Silk shirt outfit - good or bad idea?

[JessaJess]

I'm trying to move away from jeans and I need some ideas for when I would have worn a "nice top and jeans". Going out for lunch, birthday parties, dinner with friends. I usually go with a fairly casual top, but I want to mix it up a bit and look a little more polished.

Would this silk shirt worn with plain black trousers look a bit overdressed / elderly? They have some lovely colours in it.

www.purecollection.com/womens/blouses-and-shirts/silk-satin-shirt-dark-silver-3433

I love the idea of looking elegant and timeless but I've never pulled it off! I'm 40, a size 12-14 pear shape and I still dress like a teenager

I think it is lovely. Though I admit I dress rather elderly myself. I think the purple colour is gorgeous.

I think it would look a bit staid. I would mix it up with some ripped jeans or leather leggings, and maybe wear it open over a camisole. It would be a huge leap from dressing more youthfully.

I think leather leggings would work.

If it were me, I would wear that with jeans, rather than black trousers, for going out for dinner

I too am elderly but I find a silk shirt and jeans / trousers works for most events that I go to (admittedly not so many of late).

I think the important thing is that the trousers are a modern shape. Personally I avoid the black-trousers-with-a-coloured-top combo but that's probably just me, and quite possibly a hangover from Trinny & Susannah days.

I find Pure can be a bit conservative as regards detail so, if you want to look classic but also contemporary, it might be worth checking out some other high street silk shirts too. I think & Other Stories had some nice ones although I've not seen them for real.

Yes, I too avoid black with a coloured top so maybe dark jeans would look better ( or are they also hopelessly old-fashioned).

Black trousers + coloured top = bad office attire.

Like the idea of a silk shirt with jeans or leather trousers but not that particular shirt. It's very mature. I think you could find a similarly good quality but younger silk shirt out there.

I assume this is trendy but I don't like it much. www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0892701004.html?utm_source=rakuten&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=3157217_Skimlinks+%28Variable+Pricing%29&utm_content=10&utm_term=US_Network&ranMID=43148&ranEAID=tv2R4u9rImY&ranSiteID=tv2R4u9rImY-lcBhQ1hlFJ6INQjfAb3FaQ

It's lovely and could look very stylish but agree with others and wear with jeans or leather trousers

I am a massive silk shirt fan but I’m not keen on that one. To keep it youthful looking I would wear it with jeans rather than back trousers (feels too office-attire) and unbuttoned fairly low with a camisole peeking through.

Personally I like the silk shirts from Sezane, Equipment and Other Stories.

I’ve tried this kind of look, because MidLifeChic and so many people on here keep saying what a great classic look it is for a night out, and I like a preppy kind of look. But I’ve bought a couple of silk shirts and they’ve either gone back or only been worn for work. They feel too staid for going out- like I’m not planning to actually have fun! And I’m 45, if that means anything.

Please charity shop then Boood and then someone like me will get them for a fraction of the price!

I only have one silk shirt, but I do find that I feel very formal in it, somehow. I prefer to wear it with jeans, and with the sleeves rolled up to 3/4 or elbow length, otherwise I feel like it's wearing me rather than the other way round.

I like a slightly matt finish and a tad oversized personally - bought this shirt yesterday for example: www.gant.co.uk/womens-shirts/red-lightweight-shirt/52260. My jewellery is all quite alternative and I would just go with a very bold lip (if any make-up) and bare face so it doesn’t look too ‘done’.

I like a silk shirt an leather trousers look incredibly stylish on a lady of a certain age - my Mum would look killer but I’ve not convinced her yet!

@RaspberryThief

I only have one silk shirt, but I do find that I feel very formal in it, somehow. I prefer to wear it with jeans, and with the sleeves rolled up to 3/4 or elbow length, otherwise I feel like it's wearing me rather than the other way round.

I was going say the same thing about rolling up the sleeves

I don't seem to suit shirts, have tried with linen for summer, but have been resold on ebay, with silk shirts have only tried one it just feels to formal.

If you’re willing to pay £110 for a nice blouse there are a lot of sales on right now where you can get much more interesting tops to wear with black trousers. I’ve just been drooling on Flannels, and Selfridges, Harvey Nicks and Harrods had some nice ones too at that price point.

I agree about matte finish and oversized. And I always roll up shirt sleeves and wear flats.
That'll take me to most places but then my socialising largely consists of coffee shops, restaurants, meals with friends / family, and - back in the day - theatre trips.

It's too shiny for me. Jigsaw have a few styles in their sale

www.jigsaw-online.com/product/diamond-geo-silk-shirt/J43368_CR018

Is @Floisme actually….is me? 😄

@Slothkin

Is *@Floisme* actually….is me? 😄

Maybe we're style siblings, except for leather trousers which have never really been my thing.

A good quality silk shirt can look (and feel) amazing but it needs to be good quality - some of the high street shops are selling them but the quality tends to be lower (for example, they use 18 momme or lower silk rather than 22 momme or higher).

Like everyone else, I agree that a silk shirt (unless it's black) isn't a good luck with black trousers. It's just too dated and a bit dreary. Instead wear it with some modern (non-black) trousers or jeans or a skirt. A silk shirt under a blazer worn with jeans is classic but can with the right blazer and jeans can look ultra-modern - and dressed up or down.

good look, not luck! (wishing you good luck in your search though)

Oh they’d look appalling on me but my Mum’s 70-odd and an ex-ballerina, very French chic, and I think she’d look fabulous in them. I take after my Dad’s side of the family alas!

I have to agree with majority black trousers and coloured shirt can be quite worky.

How about a dress, buy the right one and it makes dressing for smart casual events much easier.

What you thinking about wearing on your feet.?