focuses on women 50 and older. She was the beauty and style editor at Ladies’ Home Journal and a founding editor of More magazine. She has written three books: The Makeup Wakeup, The Wardrobe Wakeup and The Woman's Wakeup.