Smart casual 50th party outfit ideas

[noidea02]

Going to a joint 50th in October. I am 55. Usually live in jeans. Dress code is smart causal. What do I wear? Hit me with your ideas! Something classy. Not sparkly or OTT.

Would this count as smart casual, OP?

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/natasha-ruched-sleeve-wide-leg-jumpsuit--PE1002622.html

very dark blue flared jeans, a cami and a blazer with kitten heels either shoes or boots, lots of slim gold jewellery and a clutch

I like silk shirts in a pattern. Something slightly jazzy! Jump suits are marmite. I don’t find they fit me. They are a bit dated too.

Yes to very dark wash jeans but not ordinary everyday ones. Brown is very in this year, and M&S have an amazing pair of brown trousers with cuffs! So well cut and flattering - but £70. They would be double that in some shops! Pair with a sandy coloured silk shirt and gold jewellery and tan kitten heels and you are done!

Or - M&S have really soft baby cord trousers in several colours. They are inexpensive but look a lot more money. Put them with a silky t shirt and a tweed blazer you can remove if too hot. Again accessorize with gold jewellery.

Thank you for ideas so far. I like the dark jeans and maybe silk shirt idea. Wasn’t sure whether that would be smart enough though. Maybe black jeans? Or some nice black trousers - though need to avoid looking like work trousers. I’d quite like to wear a dress but not sure

Where do you usually shop? I’d be wanting a dress.

I currently like Whistles, Wyse London, Reiss, Jigsaw. Though I have also got a few bits from &Other Stories that I love - got
a summer dress from there. Willing to splash out a bit for a classic outfit that I can wear again that won’t date….

What about the M&S Autograph mahogany silk shirt matching silk asymmetric midaxi skirt? Not sure how to link….

That’s too flouncy for me. I prefer midi length - works for me.

I would (as a just turned 50) go for a Wyse shirt/blouse and a pair of dark denim jeans

Personally I like Levi ribcage bells these are on sale - if you sign up to their Red members thingy - you can get free delivery & returns - so that you can order different sizes to get the right fit
Not going to be “in” but they make your legs look amazing. Plus then eminently wearable afterwards

Reiss also have great jeans in black & dark washes but much more spendy!

For tops - Vinted might be a good shout if you already know your size in certain brands - then you can get a top like this for example which you might only wear a couple of times for a lot less (have chosen a random size)

I think that silver top is too showy. Dreadful photos! Op didn’t want sparkly and it’s not that casual. I think something toned down a bit and a luxurious fabric is nicer for a casual look.

Could you go to Whistles and tell them what you're looking for and see what they suggest?

If you're trying to avoid buying a whole new outfit, you could take a one or two of your own trousers/skirts that you like and use those as a starting point.

I think I’m swaying towards the smart jeans/silk blouse idea. Just wasn’t sure if it was smart enough or if I should wear a dress.

Per Una….£50

Silk shirt, NRBY. They have others but I like this one. https://nrbyclothing.com/collections/shirts-tops/products/ophelia-silk-crazy-petal-print-shirt

Oh god a thread full of “jeans and a nice top” suggestions! 😬

Also am I the only person that’s completely over brown? Especially for a party.

@noidea02 what colours suit you? What colours do you love?

Silk and viscose mix shirt, Sezane.
https://www.sezane.com/en-en/product/hana-shirt/terracotta#size-6

Also not really into brown! Reds/burgundys. Maybe greens?

I don’t know many 55 year olds (and I know a lot!) that could get away with that neck line. I know I couldn’t!

Sorry to ask more questions but what sort of shape are you? What sort of neckline suits you?

Brown is still very much around for winter 2026! It’s great and less boring than Black trousers or jeans! Women like a uniform and are not adventurous - brown is great with red, camels, beige and creams. It looks classy.

That's fully unbuttoned, it can be worn with a couple of the buttons done up and the neckline is then fine: still open but much further up. Look at more of the pics.

@MeetMeOnTheCornercould you possibly link to those m&s cords? They sound lovely.

@noidea02i have a similar event and have found a sort of navy / denim mini shirt dress type thing on secret sales which I will wear with tall boots!

Yes, but why wear it just because it's "in" - the OP isn't keen on brown? There are lots of alternatives.

I don't understand why so many people rush to buy the "in" colours each year without considering whether they suit them or not. Very few can carry off any colour (& no one suits all hues & intensities of every colour). There will always be a few colours dominating womenswear each season, not just one, & if I'm buying something new I'll choose those I like & that suit me.

And saying that "women like a uniform & are not adventurous" is generalising so hugely!!

I love that shirt - the colour combination with the terracotta one is gorgeous, & all the other colourways are lovely too. Even the Little House on the Prairie one is fab!

If you like Reiss & the colour green, what about this dress, OP? The one thing though is that it's cut to be deliberately asymmetric (not properly one-shouldered as such), which is a bit of a thing right now. So if you want something to last in your wardrobe for several years, it might be better to get a dress with a more conventional neckline?

https://www.reiss.com/style/sv226157/b76374?utm_content=search&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_search_type=nonbrand&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=11403244488&gbraid=0AAAAADy9Enooho-H_7eRaPWg47Wfdz-AJ&gclid=Cj0KCQjw--7UBhCpARIsAGJBptg4s3K2pqxA9lhsPNCQdC6_1F8uH5HzKrXRDR53iFdd8KhXSSbPPzEaApNDEALw_wcB

@noidea02 - do you have a budget? From the clothing brands you mentioned, I'm thinking maybe up to £250/300 max?

And I assume you'll need a bag & footwear? Jewellery? Do you have a plain classic coat that you can wear/sling over your outfit?