https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:00:41 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577972 Mon, 26 Mar 2012 02:41:35 +0000 Suz 577972@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Denise has great style, there's no question about it! And you're right–any woman, age 18 to 81, could learn a whole lot from her! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577902 Mon, 26 Mar 2012 01:18:18 +0000 velvetychocolate 577902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You might be right Mo - perhaps it's that the styles that appeal to me could easily be worn by people of all ages. I hadn't quite thought of it that way - that it might be 'style related' rather than age related. </p> <p>I think that for me, in order to gracefully side-step the whole question of 'age appropriateness' - I think it will be a helpful guideline to try and imagine the item or outfit in question being worn by very stylish women of all ages. That way, I don't have to doubt myself or worry that I'm veering into 'too young' or 'too matronly'. </p> <p>This *has* been something that has tripped me up a wee bit along the way. I think that in some cases, in an effort to somehow break free of my old extremely conservative style, I might have gone too far in the other direction - not necessarily in the direction of more edge, more style - but rather, sometimes I've chosen 'trendy' pieces that aren't quite right as I hit my early 40's. </p> <p>Maybe I'll work up the nerve to wear coral or teal jeans, but you can bet I'm going to wear them like CocoLion does...in a way that is extremely stylish and yet very classy at the same time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577887 Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:52:22 +0000 Mo 577887@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm thinking maybe this has more to do with the kind of style you like than the age of the wearers. More moderate, less edgy, or trendy, or feminine, or what have you, is easier to wear across the board, no? Correct me if I'm off base here but that's what's coming to mind with many of the outfits you describe, quite correctly, as being as wearable at 20 as at 70.<br /> I don't really follow the 'rules' for over 40, but I do agree that some things that were a blast in my 20's I wouldn't want to wear now, but I am so glad I did then. Does that make sense? And, for my personal style, Parisian chic does not appeal to me at all at 42, and likely not at 72 - not my taste, no matter my age :)<br /> At any rate, if this helps guide your fashion choices to better help you, amen!! That's what counts, right? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577882 Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:43:33 +0000 velvetychocolate 577882@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm really thinking that Angie's mantra, "leave no retail stone unturned" is a good one to adopt to try and utilize this principle/idea. </p> <p>TransconnaShannon - if the khaki green military jacket looks good on you and you like it, I don't think it matters where it came from, just my opinion on the whole thing. </p> <p>In the meantime, I'm not suggesting that everyone can wear vintage or what have you, but in my case - sometimes I feel caught in the middle - not wanting to wear something that seems a bit too junior-ish, but also not wanting something overly matronly-looking either. What struck me about CocoLion's coloured jeans outfits is that her outfits would look fabulous on people of all ages, and I really *liked* that idea. </p> <p>Further - if you were to take one of Claire's outfits - dark wash skinny jeants, flats, striped shirt and grey-ish/taupe-ish faux leather moto jacket - worn by someone with a similar body shape, factoring in colouring and one's own personal style - this outfit would look just as amazing on someone who is 19 as someone who is 79. Don't you agree? </p> <p>A lot of Rae's outfits will work for anyone of any age, as long as the items fit that person's style, and if the person has a similar shape and colouring. </p> <p>Meanwhile, last summer I picked up some 'trendy' boyfriend-ish jeans. I like them, but always felt kind of funny in them. Pairing these with summer tops that have slightly puffy sleeves, and ....uh....I just felt a bit goofy about these items. Likewise, trying to come up with my own version of an updated sweater-dress formula last fall - I still felt kind of odd. Chunky grey cowl-neck style sweater dress. Grey opaque tights, and the booties that would 'update' the entire look. While I liked the combination, I felt kind of off somehow. I'm not quite sure why - was it the booties? The tights? The type and style of sweater dress? Who knows? </p> <p>In hindsight, these two examples aren't something someone of any age could wear necessarily. Does that make sense? If my Mom had the same colouring, body shape and style as I do - and she decided to do the sweater dress, opaque tights and booties combination, I don't think it would look quite right, somehow. But if she put on dark skinny jeans, some flats, a striped tee, a moto jacket of some sort in a softer colour? I think she'd look great in it and so would one of her early-20-something staff members or the neighbour's 18 year old. </p> <p>Come to think of it - I *do* remember Ines' book, "Parisian Chic" and how both mother and daughter could wear pretty much the same outfits. I guess that was part of the whole idea in that book?