Hi, Ladies this month Vicki Archer, Jennifer from A Well Styled Life and I are tackling maxi skirts. Are they appropriate for women over 50? I was born in 1954 and I believe the maxi skirt has ventured in and out of style at least since the 60’s . I think it is safe to say almost anyone can wear a maxi skirt, no matter their age. You can be comfortable and still look feminine, you can up your game with jewelry, with an armful of silver bangles, a pendant necklace, or statement earrings. Maxi skirts can be worn at almost any occasion, depending on how they’re styled. They can be dressed down for casual wear at home or a casual event, or dressed up for a more formal occasion. But let’s specifically take a look at How to Rock a Maxi Skirt after 50.
When I think of the maxi skirt Caroline Herrera instantly comes to mind. I wore a Carolina Herrera maxi to my daughter’s wedding and I still get emails about that skirt. You can see it here. Caroline Herrera’s uniform a crisp shirt and a billowing maxi with maybe simple earrings. Classic and elegant.
Love these bright satin skirts from her current line.
Helen Mirren embraces the maxi with ageless style
Tastemaker Danielle Rollins always rocks a crisp white shirt and simple accessories with her maxi.
The comfortable and chic style can flatter anybody. Whether you’re tall or short, curvy or column-shaped, a maxi skirt can work for you. All you need to do is find the right design and partner it with the right pieces. As you know unless you have been living under a rock, I am well after 50. the trick is to find one that is most flattering to your figure type.
For me it has to be one with more of an a-line cut, I have a smallish waist (compared to the rest of me) and largish hips so that style works for me.
Here I am wearing an older CP Shades Lily skirt, the J Jill Essential Linen Shirt, and Mia Cowrie Shell Sandals.
You are probably thinking a long skirt is too hot for the dog days of summer. I was in Hotlanta last year this time, and I have to say the coolest outfit I wore was a linen maxi skirt and shirt. You can read that post here.
You can find the lily skirt online at CP Shades here
GET THE LOOK
It is pretty obvious my favorite look is a full skirt with a button-down shirt. You can tuck it in with a belt or tie it off for Summer.
Here I am wearing an old maxi skirt with the fabulous Sundance Catalog Alexie shirt, I am not a ruffle girl. This featherweight shirt has crinkly pleated ruffles that add texture, no frills. My favorite Peruvian Connection hat (sold out) but available here from Hat Attack now on sale!
GET THE LOOK
Let’s face it in our neck of the woods no one is going to any fancy events. I don’t feel comfortable showing you things that we won’t be wearing. This look is something I can wear out to an outdoor dinner or wine tasting. I am wearing my favorite Michael Stars Shine T-shirt with the Cp Shades Lily skirt, a simple necklace by Paula Carvalho Designs, and my favorite Olukai flip flops. I know many of you now own these and love them. I really am coveting the silver version.
GET THE LOOK
If you would like to read more about the ageless style of maxi skirts. You might enjoy Women love Maxi Skirts from Stylehive, or Alyson Walsh’s article for the telegraph Why the Maxi Skirt has Ageless Style Appeal
For more pretty maxi skirts you might want to check out:
Matches Fashion has a beautiful selection of higher-end maxi skirts here
Soft Surroundings has more reasonably priced maxi skirts here
You can find the lily skirt more reasonably on Ebay (that’s where I found mine) here
Thank you for reading How to Rock the Maxi Skirt After 50, I can’t wait to hear what Vicki and Jennifer have to say, Pop over and join the discussion.
VICKI ARCHER
JENNIFER AT A WELL STYLED LIFE
Loved, loved, loved the maxi skirts post! You looked amazing in every single one of the looks! And your outfit for your daughter’s wedding was so “Carolina Herrera”! Talk about classy! It’s so nice to have someone our age to look to for fashion advice. You have definitely nailed the “how to look cute, current and fashionable over 60 look”.
Another great conversation! I love maxi dresses (easier than skirts) that are linen or cotton and everything from Target to JJill, CP Shades and Eileen Fisher. One of my favorites is a blue madras plaid night gown from a Canadian company called The Sleep Shirt. I wore it as a dress on vacation in Santa Fe a couple of years ago and got loads of compliments. My knees (and other things) are too old for shorts or short skirts. The main attraction, though, is that maxis are so cool in the heat and humidity of the south.
Hi Cindy,
I’ve met you in person and to me you looked petite and trim, with lovely eyes, and a very friendly smile which lights up your whole face! As for the skirts, you’ve convinced me! I love the long linen ones and will be hunting for reasonable priced ones, which I suppose I’ll wear next year when we can go places again.
It’s so hot today, linen is the perfect choice in this weather!
