YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Age appropriateness post

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Age appropriateness post https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 08 May 2026 00:33:13 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php AJ on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post/page/2#post-124991 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:54:19 +0000 AJ 124991@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ ACK!! Oh Maya I shouldn't have looked at your link! I fell in love with this: <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=60&startValue=1&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=17569799&parentid=W_APP_TEES_GRAPHIC&sortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,+product.marketingPriority,-product.startDate&navCount=27&navAction=poppushpush&color=&pushId=W_APP_TEES_GRAPHIC&popId=WOMENS_APPAREL&prepushId=" rel="nofollow">http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....prepushId=</a> *Must...resist...buying!!!!* Maya on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post/page/2#post-124964 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:31:05 +0000 Maya 124964@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I knew I wasn't the only one who was floored by your age, AJ :) As for graphic T's--I really prefer the kind that have some sort of abstract or bold print as opposed to anything or anyone recognizable. Urban Outfitters has the best graphic T's IMYO (in my young opinion). I love so many of them right now. <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/category.jsp?popId=WOMENS&navAction=poppushpush&isSortBy=true&navCount=3&pushId=WOMENS_APPAREL&id=W_APP_TEES_GRAPHIC" rel="nofollow">http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....ES_GRAPHIC</a> Angie on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post/page/2#post-124961 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:27:05 +0000 Angie 124961@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ *chuckle* Not wanting to wear people's faces on T's makes perfect sense to me too, AJ :0) AJ on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post/page/2#post-124953 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:49:18 +0000 AJ 124953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carole - Thank you! Minor detail...I recently turned 40, not OVER 40. I'm still getting used to 40, please don't make me over 40 yet! : ) Queenie - Thank you for the clarification. Angie - Hmmm...for some reason I feel weird wearing someone's face printed on my clothing, but monkey heads, no problem! LOL! I will concede on the Paul Frank T and relegate it to my lounge wear since the expert has spoken. Carole on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post/page/2#post-124931 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:40:10 +0000 Carole 124931@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ late to the party, but AJ, I can't believe you are over 40! I would have thought you were in your 20's! I think you have a great style and look amazing and can pull off what I would never dream of. Hats off to your girl! Queen Mum on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post/page/2#post-124930 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:37:02 +0000 Queen Mum 124930@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ AJ- yes, alot going on.... and I no way meant that derogatory. I wish I could pull it off, but can't. You seem to be able to pull off more pizzaz in your outfits- have fun with it! Angie on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post/page/2#post-124927 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:33:06 +0000 Angie 124927@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm not against graphic T's at all, AJ. I'm constantly advocating the item for MOTG (and younger lasses) because they make effective casual layering pieces. Somehow, a Paul Frank T seems to hit the juvenile and teenybopper mark. I bought a 5 year old and a 10 year old Paul Frank T's for Xmas. A graphic T with the Beatles all over it, or an Andy Warhol pop art pic, or Audrey Hepburn is another kettle of fish. I hope that makes more sense. AJ on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post/page/2#post-124909 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:22:06 +0000 AJ 124909@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Queenie - I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "wear a party." Do you just mean to have a lot going on in an outfit? Queen Mum on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post/page/2#post-124873 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:31:01 +0000 Queen Mum 124873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ AJ- I don't see layers and quirky visual interest as something that has an age limit. In fact, I think many older women need more visual interest in their outfits. To what degree depends on your own body and persona IMO-- there are things I simply can't wear (not now, and not 20 years ago)-- my body simply isn't made to "wear a party" and everytime I try, it's a flop. AJ on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post/page/2#post-124861 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:59:10 +0000 AJ 124861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ KristenKP - I'm a lurker at your blog and I like how you put your outfits together! Kristine - Thank you for sharing how your style has evolved! Ah yes, you understand my experience of looking much younger. Although being a SAHM, I don't have the social issues of having to dress to look my age to gain credibility. Having kids definitely makes me feel like a grown up inside! I think I just relate a 40+ look as too simple and unexciting. Just as I see contemporary furniture with it's sleek metal and clean lines too simple compared to antique furniture with it's history and lived in look. I guess that's all I'm trying to get at. I like layers and quirky visual interests in my outfits. Is that an aesthetic for the young only? Angie - Do you mean that you don't like graphic tees at all? Angie on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post/page/2#post-124814 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:20:21 +0000 Angie 124814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ AJ, you carry off pattern and colour mixes beautifully! With such verve and enviable creative panache :0) But in the same breathe I will say that if you were my client, we'd have demoted your Monkey-T to lounge wear. But that's just my opinion and I am hyper sensitive to all T-shirty things. I hope that makes sense. Kristine on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post/page/2#post-124800 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:05:34 +0000 Kristine 124800@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ After that long drawn out post, I looked down and realized I have flames and skulls on my shirt. Kristine on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post/page/2#post-124792 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:22:32 +0000 Kristine 124792@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ AJ, you look great and I love the creativity in your outfits! I'm 38 and my monkey shirt went on the thrift store pile last year. I was dressing a little too young at times, still shopping in juniors and that sort of thing. I have a youngish face and body also, so I wanted to find ways to elevate my style and look my age. I also wanted my career to move along and be taken more seriously. My mom would say "you still look like a teenager" and later insist it was a compliment, but for some reason it didn't feel like a compliment. Part of the reason I was dressing that way was that sometimes I didn't feel like a grown-up inside, despite being married, having a career and a mortgage. I had cute down pretty well, but I didn't really feel comfortable looking like a woman. I equated grown up with matronly. But it's not like I squashed my basic instincts on how to dress. I just reminded myself to try to look for nice fabrics and grown-up cuts. I found role models like Audrey Hepburn who looked young, but still super sophisticated (not that I'm whipping out cocktail dresses, but you know what I mean). And one day the monkey t-shirt was in the thrift store pile and I didn't care. We're all on a style journey and only you know the answers! I just thought I'd share my own process in the last few years. I absolutely love your creativity and hope you won't squash your individual style! It's so inspiring! Kristen on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post/page/2#post-124790 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:42:21 +0000 Kristen 124790@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ AJ, we are a LOT alike, except that I am even older than you: I'm about to turn 42! I don't worry much about dressing age-appropriately, although I have a few patterned dresses that I wear with colored tights that do tiptoe right on the line, I think. But I also think I have the personality to carry it off, and because I do mix it up with my sleeker looks it doesn't feel to me that I am dressing too young all the time. I like the way you described putting together an outfit with a zing factor; that's how I do it too although I never thought it like that before. Good catch! AJ on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post/page/2#post-124775 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:48:34 +0000 AJ 124775@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well thanks everyone! It was so nice to read all the comments. The first thing that I think about when I put an outfit together is the "zing" factor. What item/color combo/pattern mixing/mood will the whole ensemble revolve around? I usually seem to need that one little spark to get the rest together. So there isn't really any personal image that I'm trying to project except that I enjoy putting some thought into what I wear and that it suits my body shape. That's it. It wasn't until my late 30's that I've started to appreciate my body and now I am having a blast dressing it. So I'm glad that zeal is coming through to you all. I know that as my body ages, I'll have less clothing "shapes" to choose from, but I hope I'll still be able to have my color and pattern combos, right Angie? Vani on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post#post-124750 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:56:51 +0000 Vani 124750@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Get out!! You're 40?! Now, I am not saying any of this as a reflection of your style or adorable outfits. I love your youthful, stylish and fun outfits. Please remain true to your style and enjoy the journey Jean Gray on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post#post-124734 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:01:27 +0000 Jean Gray 124734@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think you have the "appropriate" balance of youthfulness and polish. I don't think you should change a thing! You have a natural flair for looking pulled together but always with a fun and sassy edge! shana on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post#post-124707 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:01:40 +0000 shana 124707@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, 40, no way! I totally thought you were late twenties!! I just figured you had kids really, really young!! My question would be what image are your trying to project? Do you want to be taken for late twenties? I look at your photos and think playful, fun & adorable. What matters most is how you feel and whether you are comfortable with your look. I know for myself, I spent most of my mid-to late twenties dressing like I was 40 because I was trying to be taken seriously in the workplace and with my diminutive stature and youthful looks, it was tough. Now that I'm in my late 30's, I'm more conscious of wanting to be age appropriate (not 20's but no longer 40's either) and trying to incorporate some more trendy looks into my wardrobe. But I still have this totally conservative bent and ylf has pushed me to try things a little more out of my comfort zone. taylor on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post#post-124680 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:59:43 +0000 taylor 124680@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You are adorable and look perfect for your age:) PalmFronds