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.

There are many variants of gathered/ruched skirts & trousers out there. Deeper ruching/combined with flat pleats etc work best as the gathering doesn't "spring out" from your waist - all depends on the cut!

This Hush linen skirt looks as if it may be good.

https://www.hush-uk.com/ivy-pleated-linen-blend-midi-skirt-olive-green/012960-2253.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=generic_shopping_all_newin&utm_content=nonbrand&src=paidjourney&tw_source=google&tw_adid=800103885734&tw_campaign=23382117346&tw_kwdid=pla-2525990628687&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23382117346&gbraid=0AAAAADmDz94-_KHylVOBo6xcFRM4I_k3g

Also in tomato red.

Please can we have clothes with sleeves. And I bet those skirts don't have pockets unlike those fetching cargo shorts

Those probably don't, no! But plenty do ... Wasn't recommending the waistcoat look per se - though it does look good on the model!

It does but I bet she's not 49!

Pockets!!!!

That's if you like the Plumo/Toast/Kemi Telford vibe ... I do - but not to excess. I like pairing something neat with something voluminous, not wearing oversized both top & bottom.

I'd wear a skirt like this with a fitted cotton T-shirt tucked in (Whistles ones are great) & with the shirred waist sitting slightly high, so that it elongates the body & sits at the narrowest part of the torso.

https://www.plumo.com/products/marzano-skirt?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22899964725&gbraid=0AAAAADltM062y3p_91HcmtSv7yK5ZNjZK

I am tempted by this one from Hush but want to see the weight of the fabric in person. Hush Denim maxi

I wore variations on these outfits attached.
I have the Whering app so I can record what I wear.
So I wore essentially a combination of denim ,boho blouses, boho skirts in white, cream & indigo & neutral/tan suede & a simple trench. I find it easier to wear predominantly neutrals & blue&white for summer.

@EleanorMc67 , I don't like that one but I like many of the Plumo skirts (edina and auricula especially) and I love dutch wax prints. I don't like the Kemi Telford cuts, they're too voluminous.

I also love kilts. Not sure about Toast - I very rarely want any of them.

I think there are one or two Kemi Telford styles that aren't as full? They're maybe two panel & a bit shorter too.

Yes, lots of Dutch wax print designs are beautiful. I have been tempted before to buy the fabric & get the shape of one of my favourite skirts copied ...

The Plümo Egg one is a bit too hobble skirt for me - don't think I could run for the bus in it! But I do love the Auricula print - it's actually a One Hundred Stars skirt that's stocked by Plümo.

I'm tall though - & I think that possibly helps with the fuller skirts (even though I'm not slim these days)? Maybe with Toast dresses etc too? But again, I don't go full & voluminous with everything. I worry that I might look less "statuesque" & more like a ship in full sail!!!

I think there are one or two Kemi Telford styles that aren't as full? They're maybe two panel & a bit shorter too. They're all too full. I'm not tall. No to 2 panel skirts.

Toast - there's not much that appeals to me on the site. I totally get the aesthetic but look at the clothes and don't feel inspired. I can't put my finger on why it doesn't hit the mark because in theory I should love it. Most of the clothes seem to look drab and shapeless.

Marks and Spencer’s have some nice boat neck T-shirts with sleeves that come just below the elbow. They look nice with wide legged linen trousers and Birkenstocks.

Your problem would be solved by moving north. Same clothing as winter all year round ..,

This is a great idea. Does the app have an annual fee?

Justine Tabac is good for linen - she works with traditional mills in Ireland - the fabric is really lovely https://justinetabak.co.uk/collections/skirts
Very pretty linen shorts too https://justinetabak.co.uk/products/where-shorts-in-sorbet-stripe-irish-linen

No it's free for the moment@SkinnyOatFlatWhiteForMePlease. They did ask for donations over a year ago & I gave a very small amount. I initially used it because my kids told me I bought the same sorts of clothes every year. Now I keep track.

Thank you, I will download it. I sometimes really struggle with thinking how I styled something and felt good in it etc.

Funnily enough, summer evenings are the only time I wear my Diptyque fig perfume. The evenings are preferably warm & dry, but there's no guarantee of that in Edinburgh - though they're certainly long & light! But whatever the weather, it takes me on holiday to a Greek island ...

Agree on the dress being a woman's answer to the suit (unless she wants to wear a suit of course!). I find them so easy & don't understand why some women don't.

Only the extremities to think of - head & feet!!!! (And jewellery, always!)

I used to adore dresses. I loved the way they felt like a complete outfit and were so easy. They made me feel stylish and feminine, with minimum effort.

But as I’ve got older I’ve felt less comfortable in them. It’s so hard to find a dress that doesn’t feel a bit…matronly (and I’m only 47!) My strong preference nowadays is for culottes or wide leg jeans with a silk shirt (for good) or a linen t shirt or cropped cashmere knit (for normal days.)

I still have a few dresses I love and would choose a dress for a posh party or event but nowadays always feel ‘cooler’ in separates. Maybe it’s just fashion, or just a me phase?

Might be a good theme for a thread, @LysistrataSusanCarter - though I’m not sure how ‘non-matronly’ might be received as a title.

I completely know what you mean, and generally can find dresses that suit my aesthetic preferences. Almost invariably the sort of things I like provoke howls of fury here, by reason of either cost or simply non-Nobody’s child-ness.

Dresses are only easy if they fit. Once I factor in all the time it takes to hunt down a dress that fits both my shoulders and arse then they're neither easy nor quick. The one exception were those stretchy jersey dresses which I did wear for a while till I got bored. Separates all the way for me: easier to get a good fit, far more versatile, especially if you're on a budget, and less washing.

I'm another who never wears dresses apart from in the height of summer where I have a couple of warm earthy coloured kaftan dresses, a Poetry crinkled cotton burnt orange and a black boho style dress.
I never wear dresses & skirts in winter but live in barrels, wide leg, straight jeans & Cashmere.
I also feel a little dated in dresses and I'm by no means young. My lifestyle is very casual & I live in a beauty spot with lots of hikers & very few dresses. On the few occasions I wear a dress I get asked where am I going all dressed up 😳

Another 50+ dress lover here. I'm a funny shape (tall, broad but bottom heavy) and if I choose wisely, a dress really balances me out and slims me down. So no pleats or voluminous skirts. I've had good luck with ASOS and Next maxis.
Otherwise, I do summer in linen trousers and tops, preferably in similar colours.

@Cantonet, can I ask about the pale pink top you've shared from your app? I absolutely love it!