Older and Bolder: Don’t be Afraid to Add Color to your Wardrobe

ByCindy Hattersley Hours Posted on Hours Updated on
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As we age, our skin can become paler. Dark Colors can make our skin look dull and emphasize our wrinkles. The good news is gray hair can act as a neutral backdrop and create dramatic contrast with other colors. I know this, but I often shy away from color except on my lips. Today, I am embracing some vibrant shades. let’s talk about older and bolder: don’t be afraid to add color to your wardrobe. Let’s go big or go home!

Don't be afraid to add color to your Wardrobe

Older and Bolder: Don’t be Afraid to Add Color to your Wardrobe.

Debunk the Myths

Only younger women in their 20s or 30s should wear color. Don’t believe it. Color can bring life to your face. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and experiment with color. In the words of Iris Apfel, “Beige can Kill You”.

cindy hattersley in red with turquoise

I love this red linen shirt and straight-leg pants from Eileen Fisher (both on sale). The necklace was an inheritance from my mother in law. I love the unexpected combination of red and turquoise.

cindy hattersley in red and blue

Here I am wearing a cotton shirt (on sale) from Sundance with the same pants, sandals from Laid Back London (you can find similar here), Mar Y Sol bag, and vintage Helen Kaminski hat. Further down the post I am wearing the pants with a blazer. If you love red, make red your capsule wardrobe and build from there.

Shop Red Looks

Begin with a Pop of Color

If you aren’t ready to make a bold statement (like above) opt for colorful accessories, or a pop of color.

cindy hattersley in green linen jacket and white jeans

I found this green linen blazer at the Sundance Outlet for literally pennies. I am wearing it with white jeans, laid back london sandals similar here, and pearl accessories.

Shop Green Blazer Look

Confidence is Key-Own Your Own Style

After 50, style becomes a celebration of confidence and experience. Don’t be afraid to embrace bold colors (unless you absolutely abhor them). By now most of us have evolved and we understand what we are most comfortable in. You might enjoy revisiting my post Here’s How you can Own Your Own Style After 50 with Confidence.

Cindy Hattersley in Fucsia skirt and top

When I spotted this “dragon fruit” colorway on CP Shades I was smitten (sorry I don’t know what happened with these pictures, I need to retake them). The claudine blouse pink cotton silk, I tied at the waist. I am wearing it with my favorite lily skirt (currently sold out but they may have in stores-worth a call). You can find the entire dragon fruit color way here.

cindy hattersley in fuschia top and white jeans

This Jasmine Tunic is a favorite of mine, worn here with white jeans from J Jill and comfy fit flop sandals.

Cindy Hattersley in fuschia and chartreuse

Here I styled the Jasmine tunic with a pair of chartreuse linen pants and Eileen Fisher neutral sandals.

Shop CP Shades Dragon Fruit Looks

Understand Your Color Palette

Find your best colors. If you don’t know where to start, have your colors done by a professional. “Getting your colors done” involves color analysis by a trained professional who will examine your hair, eyes, and skin tone to determine which colors compliment you best. The process “considers the hue, value, and chroma of your coloring to help you identify your seasonal color palette and dominant tones”. Learn to understand how colors interact with each other and how they can be combined to create certain feelings, moods and reactions.

This beautiful shirt (gifted from my friends at Mersea) is a fun addition to my white jeans.

cindy hattersley in green and red

Another unexpected color combination the green linen blazer with the red linen pants from Eileen Fisher.

Shop Red Looks

Experiment with Your Best Hues

I had my colors done years ago by my friend and neighbor Sharon Parsons. I think of her every time I wear purple. Purple was not popular back in the 80’s. I thought she was out of her mind.

I love this great eileen fisher sweater with my lavender lily skirt (you can find one on eBay here) my native american jewelry and footwear from Artemis Design Company.

cindy hattersley in purple and chartreuse

Chartreuse trousers and colorful sandals add a fun element to the Eileen Fisher sweater.

cindy hattersley in Johnny Was Dress

Last but not least Mary Ann inspired me to order this pretty dress from Johnny Was.

Shop Purple Looks & Johnny Was Dress

Don’t let age limit your confidence in wearing colors; it’s all about understanding yourself and choosing colors that make you feel your best that suit your lifestyle. Is color a staple in your closet, or do you prefer neutral colors?

Further reading:

What is Color Theory

Thank you for reading Older and Bolder: Don’t be Afraid to Add Color to your Wardrobe.

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61 Comments

  1. I immediately ordered the red EF linen and have received the trousers and love them. I did size down fyi. While waiting on top I wore pants with an older light blue linen EF, and loved it. Your post has inspired me To mix it up! TY.

  2. Wow! How stunning! I somehow missed this post and am late to the party — but amazingly, the gorgeous red EF linen pieces are still available, still on sale, and now on their way to me, LOL! You look gorgeous in vibrant colors — I hope all the reader affirmations convince you of this!

  3. You’re so inspiring!! I’m tired of purchasing items that don’t enhance my appearance and am in the process of scheduling a consultation with a House of Colour stylist….I’m so excited! As an creative, I appreciate your color combos and hope I’m able to wear vibrant/rich colors too. Thanks Cindy

  4. Just a joyous post thank you Cindy you gave me some wonderful ideas and you look stunning friend!! I love the dragon color especially and the gorgeous yellow pants. And thanks for sharing a new Etsy find. Happy week ! I now wear more and more color at 60 than before. Recently l bought the very popular Theory beige sweater in the Nordstrom sale and because of my olive/ Mediterranean skin it was washing me out though l loved the detailed cables. I finally sent it back knowing l needed stronger color. Good move.

