3 Fall Outfit Formulas for Women Over 50 That Are Easy to Copy

Sometimes I think we make getting dressed harder than it needs to be. We buy a cute sweater here, a pair of pants there, and then somehow end up staring at a closet full of clothes, wondering what goes with what. Lol!

That’s why I’ve become such a fan of outfit formulas. Instead of concentrating on one particular piece, think about the combination: sweater + pants + flats, or cardigan + wide-leg jeans + loafers. Once you find a formula that works for you, you can repeat it using all kinds of things already hanging in your closet.

Today I’m sharing three fall outfit formulas for women over 50 that I recently tried on. These range from polished casual to a little dressier, and I’ll tell you what fit well, what I would change, and the one pair of boots that made me work harder than I wanted to just to get them on. Ha!

For sizing reference, I’m 5’6″, and I’ve listed the sizes I’m wearing with each item.

Fall Outfit Formula #1: Sweater + Plaid Pants + Ballet Flats

This first outfit might be my favorite example of taking something fairly classic and making it feel current.

The Adelaide Button Trim Pullover Sweater has those brass-toned buttons running across the shoulders, which give an otherwise simple sweater a little personality. I’m wearing a medium, and the fit was just right for me. I also like this olive shade because it works beautifully with all those browns, taupes, creams, and camel colors we start pulling out in the fall.

I paired it with the Livia Crop Pant in a medium. These fit me well, and I really like that the plaid isn’t loud or overly traditional. However, if you are between sizes, then I suggest sizing up.

The muted colors make them much easier to style. The cropped, wider leg also lets the shoes show, which matters when the shoes are this cute!

A Woven Flat That Can Bridge Summer and Fall

The Demi Saddle Woven Leather Ballet Flats are one of those shoes that make sense during this in-between time of year. The woven leather feels lighter than a solid leather shoe, but the rich saddle color looks very fall-ish.

I found them true to size.

I could wear these now with ankle pants and dresses, then continue wearing them well into fall with jeans and trousers. That’s the kind of shoe purchase I prefer, one that doesn’t get shoved back into the box after three weeks.

I finished the outfit with the Italian Handwoven Leather Mini Shoulder Bag. I like repeating that warm cognac color from the shoes in the handbag. They don’t have to match exactly. In fact, I usually prefer when they don’t.

The long LOVE Full-Heart Pendant adds a little vertical interest over the sweater without competing with the shoulder-button detail.

This formula works especially well if you like polished casual outfits: start with a solid sweater, add a subtly patterned pant, and keep your shoes and handbag in the same color family.

Fall Outfit Formula #2: Color-Block Cardigan + Wide-Leg Jeans + Loafers

This outfit is much more casual, but I still think it looks put-together.

The Meg Raglan Sleeve Cardigan immediately caught my eye because of the color combination. You’ve got blue through the body, green sleeves, and cream trim. Those colors do most of the work for you, so the rest of the outfit can stay simple.

I’m wearing a large, and it fits well. I wore it buttoned like a sweater instead of treating it as a layering piece, but you could easily wear it open over a white or cream tee later.

That’s one little styling trick worth remembering. A cardigan doesn’t always have to be the third piece. Button it up and let it be your top, and suddenly you’ve got another way to wear it.

Wide-Leg Denim Doesn’t Have to Look Dressy

I’m wearing the Nellie Drawstring Wide Leg Denim in a medium, and these fit me well.

The wider leg gives the outfit a current silhouette, but the soft color and drawstring detail keep the jeans casual. I especially like them with a loafer because you get a little structure at the bottom without adding a heel.

The Sam Edelman Lizbeth Moc Toe Loafers fit me true to size. A dark brown loafer is a nice alternative to black for fall, especially if your closet has lots of cream, denim, olive, camel, and navy.

The Louis Vuitton Artsy Handbag I’ve Barely Carried

And then we have the elephant in the room. Or maybe I should say the elephant-sized handbag. Lol!

I’ve owned my Louis Vuitton Artsy Handbag for years, but I’ve only carried it a handful of times. It is a gorgeous bag, and I still love the way it looks. But here’s the truth: it’s a little too big for me.

That’s exactly why I don’t want to tell you that every beautiful item I own is automatically practical. This bag holds a ton, which may be wonderful if you carry your life around with you. For my everyday needs, I usually reach for something smaller.

