If you're 50ish, what do you wear on a night out?

[MissLucyEyelesbarrow]

I seem to have lost my going-out mojo. I aim (with varying success 😉) for understated glam - anything too bold or glitzy looks ridiculous on me, though I love fierce looks on other people. I used always to have a couple of tops that I put with good jeans or a leather skirt, to look a bit dressy, but I feel they''re too young on me now. Looking for inspiration.

Well I have no idea what teenagers wear, because I don't have or know any, and there aren't really many where I live, either. I suppose I dress similarly to how I did when I was a teenager, but with a much, much bigger budget

The outfit @Judystilldreamsofhorses has mentioned is the sort of thing I would wear of a daytime, probably with DMs and maybe my leopard print coat. To be fair, anybody who saw my link in the navy blue tights thread isn't going to be taking sartorial tips from me any time soon 😂

I’d not classify a skirt as a mini skirt if it is just above the knee. I’d happily wear that, a mini is a skirt that sits mid thigh or shorter.

@SocksAndTheCity ha, I will most likely wear a leopard print faux fur coat, and I felt too ashamed after the “looking elegant” comment to say my boots will be DM monkey boots. It is a chain restaurant so not fancy. (Plus I am going under duress for BIL’s birthday.)

Why would you be ashamed? You can dress how you please…😂

@Bluntness100

I’d not classify a skirt as a mini skirt if it is just above the knee. I’d happily wear that, a mini is a skirt that sits mid thigh or shorter.

Nor would I. I can confirm that all my mini skirts are mid thigh or shorter - here is one I bought the other week (also posted on the Autumn purchases thread): www.matchesfashion.com/products/REDValentino-Wool-tartan-mini-skirt-1423222

Back to the OP, and I would think there are so many more important variables (location, setting, comfort, weather so on) that age would honestly be the last thing I thought about .

Put it this way Socks, I was lucky enough to go to the Algarve in August. There were a lot of women wearing short shorts, with their arse cheeks visible. None of those women was over 40 😉

I think we all tend to adjust to what our peers wear, to a greater or lesser extent. Age is only one factor but I struggle to believe it isn’t a factor for most women- otherwise where are all the arse cheek-flashing 50 somethings?

I’m 57, went out for dinner with some friend, wore white, wide leg trousers, white trainers, navy silk vest type top and a denim jacket, felt fab.

One of the school mums is about 45-50 and has a 30 year old then a 6 year old

She must borrow her 20 year olds stuff and to be Frank she looks totally ridiculous in it!!!

I suspect women over 40 don't often wear short shorts because they're bloody uncomfortable! Although thinking about it I do have a couple of pairs of those too (one jewelled denim and one gold embroidered, again to be worn with black opaques) 😂

My point is that I don't believe most people's main criteria when deciding what to wear is some unwritten arbitrary rule about age (as opposed to fit, comfort, quality and of course whether they love how it looks!) If it is and I'm wrong then I stand corrected, but I sincerely hope not.

www.jigsaw-online.com/products/mini-pleat-front-leather-skirt-black-1?queryID=e9684a5b87c057e01af13a1bd3beb2cc

Here is my skirt. I am 5ft 6 so it is slightly longer on me. Mini-ish.

I know how you feel OP it’s harder in our fifties, anything glitzy is far too ‘cruise ship glamour’ I wear what I hope is a relaxed glamour, no body con dresses and nothing too glitzy, no sparkly tops and jeans! If I was going out for cocktails with my friends I would wear something like the attached, I know heels are not remotely popular on here but I wear them with this type of outfit, I want to feel a little bit dressy when I go out.

Why are you so scared of acknowledging age as a factor, socks? I am sure you know perfectly well that the reason 50 somethings are not flashing their arses is not that short shorts are uncomfortable, so why pretend otherwise?

I dress to suit my height, shape, colouring, lifestyle..and age. I bet you dress like other women your age. What’s wrong with that? Our bodies change as we get older, so what suits us also changes. I don’t see my age as something to be ashamed of, any more than I’m ashamed of having disproportionately big boobs, but both influence my clothing choices.

*anything glitzy is far too ‘cruise ship glamour•

Well put - I’m not ready for the captain’s table 😀

Robell stretch trousers 7/8 length or Masai Culottes Pada or similar. Basically good quality trousers, various tops or something from Sahara with funky Sketchers or quality white trainers. Sometimes good quality ballet flats of interesting design and colour.

Personally the older I get the better quality clothes I buy as the cut and shape is better. They last as well.

At home just love an elasticated waistband!

OP I have big boobs too. V neck or square neck tops all the time for me. Round necks, polo necks, and wide necks all give me that 'matronly bosom'.

Even at 20 flashing your arse cheeks is a terrible look 😂

I agree with @SocksAndTheCity I try not to let age dictate what I wear (or where I go, what I do etc).

There is no such thing as a pair of funky Skechers.

I tend to go for a dress with Paul Smith trainers, a leather skirt or jeans and some sort of black silky top. Boots if not trainers.

@MumofPsuedoAdult

I wear the same and have the same figure

My evening wear is PJ’s. I’m in bed by 10pm 🥴

I think it’s a very rare woman who is dressing in her fifties like she did in her twenties and doesn’t give even a nod to age appropriate. I genuinely don’t know anyone like that and it’s a rare rare thing to see. Sure they exist and a couple on here but most of us dress differently as we age, it’s not a bad thing.

I used to favour crop tops and minis when I was a teen /early twenties, and as much as I see plenty of young women still wearing a variety of that today, at 52 I am not going down the pub or round the shops in a arse skimming skirt and crop top. I would look and feel ridiculous.

Could I , of course, would I, no chance.

We go for afternoons out 😀
I prefer drinking/ eating during the day and home by 7. So always smart casual....I never wear heels ( 6 feet tall) and hate feeling overdressed, which is one reason I avoid weddings.

@Judystilldreamsofhorses

40s here and I tend to wear midi dress/trainers. I have a meal coming up at a steak place (not my choice!) and plan to wear a leather a-line mini-ish skirt with opaque tights, and a cashmere jumper. I am not a dressy-uppy person really though so probably not much help!

God do you live in the Arctic it might not be summer but it’s still not weather for Cashmere and tights

I agree with everybody who says that style has got a lot more casual since Covid. I’m pretty much the same age and shape as you OP, but can wear shorter things.
I’m thinking now about what I’d wear and it’s hard also because summer not quite gone. I agree about starting with shoes, I think I’d wear my girlfriend jeans but I dunno could I be arsed with heels now? I dunno.

What is social situation are you going to

Just read that thing about looking too young. I disagree, although I think you’ve got to be careful about too much fussy stuff whether it’s ripped or patterns. I don’t do patterns , apart from leopard, think they’re naff , but muted tonal stuff in any shape or finish looks good

I agree with socks its nothing to do with age as in a number. It's more about the impact of aging on face and body that dictates what we feel good in. Which is why the arbitrary rules about what 50 year olds should wear are daft, as women over 50 don't all look the same or like the same. I'm 52 with a very small waist, flat stomach and good legs, so will happily wear cropped tops with high waist jeans and skirts to my thigh. I also have crinkly upper arms and slightly crepey cleavage, so wear higher necks and sleeves. The mirror (and my brutally honest adult DD if I'm unsure) tell me if I'm getting it wrong. But basically if I think I look good I'll wear it, and if other people think its age inappropriate because it dodsnt comply with the over 50 dress code, then too bad!