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!

OP I'm 53 and totally with you on no heels and not liking dresses. I work in a male dominated industry.

Things I have worn to similar events, wide leg trouser suit, cigarette trousers with silk blouse, wide leg trousers with short sleeve blouse with frills. Basically just kept it classy with nice gold jewellery.

Where is the bit that says it needs a dress that moves from day to night? Isn't it normally after 5pm?

When op says 'at the end', I thought she meant at the end of the time, there'll be a cocktail party.

To me a cocktail party is evening, post 5pm, people start getting ready, smarter outfits.

Haven't RTFT but does it have to be a dress? What about a tuxedo- me and em do some good ones but plenty of other brands too. V smart and you can use the trousers and jacket separately so more versatile in some ways.

Goodness me, there's absolutely no reason why it has to be a dress.

Something like "A sparkly long sleeved top and palazzo pants with gold flats would be fine." Or something like NRBY's velvet suits.

It doesn’t have to be a dress. But it needs to be cocktail attire

Er yes but the suggestion you pooh poohed is cocktail attire.

It absolutely is in any sophisticated European city in a professional context. The tight dress and too much flesh look is British lower middle class

If you're not used to dresses there is absolutely no need for you to wear one - trousers and a silky blouse (definitely no scarf) will be fine.

'Cocktail party' is just early evening drinks.

I'd got for a tailored pant suit, maybe in a cream colour

https://www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-alli-faux-wrap-metallic-print-jumpsuit-gold/p112523072?size=10&sppc=2dxxmixedfashionnBAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gadsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1w3ZzMJiTCwPbZ66td5LDcJz&gclid=CjwKCAiA5pq-BhBuEiwAvkzVZZ5I7BLmednr6vzwGFFZpxgOrrWx9yPJxY8XjKh5j9iCW7-wZVstxoCqZwQAvDDBwE

https://couture-moda.com/products/elegant-womens-sleeveless-jumpsuit-formal-one-piece-outfit-for-special-occasions?currency=GBP&variant=49879547740490&utmsource=google&utmmmedium=cpc&utmcampaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=8dd009b784c2&gaddsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAA-mCHAM2DUOxvuekaCrbjvbt2upi&gclid=CjwKCAiA5pq-BhBuEiwAvkzVZS-eeFWMVDgxpE4nLmLol6fEOeCxCCG8zo3ENYPSX7uLEnlkllfYtxoC6n8QAvDBwE

I'm older than you, not wrinkly though and I have this dress in sapphire blue -

www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/cape-georgette-cocktail-dress-3616852037391.html?utm_medium=paidshopping

Both the Leonora dress and the JJ in chiffon are lovely. The Maya ones look a bit day-dressy to me - but it depends how you accessorize.

@Chuchoter that Ralph Lauren dress is gorgeous

I’m very posh, I’ll have you know 😂😂

Women's bodies change over time, especially how they carry their weight. People who weigh roughly 'the same' in different decades ' can carry it quite differently in the older decades.

My life has been changed by my Sorel sandals! I don't like heels and I have big feet and I have always found it hard to find smart shoes, but these are brilliant and everybody comments on them! They are also in off white if you can find anywhere that stocks them still.

These are absolutely not cocktail party wear, dear god

Hahahaha! That's told me.

They're not for everyone but paired with something like this Serena Bute skirt and top or Serena Bute silk joggers, then they definitely more than pass !

Serena Bute

No no no !

nice sandals, not for this occasion

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/minty-sequin-bodice-maxi-dress-222294351.html#cgid=party&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=222294351&pos=14

My dress up uniform is black trousers, silky top and cut velvet kimono style jacket. Nice jewellery. The jacket is light but loose and covers my arms and torso.
If warm swap the velvet out for chiffon.

Trousers, sparkly top or jacket, bling jewellery, comfy shoes.

I’d wear a dark green silk blouse with the sleeves slightly rolled. Big gold necklace. Wide leg dark green tailored trousers and some velvet Mary Jane type shoes. A big clutch in my hand. I’d wear a bright lipstick to suit my colouring and then my hair up

I think a monochromatic look is super chic.

look at cos, reiss, massimo dutti.

Nice silky jumpsuit and sparkly flats, maybe?

I'd wear a low-cut tea dress, in green velvet, with black satin batlet slippers and a black velvet ribbon round my neck.

Slather lots of cream on your cleavage and it will be ok.

For a longer term solution, use good body scrub on your chin to boobs every day and put on cream like Mio boob tube. Every day or twice a day. A little bit of time and it will be smooth again.