How to Master Column Dressing for a Slimmer Look After 50+

ByCindy Hattersley Hours Posted on Hours Updated on
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If you’ve gained a few pounds like me and are looking for every possible way to create a longer leaner silhouette, you have come to the right place. It’s all about creating a continuous, unbroken line of color, and trust me, it’s a trick that works wonders for every shape and size. A column of color can be created in the center of your outfit or on the outside. Get ready to unlock the magic of how to master column dressing for a slimmer look after 50+. You will feel more confident and slimmer the moment you step out your door, I promise! It’s the easiest way to take off a few pounds without dieting.

Admittedly I am obsessed with this rich wine color this season. Note how I appear taller in this picture. The pants gifted from SSKein (a company new to me with beautiful knitwear) have slight vertical stripes in black. These pants fit me perfectly. The boucle v neck (adds texture). I added my little bag from Laura Shepherd on Etsy. Laura has an incredible eye. You can get into a lot of trouble on her site!

How to Master Column Dressing for a Slimmer Look After 50+

Monochromatic Magic

The secret sauce of column dressing is the continuous, single color you wear on your inner or outer layer (your top and bottom) A monochromatic outfit creates a slimming effect by creating an uninterrupted vertical line which elongates the body and creates a streamlined silhouette. By avoiding visual breaks it tricks the eye by guiding it from head to toe without interruption minimizing the areas that we are not so fond of!!

I love this sweater and pants from J Crew. I ordered the sweater in a medium and should have ordered a small. I have had this polka dot scarf for several years, similar here. Gentle Souls boots here. Wyeth hat here. This is a great hat for that won’t break the bank.

Think Dark and Deep

The all-black column is undeniably the most popular choice. It’s the easiest option and I admittedly rely on it time and time again, but

Column of Black with Chicos Sweater

https://go.shopmy.us/p-30043386I love this sweater from Chicos ( Medium)it looks like it came from one of the higher end brands), I am wearing it with their lightweight cashmere sweater (a recent favorite), and older sweater pants from J Crew (similar here that I own) I can’t recommend J Crew’s sweater pants more highly. The quality is better than many of the high end brands.I bought my All Saints bag off one of the resale sites. You can find several on Poshmark here, and on eBay here.

Don’t Break the Line

The key is to keep the inner or outer line completely unbroken. Wear a black top with black pants or skirt, or a navy duster with navy jeans for instance. The closer the colors match, the more elongated and sleek your silhouette is.

This scarf coat from J Crew is so good (comes in other colors 20% off today), under it is a lovely cabled cashmere sweater in a another brown hue, with the same kick out pants (these are excellent quality), gentle souls boots, great bag from Everlane, and a simple bandana bought locally. The bandana breaks up the all one color look, while the different textures create interest. You could easily swap this out for a blazer from your wardrobe for the same effect. Quince also has two great scarfcoats here and here. I had a coat nearly identical years ago that I wore to death.

Find more scarfcoats and favorite jackets and coats here.

Texture and or Pattern Create Interest

A monochromatic column comes to life when you mix textures.

Column Dressing Olive Green-Cindy Hattersley

Here I am wearing a midi sweater dress from Talbots (very flattering),a fabulous scarf from Aritzia that adds visual interest (it is reversible) I like it so much I ordered another color, my trusty Gentle Souls booties, I anchored the wrap with a fabulous vintage brooch that I found on eBay. My new sunglasses (from Specs by Kyla if you are local ). You can find them here online. The frames are a neutral taupey gray and the lenses are brown

cindy hattersley dressed in a column of wine

I am wearing this beautiful boucle sweater from SSkein in size small. I am glad I didn’t order the medium. The pants are a medium and fit perfectly including the length. The bag is from Laura Shepherd on Etsy here.

Double Denim to the Rescue

I can’t get enough of double denim! It’s one of my tried-and-true favorites. If you missed my detailed post on styling this look a few weeks ago, you can find it here!

I don’t order many new things but this wrap from Overland Sheepskin was just so good, I love the Rag and Bone Miramar jeans (you need to try them they are terrycloth), denim shirt, hat, and booties (that you are probably tired of seeing) Pin is from my collection.

For interesting scarves at all pricepoints you can check out my shopmy shop here.

Thank you for reading How to Master Column Dressing for a Slimmer Look After 50+. Shop your closet for staples of the same color. At the end of the day, column dressing is your secret weapon for looking put-together. It’s not about hiding your figure (well that too!) ; it’s about using the power of a single, unbroken color line to create a visually longer and leaner silhouette. Embrace the simplicity of this technique, trust your eye, know that the most important element of any outfit is the confidence you wear it with.

Age positively, age confidently, Age fashionably

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36 Comments

  1. You look delicious in that wine outfit! But the pale grey is my favorite. My coloring is more like Jennifer Connelly’s. You are both three inches taller than I am so a column of color is my go to for taller and slimmer looks. I’m ten pounds heavier than I should be but being petite and thin all of my Life has given me some bad eating habits like cashew ice cream. Yum!

