5 Essential Tips for Wearing Boots if You’re Over 50, According to a Celebrity Stylist

From TV trendsetters to everyday women, the perfect pair of shoes can transform an outfit and empower you to take on anything with confidence. Boots, in particular, have a unique way of elevating a look at any age, making them an essential accessory in every woman’s wardrobe.

However, with so many different silhouettes, colors and heel heights to choose from, it can be tricky to know which boots you should invest in when you’re shopping. After all, you don’t want to buy a pair that just ends up gathering dust in your closet. If only you had an expert to give you advice so you can avoid that from happening.

Lucky for you, we reached out to Hollywood stylist Brenda Cooper. With decades of experience, she’s not only dressed celebs like Jamie Lee Curtis, Molly Shannon and Fran Drescher for red carpets and events over the years but she’s also used her expertise to bring the wardrobe of some of TV’s most iconic characters to life. In fact, Cooper was the mastermind behind the bold and feminine looks of Fran Fine, the boot-loving fashionista portrayed by Drescher in the ‘90s sitcom The Nanny.

Read on to find out her essential tips for wearing boots if you’re over 50. She also gives advice on ways women can style boots, recommends a few of her favorite brands and reveals the most important factor women in this age bracket should consider when buying boots.

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5 Essential Tips for Wearing Boots Over 50, According to a Celebrity Stylist

To help make your shopping experience easier when you’re in your 50s or older, Cooper says she has a few tips and tricks that can make boots more comfortable to wear and help you choose what design, material, color, height and type of heel you should go with.

1. Add Insoles

“Sometimes, boots aren’t as comfortable as you’d like them to be, but the solution isn’t as hard as you might think," Cooper says. "Just find an insole that fits comfortably inside your boot, and it will make a world of difference."

However, she admits that finding the right one may take some patience. So if you buy one and hate it, try a different one.

“It’s worth taking the time to find a brand that works for your feet and then remember to get a few pairs so you have them on hand as needed,” she explains.

If you’re not a fan of insoles, that’s not her only tip for comfort. She says wearing the right socks can make boots feel cozier too.

“The trick is to find comfortable socks that will stay securely on your feet while inside your boots and not slip under your heel as you walk,” Cooper explains. “However, if you’re afraid adding socks may make your boots too hard to pull up over your calves, think about simply wearing knee-high pantyhose-type socks, and then your boots will slide on like a dream.”

2. Invest in One Tall Pair and One Short Pair of Boots

Seeing the amount of boot options can be overwhelming when you’re shopping. So if you’re over 50 and want to purchase boots, Cooper says it’s best to get two different silhouette heights.

“Women over 50 should try to have at least one pair of tall boots and one pair of shorter boots in their closet because they serve two different purposes and create completely different looks,” she shares. “Depending upon your preference, I would suggest you purchase the same style of short and tall boots for both. For instance, either get flat ankle boots and flat knee-high riding boots or get heeled ankle boots and heeled knee-high riding boots.”

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3. Choose the Right Color

When selecting the shade of boots you go with, Cooper points out that the perfect color depends on a person’s whereabouts.

“The best color of boots for a woman over 50 depends upon where she lives,” Cooper reveals. “For instance, if you live in a city, my number one suggestion would be to get black leather boots or black suede boots, as they both have a sophisticated elegance for a lady who lives in a metropolitan city. However, if you’re a woman who lives in the country or a more rural area, brown leather boots would be a better option since they have a more casual and countryfied feel, as well as don’t show dirt as much, which will make them easier to take care of.”

In addition, while someone in their 50s or older might not think they can pull off bright or colorful boots, Cooper tells Parade that’s not the case at all.

“If someone 50 or older wants a pair of fun-colored boots, I would suggest going with red mock croc boots to add a bold accent to your looks, or get white boots to add a bit of retro glam to your outfits,” she states.

4. Pay Attention to the Heel Height

Just because you’re not in your 20s anymore, doesn’t mean you have to give up wearing heels if you’re 50 or older.

“There are tons of fabulous and equally stylish alternatives if you can’t rock tall stilettos anymore, but love heels,” Cooper tells Parade.

The first style she suggests is one with a thicker heel.

