Outfit suggestions for an old biddy please

[DoraSpenlow]

I need some help.

Have been invited to attend a lunch at a livery hall in London just before Christmas. Dress code says office attire.

I am 71, currently have blonde hair in a shoulder length bob, size 12, 5'3" and I have no idea where to start.

You will have guessed that I am retired so no clue as to what office attire is like in London these days, but would like to be stylish,. Prepared to pay a reasonable amount but nothing that I am never likely to wear again.

Help!

Oh! So office attire would be trousers or a skirt and a nice top. Think smart casual but not business dress

If you look on the livery company's website, they often have pictures of events that might give you some inspiration.

If it were me, I'd wear slim black trousers, some kind of silk shirt tucked in and small heels.

Thanks for the messages. I have bought a black, just above the knee, skirt and a pair of black slim leg trousers. Yes I know wide leg is now in fashion but they look awful on me.

Have sent for an emerald satin blouse with a frill down the front and a red top with a gold pattern. Will try them all on to see which combination works the best.

Stop thinking of yourself as an old biddy. You sound as though you look great and your outfit sounds elegant and stylish.

I’m 71 and still work part time - so anyone who guesses I’m retired would be wrong. I wear much the same styles that I’ve worn for the last forty years, with tweaks to keep vaguely current. I regularly get quite embarrassingly effusive compliments on my looks/clothes/attitude to life.

I say this because so many women think life after 60 is very different and that they become invisible. That doesn’t have to be the case at all. Buy clothes you like and that suit you, update your hair (I’ve had shorter and longer bobs of different styles for ever, and recently got stopped in the street by a woman who said she liked my fringe, which was a bit of a surprise) and most of all, enjoy yourself.

Oh, and you can get nice clothes anywhere - top end shops, supermarkets, charity shops. You just need to know what suits you. Very few people can distinguish cheap from expensive clothing (and sometimes the quality of top end brands is appalling).
Shoes are much easier for ageing feet nowadays than they used to be, with trainers and boots so prevalent. I have a great pair of DM style patent boots I can wear all day, feel comfortable and look stylish.

I think you can never for wrong with a black dress and go for funnier jewellery eg from Zara - 71 is no barrier at all

Sorry wasn’t suggesting DMs for a formal do! Was just commenting on shoes in general.

Small heels as previously suggested sound right.

Hmm …

Personally I’d cancel the just above the knee skirt - it’s such an unfashionable and unflattering length.

You say you don’t want to buy something you won’t wear again - so what are you likely to wear again? A dress or trousers or a skirt and blouse?

I’m in my 60s (similar height and size) and for the event you describe I’d be looking at:

Cos
MaxMara
Studio Nicholson
Teurn Studios
Toteme

Sorry but just above the knee is what suits me best even if it's not fashionable. Just on/just below the knee looks frumpy on me and midi/midaxi length makes me look 'all skirt' and out of proportion.

Thank you for your input though.