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?

Enjoying this thread too. On decent underwear, has anyone tried Skims? I have been browsing their stuff, but not got round to trying. Looks good. I need a balcony/balconette style bra because of my shape, and I hate tight knickers!

Agree that Raey is a good source of inspiration, and if you like that silhouette, COS do a good high street approximation. I am currently waiting for these high waisted, but narrower-legged, slightly cropped trousers in brown
www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/348888302394962279/ but the delivery is taking ages, and I hope it's worth the wait! The product came up on Pinterest (which is quite a good way of finding stuff that's in your taste,).

I’d focus on a nice well cut coat, beautiful scarf and a great haircut/colour for starters.

Then you can start on a winter capsule wardrobe of colours that suit you, follow with skincare, accessories etc

I picked up my M&S wide leg trousers (the £35 ones) today and LOVE them! I'm a size 12 but ordered both 10 and 12 thanks to this thread and will be keeping the 10s.

Unlike a PP, I think they are perfect for work - mine have the pink and gold stripe combo so I might look in Uniqlo tomorrow for a plain jumper to wear with them, plus trainers.

Thank you wise MN fashion mavens - I would never have tried these on if I just saw them in the shop but they'll be perfect for work this winter and only £35!

I saw the sparkly ones today @Perfectlystill. They're cute!
I returned the Red Side Striped M&S Pants, as I've now got 4 pairs of these and that's probably enough. Plus they're pretty recognisable in red.
I did try on & keep some cropped flared faux leather leggings though. I wanted a cheaper version of the leather autograph equivalents in the first picture. The faux leather really does look surprisingly good.

Those trousers look great @Cantonet and what a steal compared to three hundred quid!

Well I’ve gone absolutely crazy in the Boden sale and treated myself to 3 cashmere cardigans, no doubt they will take as much care and attention as a newborn but I am looking forward to staying cozy this winter. 25% off too good to miss

I love a good maxi dress these days over trousers. Have bought some nice ones from Cos and Boden lately. I recently
splurged on a Ralph Lauren long winter coat and I love swishing about in it! So for me it’s all about the long lengths. That and a decent pair of arch supporting shoes :)

I’m 47, 5’10 and probably a size 12 nowadays - I used to be an 8 and could wear anything.
I’ve just had a wardrobe meltdown- nothing looks nice or works anymore so I have settled with m&s Indigo skinny jeggings in a cerise colour with a blue jumper with light blue stars. I feel horrid but at least the bright colours are cheery.
when I go out I’ll chuck on my pink Superga hitops and a puffa jacket

Could someone say some more about these fitted cardis, jackets which look so well with wide legged trousers?(and maybe define a waist) Thank you.

Today I wore a White Stuff grey cord midi skirt, Seasalt Larissa shirt, tights ankle boots. I'm size 14 and 70

Try the personal shopper at John Lewis

Watch Bad Sisters for some fashion inspo. Some gorgeous clothes worn by the 5 sisters.

A few people clubbed together for my friends 50th and bought a voucher for John Lewis. She booked a personal shopper (free) and came back with lots of new outfits that looked fantastic.
I'm thinking of asking for the same thing for my birthday soon. Even if I could get into my pre kids clothes, they wouldn't suit me and I'm not sure how to dress me now.
Maybe this would work for you?

But almost everything on that site looks horribly dated, garish and cheaper than it actually is, @Soccermum123 …

Even women over 40 are allowed to look stylish.

Thanks for this I have been feeling the same. I am perimenopausal and 50 next year and have gained a thicker waist than I had previously, boobs have increased (they were never small) and suddenly have a small bum never had one before. I have been a 14 top and 12 bottoms for years now firmly between 16-18 (shock horror) top and 14-16 bottoms depends on wear I buy them. Full time carer to the boys with additional needs so I don't have to be as smart. Currently leaving in flared bottom high waisted jeans (some how flattering) and goodies or jumpers/sweater and smart fitted shirts. Wide leg trousers are also good. Let's embrace this new body type.

@Cheli83 I am early 50s and also a full time carer for my youngest dd who has additional needs. I tend to try to mix functional with (hopefully) stylish. Your wide-legged jeans/jumpers/shirts sound great!

I wear a lot of jeans of various shapes: straight, flared, jog jeans and wider trousers. I also wear mini skirts with thick tights or leggings, as they're easier for walking and moving around. Usually with trainers and chunky boots. I do mix in accessories with more functional items. Hats, scarves, sunglasses, jewellery to keep it feeling more like me.

@quirkychick yes love to wear a nice bit of jewellery too. Recently cut my hair so giving the hats a break but will definitely need it when it gets cold. Have a great weekend.

Im not in my 40s or 50s yet but I have acquired a new "tip" that's working wonders so will share in case it can help anyone else. I've stopped looking at the clothes I like and have started focusing on the shape and colour. So I know that skater style dresses and skirts suit me best and that jeans or any type of trouser doesnt really. I feel really lovely in the dresses and skirts, and fat and frumpy in the trousers and jeans. I like earth tones, so now as long as I buy the right shape and colour, I'm golden and feel fab in everything, no matter whether it's my style or not!

Oh yes to looking at shape and colour. Totally agree with this. I'm 49 and finally know what suits me and my shape!

I think there are 3 things:

1. Colours that suit you
2. Shapes that suit you
3. What suits your (life) style

It does allow you to filter out stuff that is no good. Photos are great, because it let's you really see what clothes look like on you.

A great jumper always does it for me. Got a couple of fab ones from Laundry B last year.

@Cheli83 @quirkychick i am also a full time carer for my bed bound DD now aged 23 and I have to do pretty much everything for her. Until a few years ago (2018) i slobbed around in leggings and felt like sh*t but decided after seeing a. Really stylish woman when we were in a city hospital to up my game. So now I buy clothes that I love but that are practical for my life. That means jeans, dresses or skirts with pockets that still mean I can run up stairs, lean over, get grubby, sit on the floor ( when she falls) etc. It has made so much difference to how I feel. Because I rarely go out it's only me and her that see it (DH appears to be blind to what I wear) but it also cheers her up that I take care of myself. I use bits of my carers allowance to my clothes ( I am extremely lucky in that I can afford to do so at the moment). I hang out on the outfit of the day thread if you want to join in.

I completely get what time are saying. It can be hard to make an effort when you are caring for your child. My friend turned 50 in September and got really glammed eyelashes and everything it really boosted my self confidence sometimes I forget that I am still an attractive woman regardless of everything else.

I'm sure it probably makes me a middle-aged cliche, but off the back of this thread my new favourite outfit is the M&S wide legged trousers in black, with a black cashmere crew neck and some MV black platform trainers. I think this may be the first time since lockdown that I actually feel 'put together' and I love it!

As an aside, I haven't worn black for years, but stopped dying my hair four years ago (at 50) and let the full grey grow in. It did require re-thinking colours on my top half entirely, but I have mostly gone for the brighter colours. However, I am lucky to have a very silvery grey, and what do you know? - I think black works for me again now.

@Sooverthemill and @Cheli83 I agree. I think it works for me on two levels. Firstly, I love clothes and fashion, so it's a positive in my life and secondly, I feel like myself and it's easy to lose your sense of self being either a carer or mother - so win win. I always remember what someone once said on an old style & beauty thread about it not taking any more time to put on stylish clothes in the morning than any other (it might take you longer to find them, though 😁).

@Whitney168 my hair is silver, too. I find I wear the same colours, but need to be mindful of contrast now I don't have the contrast with dark hair, anymore. Wearing dark colours against silver hair gives that contrast and can look stunning. Bright colours can really lift you too, absolutely.