How to build a capsule wardrobe for women over 50 - these are the pieces you need to make everyday dressing easy

Stuck in a style rut? Drowning in clothes but have "nothing to wear"? It's time to revolutionise your closet with an over 50 capsule wardrobe. This game-changing approach is your ticket to effortless style and a wardrobe that works as hard as you do.

Knowing how to build a capsule wardrobe may seem daunting at first, but once you've nailed the basics, it will completely transform your style – and your life.

As we navigate our 50s and beyond, juggling responsibilities becomes second nature. From hormonal changes to caring for family or thriving in careers, life can feel like a constant balancing act. Add in our evolving bodies, and getting dressed can feel overwhelming.

This is where an over 50 capsule wardrobe shines. You'll find getting dressed easier, feel more confident in your clothes and even free up some valuable time and mental space.

"A capsule collection of well-fitting, flattering items not only ensures you look great but alleviates the stress of deciding what to wear," says fashion editor Julie Player.

HOW TO BUILD A CAPSULE WARDROBE FOR WOMEN OVER 50

“All the clothes in your capsule wardrobe should make you feel great, confident and put a smile on your face,” says personal stylist Lisa Talbot, who helps her clients to curate their own over 50 capsule wardrobes.

“A capsule wardrobe should be built around your style, personality and lifestyle, which means that every time you open the wardrobe, it feels like you and supports you in what you are doing, whether that’s work, seeing friends or walking the dog!”

You've probably already got a pretty good basis from which to start your capsule wardrobe – you know those wardrobe essentials such as the best wool jumpers and white shirts – but it doesn’t have to be a sea of plain basics. It's about finding your style personality and choosing a select number of pieces that all go well together.

“We should be dressing for the woman we want to be, not the woman we think everything thinks we should be,” says Lisa. “Think about the items you enjoy wearing and use these as the base items to build outfits around them – it’s about creating more outfits with less clothes.”

ITEMS YOU NEED IN A CAPSULE WARDROBE FOR WOMEN OVER 50

• Tops: Consider tops that are both versatile and flattering, such as a classic shirt, a crew neck sweater and a good quality white t-shirt.
• Trousers: Ignore the trends and instead choose the best jeans for your body shape. A pair of tailored, well-fitting trousers will also work for many an occasion.  
• Skirts: Opt for versatile styles like A-line skirts, midi skirts and pleated skirts that are both stylish and comfortable to wear.
• Jackets and coats:  A well-chosen jacket or coat can effortlessly elevate and transform your outfits.
• Dresses: Choose versatile styles that can be dressed up or down, ensuring you have stylish options for any occasion throughout the year.
• Shoes and bags: Invest in classic styles in neutral shades for maximum versatility and effortless coordination with your wardrobe. Consider splurging on designer bags or shoes, as they can elevate your entire look and last for years to come.
• Accessories: These accessories help to diversify your wardrobe. Think of belts, scarves to add a pop of colour and jewellery to give any outfit a touch of your own personal style.

Tops

"Some really good layering pieces like a simple t-shirt, both short-sleeved and long-sleeved are essential for a capsule wardrobe," advises QVC fashion presenter and stylist, Evey Amery Kurlander.

Layering is key, enabling you to utilise your wardrobe fully, so simple basics are important, however, do also include a couple of fun pieces. A leopard print blouse or a stripey top will all add interest to your basic pieces.

For cooler months, don't forget knitwear. While fashion blogger Jacqui Berry goes for neutral tones, she also believes colour has its place.

"Good quality jumpers in neutral colours like black and cream go with so much and work into most wardrobes, but I'd also pick a brighter jumper that would complement a patterned or floral shirt in the same tones," she says.

Trousers

The right kind of trousers can take you from work, to play to chill out time! When it comes to the styles to choose, you can’t go wrong with a slim, straight style as these will always look neat. Teamed with a blazer they're office appropriate, and by adding a simple t-shirt and your best white trainers you have a stylish weekend look.

Jacqui's personal go-to is a pair of wide-legged pants. She says: "They are so elegant and very flattering for most body shapes." When it comes to tops, just make sure to keep your top half fitted to balance out the silhouette.

And remember that comfort and style can coexist beautifully! Jacqui recommends elasticated waistbands for trousers, a trend that's both fashionable and functional.

"Elasticated waistbands and drawstring waists are well in fashion now, bringing equality to everyone who wears them," she says. "I’ve got plenty of comfy styles in my wardrobe that are still fashionable. Likewise I’ve got a few stretchy waistbands that look marvellous on!"

