Fashion over 50 used to mean playing it safe — but today, celebrities prove bold style has no expiration date. From sheer fabrics and crop tops to unexpected color pairings and statement denim, women over 50 are rewriting the rules of dressing with confidence. Icons like Jennifer Lopez, Angela Bassett, Felicity Huffman and Brooke Shields aren’t just keeping up — they’re setting the pace.
50+ and Fearless Bold Style
From modern denim to midriff moments, these four fashion trends prove that style has no age limit. Here are four bold fashion trends women over 50 are wearing this spring including the denim styles, crop tops, unexpected colors and sheer.
YES! I LOOK FORWARD TO #GROWINGYOUNGER
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE ME TO YOUR MAILING LIST.
The New Denim Rules for 50+
Forget skinny jeans and default denim. Today’s trendsetters over 50 are embracing wide-leg silhouettes, barrel jeans and cropped flares that are both comfortable and cutting-edge. The sometimes controversial barrel jeans, in particular, have taken center stage thanks to the combination of structure and comfort.
As seen on our very own Lauren Dimet Waters in this blog post, barrel jeans may look intimidating at first, but with the right styling — a fitted or tucked-in top, pointy-toe boots, and attention to the fabric and fading — they can be surprisingly flattering and incredibly modern. Lauren even shows how she styled the same pair of Pilcro jeans in five different ways, from casual cardigans to sequin tops and structured blazers.
And the celebs? They’re right there with her in reviving the denim trend.
We all wish we could look as good as Jennifer Lopez at her age. But here’s something we can take from the gorgeous 55-year old. Jennifer Lopez has been at the forefront of bringing back early 2000s denim styles. In December 2024, she attended a special screening of her film “Unstoppable” wearing a powder blue tuxedo jacket from Gucci’s Spring 2017 collection over a sheer light blue pussy bow top, revealing her bra and midriff. She paired this with ultra-low-rise jeans featuring a subtle flare, completing the look with pastel pink platform heels.
Now, I’m not telling you to reveal your bra and midriff (OK, maybe I will soon — scroll down) but here’s what I am saying: don’t be afraid to play. Age is just a number, and style should be fun — not restricted by the decade on your birth certificate. Take a cue from JLo: mix unexpected pieces, revisit trends you once loved, and give them a grown-up twist. Confidence is your best accessory — and the right denim can do the rest.
Barrel jeans, in particular, are a surprise hit for the over-50 set, but as Lauren says, “You do you.” There’s room in your closet for more than one denim silhouette — and now’s the time to embrace something unexpected.
Midriff Moment: The Grown-Up Crop Top
Remember when Felicity Huffman gave us ab goals in 2020 at 53? She stepped out at the Television Academy’s 70th Anniversary Gala in a tiny cap-sleeve crop top and high-waisted, fuchsia wide-leg trousers — and looked downright incredible. It wasn’t just a bold choice, it was a masterclass in proportions: the wide-legged pants highlighted her waist, while the fitted crop top showed just the right hint of midriff. Proof that crop tops aren’t just for millennials scrolling TikTok — they can be chic, polished, and age-defying when styled with intention.
And Angela Bassett? She’s the definition of timeless elegance with a fearless edge. While being honored with the Montecito Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in February 2023, she wore an all-white ensemble featuring a long-sleeved crop top with a plunging neckline and dramatic bell-bottom pants — confident, clean, and commanding. Not long after, she appeared on the Mugler runway in Paris wearing a sheer black paneled gown, showing she’s more than comfortable pushing fashion boundaries and making bold statements at any age.
So no, crop tops aren’t just for twenty-somethings. Styled right, they can be empowering, elegant, and age-appropriate no matter how much (or how little) you show. Just ask Felicity and Angela.
Bold Style: Unexpected Color Combos That Look Expensive
Color can be transformative, and no one knows this better than Salma Hayek and Sarah Jessica Parker — two fashion icons over 50 who prove that bold doesn’t mean brash, and that unexpected color pairings can be incredibly chic.
Salma Hayek, at 58, radiates confidence with every red carpet appearance. At the 2024 Venice Biennale, she dazzled in a strapless sequined gown in electric blue, a bold shade that turned heads and brought out her signature glam.
Then in early 2025, at the Golden Globe Awards, she embraced a completely different tone — a warm burgundy Gucci gown that beautifully complemented her complexion. Both looks showed how versatile and powerful color can be — whether you’re commanding attention in vivid jewel tones or leaning into earthy hues that exude understated luxury.
Sarah Jessica Parker, long known for her fearless fashion choices, has been playing with color in fresh, grown-up ways. She was photographed in mint green and blush pink, a combo that sounds unconventional but looked effortlessly elegant on her. OK, so she was dressed as the iconic Carrie Bradshaw. It doesn’t matter. We know SJP gives her style approval. By pairing pastels that don’t traditionally go together, Parker managed to make the look both playful and polished.
These women prove that bold color isn’t something you grow out of — it’s something you grow into. Whether it’s fuchsia with red, cobalt with brown, or a metallic moment that breaks every rule, wearing unexpected color after 50 is not only possible — it’s powerful.
Bold Style: Sheer Genius
Sheer fabrics often get a bad rap, but when styled right, they can be chic, modern, and totally wearable — no matter your age. Just ask Brooke Shields, who recently made a bold style statement at the AMC Networks 2025 Upfront. At 59, she stepped onto the red carpet in a black mesh top that revealed a visible bra, layered under a structured blazer for balance. Paired with glittery black micro shorts, mesh tights, and heeled booties, the look was edgy yet elevated — a nod to her daughters’ encouragement to lean into her “rock and roll” side.
Shields proved that sheer doesn’t have to mean overexposed; it can be artfully layered, strategically styled, and incredibly empowering. For a wearable version of the trend, try a mesh top under a blazer or a sheer midi skirt over a slip — the effect is all drama, no discomfort.
Are you inspired by these 50+ and fearless celebrities and their bold style? Which look would you wear?
– Simona Shemer
Photos: Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Red Carpet Fashion Awards
You may like to read more of Simona’s celebrity style posts like Borderline Athleisure Looks: Celebs Over 40 Who Are Leading the Trend and Celebrities at Fashion Week Spring 2025: New York, London, Paris and Milan.
Are you following Fountain Of 30 on Facebook, X, Instagram and Pinterest? We’ve got lots going on, so join in on the fun! Subscribe to our newsletter here. You don’t want to miss a post and promise not to bug you to death. Join our Facebook Group called Growing Younger where women discuss everything good and bad about being over 50. Additionally Lauren hosts a bi-weekly podcast called Beauty is a Bitch!
Please pin!
