The 16 best places to buy stylish clothes in your 60s and beyond

As each generation moves on from the style confines of their predecessors, concepts of “age-appropriate” dress can seem dated. Great-grandmama may have blanched at a glimpse of a visible ankle, yet French first lady Brigitte Macron rocks a miniskirt at 71. “Baby boomers and Gen X are never going to be boxed in by prescriptive directions,” says Alyson Walsh, an author and the founder of the website That’s Not My Age. “Age limits on what to do, say and wear over a certain age are a thing of the past.”

And yet, shopping for fashion can sometimes be a painful process once you’ve shifted into your seventh decade.

Twenty-five years ago, Susannah Constantine was the fashion guru du jourbut she recently complained that shops don’t cater for women her age (62) or shape (UK 14), calling them “ageist” and “sexist”. As the majority of fast-fashion stores chase Gen Z and millennial shoppers, older women are left searching for somewhere to spend… Or are they?

Vanessa Hodgson, the founder and managing director of Collen & Clare, a boutique in the seaside town of Southwold, Suffolk, disagrees. “I get where (Constantine) is coming from, but she needs to look harder,” she protests. Pieces that last longer than one season, fabrics that won’t make you sweat and assistants that show you how to style your purchases should be basic requirements at any age.

Constantine would do well to widen her search and alight on one of the brilliant brands in our edit, which will see 60-year-olds, and beyond, catered to in style.

1. Wyse

The mix of elevated essentials (the cashmere knits are particularly luscious) alongside seasonal game-changers such as frill-neck blouses and gold faux leather jeans are a joy to wear at any stage of life. Founder Marielle Wyse advises those 60-plus “can no longer get away with cheap fabrics. You have to invest in better quality pieces, but which you will wear more?” Her other tip? “Don’t lose your sense of fun in dressing as you get older. Enhance yourself in a slightly different way and you can still feel totally relevant and contemporary.”

wyselondon.com

2. Uniqlo

Although French style icon and former Karl Lagerfeld muse Ines de la Fressange, 67, no longer designs a collaborative collection for Uniqlo, its staples still form brilliant building blocks for a wardrobe that works hard at any age. Uniqlo’s insulating Heattech pieces now include cashmere blends for extra warmth and are particularly well priced. In summer, make a beeline for its light linen staples and cooling Airism technology to keep you cool and looking chic.

uniqlo.com

3. Marks & Spencer

The high street behemoth is having a fashion moment with collections aligned with what customers want – affordable, trend-led but not OTT pieces for all. The Autograph collection is particularly well-crafted, featuring premium fabrics such as cashmere and silk, while Jaeger offers plenty of options that are similarly high end in look and feel.

marksandspencer.com

4. Toast

Calm, cozy and crafted, Toast is a warm hug of a brand. Silhouettes on coats and dresses are often loose and free, which in turns makes them more comfortable to wear (without ever looking frumpy). The schedule of thoughtful, artisan-led workshops and events in its stores (check in with your local branch) are the antithesis of the “pile ’em high” fast fashion experience, too.

toast

5. Holland Cooper

While Jade Holland Cooper’s first product was a run of tiny tweed miniskirts, her collections have evolved over the past 15 years to include an array of fashion classics in heritage fabrics. Sharp blazers are cut to add structure to shoulders, while blouses and knits are designed to last. British production doesn’t come cheap, but Holland Cooper’s mother, Miranda, looks as stylish as Jade herself in the collections, proving their versatility and longevity across the ages.

hollandcooper.com

6. By Rotation

Over the past couple of years, fashion rental has exploded into a viable option for finding a fabulous frock for an event – ​​or even a piece to temporarily elevate your everyday look. Although seemingly led by 20-somethings attending weddings on the search for an Instagramable outfit, don’t overlook the options on this peer-to-peer platform if you’re older. Dame Helen Mirren has two styles for hire, and searching by size and location will give you a tailored array of choice beyond any one store.

