If you are in your forties/ fifties, what outfits make you feel good?

[SnoopLabbyLab]

I’m in my forties, and the outfits that made me look and feel good ten years ago, just don’t any more. I’m a little rounder ( size 12), a little tireder looking, a little more clueless about nowadays styles, a little less confident about my body and style.

There seem to be loads of women of my age who have nailed their style and look great, and I would love some ideas of looks and shops to try. Can’t bear Instagram or similar, as it makes me feel even less confident.

What types of outfits make you feel great? Any shops you’d recommend?

I'm in my 50's
Currently I'm wearing M&S wide side striped trousers with a matching Hush Avalon T shirt in black/navy/white. Cashmere fitted cardi/jumper if a little chilly & a M&S Leopard print car coat/Mac. Plus stacked trainers, as I'm petite & the trousers are longish. It's a uniform & I have the trousers in 5 colours now including pink & red. When it's cooler I will switch to a Whistles Lola Navy wool coat over the top.

I feel like I’m in the same boat.

I’m 46 and have gained some weight, my confidence has taken a battering and just feel a bit frumpy and blah at the moment.

I used to be size 8-10 and felt like I had it nailed, I’m now 46 and more like 12-14.

I’m also always cold and work is always freezing over winter so I want something warm as well as making me feel confident and look good.

I have ditched skinny jeans and wear more straight legged/boyfriend/mom style jeans now and feel they suit me more now.

I have bought some wider legged trousers from H&M - a black pair and a caramely kind of colour pair and wear them with a jumper and a wool coat. I feel like I look ok.

I also bought a knitted jumper dress from New Look. Wasn’t 100% convinced by it, but now I’ve worn it a few times (and no one laughed 😂) I love it. It hides lumps and bumps, but skims the right places.

I also have a large coat collection, but steer towards smarter wool type coats - I pretty much live in them at work, and feel like they finish off an outfit.

I quite like Pinterest for outfit ideas. In a moment of madness I bought some faux leather jogging bottoms (egged on by a teenage daughter) with no clue how to wear them - once I got some ideas off Pinterest, I actually now love them and wear them a lot.

Widelegged trousers, slim jeans and trainers. I am all about athleisure as I take the Tube often and need to be comfy.

Just ordered a pair of Saint and Sofia apartment pants to be even comfier.

Could you link to the trousers please? bewildering variety on there. Is the fabric thick?

Attached is a screenshot of said trousers. They're heavyweight & don't need ironing, with a sewn in front seam.
Some have little side zips at the bottom which I like opened a little. They did do some slightly lighter weight ones in the summer in pink & khaki, but I think they went in the sale. I have navy, black, pink, khaki & now red 😊.

41 here and currently enjoying wide legged jeans with fitted t-shirts/jumpers and chunky trainers

My pyjamas

60, wearing wide leg jeans, skinny rib polo neck and flatform trainers with a puffer if chilly.

thanks @Cantonet . my size all sold out now but will check back. Not brave enough for red but might attempt royal blue.

Fifty ten … I like newness and the relatively extreme. I’m conscious that there’s no point in waiting to be allowed to wear the loveliest, most extravagant and adventurous clothes - no one is coming to give me permission to present my best self. On the other hand I’m mostly at home in a washed out hoodie, so I do have to try to balance the reality of day to day life with the handful of days a year when I do want to be seen.

I love online shopping - it’s really reinvigorated the fun of finding new stuff. (Though Brexit has scuppered buying from Europe.)

If you can’t bear Insta, OP, I’d suggest some actual print magazines - Vogue, The Gentlewoman, whatever else catches your eye. Chase up any brands you like the look of. Experiment …

Late 50’s, I’m also wearing the M&S wide legged trousers in green, long sleeved t in dark cream, Stan smiths. I love wide legged trousers

I feel the same OP. 47 and still the same size8-10 I've always been but somehow nothing looks right anymore and I never feel good about myself.