XO Heidi
Hi Heidi
You are right we don’t need many clothes now ….a few things will do. I bought all of my CP shades skirts on ebay so keep your eye open! Thanks for reading!
I’m echoing with Caroline says. The photos help me by giving examples of what tops to wear and how with maxi skirts. Thanks, Cindy!
Hi Nancy
I don’t think there is anything cooler than a linen midi or maxi! Enjoy!
Love a long skirt. But I’ve put on the pandemic 10 pounds and need suggestions for tops to cover the belly.
Hi Marilyn
So have I …I had to do a lot of sucking in for tor these pictures. Maybe something a little looser until the covid 10 goes away!!
Cindy! Boy, do you know how to rock a maxi! I love how versatile a maxi is for everything from formalwear to something you could wear to a flea market! Not the same maxi, but the idea and how you are wearing it with s shirt tied at the waste! I want one!!
Annie you would look amazing in a linen maxi!
Thank you for reminding me that I still have several maxi skirts and what I can wear them with!!!! I am over 70
particularly for women 50+ …so feminin. But on your last photo I would say, wear the pullover inside…compared with your others they look much more proportioned.
I love this post! Agree that maxi skits are everywhere these days and the looks you put together are wonderful. There are also midi length skirts available that are otherwise similar. I bought two at sale price from Talbots that are exactly the same style as the maxi skirts in your photos. They even have pockets and tie belt! A little too muggy and hot where I am for maxi skirts in Aug/Sept plus hot flashes! UGH Thanks to your post and photos I know what to wear on top. So, once again, thank you.
Hi Caroline
I need to check Talbots out again. One can get in a rut with one’s shopping! Sounds like you found some great buys!
Cindy, no matter what you wear, you are always gorgeous, chic and stylish. I love your style and I love when you share clothing ideas for us “over 50” gals. Wonderful post.
Cindy,
I’ve seriously thought about buying myself a maxi skirt for ages. This post has led me to actually do something about it. All of you look wonderful in your skirts.
Karen
Hi! I’m new to your newsletter and am loving it…..i too am a woman of age, a few years your senior but love the styles we grew up with. I loved when women dressed up to fly on a plane, to go out of the house, etc.. I still do that. I am a Realtor and find myself wearing pants more than dresses these days. Always loved the classic celebrities as well…in any case, (I’m babbling too much) I am happy to see someone with your style putting it out there to remind us we too are classic and classy!
You look very nice in all the looks. I had to smile about your comment regarding your wide hips! I needed to look back at the pictures and I thought, “where?”. You look in great shape and I do not see wide hips anywhere! Thanks for all the ideas you share.
What you wore to your daughter’s wedding was divine! Carolina Herrera has always been an elegant style maker, and I have copied her formula many times. LOL! A girlfriend of mine once asked me why I had so many crisp white shirts and back in the 90’s, the boyfriend from Hell told me I “looked rich.” He meant that as a dig but I was wearing blue jeans and a crisp white shirt tied at the waist with the collar up. I’m with you about midi and maxi skirts. Absolutely adore them! xoxox, B
may I just say …. YOU LADIES are amazing …. full of fun, beauty and wisdom !!! Thank you all for sharing you’re hearts and loves and likes and not so liked lives with me. Enjoy yourselves a wonderful day ! Jayne
Thank you so much Jayne! Thank you for reading!
I loved this post! I wore CP shades for years and was heartbroken when they closed their store in Scottsdale! I still
have some of their maxi skirts and great tops! I love maxi skirts and wear them all year. Sometimes they are cooler in the
summer and they look super cute with boots in the fall! Your choices make me want to go to my closet and see what
new combos I can come up with! How fun!
Char you and I are on the same page! This year I have not done much buying. I have done a lot of digging as well!
Hi, I have just recently “found” you, and absolutely love your style! Forgive me if this is something you have covered in the past, OR if you choose not to, I understand…… but could you give your approximate height and weight for comparison value , and normal sizes, as I attempt to figure out sizes with online ordering. I am also a long time CP Shades fan and love the pic of the MS tee and the long navy lily skirt and would love to duplicate. I think I am a bit shorter than you and not as slim. It’s hard when you can’t try on……
Thanks for any help! Great blog, I’m hooked!
Diane
I
Hi Diane
I have not but I am happy to share. I definitely have an hourglass figure. I have a small waist and that is it. I am 5’4 and normally weigh around 124 give or take a few. My ideal weight is about 122 do not weight that now! I am also very long waisted with short legs. Shirt waist dresses do not work for me. I wear an Xs in almost everything cp shades. I ADORE that Michael stars tee. If you read me for long you will get sick of hearing about it. They last several seasons, hit at the elbow which is perfect for our age, and they are fitted but not skin tight. FYI I am not slim (it is just the waist). Hope that helps!!
