Summer outfit ideas for a comfortable, stylish look at 49

[cambiodenombre123]

Asking the mumsnet gods/goddesses to save my fashion woes. I want to feel comfortable, sexy and stylish this summer. To be able to go for city walks and sit in a beer garden and not worry about my belly, fat arms, weird elbows and crinkly neck. I'm 49, fine hair in a bob, hourglass shape with big boobs, 5'6" and slightly overweight. I want to look current and relevant if possible? Please give me some tips of what to wear.

Some extraordinary beliefs exhibited here …

I have a heritage across two continents in countries with a combined population of about 250 million people. The women over 60 in both places would either laugh their heads off or be genuinely puzzled if you told them they were no longer allowed to reveal their arms in public.

I’m over 60. I have absolutely no intention of treating my arms as some shameful secret to be hidden from the world.

@BlanklyMyDear , I am allowed to reveal my arms but I'd prefer not to.
I have very pale skin that doesn't tan.

My arms are no shameful secret, but like my toenails, I prefer not to display them.

Sorry 2nd link didnt work.

https://www.thenauticalcompany.com/3/4-sleeve-stripe-top-navy-blue-cream.html?srsltid=AfmBOopfZV8udubOcbRE0Jm3hk41MLSyRoK59f3howovbeJOIL6vTapD8jY

Would go with a jumper or jacket.

I'm 70 and won't cover my arms or legs once it's warmer weather. If other people can't cope with seeing an older person's arms and legs, that's their problem.

I like these tops, although I do think they’re overpriced.
https://www.aspiga.com/products/clea-blouse-flower-tile-red-pink
They’re quite a thin loose fabric so I tend to wear a close-fitting white vest underneath which helps smoothes down my problem stomach area. I don’t know if they’re current/ relevant as such but definitely comfortable and wear anywhere, and they would hide the bits you don’t like except maybe your crinkly neck (which I’m sure is a perfectly normal neck!)

@Gettingbysomehow - while your suggestions no doubt meet the brief for comfort, do you really feel they’re the best possible choices for a woman who wants clothes that frame her as sexy, stylish, and current?

The easiest way to achieve those aims without spending very much money would be to spend an hour on the Zara site, looking particularly at their newest collections (and sizing up on everything):

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman-new-in-l1180.html?v1=2546081

@Womaninhouse17 , I'm sure other people can cope with seeing an older person's arms and legs, it's just that some of us choose not to have them uncovered.

I dress to suit me, not other people. It's me who doesn't want to look at my arms.
I don't walk around tut tutting at women for wearing 'age-inappropriate' clothes.

Huh? Thays exactly what the op asked for in her intial post. She’s allowed to want that and people allowed to recommend it. No one is saying all women need to want that.

@BlanklyMyDear , Those clothes look dangerous - I'd be tripping over the trouser legs and maxi skirts are a menace when going up stairs.

I think you read in a hurry, @Wildgoat …

I love that top!

I'd suggest you look at brands that are on the High St

Whistles
Mint Velvet
Jigsaw
Nobody's Child
&Otherstories

Decide if you want dresses, skirts and tops, trousers (wide or slim), jumpers, cardigans, jeans (flared, boot cut, baggy, whatever) etc.

Shoes- ballet pumps, trainers, sandals, heels etc.

You figure doesn't sound hard to dress.

It's not what other people think it's what I think.
My arms are saggy and I don't want them on display.
For me.

The basic rule of being 'well dressed' is to accentuate your good points and minimise your worst ones.

I don't care if other women show their flabby and saggy upper arms.

But I'm also allowed to cover up the bits of me that aren't in the best shape.

You do you , and what 250 million women do is up to them.

Just like some women don't want to show varicose veins, or fat tummies, or saggy boobs.

Clothes are there to make us decent in public but also to make the most of what we have and less of what we don't have.

There is no way anyone is seeing my arms.
They look awful after a 5 stone weight loss.
I need to do some serious gym work before I even think about it.

Thank you 😘There has been some real bitchiness on here lately, it's more like AIBU than style and beauty.
I've worn that outfit myself and it looks lovely on with some nice accessories and is extremely comfortable.

No! Imagine the sweat under your bust. I have a similar dress from COS which can only be worn at a specific weight and only up to about 20degrees. 😬

OP i suggest wide leg cotton trousers and a lovely vest top. That's what I wear to work in a hot school in the summer. It absorbs sweat, can lift the trouser legs up to knee length for sun on legs, and air, and you can get whatever stule of top suits you best.

Also I highly recommend some weights so you start liking your arms more. I do mine at home and I'm very proud of my arms. Not skinny but firm.

Agreed @Gettingbysomehow I wish it could go back to how it was - if I can’t find anything nice to say about a posters choices I just scroll on by, I’m all for a bit of constructive criticism but done kindly with other options suggested maybe. Sometimes it’s just brutal, I hope I always post as if I’m talking to my daughters or my friends.

You could get your colours done to see what colours suit you best. There are plenty of people that do it online and they normally suggest some clothes that would suit your shape too.

But what on earth is ‘bitchy’ about saying an outfit looks comfortable but might not meet the brief for looking actively ‘sexy’ at the same time? The OP wants both.

Maybe you’re all tired today?

Very well put.

I'd spend some time before you spend any money and identify what you want to look like.

Clare Hall on Instagram might be a good place to start for basics, she does a pretty good job of explaining how to dress for your proportions.

Wears My Money blog worth checking out too, and there are loads of mid-life mid-size style accounts on Instagram to check out to see what floats your boat and would suit your shape.

I have ordered both of these to try this afternoon. I like easy dressing in the sense of one key piece I can dress up or down with jewellery, different footwear etc. Jumpsuits, play suits, dresses and good basics that fit well - shorts, jeans, T-shirts etc. A denim jacket that suits my shape and a decent raincoat for the Scottish climate.
I feel far better dressed and more confident in comfortable well fitting footwear I can walk in.

Regular hair and nail appointments plus good skincare, knowing what simple make up suits me and drinking enough water definitely help me feel better in myself.