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Original poster

What shoes should a 40yo wear with this outfit?

120 replies

Positivitie · 10/02/2023 23:08

Orange jumper and navy wide leg trousers in a short length so they look cropped around the ankle.

Do I go for trainers? Navy ballet pumps? Something else?!

OP posts:
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5
Sisisimone · 11/02/2023 09:50

Showersugar · 11/02/2023 09:12

Yes Vogue are advocating ballet pumps for the fashion-forward, designer crowd.

OP, with respect, is not that crowd. She's asking for advice on an extremely tame M&S ensemble, no one will read her as fashion-forward and chic if she wears ballet pumps with that outfit. They will read her as dated. Get real.

Show quote history

So you're caught out not knowing that ballet pumps are on trend and instead of acknowledging that, you come back with an attack on the OPs outfit. What a lovely person you are!

Renoir56 · 11/02/2023 09:51

I'm in my 50s. Definitely wear them cropped, they will look great. Don't wear ballet pumps, they might look cool on younger people with this outfit but I think as we get older we have to be careful not to stray into 'quirky older woman' territory'. I would wear trainers or loafers. I bought really nice fake suede loafers from Tu at Sainsburys a couple of weeks ago.

hiyaKen · 11/02/2023 09:53

Ballet pumps are not flattering

CrkdLttrCrkdLttr · 11/02/2023 09:56

Re: losing your way - here are three alternative bright sweater and trousers options, from & Other Stories, Zara and Massimo Dutti.

(Because I can’t imagine shopping at M&S would cheer me up. And I’m much older than you.)

What shoes should a 40yo wear with this outfit?
What shoes should a 40yo wear with this outfit?
What shoes should a 40yo wear with this outfit?
NatashaDancing · 11/02/2023 09:57

hiyaKen · 11/02/2023 09:53

Ballet pumps are not flattering

In your opinion. I think trainers are ugly. Fortunately for me despite the authoritative statement that "pumps are dated" they aren't and never have been.

I love the poster who can't acknowledge she was wrong turning her mistake in to an attack on the OP.

TheFallenMadonna · 11/02/2023 09:57

As I get older, I find myself embracing a "quirky older woman" look...

That said, I have some fairly chunky dark green trainers that I think would look good with the OP's outfit.

Houseplantmad · 11/02/2023 09:59

Lovely outfit. I’d buy some pointy toe flats or pointy low heels to keep them modern looking. Makes such a difference to wide legged trousers and how they look.

Sisisimone · 11/02/2023 10:08

CrkdLttrCrkdLttr · 11/02/2023 09:56

Re: losing your way - here are three alternative bright sweater and trousers options, from & Other Stories, Zara and Massimo Dutti.

(Because I can’t imagine shopping at M&S would cheer me up. And I’m much older than you.)

Love all of those outfits

MuffinTahp · 11/02/2023 10:11

I got these recently.

What shoes should a 40yo wear with this outfit?
Renoir56 · 11/02/2023 10:12

TheFallenMadonna · 11/02/2023 09:57

As I get older, I find myself embracing a "quirky older woman" look...

That said, I have some fairly chunky dark green trainers that I think would look good with the OP's outfit.

Actually, it is a great look. I admire people who can carry it off. My friend can and always looks amazing. Sadly I cant. I think perhaps what I was describing wasn't the 'quirky older woman' look but more the 'I'll just wear pumps because they're comfy' look. I'm probably explaining this very badly!

NatashaDancing · 11/02/2023 10:14

hopsalong · 10/02/2023 23:30

I think for a 40-yr old (not old!) those trousers are a mistake. Not the wide-legged part (unless you're very short, maybe) but the drawstring part. It looks sort of sad and old-ladyish / small-childish to me when the ties of your trousers are visible. Unless it's PJs. Or you're on holiday. In which case no shoes or slippers or flip-flops would be fine.

Could you find something similar that's a bit more structured?

The drawstring makes me think more Toast/ Bloomsbury set/ arty type who doesn't give a toss for opinions like this.

TheFormidableMrsC · 11/02/2023 10:39

Firstly, don't judge what you wear on your age, wear what you want! However, I'm 53 and with that I'd wear loafers or plain white trainers. Not sports trainers though. Something like all white Stan Smiths.

TheFormidableMrsC · 11/02/2023 10:40

hopsalong · 10/02/2023 23:30

I think for a 40-yr old (not old!) those trousers are a mistake. Not the wide-legged part (unless you're very short, maybe) but the drawstring part. It looks sort of sad and old-ladyish / small-childish to me when the ties of your trousers are visible. Unless it's PJs. Or you're on holiday. In which case no shoes or slippers or flip-flops would be fine.

Could you find something similar that's a bit more structured?

What? That is a very on trend outfit. Not sad and old as you put it Confused

catfunk · 11/02/2023 10:45

I personally wouldn't go for ballet pumps combined with drawstring trousers as I'd still think they were a bit '2005' even if they're coming back 'in' I don't think they are there yet.

I would wear cropped trousers with white stan smiths or birk bostons.

fwiw, I agree with pp that a drawstring waist and thin fabric isn't my thing, I'd be choosing a barrel leg or proper structures wide leg.

CrkdLttrCrkdLttr · 11/02/2023 10:49

In all truthfulness an orange viscose and polyamide zig zag stamped jumper would need to have been designed and produced by much cooler people than M&S employ in order not to seem vaguely tragic.

But I’m sure I’ve made plenty of style choices the OP might find horrific … Grin🤷🏽‍♀️

catfunk · 11/02/2023 10:49

The drawstring makes me think more Toast/ Bloomsbury set/ arty type who doesn't give a toss for opinions like this.

I know some of that lot and they absolutely would not wear this shape trousers (much less from m&s - toast/cos/kin only) they'd be looser around the bum, more ballon/barrel shape and they would 100% never buy polyester...... cotton or linen only dahhhhhling 😂

Showersugar · 11/02/2023 10:57

Saying the outfit is tame is not an attack on the OP, it's a perfectly nice outfit (in fact I think I have those trousers)

AuntieMarys · 11/02/2023 10:59

I have those trousers! I'm 6 feet tall and 63. I'm wearing superga leather trainers. I do have ballet pumps too 🤣

JaninaDuszejko · 11/02/2023 11:21

Trainers or loafers or pointy flats. Ballet pumps still feel dated I think. Fashion magazines are always proclaiming things as being 'back' but that doesn't mean they are.

NatashaDancing · 11/02/2023 11:22

Houseplantmad · 11/02/2023 09:59

Lovely outfit. I’d buy some pointy toe flats or pointy low heels to keep them modern looking. Makes such a difference to wide legged trousers and how they look.

Pointy toe flats would be very nice indeed.

NatashaDancing · 11/02/2023 11:22

Houseplantmad · 11/02/2023 09:59

Lovely outfit. I’d buy some pointy toe flats or pointy low heels to keep them modern looking. Makes such a difference to wide legged trousers and how they look.

Pointy toe flats would be very nice indeed.

Lookingoutside · 11/02/2023 11:30

Definitely trainers in white or nude. Puma Cruise Rider are great. Nice amount of lift and a flattering shape. Or New Balance 327 are really nice too, and more fashionable if that’s your thing.

Enjoy your new clothes OP, I hope you start to feel better ❤️💐

RainyDaysareCarp · 11/02/2023 11:51

A 40 year old SHOULD wear what she wants to surely?

I have my eye on these currently. I need comfort.

What shoes should a 40yo wear with this outfit?
Houseplantmad · 11/02/2023 12:18

@RainyDaysareCarp where are they from please?