6 Most-Wearable Trends for 50+ Women from New York Fashion Week

It’s common knowledge that most fashion designers don’t envision the 50-plus woman as their ideal customer — despite the enormity and relative affluence of this U.S. demographic. So, it was an interesting, happy turn of events to see so many celebrities who fall into that age group sitting in the front rows at the flashy New York Spring 2024 fashion shows that parade all the looks for the coming season from top designers. Pamela Anderson (seemingly makeup free!) was spotted at Proenza Schouler. Janet Jackson, Laura Linney and Laverne Cox graced the audience at Christian Siriano. Padma Lakshmi appeared at Prabal Gurung’s presentation. Ralph Lauren’s lineup of famous spectators included Diane Keaton, Julianne Moore, Gabrielle Union, Robin Wright and Jennifer Lopez, plus 54-year-old model Christy Turlington closed the show.

(Left to right) Laura Dern, Sheryl Crow and Gabrielle Union at the Ralph Lauren Spring/Summer 2024 Ready-to-Wear Fashion Show at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

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And it was a pleasant surprise to see more diversity in terms of ethnicity, age and size on the actual runways. A number of 40-plus models were scattered among the young’uns ... even some with gray hair! Curvy figures were also showcased on the runway at Michael Kors, Prabal Gurung, Altuzarra, Tory Burch, Christian Siriano and Carolina Herrera. All three trends point the needle in the right direction!

(Left to right) A model at the Christian Siriano Spring 2024 Ready-to-Wear Fashion Show; Ashley Graham walks the runway during the Michael Kors Ready-to-Wear Spring/Summer 2024 fashion show; a model at the Altuzarra fashion show.

Rodin Banica/WWD via Getty Images; Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images; JP Yim/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows

Nevertheless, the fashion industry still chases after youth and novelty — and the fashion shows are just that ... shows: theatrical productions that not only present clothing to hopefully be worn by customers, but that must entertain the audience and capture the attention and imagination of the editors, buyers, bloggers, television producers and celebrities in attendance.

The next time you see runway images and think to yourself, Who in the world is going to wear that transparent dress or bare midriff/bra look (both big spring trends), just remember it’s showbiz! When the buyers place their actual orders for next spring, you can bet that many see-through dresses will suddenly be lined and the tailored suits will be offered with more modest underpinnings.

So, let’s get on with the show!

Trend No. 1: Tailoring

Models walking the runway at the Altuzarra Spring 2024 Ready-to-Wear Fashion Show (left), the Ralph Lauren Spring 2024 Ready-to-Wear Fashion Show (middle) and the Helmut Lang Ready-to-Wear Spring/Summer 2024 fashion show (right).

Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images (2); Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

The oversize blazer and pantsuit were key elements of many collections. Structured shapes are a grown woman’s friend; they give definition to your silhouette.

Trend No. 2: The floral dress

Models on the runway for the Ralph Lauren Spring/Summer 2024 runway show (left), the Carolina Herrera Ready-to-Wear Spring/Summer 2024 fashion show (middle) and the Jason Wu Ready-to-Wear Spring/Summer 2024 fashion show (right).

ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images; Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images (2)

Florals are a perennial spring favorite, but some are more sophisticated than others. Skip the dainty rosebuds and girlish daisies, and go for more stylized prints in not-too-sweet colors.