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.

Jewellery doesn't suit me the same as it did, I find (I dress for me, for sure, and I want to like what I see). So I don't wear it at all now.

Can we move away from the age appropriate stuff? Personally I'm not struggling with that, but I am struggling with dressing up now. It was easy before when it was skinny jeans and a nice top.

But what is the skinny-jeans-nice-top equivalent now? I'm struggling to think what is in my wardrobe that I could wear out (and I'm trying not to buy new stuff atm). I have lots of zoom appropriate work wear, but nothing much else.

I am nearer to 70 than 50 but, for what it's worth, I was out for a meal last night and wore my ex karate trousers with a fine-knit silk-cotton jumper, white patent Oxford (flat lace up) shoes, a vintage Burberry raincoat and a men's silk paisley scarf.

I find a loose fitting silk shirt with trousers works for all but the fanciest events. At the moment I like wide leg or barrel leg best, preferably high waisted because I still have a waist and want to show it off, and top of the ankle length because they're the best part of my legs.

I like to wear at least one fancy thing - last night it was the shoes - even if the rest out there outfit is low-key.

I think it's delusional to deny your body changes with age and, if you're early 50s, I advise you to hold onto your hat because it's not about to slow down any time soon. But for me, the principle remains the same: show off the best parts, downplay the dodgy bits (arms in my case) and also seek out clothes that give me a swagger when I walk, whether they fit the rules / suit my shape or not. I think 'age appropriate' is a joyless, mimsy, pursed mouth of an expression.

I am top heavy and I tend to wear skater dresses out out. Dorothy perkins ones fit me nicely.
I have some nude loafers now that I cba with heels. White Nike af1's also look good. Denim or biker jacket.
Jeans, loosely fitted t shirts and blazer or camo shacket for casual pub lunch.

I’ve been following a few people on Instagram which has helped give me ideas and I’m really comfortable with my “look” at the moment at 50. It might be the same as everyone else though! I went for a weekend away with friends recently and wore the maxi dress and sandals / trainers in the day. Then coated skinnies / jeans and some old favourite silky tops on the evening, with a blazer and wedges. I felt really confident and put together

@Fashio north east Scotland. So pretty close to the Arctic!

And I agree with Floisme, about best bits and body changes. My best feature used to be my arms but they are not good now so I don’t wear as many sleeveless tops. My figure in general though is pretty good for my age so I’m trying to wear more fitted clothes to show it off.

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow

How about palazzo pants and a tunic top - something soft and flowing - with a long length cardigan coat or trench? Kind of channelling Alix Polizzi the Hotel Inspector? She always looks really elegant and confident.

I hope I didn't make you feel bad, I'm sorry if I did 💐

Wider leg trousers with a more fitted top OR skinnier trousers with a looser top. Blazer, denim jacket or leather biker for warmth perhaps with a big scarf if cold. I’ve noticed barely anyone wears high heels any more - much more likely to be trainers, brogues, loafers or low heeled ankle boots. A great midi dress is a brilliant investment as it can be dressed up or down, and is comfy which is pretty much my fashion priority over 50!

Following with interest. I'm a midi dress and heels (usually an a line shirt type midi) but I struggle with coats/cardis/jackets etc. I never look 'right'. I love a bright colour/pattern, but can often look Bet Lynch/Pat Butcher 😁. I too have not found my niche!

I’d pretty much buy most things in the latest M&S drop - in my view they have targeted our age group

Can we move away from the age appropriate stuff? Personally I'm not struggling with that

I think it’s best for you to come off the thread rather than dictate what people can discuss? I mean that politely.

Apart from having large boobs and a long body, OP, what’s your general body shape? I’m a short hourglass and live in dresses, anything with a wrap, v or scoop neck looks fine, but high necks also make me look like Matron.

PS. I’m 50.

That Valentino skirt takes me back to the 90s. One of my friends had a very similar one she wore a lot in sixth form.

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow

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.

Scared? Me? Hahahahaha.