“Block or chunky heels are practical, everyday heels that provide height without straining the foot or body as you walk,” she explains. “They are great because they can be a high heel or a shorter version and are easier to walk in than tall, thinner heels.”

The second type of heel Cooper says is great for women 50 and over is a Cuban heel.

“This is a modern, attractive low heel,” she reveals. “They are similar to block/chunky heels but have a slightly tapered back and a straight front. They are approximately an inch and a half in height and are an excellent compromise between a high heel and a flat, because they offer a comfortable, edgy, and modern silhouette.”

The third type of heel Cooper recommends for women over 50 try are wedges.

“While not truly a heel, this elevated style of boot provides an alternative for women who are unable to, or choose not to, wear other types of heels,” she tells Parade. “They are great because they provide your feet with ample and evenly distributed support, which is important as women get older.”

5. Care for Them Correctly

Cooper expresses that it’s essential to know how to care for your boots so that you don’t have to worry about them being a safety hazard and you can continue to wear them for years. Because of this Cooper says it’s important to know where the nearest shoe repair shop is.

“Over the years, the soles and heels of your boots will get worn down due to repetitive use, which is why you should check them regularly and consider replacing them when necessary,” she advises.

Cooper also shares that investing in the right cleaning products can help keep the material of your boots looking like new.

“When it comes to suede boots, I would suggest getting a suede brush that you can use to dust off any dirt to help keep them looking their best,” she explains. “For leather boots, don’t forget to take time to polish them with shoe polish from time to time to keep the leather subtle and prevent it from cracking.”

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How To Style Boots After Turning 50

While some people may think boots are only meant for colder months, Cooper says it’s becoming more popular for women of all ages to incorporate them into their outfits no matter what season it is.

“Thanks to modern technologies and a variety of fabrications, boots can be worn year-round,” she shares. “For example, black or brown suede flat ankle booties, or black or brown suede kitten-heel booties, look great on women over 50 when worn with something like a white T-shirt or button-down shirt, straight-leg dark denim jeans and a navy blazer."

She tells Parade that tall, flat boots look best styled with a more casual outfit or monochrome pieces.

“Something like brown flat knee-high riding boots look amazing paired with brown leggings, a brown tank top and a colorful athletic jacket,” Cooper says.

She emphasizes that women over 50 can also create stylish ensembles by combining boots with dresses.

“This combo is one of my favorite looks, especially when it involves suede booties or suede knee-high boots with a sweater dress or a floral printed dress,” she continues.

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What Are Some Good Boot Brands and Styles for Women Over 50?

Throughout her career, Cooper’s worked with many brands while styling her celeb clients. However, she says if she had to suggest a few for women who are 50 or older, three come to mind.

1. Solebill

“I love this brand and celebs of all ages do too because their mission is to create comfortable and stylish boots, which is exactly what they have done,” Cooper exclaims. “This brand is especially good for women who are older and might have foot problems.”

Cooper tells Parade that two Solebill boots she’d recommend for women in their 50s or older who like wearing boots are the Wonder: Cream Leather & Shearling Boots, as well as the Tread: Plum Leather Boots.

2. Sam Edelman

“This brand is great for women over 50 because they have classic, yet modern, by-the-minute styles and are sold at reasonable prices,” Cooper notes.

She also reveals that a couple of specific styles she suggests are the Laguna Chelsea Boots and the Sylvia Knee High Boots, which come in shades ranging from black and brown to cream and cherry red.

3. Jeffrey Campbell

“If women 50 and over are looking for a boot designer who thinks outside the box when it comes to style, Jeffrey Campbell is your guy!” Cooper says. “I love his designs and that his prices won’t break the bank!”

She tells Parade trying the Tell-On-Me Black Suede Boots and the Fancy-U Boots are perfect for dressier occasions.

What’s the Most Important Factor When Choosing Boots for Women Over 50?

According to Cooper, the most important thing to think about when buying boots when you're over 50 isn't the appearance (or at least not solely on how they look). Instead, she says women should take into account how they feel when wearing them.

“The most important factor that women 50 years of age and older should consider when buying boots is comfort,” Cooper shares. “The reason it’s crucial is because the natural cushioning of the soles of a person’s feet tends to diminish as women get older, causing discomfort.”

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Source

• Brenda Cooper, Hollywood stylist