Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

fit and flare... at 40+?

11 replies

roundwindow · 09/01/2014 17:47

So, fit and flare dresses people... normally I'm the fiercest opponent of any 'don't wear x past the age of y' type rules, and if someone else were writing what I was about to I'd probably steam right in with my usual 'what are you talking about, wear what you like!' type response.

BUT

I was surveying my wardrobe earlier today and had a proper mini panic about being the wrong side of the mutton/frump quirky/tragic line. Background: last year I went down three dress sizes (don't congratulate me, it was the heartbreak diet, no effort required on my part). This prompted a few purchases and I took the opportunity to move away from my previous ten-year-long sartorial dictat of subdued/disguise-y clothes into more of what I actually like. And this led me towards quite a few, what I suppose could be described as 'pretty' dresses, cotton, full-ish skirted from places like Joy, Orla Keily for Uniqlo, etc. I'm short so they usually are about knee-length on me (even though they're marketed as minidresses)

Only when I was looking earlier today, unpacking my jersey fit-and-flare dress from ASOS and thinking which cardigan to pair it with, I suddenly had my 'eeek' moment. Like, what am I thinking? Am I totally having my textbook mid-life crisis cliched bonkers period? Other glam ladies my age do not dress like me... people who do tend to be at least ten years younger (Zoey Deschanel springs to mind... she's lovely but I DON'T want to try and emulate her style... aargh)

Am I too old for this sort of look? Your thoughts and honest opinions would be very much appreciated.

OP posts:
stainesmassif · 09/01/2014 17:51

No. You're over thinking. If you feel comfortable and confident. If we can't see your knickers and or cleavage. If it's not pleather and sequins and feathers together, you're fine.
But I'm 42 next week, what do I know.

roundwindow · 09/01/2014 17:58

Well thank you. See, I look at pleather-and-feather clad ladies of my age and think how fierce and grown-up glam they look compared to my maybe-too-girly garb... overthinking is probably right Grin

OP posts:
stainesmassif · 09/01/2014 18:08

You are used to seeing much more glam women than me. I'm thinking pleather and feathers together off the market.

RedPencilPot · 09/01/2014 18:24

Seen any nice fit and flare dresses? I love this style and I'm 34!

Not too short though, then it looks wrong but too long and it is frumpsville!

StatisticallyChallenged · 09/01/2014 18:46

I'm 27, love fit and flare. My mum is 63 and has recently discovered them...I think you're safe!

It's more a style thing - there are some which are very teenage (feathers lace and leather combos) but I think you are probably safe!

roundwindow · 09/01/2014 18:50

Well, ASOS have some plain cotton jersey ones at the moment (three quarter sleeve) in several colours and This is right up my street (and in the 'is it too quirky for my age?' camp) I don't like the collar but it's detachable, so.. and This is one I own and love (but don't wear all that often!)

OP posts:
StatisticallyChallenged · 09/01/2014 18:52

Peopletree, me&em, ted baker, french connection, sometimes warehouse are good for fit and flare IME

burnishedsilver · 09/01/2014 19:40

I think that your style is more suited to a personality than an age. If it suits your personality then wear it. It sounds like you might not be in the mood for 'girlie' at the moment so maybe it's time for something new.

Aplath · 10/01/2014 17:27

Hello Ladies, I am brand new here but already loving all the discussion.
Let me just tell you first how I found this post. Yesterday I have notice a lot of traffic coming from mumsnet to my little online store. I just needed to find out what people were talking about, the store is only a month young and it's all still very exciting. So after digging for hours I came across this post and just thought I needed to reply to this lady. I just wanted to say that you should dress they way you like it, and the way you can express your personality. Zooey D has a fabulous style and she has turned 33 recently. I would listen to what the other smart ladies are saying as they are all totally right. There's no age limit to fit and flare. I always say wear dark tights with every skirt / dress to protect your modesty ;) And don't go for low cuts dresses. I wouldn't even do it in my 20s ;)
Oh and I almost forgotten to say. I am the person behind this little shop you have mentioned www.riversandroads.co.uk . I have opened it hoping that It would speak to any ladies out the from teenagers to 40's, 50's and even older. As long as it's fits your personality it will fit you :)
Thank you very much for the kind mention on my shop .

BikeRunSki · 10/01/2014 17:47

I have just got a fit&flare dress from Me&Em. I have had loads of compliments! I am 43. It is the faux wrap fir and flare in Aubergine.

madmomma · 10/01/2014 18:00

I think it's about the colour, the fabric, the neckline, the length etc. There will definitely be some that are appropriate for a woman over 40, just not the ones with girlish details/styling. I'm sure you'll be fine telling the difference. I bloody love fit + flare dresses and at 35 I will be wearing them for decades.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page