Effortless Wardrobe Basics for Women Over 60

Let’s be honest, a blazer isn’t a necessity in your wardrobe—unless you truly want one.

Basics for women over 60 are different from the so-called “capsule wardrobes” you see all over Pinterest. If you’re anything like me, you should probably be retired on a beach somewhere, but instead, you’re out and about, living life, taking care of grandkids, working a few days a week, and enjoying yourself. Or at least, I hope that’s what you’re doing!

So, here’s what I consider the wardrobe basics for women over 60.

A White Button-Down Blouse

The first essential is a quality white button-down. And no, I’m not talking about those stiff, uncomfortable ones we wore to the office, where the sleeves were so tight you could barely lift your arms. I mean the iron-free Foxcroft white button-up. There are a few styles to choose from—I prefer the longer one that covers my bum (featured on the left), but Skippy prefers the more fitted version that hits at the waist (right).

Now, why is this an important piece to add to your wardrobe? Because it’s easy. 

When you’re running out the door and you don’t want to think of what to wear but you still want to look nice, you put on your Foxcroft button-up and any bottom you want, we’ll talk about bottoms in a minute, and there you go. 

You can also wear it open, like a cardigan. The difference? A button-up offers more structure. While a cardigan may cover your arms, a blouse will give them shape.

Foxcroft Cotton Tunic #187913 at www.threewildwomen.ca   
Iron-free Foxcroft white button-up—structured, stylish, and never stiff. A must-have for women over 60 who want effortless style


The Best Jeans and Pants for Women Over 60

For bottoms, Charlie B jeans are a go-to. Designed in Canada, they offer stretch, comfort, and a flattering fit—keeping everything looking great. I recommend the Claudia cut, a slim-fit style that pairs well with everything. At this stage, we don’t need to chase trends; we need pieces that work.

If you prefer a looser fit but still want to support Canadian design, Joseph Ribkoff pants are a fantastic alternative. They feature a slim yet straight leg, are machine washable, and fit into that essential category: easy and effortless. - Not boring, we're not going for boring. 

A Versatile Dress

The last basic you’ll want in your wardrobe is a great dress—because you never know when you’ll need something a little dressier. Maybe your husband surprises you with dinner, or you get invited to a last-minute event.

There are two great options:

  1. Sympli Tank Dress – This is a layering dream. You can wear it alone, under a white button-up, or styled with nearly any jacket in your collection.

  2. Dunes Wrap Dress – This is the ultimate easy-fit dress that works no matter what your body is doing that day. It’s flattering, comfortable, and always looks polished.

   

The Fun Part

Once you have these three basics, you can start layering and having fun with accessories, outerwear, and statement pieces. Basics are the foundation of any outfit. While they look great on their own, they also create the perfect canvas to experiment with new styles.

Speaking of which, that sounds like a great topic for our next blog—how to dress up your basics and make them more fun. You know what? That seems like a good idea for our next blog post. I’ll let you know when it’s out, just sign up for our newsletter. 

- Helen