The new year always brings that inevitable “New Year, New Me” mentality. And from where I’m sitting here at Three Wild Women in Ottawa, I’m thinking, pfft. I’m not doing this “new me” nonsense. Getting out of bed is hard enough when it’s this cold.

That said, I’m also not interested in getting stuck in my ways — that’s the quickest way to feel old. I’m in my 70s! I’m not old just yet.

So here’s the sweet spot for 2026: staying modern, feeling current, and dressing in a way that feels confident and age-appropriate, without chasing every trend. And if 2025 taught us anything, it’s that barrel jeans are… not the answer.

Here's what I'm wearing in 2026 as a mature woman! 

1. I’m focusing on accessories

I may not be retired, but I’m busier now than I ever was working in an office in my 30s. Last year alone, I went from runway shows to dinners out to picking up my grandkids — and that’s when I finally understood why people talk about day-to-night dressing.

Accessories make that transition effortless. These fur cuffs became my go-to: an easy way to elevate even the simplest sweater. Add a brooch or a dickie and suddenly you’ve got a completely new look — all with pieces you can keep in your purse. Or, in my case, the glove compartment.

For women over 50, especially here in Ottawa where layers are a way of life, accessories are the secret weapon. They do the heavy lifting without sacrificing comfort.

2. Just because younger women are wearing it doesn’t mean we can’t — or shouldn’t

We have women in their 30s coming into the shop all the time, building wardrobes for new careers or choosing pieces because they value Canadian-made clothing. And I’ll often think, we’re wearing the same piece — just in completely different ways.

That’s the beauty of good styling. It reflects who you are, not your age.

Take our Echo Verde sweater, worn by local stylist Rebecca Rowe and by Skippy. Same sweater. Completely different lives, ages, and styling choices — and both look fantastic. Dressing well after 50 isn’t about looking younger. It’s about looking like yourself, with intention.

3. You know what else is in? Going somewhere warm in winter

We’ve survived enough Ottawa winters to earn a little sunshine. Whether it’s Mexico, a cruise, or a week at an all-inclusive, winter travel is very much in for 2026.

Instead of digging through the basement trying to squeeze into summer clothes after the holidays, I say treat yourself to new linens now. You’re going to need them for June and July anyway — you may as well enjoy them all year.

The Shyloh linen pieces we carry are perfect: lightweight, easy to mix and match, elastic waists (bless), and ideal for warm weather travel. Comfortable, flattering, and effortlessly stylish — exactly what women over 50 are looking for.

No matter your age or your goals, your clothes are simply an extension of who you are — and who you’re becoming. The right outfit can make you feel confident, modern, and completely unstoppable.

And you deserve that.