Outfit for my own 40th birthday. Must make me look 30, a size 10 and super cool.

[Sazquatch]

It’s my 40th in a couple of weeks and DH has organised a big party. I so want to look fabulous but really don’t feel it at the moment.
I’m 5ft6 and 12 stone, generally wear 14 or a 12. My worst bits are my stomach and my upper arms.
So, what do I wear that will make me look like I’m actually 30 and two stone lighter?

Thank you Eleanor

MrsPit that is so cute. Have a great party.

Re shorts and tights i wear them when i want to go very short but a dress or skirt feels a bit 'tarty' (i am very short myself and seems to work somehow) why am I defending my style to strangers on the internet lol

i have a great structured LBD that has this sort of pleating at the front that flatters the mid area amazingly well. I have no waist and find it gives the illusion of one. I will try to find something simlar (mine is old).

Blazer will make you feel smart and hide the arms. it is also cold at the mo so bare arms not great if venue cold. you'll end up wearing a bloody cardigan or something.

something very simple will work well.
www.hugoboss.com/uk/v-neck-shift-dress-in-structured-jersey-with-ribbon-detailing/4029048399132.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInZCYw__n3wIVp7ztCh11gAsjEAQYGyABEgL-bvD_BwE#wrapper

@Mishappening I am 5ft 6 and currently almost 14 stone (shameful!) I can still wear size 14 most of the time and it's only my boobs which mean I sometimes require a 16.

Everyone's different. I had a friend who was same height and weighed a stone less than me at uni but I still borrowed her clothes no problem! Bodies are weird!

@Sazquatch I am 41. For my 40th I wore running gear to do a half marathon lol! I wouldn't recommend that though.

For a party I would wear a pencil skirt with chiffon shirt/blouse and velvet jacket or tailored skinny trousers with the same top. My style is not at all girly or in style though so.,,,

I'd actually wear these if my thighs weren't quite so wobbly right now!

https://www.very.co.uk/ri-petite-pu-trouser-black/1600331305.prd?_requestid=53908&Ntt=tailored%20trousers

I like this blouse

https://www.very.co.uk/ri-plus-tuck-front-blouse-black/1600303624.prd

And yes I'd wear all black.

(Waits to get told off!)

this is quite sexy
www.warehouse.co.uk/gb/just-arrived/all/leopard-print-maxi-dress/034430.html?cgid=new-in-all&position=12&dwvar_034430_color=14

and this is cute but you'd need to find it in stock somewhere
www.warehouse.co.uk/gb/just-arrived/all/leopard-collar-shift-dress/034004.html?dwvar_034004_color=77&cgid=new-in-all&position=40

Spotted this and thought it looked nice

I'd also say that once you hit 35+, looking sexy and fashionable is best achieved by investing in clothes with good quality fabrics and a good cut. Cheap synthetics can be very mutton-dressed-as-lamb.

Yes i agree countess - look for thick structured material if poss.

Agree weight doesn't necessarily correlate to the size you would expect. I am 5ft 6 and about 12.4 and am a size 12 in much everything

I loved the Reiss dresses suggested by a PP. Or try Maje, Sandro, all great brands with high quality items in heavier materials.

This?

Or this, which you might keep forever ...

Perfection ...

ooh no3 is a beaut

When I was 11 stone at 5'5 I was size 12-14 and this dress was ideal for the party I went to. Mine had a contrast belt but it was fab at hiding lumps and bumps and I accessorised with bold coloured shoes and felt fab

https://www.finerylondon.com/uk/products/sanford-midnight-wrap-dress?variantid=12248&utmmsource=RakutenMarketing&utmmedium=affiliate&utmmcampaign=2523611:Lyst+UK%2FEU&utmcontent=10&utmmterm=UKNetwork&ranMID=42909&ranEAID=gcdL%2FATRVoE&ranSiteID=gcdLATRVoE-VDCdNCw1MdVk8FcFkUUqbA

Ps. I also have decent legs and the split in the dress showed them off nicely.

PS2: and also wasn't fond of my arms so these sleeves were lovely in covering the flabby bits while making the rest of the arms look nice and slender

Warehouse has some extremely flattering and gorgeous choices!
www.warehouse.co.uk/gb/clothing/dresses/leopard-print-midi-shirt-dress/032720.html?dwvar_032720_color=14&position=68&cgid=dresses So flattering on a curvier bod. Can be dressed down so less tacky and more “I threw this on and look how good I look”.

OP, I haven't read the full thread but what is your usual style? I wouldn't veer too far from that if I were you as you'll want to feel comfortable too, especially at your own party. I recently turned 51 and am having a bit of a clothes/identity crisis at the min, but for a recent Xmas party I wore snakeskin leggings (Next), chiffon draped stomach hiding top (TopShop I think) and suede shoeboots (Next I think) with statement jewelry. This is my usual sort of style, albeit dressed up, and I did feel nice I even got chatted up and complimented which was a much welcome boost , so personally I would advise you to stick with the type of look you know suits you and then just glam it up. You could also do this with a statement lipstick, smoky eyes, cool bag and/or jacket. Have fun and Happy Birthday

Thank you everyone. My usual style is skinny jeans, heels and a top, usually a fitted blazer.
I’ve clicked through a thousand websites today and am now looking for a black playsuit I think, ideally with sleeves and shorts. Then of course I’ll need amazing statement shoes.

. . . what will actually end up happening is I buy new black jeans and a new black top. . .

Meant to say, I have a long body so will probably need a ‘tall’ playsuit so don’t get a wedgie. 🤦🏽‍♀️

@lottieleo the OP said she wanted to look 30 not 60!

What about coated jeans with a metallic finish? I have some with a sort of gold finish, and a top that picks out the finish? Or accessories that do? Then nice haircut and nails and brows done. A big thing for me is keeping on top of grooming, then clothes/make up always seem to naturally look better with minimal effort IYSWIM? X

Everyone has their own taste and opinions.

It is amusing that the people who come on to make smart remarks don't even bring their own suggestions for OP

I'm dressed up when my legs are fully out and I'm wearing heels. Any short dress, tanned and highlighted legs, hair and makeup done, nice bag. If I have to wear a coat, it will be a trusty leather jacket, a blazer at a push but I wouldn't be seen dead in a coat, occasion dress, tights, long sleeves or a jumpsuit. Jumpsuits can look good but they're almost a uniform these days, redolent of certain closed style groups on FB full of converts who once considered them an outlandish choice and pair them with 'statement necklaces'...