Yes to the wide.legged trousers. I have 3 pairs. But I still love the ankle boot tights skirt jumper /shirt combo from years past and can be worn well at any size i reckon!

I’m 48 and still love the trusted go to - good quality fibre jumper and easy jeans, not skinnies anymore though

Slightly messy mid length hair and now my Tom Ford glasses. A few nice bags - Celine if needed

Easy shoes - so flats good quality trainers or boots

I’m 53 and love my midi dresses from mainly Next and M&S, I wear them with a khaki denim , various leather jackets or knitwear.

Bags are my thing as they make me feel good, I just bought a lovely green Gucci Marmont bag so I enjoy build outfits around the bag.

I also feel good in all my Hush leisure wear.

Tbh I am finding jeans increasingly uncomfortable these days with my menopausal tummy. Looking for alternatives that don't look like joggers or leggings.

53, size 14-16. I feel at my best in my winter uniform of grey or navy wide legged trousers or dark wide legged jeans with a fitted cashmere or merino jumper, brogues and a crombie coat. I like not really having to think about what to wear.

Thanks so much, there are some. Great ideas here.

Clearly they need a jeans rethink as I’ve been acquiring jeans as I feel uncomfortable in my once-loved skinnies. Im going to try wide legged, and some different types of trousers. I’ve seen some baby cord ankle length trousers in Seasalt, which I reckon might look good with a cashmere top and chunky boots.

Baggy drawstring yoga pants from Hush, plus a M&S baggy soft fleece. So warm! So comfy!

Or did you mean dressing uncomfortably to please the male gaze? Nope, that does not make me feel good, and forty years of that was quite enough 🤣😬🤷‍♀️

I’ve seen some baby cord ankle length trousers in Seasalt, which I reckon might look good with a cashmere top and chunky boots
That sounds a lovely outfit.

I'm 46, not got lots of money & a size 14-16 but feel good in the outfit I'm wearing today.

Top - white short sleeved broderie peplum top from New Look

Jeans - straight leg frayed hem pale blue denim so rolled them above my ankle, from Primark

Trainers - Adidas Superstars from sale in Office, white leather with black patent stripes & flatform sole.

Jacket - pale pink denim jacket from Next, one of theirs designed for bigger busts!

Also old Topshop checked scarf for warmth, River Island black crossbody & pale pink cord shopping bag. Gold hoop earrings & gold necklace.

Was just going to say- this morning I'm in my M&S wide side stripe trousers, a white t shirt, denim jacket and my fitflop rally trainers and I feel fab!

OP- I know you said you don't like Instagram but I follow Kat Farmer and love almost everything she wears. She's funny as well. She does paid collaboration with M&S so a lot is theirs, but the trousers I've bought since seeing her in them (the side stripes and the navy wideleg) are bloody amazing.

Outdoor clothes I struggle with.

Indoors? Kaftans. Love them.

I am Margo Leadbetter - just a short and fat Margo. And I feel fabulous in them.

As an overweight 54 year old I never wear anything that doesn't make me feel good. I never wear trousers snd wear mainly dresses. Most come from next or Popsy.

I'm an 18/20. I love
Clothes and have far too many.

Wide leg trousers saved my style. I don't suit skinny jeans as I'm an awful extreme sort of apple shape. Large boobs and tummy,
Flat bum and skinny legs.

I wear wide leg trousers /jeans - mostly from m and s, cute blouse with a French tuck or a cashmere jumper.

I'm a bag nut and chose different ones everyday from my collections to go with my outfits.

Always leather shoes, sometimes Russel and Bromley Loafers but I'm a huge fan of m and s suede flat chunky ankle boots too.

I will wear an on the knee leather skirt with ankle boots too. Same type of top as before and I also have an inordinate amount of coats.

Max and co go up to a 16 so I squeeze into their pink virgin wool runaway coat or I have some wonderful leather,
Wool and shearling coats from Karen Millen or the white company.