Chic Summer Gauze Separates for Women Over 60

ByCindy Hattersley Hours Posted on Hours Updated on
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It’s that time of year again when the temperatures begin to climb when all we want to wear are lightweight, breathable fabrics. But let’s be honest, finding stylish and age-friendly summer clothing can be a challenge. Many options out there are either too trendy, too shapeless, or look too much like pj’s. Let’s take a look at some chic summer gauze separates for women over 60. Many are on sale and I think you will love them as much as I do!

Why Gauze is My Summer Go-to

Can’t Beat it’s Comfort and Breathability

With temperatures into the 100’s this time of year the lightweight and airy fabric is ideal. It provides protection without overheating. The beauty of cotton gauze is (unlike linen) it doesn’t wrinkle.

Nordstrom Gauze White Shirt Dress

I purchased this dress on sale at Nordstrom last year but you can find similar here. This year I purchased this J Jill dress in a pretty navy (I am not usually a navy fan)

Effortless Style

The natural texture of gauze adds interest without being fussy, and drapes beautifully without clinging. It is also wrinkle-resistant so it is great for travel.

cindy hattersley in michael stars gauze set

I purchased this set from Michael Stars on sale but it is available in so many pretty colors (pants here), (top here), I am wearing it with my reformation flip flops here, janessa leone backpack here, and my favorite janessa leone hat that Scout just chewed a hole in (any suggestions or ideas on repairing it)

Versatility

It can be dressed up or down and the mix and match pieces have enormous potential together or alone.

Favorite Gauze Pieces to Try

Tops & Tunics: Boxy tops, henleys, and breezy button-downs are great options.

Wide-Leg Pants: Easy pull-on styles that feel chic but casual

Midi & Maxi Skirts: Flowy and comfortable—pair with sandals or sneakers

Old navy gauze shirt and skirt with turquois jewelry

This skirt and top (identical here feom quince) came from Gap Factory (good quality and super inexpensive). You can find all of Quince’s great gauze separates here. I am wearing it with some pieces of my turquoise jewelry collection and similar sandals here.

Lightweight Jackets or Overshirts: A great layer for chilly restaurants or travel

Midi & Maxi Dresses (the coolest option) Shirtdresses, and tiered looks. Add a separate belt if you want a more streamlined look.

Nordstrom Green Gauze Dress with Scout

I purchased this dress last summer and wore it to death. Loft has it on super sale here in several colors including white. Nordstrom also has a similar dress here. I styled it with my comfy camper sandals, and Mar Y Sol bag.

How to Style

Keep Proportions Balanced: Pair wide-leg pants with a slightly cropped or tucked-in top

J Jill Gauze Set

This set is the same set from Gap Factory last year in white. You can find similar shirt here, and pants here. Favorite sneakers here, and cap here.

Add Interesting Accessories: This will help you avoid the PJ look. Straw, rattan and bone accessories for neutrals. Colorful necklaces, bracelets and earrings for a pop of color.

Layer Lightly: Toss a denim jacket or linen wrap over gauze pieces for cooler evenings

Play with Monochrome: A matching top and bottom elongates the silhouette and creates the one and done look. Pair with interesting accessories to avoid the pj look.

Old Navy Crinkle Gauze Set in Black

Again, I am wearing the twosome from Gap Factory, with a colombian wayuu bag here, and sneakers here.

Gauze Separates I am Coveting at Every Price-point

Talbots reached out this week and I ordered this blue set (unfortunately it did not arrive in time for this post). Both of these sets are on super sale at Talbots and they come in extended sizes.

Talbots Gauze Five Ways

Shop Talbots Looks

Blue button down here on super sale, blue pants here, Red buton down here (also on super sale), red pants here, Dolce Vita sneakers here (on sale & super comfortable), red Taos sneakers here, Olukai sandals here, Ralph Lauren cap here, Janessa Leone straw hat here, similar less expensive here, MZ Wallace red travel bag here, Mar Y Sol raffia bag here, brown sunnies here, red sunnies here, horn bracelets here, blue bandana here.

You might also enjoy my post Best Cool Summer Linen Looks here.

Thank you for reading Chic Summer Gauze Separates for Women Over 60. I always appreciate your support. Whether you’re spending your days traveling, entertaining, or enjoying a relaxed summer at home, gauze separates are the perfect warm-weather solution. They’re light, breathable, and effortlessly chic—everything we want at this stage of life. With the right pieces, you can mix and match to create looks that feel pulled together without trying too hard. I’d love to hear—do you already wear gauze separates that you love. Share your favorites in the comments—I always enjoy learning what works for you!

Age positively, age confidently, Age fashionably

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25 Comments

  1. Ok I had to laugh when I saw “shapeless” and “pj” then the first photo was the white dress, because those always remind me of the nighties the men wore in Little House on the Prairie. I know they are pretty and comfortable – especially on petites. I miss your interiors – definitely miss all the work on the little rental. As a down-sizer who will be moving again soon, I appreciated the upgrades to the smaller space. You can’t be all things to all blog-readers. But more Scout pics are always… a good thing.

    1. Hi Lissa

      I will be doing an outdoor/garden post on Thursday. The fashion peeps will just have to put up with it ha ha!! One day we will be downsizing again I am sure.

  2. Sorry about your cute hat. Our 11 year old Havanese, Trixy seems to only destroy her toys. We find stuffing and bits all over the house. Trixy is quiet and a joy to have following me everywhere. I live in gauze in this hot summer in Colorado. Mine is from Old Navy but I do have some Quince as well. It is such a comfortable and easy care fabric. I loved all of your choices just have to have cool light colors for my palette. I mostly wear white or natural and I do love sets as I’m 5’1” tall and slim. Need that column of color. I have a lovely blue and white striped set that is a favorite.

