• We spoke to three professional stylists about fashion trends that are in and out for Gen Xers.
• They encouraged this generation to experiment with different silhouettes, like wide-legged pants.
• However, it may be time to switch up the low-hung crossbody bags and cropped denim jackets.

Fashion offers a space for people to feel beautiful and relevant, regardless of age.

However, after reaching a certain generation, the common narrative pushes more conservative aesthetics, especially for women.

However, Gen X is one of the first generations to break through this barrier of having to "dress their age" in pursuit of individuality and fun in their wardrobes, said Kenzie Welch, fashion stylist and content creator.

However, the stylist has noticed that many in their mid-40s and 50s are still struggling to push these boundaries.

So, Business Insider asked three professional stylists about which fashion trends Gen Xers can use to add zest to their outfits — and which they should probably leave behind.

The "fisherman" aesthetic can work all year.

Although gender-neutral fashion might be intimidating for some Gen Xers who didn't grow up familiar with it, the "fisherman" aesthetic is a great place to start.

The fairly androgynous trend uses a lot of earthy tones and offers a fun, simple play on "coastal prep" styles, said Welch. It blends maritime details, like utility jackets and netting, with nautical nods, like navy stripes and fisherman sandals.

It's been rising in popularity for spring, but it can also be adapted for just about any season.

In the warmer months, look for lightweight fabrics like linen, mesh, and gingham, Welch said. For colder seasons, chunky cable-knit sweaters and raincoats will do.

Try a wide-legged silhouette.

For many years, skinny jeans lived in the spotlight as an overall fashion trend and popular style worn by Gen Xers.

Now, wide-legged pants and jeans are in play and on trend, said Sally Mackinnon, personal stylist and founder of Styled by Sally.

She said many Gen Xers may have been led to believe that wide-legged pants would make them look shorter or bigger and that skinny jeans were the most flattering style, but it's time to let that notion go.

"We all get a little bit stuck in what we think looks good. Change is often a bit intimidating," she told BI. Plus, wide-legged silhouettes can look fashionable and comfortable.

Two-piece athleisure sets aren't just for younger generations.

Two-piece athleisure sets offer a casual yet polished look that all generations can partake in — especially Gen X, said Stephanie Lees, a stylist who focuses on working with Gen X women.

Matching sets can make casual, comfortable outfits feel more elevated.

Lees also said many of these stretchier, comfort-forward styles may be especially appreciated by Gen Xers struggling to dress their body amid menopause-related weight gain.

Tucked-in tops are worth trying.

Consider tucking in your tops when you're playing with new silhouettes, like skirts or high-waisted trousers, said Mackinnon.

Some may be hesitant to try this trend if they're insecure about their body shape or haven't tried it before, but the stylist said a tuck is worth experimenting with.

Doing so can shape one's body and change the proportions of an outfit, whether it's through a French tuck or a full tuck.

On the other hand, be open to new things when leaning into old trends.

Trends are cyclic, but they don't always return in the same way. This means that the item you wore when it was in style years ago may not hold up, even if the trend it fits comes back around.

For example, if flare jeans are making a comeback, they're not necessarily the pants you knew decades ago and may still own. A modern, stylish version may offer a different waist height or be more wide-legged.

"Sometimes, when something comes back in style and it hasn't been out of style for that long, people go back to the old version of that style instead of updating it to the new version," said Lees.

When trends come back around, the stylist said, try to find modern and more comfortable versions of them to ensure your look feels fashionable, fresh, and updated.

It's no longer en vogue to wear your cross-body bag low.

There's nothing wrong with using a cross-body bag or fanny pack to carry all your necessities, but consider its placement on your frame the next time you reach for it.

The hands-free accessory was once worn very low on the body, but Mackinnon suggests wearing these bags higher on your hip or across your chest to make it an "integral part of your outfit."

"You always want to draw the eye upwards," she said. "Drawing it upwards helps to balance proportions."

Let go of the "work wardrobe."

Many Gen Xers have prioritized purchasing clothes for office jobs over the years, thus accumulating a "work wardrobe" that they may incorporate into their personal style, said Welch.

However, they shouldn't feel like they have to be in business-casual looks all the time or can't have fun with their off-duty looks.

Fortunately, Welch said, she's seeing more Gen Xers stray away from a work-centric closet, especially those transitioning into a different stage of life, like retirement.

She said this generation should be open to reinventing their style and reaching for more fun and interesting pieces as they build their wardrobe.

