Women over 60 who dress like high society often own these 8 accessories

I don’t believe elegance is a number on your driver’s license—it’s a series of small, thoughtful choices that add up.

When I meet women in their 60s and beyond who look effortlessly “old money,” there’s a pattern.

The clothes are simple. The grooming is meticulous. And the accessories? That’s where the quiet magic lives.

Think of accessories as the punctuation marks of style. They signal taste, restraint, and a sense of heritage—without anyone needing to name-drop a brand.

Below are the eight pieces I see again and again among women who project that stately, high-society ease.

I’ll share how they use each one, plus a few practical tips I’ve picked up—some from my years budgeting line items as an analyst, others from real life (like sweating through a summer farmers’ market while learning the value of a silk scarf).

Let’s get into it.

1. A strand of real (or real-looking) pearls

When a woman fastens a single strand of pearls, she doesn’t need to say a thing.

Pearls telegraph composure. For day, it’s often a short, luminous strand resting at the collarbone; for evening, a longer rope knotted low or doubled up.

Here’s the real secret: the quiet glow of pearls flatters mature skin like a soft-focus filter.

Don’t have heirlooms? Good faux pearls—well-knotted, with a subtle luster—are perfectly acceptable.

Pair a short strand with a crisp white shirt and slacks, or throw a longer rope over a black knit dress. Keep the clasp tidy and visible at the nape; that tiny detail reads intentional.

Care tip: wipe them with a damp cloth after wearing (perfume and hairspray can dull the nacre), and store them flat so the silk doesn’t stretch.

Cost-per-wear, pearls might be the best value on this list.

2. A silk scarf with a story

Hermès isn’t the point—story is.

The women who nail this look wear scarves that carry memory: a print from a Paris trip, a vintage equestrian motif found at a consignment shop, a botanical square inherited from a favorite aunt.

A scarf does five jobs at once: brightens the face, tames hair, protects against AC, ties a look together, and adds polish to a simple outfit.

One Saturday at the farmers’ market, a summer storm rolled in.

My hair frizzed, my cotton tee felt underdressed, and I tied a silk square bandana-style at the neck.

Suddenly, my jeans-and-sandals outfit looked purposefully pared back—like I meant it.

The scarf became the conversation starter (“Where’s it from?”), not the price of my shoes.

How to wear: knotted at the throat with a blazer, loose over the shoulders with a sleeveless dress, or threaded through belt loops to cinch a cardigan.

Build a palette (navy, ivory, soft red) that plays nicely with your wardrobe so every scarf earns its keep.

3. A top-handle leather bag (nothing flashy)

High-society dressing favors structure.

A medium-sized top-handle bag in smooth or pebbled leather—think clean lines, minimal hardware—quietly announces discipline and order.

It sits upright next to you at lunch rather than slouching into a heap. It’s big enough for readers, a notebook, and a lipstick, but not so large it becomes luggage.

What to look for: even stitching, solid feet on the base, and a lining that won’t snag scarves or gloves.

If you want it to read “old money,” avoid screaming logos.

Your posture changes when you carry a well-made bag; somehow, your calendar feels calmer, too.

Care tip: rotate bags, use a light insert to maintain shape, and store with paper stuffing—not the strap buckled tight, which can mark the leather.

A neutral like espresso, oxblood, or taupe will outlast trends.

4. A brooch (the underestimated power move)

Strange how often brooches are dismissed as fussy when they’re actually strategic.

Pin one to a lapel and it pulls the eye up to your face. Use it to anchor a scarf, close a cardigan, or add personality to a simple coat.

I’ve seen women use a constellation of small pins (a bee, a tiny pearl, a miniature crest) to tell their story—grandchildren’s birthstones, a club badge, a souvenir from a favorite museum.

My approach: one bold piece at a time.

A botanical brooch over a navy blazer makes the blazer look bespoke. If you’re new to them, start with something organic—leaf, flower, ribbon—which feels less formal than a rigid geometric shape.

As Coco Chanel famously advised, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” Editing, not excess, is the heart of chic.

5. A quality timepiece (even if you check your phone)

You don’t need a watch to tell time; you need it to tell a story.

A slim gold or steel watch suggests you’re punctual, thoughtful, and uninterested in trends.

