What does a 50 year old frump wear to a swanky nightclub?

[rhubarbcrumbleplease]

We've just received an invitation to a birthday party at club; cocktails, dinner & dancing.
Am I right in thinking my usual cotton Boden shift won't be right? I haven't been to a club for years & haven't a clue.
What do the cool metropolitan set wear? Please don't make me mutton

[peasandlove]

Oh I disagree it looks very unflattering to me. You're on the right track op. Just wear something that suits you and you'll be fine. It's dark inside clubs ;)

[PittTheYounger]

sorry?

[MrsLettuce]

grey
brown

[MuttonCadet]

I'm with peasandlove.

[rhubarbcrumbleplease]

www.theoutnet.com/en-GB/product/Iris-and-Ink/Broderie-anglaise-cotton-dress/439442 ?

[RoganJosh]

I'd go sparkly top and black trousers to try and be a bit more ambiguous smartness-wise.

[SisterNancySinatra]

The thing is when your fifty or fifty + It's a full time job not to look frumpy but In your favour every high street shop wants your money and wants to be the shop that dresses you, go in and try on every single item you like the look of even if it's twenty things and maybe you will find one item that will look gorgeous , it's just trial and error .

[rhubarbcrumbleplease]

You're not wrong there Sister. Trouble is I don't lead a glam life any more & I'm paranoid about looking mutton, equally I don't want to look Mother of the Bride.
A trip to JL is in order.
Thanks all for your help.

[MrsLettuce]

That's very nice, possibly a bit weddingish still. Depends. What's the average age of the attendees likely to be?

[cromwell44]

I'm slightly older then you so I probably know nothing but for my two pen'orth I'd say go with separates and avoid dresses which look too 'mum on a night out'. What do you prefer - trousers or skirts. Wear something you feel great in. 7/8 trousers, heels and a great top.

[SwedishEdith]

Why not try a personal shopper at JL? Or look at images of a fairly normal celeb of similar age (Davina?) and see if that gives you any ideas?

[MrsLettuce]

There's nothing mutton about wearing something with a slightly edgy cut, if it flatters and you feel good in it. Age is irrelevant, unlike height, shape, size and grooming.

To me mutton is too tight where loser would be more flattering, too short where longer would be flattering, bright and brash where muted would work better, badly judged shades of make up. That sort of thing. Frumage is almost the exact opposite. Following the rules of what a british woman in her 50's should wear, do or feel about how she looks is a recipe for auto-frumpage.

A good dose of quirk does wonders for the (FFS) 'older lady' in the style stakes, IMHO.

[peasandlove]

Oops sorry about that folks. This posting from your phone is hazardous

[SinglePringle]

Do you know which club you are going to? Might help?

In the meantime, what about Vivienne Westwood Anglomania? It's classic, flattering and can be found relatively inexpensively. this is an example. May not be to your tast colourwise but gives an idea of the style.

Westwood says 'I've had this years, I threw it on because I don't need to try too hard and I like classic but edgy styling'. Timeless. I'm 44 and have about 5 of her dresses plus jackets and skirts.

But yes yes to hitting, say, Zara and Top Shop and buying whatever you think might work. Take it all home. Put an outfit together in soft lighting and accompanied by a glass of wine. Play with your accessories. Return clothes that don't work.

[SinglePringle]

Sorry for typos...

[Brillenbar]

Mrs lettuce well said. I would go with the cos dress or the grey Marlene birger IMHO. You need to be slightly edgy if wearing a dress for something like that, or it can end up a bit mother of the bride. Have done it many a time myself

[Drywhiteplease]

OP if there are other guests your age going, and I'm sure there will be, they're probably having the same dilemma. I'd wear the LBD as others and not worry about it. Whenever I stress about what to wear I always get there and wonder why I was so worried. I'm sure, after a cocktail or 3, you'll totally forget about your outfit anyway.

[Drywhiteplease]

MrsLettuce the grey Marlene B Outnet dress is fab. Less of the "provincial" generalisations please

[Greengardenpixie]

I dont like that cos dress at all...it looks like a draw string bag! Im 46 and would wear a simple dress with wedges. What about something like this but maybe in black? I think the dress you have is too formal.

www.next.co.uk/x545068s1#671165x54

[polyhymnia]

I agree with an earlier poster - does really depend on which club it is ( assume it's in London).

Otherwise, think MrsLettuce's post puts the whole issue very well.

[Greengardenpixie]

I really like it in the red in the video with the black wedge sandals.

[polyhymnia]

I agree with an earlier poster - does really depend on which club it is ( assume it's in London).

Otherwise, think MrsLettuce's post puts the whole issue very well.

[polyhymnia]

Sorry - wretched phone.

[SinglePringle]

The Next dress is not something I would wear to a club. Not edgy enough.

But yes, as I said up thread - depends on the club. Sugar Hut? Then a bandage dress is bang on.

A small club in Soho? Then sharper, more individually stylish and edgy.

[Drywhiteplease]

I'd wear something like this