The Mock Turtle

What do these look like when you're older?

I'm going on a work trip to the Netherlands and have been booked into a four-star hotel and, predictably, i have nothing to wear.
Well, i have bought myself some nice trousers, that are not jeans, which i will wear during the day with teeshirts and that. ( We are an engineering company, after all, so i don't want to get too carried away either. )

I would like some nice going-out tops to wear in the evening for going to restaurants, though. I have one nice navy off-the-shoulder-but-with-sleeves top, and then I'm stumped after that. The little vests and things i would have worn when younger are out, but i don't want to look too frumpy and middle-aged either, if possible.

Can anyone show me examples of "nice tops" they have or covet to inspire me please?

I'm tall and slim-ish, but a bit crepey and wrinkly in places.

I’ve been thinking a lot about this and my answer is that I’m not sure. I’ve just looked back at the things I’ve been buying and wearing and it’s all mostly plain but with accessories.

I really like all the asymmetrical tops around at the moment, think they look nice and interesting while not really revealing too much.

https://www.riverisland.com/p/stone-off ... top-908956

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1209380001.html

I was going to say I’d usually look towards Mint Velvet for this sort of thing but I went on their website and could see anything I liked the look of

I was going to suggest them too!

Last Friday when I went out I wore this. I also put some shoes on.

I suggested this to a friend the other week. https://fhwt.app.link/RKGAPuiS8Ib

Ooo, that River Island top is lovely! Thanks Hobbes. I might have a look and see if I can find it over here.

You look great, Pips! That's a very cool jacket.

It has birds on. :theme: I do like a kimono top.

If I’m going out, I tend to go for a dress these days. Or full Jane MacDonald sequins.

I've bought and returned so many dresses at this stage that I've given up on the idea completely. I just don't have the body for dresses.

I do actually have a very sparkly sequin top. It makes me look like a disco ball. I wore it for my brother's 50th, but haven't had occasion to since. And I don't think "going for dinner with sundry higher-ups" is a suitable occasion for it, tbh. "I am down to paaaarty!" is not really the vibe I'm going for.

But with a jacket on top?

But then I'd have to buy a jacket. I don't have any suitable ones.

I have bought the River Island top.

Oh lovely, do let me know what it’s like as I’m tempted myself!

Great outfit Pip.

I love a 100 star kimono too and that is a lovely colour way/ print.

I'm another one who likes a dress which doesn't help you, Zoomer. But also like the brands NRBY and White Coco and for tops, I think they might suit your needs. Clothes in velvet often give evening vibes, I think, this shirt from NRBY is nice:

https://nrbyclothing.com/collections/sh ... t-hibiscus

I don't own that particular one, I have a mutli-coloured silk shirt from them which doesn't seem to be for sale any more.

And that River Island top you bought is lovely.

I own a few 100 Stars tops as they hide a multitude of sins.

I have this one in a couple of patterns.

https://onehundredstars.co.uk/collectio ... e-acer-red

Hobbes wrote: ↑Sat Apr 27, 2024 8:57 pm Oh lovely, do let me know what it’s like as I’m tempted myself!

I don't like it. The material is odd. I thought it would be nice and silky, but it's stretchy and horrid instead. It does nothing for me except highlight my belly rolls:
The navy top I mentioned earlier is much more forgiving, for contrast:

Oh what a shame, I also thought the material would be silky!

The navy too is lovely! If you added some jewellery it’s perfect for a night out.