25 Best Ways to Style Matching Sets After 50
What do you think of the latest trend of matching sets? If you love the one-and-done appeal of a dress you will love the versatility of the two-piece set trend. Matching sets are the perfect way to effortlessly elevate your wardrobe. The individual pieces can be worn together or separately offering endless outfit options and possibilities. Whether you are dressing for travel, a casual lunch, or a special occasion matching sets are a great way to express your creativity. I am not normally one to jump on trends but this one is one I can embrace for it’s versatility. Let’s chat about 25 Best Ways to Style Matching Sets After 50.
25 Best Ways to Style Matching Sets After 50
Today I am featuring the Tuscany Travel Set from Frank and Eileen. This trendsetting ensemble can be worn for so many different occassions. Frank and Eileen’s pieces can be more costly. Frank & Eileen, a women-owned and led clothing company, became a Certified B Corporation (B Corp) in November 2020. This designation means that the company meets high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. B Lab, a nonprofit, verifies these standards and assesses whether a company has a positive impact on its workers, community, customers, and the environment. B Corp assessments include sections on governance, such as a company’s mission and ethics, and workers, such as their contributions to employee health and safety. Frank & Eileen’s B Impact score of 125.5 is higher than the median score of 50.9 for other businesses.
Here I styled the matching top and bottom simply with white sneakers for a more casual look. You might enjoy my current most popular post How to Care and Style Linen After 50 here.
In look #1I dressed it up the matching set with a belt. In look #2 I paired the pants with a white linen shirt, and in look #3 I paired the pants and top with a white denim jacket and tennis shoes.
Shop Frank & Eileen Tuscan Set
The next set from Old Navy has a great price tag and the cotton gauze is a great option for the dog days of summer. I purchased four pieces, the button up short sleeve shirt, the midi skirt, pants, and the popover top. I wear these pieces on repeat as well.
Above the pants and popover top are worn casually with a baseball cap, an inexpensive crossbody bag and sneakers, and with my favorite Etsy bag. Either of these looks would be great for travel days. Gauze can be washed in a sink and air dryed. All it requires is a little stretching and it is wrinkle free, a great alternative for those of you that don’t care for the wrinkle factor of linen.
In look #1 I tied the button up shirt at the waist and added turquoise jewelry for visual interest. The second look almost doubles as a dress with the skirt styled with the popover top casually. In the third look I added a belt and hat to the popover and skirt
Shop Old Navy Gauze Sets
The next set, the Malibu tTavel Set, is also from Frank and Eileen. This set is pricey but made of high-quality terry and washes like a dream. I have worn this on the airplane multiple times since I have owned it. I have been coveting this ensemble in the color rosemary. It comes in ten colorways.
Above I am wearing the Malibu Travel Set dressed up with a horn necklace for a lunch out.
On the left I am wearing the Malibu Travel Set with my sneakers ready for travel, on the right with flip flops at the beach with Scout.
Shop Frank and Eileen Malibu Travel Set Options
This following set is also from Frank and Eileen, the Carmel Travel Set.
The Carmel Travel Set is a little lighter weight than the Malibu. It’s great for cooler evenings once the sun sets.
Ready for travel in the Patrick sweatshirt (from the Carmel Travel Set) and the Murphy pants. On the right the Eileen fleece top with the Catherine pants (from the Carmel Travel Set). You can create multiple combinations with these basic pieces.
Shop Frank and Eileen Malibu Travel Set Options
For those of you who love a little more color, this popular set (with my readers) from Eileen Fisher could be dressed up or down and worn numerous ways.
Above I dressed it up with a vintage turquoise necklace.
On the left I am wearing the pants with a shirt from Sundance Catalog. On the right I dressed up the outfit with a linen jacket from Sundance.
Shop Eileen Fisher Linen Set Looks
Eileen Fisher has great french terry pieces (that I have owned for several years) on sale. Her pieces are a little larger and looser than Frank and Eileen. I always wear an XS in Eileen Fisher. I am featuring three pieces below, the skirt, box top, and the straight pant. I wear these pieces all of the time as well. There are other colorways available that you can mix and match. For more options you might enjoy my post How to Make Sweatpants Look Chic Over 50 here.
Shop Eileen Fisher French Terry Looks
Another flexible option that can easily be dressed up is the Mersea Ibiza blouse and pants. This set too can be washed out in the sink and air dryed for travel. I wore it twice on our South Eastern trip.
Here I dressed the set up with my horn necklace but it can be dressed down with sneaks as well.
Shop Mersea Ibiza Set
The last set I am featuring is from Michael Stars on sale. I purchased the shirt online at Michael Stars (they have many other colors on sale), and the pants locally at one of my favorite boutiques Ambiance. They have the longer version of the pants available on sale.
I just received this set so I didn’t have time to style it multiple ways. I would love it with the black gauze shirt from Old Navy Tied at the waist, or the top with the Frank and Eileen white terry pants. Use your imagination and have fun!
Shop Michael Stars Gauze Set
I almost forgot my wonderful J Jill Gauze Set (sorry early readers I forgot it)
I wear this J Jill Gauze set constantly, in fact I am wearing it right now! It too comes in several other colors.
Shop J Jill Gauze
Thank you for reading 25 Best Ways to Style Matching Sets After 50. Now that you’re equipped with these fun tips for styling matching sets, it’s time to embrace your creativity and individuality. Have fun with your wardrobe and mix it up. How do you feel about the matching set trend? Do you love it or loathe it?
