Fifty is a birthday people actually plan for, and the outfit question usually comes up early. Dinner, a backyard party and a night of dancing each need something different, so I always ask about the setting before suggesting a single piece. The right 50th birthday outfit is the one you can stand, sit, hug and toast in for five hours without thinking about it. Below are 20 ideas, from sequin midis and velvet blazers to tailored suits and garden-party dresses, with what I'd check on each before the day.
Colors Worth Rechecking Near Your Face at Fifty
The colors that suited you at thirty don't always suit you now, mostly because hair and skin change. Graying or lighter hair, softer brows and a slightly different skin tone all shift which shades look best near the face. Before picking a party outfit, I'd do a quick check in daylight by a window.
- Hold the color under your chin without makeup. A good shade makes skin look even and eyes bright; a poor one shows shadows and redness.
- If your hair has gone silver or gray, cool jewel tones such as sapphire, emerald and plum usually look sharp, and silver jewelry often looks better than yellow gold.
- Very pale pastels and beige close to your skin tone can blend in and wash you out. Put them on the bottom half instead.
- Pure black right at the face can look harsh in daylight. A soft neckline or a lighter top under a black blazer fixes it.
- If you love a color that doesn't suit you near the face, wear it as shoes, a skirt or a bag.
Metallics follow the same rule. Gold suits warm skin and golden hair; silver and pewter suit cool skin and gray hair; rose gold sits between them and is the safest guess if you're unsure.
1. Gold sequin midi dress and metallic heels
A gold sequin midi dress is pure celebration, and the midi length keeps it from feeling like a costume. I look for a soft sleeve or a draped neckline, partly for comfort and partly because sequins on bare arms can scratch. Gold or champagne strappy heels, a few thin bangles and a small sparkly clutch are plenty. Soft waves and a nude lip balance all that shine. If the party has a photographer, gold sequins under flash can bounce light; a matte lining or slightly smaller sequins photograph more evenly.
2. Emerald velvet blazer with wide-leg trousers
Velvet has a depth that flat fabrics don't, and an emerald velvet blazer is one of the richest ways to dress for a fall or winter 50th. Emerald suits warm and cool skin alike, which is why I reach for it so often. Wear it over a cream or champagne silk cami, with wide-leg trousers in black or matching emerald. Pointed heels, a structured clutch and gold jewelry. Velvet marks when pressed, so hang the blazer rather than folding it, and steam from the inside if it gets crushed.
3. Chic black jumpsuit with gold accessories
A black jumpsuit gives you a clean base that the accessories turn into a party outfit. I'd choose one with a defined waist, through a built-in belt or seaming, and wide or straight legs. Gold is what makes it festive: a chunky chain bracelet, layered necklaces and gold strappy heels, with a red lip and a low bun. The first thing I check on any jumpsuit is the torso length; if it's too short for your body it pulls at the crotch and shoulders when you sit.
4. Floral maxi dress with flat sandals
For a daytime garden party, a floral maxi dress is comfortable for hours of mingling. A watercolor or fine botanical print looks current. Flat sandals with a little metallic or beaded detail, a wide straw hat and simple hoops. Chiffon or light cotton keeps you cool, but I'd make sure the dress is lined, since thin chiffon is see-through in bright sun. Let the print be the focus and skip extra jewelry.
5. Tailored white suit with nude heels
A white tailored suit looks fresh and confident for a daytime 50th. A one-button blazer with straight or slightly flared trousers gives a long, clean line. Underneath, a lace-trimmed cami or silk shell in a soft neutral. Nude pointed heels, pearl drops and a nude clutch. Pure bright white can look stark next to some complexions, so I often suggest ivory or soft cream instead; it reads as white in a room but is easier to wear.