I pulled it out for this outfit because the warm brown monogram looks great with the green, blue, cream, and brown combination. I just wouldn’t call it my most-used handbag.

And that is a good reminder when you’re shopping for a bag. Don’t only ask, “Do I love how this looks?” Ask yourself, “Do I actually like carrying a bag this size?”

That second question could have saved me some money over the years. Lol!

Fall Outfit Formula #3: Sleeveless Sweater + Plaid Skirt + Suede Boots

Now we’re getting a little dressier. I realize the heavy suede coat is way too much for now, but I wanted to show you how layering works so well for fall.

I added the chocolate brown suede coat once I wanted another layer. I really like how the rich brown works with the Soft Mink shell and plaid skirt without everything looking too matched. This is exactly the kind of coat I like for fall because it adds polish and warmth without overwhelming the outfit. It also gives you another way to wear a sleeveless sweater later in the season, which is always a plus in my book.

I love the combination of the plaid skirt with the Cable Mock Neck Shell in Soft Mink. I’m wearing a large in the shell, and the fit is good.

A sleeveless knit like this is especially useful during early fall because you get the texture and rich color of a sweater without committing to long sleeves when it is still warm outside.

This is exactly the kind of piece I want in my closet right now. I can wear it alone in September and then keep wearing it under jackets, blazers, and cardigans later in the season.

I’m wearing a large in the plaid skirt, and it fits well. I really like the movement of the longer skirt with the taller boots. The plaid has enough going on that I kept the rest of the colors fairly tonal.

The Handmade Large Leather Tote

The Jack Heritage Broken-In Leather Bag is a substantial handbag, too, but it has a completely different look from my Artsy. The warm tan leather works beautifully with brown, taupe, olive, denim, cream, and even black, so this is the kind of color that can work with a huge portion of a fall wardrobe.

This is definitely a larger bag, so I would consider how much you normally carry before ordering. If you need room for a laptop, travel items, or everything but the kitchen sink, a bag this size can be very handy.

If you’re someone who carries a lipstick, wallet, phone, and not much else, you might wonder what on earth you’re supposed to do with all that real estate. Lol!

The Ash Virgee Pointed Toe Kitten Heel Booties might be my favorite part of this outfit.

I love the slouchy suede, pointed toe, and small heel. They’re dressy enough for a skirt but would look fabulous under jeans, too. BUT…They don’t have a zipper.

My regular size is a 9, and I had trouble getting the size 9 onto my foot. Once I went up to a size 10, I had a much easier time getting them on, and the 10 fit great. So this is one of those times when I’m much happier telling you what happened on my foot than simply writing “cute boots!” and sending you shopping.

If you have a higher instep or sometimes struggle with pull-on boots, pay attention to that. The lack of a zipper could be an issue. For me, sizing up solved the problem.

Why Outfit Formulas Make Getting Dressed Easier

You don’t need these exact pieces to use any of these ideas. That’s the part I want you to take away from this post. Look in your own closet and see if you can recreate the formulas:

• Solid sweater + patterned pants + flats
• Cardigan + wide-leg jeans + loafers
• Sleeveless knit + midi or maxi skirt + boots

Once you’ve got that basic combination, you can change the colors, prints, shoes, handbags, and accessories to suit your style.

This is also one of the easiest ways to shop smarter. Instead of buying something because it looks cute by itself, ask yourself what outfit formula it fits into.

Can that sweater work with your jeans AND a pair of trousers?
Could those loafers work with pants AND dresses?
Can that sleeveless shell be worn alone now and layered later?

The more answers that are “yes,” the more likely I am to actually get my money’s worth.

Which Fall Outfit Formula Would You Wear?

I think all three outfits fill a different spot in a fall wardrobe.

The first is polished enough for lunch, church, or an appointment. The second is an easy everyday outfit that I’d wear for shopping or running errands. And the skirt outfit is the one I’d choose when I want to feel a little more dressed up.

Now I want to know which one looks the most like you. Are you Team Plaid Pants, Team Wide-Leg Jeans, or Team Skirt and Boots?

Did you find something helpful in today’s post? Share it with a friend or save it to Pinterest so you can find it again later. That simple click also helps more women over 50 discover our little corner of the internet, and I truly appreciate it.

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To GOD Goes The Glory!

Verse Of The Day

Romans 12:2 (NIV)
² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.