Help - too old to know what to wear

[Toooldtopretend]

I’m 49 and have no idea how to dress for a night out any more. City centre, weekend night out type thing, meal, bar etc. I just feel old and wrong! would love some guidance please.

I’m very average height (5’6”) and size 10.

thank you for any ideas/links!

I said “I feel old” not “49 is old”. No idea why my feelings would offend half the audience - most certainly don’t seem the sensitive empathetic types given the responses on here 😂

You're 5.7 and a size 10 OP. You are blessed. You can wear anything. Your age is irrelevant. You obviously have internet and can access fashion websites. Find a look/style you like and just buy the whole bloody outfit, lol.

I'm in my 60s. My regular outfits are jumpsuits /midi dresses or for more casual events, skinny jeans with band T-shirts worn with an open silk over shirt. Whichever option I go for I'll wear them with flat boots ,Birkenstocks, trainers or UGGs.

if it's a very formal event I have a couple of pairs of Jimmy Choo heels and some nice wedge sandals to smarten things up a bit.

Yesterday it was jeans and Uggs, 3 layered tops plus 2 down jackets, a cashmere beanie and 2 pairs of gloves. If it's as cold tomorrow I'll have a bigger beanie over the base one!

I’m mid 50s. When I meet friends it all manner of styles. I like that we all just do and wear what we like and what makes us happy

this is exactly what I was looking for, thank you. She looks put together and elegant. I also love that I recognise things on her posts that I’ve seen on the shops but didn’t know how to coordinate.

Youngsters these days dress far more casual than we ever did. No carrying shoes at the end of the night and not being able to walk for a week due to blisters most of them wear trainers or flats with everything. But if it is a Christmas night out then I would definitely go a bit dressier/sparklier. Some options:

jeans with a bit of a statement top
mini skirt, tights and velvet or sparkly top
satin Midi skirt
or if oh are not great at pairing clothes, get a dress! One piece of clothing and the outfit is done!

Even Tesco has nice clothes these days, just have a wander and see what you like!

Op I’m 20 years older than you and I’ve not been out after 10pm all year. I’m going to an inter-generational restaurant / bar do in a couple of weeks. I’ll probably wear an ankle length H&M pleated skirt, a 1970s lurex cocktail top and flat cowboy boots. I will sit with the 80 year olds who are great fun (and will be more dressed up than me).

If I didn’t already have an outfit, I’d look for something in Sainsbury's or Tesco. I’ve never seen the point of spending a lot on Christmas dos - the lighting’s always shit so no/one can see and you’ll probably get at least one drink spilt down it anyway.

If I wanted more ideas, I’d buy the Hello Fashion Spacial which is rammed with party outfits.

Jeans and a nice top sounds a bit 2009. People seem to dress a lot more casual. Nice flats, wide leg trousers, long skirts and dresses.

This is a perfect outfit.

Definitely ditch the heels. Really dated.

Wide legged jeans and an expensive looking jumper? Or tight top with blazer over it? I have a couple of velvet blazers which upgrade outfits nicely.

I sometimes wear a knee length skirt with boots and opaque tights.

Jeans and top is still a thing, it is just a different style of jeans that most people are wearing, and they are worn with trainers rather than sky high heels. Overall a more casual and comfortable look, I love it.

Other than the wide jeans and top combo, I also like to wear midi/midaxi length skirts with a nice jumper and boots. I have a satin skirt and a leather one, but look fab with a pair of ankle boots and short jumper. I am loving M&S at the moment and I also follow someone on instagram called stylingwithrebecca.

Thank you. The insta links are so helpful - hopefully my algorithms will start showing me things that help too after following the suggestions on here

The problem with jeans and a top is there are so few tops that appeal to me. The puffy sleeve frilly yoke tops are still about.

I was going to suggest some accounts to look at.

Maybe a lace satin type skirt, kitten heel boots and a roll neck jumper?

Or jeans, kitten heal boots and a top with long coat or a blazer.

https://www.whattowearfor.co.uk/

Have a look at this website, I follow on insta. Feel you have been given a hard time on here tbh, have a great night.

Any account suggestions gratefully received. I can do insta, it’s just not something i use regularly but willing to give it a go. I’ve had a look at other insta suggestions and they have definitely given me some inspiration - will go shopping this weekend now I have more ideas of what to target!

Any account suggestions gratefully received. I can do insta, it’s just not something i use regularly but willing to give it a go. I’ve had a look at other insta suggestions and they have definitely given me some inspiration - will go shopping this weekend now I have more ideas of what to target!

Any account suggestions gratefully received. I can do insta, it’s just not something i use regularly but willing to give it a go. I’ve had a look at other insta suggestions and they have definitely given me some inspiration - will go shopping this weekend now I have more ideas of what to target!

Sorry for the multiple responses-it didn’t look like it had posted 🙈

I’ve got friends who have always struggled with what suits them and others who got more anxious when perimenopause kicked in. I now work with youngsters and it does make you stop and question your style (and I have always loved clothes). Sometimes you have just not been out in town for years due to kids etc. and the rules changed. Thankfully I have two style conscious teens to keep me in line! Be kind.

I can very much relate to your post.

Except I was younger about 42/43. Menopause kicked in shortly after my youngest dc was born, I had no clue what to wear other then skinniest and a t-shirt/hoodie.

10 years on, I'm still not great!

Just wanted to let you know, your definitely not on your own with feeling old.

Hi OP
I'm older than you at 55 & i'm 5ft 9" & size 12 / 14 depending on the cut.

I love style & i get ideas by looking online at shops i like. For me these are me+em, ba&sh, sezane, sandro, maje.

I see an outfit i like & then i figure out the shapes / volumes etc & keep them in mind to try on in real shops to check if the style suits me. I then buy the items online usually in sales

Someone else already said it but footwear makes or breaks an outfit. At the moment i'm wearing grendon ankle boots, metallic hoff trainers, toast loafers, me+em flat chunky lace ups, maje long western style boots

Personally I think it’s more of a shame to put down someone looking for some inspiration and advice. Clearly not everyone can be as self confident (or just insensitive?) as you.

Tbh I read my post back and actually thought the same. I didn't intend it to come across as mean but it frustrates me how many women put themselves down on here, saying they're old and clueless just because they've lost track a bit. Fashion should be fun and make you feel good about yourself but I do get how midlife can make you feel that way - I'm quite happy with what I wear at 52 but clueless in plenty of other ways!

Apologies for my sharpness @Toooldtopretend I hope you've found the less grumpy posts useful.

Posted before I saw this - it wasn't meant as a putdown but my wording could have been better 😳

Op, posters looking for help in reconnecting with their style mojo are probably the bedrock of this board, but what can get backs up is when 'old' is used as a synonym for clueless. I've learned not to go in all guns blazing but it still pisses me off.

I only use Instagram for my hobby but I do like these two websites for getting an overview of what's out there before hitting the shops. (Apologies if they've already been mentioned):
Collagerie covers high and low end fashion - the high end can be great for inspiration even when it's over budget. There are also lots of magazine-type features.
New in Style focuses more on the high street.

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