How Petite Women Can Look Younger Over 60
Updated: 1 day ago
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Shop My Pinterest for proportionate petite outfits for women over 60.
Fit Guide: I am 5' and 105 pounds. I usually wear XS-S tops and XS bottoms.
Discover how petite women can look younger over 60. With summer just around the corner, it’s easy to feel nervous about shorts, sleeveless tops, and swimsuits—especially when social media is full of “perfect” bodies and trends that don’t feel made for us. If you’re a petite woman over 60, you can still look fresh, modern, and confident in your summer outfits. In this post, I’ll share simple lifestyle and style tips—healthy eating, gentle exercise, and easy skin and hair routines—that help you look younger over 60 and feel amazing in chic, comfortable summer fashions.
If you love this style, check out: Styled by Grace; Framed By Fall-Part 1
Simple Lifestyle Habits That Make You Look Younger
Eating natural is an important part of healthy living that is a crucial step in looking younger over age 60. Take a look at pictures from older generations. Most people in older generations were not overweight. It wasn't until the mid 20th century that we started seeing weight gain and cancer related to obesity. The weight gain started with the introduction of processed food and decrease in activity due to changing jobs and lifestyle.
Petite women as short at 4' 10" and weighing 143 pounds are considered obese based on their body mass index (BMI). Petite women at 5'4" are considered obese at 174 pounds, so the shorter you are, the less weight your body can carry and not be considered overweight or even obese. Are you stuck at the same weight after trying so many different diets? Are you tempted to try these new medications or surgery to lose weight? The struggle is real for petite women!
Following some healthy living tips including choosing the right foods is an important element in healthy living over 50. Eating natural is the key! It really is simple once you understand what to eat. Just ask yourself, "Did God make it?" God gave us everything our body needs to be healthy: food, water, and sunshine. Fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and grains will serve your body well. Even eggs, dairy products, and sourdough bread are healthy choices in moderation. Walk 20-30 minutes after each meal to get vitamin D, aid in digestion, and keep your metabolism strong. Don't forget to drink water, lots of it! Once you eliminate the diet sodas, protein bars, and processed diet or other processed foods and incorporate a natural diet, you will see the pounds melt away.
Don't Skimp On Protein
Make sure you are getting enough protein! I have found eggs, lean meats (chicken and turkey), seafood, cottage cheese and fat free Greek yogurt to be my power proteins. I also add some other proteins including cheese, nuts, and Greek yogurt with fat in moderation. The trick is to get enough protein so you continue to build muscle while losing the fat (0.7-1 gram of protein per pound based on each individual's needs). You may need to try different amounts and see what feels best for you. You can also supplement protein by using natural protein powders mixed with low-fat Greek yogurt if you feel like you are not getting enough protein.
Consistent Exercise and Weights Are A Must
Yes, you can definitely lose weight without exercising and lifting weights. However, it is not a pretty sight when you have a thin body with sagging, crepey skin. Also, it is easier to lose weight, maintain weight, and you will feel healthier with muscle than you would without it. Don’t make the mistake of losing weight without implementing an exercise program that includes weights. To lose weight, start with cardio and weights, I started with cardio, on a spin bike 45 minutes per day. Start with minimal weights, but don't stay at the same weight. To build muscle, you must lift heavy weight. I prefer to weight train every other day, but weight training 2-3 times per week will get results if you are consistent. Don't forget your glute exercises. The last thing you want to do is lose the weight and have a pancake butt that requires padded butt panties! Lol-we won't go there!
I like to end my exercise session with 15 minutes standing or doing knee bends on an Amazon vibrating plate. I have found the vibrating plate aides in digestion and helps to drain the lymphatic system decreasing cellulite. It also comes with bands that you can do exercises on the vibrating plate, but I have not tried that yet.
Skin and Hair Tips That Soften and Brighten Your Look
Finding the right skin care regimen for your body is important to have smooth skin during those hot summer months when you want to wear sleeveless shirts and shorts. If you are like most women over 50, you are diligent about using a night time and daytime moisturizer and you probably use sunscreen when you head to the pool or the beach. However, to really see a difference in your skin, I use sunscreen daily, skip the sun for tanning and use self-tanning lotions.
Intensive Skin Care
I started seeing smoother skin on my arms and legs when I started using an Amazon microcurrent red light device on my face, arms, and legs. The device comes with a serum to apply before using the device. I also like to use a peptide collagen product and alternate with a hyaluronic acid serum to see that crepey skin start to plump up and smooth out. Just like exercise, it only works if I use it. I work it into a routine of using the red light device at night after I take a bath and watch TV. It doesn't take any time away from getting dressed in the morning and I have found it to be very relaxing. I also use the red light device with the same products in the morning for a quick lift!
Take Steps To Reduce Crepey Skin
Steps to decrease crepey skin
To keep dehydration at bay, petite women over 60 should drink half their body weight in ounces. So, if you weight 105 pounds, you should be drinking about 53 ounces, (6-7 cups) of water each day.
Moisturize twice daily, preferably after a bath to lock in the moisture.
Exfoliate your skin 1-2 times weekly with a scrub and follow with moisturizer.
Wear sunscreen daily.
Many women have noted improvement from the use of red light therapy and micro -needling, which helps moisturizers penetrate deeply into the skin. I have seen some benefit from using an Amazon micro-current red light device along with a NAD Peptide lotion and a hyaluronic acid serum.
Green Willow Soap Co in Ellijay, Ga. has an ALL NATURAL potion that I have observed to help alleviate crepey skin. Radiance skin treatment has 2 different solutions made naturally when mixed together produce good results for providing the moisture under skin needed to plump it up and alleviate the appearance of crepiness. Tell them Loving Petite sent you!