  5. Just love the color on you. As a person who loves traditional style I’ve gotten bogged down in navy and black. Eileen Fisher clothes are boxy on my body, but I do love her linen blouses in great colors and they really set off my love of Southwest jewelry that I share with you, Cindy. Would love some more suggestions for colorful clothes that are mid-range priced but not as boxy(EF) or bohemian and flowy (CPShades)as I find many of the colorful styles are. I wear both those styles, want cotton or linen, natural fabrics. Suggestions anyone?

    1. Thanks Mary Ann!! You look a lot cuter in that Johnny Was dress than me!

  7. How is it you look amazing in everything! Colour really suits you and you’ve inspired me to break out. Most of my clothes are navy, however, pink really suits me, the few times I’ve worn it I receive compliments. I’m just not a pink girl.

    1. Hi Ri

      I am not really a pink girl either, but I do love a vivid blue based pink like this dragon fruit color!

  8. I’ve “done” my own colors a few times online (here’s a fun DIY website: https://colorwise.me) and I’m a LIGHT SUMMER. Which explains why I steer clear of bright colors and reds/oranges/browns! When you find the best colors for your undertone/eyes/hair it’s a game changer, saves so much time and money. Even wearing a sweatshirt in “your color” will get compliments galore, amazing! Thanks for the great post.

    1. Thank you for that website suggestion. I’ve taken a quick look but want to spend more time on it. Looks like I match up with Ryan Gosling!!

    2. Hi Valletta

      That was fun. I did it twice the first time it was dead wrong. The second time I think it was probably right.

  9. Hi Cindy,
    I absolutely ❤️ 💖❤️you in color, you look so good. Color like this I feel lifts your spirits, and is so joyful. The main thing is you like it, Change is a good thing. I also like your other looks, but this adds a big spark of life. Purple is one of my living favorite colors, red, turquoise is also so good.

    1. Hi Katherine

      I love red if it has enough blue in it. I love all the colors I wore today. I just need to wear them more!!

  10. Hi Pal, Again, you’ve hit it out of the park by featuring color. You rock every look-makes me feel positively boring!

  11. I agree with COLOR. I have white short pixi hair and I really need color! I am tired of seeing beiges! You look great in all the colors in this blog.

    1. Hi Rory

      I don’t look great in beige either. Oatmeal yes, but I love the richness of khaki! It is not my best color, however.

  12. I’m all about color! 🩷💚🩵💙🧡❤️💛 Thank you so much for this post!

    1. Hi Kathryn

      I like color, I just tend to fall back on neutrals because they are easier!

  13. You look fantastic is bright colors. I always feel more alive in pastels and brighter colors. This is the problem I have with the trend to have a capsule wardrobe – everything is dull, which does nothing for me, even if I insert color with scarfs, jewelery and assessories like purses. I have to inject colorful tops, too, which compliment my pale skin tone. I love the line from Iris Apfel, “Beige can Kill You”. I sure does me! Even when I was in the professional world where navy and black suits were the norm, I added colorful blouses, lapel pins and scarves. I frequently received compliments on my attire.

  16. Cindy. You look gorgeous in the fuschia and lime green colors. Your taste is impeccable.

    1. Hi Rachelle

      That green is a bit of a strecth for me but I couldn’t resist the price!

  17. Cindy- You are beautiful in those bright colors!!! You should wear them more often!
    I love color in my home & in my wardrobe! I wear reds, blues & purple! They make me happy so I never shy away from these colors! I say whatever floats your boat!

    1. Hi Jes

      I understand. I try to do color specifically every summer. I will try to do it more often!

  19. I’ve been reading your blog for several years and this is one of my favorite posts! You look terrific and confident in every photo. When I was younger and in the corporate world (finance, where conservative dressing was a must) I kept styles professional but lots of color. When I retired I got away from that somewhat, but your post beckons me back. I still have plenty of colorful items stashed away. Love the pairing of purple and chartreuse and love the Iris Apfel quote! I am recalling now how much color has made me happy. Bring it on!

    1. Hi Sheila

      I love purple and chartreuse…one of my faves. Both are hard to find however!

  22. Yahoo! Color has returned. I’m so tired of seeing Jenni Kayne beige on many women who it doesn’t suit. When you are younger you can wear just about everything. I agree. As you age a woman needs to reassess what makes her shine! Good post Cindy. We need color.

    1. Hi Leslie

      You certainly rock at combining these beautiful hues in your paintings!!

  23. Wow! Cindy! This is making me rethink my neutral wardrobe. You look ahhhhhhhmazing!!

  24. I get tons of compliments when I wear aqua or pink clothes near my face. So I wear them as often as possible.

  25. I love colour that suits me well…it just gives me a lift and suits my personality. Following my colour analysis done about 3 years ago ( Red Leopard in London) which I initially thought was quite indulgent, I realized just how useful it really was. I love a tomato red, golds, olives, and rich cream. I found White Stuff ( UK line) to have a lot of the vibrant tones I like, which carry over from one season to another, so that many pieces work very well together… linens tops and pants, soft dresses, cardigans. Happily, I can access locally here on mid Vancouver Island, and not actually travel to UK to shop! So good to see you showcasing colour, Cindy. Suits you !

    1. Cathy, where is the store that sells UK clothing? I’m up island from you but would happily make a trip.

      1. Hi Joanna, Fresh Boutique in Parksville carries White Stuff . Easy to spot on Hwy 19 A . Hope that’s helpful…Cath

  26. I’ve stated wearing more color, especially blue. It’s a complete turn around for me. My normal closet was full of neutrals. . My daughter encouraged me and once I started I realized that color brightens my face. I haven’t gotten as brave to mix colors top and bottom, as you have here.

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