If you were 52 and invited to a cocktail party what would you wear?

[FrenchConnection1]

I have to go abroad for some work thing and at the end is a cocktail party hosted by the people who own the company

I am 52 and don't like wearing dresses that expose my neck/chest as it's all a bit wrinkly unless it's a dress that I can wear a scarf with

I also live in trainers or smart loafers and there is not a chance my feet can handle heels anymore.

I'm a size 12 but have a tummy - thinnish arms but big legs. I tend to wear long dresses that create a waist rather than having one of my own 😂. 34D boobs.

Any suggestions? In my normal life I don't go to things like this at all. I'm a drink in the pub person not a post event person so a bit clueless as to where to start!

Do you have time to change, or is it a day to night thing?

This is what I came on to suggest, matched with some pointed flats or low heels.

www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjQvPjGmuuLAxVklVAGHbK6C7kYABAeGgJkZw&co=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0Lz4xprriwMVZJVQBh2yugu5EAQYCCABEgJosfD_BwE&sig=AOD64_1NUnwoRq6og3TnEYuSQB5eNol7bg&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwjK6fPGmuuLAxULTkEAHU9yBnUQwg8oAHoECAgQUw&adurl=

Personally I would wear trousers and a nice sparkly type top. I am 59 - I think that’s relevant- I would also agree that I tend to wear different clothes from 25 year olds! More tailored is better. I actually have a really nice sparkly shirt from phase 8 which I wear to these kind of things. I also tho k it depends how introvert / extravert you are - how comfortable you feel with being noticed . For me I want to look nice, classic, but not stand out. Others will suffer of course. A dress is more difficult as you have to consider all the accoutrements like shoes tights etc etc I think

Rubbish.
If course it’s different.

I'm not a dress person so I would wear wide leg black loose trousers, a sparkly top and maybe a scarf. You can wear lower heels shoes with trousers.

I’m the opposite to you, very much a dress person, but that has never made me feel that higher heels were required as a result.

Something like this?



None of my friends in their fifties dress like their twenty year old kids, or would want to. That's the relevance. OP might want to look like a 52 year old professional at a work related cocktail party, rather than a 22 year old. There's a difference, and it's not necessarily a bad one. I know what I'd rather look like. It's ok to accept you're 52 and not want to be constantly fighting it using cheap polyester.

This? www.karenmillen.com/printed-broderie-woven-midi-dress-with-guipure-trim/BKK21963.html

They aren't.

And a nice sparkly shirt will look daft during the day part of this.

Which time of year will it be when you go, OP? Will it be very warm while you are there?

Am just thinking about dresses which look elegant and cool at the same time.

I definitely wear the same kind of stuff.

Can you go on their social media pages and see if they have any photos from last year? Then you can zoom in on the women and see what sort of thing you're wearing. Sometimes the dress code on the invitation and the interpretation of it in person can be quite different!

Of course age is relevant. I'm mid-50s and day to day I wear much the same as I did in my 20s (ie jeans and a jumper) but for smart occasions I definitely have less flesh on show than I would thirty years ago because I've got more flab, cellulite and wrinkles. I'm much more likely to wear something with sleeves now.

That's so sad.

I have a black sequin bomber jacket from Autograph at marks and spencer. I wear it with cigarette trousers and a silk top.
I get you can't wear sequins in the day but this could pop in a bag. I noticed there is a listing from an end of line retailer on ebay. I can't link but if it sounds interesting just use search.

@Disturbia81 - explain why that’s sad?

also @Disturbia81 - how old are you? Our bodies do change and also our minds are older (if not wiser 😅), and so we don’t necessarily want to dress like a 30 year old never mind a 20 year old!

What's sad?

Personally, in warmish weather I would wear a fairly conservative but flattering dress in a dark block colour (no ditsy prints or sequins) with low/flat flat suede or metallic pumps and some nice but unflashy jewellery. Bare legs but a bit of fake tan and moisuriser. If colder, wide black trousers and a satin blouse or dressy top. The key word here for me is ‘work’ not ‘party’. This sort of thing https://roandzo.com/products/black-crepe-keyhole-midi-dress

As its a work event I'd wear a silk blouse in a colour that suits me and wide legged evening trousers. This would look good with navy evening trousers https://www.theshirtcompany.com/products/mrs-thatcher-amethys-silk-pussybow-blouse

Thanks all, I've ordered some of these to try on and will let you know how I get on. I'm more comfortable in trousers and a top tbh so will try on some palazzo pants

I definitely don't wear the same type of stuff as I did in my 20s. No disrespect to anyone intended but my body shape is different now and I'm a bit more flabby! My weight has also shifted and I carry more on my tummy now despite my best efforts.My daughter is 25 and able to wear anything and it's wonderful and she absolutely should at that age. If you can then great!

Wide plisse pants - you can get these fairly cheaply from New Look. Mine are Primark.
Subtle sparkly top - gold/silver (old Zara)
Short Kimono Jacket - Satin/Velvet (ancient Primark again)