Non boring or frumpy looks for 50 yr old

[Seeingalight]

Looking for tops and jacket recommendations please. I want clothes they are comfortable, not too much extra material (little ruffles are ok but not balloon sleeves).

I wear a uniform of navy and black basics and walking/hiking clothes due to where we live and WFH but I'd love some new clothee I can wear when I go for days out or weekends away and not feel like a country bumpkin.

I wear trainers due to a foot problem.

I'm 5"9, size 16/18, 50yrs old but feel much younger.

I want to look put together but not boring.

I've lost sense of my style, my favourite fashion over the years has been 90s tie dyed slip dresses with boots (grew up in Australia) and boho if that helps.

I like patterns and colour but then I see someone my age in a chic cream jumper and I feel like the weird kid who doesn't know how to dress.

I never wear accessories either so some suggestions for jewellery and whatever would be great as well please.

Budget?
Shopping in person or online?
Preferred fabrics & colours?
What season/weather?

I now dress in an updated version of my 17/18 year old self. For me that’s Allsaints, Zadig & Voltaire (if I can find it on vestiare, the OUTNET etc) and leather jackets. It’s how I feel most comfortable. Hopefully someone can give you some modern day equivalent label recommendations but I’m 50 and I hate all this ‘dressing for my age’ shite. Don’t think about your age when looking at clothes, think about what makes you feel good.

https://www.meandem.com/check-jacket-browns Me and Em are great for smart modern clothes that aren’t too fussy. Good quality too.

Dont feel you have to go for the chic cream jumper just because you are older (IME you either are a classic person or you arent and if you arent then the classic neutral look will just feel really boring and dull).
Im over 50 and my fav brand is Joanie. Lots of pattern and colour and some really beautiful, well cut clothes. Price is reasonable too!

I like patterns and colour but then I see someone my age in a chic cream jumper and I feel like the weird kid who doesn't know how to dress.

Do you want to wear "a chic cream jumper"? I'm 65 and I don't.

I'm 65 and today , in the office, I'm wearing the dress in the first link. Yesterday I wore the cabbages and Roses tweed jacket in the second link with a long cotton dress similar to the skirt they styled it with and the day before the black and white C&R dress.
Klements witch flower dress
Cabbages & Roses jacket
Cabbages & Roses dress

Obviously you will probably hate all of them, but it's just an alternative to a cream chic jumper.
Re henlake7's post, I don't have any Joannie but I think they're great. I also wear a lot of Palava.

If it's neutrals, then try Cos, Margaret Howell, Oska, Max Mara, or have a look at Envoy of Belfast.

@Seeingalight - I’m horribly afraid you’re one of those people who sees themselves as entirely distinct from all those boring, frumpy 50 year olds who don’t feel much younger …

I’m also rather older than you, and, opening the nearest drawer I’m looking at colourful items by Marni, Toogood, Community Clothing, amongst others …

Really, just open a curated site like

https://www.collagerie.com/en-gb

and find some brands that appeal to you. (And maybe get over yourself a little!)

Nice recommendation for Collagerie , thanks.

I’m a ‘young’ 52 year old and get a lot of my style inspiration from Trinny Woodall. Most of my clothes are from Uniqlo, wide leg trousers etc

Kit and Kaboodle

Try Fatface, lots of comfy print jersey dresses with pockets.

I get what you're saying but some of my peers at work seem to dress more like my mother! Maybe they've always dressed like that idk

Budget would be up to £100 a piece

Shopping online

No preferred fabrics. Colours probably cool summer

Season: Now/ Spring

I’m afraid you might be a little out of touch with prices (new, in shops) if you’re hoping to buy a good quality jacket in a size 18 for less than £100.

(Obviously no one ever has to pay full price for anything now - you can wait for the sales or search outlet sites or buy pre-owned. Or you can buy a cheap jacket that’s unlikely to look like anything after two or three wears.)

Yes you are right. I was thinking tops/shirts /blouses for up to £100

Not sure about jackets tbh

Do you like blazers? I think they can pull an outfit together quite well. I have some in solid colours and others in prints. I prefer checks or other smaller prints, but if you like bolder prints you could easily find them.

Or possibly a cropped trench coat? I saw someone wearing one recently and she looked fabulous. Standard length trench coats are great, but there was something about the cropped length that really made this woman look amazing.

Essential Antwerp Double your budget - but you may find you want one fabulous thing rather than two ok things. Only goes to a size 16, so trial and error and checking the measurements provided.

East More affordable. A bit cosy.

Aligne? Browse everything.

This is pretty rather than dramatic but it would certainly elevate a pair oh jeans

https://joanieclothing.com/alba-cherry-print-embroidered-peter-pan-collar-blouse.html

It sounds like Seasalt and fat face (and maybe white stuff) would match your boho vibe?

Something like this op?

www.boden.com/products/alexa-linen-maxi-shirt-dress-rich-emerald-and-pink-rainbow

Sorry just saw you were looking for tops and jackets specifically! 🙄🙄

Tops
www.boden.com/collections/womens-tops

www.boden.com/products/grace-linen-top-paradise-green-ivy-trellis

Jackets

www.boden.com/products/chelsea-quilted-jacket-wildflower-stamp

www.boden.com/products/mayfair-cropped-trench-hazelnut-brown

Jacket

https://scampanddude.com/products/bomber-jacket-khaki-quilted-lightning-bolt-with-ribbed-collar?variant=42886818529459&country=GB&currency=GBP&utmmedium=producttsync&utmsource=google&utmmcontent=sagorganic&utmmcampaign=sagorganic&twwsource=google&twadid=&twwcampaign=22207862867&gadsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAACesJqvfsecm2pHl5s5TnNZgqsMNK&gclid=CjwKCAjwp8--BhBREiwAj7og14loODVenuXk9NF3Jk4u0ThRhbtU8WB4gpglcV4rnQ52SZBFYhdoLRoCoMsQAvDDBwE

This is great!

scampanddude.com/products/pintuck-sleeve-t-shirt-white-with-black-floral-leopard-print

I’m 50 and wear the following usually

wide leg or barrelcarrot jeans from Zara
still love my black/red heart comme de Garcons
Docs - boots or sandals
tops from Zara or Celia Birtwell
I also like polka dot blouses & any unique print