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Aug 17, 2023

Top Lingerie Updates for Women Over 50

No one loves wearing shape wear. In fact, as more women decide to “own” their size and shape and opt for relaxed or oversized tops, wider pants and looser jeans, A-line midi skirts and flowing

No one loves wearing shape wear. In fact, as more women decide to “own” their size and shape and opt for relaxed or oversized tops, wider pants and looser jeans, A-line midi skirts and flowing dresses, the dependency on industrial-strength-control underwear is waning. But everyone — even the most body-positive women — can use a little assistance when bloat or a few extra pounds challenge our wardrobe. Treat your shape to a couple of low-dose smoothers such as the Jockey Skimmies No-Chafe Mid-Thigh Slip Short in Light ($20, macys.com), Soma Intimates Smoothing Short ($32, soma.com) or Miraclesuit Light Control High-Waist Boyshorts in Coffee, Black, Stucco, Warm Beige ($27, barenecessities.com) and leave stress behind.

Two of the most useful lingerie items to own now: a black bodysuit and black pantyhose in sheer and fishnet styles. Bodysuits in a stretchy opaque fabric with a full coverage bottom (not a thong!) and snap gusset at the crotch, such as the tank style Good American Scoop Neck Tank Bodysuit in Black ($79, bloomingdales.com), Skims Fits Everybody T-Shirt Bodysuit Regular & Plus in Black ($62, nordstrom.com) and Kimi + Kai Women’s Turtleneck Long Sleeve Bodysuit in Black ($39, macys.com), are the layering piece update to camisoles. Worn under any top or in sleeved versions as stand-alone tops with skirts and pants, they glide over bras and middle to give the torso a smooth look. Pantyhose, which have basically been ignored for the past decade, are also back, especially in sheer black such as the Silkies Women’s Control Top Pantyhose with Run Resistant Light Support Legs in Jet Black ($17 for two pair, amazon.com) or the Stems Micro Fishnet Tights in Black ($33, neimanmarcus.com). If you’re over 50 and have leg pigmentation issues and veins as I do, they are a wardrobe must.

Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and style editor who focuses on women 50 and older. She was the beauty and style editor at Ladies’ Home Journal and a founding editor of More magazine. She has written three books: The Makeup Wakeup, The Wardrobe Wakeup and The Woman's Wakeup.

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