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.

55 here, I wear the same style as my 20 yr old daughter, jeans, Stan smiths, long or short sleeved top. I'm tall and slim so it works, it's what I'm comfortable in.

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow
Since you are tall, with a bust and a bit overweight. I'd suggest for you knee-length dresses with a fun big print, probably geometric to break it up. You can wear dark or colorful hose and heels to show off your legs.
And I'd loose the Covid weight as the poster suggested whether WW or in my case sushi/fish + whole grains + vegetables +fruit + vegetarian meat (some are very low in calories and full of protein, you need to check). No junk food, no dessert. Exercise. I lost half a stone eating this and my exercise is yoga and daily moderate walks. I don't' go to a gym as I hate it.

To the others, quite short dresses with leather knee boots look clunky. Colored hose with contrasting pumps/slingbacks can be a great look.

My hair is a very attractive gray, I've had a pixie cut with lots of compliments from men, but I prefer it shoulder length. It looks great and it makes me feel feminine which I like.

@ MrsVeryTired agree that the Sainsbury model with the long gray hair looks very good, clothes too. They aren't my style, but that's fine. I go for the '30s Katharine Hepburn look.

cowboy boots? They're wonderful for walking, lots of support and fine under jeans but otherwise look silly. And I spent time out West at a ranch.

Interesting thread.

I think the term ‘age appropriate’ shouldn’t be taken literally. Age as a number doesn’t matter, and we all suit different clothes.

Maybe it’s more about just feeling yourself to be at a different stage in life - associating some clothes with an earlier stage/ wanting to project a different image of yourself. Just feeling different in a psychological sense, not a numerological sense.

For myself - after several pregnancies and not having time to think about myself (kids had chronic illness). I now have more time to browse and as a couple we have more time to go nicer places - so I get to dress up a bit more than I did for years.

I’m realising I look better in more fitting clothes (skimming the tummy!), as looser clothes/ big prints just drown me - and so do maxi dresses.

So I guess my style has changed, but that’s not related to my age - just a bit more time to actually think about what actually suits me.

I'd suggest for you knee-length dresses with a fun big print, probably geometric to break it up. You can wear dark or colorful hose and heels to show off your legs.

TalksOverMen I’m guessing you’re not in the UK? Quite honestly the outfit you suggest might work elsewhere but it would be disastrously out of style here - particularly on someone not stick thin.

Frankly, I'm disappointed that nobody has admired my top. What is wrong with you all?! 😂

I had meant to say it looked like a fun evening …

I'm 51, 5ft 9" size 12. I have moderate boobs & long legs. I tend to be apple shaped so have to watch that.
I was out for dinner last night & I wore a sezane denim shirt with dramatic ruffles on front. Wide cropped black heavy jersey whistles trousers & black leather Asher whistles boots. I wore gold jewellery & nice Make up & I felt great.
I try (not always successfully!) To channel 'cool architect' vibes and have done for years I like really nice fabrics & def lean towards more pared back simple but slightly edgy shapes
I do like a little embellishment though
Tonight I have another event & will be wearing navy Ponte barrel leg trousers from ME+EM with a navy v fine sparkly knit jumper from whistles with the same boots & a sage green wool 'shacket'

I mainly buy from
Whistles
Jigsaw
Sezane
ME+EM
wolf & badger
Paul Smith
COS
Wyse London
Sandro (sales)
Maje (sales)
I rarely bother with cheaper stuff these days as it's a false economy for me

I buy carefully & wear stuff for YEARS
I also have a v soft spot for cowboy / western ankle boots & have 2 pairs

I'm 54 and have an hour glass figure which i find very difficult to dress. I tend to wear knee length wrap dresses or skinny/slim cut trousers with a cowl neck, bias cut top. I also sometimes wear wide leg trousers with a wrap top (but having seen a recent picture of me wearing that style I'm having a rethink!) Anything else makes me look like a barrel. I can't wear blouses as I don't like my tummy - tucked in I look fat, hanging out I look huge as it invariably hangs straight down off my large boobs. I've also got a biker jacket, denim jacket and fabulous faux fur coat. My feet always hurt so I wear chunky trainers, soft suede boots or kitten/low heels.

