What to wear on a night out- no confidence or fashion sense!

[SimonsCow]

cocktail bar, clubbing etc.

it’s a hen do. I am in my 40s. Tired mum type. Just want to not look it! Also really don’t think I can handle heels so what the hell do I wear on my feet? Have some flatform sandals but is that too dressed down!?

That zebra one! It's so cool!

I know! Terrifying! I think it’s a typical hen do type of city so I won’t be the only person in my 40s feeling out of place I expect.

I don’t look good in trousers at all really and don’t own a nice pair. I may have some shorter dresses that will work but my legs are not a good feature.

Do you have peirced earrings? I'd get some sort of statement earrings to go with it and a rock chick bag.

Which dress do you mean? Neither are shapeless on me- both are very fitted, tight around my torso and show off my waist and bum.

I like the zebra, but would be worried about getting hot in it?

yes, that’s my concern

Zebra - definitely!

Ah no I was referring to previous suggestions - your dresses look good.

Do you have anything else? Come on, let us trawl through your wardrobe

What's the dressing up culture where you live? (I.e Liverpool & Essex are well known for glam, Newcastle is a complete mix, I hear London is fairly casual in style now.

I live in a small, upmarket market town. A fitted dress would be completely over the top.
I went out last weekend, cocktail bars and late night dancing, and wore flat sandals, and a slightly cropped vest with the below skirt. The skirt got lots of compliments.
https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1166804004.html

Another in our croup wore smark khaki trousers with a pleated front, and a white halterneck top, with flat sandals. Another wore a floral midi dress, I think with small heels, and one wore a satin midi skirt.

My 19 year old is a regular clubber, and normally wears parachute pants with a fitted top and trainers.

What I took from the night out, is that for that for the first time in my life, when people say anything goes, it's genuinely true! Normally I take that with a pinch of salt, but the range of outfits from smart to casual was very broad.

So, that being said, what do you feel comfy but still dressed up in? If you want to wear flats, will a shorter dress make you feel a bit more dressed up?

LOVE the zebra 😍

I have a v similar zebra dress (just with lower neckline for big boobs) and would totally go for that one with sandals like these and a bold lip colour.

silky and lace details are on trend. Also asymmetric hems. Pop on eBay and grab something for a tenner!

www.asos.com/prd/204248968?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

www.boohoo.com/drape-chiffon-long-sleeve-bodysuit/GZZ49708.html?color=173

I quite like a skirt/bodysuit combo like above, depending on the other hens style I might go for something a bit more glitzy like below. Would wear with black ankle boots.

www.asos.com/prd/202528336?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

Or, I don't think you can go far wrong with a tea dress.

Wear the Zebra dress with chunky boots and a biker jacket if you want.
I've stopped buying something for an event it's nearly always a mistake, most people already have something suitable and you definitely do.

I really like your zebra dress but I'd also be worried about overheating. The other dress is nice too but for lunch rather than clubbing.

I love the black midi skirt from H&M that someone posted above, I have one fairly similar that I wear loads and get a lot of compliments on. In summer I generally wear it with a tucked in loose vest and flatform sandals.

I went on my sister-in-law’s hen. Do an honest to goodness nobody is expecting a mid 40s mum to go clubbing with them. I did the chocolate making things I did the bottomless brunch, bought loads of two-for-one cocktails. Got extremely drunk and was home by 4 o’clock in bed asleep.

Go for an early start and an early dart

Haha! Really nothing other than a few dresses similar in style. I would loooove to find something that is not ‘me’ but I still feel comfortable and attractive in but everything suggested so far is quite far out of my comfort zone. I won’t be getting my arms out at all.

What sort of club and cocktails though, I would go for something funky and rocky chicky

No way would I wear (and never have) worn a dress for a night out.

Very relatable 😂

What would you wear? Not sure I can pull off funky or rock chick!

I don’t know when we will end up. Most likely a gay bar.

I was at a hen do at the weekend, same idea, cocktail bars and clubbing. There were 18 of us and not a single person wore heels. Mostly just sandals or trainers. Some were in dresses, mini, midi and maxi, some wore skirts, some were in playsuits and jumpsuits. Most of us were in our 30's. Just wear what you are comfortable in.

In my younger days (Im older than you) and when I could still fit into funky clothes, it would be fitted trousers, probably shellys or DM brogue type shoes, or wedge suede ankle strap shoes if I fancied a bit of height, with a sparkly top (in an ironic fashion!), also did not have uncovered arms but if you're slim capped sleeves would look nice.

Its about the hair and make up, think Marc Bolan

Now Im losing weight and this will be my go to type look again

Smart little handbag, clutch type

But the thing is it’s not like I’m massively older than everyone else and they’ve all got kids too! The bride is 35 so her friends range from early 30s to mid 40s. Im not planning to skip out early.

What about something like this top?
https://shop.mango.com/gb/women/shirts-blouses/asymmetrical-oversized-blouse_57010736.html

You sound super cool @bellac11