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Celebrating the Evolution of Elegance

As women age gracefully, their hair undergoes a beautiful transformation, transitioning into shades of silver and gray. With this newfound elegance comes an opportunity to enhance your style and embrace graying hair’s uniqueness. This article will explore the fashion world for women over 50, exploring how to dress harmoniously with your gray tresses. Let’s unlock the secrets to a captivating and confident look, from color palettes to style choices.

Discovering the Perfect Palette

The interplay between your hair color and wardrobe can create exquisite visual harmony. While gray hair can complement a variety of hues, opting for colors that enhance and contrast with your hair can be truly transformative. Consider incorporating the following palettes into your wardrobe:

Jewel Tones

Deep emeralds, rich purples, and vibrant blues can beautifully offset silver locks, adding a touch of luxury and regality to your look. These colors can be introduced through statement accessories like a silk scarf or a pair of gemstone earrings.

Soft Neutrals

Subtle, earthy tones like taupe, blush, and beige can create a sophisticated and timeless aesthetic. These hues provide a gentle backdrop for your gray hair to shine, allowing you to experiment with different textures and layering techniques.

Bold Contrasts

For a striking effect, embrace the power of contrast. Pairing black or navy garments with your gray hair can create a dramatic and eye-catching ensemble. Additionally, high-contrast prints, such as polka dots or houndstooth, can add a playful twist to your outfits.

The Art of Accessorizing

Accessories are the finishing touch to any outfit, elevating your style to new heights. When it comes to accessorizing with graying hair, keep these tips in mind:

Statement Jewelry

Bold, chunky necklaces or oversized earrings can draw attention to your face and add a touch of glamour to your overall appearance. Opt for pieces that complement your style and reflect your unique personality.

Scarves and Shawls

Versatile and elegant, scarves and shawls can transform even the simplest outfit into a fashion statement. Experiment with different textures, patterns, and draping styles to accentuate your features and enhance your graying hair.

Eyewear

Consider investing in a chic pair of glasses that flatters your face shape and enhances your natural features. From sophisticated cat-eye frames to trendy oversized spectacles, eyewear can be an essential fashion accessory that adds style and functionality to your look.

Silhouettes that Speak Confidence

Our bodies may change as we age, and embracing these changes is an empowering step toward self-acceptance. Dressing in silhouettes that make you feel confident and comfortable is key. Here are a few silhouettes to consider:

Tailored Jackets

A well-fitted blazer can instantly elevate any outfit, providing structure and polish. Opt for jackets with defined shoulders and a nipped-in waist to accentuate your silhouette and create a flattering shape.

A-Line Dresses

Flattering and timeless, A-line dresses gracefully skim over the body, creating an hourglass shape. Choose fabrics with movement, like flowing chiffon or elegant silk, to enhance your natural elegance.

Wide-Leg Pants

Comfortable yet chic, wide-leg pants elongate the legs and offer a stylish alternative to skinny jeans. Pair them with a tucked-in blouse or a form-fitting top to create balance and emphasize your waistline.

Confidence, the Ultimate Accessory

Regardless of your fashion choices, the most important accessory is your confidence. Embracing your graying hair and the wisdom that comes with age is a powerful statement. Remember, style is a form of self-expression that should make you feel beautiful and empowered.

Have you ever felt like you were in a clothing rut with regard to what to wear with gray hair? At some point, every woman has looked at her closet and thought, Ugh. Finding the right colors in clothing to flatter your gray hair is essential to feeling fabulous with your silver locks.

More advice on what to wear with gray hair…

According to the site Stylelist,

“Stick to black, navy, pure white—never ivory—and all the jewel tones like sapphire, royal blue, ruby, fuchsia, magenta, purple, and violet,” says image consultant Sandy Dumont, who has wardrobe-advised individuals and corporations for over 30 years. You’ll also want to stay away from certain shades. Avoid going matchy-matchy with gray clothing, as it can age you. Greens can also be tricky, as they make your hair look green when standing in the sunlight.”

Please also remember that you don’t have to follow any rules, and the best colors for you are those that make you feel comfortable. If you feel like wearing blue, wear it if it makes you happy. The same goes with every color on this list of colors to wear with gray or silver hair.

For an even more in-depth approach to choosing the best colors in clothing and accessories for you, check out this video from talented color consultant Jill Kirsh.

