As summer approaches and wardrobes across the UK transition from spring to warmer-weather staples, one fashion expert is encouraging women over 50 to rethink some of their seasonal go-to pieces.
Deirdre Nicholas, a well-known style advisor for women in midlife and beyond, has shared fashion guidance on her YouTube channel 50 & Fabulous with My Friend Deirdre, focusing on what not to wear during the hotter months. While emphasizing that personal style should ultimately reflect individual confidence and comfort, Nicholas also offered practical advice for those seeking a wardrobe refresh.
In her latest video, she cautioned women over 50 against wearing playsuits and rompers—particularly those featuring oversized floral patterns. Though the two garments are often used interchangeably, Nicholas noted that rompers are typically looser and more casual, yet she considers both options ill-suited for women in their 50s and older.
“Playsuits and rompers are best for small children—you know, toddlers,” she remarked. According to Nicholas, these garments are frequently made from synthetic materials and tend to lack structure, resulting in a loose fit that doesn’t flatter the figure. “They tend to just hang and not fit, giving our figures no structure or any sense of definition, which is really what we need, especially at our age,” she explained.
Importantly, the style guru clarified that her advice is not a call for tight or body-clinging clothing. Rather, she emphasized the need for garments that maintain “some sense of shape,” helping to enhance and define the body’s natural silhouette.
Nicholas also recommended avoiding large, bold floral prints. These eye-catching patterns, she claimed, can visually add bulk and make one appear larger than they are.
In a previous conversation with GB News, the fashion expert elaborated on why baggy clothing in general may not be the best choice for mature women. Outfits that are completely shapeless, she argued, do little to highlight the wearer’s best features.
“One of the key things that will indicate your age is your silhouette,” she said. “That’s the initial impression that people get when they look at you.”
Nicholas offered the example of modern, youthful-looking women who often wear tailored or form-flattering clothing. “She isn’t normally wrapped up in hundreds of layers or draped so heavily that we can’t see her body at all,” she said, emphasizing the importance of defining the waist or incorporating some cinching around the torso.
Rather than endorsing skin-tight fashion, Nicholas advocated for a balanced approach—outfits that are neither overly clingy nor excessively loose. “Balanced” should take precedence over “baggy and saggy,” she advised.
In addition to her critiques, Nicholas also shared a quick tip for refreshing one’s style: women can “look 10 years younger in 10 minutes” by making simple, strategic clothing swaps that introduce more structure and shape to their outfits.
Despite her recommendations, Nicholas was clear that personal taste reigns supreme. “I always say wear what makes you happy and what makes you feel great,” she concluded, encouraging viewers to use her tips as guidance rather than rigid rules.
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