Thank you SO much! That definitely helps. And love hearing about the things that work long term, like the MS tee. And your CP Shades. They keep increasing in price, but just last forever! Thank you again.
I love maxi skirts and I have two maxi…perhaps three dresses that I love. You look sensational in all the looks! And I agree they are very comfortable. Especially with flip flops. I have the silver ones like yours from your link. I have a necklace similar to yours in the last shot…going to copy this outfit as usual 🙂
Mary Ann
You look so adorable in your maxi dresses. I keep searching for the perfect one with no ruffles or flounces-hard to find! The midi works best for me. If I were young looking and cute like you I could pull it off.
Cindy, I was so thrilled you rocked a maxi skirt for this post! Love all your looks but of course, I’m a fan of anything you wear. 👍 I am a diehard maxi fan and prefer it over pants year round. I hope you’ll do a post for them in the winter months too. 🤗 Thanks for the classy comfortable outfit ideas!
Hi Sharon
I accidentally found last year that a linen maxi was the coolest possible thing to wear while in Hotlanta. I will certainly do another post in the fall. I wear those linen cp shade skirts (the darker ones) with boots in the winter!
Hi Cindy- so nice to see your eyes in the one photo! You are right about a long linen skirt feeling so cool in summer heat. There is something so feminine about a flowy, ethereal long skirt. Love the way you wear the linen un-ironed; it’s softer and wrinkles less and the only way I wear it. I also bought a few linen shirts at J Jill last week. Tying your linen tops at the waist adds another chic touch elevating the looks and balancing the long skirts. You look lovely in all the looks!
Hi Nan
It is so funny. I have hooded eyes. Whenever I get my picture taken it looks like my eyes are closed! I prefer to take my photos outside for the light and then I can wear sunglasses! I am glad you were able to snag those J Jill shirts they are super cheap right now!
I LOVE THIS LOOK……..especially ON YOU!
When my BOYS were small my LOOK was long skirts with sweatshirts…………
I still have some of those TAFFETA looking skirts…….I would add a Tennis like shoe and BE OFF!
I guess I was a BIT ECCENTRIC BACK THEN TOO!!!!!
LOVELY POST I LOVE THE PHOTOS!!!!!!!
XX
I haven’t been able to pull off the tennis shoe look yet. My feet are too big and wide! I sure love the look though! You eccentric? No way!!
You look simply fabulous in all of your maxi’s. It’s hard to believe you have wide hips! I love your look in all of these. Great fun. I’m stealing a few ideas from you. Xx
Believe it! You won’t ever see my backside in jeans (at least on purpose!) Big shoulders, big b & legs!!
All your outfits are simply beautiful, Cindy.
Hi Mimi
Thank you so much. I think we have to think of the times these days. Most of us aren’t going anywhere very exciting so it has to be cool and comfortable with a bit of style!
Fabulous pictures of you Cindy and lovely choices of the celebrities.
I do enjoy their flexibility and the way we can all adapt the midi/maxi to suit us .. xx
Hi Vicki
I love both the midi and the maxi. I have big thighs and a short waist so the midi has to hit me just right or it is not becoming on me. I do feel like both styles are timeless for women our age! Thanks so much for joining us!
Love this article and I love maxi skirts. My daughter is getting married in November and I have looked everywhere for the right maxi skirt and a dressy top. Yesterday the owner of a boutique told me they were just not in style any more. So disappointing. I will continue to wear maxis but so guess not for the wedding.
Thank you for sharing…maxi skirts and gray hair, my kind of friend!!
Hi Sally
I purchased my maxi skirt that I wore to my daughter’s wedding on Ebay. It was Caroline Herrera. I recently found one for another friend on the hunt. Give it a try!
Hi Sally
I can’t believe the boutique owner said maxi skirts are out. They are everywhere! I wore a Carolina Herrera skirt that I found on Ebay to my daughters wedding very similar to the one above. Keep looking!
Sally, I think a beautiful maxi/full length skirt and classy shirt or blouse with a gorgeous belt or sash never goes out of style. Especially for a mother of the bride or groom. My best friend just wore this look for her daughters wedding last Fall. Her skirt was a lovely satin in a burnt cinnamon with an off white blouse and charcoal wide sash. The bridesmaids had charcoal dresses. She received so many complements. As Cindy suggested…hunt Ebay, Etsy and other online stores. If that fails to turn the right one up…have one made.
Your friends outfit sounds positively gorgeous Judy!!