Versatile casual top for middle aged woman

[ElephantOfRisk]

Probably the antithesis of Style and Beauty but I need some sort of top that I can wear casually on top of a t-shirt or light top, with jeans or cropped walking type trousers etc.

My go to in the past would have been a zipped hoody type thing but at 55 in a couple of weeks, i think i can't carry that off anymore. I am tall (5'10), fair skinned, greyish blondish long bob, size 14, only a few pounds over weight but in reality that means a bit of a tummy and fat arms! Anything too fitted such as a stretchy sports zipper type thing just emphasises the wrong bits and also rides up.

I know cardigans seem to be the way to go and I do have some that i'd wear for a more officey type look but even the casual chunky ones that look good on a young thing suddenly look a bit old fashioned when I imagine them on a older lady such as myself.

So just some sort of solution for the "it's a bit too cold to go without and I don't want to put a rain jacket on" scenario, something i can chuck on to go for a casual walk and maybe lunch in a cafe.

Any suggestions gratefully appreciated.

I have a few tops from here and they are wonderful quality! More like a special hoody than casual.

www.wearthestars.co.uk/

Do you want a jacket, or a top? I assumed the latter, but lots of people are recommending jackets. Agree that a khaki lightweight thing and a leather jacket would both be useful.

Like @Lordamighty said a fitted fleece might work. You can get some really nice ones. Wool mix type too rather than just fleece fabric.

I love that jacket @RedHotChiliChips. How long are the arms?

I like imagining all the style and beauty people stumbling across this thread and hiding it in horror.

Is a tailored hoodie in a dark colour no good? Better than a cardigan surely.

What about a coatigan? I have a really nice hooded one that doesn't suit me at all but looked amazing on the person I was trying to copy 😞

Thanks for the new suggestions. i will have a look at them shortly

I suppose it would help if I set a wee scenario? I have a week in the lakes coming up. The Lodge is a bit of out of the way, handy enough but you don't want to be coming back and forward so when you head out, you probably stay out until dinner or after dinner if eating out. I keep boots, a fleece and rain jacket in the car regardless.

Some days you don't particular plans so we might go for a drive, we might end up up a hill and need boots etc or we might end up on boat trip and visit a cafe, we might end up in town and do a bit of shopping, we might end up having a stroll on a country path or a game of crazy golf and may or may not end up in a pub for dinner. Weather most likely unpredictable. So my general go to has been a pale grey light cotton zipped hoody which is now full of holes and being used as my painting top, maybe a bit casual for the pub but good for everything else. I'd want it to be a coverup for my fat arms and warm enough if it's windy but not too wintery warm.

This garment needs to do some heavy lifting! I have a leather jacket which again is fine with jeans but not so much if i have cropped walking/travel trousers on, I suppose I just don't want to be carrying round a wardrobe. We just need to plan better. DH seems to get away with a pair of walking trousers and shoes, plain t-shirts and plain quarter zipped fleece like (but smooth) top. Maybe that's what I need, I liked the zipped one linked earlier but now that my hair is grey, I'm thinking i need a different colour. I Also try not to wear black near my face too much nowadays.

I don't think there is one solution, I'm maybe going to have to buy myself a few things...oh well...

Right, away to check out some of these links/ideas.

Tawney, that's a lovely jacket but was just laughing at the posture of the model:

www.fenwick.co.uk/dw/image/v2/BBKK_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-fenwick-master-catalog/default/dw480f4cc1/images/large/LOS0018-GN34_1.jpg?sw=640&sh=875&sm=fit

I like imagining all the style and beauty people stumbling across this thread and hiding it in horror.

Yes indeed, but they were warned!!

Now to make matters worse, looking for something similar but cheaper than the khaki jacket linked, I came across this which I like but it's from....Damart!

www.damart.co.uk/F-10097-jackets-w/P-405386-jacket

www.debenhams.com/product/Principles-Suedette-Jacket_PDD00257?colour=grey
How about this one?

My mum(56) bought this www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/hardwicke-jacket-navy/sty-t0754-nav?cat=C1_S2_G2 for dog walking in the spring/summer. It feels light to put on (I tried it on bc I was a little jealous 😆) it’s sturdy and flattering but not overly fitted. She’s a size 12 and 5ft9 if it helps! I’m an 8 and whilst big on me it looked nice still :)

I like that Damart one . I'm also a fan of the Seasalt woodcarver jackets.
www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/clothing/jackets-coats/woodcarver-linen-jacket-pool.htm

So many lovely things! I need ALL THE THINGS!!!

Thanks folks, I've not taken the plunge on anything yet but am now imagining myself strutting about in most of the ones linked :)

Very happy with these jumpers I just bought from M&Co.

Your green Damart one reminded me of my own very ancient light jacket that I bought a million years ago in Gap. It’s been very useful indeed. They don’t have the same style any more, but this is somewhat similar:

www.gap.co.uk/gap/utility-hemp-tie-waist-jacket/000685071.html

How about this Harrington jacket from Community clothing? It's in the Men's section but clearly wearable by women as well. Also comes in a nice elderly beige ...

You do seem inordinately conscious of your 55 years! I'm older than you and have never once prefaced a purchase with imagin[ing] them on an older lady such as myself.

Uniqli have a wide range of jackets, not just the puffy down ones. I really love this

www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/women/outerwear/coats-jackets?quickView=433640

How about a stylish zip packable jacket (if such a thing exists) and a sweatshirt or hoodie with a bit of texture for interest?

Or this wool shacket? Still available in a 14.

Have to say, I don't think anyone would say they're too old for the same brand's soon to be available navy cashmere hoody ...

Coatigon may be an option?

coatigon

Utility jacket?
jacket

I like that Damart jacket too. So what if it is Damart. I don't think age matters as much as your body type. I am an apple and avoid anything short that ends at my waist, like the bomber jacket mentioned upthread. Anything slightly longer would be fine.

www.mintvelvet.co.uk/product/Beige-Zipped-Utility-Jacket/32275
This? Stylish and wearable

I'd carry on looking for a nice hood-free sweatshirt, myself. I've bought some good ones from Kin at John Lewis recently, including this one, currently on sale www.johnlewis.com/kin-longline-zip-sweatshirt/washed-blue/p5386030
And I've just bought this oversized one from Arket - which does come very big, but is very versatile www.arket.com/en_gbp/women/tops/product.sweatshirt-zip-cardigan-grey.1005159001.html

I love that Damart one! Good price too.

My mum and I straddle your age and we both run cold. We'd both wear a fine knit, waist-length(ish) cardigan in this situation. Never in fashion, never out of style. Smart enough for a pub or restaurant, comfortable enough for a walk. Doesn't look frumpy like chunky knits can. I prefer a rainbow assortment of colours whereas my mum tends to wear more neutral shades.