How to Wear Neon or Bright Colors Over 50 Without Feeling Ridiculous
I’ve always believed that style should be fun, and if wearing something bright makes you feel good, then wear it. Period. You don’t have to dress in beige from head to toe just because someone decided that women over 50 should “blend in.” No ma’am. If you want to wear lime green, wear lime green.
Now, if you’ve always stuck to safe colors and the thought of neon gives you flashbacks to aerobics class in the ’80s, don’t worry. I’m not suggesting you run out and buy a full head-to-toe highlighter yellow outfit. But I am going to show you how to wear bright colors in a way that feels polished, flattering, and totally age-appropriate.
How to Wear Neon or Bright Colors Over 50 Without Feeling Ridiculous
P.S. You might also like reading these summer style posts!
Bright & Bold Amazon Outfits That Pop
Sometimes a pop of color is just what your wardrobe needs, and these looks are full of sunshine, confidence, and just the right amount of fun. They’re great for warmer weather, and easy to style whether you’re going to brunch or just want to feel a little more put together.
The Bold Tank + Wide Leg Trousers
This outfit just made me smile. The bright color of the tank is vibrant without being too loud, and I love the zipper detail; it adds a bit of edge to an otherwise simple look. The tank is ribbed and stretchy, and it lies nicely without feeling clingy.
The cotton-linen trousers are perfect for summer. They’re airy but structured enough to keep their shape, and they move beautifully when you walk. These sit comfortably at the waist and have a wide leg that’s breezy but not overwhelming.
The straw clutch adds a little texture, and the wedge sandals give me a bit of height without the discomfort of stilettos.
Tania’s Tip: If you’re wearing wide-leg pants and a sleeveless top, try a wedge heel to elongate your legs and balance out the volume. Also, don’t be afraid of color, it lifts your mood and draws compliments like a magnet!
The Ruffle Color Block Top + The Same Linen Blend Pants
This top is playful and cheerful, and I love the soft ruffle detail around the sleeves; it draws attention up toward the face (which I always appreciate!) without being too frilly. The color blocking gives it a fresh, modern feel, and the medium size gives a relaxed, slightly oversized fit that still works with the volume of the pants.
I styled it again with the same linen-blend trousers to show just how versatile they are. The colors in this outfit make it perfect for summer gatherings, weekend shopping, or even vacation dinners by the water.
Tania’s Tip: If you find yourself avoiding wide-leg pants, pair them with a slightly shorter or tucked-in top to define your waist. And when wearing bold colors, keep accessories simple, let the outfit do the talking.
Let Color Be the Star of the Show
One of the best ways to wear neon or brights without looking over-the-top is to let the color take center stage and keep everything else simple.
Pair a hot pink top with your favorite pair of jeans. Wear a bright yellow sweater with crisp white pants. If you’ve got a bold green dress, throw on nude shoes and call it a day.
Bright colors look best when they’re not competing for attention. You don’t want to look like you’re trying out for a clown parade. Keep the shapes classic and the accessories clean, and your outfit will look fresh.
Pick the Right Shades for You
Not all bright colors are created equal, and just because something’s trendy doesn’t mean it’s the right color for your skin tone. The good news? There’s a bright out there for everybody.
Cool-toned gurls usually look great in fuchsia, cobalt, and icy shades. Warm-toned gurls might find they glow in tangerine, bright coral, or golden yellow.
Still not sure? Hold the color up to your face in natural light and see what it does. If it makes your skin come alive and your eyes pop, you’ve got a winner. If it makes you look like you haven’t slept in a week… maybe put that one back.
Bright on Top = Instant Glow
Here’s a little trick I love…wearing color near your face helps brighten your complexion. A bright top, scarf, or even earrings can give you that glow we’re all chasing, no highlighter required.
If you’re feeling tired or just want to perk up your look, put on a colorful blouse instead of another gray one. Trust me, you’ll see the difference in the mirror. People will think you got a new skincare routine.
Prints Count Too
If solid neons feel too bold, try wearing brights in a print. Florals, stripes, and abstract patterns are a great way to sneak in color while still keeping things balanced.
A printed blouse with some hot pink or orange mixed in looks great with jeans. A dress in a tropical print can be your go-to summer piece. And don’t forget about swimwear, bright prints look fabulous at the pool or beach.
