If you’re looking for new dresses for women over 60 but aren’t sure where to start, you’re not alone. When it comes to clothes shopping, choosing styles that complement your current body type and preferences while still offering ease and comfort can be no easy task.
Robyn Victoria Fernandes, a celebrity stylist whose clients include Indya Moore and Lachlan Watson, points out that dressing for your 60s in the 2020s can be significantly different than in the past.
“Women nowadays take care of their bodies and nurture themselves in a way much different than, say, women in [the] 2000s,” she explains, making fashion a lot more fun.
Still, what you choose to wear on a casual day out with friends will certainly be different than what you pick for more formal occasions, such as an anniversary dinner or wedding.
Below, Fernandes and fellow professional stylist Jennifer Heinen offer all of their tips on the best dresses for women over 60, from what to look for in a dress to which styles will suit you best for every occasion.
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What Is the Best Dress Length for Women Over 60?
When it comes to length, Heinen recommends mid-length dresses, which she says “are universally flattering and offer ease, elegance and versatility.”
“They provide coverage without feeling frumpy,” she adds.
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What Style of Dress Is the Most Slimming?
Fernandes stresses that it’s important to remember that all women are “uniquely and divinely shaped,” and that no one size fits perfectly for everyone. Still, your body type can play a big role in answering this question.
“For those who are rounder in the middle, I would stick to a wrap dress or an empire cut dress with a fuller bottom that camouflages the tummy,” she recommends.
Fernandes also suggests opting for dresses that flatter your hips and bust while drawing attention to your smaller waistline, such as A-line dresses.
Heinen adds that sheath dresses can also be a great option, “offer[ing] slimming effects through clean lines and structure.”
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What To Look for in a Dress
When it comes to finding the perfect dress as a 60+ woman, Fernandes recommends prioritizing both style and comfort. Make no mistake—both are equally important.
“Look for a dress that makes you feel good when it’s on and that you can wear for a long period of time,” she says.
As Heinen notes, good coverage can be a key part of seeking comfort in a dress—think sleeves, necklines and length that will keep you feeling your best.
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7 Best Dresses for Women Over 60, According to Professional Stylists
1. Wrap Dresses
Wrap dresses are great for all women over 60 because, as Heinen puts it, “they define the waist and flatter most body types.”
Plus, they’re adjustable, offering maximum comfort and timeless style.
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2. A-Line Dresses
Heinen recommends A-line dresses for women seeking comfort from their dresses, describing them as “universally chic and easy to wear.”
When looking for a good A-line, keep an eye out for a dress that is fitted from the shoulders to the hips that widens to the hem.
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3. Sheath Dresses
Sheath dresses keep things simple. They’re fitted and straight cut with no waist seam, allowing for uniformity and comfort. At the same time, Heinen notes, they’re “sleek and sophisticated for dressier moments.”
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4. Shirt Dresses
If you want an outfit with “effortless, casual polish,” Heinen recommends opting for a shirt dress. Taking cues from traditional menswear, shirt dresses are tailored and borrow traditional dress shirt details like a buttoned front and cuffed sleeves.
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5. Maxi Dresses
With their long length and often loose fit, maxi dresses scream summer. At the same time, their elegant silhouettes make them perfect for everything from beach vacations to weddings—as Heinen puts it, they’re “elegant, flowing and forgiving.”
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6. Fit and Flare Dresses
Effortlessly hip, fit and flare dresses are fitted down to the waist, with the skirt flaring out at or below the hips for a statement detail. As Heinen notes, they “balance the figure beautifully.”
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7. Shift Dresses
Classic and comfortable, Heinen praises shift dresses as being “ideal for everyday refinement.” To spot a shift dress, look for an item in which cloth falls straight from the shoulders, often in a boat or scoop neck. It’s quintessential summer, without a restrictive waistline.
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