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?

None left in a 10 long in any colour 🥺

I’m 47. I’ve recently started wearing low waisted 90s flared jeans. Sometimes with a t shirt but I’ve also bought some crop tops to wear on brave days. I dress like a teenager.

Okay I had to look up the French tuck! Have you tried a half tuck where one half of the shirt is left over the trousers at the front and the other half at the front tucked in?

I know Trinny is tall and thin with an envious figure but she does some good things on YouTube re styling.

@DelphiniumBlue the other thing that you might like to try is a longer shirt to cover your midriff and a shorter tank top over the top so the shirt hangs below the tank. This type of thing but with the tank/vest separate. Apparently the tank should be fairly short, above the hip.

www.next.co.uk/g6398s6/m96540?dp=a&dndl=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwt_F58zg-gIVeJBoCR0-LguDEAQYBiABEgLhCPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#m96540

@meateatingveggie click to be informed when they are back in stock. They restock regularly.

@EllaPaella I was the other way and had to size down. Plus, at 5ft 11 I had to send all the long lengths back and buy regular.

I have to dress up a bit for work, but when I'm not working I live in boyfriend or straight leg jeans, cashmere jumpers, oversized shirts with the sleeves rolled up, Chelsea boots, loafers or brogues and a small cross-body bag. Occasionally I'll wear trainers. In autumn and winter I love a parka or oversized wool coat in a subtle colour like blue (not navy) or burgundy. Brands I love (which I know are a bit spenny - don't come at me!) are: Citizens of Humanity or Levi's for jeans, Eric Bompard or M&S for cashmere, anywhere for shirts - I just like them 100% cotton and oversized, Penelope Chilvers for boots, Russell & Bromley for loafers and brogues, Tusting for bags and Adidas for trainers. I love Maxmara and Katherine Hooker for coats, but those are real investment pieces. Me and Em is also great for all sorts of bits and pieces - especially trousers and dresses.

Also, having worn straight leg or boyfriend jeans for years, I've recently been eyeing up some boot cut jeans to wear with heeled boots this winter. I want some that are slightly boyfriend fit so they're not too tight.

Midi skirts esp jersey, m ad s are good at these

Great thread OP. I’m 50.

I wear dresses a lot both summer and winter. In the summer either a mini length (I’ve got good legs) or a midi. Will add a light jacket depending on weather and wear with either sandals or trainers.

Winter - I wear a lot of mini knitted dresses with black tights and biker boots. Or a skirt and jumper.

Jeans - I’ve kept a pair of skinnies for wearing tucked into boots but these days I mostly wear straight leg, relaxed slim fit (Next) or girlfriend. Recently bought a slim flare from M&S which are fab. Add a long sleeved top/light knit/warmer knit depending on weather.

I love coats and jackets and have far too many! Current faves are a black leather biker jacket (Massimo Dutti) and a tan suede jacket (Hobbs).

A few things:

• Trinny style colour coordination, so not too matchy matchy but not plain or uncoordinated. Easier if you buy from a similar colour palette and/or don’t just rely on black - Trinny rarely wears black. I like it when I realise two patterned things I have work together
• Wearing things more on the loose side rather than squeezing myself into a smaller size. Sizes mean nothing these days so I have items ranging from XS to L. I’m probably a size 10 though hard to know
• Jeans - I just love how effortless they are and suitable for so many occasions. Still wearing skinnies, just with looser silhouettes on top, but other types too. Just not too high rise as that’s uncomfortable
• Lots of layering - so you can wear a tight top but then layer over a shirt or blouse, then a jumper or jacket
• High necklines - to hide my turkey neck but also because I think it looks more modern. Again layering and oversized stuff helps with this, especially as I’m a FF cup
• Focusing on basics- I used to get enticed by fancy cardigans or jumpers but distinctive items like that can be challenging as they can often only be worn one way, and people notice it, and you are also more likely to get bored
• Tucking things in and using a belt to add interest - I used to have things hanging out, draped over my bust, but actually wasn’t that flattering
• I think shoes/boots are key, I struggle with these but the right ones can unlock lots of outfits

I have worked hard to reclaim my waist back from peri-menopause and have a nice hourglass shape, so have to avoid a lot of the current trends e.g. oversize, wide leg, which add bulk in the wrong places and throw my 'lines' off balance.

So it may not be the zeitgeist but I'm dressing for my shape which means one of the following combinations;

• 7/8 tapered pants e.g. girlfriend jeans, rolled up joggers, with a fitted or tucked in top.
• legging/jeggings (I know, I know!) with a top that mostly covers my bum either half tucked or with a shaped jacket over, to give me definition at the waist.
• a belted or fitted dress, knee to midi length.

All of the above with flat but not super bulky trainers, boots or sandals.

All my longer jackets and coats are belted, or very nipped in at the waist.

Dresses. I want to pluck up the courage to make dresses my everyday wear.
Even if it's much harder to find dresses that work, when I do find one, I feel so good. Why don't I wear what makes me feel good. Hmm

I second this! I love dresses too. My favourite are oversized sweater dresses or a belted longer length dress - the ideal dress finishes mid-shin or a shade lower. Worn with chunky boots and/or loafers or brogues. Dresses are so easy as they are an outfit in one item. You don't need to worry about coordinating different items. I agree it is hard to find good ones.

I'm 51. I let my hair silver during lockdown and when everything opened up the first thing I did was have my colours done.

I can't tell you how much easier it makes clothes shopping and eventually your wardrobe just blends.

