The most flattering dresses for mature women

There is nothing quite like a flattering dress to make you feel good. Plus, you never know when you might need something glamorous on standby, ready for a spontaneous summer outing or a family BBQ.

Finding a dress that will make you look and feel great can be difficult for anyone, no matter your age. Especially now that the internet provides us with endless options, dresses for mature women are easier to find than ever.

To give you a helping hand, we’ve enlisted the help of our Fashion Editor, Michelle Nightingale, along with expert stylist Styled By Susie, for dress shopping tips for when you're over 60.

Fashion tips from the experts

Meet the expert: Susie Hasler runs Styled By Susie, specialising in styling real women on a budget whose body type has changed due to pregnancy, gaining or losing weight, or menopause.

"Many of the mature ladies who I work with prefer to have a little more coverage in the summertime, rather than opting to bare all,” says Susie.

"My clients aren’t too keen on showing their arms or too much cleavage - and there are so many ways you can dress stylishly while not looking frumpy. If you’re not keen on sleeveless styles, try a cap sleeve."

She also recommends opting for a patterned dress if you normally dress head-to-toe in black.

"The tummy area can be troublesome for many women, particularly post-menopause. Dressing in summer clothing can make many ladies feel exposed, and it can become tempting to wear black to hide away.

"However, a pattern is actually going to flatter the figure much more as it glosses over lumps and bumps and is much more summery than black!"

So whether you’re looking for something to wear to a summer garden party or just to liven up your wardrobe, we’re rounded up the best dresses for mature women over 60 this season.

Related: What shoes to wear with a midi dress

Here are our favourite dresses for mature women

Best British shops to buy dresses for mature women

With so much choice on the web, you can easily spend hours scrolling through websites in search of something suitable. So we’ve rounded up some British brands you can count on when it comes to elegant, casual, and stylish fashion - and yes, some fabulous dresses for us older ladies.

Seasalt Cornwall

Distinctly Cornish and with a seaside vibe, the Yours team love this brand’s quirky style and pretty prints. Their clothing collection features beautifully flattering dresses and versatile tunics in soft, plain and patterned natural fabrics, all in lovely nautical colours, emphasising blues and reds. Stocks UK sizes 6-20.

Wallis

Not only do Wallis offer great tailoring and wearable separates, but they offer it all at a reasonable price point. Designed with a contemporary feel, their clothes focus on quality and fit. You can expect beautiful jersey floral dresses and chic floral shifts perfect for those special occasions when you want to stand out from the crowd with something a little different. If you struggle with finding the length, the brand also has a petite range especially designed for women 5’ 3” and under. Available in UK sizes 8-18.

Joules

You’ve no doubt heard of Joules, but the brand is far more than a good place to buy wellies and Breton-style striped tops. You’ll also find stylish and comfortable jersey dresses featuring their iconic stripes and floral designs that come in the mix and match midi and knee-length styles. Stocks UK sizes 6-26.

M&S

In recent years, M&S has reviewed and relaunched its clothing brands in a bid to appeal to a broader range of shoppers, with highlights from their Classic range being absorbed into the main M&S Collection. M&S says that pieces in the range are now designed to be worn and loved by women of all ages. With more than 200 different dresses available website, there’s something to suit all shapes and tastes. Stocks sizes 6-24.

WoolOvers

WoolOvers began life selling natural knitwear at country shows across the UK. Today the brand has expanded to offer a range of clothing, all focusing on using only natural fibres. You’ll find comfortable and affordable day dresses in a pinafore, midi, jersey, and tunic styles within their collection. Stocks UK sizes 8-18.

Boden

If you’re a fan of vibrant colours and pretty patterns in complimentary cuts, look no further than Boden. Whether you're a fan of minis, midis, or maxis, their offering includes so many options that you'll be able to style with flats, white trainers, and heeled sandals alike. Stocks UK sizes 6-22.

Monsoon

Discover day dresses with the key colour palettes and prints, including classy floaty silhouettes and midi lengths at Monsoon. Stocks UK sizes 8-22.

Celebrity fashion inspiration for mature women

Before you hit the shop button on the best dresses for women over 60, we’ve looked to some of the most incredible women on TV to help give you the style inspiration you need. We say that there is no age limit on feeling fabulous, and these ladies prove it!

If TV presenter and Loose Women host, Ruth Langsford can wow us in a print dress so can you. She's wearing the M&S HOBBS geometric print belted shirt dress from our list and we think she looks incredible.

Another TV legend and our fashion go-to is Lorraine Kelly. We think that a gorgeous striped maxi dress from Oliver Bonas would make a fantastic addition to your wardrobe, especially in the warmer months with the fun rainbow colours.

This Phase Eight dress worn by Susanna Reid would make for great occasion wear or be a glamorous addition for an evening outing. We love the floral design and the flattering long blouson sleeves.

Read next: Where to find Kate Garraway inspired dresses

Here are the best over 60 fashion blogs to follow

You don't just have to look to the women on the telly for outfit ideas for statement pieces or look great but feel comfortable. There are lots of mature women taking to the internet to show off their glamorous garments. These are some of our favourite over 60 fashion influencers:

Dorrie Jacobson runs Senior Style Bible and had this to say about finding the right dress for an older figure, "Number one style rule to live by? Forget about being 'age-appropriate. Defy the rules… No one should dictate your style to you. It’s a means of self-expression. Make it your own."

She then went on to talk about our favourite fashion subject: shoes, "What do you look for in footwear? I love statement shoes. I usually dress from the shoe up… So my footwear really needs to turn heads.

"At 80, I still wear high heels almost every day because they’re my trademark. People probably wouldn’t recognise me without them."

Now that you're ready to revamp your wardrobe, all that's left to do is go shopping from the comfort of your living room.