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?

I think it depends on the wearer Blanche i love a jumpsuit. i wore a sleeveless one to a friend's 40th and had a spray tan so felt really confident. wore with hot pink stilettos (for about 10 minutes then bare feet) got loads of compliments, more importantly i felt good. no statement necklace just my neck.

Don't worry about rules it's about what YOU feel good in.
Good structured material, something unfussy etc.

get a tan done if you're not blessed with melanin. Some heels you can dance in. nails done etc

cheap and cheerful!! www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0693459001.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIueet043p3wIVA7TtCh21SgGKEAQYBCABEgKx5fD_BwE&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMIueet043p3wIVA7TtCh21SgGKEAQYBCABEgKx5fD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!850!3!316451588858!!!g!582573152608!

I did say they can look good, Kali

I adore that blazer style mini dress on the first page. If I ever left the house at night it's what I'd wear.

If you have good legs flaunt them. Anything by Frank Lyman is foxy

www.bentleys-banchory.co.uk/womenswear-c12/dresses-c18/frank-lyman-m10#page2:infscr24070000019307

Agree with the others about the blazer mini dress, it's an suggestion!

I'm 32 and wouldn't wear most of the other ones recommended. Definitely nothing beaded or from Coast, my mum is over 50 and considers them ageing. Hope you have a great night

https://www.reiss.com/p/burnout-printed-playsuit-womens-erin-in-multi-white/?cclid=GoogleeCj0KCQiAvebhBRD5ARIsAIQUmnl0hpZd7rYXLUh6LAEadUXQznyiuT8E8bWPZxdWeJPDh3PbK4rTtmIaAt3XEALwwcB&gclid=Cj0KCQiAvebhBRD5ARIsAIQUmnl0hpZd7rYXLUh6LAEadUXQznyiuT8E8bWPZxdWeJPDh3PbK4rTtmIaAt3XEALwwwcB

I wore the above to my 40th. Ruched (sp?) at tummy and coverage of upper arms. It was a little bit different and I loved it. I wore a killer pair of heels from dune. The colour fade ones (two tone) if you have been there recently.
Good luck with your search and I am sure you will smash it.

So you did Blanche so you did.

That's lovely Grumps

Agree about Coast, it's fine for black tie etc but otherwise bit dull. i personally dislike lace but some love it. quite partial to a sequin tho but would avoid in january as too close to xmas.

Happy shopping.

So many great suggestions, am loving the Reiss playsuit. I’m going to order loads of things to try on. Thanks everyone!

Glad you like it. My sister persuaded me to try it on and I'm so glad I did. I went up a size as it didn't make much difference in the fit but added a good few inches to the length. I did fake tan rather than tights. Mega earrings was the only jewellery I wore.
I paid full price so the sale tag is killing me!
Have fun trying things on and let us know what you decide.

sorry for calling you GRumps not GUmps!

https://www.kurtgeiger.com/women/shoes/stilettos/alice-2-nude-patent-carvela-kurt-geiger

This was the shoe but mine were blue and nude. Can't find them now but I think this colour would work well.

Don't worry my husband would defo say more grumps than gumps

I can't do playsuits either as I have a long body and these give me camel toe - so if you do find one that is a decent length body wise, let us know!

Yes to a jumpsuit though make sure you have wingman for zipping up purposes depending on what style you go for. I like this trafficpeople.co.uk/Dance-Baby-Dance-Sequin-Jumpsuit-Black

I'd look in Finery or Arket or Me&Em or COS or John Lewis which has some good brands and some of their own label stuff is cool as well. And avoid 'killer heels', a pair of cool flats or ankle boots with a block heel is much more modern.

I'm nearer 50 than 40 and think 30 year olds look like babies so I'd not really want to dress like one. Women in their 40s dress with more style. Embrace your age and the fact that no-one thinks you're old at 40 any more.

You could wear this to hide your hideous 40 year old face.

www.phase-eight.com/fcp/product/phase-eight/amara-jumpsuit/204153185

This one. It's lovely, no camel toe, surprisingly flattering and POCKETS!! Only beef was that it zipped up at the back so you need a wing man to go to the loo.

I’m a similar size and shape to you (and I’m around 12 stone, 5’5” and wear a 12 on the bottom and a 14 on top - someone asked how that was possible, but it is. I’ve always been much heavier than I look).

Anyway, don’t knock the shorts suggestion - I find it works really well on my shape with dark tights and as long as it keep the top half long sleeved and elegant it won’t look tacky at all.

I bought this LBD recently and it's lovely! It's from Bravissimo so great for people with DD cup boobs and over like me so not sure if this would be suitable for you from that point of view? I am size 14 and have horrible arms including a nasty scar all down my right arm. The lace sleeves on this dress were perfect and had a slight stretch to them. If you have good legs you will look fab in this dress (I have rubbish legs but still managed to get lots of compliments!) I hope the link works!

www.bravissimo.com/products/jessie-skater-dress-black-pd797blk/

Get your hair done , consider a spray tan and wear something that’s your usual look but nicer ? Also have a wee detox in the week prior . Nothing mega but cut alcohol
And go plant based as you will FEEL better

Jane that'sw hat i am wearing to my 50th !

Kalifornia now that I'm 50 I have to wear one all the time.

Only one Jane? Don't you know that stylish over 50s constantly replenish their paper bag wardrobe to suit all eventualities? (I myself recently ordered one customised with chainmail, and another with sustainably produced feathers ...)

I LOVE that Reiss playsuit!