60th birthday outfit ideas please

[Karmagician]

Hi. I'm going to be 60 in a couple of weeks and am really trying to come to terms with it. Although it's said I 'don't look my age' (whatever 60 looks like) and I've always been quite fashionable (in a slightly alternative way), I feel I've lost my way a bit style wise. I'm heavier than I'd like to be (Size 14, 5'7") and just feeling a bit bleugh. But I'm having a small party for my birthday and would like to buy something new to wear for the occasion. Hopefully it will be warm and we'll be in the garden - although no guarantees. Something quite casual I think. Any ideas gratefully accepted!

You haven't mentioned your budget or any particular style other than fashionable/slightly alternative so I've no idea if this fits the bill but let's start somewhere! I was 60 this year and got a casual dress from Toast that I felt fabulous in for my birthday do.

This is floral so lovely for a garden gathering and I think looks modern. It comes in green or burnt orange and the cut should skim any lumps and bumps if you are feeling a bit heavier than you would like.

https://www.toa.st/products/hedgerow-print-crepe-shirt-dress-burnt-orange

Thanks - this dress is lovely and very much my style. Might not be exactly what I'm looking for for this occasion but it has prompted me to look at Toast as it's not somewhere I've shopped before and looks like they have some interesting clothes.

I think this co-ord set would be lovely for a casual but celebratory birthday at home.

https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/tops/blouses/product.oversized-denim-off-the-shoulder-blouse-blue.1223233001.html

And each piece would be valuable separately through the Summer.

Ooh, Cos is a good call, great for interesting shapes!

How about this?
https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.asymmetric-printed-midi-dress-beige.1219136002.html

Ah thanks both - really love that co-ord, but just not sure if it would suit me. I have spent many hours looking at COS over the years, but don't think I've ever bought anything from there - except perhaps a nice boxy T-shirt. I love the unusual shape of their clothes, but I really need half a day in one of their stores to just try everything on and see how it looks! Maybe I should just order the co-ord and try it?

Why ever not?

In truth it’s one of the few places where trying on in store is worth doing if you can, because the sizing can seem irregular - but otherwise, with something like the elasticated shoulder top, it would be sensible to order at least two sizes.

What I like about it for a 60th birthday gathering is that it’s really foxy () and tough and unexpected - so a great introduction, for your friends and family, to @Karmagician In Her Sixties. (No timid little floaty frock …) Shoulders are a wonderful area to expose, even for those who have doubts about weight or arms or whatever. And you’ll probably look impressively statuesque in the long denim skirt. I’m much shorter but if I had anything to celebrate this year (60th now a pleasant memory …) I’d be buying them myself.

@Nocashforcashmere that might be a good buy for a smart Autumn lunch? Bit wintery for midsummer in your own garden?

I love the dramatic toughness of the co-ord and agree about shoulders being a good thing to show off if self-conscious about other less-toned bits of a body. And giving family and friends a bit of a shock if they are expecting a floral midi!

I just wondered if so much solid dark colour could be a little draining under an English summer sun that so far hasn't done much to temper a winter pallor. But then I'm pale and it's difficult to step out of one's own well-worn reactions to stuff.

Definitely worth ordering a couple of sizes and giving it a go OP! Like you, I've spent many an hour over the years trying on Cos. It's one of those brands that needs a body inside the clothes to know whether they work.

Brilliant thank you both so much. Think I’ll order the co-ord and try it . As you said before Country Cousin I can always mix and match - perhaps the skirt with a white linen shirt or the top with different bottoms. I’m loving these culottes: https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/trousers/product.wrap-front-culottes-beige.1215465002.html

I also love this co-ord, but the khaki sadly out of stock in my size:
https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/trousers/product.wide-leg-linen-drawstring-trousers-yellow.1228573003.html

The ‘do’ is on 6th July (from early evening) and at the moment it looks like it will be more average July temperatures, so I hopefully won’t end up a sweaty mess!