All over 50 capsule wardrobes also need the best jeans for women over 50. Evey recommends high-waisted jeans as they're universally flattering and allow your silhouette to be supported, while Jacqui says it's really all about trial and error.

"There are so many fits around, it really does depend on what suits you," she says. "Take a load of styles into the fitting room and just try them all on to see what suits you."

Dresses

When it comes to finding the best dresses for your over 50 capsule wardrobe, choosing those with structure over loose-fitting, baggy dresses will make all the difference. Look for those styles that can be easily dressed up or down. Stick to well-fitting basics for maximum versatility.

There's definitely room for party dresses too, but if you want pieces you can wear often, try to avoid overly trendy styles. Opt for those that can be restyled for different events.

"Whether it's a block colour or print, mini, midi or full length, empire line, shirt dress or tea dress, have the dress style in your wardrobe that you love and want to wear," advises Lisa.

Skirts

An over 50 capsule wardrobe works best with lots of separates as this allows you to create different looks easily. Skirts, therefore, are essential, but you don't need to go crazy. Choose the right two or three styles and you'll be able to wear them for lots of occasions.

For Jacqui, the obvious choice is a pleated skirt. "They are timeless and very versatile and can be dressed up with a nice pair of heels or teamed with trainers or chunky boots for a casual street style," she advises. Mix and match the fabrics and patterns – such as opting into the leopard print trend - to add extra interest.

Sheer layers add a romantic touch to any outfit, while leather gives a cool edge. When it comes to occasionwear for women over 50 an evening skirt, such as a sequin skirt or a floaty, ruffled number, will work for both a formal occasion and drinks with friends down the pub.

Jackets and coats

Just as fitted dresses flatter our changing silhouettes, tailored jackets are essential in any over-50s capsule wardrobe.

"I favour fitted jackets over wide-leg trousers or pleated skirts to create a balanced look," says style expert Jacqui. She recommends including a long-line blazer, denim jacket and faux leather jacket as wardrobe staples.

When selecting your winter coat, invest in the best quality your budget allows. The old adage 'buy cheap, buy twice' rings particularly true here. Opt for a timeless style in versatile neutrals like camel or black – a wise investment that will serve you for years to come. For those who brave the British weather regularly, consider prioritising a waterproof option over wool for practicality.

Shoes

According to blogger Jacqui, your over 50s capsule wardrobe should feature classic loafers, versatile trainers and elegant strappy sandals for evenings out.

Trainers are a must, even if you never go near a gym! They work well to tone down dressier items, such as a wrap dress, to make them perfect for daywear.

"If you are thinking you don't want to have the look of a sports trainer, go for a leather one or a leather look," advises Evey. "High street favourites like M&S and Next offer fashionable options that won't break the bank."

Don't forget the power of a flesh-toned court shoe either – a favourite of Kate Middleton herself. "I always tend to add in neutral court shoes as they go with everything and are very elongating to the leg as well," Evey enthuses.

Bags

Yes, you may want to buy every bag going, but a good over 50 capsule wardrobe really only needs three - a tote or shoulder bag for when you need to carry around more than usual, a crossbody bag for every day and an evening or clutch bag.

If totes aren't your thing or you need to lug a laptop to the office, look at the best work backpacks for women, as an additional to your closet. But overall, less is more when it comes to bags.

While Evey recommends neutral shades for your bags, she says colour can have a place, especially if the rest of your wardrobe is in muted tones.

"If you don't like to actually bring colour into your fashion, I suggest adding it with your accessories, such as a gorgeous bright bag," she says.

Accessories and jewellery

This is where you can have fun with your wardrobe, as accessories and jewellery are a great way to inject some personality into your over 50 capsule wardrobe basics. To keep a look directional, you can refresh this part of your wardrobe seasonally, giving a nod to the latest jewellery trends.

"You can always add a pop of personality with accessories, especially if you are not somebody who feels confident to wear a lot of print or motif pieces," recommends Evey.

When it comes to jewellery Evey says classic, simple pieces are key and choosing things like hoop earrings and simple chains means you'll always be able to accessorise your items stylishly.

She says: "I always think you can't go wrong with a classic, such as diamond studs or hoops. They are something that I always think of as really beautiful."

FAQs

How to start an over 50s capsule wardrobe

If you haven’t already got a selection of good quality over 50s wardrobe basics - such as t-shirts or shirts - Lisa suggests going for these in neutral tones such as black, grey, beige or navy, and then you can add in print and colour as you go along.