    1. Hi Sydney

      Old Navy, Gap factory and Gap all have some great gauze options at great prices. I own several!

  3. I love the way gauze feels in my hand, but almost everything I try on skews a bit frumpy on me……guess I’ll stick with linen for warm weather wear. Same issue with tiered sundresses, the proportions are usually off, as I am very long-waisted and short-legged. But I always love reading your posts and seeing the way you’ve styled your outfits!

  4. Not reading blogs that flog one purchase after another and focus on sales only it is boring. The reality is with the cost of everything and the state of everything it is trivial pursuit…even with a condescending
    inclusion of “price points” there is more to life outfits

  5. Hi, Cindy! I love your interiors, and your garden tips. Fashion isn’t everything, and, seriously, how many outfits does one person need? Maybe a post on antique shopping, or consignment shopping would be fun. Or decorating with a dog in mind. You have big dog issues, I have a 9 pound rescue that cannot be alone …ever! Good thing I love her because my routine now revolves around her.

  6. Hi Cindy! Kate here (new to your blog)! Totally love the first white dress, it’s just perfect. Actually I am totally enamored of everything in the picture… can you share deets on the rattan woven garden stool and the pillow cover I spy on the armchair? Also the divine blue throw that looks like washed velvet?
    Cheers,
    Kate

    1. Hi Kate and Welcome!!

      I would be happy to! You know this blog began as a design blog. I started doing a little fashion and it took over! No one likes my interior posts anymore so thank you for asking! You can always click on the shop my home tab and find everything that is available but here you go
      The garden stool was from Wayfair years ago…you can find it here https://go.shopmy.us/p-21386967
      the linen throw here https://go.shopmy.us/p-21386933
      The pillow cover was from Walter G textiles. You can search on Etsy or Ebay. That particular one I believe is no longer available. You can read my post on the great room here https://cindyhattersleydesign.com/five-simple-ways-to-refresh-your-home-for-summer/

      2. I love your interior posts AND your fashion posts — they are so inspirational. Please don’t listen to negative people because you bring joy to many of us every week with all of it.

        1. Hi Barbara

          Thank you so much! I will always continue to have a mix. I realize many women our age are “over” decorating their homes, but it is my passion, not fashion, so I will continue to combine the two.

  7. Love gauze also. So cool in the summer. But what are those Yellow flowers in that fabulous container?

    1. Hi Sandra

      It is lantana. There is a gold one (can’t thing of the name but they usually carry it at Home Depot) and a lighter yellow. I would think it would grow well in your area

      1. “New Gold” lantana is the most popular lantana in Texas as it survives freezes.

  8. I’ve gotten great gauze separates
    From Old Navy as well, linen too! They have petite s and Talls and I need the tall,
    And they are.awesome. Unfortunately, they sell out fast!
    I have the white dress from Loft also and they have some great maxi dresses on sale right now. AND the price is right.
    Thanks for all your research into gauze and linen, which I love!
    Carla0545@comcast.net

  9. Love the gauze dressing…flowy and fashionable. I am wearing that sort of thing while we are having very warm days here. ..pulling out dresses bought years ago from Blue Ginger during visits on the Hawaiian Islands. A former Bouvier de Flanders was a destroyer when my fellow was away at work… lots of unfortunate discoveries, but when I later moved in and we found Sophie , our next Bouvier in 1999, she wasn’t interested in touching a thing in the house. She was a very confident and calm dog, and I think that was due to my being around and working from home much of the time. Now she did like eating some flowers in my garden, but she’d also smell them ! Funny girl!

    1. Hi Cath

      Scouty has gotten so much better about almost everything! We do have an espalliered apple tree that he is also interested in…wer are trying the bitter a[ple spray!

  10. Well I wrote a great reply and just as I was finishing it vanished. It’s happened before. Great post and love gauze just make sure you have undergarments that hold things in a bit. Otherwise it’s not a good look when you are out and about. Fix the hat and treasure the memory. Dogs don’t live very long. And buy him some bully sticks. Cheaper online and get the sanitized ones that don’t smell. He will never chew anything else. My dog has never chewed anything. Only one toy and he still has all his toys and blankets in perfect condition. And my shoes are out by the door. He knows not to touch them. No waste basket raids. No purse nibbles. Not even a sock.

    1. Hi Leslie

      You my dear introduced me to bully sticks! We buy them at Costco. We made the mistake a couple of times buying the ones with the odor-not good! He loves the bully sticks. We always give him one when we leave as a reward and take them when we go out places as well. Unfortunately he still has a penchant for perscription glasses and raffia ! He is much better, but due to his size he can grab anything he wants off the counter. We just got some mouse traps per the breeders suggestion. We will see if that curbs his enthusiasm for anything on the counter!!

      1. Gosh. Well he will likely grow out of it. I like the mousetrap solution. It seems like they are finally mature at two years old and settle down. I finally weaned Woody from the bully sticks around two years old. Now he’s almost six!! Sorry about the hat. That’s a great hat.

        1. Hi Leslie

          He always seems to like my favorites! Our last lab was 7 before he grew up! He wasn’t big enough to be much of a counter surfer though!

  11. Hi Cindy. I might wear the red gauze set from Talbots – it’s rather nice and you look super in all the others as well. Obviously, we are wearing Michelin Man layers here in our winter, so I look forward to seeing how our summer eventuates.
    Re the hat – if it was me, I would get some raffia (the kind they tie up bunches of flowers with) and a darning needle and embroider a lazy daisy flower or two over the hole. The raffia is an almost un-noticable neutral and if anyone does spot the flowers, you will be unique in a bespoke hat!

    1. Hi Prue
      That is exactly what I was thinking. I started to look for Raffia flowers on Etsy yesterday! Great minds think alike

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