Here are some going out tops if that's still a thing

[Raggammuffin]

I've spent my whole life trying not to look scruffy as I'm only 5'1''. The photo attached was like my outfit last night, black jeans though. Bit uptight and dark compared to the floaty whites I saw around me.

Last night I had the slight sense of my outfit being wrong. I'm not usually conscious of that, hello 50s. I was in a bar with a restaurant, a casual place but in an expensive villagey location.. I did notice that a lot of the mostly younger women were wearing cropped tops under oversized clothes it seemed to me. Huge shirts over tanned bodies. I'm 5'1'' though, I'm not fat but not skinny. Anything over sized does nothing for me. Anyway, do any of these tops look good? Put it this way, my daughter never pinches anything.

green shimmery fine knit top

royal blue satin finish v neck top

I like both of these and could imagine reaching for them both a lot when I go out but are they a bit dated? I don't mind looking classic but I don't want to look dated. I never worried about looking dated before, i just trusted that my eye would be turned off, but not so sure now. Btw, it's not like I think all the 30 year old women were dressed in the most flattering way. A lot of them don't look their 'best' imo but there was definitely a look and I felt too dark, too 'fitted'. I don't know, I'm bound to be moving in to the Gerry Webber stage of my life.

Ouch, @Lentilweaver - no I definitely didn’t mean that! It’s partly as @NatashaDancing interpreted - I care more about people thinking I look ‘interesting’ - and therefore maybe coming over to talk to me on that basis, than I do about them admiring my figure.

Ah I see. I think I am less interested in clothes as art, and more in flattering and also comfortable clothes.

Thank god autumn is coming. I do much better with autumn and winter clothes because everything is more fitted, and I can just never get out of my jeans!

You seem fixated on the idea that I'm suggesting leggings and a crop top - goodness knows where you're getting that from but I'll leave you to it.

That's exactly it. I get a lot of compliments about my clothes but I assume it's the clothes, not actually me, which is being complimented.

I would also wear this plain silk shirt with wide leg trousers. ( slim leg for the petites) Is that hopelessly dated too? Mulberry Silk Shirt - Bright Green - & Other Stories GB Contemplating buying it.

I think, @NatashaDancing it comes from me not wanting to dress like a 19 year old, which you seemed to take issue with, and which I clarified. Anyway. Fashion is subjective, as we've seen from some of these links! 😧

Anthropologie shirts - no age barriers.

Anthropologie Shirts

I always like the look of the & Other Stories silk shirts, @Lentilweaver. (Though those colours are a tiny bit harsh, and I wouldn’t personally put purple with a black suit. They’ve had colours I prefer in the past.)

I don't really see what you've clarified. You keep going on about it and as if all 19 year olds dress the same. Where have I said I want to dress like a 19 year old ?(although tbh 19 year old me was wearing long Laura Ashley and hippy dresses so maybe I do)

I'm 56 5'5 with a 34F chest so the relaxed baggy look doesn't really work. I've found that the way to update my look is to go for a pair of wide legged trousers and then a more fitted top (and forget the open baggy shirt as it's too casual for my age). THe sports luxe trend has been helpful here as I can wear a skinny knit jumper with a zipped neck over a vest. Unzipping the top over the bust means I can buy a size smaller than if I had to do it up which means that it fits better under the bust. So my day to day outfit of choice might be these trousers https://www.oysho.com/gb/special-prices/linen-cargo-trousers-c1010343001p136654081.html?colorId=800 with this top https://www.johnlewis.com/baukjen-essentials-long-sleeve-zip-top/caviar-black/p109370744?size=8&s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3LDTr-r8gAMVZIpQBh2iowhaEAQYBCABEgK9y_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds worn unzipped over a white vest.

For the evening I'd upgrade the fabric of the trousers to something like this https://www.whistles.com/product/175423.html?istCompanyId=d1d2f30b-0b0e-49ba-b0a8-8d58b49ea1b4&istFeedId=49ad2f42-8f7d-4601-aa76-c1e7224b47b8&istItemId=pplmlipmp&istBid=t&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=19164074637&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=19164074637&utm_content=&utm_term=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjb3R6Or8gAMVke3tCh2C5AweEAQYBSABEgKQe_D_BwE and wear a lace camisole under the top.

Now that's plain but a gazillion times more stylish than the ones the OP linked.

Yes, I would not put purple with black either, maybe with dark indigo jeans.

I like some of those Anthropologie shirts, and they are not as expensive as I feared!

Ok. I think we'll get nowhere with this.
I'm sure you look fantastic and fabulous! As do I 😜 ps at 19 I was favouring the punk look....

I very much like this colour for autumn. Maybe not for the busty ( I am not). Baukjen Ruby LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Top, Dark Cherry at John Lewis & Partners

If you think that because you have a belly look at this, they show the tops on two size models and the larger one still looks good. I think the secret is to wear high waist trousers or skirt with them.

https://grass-fields.com/products/african-print-nahema-self-tie-top?variant=43351959994517

You can't wear a crop top

@TheOGCCL that is so true, you sum up the look now so well, plus yes, I hit my 20s in the 90s and learned to dress to play down my flaws! Fan of tinny and susannah here, I bought their book in the 90s! [Blush]

I like that psylo jumper.

As for dressing to look clever 😅 I don't see how looking good is in any way counter to looking clever. People who talk to me will soon make an assessment on my cleverness! No top can save me.

@Lentilweaver , that purple top is hideous
@GettingStuffed , lovely. At last!
:

Can someone explain why being 5'1" means someone would struggle not to look scruffy?

I see people of all shapes and sizes looking what you might call scruffy

I think what this thread proves is we can all wear whatever we want. There will always be someone looking at us and thinking "Good god what is that?"😁

Glittery jumpers are itchy as hell.

@Lentilweaver , Yes. I don't really notice what other people wear unless it looks particularly good or bad. I always notice footwear though.

@CharlotteBog , I'm not short but often look scruffy. Other than a jacket or top possibly being the wrong length for me it's not because of my height. It's because the clothes don't go together.

I love a shirt and some of those Anthropologie ones are gorgeous.

@GettingStuffed , is it ok to wear clothes like the Grass Fields ones if you have no african heritage? My friend who grew up in the Caribbean says it's fine, but she is of Indian heritage.

Another 5ft 1 person here and I was the proud owner of a new oversized Gerry Weber jacket until I read your post 😀
I really like the burgundy blouse but it's giving me more autumn/ winter vibes.
Have you tried using a personal shopper, I'm guessing by the links that you use some large department stores so that may be an idea.
Not flavour of the month at present but I love Boden for bright , dressy tops.