Androgeny in middle age

[WhatAmIAsking]

Help!
I'm mid 40s, and have a few smart, evening type events coming up.
I haven't been OUT out for a few years, for whatever reason, and suddenly find I have no idea what to wear with my new age and "updated" shape...

In my youth, I generally dressed quite androgenously, and to events like these, I'd wear, say, slouchy, wide pinstriped trousers, flat or chunky shoes/trainers, and a tight top or shirt. Of course, back then, I was skinny (and I like to think quite stylish). Although I'm still fairly slim (size 10), I now have quite a bust, a saggier bum, and am a generally thicker set, with, erm, quite mumsy hair.

Now, I feel like the androgenous style I feel best in will just make me look frumpy and shapeless. Do I have to learn to wear dresses? Help?

Oh, wow - haircut already!

🎉🎉🎉

Could you bear to describe (if a photo feels too much)?

I LOVE that kind of hair decision!
Once it's made it needs done instantly. I bet you feel 100 times better already.

Agree with this!

Don't give into dresses! Your style sounds lovely and theres no need to change just because you age. I'm middle aged (42) and very much embrace an edgy, androgynous style.

I think trouser length important and this autumn it seems long, almost sweeping the floor. If I was a size 10 I would get tailored trousers in a slightly larger size and tailor them to fit in the bum and waist to have that drapy look

You definitely don't ever have to wear a dress if you don't want to, at any age.

I'm not androgynous looking but not particularly feminine either. I wore this outfit to a wedding this year, and even copied the shoes. Iv'e got a chin length bob. I felt nice, and more importantly really comfortable. It's from Poetry, they have lovely silk velvet clothes.

Plumo is another brand that you may like

Not sure if this has already been posted but this IGer is an older woman with cool androgynous style
https://instagram.com/trayslounge?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Honestly I definitely think brogues or loafers rather than converse for a cocktail ish event.

Ive got a pair of leopard print and black suede trainer type shoes from Dune which I wear with slouchy velvet trousers and silk shirt for any ‘posh’ events I go to. It was a couple of years ago but I think they still sell similar.

Oh that's heaven! Time to hide the credit card again...

I love the Poetry suit too. I would wear that for a wedding.

@EdmontinaDonsAutumnalHues I got it cut into quite a short (jaw length) bob with a blunt fringe. Also got a good colour. Honestly, it has helped me so much!

I CURSE all you people posting Poetry clothes. I salivate, I can very rarely afford...

I've ordered two pairs of wide/slouchy trousers to try from Saint and Sofia (never used them before, so no idea what to expect) - one not too expensive, and one very expensive, to get the lay of the land. I ordered these: Camden Wide Leg Pant Black - Women's Trousers | Saint + Sofia® UK (saintandsofia.com) and Demi Wide Leg Pant Black - Women's Wide Leg Trousers | Saint + Sofia® UK (saintandsofia.com)... Not sure about them now I post them, but assume I'll return them and this is just a try. I will update in case anyone's interested!

Feel slightly limited as I really don't like polyester or polyamide these days (like most people probably, I really love bamboo, cotton, silk, fine wool, and happy enough with viscose, Tencel, etc) - which is why Poetry and similar look incredible (though mostly, for me, unaffordable).

You're all so right - this is an amazing world of trousers out there, and none of us needs to go for dresses if we don't want to! Hurrah!