For an even more in-depth approach to choosing the best colors in clothing and accessories for you, check out this video from talented color consultant Jill Kirsh.

One of our favorite products is Jill’s swatch books filled with pieces of fabric of all the best shades of every color, chosen especially to complement gray hair:

  • With the right shades of color, you don’t even need makeup!
  • All the right shades of color in a swatch book for you!
  • Shop in your closet or shop in the store—this swatch book makes shopping so easy!
  • Save time and save money while looking great every day!

Supreme Swatch Book for Dark Brown, Black, Salt and Pepper, and Silver Hair

Supreme Swatch Book for Ash Blonde and Gray Hair

So tell us, have you figured out what to wear with gray hair?  What works for you and your shade of gray?  Better yet, what doesn’t?

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46 Responses

  1. Carolyn Reply

    Yellow… is definitely a no no for me. Thanks for this article. Never thought that I need to look at my clothing as well… off to the mall!

  3. E J Lees Reply

    I hate all the colors suggested for gray hair! If I go natural, will I have to give up my beloved earth tones?

    • Robin Boyd Jackson Reply

      I used to be an earth tone girl. With the gray hair and my fair skin browns are not working for me any more. Thank goodness for black!

      • ckl Reply

        Those are the colors i love too but letting my hair go naturally grey I had to give them up. I look yellow and sickly in them now. While i don’t hate any particular color i prefer not to wear blue. And it looks so good on me now!! I am working on finding colors that make me look good and that i can tolerate. there are some reds i can wear and definitely any shade of pink except coral. Nothing with a yellow, orange, green undertone to it. I haven’t tried an emerald green yet. Pastels look nicer on me now. I was never into pastels though.
        Bottom line is i would rather work on a new color pallette and wardrobe than continue to dye my hair. The white no longer held the dye and within a week i either had to re-dye or walk around with a fluorescent orange stripe down the middle of my head when i dyed my hair red or a purple stripe when i tried using brown. I decided to work with what i am rather than against it.

        Black is fast becoming my new favorite also!

        Good luck on whatever you decide to do!

    • Kaitte Reply

      Im still in transition, was copper red, earth tones definite autumn. I love scarvws cause i have a tendency to be cold. I don’t see why we can’t keep some earth tones pieces, and dress them up around the face with a “cool” tone scarf. I went shopping recently at Kohls and found all kinds of neat cool tone summer clothes, with a little white sweater, they look great. So in short, just give yourself a fashion show. Play with scarves, accessories that work to compliment your skin and earthtone clothing. Im 64, Just think it’s a whole new chapter in our lives. New silver look, new clothes, jump on board the train and enjoy the ride.

  4. goinggray Reply

    Hi EJ! Sorry they don't appeal to you. You don't have to give up anything! These are only suggestions. There are other ways to work in color while wearing your beloved earth tones -makeup, jewelry, accessories. Let us know if you find something that works for you!

    • E J Lees Reply

      Thanks for the reply. I have always looked best in olives and rust tones. I would rather be dead than wear turquoise or light blue, or any blue for that matter. Ditto for pinks and purples, which I think belong in a nursing home. So what's left?

      • Bipa Reply

        I agree fully with you. I wear just about every colour and accessorize with appropriate colours – scarves, jewellery . Having a great hairstyle is important.

  5. Susan Lightcap Reply

    I jettisoned all beiges and ivories, do wear deep, taupe-y browns. Putting bright color near my face makes my silver really pop. It's well worth the time to investigate, perhaps discard, old perceptions about "nursing home" colors. I have a beautiful pink scarf from Anthropologie that is gorgeous with my hair–no nursing home there! I'm just sayin' . . .

  7. Nancy Reply

    Hi – love the tips, Found on my own that purples, reds, blues work well. I stay away from ivory, yellow, olive-greens, beiges etc. I get compliments all the time on my white/gray hair. My stylist absolutely refuses to colour it. Since I started going gray in my teens I've learned over the years what works best.

  8. Vi..... Reply

    Yup, I find that navy, dark purple, vibrant red, pink and black all work for me. I have long white hair (down to just below my bra line), and I think I actually look and feel younger with my natural hair color, versus having the "skunk stripe" like when I used to dye my hair. I also found that light gray beige, yellow and earth tones don't work for clothing for me, but charcoal gray is fine.

