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What to Wear in the Fall: Chic Outfit Ideas for Women Over 50

Why Fall Fashion Is My Favorite

Fall has always been my favorite season for fashion. And I’m guessing it’s yours too. The air is crisp, the colors are rich, and layering gives you endless possibilities. But I know the question that comes up every year: What should women over 50 wear in the fall to look stylish and modern?

Here’s the truth: style after 50 isn’t about chasing every trend. It’s about building a fall capsule wardrobe filled with versatile staples, flattering fits, and those standout pieces that make you feel confident.

Headed to New York: Carry-On Challenge

This season, I’ve got a special style challenge. I’m headed to New York for a YouTube Creator event and an LTK cocktail party, and I promised myself I’d do it all with just one carry-on. No checked bags (yes, I’m shocked too). My plan? Pack a tight fall capsule that can mix and match, then leave room to shop for my cocktail outfit once I’m in the city. After all, is there anything more fun than finding the perfect dress in New York?

What I Packed in My Carry-On

Here’s the capsule I built for New York. Everything works together, and every piece can rotate from day to night — the ultimate fall packing list for women over 50:

Beth’s Style Advice: Packing light doesn’t mean sacrificing style — it just means every piece has to earn its keep.

Classic Fall Outfit Formulas for Women Over 50

If you’re wondering what to wear in the fall, these outfit formulas are timeless and endlessly versatile:

The Little Black Dress (LBD)

A black dress is seasonless, but in fall it shines with metallic heels and bold accessories. Whether it’s dinner out or a cocktail party, you’ll never regret having this in your capsule.

Blazer + Blouse + Trousers

A camel blazer is the ultimate fall layering piece. Pair it with neutral trousers and a leopard-print blouse for a look that feels modern, sophisticated, and age-proof.

Blazer + Blouse + High-Waist Denim

This is one of my go-to formulas for travel days and casual chic moments in New York. The high-waist denim elongates the legs, the blazer adds structure, and the blouse keeps it polished. Pair it with leopard mules or flats for comfort without losing style points.

Moto Jacket + Black Pants

When you want edge without trying too hard, a moto jacket is your best friend. Pair it with slim black pants and animal print heels for instant confidence.

Beth’s Style Advice: Don’t be afraid to repeat outfits — just change one element: swap sneakers for heels, add a scarf, or switch handbags. Suddenly it feels fresh, not recycled.

Skirt + Turtleneck + Leather Layer

Swap pants for a patterned midi skirt when you want something feminine. A sleeveless turtleneck layered under leather keeps it grounded, not fussy.

Accessories That Elevate Every Look

Accessories make the outfit — especially in fall.

  • Scarves: Add warmth and color.
  • Gold jewelry: Hoops, cuffs, and layered necklaces keep it modern.
  • Structured handbag: Tote for day, clutch for evening.
  • Shoes: Loafers, block heels, sneakers, and leopard mules.

Friday Finds: My Favorite Fall Picks

Want to see my latest fall must-haves? I shared them in this week’s Friday Finds video.

🎥 Watch Friday Finds here »

FAQs: What to Wear in the Fall

Q: Can women over 50 wear leather jackets in the fall?
A: Absolutely. Choose a moto jacket in a classic cut for timeless polish.

Q: What colors look best for fall outfits?
A: Neutrals like camel, navy, and black pair beautifully with seasonal accents like burgundy, olive, and mustard.

Q: How do I make my fall outfits look more expensive?
A: Stick to the 3F rule: Fit, Fabric, Finish. Tailored fits, natural fabrics, and polished accessories elevate everything.

Q: What shoes should I wear in New York in the fall?
A: Comfortable sneakers for walking, block heels for evenings, and a statement shoe you can buy once you’re there.

Closing Thoughts

Fall fashion is about confidence, not complication. Build around a few wardrobe heroes — a blazer, a moto jacket, chic trousers, and a trench — and mix in prints and accessories. That’s how women over 50 look chic, modern, and ready for anything the season brings.So tell me: What’s your favorite fall outfit formula? Drop it in the comments — I’d love to know.

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  1. Leslie

    Love your showing us the capsule wardrobe you created for your trip. I always just take carryon even on a 3 week trip to Kenya which included a safari, travelling across the contry and meeting many in different settings and a wedding celebration. The challenge for me, with carryon was shoes and skin care supplies but it all worked out. Your capsule wardrobe is very sophisticated but still quite workable for many different occasions thank you for the inspiration.

    1. Beth Djalali

      Wow—a three-week trip to Kenya with just a carry-on? That’s impressive! 🌍 Safari to wedding and everything in between—you’ve set the bar high. Shoes and skincare are always my challenge too, so I completely understand. I’m so glad you found my capsule wardrobe inspiring. Sophisticated and workable is always the goal. Thank you for sharing your experience—it’s proof that carry-on only really can be done!

  2. SC Lady

    Great post. Love the looks you put together with your clothing pieces.
    Just wondering if the quilted tote in the picture is the one you linked from Amazon. It doesn’t look the same.
    Also the black dress ( Old Navy) and the black pants look like a similar and not the ones you are wearing.
    Thanks for providing inspiration. I am seeing so many great selections.

    1. Beth Djalali

      Hi SC Lady,

      The black dress is the exact one from Old Navy. The black pants are the same as those from J.Crew, although mine are from last winter, and it’s possible there is a slight variation from then to now.
      And the quilted tote is from Bagsmart, although I could not find the exact model on Amazon.

      Hope this helps!

  3. Susy

    Loved this post. I think the thought of a capsule wardrobe sounds so easy, but actually doing it is a bit harder. Thanks for the reminder that it’s okay to repeat. Showing different outfits, and each one was lovely, using the same pieces was so helpful. Seeing is believing!

    1. Beth Djalali

      Thank you so much! You’re right—a capsule wardrobe sounds simple but living it out takes a little practice. Repeating pieces isn’t just okay, it’s smart style—and seeing the different ways they work together really is the magic. I’m so glad the outfits helped spark ideas. 💕

  4. Frances

    Whenever I travel, I always carry everything I need for the first three days in my carry-on luggage. I make a spreadsheet where I list each day’s events and the outfit I will need for each event. I try everything on at home and make a detailed description of the outfit, accessories, and any special undergarments before packing. That way, I have everything I need & nothing I don’t. While I love shopping in New York, it would be too stressful to wait until I arrived to shop for a cocktail dress that I really needed to wear immediately to an important event. I wear Petite sizes. A lot of stores carry only a limited Petite selection in store or limit Petite availability to online. The dress would have to fit perfectly without needing any alterations. As a 5’8”, size 8, you probably have more options in store that you can wear right off the rack. But there is still time pressure to get something fast that I would find too stressful.

    1. Beth Djalali

      I love your system—that’s next-level organization! 👏 A spreadsheet with outfits, accessories, and even undergarments? Brilliant. You’re so right, the stress of trying to find the perfect piece once you’ve landed (especially in Petite sizes) can take all the fun out of a trip. I agree—being prepared means you can enjoy the experience instead of worrying about what you’ll wear. And yes, at 5’8” I can usually grab something off the rack, but the time pressure is still very real. Thank you for sharing such a smart, stress-free strategy!

Navy Coat winter outfit

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