https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 04 May 2026 12:24:27 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age/page/2#post-228078 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 18:38:07 +0000 Kim 228078@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOL at RandomThoughts last line...</p> <p>I feel you! LOL </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age/page/2#post-227754 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 05:44:41 +0000 RandomThoughts (Andrea) 227754@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mo, I am with you on the casual lifestyle issue. My job likewise basically requires it. Skirts, slacks and nice tops simply aren't happening.</p> <p>Elly, I remember feeling slighted when I was in my early 20's and someone dared to put me in the high-schooler's category. Heck, I was mistaken for a boy on a number of occasions as well (shaving your head as a youngster will do that) and I will tell you that stings a lot more! LOL! I can sympathize but don't worry about it. In the scheme of things it's no big deal. Age is tricky!</p> <p>Wait until one of your workmates exclaims in shock, "You're old enough to be my mom!!!"</p> <p>Yeah, thanks a lot kid. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age/page/2#post-227747 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 05:31:57 +0000 MsMary 227747@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not disagreeing with your distress at being mistaken for 18, Elly, but I will say that the clues re: age differences at that age are mainly contextual. My son just enlisted in the Marines and has been working out with his fellow "poolies" (people who have enlisted but haven't yet shipped out to boot camp). Just the other day he mentioned that although he's 24 and most of them are 17-19 or so, they all look the same age in their workout shorts and USMC tees! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age/page/2#post-227725 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 04:22:02 +0000 cciele 227725@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the stories too! Just goes to show how hard it is to guess actual ages, especially when people are more casual in dress and tend to take care of them. I'm consistently pegged at least 10 years younger than I actually am (which is 45). And I'm with you Mo -- I'll never be a conservative dresser. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age/page/2#post-227687 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 03:24:28 +0000 Elly 227687@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hey ladies---</p> <p>Thank you to everyone that shared your stories. I also wanted to thank people who left suggestions and comments putting things in perspective. </p> <p>I usually get mistaken for significantly older than my age, but not necessarily in a flattering way. I had just never had both assumptions made in the same day! I want to improve my style for me, but also because I want to look more appropriate for work/ect. because I don't like being disrespected just because I am college-aged.</p> <p>I do have to argue with you ladies about the difference between 18 and 21 though. Of course, I am sure that the difference is nothing compared to other age gaps, but it is a pretty big deal on a mostly undergrad campus. I wouldn't expect someone in their late 20s or 30s to be able to tell me apart from someone a few years younger, but it is pretty important that my "peers" do. I am sorry, but I have a younger brother that is in the 18-age range that I practically raised from the time he was 6. I would be very uncomfortable dating someone that was in the same age group as my brother, especially with our relationship. I think a lot of ladies in their early twenties would agree that it can be awkward to date someone that is probably just moving out of mom and dad's house, where some of us have been supporting ourselves for 4+ years. This can also affect friendships. I wouldn't go around guessing people's ages out loud, but I can generally tell someone that is 18 from a senior. It is also annoying at work or with professors to be mistaken for a freshman as someone almost finished with my second undergraduate degree and have been in the workplace for a much longer time and would like to think that my professionalism shows that. </p> <p>Of course, I probably couldn't tell if someone was 28 or 31, but I am not in that age range and wouldn't go around guessing!</p> <p>I got a kick out of the stories. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-227005 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 01:22:28 +0000 Mo 227005@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kate, thanks for the kind words. As for the dressing your age thing, it doesn't help that my job for the last 16 years requires jeans and a t shirt as the uniform - really! Add to that living in either the mountains (Tahoe) or for now the beach (FL) and you get a seriously casual slant on everything. I have nice tailored clothes but mostly they hang in my closet. So I'm trying to find the balance. I'm sure if I come around here for a while you gals will help me in that endeavor. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226953 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:33:43 +0000 Kate 226953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow Mo, I never would have guessed that you're 40 - My guess was anywhere between 15 and 30 based on that picture. You have a great body for 40, which is part of why you look younger than you are. I think the hoodie and shorts make you look younger too - if you were wearing a cardigan and walking shorts or a knee-length skirt I would have guessed more like 25-35. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226944 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:09:18 +0000 Mo 226944@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wondering how you would post a picture here because I had this exact scenario happen to me a couple days ago. I got carded for wine at the grocery store wearing casual possibly 'too young' clothing. But I live such a casual lifestyle and it was 90 degrees out . . . and I'll never be the conservative dresser.