(This answer was originally written for a different question, and not meant to be style tips! I don't know why it was moved to this question)
She should dress however she feels comfortable!
I hate people who have these “rules” about what you can and cannot do with your clothes or hair after a certain age.
Especially once you’re 50, if there is ever a time to be yourself and let go of the limitations of society, it is then. Last chance!
I don’t know if it is a good idea to post this. My eyes are all squinty because I had the sun in my face…but I dare to wear things now that I didn’t when I was 30. This was two months ago. I am 53.
ETA- I attracted more attention than I expected with this post. I thank those who have complimented. But I realized something I did not say, which is relevant to the question. I did wear this out in public, to a fancy restaurant. But- this is also at a naturist (nudist) village on the coast here in South France. It is, admittedly, a bit much for some environments, and I do respect the norms wherever I may be. Class requires being sensitive to such things.
On the other hand, my real point is- whatever is acceptable in your environment for a 30 year old woman to wear should be equally acceptable for a woman who is 50.
That night there were younger women dressed even more sexy all around. Some women wore nothing at all except some high heels. I wasn’t comfortable going that far, so I didn’t.
Editted to add:
The extreme response to this really surprised me, and many of the comments (especially by women) are making me think. Ladies, in France, my body is not uncommon for women my age. There are a lot less women who are overweight. I am pointing this out because you’re making me remember what it was like living in the uS. I was always a bit overweight, though how much would vary. When I would go back visiting, I’d start gaining in the first week. Many comments assume I work very hard to have a nice body. I am sorry, it isn’t true. Americans always believe in working harder for anything! Here’s what I perceive- weight gain and bad health often results from stress, anxiety, and depression. Living with stress about your financial or job security, with anxiety because of the media feeding us alarming messages about danger around every corner, over stimulation, extreme polarization in the population on all issues… this is bad for your health. The Americans scoff at the french “laziness” because our legal work week is 35 hours (if you do an hour over that, it’s double pay), and guaranteed minimum of 30 paid vacation days a year, our national health insurance and strong social security net. But it does allow people to feel more secure and less anxious. There is less pressure to be a “good consumer”. It results in better health. We eat butter, cream, fat, cheese and bread. But when you are less stressed, you don’t feel the need to “snack” between meals, nor stuff yourself full at the table.
I don’t work on it. I spend my weekends out in nature hiking and swimming because it gives me pleasure, and because I have time and peace of mind.
The “french paradox”, I suspect is about that. This is why I am pointing this out. Don’t tell yourself “it takes more work” because that will add to the stress you already live with. I don’t think most Americans are even aware that they are living with a background level of anxiety all the time, because they are so used to it! I didn’t realize it until I visited home after being gone a while. Take the time to disconnect from the blaring over-stimulating news broadcasts and social polarizations. Take time to love yourself and get in touch with nature and silence. There’s only so much you can do to escape the cultural influence you live within, I know. But just want to say, no, the key to happiness isn’t in working harder and consuming more, to be a good citizen. Just for consideration…