I have a certain style at work (senior in tech industry) wide leg trousers, funky dresses but casually I'm into leather/pleather joggers, trainers, and I layer tops and jackets.

I also have a couple of nice hats, trilby style mainly.

I just posted about leather joggers, Suzy D have vegan leather/pleather joggers, they are very comfortable, look cool and super flattering. Several different colours, great alternative to jeans.

I'm nearer to 70 now than I am to 50 but I remember the style curve ball that is the menopause very well. I didn't put on a lot of weight but the distribution changed. Suddenly my arse was a couple of inches nearer the floor, my jawline had sagged, my arms and thighs were wobbling and I had boobs. Not that I was aware of any of that at first. All I knew at first was that my favourite clothes didn't look good any more. So things that got me through:

Discovering decent underwear. 'Bra intervention' threads don't seem to be a thing any more but I went into Bravissimo wearing a 32B and came out in a 28F. It changed everything.

Reviewing my whole wardrobe. I'm not normally one for culls but I did move out everything high necked (drew the eye to my jowls which were never going to change) and a lot of sleeveless stuff. Also floaty, flowery frocks didn't feel right any more. I craved structure.

This next tip doesn't translate very well in austerity driven, eco conscious, internet shopping times but anyway, I went round loads and loads of (real) shops and I tried on things I'd never considered before. I experimented, let myself make mistakes and instead of listening to style gurus yammering on about 'investment dressing' I bought cheap until I felt more confident again. I know that tip hasn't aged well but it's the truth.

Instagram wasn't a thing then and I'm glad. I watched real people instead, and still do: all ages, women and men. I watched Muslim teenage girls in traditional dress who made style statements through their headscarves and their phone cases, old men in tweed jackets and beautifully cut suits. You get the idea. And no, I don't live anywhere remotely fashionable.

I started scrolling past any post that began, 'I'm 40 now and I know what suits me....' Which is harsh but quite honestly they have no idea.

And I stopped worrying and learned how to enjoy the process all over again. No-one was looking, nobody was going to notice or care if I got things wrong.

Finally and for what it's worth, my go-to outfits at the moment are: straight leg jeans and T with either a men's suit jacket or a men's cardigan. Or wide leg jeans / trousers with a 1940s/50s/60s jacket (I have a lot of vintage clothes) or a loose fitting but tucked in V-neck jumper (or a silk or linen shirt in warmer weather). And flat shoes - that's not a new thing, I've always worn flats.

I mostly love wearing colour as I find it joyful.
Neutrals are very much not for me, I find them dull and depressing. I also don't enjoy dressing to look "sexy". I have ditched my underwired bras and high heels.
I enjoy wearing comfortable and tactile clothes. Loving wearing corduroy right now and when it's colder I love a brightly coloured faux fur coat.

I wear jumper dresses a lot. Wearing one now from H&M with straight leg jeans and 'cool' trainers 😆
I've got a few from Phase Eight. My favourite is a mottled pink wool dress. I wear with soft wool navy snag tights and DMs. I'm 43, used to be skinny and have struggled to stop wearing clothes that suited me when I was a size 8. I've been a 14-16 for some time now!

I have some Saint & Sofia wide leg trousers but can't work out what to wear with them - am too round for a fitted top or even a French tuck..

You're not alone. I can't wear the crop tops or short jumpers that make sense with wide trousers. I have a definite "gunt" and no desire to flaunt it.

My most recent purchases were from Anthropologie (Somerset dress) Urban Outfitters (corduroy trousers) and fatface (corduroy midi shirt dress). Am going to the Shoreditch Uniqlo tomorrow and will probs snag something from there although their colours tend to be a bit dull for me.

I have always been a pear shape and now have the menopausal tummy. Revelation last week was trying on the Mom fit (dreadful name) jeans in M&S. No huge gape at the back and a slightly loose but not baggy fit on the thighs.

I love dresses but hate tights.

Thank you. Also saw some nice corduroy trousers on M and S while I was trying and failing to get the stripy trousers:) Really gorgeous colours like bottle green and burgundy.

Also am struggling to accept that I have no place to wear nice clothes as am now WFH and have lost the habit of socialising in the pandemic. I go to London theatres or gigs often but everybody there is wearing jeans! . It's a more casual aesthetic for sure. I have good legs but cba to wear dresses.

Fellow apples, I wear my widelegged trousers with a semi fitted shirt rather than a cropped tee or short jumper. No one wants to see my tummy.

I’m wearing super wide leg jeans, a centre parted Bob and a Jesus and Mary Chain t shirt😁

Will put on Nike airforce when l go out. And a jacket like Paul Heatens from The Beautiful South.

When l first had my hair cut l thought l looked like one of the Happy Mondays. Now I like it. I guess I’m rocking a 90’s vibe!

I’m 58. Get lots of compliments. Especially my hair. Which is silver round the front.

@jeaux90 I have just picked up a pair of pleather joggers from the charity shop for £7 😊. I was thinking they would be great in the cold and wet, as I am reasonably active and walk in all weathers!

I do like trousers, can and do wear most styles (longer legs, quite tall) except tapered trousers, as they go against my shape - no hips. I have never had a very defined waist or very flat stomach, so I have always dressed to accommodate these to some extent.

I think I saw a pic from her blog further up thread, but I really like The Silver Kat's style.

I love Autumn with its jumpers, scarves, coats and boots!

My Saint and Sofia Apartment pants just arrived. I think I may have found my smart casual non-jeans comfy alternative! The fabric could be thicker and they run a little big, but they sit really well on my belly. Might buy more colours.

Warning: apparently their customer service is terrible if you have returns.