6. Silk wrap dress with strappy heels
A silk wrap dress suits almost every figure because you control where the wrap sits. The tie defines the waist, and silk drapes without clinging. Sapphire, deep magenta or champagne feel festive. Strappy heeled sandals in a neutral, chandelier earrings, a woven metallic clutch and a soft curly updo. My one adjustment: add a small snap or fashion tape where the wrap crosses at the chest, because silk slips open more easily than jersey when you're hugging guests.
7. Lace blouse with high-waisted jeans and stilettos
Dark high-waisted jeans with a lace blouse are a smart choice for a casual restaurant dinner or a relaxed party. A cream, blush or black lace top with scalloped edges, a keyhole neck or small puff sleeves adds the special-occasion feel. Tuck it in and wear pointed stilettos, gold or pearl jewelry, a sleek clutch and soft waves. I'd check whether the lace needs a camisole underneath, since many lace blouses are sheerer than they look on the hanger.
8. Off-the-shoulder midi dress with metallic clutch
An off-the-shoulder midi frames the collarbone and gives earrings or a necklace a natural setting. Ruby, navy or plum feel rich. I like scuba crepe or ponte for this shape because they hold the neckline in place; thin jersey slides down. Simple heeled sandals and a metallic clutch, a side-swept style and a soft smoky eye. Try lifting both arms in the fitting room. If the neckline rides up to your shoulders, it'll do that all night.
9. Sequin wide-leg jumpsuit outfit
A sequin wide-leg jumpsuit gives you full sparkle in a shape that's easy to dance in. Rose gold, champagne or silver; keep everything else plain. Nude heels, a sleek clutch and studs are enough. Sequins are heavier than they look, so I check that the jumpsuit has a lining and that the shoulders sit firmly, otherwise the weight drags the neckline down over the evening. Plan for this one if you'll be on the dance floor.
10. Satin slip dress with layered necklaces
A bias-cut satin slip dress at midi length is simple at first glance and quietly glamorous in person. Chocolate brown, midnight blue or burgundy look richer than pale satin, and they hide creases and sweat marks better. Layered gold necklaces, a matching clutch and strappy sandals or low kitten heels. I'd add a fitted slip underneath, because bias satin shows every line, and keep a light shawl over the shoulders for cooler rooms.
11. Monochrome tailored pantsuit in burgundy
A monochrome tailored pantsuit in burgundy or deep teal makes one long line from shoulder to shoe. A lace-trimmed cami or a plain knit tank softens the tailoring. Heels in the same color family or a muted metallic keep the column unbroken. Sculptural earrings and an envelope clutch. Have the trousers hemmed to the exact heels you'll wear; a suit that pools at the ankle loses all its sharpness.
12. Jewel-tone cocktail dress with statement earrings
A jewel-tone cocktail dress around knee length is an easy semi-formal choice. Emerald, sapphire or amethyst all suit evening light. Flutter sleeves or light ruching give it interest. Coordinated metallic heels and one big accessory, drop or chandelier earrings, with everything else kept small. An updo shows the earrings off. If your ears are sensitive, test heavy earrings for an hour at home first; they get uncomfortable faster than you'd expect.
13. Leather midi skirt with cashmere sweater and ankle boots
Leather and cashmere together give a casual birthday lunch some edge without going formal. A black, cognac or olive leather midi skirt with a slim cream or camel cashmere sweater tucked in. Ankle boots with a modest block heel are comfortable all afternoon, and layered gold chains add a bit of shine near the face. A structured tote or sleek crossbody. Leather skirts crease at the lap after sitting; hang it in a steamy bathroom afterward to relax the lines.
14. Wide-leg linen trousers with silk camisole
For a warm-weather or destination birthday, wide-leg linen trousers with a silk cami are cool and comfortable. Ivory, sand or soft gray with a cami trimmed in lace or satin. Flat strappy sandals or low block heels, gold bangles and a woven clutch, with a light blazer or shawl for later. Linen creases as soon as you sit, which is part of its charm, but if that bothers you look for a linen and viscose blend that wrinkles less.