Maybe I exist in some solo echo chamber of my own making (and if so I'm very happy about that, since it's a very nice place to be!) but given that I have no idea what 'most' or even 'any' other 40/50/60 year olds think about anything I can only speak for myself. You might not agree with me and that's entirely your concern, but please don't try to claim I'm being disingenuous because you can't get your head around the idea that there really are women who will (to go back to the oft-posted link) wear whatever the fuck they like.

My body has got better as I've got older - when I was in my twenties I was skint, overweight with bad skin, and in generally pretty poor health. Now I can afford to eat good food, get plenty of rest, use lovely skincare and wear beautiful clothes and I make sure I do .

I wear my backless, topless evening sleeves and a broad smile!

@Floisme

I am nearer to 70 than 50 but, for what it's worth, I was out for a meal last night and wore my ex karate trousers with a fine-knit silk-cotton jumper, white patent Oxford (flat lace up) shoes, a vintage Burberry raincoat and a men's silk paisley scarf.

I find a loose fitting silk shirt with trousers works for all but the fanciest events. At the moment I like wide leg or barrel leg best, preferably high waisted because I still have a waist and want to show it off, and top of the ankle length because they're the best part of my legs.

I like to wear at least one fancy thing - last night it was the shoes - even if the rest out there outfit is low-key.

I think it's delusional to deny your body changes with age and, if you're early 50s, I advise you to hold onto your hat because it's not about to slow down any time soon. But for me, the principle remains the same: show off the best parts, downplay the dodgy bits (arms in my case) and also seek out clothes that give me a swagger when I walk, whether they fit the rules / suit my shape or not. I think 'age appropriate' is a joyless, mimsy, pursed mouth of an expression.

I'm over 50 and am inspired by your outfit - especially the trousers!

Yip, what you love can often stop loving you. I often fold my arms in photos, it's always made me look a bit edgy.

Saw a photo of myself last week with my arms folded and I looked like Les Dawson dressed as Ena Sharples. So no, what's always worked won't always work as we get older.

I've got a pretty decent figure and for special occasions I've worn stretchy dresses which show this off. This year, my Christmas dress is a flowing midi type, although with a touch of elastic to highlight my waist. I love it and I feel comfortable in it as well as looking current.

Marks and Spencer have a million of these type of dresses and you really need to try them on as some of them have weird proportions. If you can find one that works for you then I reckon it's a winner at 50.

I realised yesterday that this is the only outfit I want to be wearing out out from now until next Spring. (Margiela A/W 21.) I seem to have acquired a collection of fair isle jumpers and they’d be brilliant styled like this. Also loving the deliberately retro/ironic heels - though I’d probably substitute Marni Fussbett-like sandals with chunky socks. Probably in gold or silver for evenings.

(I can barely remember 50 …)

I can’t wear jumpsuits….look a bit like Winnie the Pooh somehow.

With the near implosion of fashion 'trends' under lockdown, I am enjoying finding garments that are interesting in their own right. Novel shape/construction, interesting pattern/texture, compelling back story, enjoyable references, that sort of thing. Selecting them on their own merits, on the basis of their design value, rather than thinking about them as props to enhance one's own form, is rather liberating at my advanced age. If you can cope with the odd funny look

(Doing this from eBay and clearance sales of smaller producers, so not necessarily expensive).

I’m 58 and find Cos do nice dresses that aren’t grannyish but are cut well for my now shape. Still fairly slim but no longer have tiny waist. I have varicose veins so have to wear tights -M&S do a 30 denier black which are the nicest I’ve tried-you don’t put a nail through them but look sleeker than higher denier. Linen shirts and jeans with pale trainers are what I wear for pubs. Try Hush or Kin in JL. Gap do nice shirts.Look at midlifechic for inspiration-quite corporate but you can see which clothes might look good on a real person who still likes to make an effort.

Novel shape/construction, interesting pattern/texture, compelling back story, enjoyable references, that sort of thing. Selecting them on their own merits, on the basis of their design value

I’ve spent half a century dressing like this! So it’s pretty easy to continue.

@Floisme I would love to see some of your outfits!