I hope you don't mind my reposting this here so I can save it on my blog, because I think it's a fascinating topic.

Rita asked an interesting question about how not to look so young.
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....o-for-once

I can definitely relate because I get this comment all the time about how I look like I'm 12 and "Are you sure you're old enough to be a doctor?" It's great to look young, but not always a blessing when you want to be taken seriously or look experienced.

Here is my response to Rita and some pictures I posted to demonstrate how styling can make a difference in how young or old you look. What do you think? And do you tend to dress younger or older than your age?

I hear you Rita! I get that comment from patients ALL.THE.TIME and I am so sick of looking young! Ha, they even peg me at the same age (12). I do think your petite height, curly hair and cherubic cheeks do tend to make you look young and sweet and cute which is great, but I know what you mean about being tired of it sometimes. I don't think you need to dress frumpy or conservative necessarily, but I do try to be "dressier" and more sophisticated to counteract the young appearance. It's hard. On the other hand, I worry that one day I'll wake up suddenly looking my age or older, and wish for the days when I looked young!

I don't have a great comeback either. When people say "Are you sure you're old enough to be a doctor? You look so young!" I just say "Thanks for the compliment."

It is an interesting question though. How to dress older intentionally? I think I tend to go for muted colors, richer textures, a little bit of sparkle or sophisticated glam, and a touch of luxe. Wear things that look like only grownups like or can afford. When I don't mind looking young I'll let myself wear the bright colors, young shoes like the Converse, girly silhouettes and whimsical patterns or details. Here are some of my young vs. old looks in similar outfits, so you can see what a difference styling makes. I admit that I do look rather young in some of these, but I like all of these looks. Sometimes it's fun to mix things up!

1-2. Cardigan + T/tank + skinny jeans. The young look I'm wearing a cat tee and bright red cardi and Converse, which makes me look like a teenager. The second look I'm wearing sparkly tank and gold shimmery cardigan and leopard flats (I think leopard can be a bit aging sometimes!) so it reads older. Ha, #2 could be the mom of #1!
3-4. Navy floral dress. Jason Wu is shorter and silhouette is more girly and ditsier print vs. more sophisticated cut and bolder floral of the Ralph Lauren. And I have my cutesy orange slice bag in my young outfit too.
5-6. Tile pattern skirt. I'd say both skirts are "luxe" with rich colors and textures, but the moto jacket and sandals with tights gives the first one a younger look than the rich brown leather jacket and white button down blouse and pumps in the second.
7-8. Coat over dress. I freely admit the first look is girlish and cute with the heart print dress and red bow belt and candy red coat. The second purple coat is my "old lady coat" with the muted purple tweed and huge faux fur collar. The velvet bag is also more grown up than the cute red purse. And the eggplant dress is sophisticated and subtly textured.