  9. charlie Reply

    I just completed my transition to gray and I am very salt and pepper. I have found that my beloved browns and ivories now look wretched on me. I'm now wearing a lot of turquoise, black, charcoal, white and hot pink. I still do wear olive, as long as it is a deep green olive and not a brown olive. I have also found that gold jewelry does not look good with the cool tone of my hair, especially earrings. I don't like the silver sideburns next to yellow gold. It is probably just me, but it seems to clash. I hate to get rid of all of my yellow gold and my fun earrings and necklaces with gold on them, but I'm just not wearing them anymore. Anyone else find jewelry to be an issue? I am wearing lots of white gold and sterling and it just looks so much better with my hair.

    • Janet Thompson Reply

      Oh, yes, Charlie. I used to wear only gold jewelry, but since I went silver, I have gone to white gold and silver; it just looks better now. So, what do I do now with the gold wedding band and engagement ring of 35 years?

      • nfj Reply

        don’t hold them up to your hair… and get bracelets with both gold and silver together…with you silver earrings.

      • Karen Reply

        Next wedding anniversary throw the hint for a simple white gold band to pair up with your gold wedding set

  10. Sharon Reply

    I normally read gray color is a nono but when I look at pics I personally find gray to be the most appealing with gray hair. Wordrobe 911 website has an article saying gray is ok.As far as earth tones go I have read some shades of brown are ok like chocolate I think. I am salt and pepper and only 32 been graying since 20. I love earth tones myself so giving up brown is tuff for me. I really don't have an eye for what colors look ok on me so I just try to follow the color recommendations best I can. I would love to know if and how one could wear an earth tone shirt properly with gray hair. Would you wear the earth tone and then add a good recommended color in say a scarf or something?Any tips?

    • nfj Reply

      i have two scarves…subtle patterns of beige, gray and white with magenta and one with the same three colors and sky blue… swirl around the neck over a beige, med gray, pink or blue sweater…always looks great.

  11. Karen Richards Reply

    I think colour is really a very personal thing. I agree, in principle, that creams and beige are a 'no no' against grey hair and got rid of all of mine. However, I saw a very stylish woman, recently, who was wearing beige with a terrific silver crop and she looked 'drop dead gorgeous', so I think the advice about taking some time to go through your wardrobe and try each colour against both skin and hair is really important. I started to throw/give away everything green, too but then I noticed that some shades of green actually looked really nice against the grey, so I have kept some favourite pieces. Block black, doesn't do it for me and I disappear against white.
    I think the type of fabric affects the look, too and don't forget that there are as many shades of 'grey' hair as there are people who have let their hair go grey. Experiment and see what does it for you, is my advice.

  12. Lois James Reply

    I wear black and navy with touches of color such as red, royal blue, and purple in handbags or scarves.

  13. caster Reply

    There are other ways to work in color while wearing your beloved earth tones -makeup, jewelry, accessories. Let us know if you find something that works for you! man tops

  14. Mary Ellen Ottman Reply

    Hi everyone,
    Hi everyone,

    Regarding shades of beige or brown with gray hair, since we all have skin that is some shade of beige/brown from ivory to ebony, we should be able to find some shades of earth tones that would go with our gray, Am I misguidedin my thinking?

  15. Janet Thompson Reply

    Good article. I too used to wear more muted autumn colors; rust, olive, khaki, soft mustard, soft browns, eggplant.. After I went silver, these colors tended to clash, but I was at a loss when trying to consider other colors. My good friend, Joanne, from Younique Image Consulting in Mechanicsville, VA, gave me a new color makeover, and we were both shocked by how even my skin coloring changed along with the color of my hair! I still wear muted tones, but they are decidedly cooler, medium tones with little warmth. My silver hair has a little warmth to it, so I can wear ivory much better than white. My colors now are soft, dark red, soft raspberry and fuschia, cadet blues and soft navy, medium gray and charcoal gray. Black is too harsh for me, so I use it in skirts and pants. Gone are all greens and yellows, rusts and browns. Eggplant, however, still goes. It’s a great formal color for me. She also showed me how to winnow my wardrobe down to a capsule where each item goes with every other thing in my closet. I could get dressed in the dark and look fabulous.

  16. Kaitte Reply

    Im on social security, so have to save pennies, but is there a color consultant somewhere in the Rocky ford, Pueblo colorado area?