on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post#post-124674 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:15:14 +0000 PalmFronds 124674@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ AJ, first you look amazing as all the ladies here have said. I think 40 is young anyway, but you definitely don't look even close to it :-) Second I love your style.It is playful but with a lot of style(sophistication, as Queenie said above) without going overboard. I agree with Angie's comment above that persona plays a role but is not interchangeable with age. You seem to be doing it just right: having fun with fashion, doing it in a stylish way, AND keeping your ear to the ground to know when it may be time to tweak your style a bit. You're an inspiration to us Moms cciele on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post#post-124673 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:12:12 +0000 cciele 124673@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I also would have pegged you as much younger ! I love your fun sense of style, AJ. I think it is age-, as well as persona, appropriate. It sounds like you like to express yourself through your clothes, and I think that's awesome. That being said, I totally know where you are coming from (speaking as a mid-40s woman). I just try to dress true to my self/style, but age appropriate in the sense of being aware of my body and my lifestyle. Angie on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post#post-124647 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:42:39 +0000 Angie 124647@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ AJ, you have great style. It works for you and who you are. As long as you don’t look like the teenage baby sitter, you’re probably safe :0) I have been thinking about the “persona appropriate” comment on today’s blog post and as much as I like the analogy – I cannot replace the word age with persona. I’m more comfortable with persona acting as a variable in the mix as opposed to it completely defining what is appropriate to wear at all ages. For example, your persona can be just as fun, bubbly and quirky at 70 as when you were at 32. But your body does not look the same. You’ll need to make style adjustments. Queen Mum on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post#post-124645 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:33:24 +0000 Queen Mum 124645@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ then it sounds like you're a happy camper, confident with your style and I don't think you need to change a thing AJ on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post#post-124641 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:26:54 +0000 AJ 124641@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't feel that I'm purposefully making things look younger. I'm just drawn to what I'm drawn to. I don't choose items because of its "youthful" appeal. The moms I hang around with are not fashion/style conscious so I guess I feel a bit like I stick out. But for the most part, I just toss those fleeting insecure thoughts to the wind and I remind myself how much fun I had putting it together and try to enjoy it instead. Queen Mum on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post#post-124639 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:18:52 +0000 Queen Mum 124639@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, what do you think? Do you feel that you are trying too hard to keep things young looking? Are you feeling out of place when you're with other mom's your age? Are you trying to stay young looking with your clothes, or just enjoying your style? I think you have to grapple with these questions and do what you feel most comfortable with. I think your style will always be evolving to a more mature place-- it's just how fast you feel that evolution needs to take place is the question you have to answer. (did that sentence make a stitch of sense?) Louise on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post#post-124631 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:53:59 +0000 Louise 124631@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You most definately should keep doing them, I need you as inspiration if you can do it at 40 i've got no reason not to do it at 30 (i turn 30 in a couple of months and was worrying about age appropriateness of leg warmers etc)x AJ on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post#post-124629 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:51:42 +0000 AJ 124629@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Rae, Louise, Marlene1 & Queenie - Thank you for the encouragement, but just because I look young and can get away with more playful looks, does that mean that I should? This is what got me worrying in the first place. Marlene1 on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post#post-124627 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:44:21 +0000 Marlene1 124627@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think one reason I thought AJ was much younger than 40 is the youthful way she dresses (and she wears those playful styles very well.) Queen Mum on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post#post-124619 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:34:31 +0000 Queen Mum 124619@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ AJ, I think more comes into play than chronological age when determining what is appropriate. I think that because you do look younger, you can get away with some more playful looks. Your body type and overall look also seems to handle it well. Another gal in her early 40's would not necessarily be able to pull this off. (like me ;-) Also, you temper your playful stuff with sophistication. The monkey shirt with a bubble skirt and mary jane shoes probably wouldn't translate nearly as well as the way you have it styled here. agrace on "Age appropriateness post" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/age-appropriateness-post#post-124618 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:33:03 +0000 agrace 124618@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You look fantastic! Seriously, I love how so many of you on here make me excited to turn 40 and beyond. I think your outfits are fun and completely appropriate!