Eat a nutritious diet composed of lean proteins, antioxidants, and omega 3 fats. Avoid sugar, alcohol, and processed foods because those foods increase inflammation.
Weight resistant training helps to build muscle and makes crepey skin less apparent.
Take Care of Your Smile
Take Care of Your Smile
I have always believed going to the dentist every 6 months and brushing your teeth throughout the day are great habits. To have that awesome smile, I am trying to remember to whiten my teeth on a regular basis and use a brusher/flosser. I was amazed at the difference it made with my teeth. I thought I was doing great by brushing my teeth 3 times daily until I started using the Amazon Waterpik Sonic Fusionbrusher/flosser. Well, let's just say my dentist saw a big improvement in my gums and I feel like my smile is brighter.
Choose The Right Hair Style
I have enjoyed wearing long hair most of my life. Hair length and volume should be proportionate to the body so you are wearing the hairstyle instead of the hairstyle wearing you. Hairstyles are a personal choice. Lately, I have been enjoying a shorter hair length and I feel that it fits proportionately with my petite body. I am enjoying layers that hit right at the jaw or just slightly below the jaw to accentuate my neck and it feels like it gives me an automatic face lift. Check out these before and after pictures to see how the shorter layers with movement are more flattering on a petite body than a long straight cut.
BEFORE
Of course, face shape and the amount of body in hair are also factors to consider. Ask your hairdresser for possible choices of hairstyle/color and keep in mind the time it would take to style it.
AFTER
and
I have found that using hot rollers with layers is a easy way to style hair, especially if the hairstyle is shorter than shoulder length. The best part is the ease in styling; it only takes 15 minutes!
Touch Up Roots Often
With every year, I see those gray roots coming in after each the last coloring. I started using two shades of root touch up powder to keep those gray roots at bay. I like a dark color to match my roots and a lighter shade for highlights. I have found it looks more natural than the root touch up spray I had been using for years.
Summer Outfit Formulas That Flatter Petite Women Over 60
Elevated summer fashions should include fabrics that are comfortable, breezy, and chic for the woman over 60. I like to choose fabrics with linen, organic cotton, and lightweight white jeans. Staying cool and comfortable will show in how you present yourself in your clothes, so I try not to make the mistake of wearing heavy denim, polyester that doesn't breathe, and tight clothing that doesn't allow airflow.
Learn how to dress proportionately for your petite body. Accentuate your waistline, expose your neck with a scoop neck or v-neck tops and expose your ankles to elongate your body. Wear monochromatic (similar colors) for a streamlined look that draws the eye up and down instead of cutting it off in the middle. Read: How To Dress Petite Over 60: Monochromatic Styling Tips to learn more about how wearing monochromatic colors creates a streamlined, elongating impact on petite women. Wear clothing that fits well instead of having extra fabric. Discover the secrets of Petite Crop Tops Over 60-Elongate A Petite Frame to enhance a petite body. Combine outfits with small purses and accessories.
Wear The Right Inseam
Petite women over 60 look best in inseams 3.5 to 6 inches to elongate their legs. I prefer 4"-5" inseams. The shorter you are, the shorter the inseam can be and look flattering depending on your height.
If you love this style, check out Linen In The Leaves: How To Style Your Favorite Blouse For Autumn,
Wear proportionate jeans with an inseam that allows some exposure of ankles to elongate a petite body. Slim cut and boot cut jeans are more flattering that wide leg jeans unless the wide leg jeans accentuate the waistline and have a nice drapery fabric.
Wear The Dress
In the past few decades, women have moved away from dresses. I remember when I first started my career, women wore dresses and heels to work. Now, it is common to see jeans and over-sized T-shirts in many workplaces. If you want to look younger over 60, rock...the...dress! Dresses 3-5 inches above the knees or midi dresses that have a hemline below the calves, but above the ankles are the most flattering lengths for petite women.
Proportion Is The Key
Follow the Thirds Rule (1/3 top; 2/3 Bottoms); accentuate the waistline with a fitted top, belted dress, or top tucked in to shorts, pants, or skirts for a proportionate, elongating outfit that moves gracefully with a petite body. Read: Petite Styling Tips Including The Thirds Rule
Wear The Right Shoes
Wear neutral, nude, or gold shoes similar to your skin tone to extend the streamlined look and give the illusion of additional height. Wear shoes with at least a 1" heel and enjoy slim sneakers with built-in heel lifts for a little extra height and comfort.
Confidence: The Secret to Looking Younger at Any Age
I hope you have enjoyed learning about some of my favorite lifestyle tips to age gracefully over 60. This really is one of the best seasons of life and I believe it is the season to give myself some attention to age gracefully for myself and my family. This is the season that you can apply your lifelong experiences to making this season the best season of your life. Nothing is more appealing than having confidence to live your life with intention, showing grace, and practicing forgiveness. Practice gratefulness daily and you will see your confidence grow.
Shop our AMAZON STOREFRONT for petite fashion over 60, beauty/health products, and additional lifestyle products.
Read How To Dress Petite Over 60: Monochromatic Styling Tips and Petite Styling Tips Over 60 Including The Thirds Rule for styling Tips and chic, elevated petite favorites that will have you cleaning your closet to make space for clothes that make you smile!
Read Petite Styling Tips for more petite fashion tips and outfits for women over 60. Check out Georgia Vacation Rentals for one level vacation rentals in the mountains and on St. Simons Island, Ga. (Most of the photos were taken at locations around the vacation rentals.)
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