If you inherited one, all the better—patina reads as history, not wear. I’ve watched women in their 60s slide on a small rectangular watch and, instantly, their whole outfit looks intentional.

Fit matters: the watch should dance lightly on the wrist, not slide halfway up the arm. Pair metal with a simple gold band or a single pearl bracelet.

And yes, stick to modest proportions—oversized faces skew sporty, not society.

Repair tip: budget for servicing every few years. As I learned balancing budgets, maintenance beats replacement every time.

6. Signature sunglasses (shapes that suit you)

Statement sunglasses are not about hiding; they’re about framing.

The women I’m talking about tend to favor two shapes: timeless cat-eyes (feminine, a soft lift) or rounded, oversized frames (artsy, a little mysterious).

Dark tortoiseshell feels rich; deep olive or smoke can be surprisingly versatile.

Iris Apfel—patron saint of joyous excess—put it bluntly: “More is more and less is a bore.” It’s a reminder that personality belongs in the mix, especially with accessories.

If big frames make you smile, wear them.

Practical check: try them on in natural light, and choose lenses that actually block glare. Toss a hard case in your bag so they stay pristine.

7. Leather gloves (summer pair included)

Gloves signal finish. In cooler months, choose buttery leather lined in cashmere or silk—cognac, oxblood, forest green.

They transform a simple wool coat into something editorial. In sunny climates, consider unlined driving gloves in a lighter hue for long drives—they’re elegant and protective.

Fit test: fingers should reach the tip without strain; a slight crease at the knuckle is normal. Store flat, not balled up at the bottom of your bag (guilty as charged).

Bonus points if they echo your shoe or bag color—but don’t over-match. Harmony reads better than a perfect set.

8. A hat that frames the face (not the outfit)

Fascinators are for events; everyday elegance belongs to fedoras, soft felt cloches, chic berets, and straw boaters in summer.

The right hat makes eye contact easier by creating a gentle frame. The wrong hat wears you.

Women who ace this pick one silhouette and stick with it across materials: felt in winter, straw in summer, maybe a wool blend for shoulder seasons.

A trick I love: mimic your jawline. If your jaw is softly oval, a rounder crown and curved brim sing.

If it’s more angular, a teardrop crown with a crisp brim can balance the lines. Add a subtle grosgrain ribbon and call it a day.

As Diana Vreeland declared, “The eye has to travel.” A hat that leads the gaze to your features, not away from them, earns permanent status in your wardrobe.

How these pieces work together (and why they read “high society”)

Individually, each item is simple. Together, they suggest a rhythm: glow (pearls), color (scarf), structure (bag), personality (brooch), precision (watch), frame (sunglasses), finish (gloves), and focus (hat). It’s a formula you can repeat without looking repetitive.

There’s psychology here. Accessories are the most efficient carriers of signals: reliability (watch), heritage (pearls), curiosity (brooch), restraint (edit), and discernment (leather quality).

None of those traits require wealth; they require choices. That’s why women over 60 so often excel at this—time has taught them what matters and what can be left on the rack.

A few practical rules I keep taped inside my closet:

• Edit one thing before walking out the door (thanks, Coco). The last look in the mirror is not about removing personality; it’s about removing noise.

• Buy once, cry once. Choose the best you can afford, then wear it hard. Quality accessories rarely date; trends do.

• Let one piece speak at a time. Big sunglasses? Skip the big brooch that day. A rope of pearls? Keep the earrings quiet.

A quick capsule to start

If you’re building from scratch, start with four: a short pearl strand, a navy-ivory silk scarf, a structured mid-brown top-handle bag, and tortoiseshell cat-eye sunglasses.

Those four alone can elevate jeans, a black dress, or a knit set. Then add a slim gold or steel watch, a botanical brooch, kid-leather gloves, and a felt hat in a face-flattering neutral.

You’ll be surprised how often you reach for them—and how much they simplify getting dressed.

Final thought

Style at 60+ isn’t about signaling that you belong to some club. It’s about choosing accessories that say, “I know who I am.”

When your pearls catch the light or your scarf tells a story, people don’t see price tags—they see poise.

And that’s the most “high society” thing of all.