</p> <p>Later on (months later after reading Parisian Chic) I was hit by, "Wow...these outfits would look amazing on anyone of any age" when I saw Cocolion's jeans thread. </p> <p>Maybe I'm a slow learner? </p> <p>In the end - it will be helpful for me to imagine possible items/outfits being worn by people of all ages, rather than stressing if something looks possibly 'too young' or 'too old'. It's just a way for me to clarify things a wee bit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577873 Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:34:55 +0000 Vildy 577873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with Angie on it's the How it's worn. I'm 63 and if I put on Mo's sweet white sundress and put my hair up loosely on my head and went out and washed the car on a broiling day, it would look appropriate to me. I'd easily wear something like this on a hot day where I'm active, whether inside or out. But on a Date Night? No, thanks. I'm more interesting than that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577813 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 23:26:16 +0000 taylor 577813@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a 26 yr old daughter and 28 yr.old son.</p> <p>Having a teenage and now adult daughter roughly the same size as me has kept things in clear prospective. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577807 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 23:16:55 +0000 Suz 577807@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>But I think it could easily happen, Shannon. I mean...you have Gap Long and Leans, don't you? His 16 year old friends might be wearing those, or your Doc Marcies. Or even some of your vintage stuff, for that matter! </p> <p>I DO get that a 16 year old boy wouldn't want his mom trying on clothes when shopping with him. My 12 year old daughter would feel the same. "MOooooom." (Said with bright pink cheeks and a look of horror otherwise reserved for those moments when mom does incredibly horrible things like sing in public.) </p> <p>Sorry for derailing slightly! But I guess it's all part of the same topic. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577612 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 17:16:35 +0000 Transcona Shannon 577612@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had an interesting discussion with my 16 year-old son yesterday about this very issue. We were shopping for him in a store that's definitely geared towards the younger generation when I saw a khaki green military-inspired spring jacket in the store, thought it was cute and went to try it on...he promptly stated (quite emphatically I might add) "you do NOT buy things in the same store that your teenage child shops in". I was a bit taken aback but replied that I thought an item could work if it didn't look too young and was styled appropriately for my age group. But he then commented that how weird would it be if I were to buy the jacket and then run into one of his 16 year-old friends wearing the same one. This definitely gave me pause and I put the jacket back. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577601 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 16:42:51 +0000 Rabbit In The Moon 577601@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That is so, so true, and please send this as a memo to every plus-size department in existence. Somehow we seem to get stuck in the airbrushed kitten sweatshirts and tent dresses section. Boo! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577596 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 16:32:22 +0000 krishnidoux 577596@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a very interesting thread! Devouring every comment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577496 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:47:49 +0000 Mochi 577496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmm. Before I got to Mo's sundress pic, but had just read her take on it no longer being appropriate, my mind had jumped to "She thinks it's too revealing, or too sexy, or whatever..." Then when I saw the dress, it made more sense...the dress projects this sweetness (to me) that is not bad or unflattering at all, but yet it just looks little-girl-ish maybe? Nothing to do with the state of one's arms or figure issues...just not necessarily "grown-up"? Yet I'm also sure there are some women of any age who would feel very comfortable in that dress. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577488 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:42:18 +0000 Angie 577488@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the more effective question is: HOW can you wear this item so that it is age appropriate? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577453 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:11:57 +0000 Anonymous 577453@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you're on to something VC! Did you ever read Parisian Chic? There was a great emphasis about dressing in a "timeless" or "ageless" way and I think that's what you're talking about here. I think it's a great question to ask yourself about an item of clothing for a guideline. It's obviously not something everyone is aiming for but ageless dressing appeals to me too. There's another great fashion book called "Steal This Style" that is a photo book of mothers and their adult daughters wearing different outfits. It zeros in on which items they could borrow from each other's closets and why they work/wouldn't work. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577440 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 13:51:28 +0000 Meredith1953 577440@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting idea. I'm not sure it will work entirely as a litmus test but it certainly will help define a "sweet spot" where an outfit can be judged on it's own merits independently of the person wearing the outfit. Once that has been ascertained then it would be interesting to take that same outfit and apply it to different individuals to see how the look "reads" taking into consideration body type, coloring, vibe etc. Now THAT would be really fascinating. