Ladies’ dresses for over 50s that are flattering and comfortable (2024)

You never know when you might need something glamorous on standby. Perhaps you're after a frock for a meal out with your partner or afternoon tea with friends? Or maybe you're on the hunt for something special for a big occasion, like an anniversary celebration. That's why the fashion and shopping experts here at Yours have put together a helpful guide to help you find the best dresses for mature women.

Best ladies' dresses for over 50s at a glance:

• Best for versatility: Veronica Midi Dress – view on Seasalt Cornwall
• Best tea dress: Ruched Jersey Midi Tea Dress – view on Boden
• Our favourite shirt dress: Twist Waist Print Midi Shirt Dress – view on Cotton Traders

But it's not just those special occasions, you might just be looking for an everyday ladies' dress for over 50s that'll make sure you're comfortable and confident. That's why we've included dresses in a range of styles, sizes and lengths, including petite and plus-size dresses, but we'd always recommend shopping for a dress that's season-appropriate. If none of our top picks takes your fancy, we've listed our favourite places to shop for flattering dresses so you can browse to your heart's content.

Plus, we've enlisted the help of an expert stylist, Styled By Susie, for dress shopping tips for when you're over 50, along with style inspiration from much-loved celebrities and bloggers.

Our pick of the best ladies' dresses for over 50s

With so much choice on the web, you can easily spend hours scrolling through websites in search of the best dresses for mature women. So we've rounded up some British brands you can count on when it comes to elegant, casual, and stylish fashion - and yes, some fabulous dresses for us older ladies.

Seasalt Cornwall

Distinctly Cornish and with a seaside vibe, the Yours team love Seasalt Cornwall's quirky style and pretty prints. Their clothing collection features beautifully flattering dresses and versatile tunics in soft, plain and patterned natural fabrics, all in lovely nautical colours, emphasising blues and reds. Stocks UK sizes 6-20.

Cotton Traders

Cotton Traders' story goes all the way back to the 70s… so, they know their stuff! They have lots of floral maxi dresses, perfect to pair with a cardigan when the weather gets a little frosty. Stocks UK 8-22.

Boden

If you're a fan of vibrant colours and pretty patterns in complimentary cuts, look no further than Boden. Whether you're a fan of minis, midis, or maxis, their offering includes so many options that you'll be able to style with flats, white trainers, and heeled sandals alike. Stocks UK sizes 6-22.

Wallis

Not only do Wallis offer great tailoring and wearable separates, but they offer it all at a reasonable price point. Designed with a contemporary feel, their clothes focus on quality and fit. You can expect beautiful jersey floral dresses and chic floral shifts perfect for those special occasions when you want to stand out from the crowd with something a little different. If you struggle with finding the length, the brand also has a petite range especially designed for women 5' 3" and under. Available in UK sizes 8-18.

M&S

In recent years, M&S has reviewed and relaunched its clothing brands in a bid to appeal to a broader range of shoppers, with highlights from their Classic range being absorbed into the main M&S Collection. M&S says that pieces in the range are now designed to be worn and loved by women of all ages. With more than 200 different dresses available website, there's something to suit all shapes and tastes. Stocks sizes 6-24.

If you love M&S as much as we do, we've rounded up all thefor you to shop in one place.

Matalan

A classic from the high street, Matalan is home to a range of affordable dresses in all lengths and styles for all occasions. Its mission is to provide quality clothes suited to family budgets, which means they also stock homeware and clothes for the whole family. Stocks UK sizes 6-28 as well as petite and plus-size options.

Monsoon

Discover day dresses with the key colour palettes and prints, including classy floaty silhouettes and midi lengths at Monsoon. Stocks UK sizes 8-22.

John Lewis

If you're ever lost on where to look, take a trip to John Lewis. A favourite for all things fashion, beauty and home, John Lewis is home to a huge number of brands, sizing options, and dresses for all occasions. Alongside their own John Lewis ANYDAY range which is surprisingly affordable, you can find brands including Ghost, Fat Face, Nobody's Child, and some of the other brands on this very list. As mentioned, definitely a great place to start

Hobbs Ltd

Hobbs Ltd. is great if you're looking for something for a special occasion and you want to dress to impress. Hobbs Ltd. stocks luxury clothes, shoes and accessories to suit any occasion. Treat yourself! Stocks UK 6 to 18.

Amazon UK

It may not be where you think to go instinctively, but Amazon Fashion is full of dress options from both well-known brands and more obscure ones. You can find casual dresses and occasionwear, and better yet if you're anAmazon Prime member, you can get plenty of options for next-day delivery. Perfect for emergency holiday outfits or if you just don't like waiting around!