  17. Windybag Reply

    I’m currently transitioning from blonde to my white,grey hair. So glad I googled this. Thanks everyone for your ideas and findings. I wish I could see everyone’s picture.

  18. Soni Reply

    I am indian with fair comlexion. I bought orange red color lehenga for niece marriage i am 51 years old with grey hair and tall kindly suggest its wise to wear orange red colour. Pls suggest Tx and rgds

  19. Kaitte Murry Reply

    Hello, I was an autumn before I went silver gray. Now I’m a spring, winter. I still wear my autumn clothes but I look better in greys, ice blues, the reds have changed too. Take a gold cloth and silver cloth up to your face.. silver is cool colors like winter spring, gold is warm colors like autumn, summer I still wear my fall brown colors.

  20. Tammy Rentz Reply

    Because I am olive complexion with bright silver white hair, I can still wear rust colors and most people compliment me more in those colors, I believe skin tone can definitely dictate the best colors with silver hair.

    • Elaine Reply

      Sensible comment and I agree completely. Skin tone and eye color figure strongly into what colors look good on each of us. I have light olive skin (neutral, for sure) and brown eyes with salt and pepper hair. I bend makeup the direction of the colors I wear. Both silver and gold jewelry work.

      I pay attention when anyone comments specifically on a color I’m wearing, especially if it is the “no no” category based on the four seasons and variations within them. I wear clear pumpkin and lime green, which were never on my ‘chart’ but work, based on the comments I receive. A high level of contrast works well too, and so does black as long as some skin still shows.

  21. Di Reply

    Black and white don’t suit everyone regardless of hair color. Black ages me and pure white washes me out. I look much better in muted colors like French blue, dusty rose, eucalyptus green, charcoal, cherry red, lavender.

  22. Dee Geraghty Reply

    Hard at first but now I have silver white hair with dark blue-green eyes, all I have to do is choose the brighter colours in my Spring ‘Colour Me Beautiful’ palette. Had colours done decades ago when my hair was dark auburn/chestnut brown. The Autumn palette was too muted, so colour consultant said I was a bright Spring. Back then, I liked the warmer, earth colours & green.

    Now it’s the colours in the Spring palette which are ‘bluer’ . So it’s teal, purple, jade, dark blue, dark mahogany brown, tomato red and white. No longer wear cream, beige, tan, yellow or grey. Black has always been too stark, draining colour from my face. My skintone has faded but I’m still a bright Spring. Having colours done is so great. Good luck ladies – get your colours done so you can have fun with grey hair. I live in UK so spelling is different! Love this blog !
    Dee

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Dee. Reading everyone’s comments. I came across yours I am also in the uk, south east London. Could you recommend who helped with your colours
      Michelle

  23. *Jean Reply

    I didn’t see anything that addressed dark skin and gray hair. Do the same colors apply?

  24. Sally Reply

    Had my colors done by Carol Jackson when she was writing her book. My hair was brown back then and now I have gone gray. I’m still an Autumn. My skin is still a warm beige and my eyes are still medium golden brown. I still don’t look good in bright purple, Royal blue, and cherry red.
    I have found that some of my Autumn colors look better on me than others so I have switched my focus a bit, but I stay within the palette.

  25. Jennifer Reply

    I am one who has always and continue to look good in bold, cool colors. I don’t think everyone should wear cool tones just because they’re grey. Their tone of grey won’t be the same sort of silver (or in my case, pure white) as someone of my coloring would have. It’ll be a warmer shade.

    If you always rocked those muted earthy autumnal tones, or the bright warm shades of springtime, you can keep wearing colors from those spots on the color wheel. You might just have to ease towards the softer shades if your skin tone has faded, too. Or don’t. Try on other colors and see if you feel a personal need to shift to softer shades. Listen to your heart and believe your own eyes.

    Also, if you have a more naturally yellowy tone to your grey, which is possible if you always looked good in warmer colors, don’t feel it has to be covered or colored. I’ve had too many women say they wish they could go grey, if only their hair was the same color as mine, but they think it’s “too yellow.” I love seeing oyster-white hair with soft, warm shades of beige and cornflower blue, and your yellowy grey may look amazing with a vivid brick red or chocolate brown. “Silver” isn’t the only valid shade of grey in the “silver sisterhood,” and “snow white” isn’t the only shade of white. I want to see more pics of warm-toned ladies sporting their own glorious shades of grey/white.

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