I have dresses on my radar for the summer, and the retailers are all cooperating. They’re offering great options at all price points in cheery colors, elegant neutrals, and vibrant prints. I popped into Nordstrom for two try-on sessions last week and found flattering summer dresses for women over 60 and over 50…in fact they’re great for all older women.
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For size reference, I’m 5’4″ tall, which puts me on the cusp of petite. I have broad shoulders and straight hips with no obvious curves.
Sleeveless Dresses That Let Your Skin Breathe
Nothing feels more effortless on a warm day than a sleeveless dress that floats away from the body without clinging.
The Eileen Fisher crushed silk midi dress is a customer favorite because it’s released in new colors year after year. It’s lightweight, floaty, and quietly refined. The pleats give it a soft structure, and the tiered shape moves beautifully. You could wear this dressed up or down, and it travels beautifully. I wore mine with nude sandals to a summer wedding, pairing it with a light sweater to keep my arms warm. I’ve also dressed it down with flats and a denim jacket. This is a great option if you’re looking for elegant sleeveless dresses for women over 60. It comes in 3 colors with this scoop neckline at Nordstrom, in other colors here, and in 5 colors with a V-neckline here. I have my eye on the Chalk color here.
A soft, drapey linen mix and a relaxed silhouette make this Linen Blend maxi dress feel coastal and quietly chic. I love the V-neckline and gentle waist smocking, which gives it some shaping but still feels relaxed. It simply slips over your head and would be perfect for a beachy vacation, a garden wedding, or any time you want to feel polished and cool. I sized up to a medium and feel it runs true to size.
This one’s a classic if you’re after breathable linen dresses with pockets. The A-line cut is flattering without overwhelming, and the organic linen is substantial enough to hold its shape. It has a lantern-shaped, which gives the dress lots of movement. I love this Eileen Fisher linen dress, layered with a cropped cardigan and neutral espadrilles or worn on its own in blistering temperatures with a large, shady straw hat. It comes in 2 colors in reg and petite sizes, which are selling out fast, so you can also find it here.
Striped T-Shirt Dresses: Easy Style, No Effort Required
A striped dress always feels fresh for summer, and both of the following dresses are perfect for everyday wear.
I think of this Splendid Striped Dress as your perfect casual summer day dress. The navy and white stripes are crisp, the fabric is soft, and the silhouette is clean and sleek. I love the way it looks paired with my white woven flats, but you could also wear it with white tennies or flat sandals. It’s an easy-care, machine-wash dress that simply slips over your head and makes the perfect base for lots of styling ideas. It runs true to size.
Long, lean, and ultra-comfortable, this Caslon striped maxi has a slight scoop neck and side slits for movement. It’s an ideal throw-on-and-go dress for women over 50 that comes in navy with ivory stripes or this ivory with navy stripes. This is cotton with spandex for stretch which keeps it comfy to sit and move around in. This is perfect for running errands, or dressed up with a great sun hat and oversized shades. A long necklace works for this silhoutte and you could also belt it for some shaping.
The Shirt Dress For Women Over 60: Structured Meets Relaxed
If you love a no-fuss, polished look, the shirt dress is your friend. They’re my favorite style of dress because they seldom lean into frou-frou territory (which is not my vibe). Nordstrom always has lots of classic options. Look for breathable cotton or linen blends with a little shaping through the waist.
Style tip: Add leather slides and a woven bag for that “off to Provence” vibe, even if you’re just running errands.
Eyelet is having a moment this spring, but it never really goes out of style. It adds just enough interest without feeling too precious. This Caslon Eyelet dress is made from 100% cotton and comes in 4 colors. The spread collar and removable tie belt allow you to also wear it open as a third layer over a tank and cotton pants or chinos. I see this dressed up or down for lots of occasions. I’m wearing a small, which is too snug on me, so it runs true to size. I love how the black dials back the “sweet” factor, but you could go all in with the white.
This Nic+Zoe short sleeve shirtdress is a more refined take on a utility dress, tailored but still easy. The short sleeves are almost elbow length which I find flattering on my aging arms. It has an inverted back pleat and front welt pockets. This would be fun paired with metallic sandals for a slightly elevated take on everyday style. It’s machine wash, tumble dry and runs true to size. This is s great choice if you’re looking for chic travel dresses for women over 60.
This tie waist linen dress fits beautifully and feels wonderful. Its classic styling gives it a timeless appeal that you could wear summer after summer. The tie waist is flattering without being fussy, and the linen blend is soft but structured. You could also switch out the self belt for a woven raffia or leather for variety.
This Calson eyelet detail dress is a nice option for those who prefer arm coverage but still want breathability. The eyelet detail is subtle but adds some nice texture, and the longer sleeve feels right for transitional weather or cooler evenings. It’s 100% cotton and also comes in a pretty navy. The drawstring allows you to cinch it in as much or as little as you like. I found it runs true to size.
Simple, classic, and a solid value, this button front shirtdress comes in this olive or ivory which looks quite elegant. It’s a medium weight, vicose and linen blend fabric with a nice drape. Since it buttons all the way down, it could also double as a long tunic over white jeans. I love the elbow length sleeves, side pockets, and simple style which could be a real chameleon in your wardrobe. I’d keep this in rotation all season with slides or sneakers.
A FEW MORE NORDSTROM DRESSES..I wish I could have tried on
A Final Thoughts
I know dresses can often feel tricky, especially when everything in stores seems geared toward twenty-somethings. But a well-cut, thoughtfully chosen dress can be one of the easiest, most flattering pieces in your closet.
Are you a dress person in the summer? Or are you still warming up to the idea?