17 Trendy Fall Fashions for Women Over 50

Even if you've not been in a classroom for decades, there's a back-to-school feel to this time of year that adds a spark to shopping for fall fashions. The worst thing women ages 50 and older can do, though, is to try to recapture the past by dressing too "young" — but age-appropriate dress doesn't have to equal boring. These autumns hit the right note of timeless-yet-trendy. And remember, a little edge is always in fashion.

Note: Prices and availability are subject to change.

Related: 30 Most Regrettable Fashion Trends in History

Price: $189 | Buy it at Mark & Graham
Elle magazine says, "One of the strongest outerwear silhouettes to come out of the Fall 2019 collections was the cape." Featured on the Chanel and Marc Jacobs runways, among others, this look makes women of all ages feel like a superhero. Go classic with this Wool Knit Cape and you'll likely wear this updated wardrobe staple for years to come.

Price: $98.50 | Buy it at Boston Proper
A timeless choice that takes you from the office to weekend brunch, the blazer is a wardrobe essential for a woman of any age. Real Simple puts a well-cut blazer on its list of "11 Wardrobe Must-Haves Every Woman Needs in Her Closet." Why not mix it up a bit, though, with this Beyond Travel Classic Boyfriend Blazer in a vivid hue (think French kiss, ocean blue, or brilliant acai)?

Price: $130 | Buy it at Neiman Marcus
Leather (and faux leather) pants rock, no matter the season. But as FashionGum.com notes, "The main problem of wearing leather pants is the right styling," adding it's very easy to make your outfit look "weird and cheap." We say stick to a classic silhouette of a pick like this bi-stretch, faux leather pair from Caroline Rose.

Price: $38 to $89 | Buy it at Garnet Hill
PopSugar says that for fall, "Designers channeled the '90s yet again, this time taking skirts to all-out maxi lengths," adding the length adds drama to the rest of your ensemble. Sample the trend with this Favorite Maxi Knit Skirt, available in understated colors including black, peat and dark ashwood.

Price: $39.90 | Buy it at Zara
Glowsly is just one site telling us what we all know: "Sweatpants are officially one of the biggest fashion trends of the moment, with many designers willing to take them from the gym to the streets." But we're not talking dumpy old sweats or looking like you're fresh off the field. Pair these jogging pants with sparkly side stripe with kitten heels and a cropped sweater and you'll be a style champion.

Price: $69 | Buy it at Macy's
Glamour, in choosing its "13 Essentials to Update Your Wardrobe for Fall 2019," notes that the leopard-print skirt trend, "won't stop until everyone has one in their closet — which, we don't mind, since these skirts are pretty cute and look great with any and all turtlenecks." We're loving the Vince Camuto Pull-On Leopard-Print Skirt, a decidedly sophisticated take on the trend.

Price: $35 | Buy it at Everlane
Harper's Bazaar tapped 50 fall outfit ideas to get you excited for cooler weather — and reminds us to "invest in the staples." First up? A black turtleneck. We can't argue with their top pick, so look to the Pima Micro Rib Turtleneck for classic style.

Price: $30 to $36 | Buy it at Kohl's
Who What Wear tells us that, "The standout hue on the F/W 19 runways was undoubtedly purple," and no matter the shade, "practically every designer had a touch of purple in their collection." Take your pick — chic mauve, pansy purple or light purple — in this Sonoma Goods for Life Cable Knit Sweater that you can pop over jeans or work pants with equal flair.

Price: $50 | Buy it at Old Navy
Marina Liao writes on MarieClaire.com that, "Every season I tell myself I need a plaid blazer and every season I fail to buy one. However, hopefully for this fall that all changes because the plaid options are absurdly good." That led her to point to "Plaid Madness" as one of the "10 Fall Trends Everyone Will Be Talking About." Join the conversation with the Jacquard Boyfriend Blazer for Women in understated-yet-versatile burnt ochre houndstooth or white/grey plaid.

Price: $24 | Buy it at Urban Outfitters
Sometimes good things are small packages — hence, the micro-bag trend that won't go away. Nordstrom's creative director Ruth Basloe tells Elle magazine that, "A small, structured style in a new shape is the statement bag of the season," with the "Itty Bitty Bags" on Elle's fall-trend list. Yes, impractical — Elle notes, "the absurdity is part of the charm" — but oh, so fun. Since you may not use this often, go cheap — and totally trendy with the Super Mini Trapezoid Crossbody Bag.

Price: $98 | Buy it at Mavi
Love your favorite jeans but want to mix it up? Marie Claire's survey of "The Denim Styles to Know for Fall" offers "slight tweaks to your old reliables." Suggestions include switching up skinny jeans (that favorite legging substitute) with straight jeans as, "There is something freeing about giving your ankles a little bit of breathing room." And, it notes, the straight-cut is "the quintessential jean style that transcends decades and fads." We agree that one of their picks, the Kendra Straight Leg in Indigo Supersoft, is a keeper.

Price: $109 | Buy it at Macy's
Last year, they called them dark florals — this year, they're still popular, says Marie Claire, which suggests you, "Retire your yellow daisy printed tops in favor of darker, moodier florals for fall/winter" as per examples from Paco Rabanne and Prada. Our pick, the Lauren Ralph Lauren Floral-Print Cowlneck Jersey Dress, offers the classic day-to-night versatility and a cut that would flatter most figures.

Price: $45 | Buy it at Nordstrom
Don't laugh — the fanny pack trend is "still going strong this season," according to Harper's Bazaar, which offers "11 Fresh Ways to Style a Fanny Pack for Fall." If you have to do it — and yes, we can't ignore the hands-free ease one might offer — we'll go with this fashion-forward belt bag from CALPAK, in bronze (or black).

Price: $30 | Buy it at The Gallery Shops/The National Gallery of Art
Stylecraze's "Fashion for Women Over 50" to the scarf as something that can "bump" any outfit up. "Classy and sophisticated scarves go a long way for not just women in their fifties and plus-sizes, but just about anyone." Make a fashion — and artistic statement — with the "Claude Monet: The Artist's Garden at Giverny, Scarf."

Price: $70 | Buy them at DSW
The Zoe Report's fall boot trends put the focus on the snakeskin: "No surprises here. Serpentine prints have been dominating the fashion scene for months now, and the Year of the Snake isn't over yet. Snake print boots will continue to be big through the autumn and winter months, in all manners of shape, style, and color schemes." For a chic spin, opt for the Steve Madden Elory Bootie in grey/black snake print faux suede. (And if feels too wild, simply pair with an outfit in solid black or neutrals).

Price: $100 | Buy them at DSW
Who What Wear shares that, "While there was a fair share of pointy toes on the runways, it was the square-toe silhouette that really made its mark for fall." Dip your toes (pun intended) in the trend with the Trotters Sarina Flat, a sophisticated take that combines comfort and style with variety (multiple color options).

Related: 15 Trendy Designer-Look-Alike Shoes and Boots Under $100

Price: $13 | Buy them at Target
Tired of the tried-and-true hoops? French Vogue's look at fall jewelry trends notes a "color explosion," particularly suggesting that "Massive, neon jewelry pieces are a surefire way to add a touch of daring to a look." How about SUGARFIX by BaubleBar tassel drop earrings with beaded studs to really mix things up? Again, pair with classic black to avoid a kaleidoscopic impression.