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Whether we like to admit it or not, looking good in our clothes impacts confidence and mood. I’m not referring to vanity or excessive focus on weight and wardrobe over personality and character. I’m talking about tasteful wardrobe and styling choices that comfortably and naturally highlight our favorite assets and camouflage our least favorite. That allows us to concentrate on and enjoy the person or the task in front of us instead of self-consciously obsessing over how we look.

One of the most common problem areas for women over 50 is the midlife midsection. We’re all probably sick of hearing that just diet and exercise will keep us looking as fit and trim as we once did. Certainly I advocate taking good care of ourselves by doing the basics, and for some, that may be sufficient. But for the most part, menopause has real effects that change all that. (Insert a mention for the Combipatch hormone therapy patch, which was a game changer for me. This is not medical advice, as each person has different needs, indications and contraindications to certain therapies. Find a doctor who truly understands hormone therapy studies and is helpful rather than dismissive. Also insert a plug for walking on a high-incline treadmill.)

So assuming we’re doing the basics of taking care of ourselves with reasonable diet and exercise, how can we maximize our style choices to boost appearance and confidence?

Invest in a supportive, flattering bra and shapewear. This one is super critical and can make a huge difference for every outfit you wear. A supportive bra is crucial to creating a flattering shape and “keeping everything where it belongs.” Finding one meant to smooth out lumps and bumps is even better. For certain outfits, even consider leotard-type shape wear with a built-in bra. Or pick a cami-style with built-in bra and higher-waist bottoms that are smoothing without being uncomfortably tight or muffin-top-inducing. Find the happy medium.
Find well-tailored pieces. This means avoiding the boxy and shapeless in favor of flattering and feminine silhouettes. Avoid tight or clingy pieces. Find silhouettes that are body-skimming instead of body-clinging. A-line or empire waist tops and dresses are perfect for this, as they are more forgiving through the midsection.
Wrap or peplum styles also provide shape while disguising bulges, as do pieces with ruching or draping. Wrap pieces have the extra benefit of being somewhat adjustable. Well-shaped tunic tops and sweaters are also flattering, as they create a longer line.
Take care to avoid clingy fabrics such as jersey. Also avoid bulky fabrics. Medium weight, stretchy fabrics
Pull-on pants and skirts can be your friends, but only if they are updated and well-tailored. They must be paired with flattering tops. Waistlines that fall at the belly button are ideal, but make sure you select a size that truly fits, as waistlines that are too tight create muffin top bulges, and waistlines that are too loose look sloppy and shapeless. Long-line pants are generally more flattering, though read my blog article about barrel leg and wide leg crop jeans if you’d like to learn the best way to wear those styles.
Balance your top half with your bottom half. For example, if your body type is more top heavy with skinny legs, wearing very form-fitting bottoms will accentuate the contrast between top and bottom, making you look heavier on top. A straight leg bottom would help balance this out.
Choose longer lines for your blazers and cardigans. If the jacket is shorter and boxier in style, the hem should fall at least down to the hip bones, though this may vary somewhat depending on your body type. Longer classic cut blazers will generally work best if they have a gentle taper at the waist and skim, rather than cling to, your body. Another option is to add a belt, either over the top of the blazer if it doesn’t look too bulky on you, or wear a more fitted top while leaving the jacket open. Consider unbuttoning 1 or 2 buttons at the bottom of the cardigan to create sort of a faux peplum. Leaving the top 1 or two buttons of the cardigan undone, or leaving it completely open are also options. Try these suggestions out in the mirror to see what looks best.
Consider wearing a dark top and bottom - since darker colors tend to recede and look more slimming - and add an open jacket over the top. This will also create a longer line. Some dark color ideas include blue, brown, black, grey and burgundy.
Attract the eye elsewhere with jewelry or a flattering neckline if that’s an area you’d like to highlight. Avoid choosing colors, patterns or cuts that draw the eye to your waistline if you don’t want attention there. Perhaps pick an attention-grabbing statement bag or a red shoe when it works.
If your top lacks enough shape, consider a partial tuck, such as just the front or just one side in the front. The remaining untucked portions can be positioned to create the illusion of a slimmer waistline. Consider a long v-neck to help create a more vertical elongated appearance.
Choose your shoes wisely. Generally, streamlined non-bulky shoes will help to create a lighter look overall. Heels, kitten heels, pointed toe ankle boots or flats generally work. (Make sure you balance style and comfort.)

I’ve put together some outfits that utilize these tips. See if you can spot them below!