Best friends wedding at 50

[zippyswife]

Nearly 50 (I know age shouldn’t matter but…) and have my best friends wedding coming up.

confidence in my appearance is at an all time low- I live in jeans and trainers and am daunted by the thought of a smart wedding outfit.

im 5’8 size 12… menopausal apple (belly) but have cracking legs (if I need to show something).

any ideas? I’m not a frills or fuss person…

A silk shirt

Gosh how rude! 🙈
The OP is conscious of her middle, which is why I suggested longline.
That length of trouser is actually very much in for Spring, with loafers or mary janes casual, or heels for evening.

Observe, OP:

https://www.meandem.com/tailoring?page=2

Or:

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/blazer-with-feather-cuffs-and-shoulder-pads-p02529593.html?v1=512314397&v2=2420285 (Pink!)

And some alternative colours.

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/coraline-floral-embroidered-midi-dress-blue-20004530003.html

And this one:
https://www.monsoon.co.uk/annika-floral-embroidered-chiffon-midi-dress-blue-20004290003.html

Never been a fan of high heels but a block or kitten heel is good at our age. Comfortable, stable and just gives that bit of height. If you went short I would also recommend ballet flats but I think a small heel with a slightly above knee dress. You can get styles of dresses that have layers of light fabric crossing diagonally over the front too. I find them good for hiding the not so flat tummy. Or the flowing tiered look.
Have fun.

I commented earlier about the linen wide leg suit I wore last year (same age) to a wedding (it was in a gorgeous poppy red from Hobbs) and I can see you like Birkenstock’s. I actually bought some flatform Uggs for that wedding that were super comfortable and funky. Wear flats if that’s what you prefer! You can do any top under a suit jacket. Plain scoop neck, T shirt. Frilly blouse, anything really. If it’s going to be in the summer, might be good to have a short sleeve under.

I’m roughly around your age and also apple shaped - and I’ve just bought this jumpsuit for hubby’s best friend’s wedding. I’m 5ft6 and it’s a little long on me (I’m going to wear it with wedges) so on you at 5ft8 it should be the perfect length with flat sandals. It’s very flattering and because it’s got some metallic threads in the fabric it looks a bit ‘dressy’

www.fatface.com/style/su498724/al1853

I have that in the navy, it's so comfy, but I prefer an elastic waist in a jumpsuit for ease of going to the loo. Great choice tho

Also OP, Birkenstocks, I have the iridescence snakeskin pattern ones with over sized gold buckles…I’d wear those to a wedding with a wide leg suit!

@zippyswife
OP - I don't have a link for an outfit.
But I just want to say that I am your age, and I too live in slouchy, comfy clothes and birkenstocks. I was invited to a big celebration recently and felt overwhelmed at the thought of what to wear. I am not exaggerating when I say I hadn't attended a 'dressed up' affair for over a decade.
After much searching I found an outfit I loved and bought some lovely shoes too.
It was a splurge for me as I never spend money on myself any more since having DC.
Anyhow, I felt wonderful! Really surprised myself as I was all "Moan moan don't want to get all dressed up and go out moan moan". But I had a blast, and I loved being all dressed up! Reminded me of how much I used to love it. Spent all evening dancing and receiving compliments. It gave me a much needed confidence boost!
So I think if you go for it and get yourself some lovely clothes and shoes, you might find you feel great on the day too! I'm trying to give you solidarity; hope I'm not coming across as patronising.
I chose clothes and shoes that could be worn by someone in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s. I went for classic fashionable. I didn't dress in something aimed more specifically at very young women, but equally I avoided clothes targeted at 'middle age'.
I too am a tall, slimmish apple, like you.
So play to your strengths.
Avoid anything fitted at the waist, and show off your long legs (which you must have at 5ft8). Go for knee length dresses. A line works well on apples. An A line with wedges, you'd look gorgeous. Or if you decide on trousers, go for a cropped length to show off slim ankles and wear a more flowing non-fitted top, that will skim over your waist.
Have fun and embrace the occasion! Hope you enjoy.💛

A denim dress, a t-shirt, grey workwear trousers, Birkenstocks… for a wedding? Bonkers.

Not suitable for a wedding

OP you don’t tend to see women in suits and trousers at weddings. Not that it should matter but just a heads up it’s not regular female wedding attire in case that should matter to you. Maybe a jumpsuit as an alternative? They can be surprisingly flattering.. Mumsnet seems to hate them because of the worry about getting them off when you go to the toilet but I’ve worn plenty and never had an issue (and my bladder certainly has been through the ringer with 3 children!)

I’m similar and went for a personal shopper and she had me try on stuff I wouldn’t normally. It was ace! Well worth the money to find something. I think the dress was £60 from oasis (it was in John Lewis) but I learned a lot and it was so helpful to find out what styles and colours suit me. I can think something looks lovely on a model and then when I put it on I feel like crap as I look like a sack of potatoes. Hope you manage to have a good experience finding a suitable outfit. I know how you feel.

I would definitely go for a maxi dress with a slit to show flashes of long legs ...
Go on Asos and search for that.
I would also avoid linen - by the time you've travelled to the wedding it will look like you've slept in it.

This is gorgeous. Unusual colour, looks smart and special for the occasion, nice detailing, (almost) within budget, and fits the brief (and OP's body shape) perfectly, IMHO.

Pardon? I wear wide leg trouser suits to weddings and I’ve seen loads of women doing similar. There are some amazing patterned or coloured suits for women, why make yourself wear a dress if it’s not your thing?

I'd go online to J lewis and look at 'Occasion Wear.'
Loads of dresses, especially Phase 8 which are 'wedding-y' .

Or Me+Em which have gorgeous dresses but more like £250+.

I think that is far too informal. I don't think mini styles are smart enough for the OP for the wedding she described.

I can’t recommend a style/ colour analysis day highly enough. You sound as if you’ve got a cracking figure, you just need some confidence and someone showing you the right styles and colours for you might help unlock that. I used to live in a variety of shapeless black garments, omg it was a revelation. You’ll never ever be stuck for something to wear again.

so I have fallen in love with

https://www.meandem.com/tailored-waistcoat-tapered-trouser-suit-bordeaux

from your link. It is way over my budget… where is good for similar.

thanks all again for suggestions. So helpful. Think I will also book a John Lewis try on as suggested.

Is the weather likely to be warm? If so, I'd go for a dress not trousers.
You could also look at Whistles, Nobody's Child and NRBY ( most are on J Lewis anyway.)

Please go to town and get yourself a lovely dress and smart flat shoes. You sound tall and slim and do you must start talking to yourself more nicely. A bit of a tummy is par for the course at 50.

Similar?
https://mintvelvet.com/products/red-wide-darted-trouser?channable=0504cf696400363235313438373730373135313901&variant=62514877071519&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21215237934&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21215239665&gbraid=0AAAAAD2_tb5kpDbiZsRrrO4sgu17lkTeJ&gclid=CjwKCAjwyYPOBhBxEiwAgpT8P11T3miEmGNLHwLWx1h966PuDWHG6fPKU5NfhnKOlBVaWOTH9Yl8yhoCbRsQAvD_BwE