Where to buy clothes in that in between age?!

[orangepeelsz]

I'm 39 and 40 in a few days can't quite believe that but there we go

I have a night out with my friends and went looking online for something to wear, suddenly everything feels far too young or far to old! I know I can wear what I like at any age but I don't want to wear skimpy fabrics which just about cover an arse cheek (love island stuff which seems to be everywhere!) but at the same time I don't want to dress like my 60 year old mum, I still want to look youngish and dressed well but still fun ifyswim?

What shops can I look at?

I'm surprised you haven't had any other replies yet as I've noticed that going out dressing seems to be having a Last Days of Rome moment. My normal reaction to a 39 year-old saying there's nothing in the shops for them is 'Huh?, or even pithier if they talk about being 60 like it's the end of style and fun but yeah, I've seen early-20s women heading out recently and Oh. My. Word. Let's just say, there's not a floaty dress or trainer in sight. It's clearly a reaction to the last 18 months and I imagine it'll calm down but right now some of it does look quite daunting.

However, and at the risk of putting you off them, my solution when I had too a 39 year-old body was a midi slip dress and, guess what's come around again?

One of the best things about them last time was that you could either wear them as they are or grunge them right down with T shirt and denim jacket / plaid shirt etc. It made them surprisingly versatile and forgiving, although I'm not sure if that's still the case, plus this time around some of them do look like they've literally come from the M&S vintage lingerie department - hello Whistles
But this one looks more restrained.
Or, if I wanted to push it a bit further - and it's your birthday after all - something like this?

I am a bit younger than you but dress like your mother probably! All classics and boring

But shops to look maybe try thekooples, maje, sandro, sezane, jigsaw, reformation

I don't know what your body shape and budget and style are, but I think the trick is to wear clothes that fit well and are flattering to whatever your body shape is. IN which case, it doesn't really matter that much how old you are. There's a woman on the school run who is about the same age as me. She has a lovely figure and dresses quite "young" but i totally suits her because she wears well fitting clothes that are in good condition.

I've got good legs and slim hips but am overall overweight. Well tailored trousers, skirts/dresses that are the right length for me etc all make me look more pulled together, even when they're casual.

Avavav

Goodhood

Machine-A

YBD

That Zara emerald drape cami dress is soooooo coming to my house (I’m 49) - that is the perfect dress.
When in doubt OP, stick an oversized blazer and some mid block heels on - I’m loving padded mules at the moment. Add in a small cross body bag to dress it all down - not the same colour as your shoes though. Or a huge clutch.
You’re only 39 - you can shop anywhere and wear anything you like.

39 is prime.

I like wolf and badger, Vivienne Westwood, Zara, I can sometimes find stuff in mint Velvet and phase 8. Good pair of jeans from S4AM helps. Odd thing in Next (although that's gone downhill of late) and M&S Autograph

What is S4AM?