She says: “Once you have a variety of neutral basics, adding in a coloured top, for example, then becomes really easy." Now that you've gathered your items, it's time for some fun! Evey recommends having a play around styling them up and then snapping the looks that you love.

She says: "If you love yourself in an outfit, take a picture of it and have it in your library of style looks because sometimes you can't be bothered with actually thinking about an outfit. If you know that you've had compliments or good feedback with something, you can always go to it and feel good."

Don’t view your over 50 capsule wardrobe as a finished masterpiece, it will evolve over time. You'll want to remove some items and add new items as your lifestyle and trends change and that's OK. The premise is just to stick to a simplified wardrobe. As soon as getting dressed feels like hard work again, you may have to go back to and declutter your clothes once more.

How many items should a capsule wardrobe for women over 50 have?

As a rule of thumb, each item should work with at least four others in your wardrobe, but how many items should an over 50 capsule wardrobe contain? It all really depends on personal taste, but Evey thinks between 40 and 50 is the optimal amount.

"I tend to look at them over a year, so pretty much, I'd say you're looking around 40-50 items in a capsule wardrobe, which probably does sound a lot, but if you break it up across seasons, it's not huge," she says.

It may even be easier to separate your capsule wardrobe out into seasons - your autumn capsule wardrobe will be different to your spring one - but could contain some of the same basics, such as your favourite jeans or simple tops.

How to style your capsule wardrobe

Styling your over 50s capsule wardrobe is all about embracing versatility and expressing your personality.

Start by mixing and matching your core pieces to create diverse looks. Pair a classic white shirt with tailored trousers for a polished office ensemble, then dress it down with jeans for a casual weekend brunch. Layer a statement blazer over a simple dress to transition from day to evening effortlessly.

“As I get older I am less interested in following the latest trends,” says Julie. “Instead I want my wardrobe to reflect my personality and provide solutions to practical needs, so my advice would be to build a wardrobe based on good quality capsule pieces and add some exciting elements that will give these pieces a bit more interest.”

Don't shy away from colour – a vibrant scarf or bold piece of jewellery can instantly elevate a neutral outfit. Experiment with different textures to add depth to your looks, like pairing a silk blouse with a wool cardigan.

Remember, fit is key – well-tailored pieces that flatter your current shape will always look chic. Finally, let your accessories do the talking – a great bag, a pair of stylish shoes, or some eye-catching earrings can completely transform an outfit.

“Go for tan leather or metallics that will work well with both neutrals and brighter shades,” advises Julie. “A tan leather tote that’s both smart and practical and a pair of silver loafers that can be worn casually with jeans or for an evening out with a dress. These will be your hard-working heroes.”

Is an over 50s capsule wardrobe a good idea?

“Having hit my 50s I want and need my clothes to work hard for me because I don’t have the time to think too much about what to put on and how to style clothes and that’s where a capsule wardrobe comes into its own,” says Jacqui.

According to her, a capsule wardrobe adapts to both our evolving bodies and shifting purchasing patterns as we age.

She says: “I’m moving towards getting more classic and all-round more versatile pieces that will remain wearable for many years.”

A capsule wardrobe is more than just stylish—it's a savvy choice. It curbs impulse buys, saving you money and reducing textile waste. By focusing on quality pieces you love, you'll maximise their use and embrace a more sustainable approach to fashion. It's a win-win for your wallet and the planet.

Our experts:

Julie Player

Julie has over 30 years experience in the fashion industry and is a regular contributor to Woman & Home, Woman’s Weekly and Chat magazines, creating engaging fashion and lifestyle content for woman of all ages. She also works in the wardrobe department at ITV, dressing the presenters for Good Morning Britain.

Lisa Talbot

Lisa specialises in elevating successful female leaders and professional women with a wardrobe that represents their brand, personality, lifestyle and body shape.

Evey Amery Kurlander

Passionate about fashion from an early age, Evey’s career spans over 40 years within the fashion industry. Starting as a Saturday girl working in fashion retail in her hometown of Brighton, progressing through to wholesale as a successful fashion agent,her journey led her to the television shopping channel QVC, where she has presented since 2012. Eveyspreloved was born in 2021, when Evey’s love for preloved designer items began. This quickly took off after offering a personal 1-1 service to clients who wanted to consign their products with her.

Jacqui Berry

Over 50s fashion blogger and shopping enthusiast, Jacqui Berry started her blog Mummabstylish back in 2016. She loves sharing her top buys and tips on how to find your personal style after you hit the big 5-0.