I do love the matching set trend! The thing I have to watch is I am so short wasted sometimes the tops come down and hit me in my widest part of my body so I’m always looking for something that hits the magic spot!! As usual, you look so cute and everything. I love the red paired with the turquoise necklace.!
Martha
Hi Martha
We have opposite problems. I am extremely long waisted!
I love the look of the Frank &Eileen travel sets but I also worry about the unfinished edges, especially in that price range! Do they fray with use? Would you give me an idea of what to expect? —Deb
Hi Cindy,
Well as usual you inspired me. I appreciate that you feature all price points here, I will never pay the Frank and Eileen prices, for a bunch of reasons.
Anyway, I bought a few more crinkle gauze items, they really are cool and comfortable! I love coming home after a day running errands and seeing packages on my porch!
Hope for you it cools off soon down there!
Xo Heidi
Hi Heidi
I love gauze and my old navy pieces are favorites!!
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing so many options for the travel sets. Unfortunately, the Frank and Eileen sets are VERY pricey. I will use your ideas and look for affordable options!
Hi Mary
I understand Frank and Eileen can be prohibitive. I really like the gauze from Old Navy and find the quality to be good!
I just love it all & the great ideas. I love the gauze. Nice for summer & fall & the colors & love the accessories. Thank you for your article & the great ideas. I will be using. I only have the white, tan & orange gauze. Bon in Maryland
Hi Bon
Enjoy!
Your amazingly and wonderfully talented!!!! Thank you so much for bringing joy and beauty.
Hi Lynn
Thank you so much for following along!!
I love the sets, but straight leg pants look better on me. The Eileen Fisher pants appear to be slimmer than the others you’ve shown—do you know of any others at a lower price?
Hi Marilyn
Did you try the Old Navy gauze? The legs aren’t overly wide. J Crew also has the soleil pant which has a straighter leg.
I love seeing what you put on your posts!
I’m not a matchy-matchy person BUT I’m so impressed on how everything looks so good on you! I can’t imagine what your closet looks like and how you choose what to wear each day!
Thank you!
You are an inspiration!
Pat Demling
Hi Pat
We just visited Pat and Bill in San Jose! I am not normally matchy matchy either but I love the option of creating multiple outfits!!
Sadly the brands you mention aren’t readily available in Australia and the price tag to purchase online and then post here is ENORMOUS and makes them not only unrealistic but unethical because of airmiles.
A couple of our own brands are doing the matchy-matchy thing: Sportscraft, Seed, Sussann, H &M and even the super budget-priced Sportsgirl. So women here in Australia can use your great concepts on less pricy garments.
Hi Prue
I love so many of your Australian brands. I wish more of them were more accessible here in the states!!
Cindy- you have given me so many options for wearing sets. I really do love them- look so polished. Pls tell how u tie ur shirt in front?? BTW- you look fabulous in all of these!!!
Hi Paula
I am so glad to hear that! I have tried the “fancy” ways that other influencers have suggested and don’t like the way they look on me. All I do is turn my shirt under a big in back and tie!
Cindy, thanks for all the great styling tips as I have seen these on others and thought they looked matronly. But you have certainly created stylish ways to make them attractive. Of course I agree that you look adorable all the time!
Hi Mary
I thought they looked matronly too in the beginning but the versatility has grown on me!
Hey Cindy,
Love your outfits!!! I am traveling with two matching sets next week and will be using your ideas for mixing and matching the pieces! I would love to know how you tie your shirts at the waist and how the shirt looks in the back. I struggle with that whole concept! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Myla
Hi Myla
As I stated above I have tried the “fancy” way influencers have suggested and the look isn’t flattering on me personally as my waist is the only small part of me! All I do is roll the shirt under a bit in the back and tie in the front. Jennifer, Beth and many others have a way that they like but it isn’t flattering on me. What they do is pull each end through the shirt in between two buttons and tie. It looks great on them but makes me look like a cow.
I swear Cindy…you could wear a paper sack and it would look great on you! These matching sets look awesome! I haven’t jumped on that bandwagon yet but thinking I may have to try it!
Cindy:
I have jumped on the band wagon for the matching sets. I’m hoping it’s not a trendy thing for just one season. I have purchased several sets. I have a sage green one from jJill, a navy one from jJill, and a black and white one from jJill. Sorry I’m a devoted shopper! I love the Eileen Fisher one you modeled! I may have to look at that one. You look spectacular in it!
Hi Kathy
Thank you for reminding me! I failed to post the J Jill Gauze set that I wear all the time including right now!
all of these sets are totally adorable on you and I love how you styled each one for a unique look. I love sets! I have a couple from Free People and my fave is a set from 4-5 years ago that I saw a woman wear and I chased after her to find out where she got it. It was on sale at H&M for $30. and I still love it and i still get complements every time I wear it!
The Frank and Eileen sets are a great investment – classic pieces that will last.
Hope you stay cool up in Paso – going to be pretty toasty!
Hi Cindy! Love this post…So many great ideas. We all have many similar pieces that we can use to create interesting outfits, I love how you tie your white and denim shirts! Classy and fun look, Gauze travels so well. Less space and no wrinkles. Thank you for helping stay in style and confident, 🥰 Anna in Arizona 🌵