Husband's 50th, need an outfit, HELP!

[LarryUnderwood]

Per the title - we're having a party for his 50th. Husband has lots of cool fashion-y mates, none of whom look or dress or act like 50 year old. It's a party in quite a nice bar in central London. I have no idea what to wear. I'm 5'5", big boobs, size 12 (14 top for boobs but not for waist/shoulders). OK legs, not amazing but not bad either. Triceps a bit floppy but otherwise ok arms and shoulders. Hourglass-ish figure, perimenopause has given me a little tummy but it's less.visible and more just I don't like things being tight on my waist. I generally look fairly young for my age. I like jewel colours, neutrals or black, no pastels. My usual style is barrel leg jeans with oversized shirt, or wide leg trousers with fitted blouse. I dont often wear dresses or skirts although I dont dislike them. I want to dress up but also look cool and simultaneously elegant. Brands I like are Whistles, Massimo Dutti, Ralph Lauren, Max Mara, Reiss, Me & Em, (but my budget is definitely high street!). Any ideas at all welcome, I've not got a clue!

If your husband’s friends are in their fifties then, by definition, the way they look, dress, and act must be the way 50 year olds do these things. Surely?

If you don’t have the budget to buy a suitably glamorous outfit you could rent something:

https://www.redonline.co.uk/fashion/a37750531/rent-clothes/

Apologies for not being specific enough and paraphrasing in the expectation that people might understand my meaning. His friends do not dress or behave in a way that is sterotypical for people in their 50s. Is that clearer?

Thanks for the suggestion, I'm not really looking for super glamorous, and would be happy with something from the high street just looking for some ideas of things in the shops that might look nice as I'm not always good at spotting things myself.

I really like your listed brands too (Whistles, Massimo Dutti, Ralph Lauren, Max Mara, Reiss, Me & Em). Whistles, Reiss and Me& Em - I would say are fashion conscious but in a polished way. However, I would suggest looking at the cheaper high street if you want something that has more of a fashion/cool edge. So I have been at a party in London and admired an outfit of an incredibly cool person. Asked them where they got it from, thinking it would be a cool label that I havent heard of and it turned out to be River Island! The point being think a little outside the box where you normally look. Another friend who is always bang on trend and very stylish shops at New Look! As someone who normally shops at higher end High Street myself, I still would say you can't always tell how much something cost that someone else is wearing. You might be able to tell on yourself - fabrics feel different, lack of lining etc. but not looking at someone else unless badly fitting. So if you are looking for things are that are more cool rather than timeless, I suggest looking shops that follow the trends more rather than offer timeless styles, if you see what I mean? I may have misunderstood what you are after though...

Thanks! Yes I hadn't thought of River Island. To be honest I was hoping for a few links to things others had spotted or things others might have worn and liked. I go 'out out' so rarely that I feel very out of my comfort zone. I think my ideal style and my figure don't really match - I'd love to wear a feminine tux with a white shirt like Victoria Beckham but it doesnt work with my boobs sadly.

Could you not just wear an elevated version of the clothes you feel comfortable in. So some really well cut barrel leg trousers in a more luxurious material and a silky blouse in the same sort of style as the shirts you like. Then plain nails in a funky colour…..no nail art and some dramatic jewellery and bright lipstick.

If you like Ralph Lauren then Frasers/Flannels have some nice discounted dresses etc from the Lauren range. The one I bought last year for £120 is probably too formal for what you are looking for but worth having a look.

I really like Sandro but it is a little pricy. Maje is the same company but a little edgier. Again, have a look if there are any sales.

Reiss has really upped it's game this season and they have an outlet section on their website. I like the draped look that is in at the moment. Think Loewe style but Reiss prices!

Ooh thanks, I like that Flannels site, lots of nice things!

The only thing I don’t like about it is that it’s Mike Ashley/Sports Direct owned.

What about wide velvet trousers in a jewel colour, with a contrasting sleeveless halter top in silk satin? And fab jewellery & heels?

This top is rather lovely in the navy version?

https://palome.com/products/cambronne-silk-top?Colour=Navy&Size=6

Not in your size right now - but the navy silk halter would look great with the olive colourway in velvet trousers similar to these? I'm assuming this party will be in the next few months, as these are quite wintry colours & fabrics?