  2. Hi Cindy,
    I recently purchased the Gentle Soul booties that you frequently recommend. I was very disappointed with the comfort of the booties! The width was narrower than I expected, and the cushioning inside the
    booties and on the soles was very average. Of course, this is IMO, but thought your readers would
    like to know about another reader’s experience. I love your blog, and you always look fabulous!!!

  3. Love this post- a lot of great suggestions and you look classy and stunning as always! What I think I love most about your posts is you combine higher end brands with our old school traditional brands like
    J CREW and Banana and a new favorite Quince (which in my 50’s, I’m still obsessed with them all!). You are also not shy to let us know when you find a great item on Poshmark, which is another favorite for some great finds, even new with tags! Thank you for another fantastic post!

  4. Cindy
    That rich wine color is absolutely delicious on you, especially with the beautiful fall backdrop 🍂🍁

  5. Thanks for all the examples of column outfits – you look great in them! It is a nice concept to add a little variety to one’s wardrobe.

    1. Hi Sharon

      It is unsigned but I believe it might be Native American. The inseam is 28 1/2. The length is perfect on me with my gentle souls boots which have a 1.75″ block heel. I am just 5’4. Sweater pants can be hemmed by a professional.

  7. Hi Cindy!
    Loving your blog for a while now. May I please ask what is the inseam on your wine colored pants? I am 5’2” about 125 lbs. When I try to wear wide leg pants, I feel as wide as I am tall! The cropped flares are darling on you and I still have not mastered them. Maybe I need to try different shoes/boots? Thanks again for all of your fantastic style tips.
    Gina

    1. Hi Gina

      The inseam is 28 1/2. The length is perfect on me with my gentle souls boots which have a 1.75″ block heel. I am just 5’4. Sweater pants can be hemmed by a professional. Pants are trickey for me as well as I am long waisted with short legs! I hope they work for you they are beautiful pants and quite flattering with the vertical stripes.

  8. Cindy,
    You look fantastic in each of these gorgeous outfits. I love your style!
    Rosemary

  9. Hi Cindy, Thank you for your latest post.
    If you haven’t seen it already, you might enjoy Homeworthy’s video with Nicholas Laruso Jr. in Paris.
    Take care, Karyn

  10. Cindy, You are brilliant the way you keep coming up with new topics, then putting together examples. The SSKein pants in the first picture are beautiful but I don’t think aubergine is a color that would flatter me and I don’t need another pair of black pants. You look great in the wine and burgundy tones! You are so ecumenical the way you feature pieces from many sources, now including Chicos and Talbots! And yes, I could use some techniques for hiding what I’ve added around the middle through living the good life!

    1. Hi Wren

      Time for a lunch date to hear about your trip!! I am always excited when I find a company that has interesting things. Sometimes they approach me, and sometimes I seek them out. I have an ongoing list in google docs of new companies that I think you guys might enjoy. I have found that Chicos, Talbots, Coldwater Creek, Lands End and Ann Taylor often have nice things at a better price point (and they have a lot of sales). As long as they let me pick out what suits my audience, I kind of enjoy the challenge!

  11. Cindy, you rocked everything. The wine is gorgeous on you. You have the gift of creating the best looks.

    1. Hi Katherine

      Thank you so much. I work hard to try and come up with things I hope you all will like.

    1. Hi Nancy

      It helped that the trees were the same color behind me!! I am crazy about that color.

  13. Cindy,
    great styling ideas! Can you share the sizing you chose on the JCrew sweater pant? I also do not see the sweater pull up, rather it goes to the scarves. Love your blog! Thank you.

    1. Hi Karyn

      Yes I ordered a medium in the J Crew pant in the regular length. I have a petite in the wine and they are a bit short. Here is the link for the J Crew Sweater (my link worked hmmmm) https://go.shopmy.us/p-30046789. Maybe you were speaking of the Sskein sweater? I added the link and I am wearing a small.

  14. Good morning, Cindy! You look fabulous in the deep wine color! I just think it goes perfectly with your beautiful coloring! You inspire me everyday! Thank you, too, for introducing me to the darling Sandra Sallin! Hope you have a wonderful, fun and creative day! 💋

    1. Hi Annie

      I had my “colors” done years ago by someone who really knew what she was doing. She always instructed me to wear purple. I was young then and of course I thought purple are you kidding?!! Sandra is just a delight isn’t she?

  15. I’m obsessed with that vintage pin!! It’s magnificent. You’re so great at sourcing those treasures.

    2. FYI Jennifer …my pal Jennifer and I are doing a post next week on brooches and pins. It should be fun!!

    1. Hi Cristi

      The great thing about that poncho and the Rag and Bone is they are reversible, so you get more bang for your buck!!

  17. Cindy, You look fabulous in all of these outfits, but my heart has to go with your wine colored outfit! What a rich delicious color! xoxox, Brenda

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