Romantic Style Personality for women over 50

If you’ve always been drawn to soft fabrics, pretty details and a feminine finish, there’s a good chance you have a Romantic style personality.

This is the woman who looks her best in clothes with movement, softness and a touch of glamor. She doesn’t need anything too sharp or severe to make an impression. In fact, she often looks far more stylish in a floaty dress, a soft blouse or a gently draped skirt than she ever would in anything too tailored.

Romantic style is all about softness. Soft lines, soft color, soft texture and soft detail. It’s a look that feels graceful, flattering and quietly alluring. And in high summer, especially with garden parties, weddings and outdoor lunches on the calendar, it can be absolutely beautiful.

Of course, this style has to feel right on you. Romantic dressing isn’t for everyone, and that’s the key to getting it right. But if you’ve always loved lace over leather, floral prints over geometric shapes and curls over a severe haircut, this may be one of your most natural looks.

What does a Romantic style usually look like?

If Romantic style suits you, you’ll probably have a softness about your appearance that is flattered by curvy shapes, gentle fabrics and feminine touches. You may find that sharp tailoring feels harsh while draped tops, flowing skirts and softly shaped jackets seem to bring you to life.

It doesn't have to be red carpet glamour, even when your outfit is simple, there is usually something lovely about it - a soft neckline, a pretty earring, a flattering shoe, a delicate print or a genle fabric that moves beautifully.

Hair is often an important part of this look too. Sleek, angular styles can feel a little hard while soft waves, curls or simply a hairstyle with some movement often looks and feels much more flattering. The same goes for makeup. Romantic women rarely look their best in an overly bare, severe face. A little polish always helps; soft lipstick, defined eyes, a touch of blush and a sense of being beautifully put together.

What you're drawn towards...

If this is your style personality, you’ll probably be drawn to dresses and skirts rather than anything too structured or severe. You may love floral midis, soft blouses, wide-leg trousers in flowing fabrics, lace trims, chiffon sleeves, gentle gathers, draping, ruffles or embroidery!

You’re likely to enjoy fabrics that feel as well as look beautiful. Think silk, lace, velvet, chiffon, soft cotton voile, fluid jersey and fine knits. You may also be happiest in colors that feel warm, flattering and feminine rather than stark or harsh. Rose, blush, ivory, powder blue, sage, soft teal and berry shades can all sit beautifully within a Romantic wardrobe.

Prints often matter too. Florals are an obvious favorite, but so are watercolor effects, delicate patterns and anything with a graceful, decorative feel.

How to wear Romantic Style now!

Items from left: Green leaf print | Crochet midi dress | Blue blouse 

This is where it gets interesting, especially for women over 50.

Romantic style can look timelessly elegant, but the trick is to keep it soft and sophisticated rather than overdone. You don’t need ruffles, lace and flowers all at once. In fact, less is often more.

Whether you choose floral or plain, a simple dress with sandals can look far more chic than a head-to-toe 'pretty' outfit. A soft blouse with white jeans and pearl earrings may say Romantic style much more beautifully than anything too fussy. And a flowing skirt with a neat knit and lovely lipstick can feel modern, flattering and feminine without trying too hard.

That’s really the secret of wearing Romantic style well as a grown-up woman. Keep the feeling of softness and femininity, but choose pieces with quality, shape and restraint.

Ready for the Summer garden party?

Dresses from left: Pink floral | Black leaf print chiffon | Ivory floral  

This is one of the easiest times to enjoy a Romantic look.

A garden party is made for floaty fabrics, floral prints, pretty sandals and soft color. A midi dress in a light fabric is an easy starting point. Add a lightweight cardigan, a wrap or a soft shawl for when the temperature drops. If dresses aren’t your thing, try wide-leg linen-blend trousers with a feminine blouse and delicate jewelry.

Look for details that feel charming rather than sugary: pearl buttons, soft gathers, lace edging, flutter sleeves, a woven clutch or elegant strappy sandals. A little goes a long way.

And don’t forget the beauty side of the look. Soft waves, a rosy lipstick and a glowing complexion all work beautifully with Romantic dressing.

Style Icons to inspire you...

A few celebrities wear this look especially well and it doesn't always have to include dramatic evening downs!

Above you'll see Keira Knightley who often wears delicate, romantic fabrics; Monica Belucci chooses sensuous fabrics and soft shapes; whil Jane Seymour adds a pretty scarf bring a feminine touch to the simplest of casual outfits.

For more inspiration look at Taylor Swift who often leans into a soft, feminine style with curls, florals and graceful silhouettes; Penelope Cruz is wonderful in ruffles, draping and sensual softness; Andie McDowell and even Nicole Kidman!

They all show different versions of Romantic style, from floaty and delicate to glamorous and womanly. That’s worth remembering, because Romantic style doesn’t have to mean one thing. It can be sweet, dramatic, polished or softly sensual.

Easy ways to copy the look!

If you’d like to bring more Romantic style into your wardrobe, start small.

Try an easy to wear floral midi dress in a slightly deeper tone like the dress on the right. A feminine dress doesn't have to be 'pretty pretty' and a V neckline suits practically everyone!

A lace-trim blouse, a soft kimono jacket or a flowing skirt; add pearl earrings, a pretty scarf, a delicate necklace or a rose-toned lipstick. Choose fabrics with drape and movement, and look for details that soften your outfit rather than sharpen it.

The beauty of Romantic style is that it can be as subtle or as expressive as you like.

And if you’re someone who has always felt her best in feminine clothes, summer is the perfect moment to enjoy it. A little softness, a little prettiness and a little glamor can go a very long way. For the right woman, Romantic style doesn’t just look lovely — it feels exactly like coming home.