Mix Brights With Denim or White
You can’t go wrong with pairing brights with classic denim. A neon top with a denim jacket? So cute. Bright pants with a white tee? Effortless.
And if you’re not ready for neon jeans, even something as simple as a colorful tank or cardigan can totally transform a basic outfit. White also makes a great canvas for color.
Try It in Unexpected Ways
Not all bright colors have to be worn in clothing. Try a fun shoe, a pop of color on your nails, a bright handbag, or even colorful sunglasses.
Finds with Neon or Bright Colors I’m Loving for Women Over 50
This little striped top handle bag is the ultimate pop of fun! I love how you can carry it as a clutch or toss it over your shoulder with the chain strap. It’s just the right size for your phone, lipstick, and readers. Perfect for adding a punch of color to your dinner outfit or taking on vacation when you want to keep things light and bright.
This swimsuit is doing all the right things. The one-shoulder design gives it a modern twist, and the tummy control keeps everything smoothed out without feeling too tight. Plus, the color and the print are SO cute!
This crochet cover-up is lightweight, breezy, and shows just enough of your swimsuit underneath. I’d throw this on for a beach day, pool party, or weekend at the lake!
The color of this top will wake up any outfit (and maybe your mood), gurls! It would look so cute with jeans, shorts, or white pants. I’d wear this for errands, lunch, or just because it’s a Tuesday.
These wide-leg jeans are a statement, but in the best, most flattering way! The cropped length and patch pockets make them trendy, but the fit is forgiving and comfy. Pair them with a white top or block heels for an outfit that’s both stylish and happy!
If you’re not quite ready to wear a bright color, carrying it is the next best thing. This waterproof tote is perfect for summer, beach days, pool days, travel days, all of it. It’s roomy enough for all your stuff but doesn’t weigh you down. Bonus points for being easy to wipe clean!
I LOVE the sleeves on this shirt! What a fun statement top to add to your summer wardrobe. I’d wear it with denim shorts or white denim so the bright colors really pop!
This top is like summer in shirt form! With its soft, almost tie-dye effect and breezy chiffon fabric, it feels fun without being over-the-top. I love the puff sleeves and flattering V-neck. It’s one of those easy pieces that adds a splash of color and joy to your day!
Shop More Colorful Amazon Finds:
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🙂 I don’t wear a lot of bright colors but now I am rethinking that!
😀. Thanks for showing so many ways to incorporate color into our wardrobes.
Do you have a link to the pink top with the zipper?
Love it! 🙂
Also–any recommendations for mascara that is “kind” to us older gals?
The pink top is linked under the photo, but here is the link for you: https://amzlink.to/az0vjmosF5XUr
Love the bright colors! My granddaughter, 7, came and ‘redressed’ me last week from a boring dark dress to yellow. She said it was much prettier and happier!
I had to agree.
🙂. Love bright colors, especially in the summer!
A small amount of a bright color suits me best. 🙂
😊 Tis the season to wear brights! Thanks for showing us these lovely options.
Love the ruffle color block top
Found it 🙂 Orange looks sooo good on you.
😊Love the tiered maxi dress, and the cute clutch!
I really like to the floral print blouse from Talbot’s in this post. The Vivilli sleeveless zippered top looks great on you! I recently ordered that same top from Amazon in white, which was too “see-through”. I returned it for a gray one, which is nice – especially for the price I paid!
🙂 Love this top but maybe with blue pants. I love all of these tops!
☺ Love the sleeveless hot pink shirt with the white pants, always a winning combo!
🙂 I like the pink sleeveless top.
😊 I do love bright colors, especially in the summer
🙂 Like the crochet cover up. Love the bright pink color.
🙂 Such pretty colors! I do like the color block top with flutter sleeves.
😊Apricot linen top, adorable!😊
😊I’m not usually a bright color person but lots of cute choices here!
🙂 My favorite top for a pop of color is the bright pink tank. I lean towards single colors and not bright florals. Great reminder that we are not to old for color!
😊 I love both of the straw striped purses. So cute!
I’m curious about the cotton linen white pants. How much do you think they will wrinkle? Do they run really small? I see you noted wearing a size L and their size chart says a L is 15-18. You usually wear a 10, so it seems the M would have been right. But since these look great on you, they must run quite small. Correct?