15. Pencil skirt with ruffled blouse and classic pumps
A pencil skirt and ruffled blouse give a polished, ladylike outfit for a lunch at a good restaurant. A black, navy or cream skirt with a little stretch, a blouse with ruffles at the neck or cuffs, tucked in with a thin belt. Classic pointed pumps, pearl studs, a top-handle bag and a soft red lip. A pencil skirt without a back vent or slit restricts walking and stairs, so I'd check for one before buying.
16. Jumpsuit with sheer cape overlay
A jumpsuit with a sheer cape overlay gives you a dramatic entrance without a gown. The jumpsuit is easy to move in and the cape does the drama, often with beading or metallic thread along the edges. Sleek heeled sandals and small drop earrings, since the cape is already the accessory. A metallic clutch and a soft updo. Long capes catch on chair backs and car doors, so practice sitting down and getting into a car in it.
17. White jeans with metallic top and tailored blazer
White jeans dressed up with metallic and a blazer suit a smart-casual party or dinner. Crisp straight or wide-leg white jeans with a gold or silver threaded knit or a sequin-covered shell. A tailored navy, black or blush blazer over it, metallic pointed heels, a simple clutch and fine layered necklaces. Check white denim for transparency in daylight and choose a heavier weight; thin white denim shows pockets and seams through the front.
18. Tea-length lace dress with pearl accessories
Tea length, between knee and ankle, has a graceful vintage feel that suits a lace dress well. A fit-and-flare or soft A-line cut moves as you walk. Pearls are a natural match: a strand, pearl studs and a pearl-trimmed clutch. Nude or metallic low block heels keep you comfortable at a garden party or formal lunch. I'd look at where the hem falls on your calf; just below the widest part of the calf is the most flattering line for most legs.
19. Ruffle collar blouse with black trousers and metallic pumps
A ruffle collar blouse over black tailored trousers is a good fit for a birthday dinner straight from work. Look for soft ruffles down the front or a dramatic pussy-bow neckline in silk or chiffon. Tuck it into high-waisted straight or tapered trousers. Metallic pumps, silver, gold or rose gold, add the party feel, with a simple clutch and small gemstone earrings. If you're changing at the office, choose polyester chiffon over silk, since it travels in a bag without creasing.
20. Maxi skirt with wrap blouse and statement belt
A flowing maxi skirt with a wrap blouse is comfortable for a long outdoor party and still looks dressed. A rich solid or soft print skirt with a wrap top that marks the waist. A metallic or jeweled belt adds shimmer where it matters. Flat sandals or wedges for grass, with stacked bangles and chandelier earrings. I'd keep the belt flat and flexible rather than stiff, since a rigid statement belt digs in after a big meal.
Sleeves, Heels and Waistbands for a Five-Hour Party
Most of the outfits above can be adjusted for comfort without losing their look. These are the changes I suggest most.
When you'd like your arms covered
A sheer chiffon or organza sleeve, a cropped bolero or a light cape covers the arms without adding heat. Flutter sleeves sit loosely and don't cling. A blazer worn over the shoulders works with almost every dress on this list.
Heel height
A kitten heel or a block heel of about two inches gives the same lift to the leg line with far less strain than a stiletto. If you'll stand for hours, a cushioned insole and a strap across the ankle help more than the heel height itself.
Waistbands and shapewear
Do a sit test before the day: sit for twenty minutes in the full outfit, including any shapewear. Anything that rolls, digs or pinches will feel much worse after dinner and cake. A slightly softer waistband is always worth it.
Fifty Looks Good in Whatever Lets You Dance
A 50th is worth dressing up for, and the best outfit is one you forget about once the party starts. Glamorous sequins, a tailored suit or an easy floral maxi can all be right, depending on the room and the hours you'll spend in it. I'd focus on fabric that feels good on your skin, shoes you've worn before, and one piece that makes you smile in the mirror. Then put it on and go enjoy your party.
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