Help a short round 50 year old style for one day?

[grimupnorthLondon]

It's my 50th birthday party this weekend and I have lots of friends coming who, while generally lovely, are also mostly taller, slimmer and much more stylish than me. I don't usually stress about my appearance but just this once would like to not be the frump in my own photos. I have arranged haircut for the day and will make an effort with makeup and jewellery etc but outfit is still an issue.

I am 5'1", size 16 and hourglass shaped. My occasion wear is usually dresses but nothing from last year fits (thanks menopause!). I do have a soft black jumpsuit from whistles petites which is flattering but sleeveless, so I was thinking if I wore that with heels and a nice cropped jacket/cardigan that might work. The difficult is finding said jacket/cardigan. I have a cream silk cropped cardigan which is ok but nothing special (I wear it to work) and would like more of a 'statement' piece for this. Any ideas on where to look please? Am happy to spend a few hundred if I can find something really nice.

What about something from One Hundred Stars? Anyone I have ever seen in one of their kimono/jackets always looks a million dollars!

Do you really need a cardi / jacket?

The jumpsuit sounds perfect as it is, not sure a cardi will enhance it from a style perspective.

(Happy 50th!)

Me and Em have some very nice cropped jackets but pricey. Mint Velvet also have a few at a lower price. My inclination would be to get a One Hundred Stars throw over as personally I don't like cropped.

onehundredstars.co.uk/collections/throwovers

www.meandem.com/raw-edge-crop-swing-jacket-ivory

mintvelvet.com/products/ivory-boucle-cropped-jacket

Oooo thank you! Had never heard of One Hundred Stars and some of those short kimonos look lovely.

Sadly the sleeveless jumpsuit without cover up won't work. My goose bumped blue-white Irish skin combined with flabby arms is not a thing of beauty....

Ah, fair enough. What are your best colours, do you know? I too would go for a 100stars throwover in a colour that makes you glow.

Probably reds/oranges or really vivid greens. Pale skin and very dark brown hair so contrast is good.

Am definitely ordering a couple of those kimonos - my only slight fear is that they 'swamp' me (being short with narrow shoulders this is a perpetual problem) but hopefully the soft fabric will help with that

Is the style of the jumpsuit suitable to wear something underneath it? I wondered about a slim fitting stretchy 3/4 sleeve top under it with a nice chunky bracelet or two.

That's a thought. It's this one - so maybe? https://www.whistles.com/product/remmie-jumpsuit-38476.html#gclid=CjwKCAjwnK60BhA9EiwAmpHZw85b3Y4CUaTjeoHHfdbNlOqKrGRJROaeuAC7CQK6bBIUCTelhN-gThoCh7IQAvDBwE&gaddsource=1&utmterm=&utmmcontent=&utmcampaign=20778629898&utmmmedium=cpc&utmsource=google&cqqplt=gp&cqnet=x&cqqplac=&cqterm=&cqqcmp=20778629898&cqsrc=googleeads&cgid=JumpsuitsClothinggWW&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=remmie-jumpsuit-38476&pos=2

Ooh I love that! I think it might work, you’d probably want a scoop neck rather than anything too high.

I shall have a dig through my wardrobe for anything suitable. I just have a slight fear of looking like a Playschool presenter in dungarees (can you tell there are many fashion faux pas in my past?)

Thank you stylish people!

I know what you mean. I’m a short size 14 and have a group of tall, willowy friends who make me feel like the world’s biggest scruff next to them!

I wonder if something like this would take away the children’s tv presenter look.

Ok thanks a thought - and I think I may well have something like that lurking around - or at least could find it to buy pretty easily. Thank you - am now actually looking forward to experimenting!

would a long sleeve or 3/4 sleeve jump suit work. It sounds as though you already feel good in a jumpsuit. I’ve just read in one of your updates that you have narrow shoulders. What about a long sleeved bardot jumpsuit? It would show off your shoulders. I’m only 5ft and always feel a bardot seems to elongate me.

Ok thank you. Do Bardot sell petites? I did look at their jumpsuits but thought they might be too long in all proportions

Sorry. I meant bardot neckline. I should have been more descriptive. 🙈. I love this one.

https://www.riverisland.com/p/red-printed-bardot-jumpsuit-754345

Oh that is nice! My only concern would be that I have big boobs so strapless bras are not ideal. But might pick some of those up for holiday wear!

Good point. Tbh i think your jumpsuit is perfect as you already feel good in it, it’s important how you feel. I think it would look good with a cropped jacket like in your first post. Hope you find something that makes you feel amazing and have a fab celebration.

How about a statement jacket, like this?

www.riverisland.com/p/white-feather-embellished-trophy-jacket-910537?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADtCggj5HsiBM7LEWZuWrSOtm4cDd&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIg7a9n6WYhwMVUJpQBh0q-AYoEAQYDiABEgI5wPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Wearing a wispy jacket or kimono won’t be as flattering as a structured piece. You could even book a stylist somewhere like John Lewis and just go and try loads of stuff on.

I’d wear this over the jumpsuit as a fellow shortie! onehundredstars.co.uk/products/country-toile-berry-kimono?variant=39630597357626&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=19637324321&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAACR8jXV4cqKiYN2YU0T-0YU0_bebV&gclid=CjwKCAjwnK60BhA9EiwAmpHZw3kkE6u3VhnJSW7-q8GdWovhxmU_e7fF-zuMhTjY6l6cIaDvrCoCMRoCr5IQAvD_BwE

I think you need a more fitted jacket over your lovely jumpsuit. Something like this. Or This

oh wow that is lovely - I have a very soft spot for feathers! This is getting expensive but I'm so grateful for all the awesome ideas. What a super helpful bunch you are!

Wow that gold one is fabulous! And I am planning on wearing gold jewellery too. But do you think a podgy 50 year old could carry it off?!?! I'm not particularly lacking in self-confidence but equally don't want to look like mutton dressed as lamb (as my mother in law would say...)

In an ideal world I would, but have a stupid-busy week at work and as always have left it too late so am reliant on next-day delivery. Will start planning for my 60th (eek!!!)

Hell yes! You will be the most fabulous person at your party 🥳