If you're 50ish, what do you wear for a night out?

[Thisismynewname123]

I don't know what looks good anymore. Perimenopausal middle means I can't wear anything too fitted around the middle. I'm very much a jeans and jumper/t-shirt person, with a pair of trainers. I have a few 50th parties coming up, mostly in pubs but parties the none the less, and I just want to feel good about myself. I'm a 12-14 with big boobs. I'm so sick of jeans, but they're my comfort zone and I don't like putting myself out there too much. I found it much easier to dress up jeans when I could wear skinnies, but they look dated now and any alternatives just seem too casual. Desperate for inspiration please.

I'm the same as you. Could you get yourself a "smart" pair of jeans, maybe in deepest black, and then pair them with different tops and nice shoes? I'd say if jeans were your go-to style, stay with it but jazz them up a little.

I just got some flared jeans which I wear with heeled boots and a nice top. Feels much more up to date than skinnies and more flattering too.

@Baldieheid , yes I could but I'm struggling with styling since my skinnies look dated. I do have bootcut/slim flares I'm wearing day to day, but the style is too casual for a party. So slim fit? And if so, what shoes do I wear with them? I can do nice cami top and blazer. It's the bottom half I can't seem to get right.

I got a really smart jump suit for Christmas parties, actually hugely flattering without being at all revealing.

@bluejelly, I was doing the same last winter. Now going into spring I'll feel a bit dull in black jeans/black boots.

I think get some nice indigo or black jeans - bootcut or slim - with chunky heels and a couple of nice tops as it sounds like that’s an extension of your natural style. You should have a decent choice of tops that will be fairly fitted and skim your middle. if you have good boobs a bit of cleavage perhaps?

@rookiemere, thanks for suggestion, but I can't wear jumpsuits at all due to short legs/long torso. They look great on other people with long legs!

I wear a fake leather wrap skirt and tucked in jumper, a black woollen wrap dress and boots, or wide-legged jeans, a bandeau top and a blazer.

If I get some "smarter" new jeans, should I get full length, or ankle grazing? It's the jeans length and appropriate footwear I'm struggling with.

I wouldn't worry. Skinnies and leggings are back in for Autumn 2023. Wear what you feel comfortable in, and you will always be stylish.

I wouldn't worry. Skinnies and leggings are back in for Autumn 2023. Wear what you feel comfortable in, and you will always be stylish.

@KnittedCardi, but with what shoes? Links would help!

Similar age and I feel your pain. I started a similar thread last year and got a lot of patronising twaddle about how age shouldn't be a factor when choosing what to wear, so I'm pleased to see some more constructive answers to your question.

Could you tweak your usual look to wear trousers instead of jeans? Like you, I have a long body and short legs, but I find Jigsaw trousers are the right proportions. ME & EM (though pricey) and Massimo Dutta can also be good.

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow , thanks for the suggestions. ME&EM is unfortunately over my budget but will check out the places you mentioned anyway. I just need to find a shape/fit that I feel good in and figure out what shoes to wear with them!

same size and age but I have a small waist and a huge bottom amd legs. So I wear very fitted clothes around the waist and hide the legs.
so if I were you, I’d look to highlight the best bit. If you have slim waist - skinny jeans/leggings with skimming tops and dresses?

Black boot cut jeans, heeled boots and a nice top

I'd go basic, well fitting bottoms as my "uniform" and then go for broke on the tops. Shimmer fabrics, sequins, whatever you like. If your legs are short, I'd try to have shoes or boots that blend into your trousers - ie black trousers with black boots, so it's harder to see where your legs end and your feet begin. Does that make sense. Then draw the eye up to your top half with colour and jewellery.

Wear a blazer with your jeans, makes it look so much smarter!. I really like a blazer with a satin lace vest, super smart!

Little bit younger but not far off 50...

For winter parties I have some velvet slim trousers from M&S which I wore with a Next lurex top or a lace top from Tesco and shiny flats from New Look. They also go with chunky boots.

Moving into warmer weather I wouldn't rule out skinnies. Yes they feel a little bit dated but they still, in black, give that understated glamour especially if you wear something with a big silhouette on the top or chunky shoes. It's fitted/neat/naice all over that is a bit twee now. And there are no other jeans you can wear so many types of shoes with. So easily glammed with some heels which don't even need to be that high, or metallic sandals.

I have some black skinnies with a raw hem that feel a bit more now - I bought them in Mango last summer, they still sell skinnies and they do cropped versions that are full length on me as I also have short legs, long torso.

My approach is to always go more casual than not. The youngsters now don't bother so much getting all dressed up so you do show your age if you're stood there in a full on party outfit. I think the only places you don't look out of place dolled up now are very formal occasions like weddings, Christenings, the races etc. Which is a shame and people who do do it look great

Black trousers (Boden Hampshires, or old Gap bi-stretch) and a swingy plain top (Cos etc)

What about something like this? Could wear it with boots if you didn't want to wear heels?
https://www.johnlewis.com/jolie-moi-priya-frill-dipped-hem-midi-dress/p109746071

Have a look at backofthewardrobe70 on instagram. She is 50-ish, size 12-14 and always looks really well put-together. She'll take one item, like an M&S pair of trousers, and show you how to put together looks for work, day and nighttime. Very simple looks and often based around one colour, but I've found it really helpful.

@ititsawildwildworld I would wear that kind of dress, but it's not very "Me" to wear it to party in a pub

@stringbean, I will have a look, thank you

Straight jeans that are wide enough and long enough to cover a high heel of some sort.