Eileen Fisher for Women Over 50: Timeless, Effortless Style That’s Always in Fashion
Certain clothing brands have become cult favorites among women of a certain age. Eileen Fisher is one such brand that many women over 50 love and adore. In fact, I’ve had a few requests lately to share some new arrivals, so I’m happy to do that for you!
Eileen Fisher is much loved for their simple, elegant, high-end pieces made from quality, sustainable fabrics. Everything they design oozes luxury, a relaxed feel, and comfort. Although I don’t wear a lot from this brand (I prefer more tailored pieces), I have owned a few sweaters, a tunic, and some knit pants, and have found them all to be stylish, well-made, and highly comfortable.
Here’s a look at some of Eileen Fisher’s latest pieces, and more about the brand from someone who is familiar with it inside and out and has some thoughts on how to dress after 40, 50, and beyond. (See my interview after the outfits.)
boiled wool jacket | rib turtleneck | crinkle satin skirt
Silky Satin Made Cozy
Satin Skirts don’t have to make you feel like you are wearing a nightie. Yes, they look great with other delicate pieces, but a modern way to style them is with these gorgeous Eileen Fisher knits. Pair a ribbed turtleneck with a boiled wool jacket, and even go funky with chunky combat boots if that’s your style. You do you.
jersey wide leg pants | felted wool crewneck | quilted jacket
Toasty Taupe Tone on Tone
A monochromatic look is always chic, but the key is to mix up textures. The Eileen Fisher combo features fluid, flowy wide-leg pants paired with a cozy, felted wool crewneck. To make it really stand out, add a fabulous quilted jacket. Keep the shoes or boots in a similar shade for a long, lean look that runs head to toe.
crepe stretch pants | ponte long blazer | ballet neck velvet top
Christmas Inspiration
The holidays are coming, and that calls for some velvet. Eileen Fisher is ready with this beautiful ballet neck top, which looks fabulous paired with some dressy stretch pants. Layer it up with a ponte long blazer for a classy look that is also soft and warm.
boiled wool pants | shawl collar vest | cotton blend sweater
A Good In-VEST-ment
Don’t you love the idea of a colorful best to dress up a pair of flowy, wide-leg pants? Add a similar-colored sweater, and suddenly you have a fab day coat! Two for the price of one!
The Eileen Fisher Customer – Meet Tracy Breslin
I promised you more about what Eileen Fisher is all about and who the brand appeals to. Who better to tell us about that than Tracy Breslin?
If anyone understands the style needs of women over 40, it’s Tracy. In 1994, Tracy was working in the garment district of NYC when, on a whim, she stopped by the Eileen Fisher showroom, an assistant had just quit, and Tracy was hired on the spot.
Thirty-one years later, Tracy is the Director of Merchandising for this world-famous brand, which is loved by women who favor simple, elegant, and high-quality designs.
I thought I’d repost this chat I had with Tracy a few years back about EILEEN FISHER and her personal perspective on dressing over 40.
Deborah: Tracy, what does your job as Merchandising Director entail?
Tracy: I work with the creative teams on fabric and yarn selection, style planning, and editing the collection, as well as merchandising the seasonal looks. Our inspiration is drawn from trends and our design ethos. I also present the collections to key business partners and store management.
Deborah: Who is the typical EILEEN FISHER customer?
Tracy: Our customers tend to be conceptual, curious, and creative. It’s about personal expression – it’s not a brand or a trend for them. They have their own style, and EILEEN FISHER is the brand that answers their style needs. They prefer to keep things simple and have an appreciation for high-quality, beautiful materials.
Deborah: What makes EILEEN FISHER unique?
Tracy: What makes us unique is our love of perfect, simple pieces. The purity of shape and proportion. A passion for beautiful materials and allowing women to express their personal style. Try not to get in the way of that with too many bells and whistles.
Deborah: Do customers request certain things?
Tracy: We love hearing from customers because it gives us a chance to solve a problem or create a new opportunity. Sometimes we are asked to reissue styles that we stopped carrying. A particularly persuasive customer demanded the signature poncho that we were ‘resting’. Since it has been back in stock, it has become one of our best sellers. We also hear a lot about sleeves. Women really like sleeves.
Deborah: Do you think there is such a thing as age-appropriate? Why or why not?
Tracy: I don’t like the idea of limiting myself or others, but there are some things I would feel silly wearing now. Those baby-doll dresses and platform Mary Janes I wore in the ’90s are off my list, and I swore off acid-washed jeans when Reagan left office. It’s fun to watch my daughter discover an era that I lived through. Those trends feel fresh to her. For me, not so much. If I already did it, I’m not going back.
Shop EILEEN FISHER…
Deborah: What’s the biggest challenge over-40 women face when it comes to getting dressed?
Tracy: Sometimes women talk about parts of their bodies they want to hide, and that becomes the goal. I always dress to flatter (I have a beautiful clavicle), but I’m also ok with limbs and such that aren’t so amazing. Other people aren’t focused on my arms or knees. If they are, it’s not my problem. Dress for myself and let the little stuff go. Perfect is boring, and great style is ageless.
Deborah: What’s a simple way to add a little edge/interest to a simple wardrobe?
Tracy: I like brave combinations. A sheer blouse peeking out from under a chunky knit or a sleek maxi cardigan over skinny jeans or super-wide pants with a slim tank top and boxy cardigan. Mixing emotional materials and slightly extreme proportions is interesting to me and feels like a statement.
What’s the biggest mistake you see midlife women make in how they dress?
Tracy: At this point, no one needs more stuff. Buy only what you love. I’m passionate about materials, so if it doesn’t feel amazing and make my heart skip a beat, it doesn’t need to be in my closet. Choose fewer things and make sure they are exactly right. Also, when you find your soulmate’s shoe or the love of your life’s cardigan, don’t make it precious – wear it. You can’t take it with you.
Deborah: How can mature women stay relevant in the way they dress without looking like they’re trying too hard?
Tracy: Stay true to your personal style and go bold with one piece. Take on a trend from a conceptual perspective, rather than a literal interpretation – such as a shift in proportion. It’s a more confident and creative approach, and it’s more likely to blend with your signature look.
Deborah: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Tracy: I am very proud to be part of the amazing EILEEN FISHER brand and to be involved in not just making clothes, but also making a greater impact on the world. Not everyone gets to do what they love and work with people they respect.
Thanks, Tracy. It’s been a pleasure chatting with you.
EILEEN FISHER is carried at Eileen Fisher, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, and Macy’s.
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I love Eileen Fisher! I have been a customer of theirs for over a decade and I have been slightly disappointed in purchases from the last few years. Not the style, the fabrics! I have pieces I’ve had for 10 years that look better than the ones recently purchased! I adhere strictly to the garment tags when washing so it has to be the fabrics being used.Any ideas?
Sincerely!
Hi Donna, Gee, that’s too bad since Eileen Fisher has always been a quality brand (with a pricepoint to match!) I don’t know if there is much you can do if you are following care instructions, other than write to them. I notice myself that quality, in general, is dropping these days. That’s why thrifting is so popular! Anyone else there noticing the same thing with Eileen Fisher and have you found an alternative?
Yes. Just like many things today. Lack of quality.