Next challenge will be shoes! 😂

Flat mules and a pedicure? Loads here:

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman-shoes-l1251.html?v1=2353418

That’s the nice thing about hosting at home - you can wear a skirt that brushes the ground and footwear that would be impossible on the Tube or traversing busy streets.

(I like the other things you’ve linked - but they’re less grand and statement-y. The khaki co ord is a great more everyday set though!)

I’m older than you. I’d personally be inclined to wear smart trousers with a glamorous blouse or top, possibly in silk. Things you’d get more wear out of later rather than a floaty frock.
Brora has a few eg this
https://www.johnlewis.com/brora-floral-block-print-ruffle-collar-silk-blouse-ocean-multi/p111503277

or this site has a varied collection if you scroll through.Depends on what you like to wear.

https://www.hollandcooper.com/collections/womens-shirts

😴

Too … predictable. Too … ‘nice’.

I'm a year ahead of you and haven't quite come to terms with it yet! I'm also told I don't look my age (but maybe people are just being nice!) and I'm fortunate enough not to have any greys yet.

I like Ro and Zo dresses - you can buy direct from their website, or John Lewis. I also love a Danish brand, Kaffe, which I buy from www.jonzara.co.uk though I have just discovered that Next online do it too! Though I have my eye on a lovely Taifun one, cobalt blue, white and black...!

Do you have to be so rude Country? Everyone else is just trying to help Karma look terrific on her special day and your nasty tone is a total buzzkill.

Lots of people like to wear predictable and nice clothing.

Wearing a ridiculously oversized off the shoulder denim top with strange maxi denim skirt would look dreadful on me (turned 60 this year). And we're all different - so not saying it wouldn't suit someone out there!

Yes lots of people do prefer predictable and nice clothing but the op has described her style as 'quite fashionable (in a slightly alternative way).' This is also her 60th and she's going to be the centre of attention.

I'm afraid I'm not much use with suggestions op and I rarely buy new clothes these days but, for what it's worth, my 60th birthday do was a take-away for 12 people, and I bought a Vivienne Westwood trouser suit that I found on the last day of the sales.

I wanted something that was fabulous, wearable - and it's both - but also slightly out of my comfort zone. Because if you're not going to leave your comfort zone when you're 60, well when are you?

Be more Vivienne?

Exactly!

Have you looked at Plumo? I'm nearly your age and my go to places are Plumo, Toast, Cos and Ganni. Ganni have some great dresses and I think there's a sale on at the moment

I love this.

That's a beautiful dress @Bridget
I'm trying & failing to like the black Cos outfit. Wonderful colours on that toast dress.

Encouragement about wearing something a bit 'out there' doesn't have to involve being rude and dismissive about other people's suggestions.
I was rather surprised to find myself @'ed presumably to ensure that I wouldn't miss being told the poster thought my suggestion was unsuitable. It felt rather pointed.
Hey ho, this is the first time I've posted in S&B although I do lurk a bit. And it now feels a bit like the clique from the French thread has wandered in with winky in-jokes. Not sure I'll be adding my two penneth again.

Incidentally while I'm still here I also love the Plumo dress with the trailing Japanese maple pattern.

But what matters is what the OP likes. Hope you find 'the one' for your special day as well as your style mojo for a new decade. Have a fab day!

I apologise for my part in wandering in. I'm off now Nocashforcashmere so the floor is yours.

Honestly @Nocashforcashmere, if you knew how many times I’ve been torn apart on S&B simply for innocently suggesting a hypothetical item of clothing that some other poster doesn’t like … !

Firstly, I have all notifications turned off so I’m really not conscious of @ generating anything beyond the actual thread it’s used on. (I had to think what you meant about that.) I use it on any and every thread I post on, merely to engage another poster in conversation - not to draw attention to disapproval. I liked the dress you linked and said why.

Secondly - I’m not aware of being a member of any clique. Nor do I wish to be. Nor am I aware of having transgressed any MN guidelines simply by expressing singularly mild opinions on clothes being sold on the Internet.

🤷🏾‍♀️

Haha me too! I’d look like Aunt Lydia 😳