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If there’s one thing we know on TFG is that a clothing line doesn’t have to be made specifically for “travel” to be jetsetter-worthy. Today we’re featuring one of our writers’ favorites brands. She says it’s one of the best options in travel fashion for women over 50 and it even has a fantastic range for petite, tall, and plus size, too. Want to know what it is? Keep reading!
Travel Fashion for Women Over 50
Written by: Phebe Schwartz
I know that travelers who struggle to find adequate travel fashion for women over 50 may have similar clothing concerns as women who wear plus size.
Like everyone, we want clothes in our travel capsule wardrobes that make us look and feel wonderful. But we also need a bit more structure and maybe more coverage than what standard clothing lines tend to offer. We might not want to travel with only leggings and cropped shirts.
Tip: Want to pack light, use packing cubes to compress your clothing as shown in this video!
Many designers consider a size 10 a plus size. (I’d love to be a size 10 again!) Where do we shop when department stores stop at size 10 or 12?
You might think of Lane Bryant when you think of plus size fashion. They have some lovely items, and are great for women with an hourglass shape. Unfortunately, I’m not an hourglass, but more of a rectangle.
For all those who are still looking for a place to shop for comfortable, classic, but not super expensive clothing, this is for you:
Christian Siriano For J.Jill Pleated Knit Dress
J Jill
J Jill is one of my favorite lines of clothing especially for travel fashion for women over 50. They tend to use natural fibers, which breathe; this is essential for women with hot flashes.
Their clothes range from Petite to Misses to Plus (“Womens”), and can easily dress up or down, perfect for travel. (Their plus size ranges from 16W to 28W.)
My only complaint is that their stores usually carry only misses sizing, which makes it hard to fit everyone. However, their XL is about a 16-18, which some designers consider a plus size. That helps for considering sizing and fit.
Pure Jill Indigo Shirttail Dress
One of my favorite items is their Pure Jill Indigo Shirttail Dress, from their summer line. It looks like a perfect travel dress – cotton knit, knee length, easy to wear. The XL runs slim in this style, so I would have ordered this in a plus size if I had enough time.
Ponte Knit Mixed-Stripes Dress
Instead, I went with this mixed-stripes dress. Again, made from smoothing ponte knit – perfect for many climates and many occasions. (I pack it in a clothing folder which minimizes wrinkles. A quick spritz with water mist, hang for an hour, and it looks fabulous again.)
If you prefer knits to wovens, their Wearever line is rayon knit jersey. This line is wonderful for packing, and lasts forever.
J Jill has wonderful sweaters and tops for cold weather; their tees and knit tanks are perfect for warmer climates; and the skirts, slacks, and jeans go with everything. I also like the cotton or linen tops and blouses.
Fit Out & About Kick-Flare Pants
I realize that they don’t usually use plus size models on their website, but I know from experience that the clothing is sized well for those of us size 14 and beyond. Also, if you aren’t very tall but are also curvy, try the petite XL – I prefer the petite XL slacks because they have a shorter rise.
They even carry shoes, purses, jewelry, scarves, etc. if you like one stop shopping. I could happily outfit an entire trip from J Jill – my go-to store for travel fashion for women over 50!
How to Organize Travel Clothing
Packing cubes can help organize all the layers you have in mind for winter travels. We designed our own brand of slim packing cubes, with a unique color and numbering system, so it’s easy to remember where you’ve packed everything. The video below shows you how!
Learn our hacks with packing cubes in the video above!
We also put together a five-part YouTube series showing the different methods to use packing cubes for travel. If you use this specific packing strategy, packing cubes can also compress your belongings. This is the secret to traveling carry-on only!
What’s your favorite brand for travel fashion for women over 50? Please share and comment below!
For more tips and ideas on travel clothing, please read:
- 6 Places to find Cheap Plus Size Clothing for Travel
- Plus-Size Packing Tips: How to Rock a Carryon Travel Wardrobe
- How to Choose Travel Clothing: 6 Factors to Consider
- 20 Comfortable and Cute Walking Shoes for Travel
Hope you liked these tips on travel fashion for women over 50. Please share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Author Bio: Phebe Schwartz started traveling and living overseas at age 19, and haven’t stopped. Her career has included two years in Africa with the Peace Corps, and a three month trip home from there. As a result of living in Liberia, West Africa, she found a job teaching art in the US Virgin Islands, where she spent 25 wonderful years. Now retired, she and her husband are just traveling the world and having the time of their lives; the plan is to have no plan, the philosophy is that where they end up is where they are meant to be. Follow their adventure at their travel blog: Rolling Luggagers
Thanks for tips for us senior women who prefer clothing with coverage and comfort but still want to look sharp.