Ann, I’m not sure if they run small, but I wanted them to be a tad bit big on me just in case they shrink. I haven’t washed them yet, but I figure they will shrink some.
☺️ You look so good in hot pink. And I love the coral pin-tucked linen blouse on you!
😃 I love bright pink! it’s one of favorite go to colors when I’m feeling the bright vibe.
😊 bright colors just look happy. No age requirement!
🙂 Love the floral tiered maxi dress. And the stripe clutch is so cute.
😊. Found it.
LOVE the bright colors for summer. As we age we kind of loose our natural brightness, so the pops of color helps to bring our glow back. 🤣
I am always hesitant to wear bright colors, but when I do I often get compliments. Thank you for sharing different ways to incorporate bright colors.
Found it!
😊cute pink top
FOUND IT
Great colorful options
🙂 Love a pop of color!
😃 I love the lime green cap sleeve sweater top!! I have a bright blue Kate Spade purse I use all summer and people compliment me on it quite a bit. I also really like the coral pin tuck top.
🙂 🙂 Love all the bright colors!! Especially the button down top and the swimsuit cover-up.
🙂 You look amazing in bold colors!!
🙂 I’m really liking the white jeans this year! I’ve stayed away from them in the past.
😊I love color but your comment about not feeling ridiculous is spot on. Like your ideas on how to incorporate without being too over the top. Love your blogs and particularly the Amazon recommendations. It’s a little too much of a needle in the haystack search for me on Amazon so appreciate someone else doing the hard work! 😊
It is hard to shop Amazon, but I’ve found a few brands that are consistent for me.
I love all of the colorful clothes. The split neck floral top from Kohl’s is one of my favorites and I finally bought it last week after trying to talk myself out of it all summer!
🙂
🙂 I like the colorful tops.
🙂 Found it! I love the pink zipper top, SO CUTE I immediately put it in my cart 😉 ! The swimsuit is really cute, not sure I could pull it off as well as the model does though.
🙂 I love the colorful tops.
😊 the pink zipper top and wide leg pants are my favorite! I’m constantly amazed at the great things that you find on Amazon.
🙂Great post! I appreciate the Amazon finds.
So glad you are back in my newsfeed. Not sure what happened…?
I’m glad I’m back!!!
😊Colorful tops say summer to me. Look great in them
😀great looks. Have always loved bright pink and lime combo!
🙂 I love love love the “modern classic shirt!” That’s my kind of color. I don’t like to stand out TOO much in a crowd. ha. You rock all of them–and are looking little bitty in a couple of the pics. Either you’ve lost several pounds, or the pants are a really good cut for you. Nice!
Love the title of today’s post “…without feeling rediculous.”
🙂 🙂
Seriously though, I love seeing bright colors and patterns in the spring and summer.
🙂
Great post. You always look stunning in the bright colors.
And Joe cracks me up! Of course the packages stop coming when you’re not there! LOL
Lol! that is just like him.
🙂I like colorful tops.
😎 The orange suits me this year.
😀 So many cute colorful ideas!
😉👏🏻👏🏻
Thanks for the video. Lots of fun choices.
😀I am so dull- I really need to work on brightening up my wardrobe! Love the green sweater and the way you added a bright shirt to striped dress.
I like bright colors! 😊
: ) I do enjoy a pop of color!
😊 I love all the color! The ruffled color block top & pants is especially cute.
😃 I love bright colors that suit my cool skin tone. I’ll be placing an Amazon order this afternoon, once I’m back from having the lower back injections. Joe ought to know better!
😀 loved this post put several of the tops and bathing suit cover in my amazon cart
The only neon color I could ever pull off was orange, like a traffic cone orange, when I was younger. But as I’ve matured, my complexion has softened, so something that bright is too overpowering now. I can get away with a slightly brighter coral, but truly I do best avoiding bright or neon anything.
Found it.
Thank you for the ideas. I tend to be conservative in my dress as I am small and sometimes feel overwhelmed by some of the colors. I like adding the color and accessories.
😊😊
lots of good choices.s
found it 🙂
love these bright colors!
Found it!
I love wearing bright colors. Love these tops.
😀very very pretty
🙂 Love the zipped pink top!