Which style should I look for?

We're all about choosing the style you feel most comfortable in, but there are certain styles that are recommended for women over 50 for the most flattering fit:

A-line dresses: Designed to skim off the hip in an 'A-shape', this style of dress accentuates your waist whilst flowing over the stomach, an area some consider a 'problem area' as they get older.

Shift dresses: This style of dress is always popular and well-suited to most body types. More often than not, they are sleeveless but there are cap sleeves, balloon sleeves, and long-sleeve options for those who are self-conscious about their arms.

Shirt dress: Available in lengths ranging from mini to maxi, a shirt dress can be dressed up and down and is a lovely lightweight option for the summer/ those going through menopause. As well as having a flattering V-neck shirt design, this style of dress often comes with an optional tie waist or belt to accentuate the waist.

Wrap dress: With similar flattering features to the shirt dress, a wrap dress drapes around under the bust, accentuating the bust and waist. This a great option if have a smaller chest you want to emphasise, or a larger bust you want to flaunt!

Midi dresses: You'll spot many midi dresses in our list and that's for two reasons; they're both on-trend for year-round wear and a great all-rounder for a flattering fit. With so many stylish options available, this style of dress covers any and all problem areas, leaving you feeling your most confident and comfortable.

Can over 50s wear off-the-shoulder dresses?

Yes, we're of the mindset that you can wear anything you feel comfortable in and off-the-shoulder dresses are great for the summer or in formal gowns for special occasions. That being said, you may not spot many over 50s wearing off-the-shoulder dresses. We love what Robin LaMonte has said on the matter on her blog, 'Hello I'm 50ish':

"Because baring shoulders isn’t a general style women over 50 wear, it will get criticised, especially by other women over 50. I saw comments from women who work out that they wouldn’t bare their shoulders after 50. Why the heck not, I thought to myself? When does baring your shoulders become inappropriate for women over 50?"

She went on to write, "Age has nothing to do with baring your shoulders if you feel confident doing so."

Ladies' dresses for over 50's: Celebrity fashion inspiration

Before you hit the shop button on the best dresses for mature women, we've looked to some of the most incredible women on TV to help give you the style inspiration you need. We say that there is no age limit on feeling fabulous, and these ladies prove it!

If Good Morning Britain host, Susanna Reid, can wow us in a pencil dress, so can you. She's wearing a Closet London Navy Blue Pencil Dress, and we think she looks incredible. We're a big fan of Susanna's dress sense and have shared more of our favourite dresses from the GMB presenter.

For more Lorraine Kelly fashion favourites, take a look at our round-up of her looks.

You don't just have to look to the women on the telly for inspiration for ladies' dresses for over 50s that look great but feel comfortable. Many mature women are taking to the internet to show off their glamorous garments. These are some of our favourite over 50 fashion influencers:

Alternative Ageing

Senior Style Bible

Accidental Icon

Dorrie Jacobson runs Senior Style Bible and had this to say about finding the right dresses for mature women, "Number one style rule to live by? Forget about being 'age-appropriate. Defy the rules… No one should dictate your style to you. It's a means of self-expression. Make it your own."

She then went on to talk about our favourite fashion subject: shoes, "What do you look for in footwear? I love statement shoes. I usually dress from the shoe up… So my footwear really needs to turn heads.

"At 80, I still wear high heels almost every day because they're my trademark. People probably wouldn't recognise me without them."

Now all that's left to do is go shopping for the best dresses for mature women from the comfort of your living room and revamp your wardrobe.

Ladies' dresses for over 50s: Fashion tips from the experts

Meet the expert: Susie Hasler runs Styled By Susie, specialising in styling real women on a budget whose body type has changed due to pregnancy, gaining or losing weight, or menopause.

"Many of the mature ladies who I work with prefer to have a little more coverage in the summertime, rather than opting to bare all," says Susie.

"My clients aren't too keen on showing their arms or too much cleavage - and there are so many ways you can dress stylishly while not looking frumpy. If you're not keen on sleeveless styles, try a cap sleeve."

She also recommends opting for a patterned dress if you normally dress head-to-toe in black.

"The tummy area can be troublesome for many women, particularly post-menopause. Dressing in summer clothing can make many ladies feel exposed, and it can become tempting to wear black to hide away.

"However, a pattern is actually going to flatter the figure much more as it glosses over lumps and bumps and is much more summery than black!"

Eleanor Weaver is the Deputy Homes & Garden Product Editor for Yours, specialising in home décor, furnishings and appliances. Having worked commercially on Yours magazine and Yours.co.uk for the past six years, she's previously hosted Yours Live events and loves looking for home inspiration online.