For cold or wet weather travel, both Columbia and Helly Hansen have extended women’s sizes. HH is pricey, but good quality, classic design that will last. Sierra Trading Post carries lots of travel items (including hiking boots) at great prices. Only problem is, selection is hit and miss, but worth checking out first when in need.
Hi Susanna, thank you for sharing your recommendations for clothes with us, always love hearing about our readers go-to brands! Happy travels!
Eddie Bauer and ExOfficio make wonderful clothing suitable for travel. Bauer has a separate travel line called “Travex,” all quick dry, mix-and-match, extremely comfortable and not hiker-looking items.
I’m still really sad about the demise of the Lucy brand, “athleisure” and perfect for travel with stylish and comfy items, all quick-drying. Lucy got folded into North Face and the great styling disappeared. When I found out Lucy was going out of business I bought lots of items on clearance. They’re classic designs and I’ll be traveling with them for years.
Thank you for sharing your recommendations for travel clothing brands with us Dianne! 🙂
I’m wearing my all time favorite pants right now. A pair of Lucy’s! I was super-duper disappointed after learning the company was bought out. Especially, when I saw the sparse Lucy offerings at North Face.
Love the tips, i am over 50 not quite a plus size. Just wondering if there are places in Canada that you would recommend, i see you recommend J jill but believe it is only in the states and i don’t like shopping online for clothes, i like to try them on. I also don’t want to be spending a lot of money.
Hi Denise, thank you for your comment, so glad you enjoyed the article. To get you the best recommendations possible, I have gone ahead and posted your question on TFG’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TravelFashionGirl/ Our readers have the best suggestions, so keep an eye out for their replies from Monday. Hope this helps! 🙂
Thank you Alex will look forward to see what suggestions i get.
thanks again
I like these options, and would love a sample of items to take for a 2 week trip to Europe this summer. I like how TFG shows lots of outfits to put together by mixing a few items. Is there a place where I can see ideas for women 50+?
Hi Martha, thank you for your question! Have a look at this ten step guide for Europe: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/10-step-packing-guide-europe/ hopefully it will help you to start planning your packing! Have an amazing trip! 🙂
While I’m not plus size, I am over 50 and I picked up that Safari Dress in two colors that season it was available! I also shop at TravelSmith like Paula and recommend them. I got a great mustard-colored rain jacket that I love that has been making the rounds on my trips.
I’ll have to check out the Chico’s right near me.
Thanks for the recommendation! We need to add more TravelSmith!
Two brands that come to mind for me are Chico’s and Bryn Walker.
Chico’s has a travel line as part of their regular product line. It is wrinkle resistant and looks great whether you dress it up or dress it down.
Bryn Walker is a little more expensive, but their linen garments are roomy and comfortable. Their style is classic and tasteful. Also their clothing sizes run large.
Great additions! Thanks Gail 🙂
Another avid fan of J Jill here (at 57 yrs young at size 16)!
Their slim boyfriend jeans are stretchy, comfy, not thick denim, travel well, wash and hang dry quickly. Same goes for their tee shirts and tanks.
http://www.tilley.com/canada_en/
I do tend to favour Tilley Endurables for travel (Canadian company, I live in Canada).
Pricey but guaranteed, quality-made garments and most dry overnight. I probably own all of their tee shirts, four trapeze style tanks and lovely Ponte Motojacket and every kind of sock they make. The tops are very comfortable.
Other web sites I peruse for travel friendly clothes are:
Norm Thompson
http://normthompson.blair.com/
Travelsmith
http://www.travelsmith.com/
Chicos
http://www.chicos.com/store/
Hi Paula, thanks for sharing these other brands. We’ll definitely have to check them out for future articles!
Anything danskin!! There x large is the equivalent to a 2 x in any other brand! Princess eve was a great brand too but they went out of business 🙁 any tips on travel clothing that comes from large box realities (cause we dont have much else here)
Thanks for the tip! Have you seen this post: https://travelfashiongirl.com/cheap-plus-size-clothing-for-travel/ and the plus-size section in this guide: https://travelfashiongirl.com/best-online-shopping-sites/