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/valery-wide-leg-velvet-trousers-1000532398.html?utm_content=nonbrand&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ax%3A20252672844%3A%3A&nb_adtype=pla&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=&nb_mi=12198991&nb_pc=online&nb_pi=1000532398&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20261716288&gbraid=0AAAAADjtA_F5VaGsh_I4AHVjBZhZxqgR3&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_rPGBhCbARIsABjq9cc_kDAi9yRPi8KBPhb49t2m-FFRqAs4nqXEHyUjVgTJGoSjCoVXWgQaAkM1EALw_wcB

It actually comes as a suit ... If it's a colour that suits you, it would be great. And easily split to wear as separates later, to get more use out of it? Dislike those shoes they've paired it with though ...!

Not sure what either the suit or top are like in the flesh, I just came across them when searching. I'm sure you can find a number of variants on that sort of look if you like it. Gold silk with deep red velvet would also be a really nice colour combination. Though olive green is very "in" right now (though it's also a classic colour, & always works with navy).

If you would consider a dress, this Me & Em one is fab ... still pricey, but reduced lots!! I like it worn with the blazer too - quietly dressy, chic & expensive looking.

https://www.meandem.com/int/draped-halterneck-maxi-dress-golden-olive-green

Another Me+Em one that's pretty fab.

https://www.meandem.com/int/silk-full-length-dress-tie-papaya-orange

More jewel-toned ones in the Me+Em sale here: https://www.meandem.com/int/silk-statement-midi-dress-tie-super-pink

And here: https://www.meandem.com/int/silk-crinkle-halterneck-maxi-dress-intense-orange

I'm 52 and have just bought;

[[https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/norma-kamali-belted-turtleneck-midi-dress-black-p00991241?ad=752730_dpa&ag=137894&chn=display_pro&cmp=criteo_gb&cto_pld=fF8_K4g6AACWt6iF5j7ApA&dplink=true&feed_des=NORMA+KAMALI&feed_mwg=Midi+dresses&feed_num=p00991241&kwd=1336975382&ptyp=dynamic&slink_id=3d582baf-a094-43db-8e2a-79a22a921f76%5D%5D&src=criteo&tar=WOMENSWEAR&tarea=gb www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/norma-kamali-belted-turtleneck-midi-dress-black-p00991241?dplink=true&chn=display_pro&src=criteo&cmp=criteo_gb&tarea=gb&ag=137894&ad=752730_dpa&ptyp=dynamic&kwd=1336975382&tar=WOMENSWEAR&feed_num=p00991241&feed_des=NORMA+KAMALI&feed_mwg=Midi+dresses&utm_source=display&utm_medium=prosp&utm_campaign=gb_criteo_en_ca&utm_id=137894&cto_pld=fF8_K4g6AACWt6iF5j7ApA&slink_id=3d582baf-a094-43db-8e2a-79a22a921f76

Not in the sale, so probably way over budget - but this suit & tie-neck blouse combination is bloody gorgeous!

https://www.meandem.com/int/velvet-man-pant-scarlet-red

Not for OP at 5' 5" and a size 12/14 though.

5'5", 12/14.

Difficult.

What do you feel best in?

You also mention neutrals. Tbh though you said it won't be super-dressy, I'd take the opportunity to stand out colour-wise in the right jewel tone for your colouring.

This is neutral with a hint of gold though.

https://www.meandem.com/int/elevated-metallic-tailored-wide-leg-trouser-gold

I posted my dress but am 5' 9" and about 9 stone.

So!

I don't think you have to be model-tall & thin for it? And the OP is both taller & thinner than the average UK woman ...!

Plus she already wears & feels comfortable in fitted tops with wide trousers, so with the right heels I think a vamped-up version of those shapes could work well - while not taking her too far out of her comfort zone?

Reiss has a few rather nice satin dresses, though lots are too dressy for what it seems you're after? And yes, chocolate might be in, but this amethyst-purple is a great colour - if it suits you that is - & is much more striking than the brown or cream versions.

https://www.reiss.com/style/su708067/w29730

I'm obviously a little annoyed with OP because she talks about people 'dressing' and 'acting' like 50 year-olds.

So...

5'5" with tits?

Size 12/14?

Forget about fashion in the same way 50 year olds do.

No-one's looking at you.

What do you mean? Exactly?