Leave the cropped jean jacket behind and go for a boxier, bigger style.

Say goodbye to the fitted, cropped denim jacket, said Mackinnon. These jackets can be uncomfortable and, in some cases, look like they don't properly fit.

Instead, try a more oversized denim jacket with a longer and boxier feel. The stylist said the relaxed and loose silhouette is fairly timeless, chic, and way more comfortable.

• Kelly Benthall, 53, and her husband decided they wanted to retire early and travel the world.
• Part of the couple's plan for early retirement was not to leave an inheritance for their six kids.
• They've been traveling across Europe and Africa since August and are happy with the decision.

When I was in my 40s, if you had told me I'd be writing this from Mauritius after months of traveling across Europe, I would have laughed.

Back then, I had a more traditional view of retirement: I would work until 65, leave a nest egg for my kids, and settle into a quieter life.

But at 53, my husband, Nigel, and I quit our jobs in oil and gas, traded comfort for adventure, and hit the road.

To retire early and travel, we restructured our finances and mapped out a plan to spend every penny. Deciding not to leave an inheritance for our six kids was a crucial part of the plan.

We invested in their first 25 years, giving each of them a strong foundation to build their own futures.

Building confidence

We didn't want to tap into our retirement accounts, fearing early-withdrawal penalties, so we simplified our lifestyle.

We got engaged in 2017, shortly after Hurricane Harvey destroyed Nigel's house. He moved in with me, we married, and instead of upgrading to a bigger home, we agreed to make mine work. During COVID, we sold our second car and learned to share one.

We also paid off credit-card debt and committed to settling all bills in full every month. These choices made a difference, but we still needed help.

To turn our dream into reality, we hired a financial advisor who helped us devise a plan we could trust. Together, we grew our fixed-income resources for easy access, crafted a strategy to fully spend our savings during our lifetime, and transitioned to having our accounts managed by our advisor with asset-based fees. It helped us stop worrying about outliving our money.

Budgeting for life on the move

Now, our goal is to spend 20% less than we did during the last five years of work, gradually scaling back as we age and slow down. Careful budgeting and travel hacks have been helping.

Before leaving Texas in August, we had been living in Houston, where we still own a home. The choice between renting and selling felt too overwhelming before we left, so when we started our adventure in August, we held off on that decision. For now, it remains as we left it. The plan is to return in January to pack everything up and make those tough calls.

Instead, we kicked off the adventure by visiting family in England. Since then, we've had to rethink how we travel, prioritizing affordability without compromising our standards. This has influenced aspects such as where we stay and how we plan our itineraries.

For lodging, I use Airbnb and local real-estate agencies that offer discounts with a minimum stay of 30 days to cut down on costs. It gives us time to settle in and experience a place fully.

By following the sun during shoulder seasons, we've scored lower rates and balanced pricier destinations with more affordable ones. After England, we've established a rhythm we call "home bases" — places where we live like locals while exploring the area.

So far, we've spent a month in Dubrovnik, Croatia, with its stunning coastline; Lecce in Italy's Puglia region, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves; Seville, Spain, falling in love with Andalusia's laid-back charm; and now Mauritius, a small island nation just east of Madagascar where we're soaking up island vibes for the holidays.

Over the past five months, we've been spending an average of $6,000 a month, not including our house payment and related expenses back in Texas.

With slow travel, we shop at local markets, cook at home, and savor a relaxed pace.

Looking ahead

This journey isn't just about travel — it's about finding space to breathe. The endless US news cycle was wearing on me. Personally, I needed space to slow down. I keep up with international news, but the politics back home feel distant.

We don't know exactly where this journey will take us, and that's the beauty of it. With a long list of places to explore and regular trips home to see family, we may even find ourselves back where we started one day.

Our six children, who range in age from 23 to 37 and are spread across California, Utah, Texas, and England, were excited for us but also a little wistful when we set off. A few of them said it felt as if we were leaving for good — a shift that seemed more permanent, even though we'll see them just as often as when we lived in Houston.

Our plan to "spend it all" isn't about running out; it's about using what we have with the intention to explore, learn, and create memories we'll carry forever.

And for our kids? I hope we're showing them that there's no single way to live. Sometimes, you just have to leap and trust the net will appear — a reminder to live fully, in whatever way feels true to them.

Got a personal essay about retiring early to travel that you want to share? Get in touch with the editor: [email protected].