byrotation.com

7. Sézane

Twenty years ago, we were told that “French women don’t get fat”. The message from French women today? Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu’s portrayal of Sylvie Grateau in the Netflix show Emily in Paris proves that French fashion doesn’t age. Although Sylvie’s wardrobe includes statements from Saint Laurent and Alexandre Vauthier, Sézane is a brilliant destination for recreating le style francais. The silky blouses are particularly versatile.

sezane.com

8. Max Mara Weekend

The luxurious camel coats from Max Mara’s mainline collection might be wish-list-worthy, but the playful separates and ageless staples from the Italian house’s lower-priced Weekend line are worth investigating, too. Vanessa Hodgson carries the line in her boutique Collen and Clare, and is a fan of its flattering trousers. Beyond the “serve yourself” high street experience, Hodgson recommends finding a multi-brand store “with a curated selection and someone to help you – it will give you more opportunities to find things that will suit you.”

collenandclare.com

9. Roksanda

London Fashion Week may have a reputation as home to the edgest designers, but that doesn’t mean the brightest brands cater to Gen Z alone. Dame Vanessa Redgrave, 87, and her daughter Joely Richardson, 59, are both front-row regulars at Roksanda and are fans of her vivid color-block bright palette and sculptural shapes, which work across the generations and flutter all body types.

net-a-porter.com

10.Albaray

Brands designed by women are some of the best places to shop as you age. Alyson Walsh favors “brilliant brands owned by women, who design for women of all ages.” Founded by a trio of women, Albaray is a favorite for its combination of transparent production and excellent design. Check in regularly, as some of Albaray’s statement styles are almost instant sell-outs.

albaray.co.uk

11. Jigsaw

Jigsaw has been a stalwart of the high street since 1970, serving elevated essentials that transcend trends and age brackets. It doesn’t scrimp on fabric – in quality or cut – so you’ll never feel squeezed into an item. The collarless leather Nakoa jacket is perfect for autumn and would work for decades ahead too, if you’re planning an investment buy.

jigsaw-online.com

12.La DoubleJ

Founded by former fashion journalist JJ Martin, La DoubleJ is a maximalist’s fever dream. If dopamine dressing is your thing, you’ll be spoilt for choice with an abundance of peacock corduroy tailoring, jacquard jackets, brocade dresses, devoré velvet gowns and silky kimonos in opulent prints. Everything is infused with joy, while the silhouette of its signature Swing dress is a stand-out – it works on bodies of every age.

ladoublej.com

13. Massimo Dutti

As the grown-up sibling in Spanish fashion chain Inditex’s stable, Massimo Dutti eclipses the trendier aesthetic of other labels. There are slightly higher prices (think £170 for a blazer), high-end materials (leather over pleather, for example) and design that looks far more timeless. Quiet luxury is its calling card. The silhouettes and shapes are relaxed but still feel polished enough not to edge into scruffy territory – always a relief.

massimodutti.com

14. Stella McCartney

“Fashion shouldn’t be about age but our approach to ourselves,” says content creator Renia Jaz, who calls herself an “ageism fighter” and creates videos showing older women how to style key designer pieces. Her focus is on buying quality, but instead of avoiding trends, she embraces them. “The latest trends diversify our wardrobe and make it more interesting,” she advises. And a catwalk brand that works for the seventh decade? Stella McCartney. Universally praised for excellently cut trousers and sharp jackets, the responsible label offers just the right amount of trend-led cool to a 60-plus look.

stellamccartney.com

15. John Lewis

Broadening your search to a department store that carries multiple brands is a clever way to shorten that search. Instead of scrolling for inspiration or wandering the high street, make use of John Lewis’s personal shoppers and peruse brands that might not usually cross your path. A collaboration with Awake Mode launches on October 17, and Batsheva, The Kooples and Rails are all to be found in store.

johnlewis.com

16. Me+Em

With clever merchandising that shares ideas on how to build perfectly styled outfits, Me+Em focuses on ultra-desirable separates (and spot-on tailored trousers, whatever your requirements). There is enough detail in the items (pin-tucked tulle, pointelle knits) to make every piece feel individual while suiting all aesthetics, whether you favor a classic, tomboyish or feminine vibe.

meandem.com

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