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577233 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 03:44:59 +0000 Jaime 577233@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think there are some ways of dressing for which this would work - and some not as much. For example, certain retro or vintage looks work much better on younger women than older ones. Certain more sophisticated looks work better on relatively older women. Nonetheless, it is definitely a useful test/tool, and I agree applies beautifully to CocoLion's colored jeans outfits. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577192 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 03:06:41 +0000 velvetychocolate 577192@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with you too Traci - that something that seems somewhat matronly could potentially look very trendy on someone else. </p> <p>In the meantime though, I'm still thinking that instead of worrying about whether something is too junior or possibly too matronly or what have you - it might be easier to imagine the outfit or item on someone younger, the same age or older than you are - and if it looks wonderful in most cases, then said item/outfit is a winner, and there's no chance of veering off into too junior or too matronly. </p> <p>I guess I'm just suggesting that there's something consistent about 'fab' outfits - and that consistent thing might include being wear-able across all age groups. I know that sounds kind of out there, but when I see a really nice outfit, I don't see a particular age - I see a great oufit that can be worn by lots of people, no matter what their age - provided body shape, colouring and so on is taken into consideration. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577188 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 03:02:48 +0000 bj1111 577188@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>snap, traci. i don't necessarily want to wear what would look good on everyone. i've earned every one of my wrinkles. often, i want to wear something with gravitas that would make a younger woman seem like she's playing dress-up, even if her stomach is flatter than mine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577185 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 02:59:14 +0000 Traci 577185@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't agree. I think one item or outfit can look matronly on one person and trendy on another. The individual and how they wear the outfit has a huge impact on how it reads. I don't think you can take that out of the equation. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577184 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 02:58:58 +0000 velvetychocolate 577184@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with you Mo. There are things you can wear at a certain age, and there comes a time when it's wise to move on up or what have you. </p> <p>Meanwhile....</p> <p>I'm thinking that for myself - I will apply the "Can anyone wear it, no matter what their age?" idea to my own closet - and that this will help me stay away from either 'too junior' or 'too matronly'. What I was noticing is that Cocolion's outfits in her coloured jeans thread were just fabulous and would look amazing on anyone, no matter what their age. </p> <p>I kind of liked that idea. </p> <p>When I look at Angie's outfits, it seems like they could be worn by someone who is 19, 35, 45, 55 or 69 and look fabulous. I realize it depends on body shape and one's colouring, but I'm thinking I've come across a good benchmark to help me sort out my own wardrobe. If it will look just as good on someone who's younger or older - then it's a great item/outfit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577182 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 02:55:49 +0000 Anonymous 577182@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Body shape is a consideration too, at least for me...I lean towards curvy, almost plus sized and some things look matronly because of the size </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577178 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 02:52:04 +0000 Mo 577178@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not sure this works for me. Things I can see my 19 year old niece in I couldn't imagine on my mother, and vice versa. I have a white sundress I wore as recently as last year, at the age of 41. Decided that was pushing it and I won't be wearing it this spring at 42. I am giving it to my niece and it'll be perfect for her. I'd laugh at my mom (67) if she put it on. Know what I'm saying? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577175 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 02:49:09 +0000 Anonymous 577175@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mmm, interesting idea. I think thatbis a good test...I also use my almost 16 year old daughter as the test too...sometimes she is brutally honest </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-aha-moment-about-so-called-age-appropriateness#post-577165 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 02:37:50 +0000 velvetychocolate 577165@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>While responding to CocoLion's thread about whether coloured jeans are 'age appropriate' I was struck by the realization that instead of worrying about whether a particular outift or item is age appropriate, it might be better to ask whether the outfit or item in question could be worn by anyone, no matter what their age. </p> <p>So, instead of worrying about wearing things that are seemingly 'too young' or conversely, if we're veering into 'matronly' - how about thinking in terms of whether the outfit or item could be worn by anyone of any age? </p> <p>I think this is going to be my new litmus test. If said item/outfit is coming across as 'matronly' - it's going to be matronly on *anyone*, no matter what their age, and further - if it's too 'junior' - it might not be the best thing even if you can sort of get away with it. </p> <p>What does everyone think of this idea? </p>