Suz, I already did post them in a separate thread so I could save it to my blog:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....of-styling

Like Rita, I do get the "looking young" comment a lot, but it's nearly always at work. It bugs me there because I want patients to feel that I am experienced and have confidence in me. I do have a quiet voice and demeanor, so my persona may be a bit young too. So maybe I am subconsciously compensating by dressing in a bold and powerful way? Because my personality is sure not dramatic and attention-seeking!

I don't get that comment on the weekends, mainly because I'm hanging out with other moms who are similar in age. I don't care if I look like a young MOTG--I probably do, since around here a lot of moms are in their 40's. I do understand Rita's annoyance and completely sympathize though. And I agree the "you look like you're 12" (which I also get) is insulting. I try to let it slide and give them the benefit of the doubt though because you really can't get angry at patients or strangers.

Rita, you definitely do not look 12! Although you do look youthful physically, I don't think either your clothes or your demeanor project the sense that you are juvenile in any way.

I don't think I really look my age (32) although I am hesitant to say that I do not "dress my age" because I think in general that the whole idea of dressing for a particular age is a bit silly to be honest. The way I dress is perfectly appropriate for my job (postdoc) and station in life (unmarried, living in the city, no kids). That said, I do get mistaken for a grad student a lot, but I am pretty much used to it by now. When I was in my 20's it was annoying to be thought of as still a teenager but now, in my 30s, i find it kind of flattering that people think I'm still in my 20s. My funniest "looking younger than I am" moment came when I was around 28, and I got hit on by a 15 year old boy!

I wear specs 100% of the time and never switched to contacts because the glasses definitely make me look a little older. Putting up my hair (or having it short) also helps... I am growing my hair longer again after a long while of having it short but at this point I don't think I'm being mistaken for a teenager anymore. When I'm doing something that requires looking more grown up, put-together, or professional, I think tailored pieces and heels, even low ones, help as well.

Diana, good point about the hair and the specs. I also wear specs to make me look more professional. I suppose my long straight hair and lack of makeup is not helping matters in the age department. I do look older when I put my hair up so I should try that more.

I wonder if lack of wrinkles also tends to make us look younger. Rita looks like she has a very smooth wrinkle-free face and so do you Diana. I also think that minority skin (Asian, black, Hispanic) tends to develop wrinkles a little later and that can contribute to the more youthful appearance. Someday we will be happy about that, I guess!

Rita, I have been thinking about this and in my 8 years of grad school, the female academics/administrators that I thought were more senior always had more refined accessories, thoughtful/deliberate answers and mannerisms, did not stand for any BS from others and in general had more tasteful decor in their offices and no 'silly' pictures on their desks. None of them would be considered stylish dressers by YLF standards, so I can't say if their attire played a role in my perception.

Rita, if it makes you feel better, last year I had a cashier at a grocery store pat all 5'8" of me with wrinkles and white hairs on the head and asked if she could help me find my mommy . . . . I hadn't been feeling well and made a silly mistake not handing her the right amount of cash and I could only conclude that she thought I was learning disabled!

Oh, Rita, I always think you dress with such appropriate style and I would simply ignore those meaningless opinions that come our way. I love Dottie's response and MaryK's approach. You look very comfortable in your skin; don't let anyone make you feel otherwise.

I look younger than my age and am well aware that i have a baby face. And i love it. I wear cutesy styles and don't worry about how old people think i am. If someone says, "oh i thought you much younger!". I take it as a compliment! You think i'm still a teenager when i'm creeping closer to 30? That makes my day.

Do you know the "Alterations Needed" blog?
She is tiny, and has great style!
http://www.alterationsneeded.c.....#more-2619

I would need to know more about the situation, the specific comments, and who made them before I could attempt to analyze what's going on, but it sounds like your radar is up for a reason. I think telling a grown woman she looks "12" is not a compliment - it seems demeaning to me.

This is another case of people just not thinking before they say something! Rita, you're lovely and look younger than you are, but certainly not like a kid!

And this is another one of those "grass is greener on the other side" things. Sigh. I think I looked younger than my age for approximately two minutes in my late 30s. I looked 18 when I was 15 and later shocked one of my first bosses when he found out he had hired me at the tender age of 22 to be his admin assistant -- he assumed I was in my mid to late 20s). Now I'm afraid of looking older than I am.

You have gotten a lot of fab advice and I don't have anything else to add. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry you are having this frustrating problem! I have never thought you looked "young" in your WIW's, just age appropriate, stylish and fantastic!

Just catching up now and I'm sure others have said this, but I think stature is a huge factor. We are short and that can look young when you see someone in a glance, at least. The secretary at DS's grade school mistook me for a 6th grader and yelled at me for being late a few weeks ago!

I feel that what you were wearing is quite age appropriate and all your WIWs seem totally adult and modern to me!

I also look young for my age, but geesh, saying that you're 12 seems ridiculous!! Maybe it was the puffer coat? I'm sure if they saw you in your business wear, they would not have said that.

Rita, you are lucky to look young, but I understand where you're coming from when you say sometimes you'd like to be taken a bit more seriously, thank you very much. I can relate. I am short and slim and probably look twelve from the back (not so much from the front anymore!), and when I was twenty-three and just starting out as a high school teacher, it bugged me to no end when people mistook me for a student! One time another teacher tried to send me to the principal's office. In his defense, I was dressed casually that day and I did look about sixteen.

Over the years, I've learned to make up for my small stature by developing an aura of self-assurance. Sometimes it's real, and sometimes it's faked, but it works. A lot of it was simply learning to believe that I am every bit as capable and intelligent as anyone else in the room. When I stand up straight, look people in the eyes, smile, speak clearly and think before I answer, they don't seem to notice that I'm only five foot one.

ETA wearing frumpy clothes? What? No, you don't have to do that! But I do find it helps to dress like a grown up (as you already do, in a very stylish way!).

Rita, I have no further nuggets of wisdom. I just want to reassure you that dynamite comes in small packages - and you are dynamite.

People can be so rude. It blows my mind.

What Angie said... Also, in seeing your pics, I feel like you broadcast tall. I had no idea of your height!

I do tell people they look young, but ONLY in context. Especially if they have children, I have sometimes said "Goodnes,, you must use Dove!" (for women) or, "Did you have had them when you were thirteen?!" )for men) gets an appreciative response. Then I tell them how well-rested they look. Then we laugh.