What I find irritating is that I know what suits me but often can't get it. So I've been wearing the same clothes for a long time!

The current fashion of high necked maxi dresses is a complete no-no for me. I also detest white trainers and cowboy boots, so I guess I have to wait and see what next season will bring.

I usually buy from phase eight, mint velvet (who have been very disappointing for the past couple of seasons and their A/W offering is looking bleak for me) M&S (very selected items!) sosander and a few bits from Jigsaw in the sale.

I do wish shops would sell more of a range of styles. But that's never going to happen is it?

I do wish shops would sell more of a range of styles. But that's never going to happen is it

Why not try shops that sell a range of brands?

Mid-ish price point - Goodhood, Plumo, Free People (though I’m never quite sure about their sourcing) …

Higher starting prices (but endless sales) Matches Fashion, Net-a-Porter, Browns, SSense …

With all of these I tend to chase up individual brands found in the multi-store - but it does mean I’m kept up to date with new designers / producers.

Hovering around 50 mark, 5’ 6, size 8 - 10, hourglass. Love a jumpsuit. Love an All Saints rocky vibe. Occasionally a shorter skirt, usually with boots. A cross body bag. Was out last night - leather shorts, over the knee boots, slouchy jumper, big earrings.

I am fifty something (60 starting to loom in the rearview mirror )

Over the last few years I have nver really felt "me" in my clothes. I think it is because I have moved away from what I actually love to wear, as I think I am too old. So I have just bought this which I am thinking of wearing with this for nights out, with a vintage Levi's denim jacket which belonged to a departed friend.

Maybe I will look a fool, but I am at the invisible age now, so I doubt anyone will notice what I am wearing.

Night out? I'm in bed by 10.

@EdmontinaDonsAutumnalHues I'll check these out but usually find that it doesn't matter what brand it is, they all stick to this seasons trends. So maxi dresses are currently everywhere. I need an on the knee dress but can't find any. I've got a few in my wardrobe that I can and will wear but they've all been worn to death - some I don't even know how old they are! - it'd be nice to have something new.

The link you posted earlier about women wearing whatever the fuck they want would have been more impressive if the 29 year old writer hadn't chosen photos of women mostly fully covered from neck to toe! 2 photos of women in short sleeves and one in a backless dress - the rest might as well have been wearing nuns habits!

@Shehasadiamondinthesky

Night out? I'm in bed by 10.

Ha, my nights out are dinner and maybe on to a pub for a last drink if feeling daring. In bed by midnight at the latest!

@Purplecatshopaholic there is no way I'd be able to wear a jumpsuit. When I need to go, I need to go. I can't hold it! I often only just make it when I'm wearing jeans. A jumpsuit would be very scary

How do you cope going to the loo when you're out??

I agree. I like the look of jumpsuits, but the bladder aspect...

@fashionfiftyplus your outfit sounds fab
@NalPolishRemover both outfits sound good.

Agree with the jumpsuits, they look great but the loo issue would be a problem

51

I was going to throw out all my minis but with thick tights you have all given me confidence to wear them, Problem is those really chunky boots that are in - I am a short Apple so they make me look even dummies. Can I still wear knee high boots? Chunky boots could work for casual but for work I need to be smarter,

Like others on here I now try to buy silk, cashmere, cotton and avoid if I can polyester.

Have found a lot on massimo dutti recently

Another one here who can’t wait jumpsuits - they look ok but from behind I don’t like the saggy bum look and hate having to wrestle out of them in the loos

I need an on the knee dress but can't find any.

This is so interesting! Knee length wrap dresses are not in fashion right now - so it wouldn’t occur to me to want one. I like unusual clothes - but I wouldn’t spend my own money on something that wasn’t … forward looking. In a sense I’m happy to trust designers and professional buyers to capture the zeitgeist through fabric and cut - so I get to where it on my person.

I'm coming up 50, 5'3" and a 16. I've dusted off my boot cut jeans again. Those with heels and an understated black top are my go to

crocky sorry only just seen this. Zara!