Dear StyleList,

I'm 77 years young and having trouble finding fashionable clothes. I dress casually and cannot wear the tees and blouses because I have the roll around the middle. I can wear a size 10 in pants as long as the waist is elastic, but tops show my roll so I tend to buy XL, which don't really fit. Where can I find nice-looking clothes that aren't old and dowdy? I hate shopping because I cannot find anything that makes me feel good.

Maggie

Oh, Maggie, we feel for you. There are three main issues in finding clothing for women who are middle-aged and beyond: Age-appropriateness, fit, and lack of availability.

Age-appropriate: Certain things are obvious, like not putting Grandma in Juicy yoga pants. But what about sleeve length, and patterns, and colors? Mature women are more limited in their choices because they often are limited by what they think a woman their age should wear.

Fit: It's not just that we often put on weight as we age -- the weight distributes itself in different places, like Maggie has around her middle. Going up a size won't cut it -- it's important to look for clothing that's cut to fit your body type, at least as much as possible. You can always have an item tailored if need be.

Lack of availability: Now we come to the real root of the problem -- even if a woman knows just what she wants and needs, it's hard to find. Today's seniors dress more casually than they did in the past, and designers are, unfortunately, not keeping up as quickly as we'd like to see. You're not resigned to wearing pleated, creased, polyester pants, but you might have to do a bit more shopping to find just what you want.

Stores like J.Jill, Chico's, and Land's End have fits available that are meant for mature women's bodies, but you won't find out what works for you without trying everything on. The good news is, once you find a store, brand, or style you love, shopping will become much easier.

To get the most out of your wardrobe, look for a few basics that fit well and make you feel great, and then accessorize. Jackets are a great way to polish a look, and they can help to hide a multitude of sins. But, scarves, bright handbags, and jewelry will help give your outfit a modern appeal as well.

We won't lie -- finding stylish clothes for the casual woman of a certain age isn't the easiest thing in the world. But, if you have places you shop with success, please leave a comment!