Here are ten essential women’s clothing items I think every woman over 50 should own. This list will help if  you enjoy fashion—or simply want some direction in building an age-appropriate wardrobe.

A black pencil skirt
A well-made pencil skirt works on just about every body type. The length can range anywhere from the top of the knee to mid-knee for the most universally flattering look. Team it with a blazer or long cardigan if you feel the need to camouflage your hips.

A pair of great-fitting jeans, even if you have to shop all day to find them
Nordstrom carries a brand called Wit & Wisdom, which won’t break the bank. My favorites are skinny and slightly cropped, so they look equally good with heels, flats, or a pair of bright-red Converse sneakers. If hips and rear are a problem, top them with a flowy tunic or a longer cardigan over a tank top. If you’re not the skinny-jeans type, choose a style that fits your body best: boot cut, straight leg, flared, wide leg. It seems that designers are offering every shape, so there’s no right or wrong style.

A tailored shirt
Not your husband’s or boyfriend’s shirt, this one is made just for you: smaller and streamlined. Tuck it into a pencil skirt or wear it untucked with a pair of jeans.

A long cardigan
A long cardi is the perfect solution to hide hips, tummy, and rear. Choosing one in a bright color adds pop to black and grey.

Sexy, girlie pumps
All shoe designers makes them, so you can find them in every variation and price point. Heel heights range from kitten to medium to sky high.

A classic watch
A really good watch isn’t cheap, but it is an investment. I bought this Tag Heuer in 1996 for $1000, and now it’s worth more than three times that much.

A novelty watch
For a fraction of the cost of a quality watch, you can find a perfectly functional—and fun—novelty watch.

Costume Bling
There’s nothing better than a carefully chosen piece of jewelry to add bling to your wardrobe. A fun necklace or bracelet can bring an otherwise sedate outfit to life.

A great-fitting bra
Any women who’s made the switch from a grabbed-off-the-rack bra to one that’s been properly fitted by a pro knows how dramatic the difference can be.

Spanx, or an equivalent slimmer
I don’t know of any woman who doesn’t have at least one of these in her wardrobe. It’s the go-to solution under dresses, skirts, and pants when you want to look as sleek as possible.

Elle Gianforte is an award-winning writer and published author whose work includes non-fiction books on a variety of subjects, including adoption, fashion, food, design, healthcare, and memoir. She is currently co-authoring a new book, Don’t Stop Now, Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life (DontStopNow.us). You can see a complete list of books on her Amazon author page.