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've just noticed M&S now have their wide leg side stripe trousers in a small dog tooth pattern which may interest some...

I'm 52 and a size 16. I really like the style of top in the attached pic; v neck is a flattering neckline for me and the 'pleat' at the front means the top is just loose enough at the bottom to hide my tummy. It helps me feel less self-conscious.

I'm wearing this with bootcut trousers in a thick, soft, stretch fabric and pointed toe shoes or boots. This style really makes me feel good. I have quite a few of the tops in different colours and my trousers are mostly in black & navy. I mostly buy tops that will work with either or both colour trousers or jeans, so I can mix & match.

I've got loads of handbags so choose one that goes well with whichever outfit ive come up with.

My favourite brands right now are Marks & Spencer, Modstrom and Part Two Copenhagen.

I’m 46 and size 12-14. My uniform for the last 3 years has been midi to maxi length dresses worn with trainers in summer and chunky boots / docs in winter. Leather jacket weather now 😁. I have also just discovered long A-line wrap skirts which give me a great waist when worn high and cover all sorts of flab underneath.

From my 40s until now- basically anything which is different from what everyone else is wearing (no jeans, leggings, trainers, nice tops, hoodies) and/ or really good quality materials and/ or a few made to order/ made to measure items.

For work I used to buy a lot of tailored jackets and skirts from a shop in Amsterdam called Pauw or from a local boutique who stocked a French designer, Lillith. Both are really unusual and quirky styling- which was the driver rather than whether they were "in fashion".

I have a very fixed idea of what I want to look like- either 1950s or vaguely boho/ Shaker, but honestly, everything I own makes me feel good (apart from things which no longer fit but are too beautiful to get rid of)

there are some great suggestions on this thread. What footwear are you all wearing with your wide leg trousers? I fancy some black flat form trainers but wondering if that’s nostalgia for my inner 90s raver!

@TheLassWiADelicateAir you sound very stylish. I've just looked up lilith,

I have a soft spot for unusual or dramatic pieces. Probably, why I am drawn to secondhand, as you can usually pick up something different.

@TheStarofCountyDown I usually wear wide-legged trousers with trainers of some sort, or maybe chunky boots.

Also, don't underestimate the power of accessories. You can really change the whole feel of an outfit.

I'm a size 12 hourglass. I like me small waist but hate my butt, which is wide and flat and cellulite-y. How delightful!
I love wide-legged trousers but, because I'm petite, I need to balance then with a more fitted top; which basically means I have to tuck in. Other than a French- or half-tuck, does anyone have any clever suggestions for disguising my butt without also losing waist definition?

Would it not just be easier to build up your arse by doing lots of squats ? Definitely cheaper than trying to buy clothes around it, exercise is free

In the summer I really enjoyed wearing some newly acquired Hush dresses, the smocking around the waist was comfy and flattering and the prints are lovely. For autumn I have a lovely Margaret Howell jacket that makes me feel really good too. It's slightly Monty Don esque and I have some high waisted Boden trousers will be buying some Blundstone boots to wear with it. I have now fully embraced the 'gardener/art teacher' vibe and let my hair go curly too, and I have a lovely red lipstick too.

I feel at over fifty no-one sees me anyway, so I dress for comfort and to please myself.

Learn to ride! Rising trot is brilliant for building butt and thigh muscle :-)

Where for the long A-line skirts, please? They sound good.

I've tried on the M and S wide-legged trousers more than once, but I'm too wide-hipped for them, and they make me look square rather than willowy. Which is odd, because some other wide-legged trousers look good on me -- I have a mouldering pair from Long Tall Sally which I resurrected this autumn that are my current favourite garment.

Any pointers for good jumper/knit dresses that don't have a high neck, anyone?

The M&S wide legged side stripe joggers have gone back. They're just too track suit bottoms for me 🤷‍♀️

😁

A woman after my own heart.

Same.

I went into M&S and tried a pair on the other day and just didn’t like them.

They felt too jogging-bottomy to me and I couldn’t work out how I would wear them.

Thank you. The current iteration of Lillith is more mainstream than what they sold in the late 90s, early noughties.

@TheLassWiADelicateAir I can believe that. I still have quite a few items from the 90s/00s they were well made.

If not into Instagram a good old fashioned blog might be more up your street. Midlifechic.com is good, forensic knowledge of trends, doesn’t advocate ridiculously expensive brands and a mix of work appropriate, going out and holiday clothes.

I’m early 50’s and am reaching more for the wide legged trouser and more fitted top half, denim or leather jacket, big scarf if necessary, nice trainers (Boden often good) or a midi dress and boots for going out

@ShellGrotto

“I have a mouldering pair from Long Tall Sally which I resurrected this autumn that are my current favourite garment.”

I use Vinted to replicate much loved older items like trousers that I know will fit and flatter - worth a try?!

It's never occurred to me, but I have just looked, and no sign good idea, though! These LTS trousers are pretty ancient, though, as trousers go I think they're from the 90s!

I like Vinted too, it can be quite addictive, though!

The M&S wide legged side stripe joggers have gone back. They're just too track suit bottoms for me 🤷‍♀️

I like these, but assumed they were lounge wear/yoga pants/WFH attire?

I feel at over fifty no-one sees me anyway, so I dress for comfort and to please myself

No! This is so wrong. I'm also over 50 and I'm far from invisible. I might dress to please myself, and I like clothes that are comfortable (who doesn't?) - but there's no way I dress on the basis of "no-one seeing me". Being older does not make you invisible!

Btw @ShellGrotto I recently bought a couple of Jaeger (M&S) pure wool/wool and cashmere jumper dresses. They're fab. What's more, they were both under £30 in the sale.

Late 40s here, size 14-16.
In winter I wear a brand called Skunk Funk, they're Spanish, with doc marten boots.
Funky prints, funky shapes, very comfortable, quirky. I've been wearing the same for years!

Same. But then I bought these in green, which I really like www.marksandspencer.com/corduroy-wide-leg-ankle-grazer-trousers/p/clp60571708