Fall Style Tips for Menopausal Women

Lifestyle |
Menopause |
5 min read

Written By

Jessica D. Buck

Published

November 10, 2025

Medically reviewed by

Alyssa Dweck MS, MD, FACOG, MSCP, Chief Medical Officer

Fall is here, bringing with it pumpkin spice candles, crisp air, and…possibly some wardrobe questions you didn’t sign up for. During menopause, shifts in hormones, especially estrogen, may change how your body stores fat, often leading to weight redistribution around the midsection, hips, and thighs.¹ Clothes that once fit perfectly might suddenly feel tight or uncomfortable, making you question why you don’t enjoy wearing them anymore.

Menopause may also shift how your body regulates your internal temperature, which can often result in hot flashes and physical discomfort.² Dressing for comfort is essential for helping you focus on more important things. But comfort-forward clothing doesn’t mean you can’t be stylish.

Even though your body is changing as a menopausal woman, you don’t need to hide it. These fall style tips should help to improve how you feel in your body because, when you choose pieces that move with you and flatter your shape, you feel more joyful and connected to who you are.

Embrace Layering for Fall Fashion and Comfort

Layering is a strategic way to work with your changing menopausal body. Hot flashes, sudden chills, and unpredictable temperature swings may make getting dressed feel like a guessing game. But when you build your outfit in layers, you can add or remove pieces as needed to better accommodate unexpected temperature shifts.

Wearing soft, comfortable clothes in menopause may help you feel more relaxed. Many women fear “feeling frumpy” when they’re wearing too many layers. To avoid feeling hidden beneath a sea of fabric, be mindful of how the layers flatter your unique shape.

Lightweight sweaters, looser tops, cozy cardigans, and versatile scarves can add dimension to your outfit and provide contrast to support your silhouette. Not only do they help you stay comfortable all day, but they also can give you a chance to mix textures, colors, and patterns, helping you look effortlessly polished.

Choose Fabrics That Feel Good on Your Skin

When dressing during menopause, what you wear against your skin matters as much as the look itself. Since hormonal changes may make skin drier or more reactive, certain fabrics or tight waistbands may feel irritating or itchy.³ Breathable, soft fabrics—like cotton, bamboo, and modal—help regulate body temperature, prevent irritation, and make each outfit feel more functional.⁴ Studies show that moisture-wicking fabrics (including nylon, polyester, spandex, and bamboo) help lower body temperature, reduce sweat retention, and prevent skin irritation by pulling sweat away from the skin through capillary action.⁵

Update Your Wardrobe with Seasonal Staples

Fall presents a great opportunity to refresh your closet with pieces that are both timeless and trendy. You don’t need to buy a bunch of new clothes. Instead, consider exploring what you have and seeing if there is a way you can refine your style with what you have from over the years.

Think about bringing out those tailored jackets that add structure without restricting movement. Fitted trench coats and statement pieces—like knitted dresses, satin skirts, long-belted cardigans, and dressy blouses with interesting details—may help you balance your body’s unique proportions based on your body shape. The main body shapes for women are hourglass, pear, rectangle, apple, and inverted triangle, which are determined by the relative proportions of your bust, waist, and hips.⁶ Noticing where your clothes feel tight or how they fit in general will give you a clue as to what your body shape is.

Dressing for your body shape makes all the difference when it comes to personal fashion because you can dress to fit you and your needs. It might be helpful to browse and create a collage of photos online—such as on Pinterest—to get inspired by women with a similar body shape to yours. That way, you can envision what would work best for you.

Play with Accessories

Accessories elevate an outfit and make it more interesting and fun for you. A chic hat keeps you covered as the leaves fall; you can use a soft scarf for layering (removing it as temperatures shift), and layer statement jewelry or a silk scarf around your neck to attract attention away from areas of your body you feel less confident about. Play with different accessories to see what feels right for you.

Comfortable Clothing in Menopause Can Be Stylish

Comfort doesn’t have to mean boring, especially during menopause. Choosing cuts and silhouettes that flatter your body may make all the difference—from flowy/wrap-style tops or peplums that skim over your midsection to tailored trousers that elongate your legs. Look for comfortable clothes for menopause with stretchy fabrics, adjustable waistbands, and designs that are easy to slip on and move in. When your clothes feel as good as they look, you can walk into any room with confidence, proving that style and comfort can coexist.

Feel Confident Over 50

There is no better time to experiment with colors and textures than the fall season! Seasonal shades complement skin tone changes that often come with menopause, likely due to the decrease in estrogen.⁷

Seasonal color analysis is a method of identifying the colors that best complement a person’s natural skin tone, hair color, and eye color.⁸ Traditionally, each season has a palette of colors that enhance natural beauty and create a radiant, youthful appearance. Consider identifying your personal color palette to help you choose clothing and makeup shades that brighten your complexion rather than wash it out.

To start, think about mixing warm neutrals with one rich accent color, like rust, deep green, muted purple, or earthy red. Mixing prints and textures adds depth and personality to every outfit as well, helping to give the outfit a unique personal touch. Embracing fashion over 50 during menopause is all about celebrating your individuality and proving that style doesn’t need to fade with age.

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