Items *not* to be worn:
Holiday-themed garments. Midriff-bearing shirts. Off-the-shoulder t-shirts. Any pants that expose a thong. Gladiator boots. Tops with a keyhole to show cleavage. Skirts with ruffles. Jeans with holes in them. An ensemble that includes more than one item with animal print. Bodysuits. Ponchos.

My *questions* – hopefully somebody can offer some guidance, as these matters have been on my mind lately.

What do you think of the following items in relation to age-appropriateness:
Hoodies. Glitter nail polish or eyeliner. Overalls. Short pleated skirts. Knee socks. Spaghetti strap tank tops with the built-in “bra” lining. Headbands. Chokers. French braids.

Okay, so I guess I have to admit that I wear most of the items in question. Am in my early 30s. Look young though, and am skinny. If shopping in a department store, have to go to the “juniors” section. End up not buying much there because it’s too skanky.

Any advice would be great! Please!

I’ve seen my supervisor (a late 50s grandma) wear all black, with a black legwarmer and she ROCKED it. They looked like these, only not leather. http://whisty.wordpress.com/20.....-warmers2/

I also “fake” the look of a boot (can’t wear a real boot because of pain) under knee-length skirts with subtle black legwarmers and black ballet flats. http://www.sockdreams.com/_sho.....D_1745.php

Oh yeah, no newsboy hat after 30? Rubbish. I have two, and get complements and “where did you get that?!” every time I wear them.

Other things like mittens, ball caps, etc. have perfectly legitimate functional purposes and if I’m engaged in something like yard work, a snowball fight, lounging on the beach, or a ball game, I don’t care about my lack of fashion sense.

That said, I have a pair of plain black crocs that I often wear on trips involving lots of walking and airports, because they are very lightweight in my carry-on luggage, comfortable, and easy to remove. And I do sometimes wear legwarmers, but only underneath boot-cut jeans or as outerwear in cold weather (y’know, to actually keep my legs warm). I treat them like gloves for my legs.

And while I hardly ever wear them anymore, I will never give up my Doc Martens.

I think there are some things on that list that NO ONE should wear (scrunchies, belly necklaces, crocs – at least the traditional colored-plastic-with-the-holes kind; the brand also makes more stylish but still comfy shoes). There are also things that are quirky at any age, but if they work on the person, they work at any age (colored cowboy boots, mittens, earmuffs, leg warmers).

Some items, one needs to be careful with as one ages – microminis, tights in neon colors, short shorts, tube tops – mostly, the skin-baring items. But, if the person still has the body to look good AND if the entire outfit is age appropriate in general, that one item is not an absolute no-no. In a monochrome outfit where the tights are the brightest part, neon tights (purple, green, pink, blue) work just fine. A modest (long, fitted, but not too tight) tube top with a full longish skirt is a perfect summer weekend semi-casual outfit. Super low cut jeans are appropriate on a woman with a toned stomach if her shirt reaches a least to the top of the jeans, or if the top extends a little bit lower.

Other than that, the rest of the stuff is good at any age, IF it fits the person’s style and body in general. I mean, collegiate wear?? Come one! Maybe it’s b/c I went to a clique-y school with a VERY active alumni community, but I think my (fitted, stylishly-shaped) college tee, will continue to be good at any age. Or my zip-up hoodie. In the appropriate –casual– setting.

In the interest of full disclosure, I’m in my early thirties, look a bit young for my age (usually get taken for mid to late twenties), slim figure that fits best in “junior” clothing, and wear almost 75% of the listed items regularly – but usually not all together, and live in an urban area and regularly mix with an “artsy” crowd. If that makes any difference.

don’t try to look too young if yor not, and don’t dress too old either if yor able to look great in certain clothes on the don’t do it over 30 list!