Which top?

[OldGrannyish]

Friend's 50th birthday. DH doesn't like one because it's too grannyish and MIL says that one is better (but then, she is a granny!)
Which is better? I prefer one over the other, but my fashion sense is questionable

Black jeans and probably a dark blue (or black?) cardigan with it

That's news to me!

OP you're 42! I'm shocked, i was expecting you to say early 60s. You're 42 and slim, why all this dull office wear? step out of your comfort zone a bit and try some of the suggestions posters have made. You will feel differently once you see yourself in the mirror.

Hilarious how so many posters have slated the two blouses, (and theb subsequent ones the OP posted,) and named them frumpy and grannyish - WTF does grannyish even mean?! How ageist! And they have posted links to alternative blouses and various outfits. The majority of which are minging. Puffy shoulders, lacey, satin etc... I would not be seen DEAD in these (that a pp posted on page 1 & 2.)

Lavallière-Neck Bow Silk Blouse - White - & Other Stories GB

Relaxed Lavallière-Neck Blouse - Cream - & Other Stories GB

And these 2 from page 3

Chlo Shirt - Ecru - Silk - Sézane (sezane.com)

Beige Silk V-Neck Top – Mint Velvet

All minging, and so are many others! Yet they're bashing the OP's examples!

I like the selection @IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads put at 15.33 but they're very expensive. £50-£70 for a blouse is out of many peoples budgets.

@OldGrannyish There is NOTHING wrong with the blouses you posted at 16.13 either. Ignore the nasty comments like 'eww no - are you 84?' Stupid, rude comments. There's nothing wrong with them. As I say, it's rich coming from the posters who are posting a bunch of utterly minging tops and passing them off as nice! That putrid diarrhoea coloured suit that @awaynboilyurheid posted at 18.41 is vom-inducing.

Wear what you feel comfortable in OP!

I’m surprised I like this, don’t usually like black and white and such a large pattern, but it’s very nice!

I agree these are both pretty crap options. Can you go to a department store like John Lewis or even M&S and you’ll find better options. X

I thought the same! Awful! A pussy bow makes the wearer look like a Christmas present 🤣

If you're 42 and an 8-10 you have the pick oh whatever you want to wear!

How long until your party? Do you have time to do something like stitch fix? I was stuck in a style rut for a couple of weddings and a hen party I had last year and I requested complete outfits and told them the occasions and they really came through for me. There's a lot of questions to fill out about your shape, lifestyle and style, and wee quizes asking if you'd ever wear a pictured item, so they can really nail down your style. You can write a personalised message to your stylist and put in all the information you have here, and what you need. It's £10 for each fix, but the £10 comes off whatever you decide to keep, and it's free to return whatever you don't like. Highly recommend.

Pink Wrap Cotton Jersey Top | Oliver Bonas

What about this one, it would look lovely with black jeans and a black jacket.

MINGING! 😩

the short sleeved one and some silver jewellery but no cardi!

Oh loving dark grey zipped t shirt on this site £59

Not remotely "minging"

https://m.shopcider.com/goods/metallic-button-up-long-sleeve-blouse?style_id=130023&gaListId=0&gaListName=search_list_Blouse&ciderListId=4&p=1028247&ciderListName=search_list_Blouse&selectSkuIndex=0&moduleTitle=1&shopPage=4&shopIndex=79&listSource=search%3Bsearch_word%3B0&listSort=&listId=0&listFilter=&linkUrl=&operationContent=&operationImage=&operationpageTitle=&operationPosition=&operationType=&productPosition=80&listName=recommend_list_search&list_filter=&operation_content=&operationpage_title=&operation_position=&operation_type=&product_position=80&strategyName=&moduleType=&listType=4&listTitle=search_list_Blouse&businessTracking=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%3D%3D
Tucked in to black jeans

The first one looks like the sort of top that they would wear in a bank as uniform and the second is better but if you can send it back then do so. I'm older than you and I think that my granny would bin them both. A jewel coloured top would be nice and you can dress it up with a smart cardi or jacket and/or jewellery. Simple is elegant and can look far more expensive than it is. Think about how Meghan Markle dresses, plain colours.

Agreed, that's awful and something my 85 year old MIL would wear.

Hehehe I did think it was an unusual colour but liked it! just shows you no wonder op confused we all have such different taste and style, good luck op!

I guess one person's minging and fussy is another person's pretty.

Am going out to a nice restaurant on Tuesday and am wearing a plain black knit tshirt ( Zara) with grey wideleg trousers ( M and S) and a chunky silver necklace. Red bag. Boots. Not trendy but suits me.

I can't be bothered to keep up with these fashions. They are so unflattering. Floral and puff sleeves makes me look like a sofa. It seems to get anything halfway nice you can't shop on the high street and have to go for silk blouses.

John Lewis Personal Stylist

If you have time before the party, or even for later, you could try the JL personal shopping service? It's free, you just need to book it. They'd be able to give you advice on different looks to suit you, and they do all the running around the shop for you. No obligation to buy anything either (although obviously that's the idea). You can take their ideas and then shop around online later 😉

Now that is beautiful and very classy

Tried to find something in linen.
I think it always looks beautiful.
Wow just noticed the price…..well, something like that anyway.

I like these tops, they should be flattering for any figure and would look good under a jacket. I like that they’re a simple shape and smart, as someone who doesn’t dress up very often either I wouldn’t feel like I’m wearing fancy dress iyswim.

God no and I'm 57

But wouldn't linen look wrong with black jeans? summery v wintry? I don't know, I always think linen looks a mess, always creased!

Reminds me of Maggie Thatcher.

I like the black and white Phase Eight top on the previous page. That would go nicely with your black jeans. It’s probably not out of your comfort zone either,