Fashion Fridays, Kuel Life Thought Leader: Tracy Gold
Learning how to dress for your changing body after 50 can completely transform how you feel when nothing in your closet seems to fit anymore.
When your body suddenly shifts in perimenopause or menopause and nothing in your closet feels right, learning how to dress for your changing body after 50 can make everything easier and a whole lot more flattering.
If you have ever stood in your closet thinking, “What happened?” this is for you.
Start Wearing Shape, Not Tight or Baggy
One of the biggest shifts we go through is losing the body we used to know. Many of us go straight to two extremes. We either reach for big, baggy, black, and long to hide everything, or we try to squeeze back into the things that used to work. Neither option does us any favors.
Shape is the sweet spot. Not tight and definitely not sloppy. Shape gives you structure, a soft waist, and just enough definition to feel good again.
As an example, a dress with shaping through the waist and gentle flare at the hem glides over your curves. It does not cling, it does not suffocate, and it absolutely does not turn you into a big rectangle. It is simply shape.
And if you want to take it a step further, here is my favorite trick. Add a high-waisted belt. Tie it above your natural waist. Let the ties fall down the body. This creates a visual waist instantly and draws attention away from the belly. My clients call this the magic belt because it works like magic every time.
You can also choose dresses that have the belting built in. A one-and-done style gives you flexibility as your belly shifts from one day to the next. It adapts without making you adapt to it.
Choose Fit and Flare Instead of Upside-Down Triangles
The fit-and-flare shape is one of the easiest ways to create balance. When the widest part of your outfit is at the bottom, everything above it looks narrower. Your waist looks more defined. Your legs look longer.
This does not mean you need a dramatic nipped waist and a skater skirt. Fit and flare can be subtle and soft. It only needs enough structure to balance your shape.
The wrong version of this is the upside-down triangle. That is when the garment is wide at the shoulders or bust and then narrows toward the hem. If you are dealing with a menopausal belly, this cut will make the tummy look more pronounced. Fit and flare will always treat you more kindly.
Balance Your Proportions
When putting outfits together, especially tops with skirts or jeans, balance is everything. If you wear volume at the bottom, go slimmer at the top. If you wear a slightly voluminous jacket or top, pair it with a bottom that is more streamlined.
It does not need to be extreme. A wide leg jean with a tucked-in or short, shaped top creates length through the legs and helps define the waist. A higher rise jean gives gentle support through the tummy, which makes a big difference in confidence and comfort.
And yes, you can untuck. A shaped top worn out still works beautifully as long as it is not long and baggy.
Bold truth moment: your legs deserve more credit than you’re giving them. Let them shine and everything else falls into place.
A Quick Reality Check
Your body has changed. Mine has too. Fighting it never works. Dressing for the body you have today is where everything shifts. It is not about hiding. It is about shaping, balancing, and feeling like yourself again.
And once you get these basics down, you will start seeing your clothes — and your body — completely differently.
How to Dress for Your Changing Body After 50 Starts With Choice
You do not need a new body. You need the right shapes, the right balance, and a willingness to let go of old rules that never served you anyway. When you shift the focus from what you can’t wear to what makes you feel fabulous now, getting dressed becomes exciting again.
If you want help figuring out your best shapes or creating a strategy that works for your real life, I offer one-on-one personal styling both online and here in New York City. Check her out here.
Watch the full video below to see these tips in action.
Did you enjoy this article? Become a Kuel Life Member today to support our Community. Sign-up for our Sunday newsletter and get your expert content delivered straight to your inbox.
About the Author:
Tracy is a Menopause Style Expert, Fashion Designer, and Show Host. With two decades of experience in styling women of different body shapes and sizes, along with her personal journey through perimenopause, she founded Tracy Gold New York. Recognizing the profound effect clothing can have on a woman’s body image at midlife, she developed this brand, which offers a fun and customizable collection designed to adapt to a woman’s body changes with style. Need some help discovering what works for your body now https://tracygoldfashiontips.com/