<br /> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1485817&#038;id=1456754575" rel="nofollow">http://www.facebook.com/photo......1456754575</a><br /> I don't know if that link works or not but here is the crux of my issue. And honestly this is why I first wandered over here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226914 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:18:19 +0000 RandomThoughts (Andrea) 226914@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If anyone thinks I look young, I'm happy! If they mistake me for 18 YAHOO! Probably won't happen any time soon but hey, hope springs eternal.</p> <p>I did get carded not too long ago and I started laughing. The kid asked me what was so funny so I told him, "Wait until you see the birth date on my license."</p> <p>Happily, I can say I have never been mistaken as older. Routinely I get about 5 to 8 years under. I figure if I am being mistaken younger, it's not due to being dressed age inappropriate, else I'd look like mutton dressed as lamb which I feel actually ages you. I just take the compliment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226911 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:10:09 +0000 lyn* 226911@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am a senior medical student and I absolutely hate take-your-kids-to-work-day. Someone will ask me (probably more than one), where my parent is. I have stopped being Grade 9 (13?) for at least 13 years!!!</p> <p>The older I get, the more it happens! lol. I must be regressing </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226905 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 22:34:04 +0000 Barbara 226905@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dang, Elly! I wish I had your dilemma! I work on campus with 18 to 25 year olds ALL DAY and I'm 56, although I don't look OR feel my age! No chance of anyone thinking I'm a kid, or should I say, "an emerging adult." </p> <p>Nope, haven't been carded lately. LOL! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226897 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 22:27:41 +0000 Marley 226897@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with MaryK on this one: 18? 21? really, I would never be able to differentiate between those 2 ages! I'm serious - what would an 18 year old wear that a 21 year old wouldn't/shouldn't - or vice-versa - especially on campus? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226880 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 21:50:44 +0000 MsMary 226880@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>From where I sit, 18 is definitely NOT "way younger" than 21. From my ancient viewpoint, 18 and 21 are essentially the same age, or certainly within the same very small margin of error.</p> <p>And the last time I got carded, it turned out the bartender was on probation in my court and was trying to kiss up to me... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226787 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 19:10:28 +0000 bj1111 226787@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>several years ago well into my thirties, i visited a friend. her son (about 8 at the time) pulled his mom assigned and asked her if i was a kid or a grown-up.</p> <p>does not happen any more. i'd just be glad to be carded. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226768 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:39:56 +0000 Anonymous 226768@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Elly, I just noticed that you're 21. I think being mistaken for age 18 isn't that "off" of an assumption for people to make, nor should it be insulting.</p> <p>As for the whole "soccer mom" thing, I think that's probably because soccer moms tend to dress too "young" and have hijacked what is probably perfectly suitable clothing on someone your age (hoodies and jeans). Why your friends would choose to call you this (particularly when they're wearing the same stuff) is more of a character issue on their parts than a style problem on yours. But we'd love to see pics of what you're talking about in order to better give our opinions! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226760 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:28:27 +0000 Louise 226760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My mum and I often get mistaken for sisters, not sure if that's because she looks young or I look old!!! probably best not to ask!!!!!! x </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226749 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:10:20 +0000 RoseandJoan 226749@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Eeek Elly, we have all been there. I think your friends are probably being really insensitive to how these comments are making you feel. Age is hard to judge as is what is age appropriate (just look at the disagreements on the forum about the latter).<br /> I agree with Kate, if you wish to put your mind at ease please post pics for reassurance. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226744 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:58:58 +0000 agrace 226744@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would take these things as a huge compliment. Think about how many billions of dollars are spent every year for plastic surgery, Retin A and other similar prescriptions. to achieve the elusive fountain of youth. To me, these are all compliments. One caveat - I agree with what chewyspaghetti said about not dressing in the overly college casual look. If that is not being done, then it can just be taken as a compliment in my opinion. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226737 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:50:51 +0000 MsMary 226737@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have absolutely no idea whether I look my age, or younger, or haggishly older, or what. I had my hair gray for a couple of years, and that made me look much older, but now that I'm back to blonde I'm just clueless. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226732 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:47:20 +0000 CarlyQuinn 226732@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm 28 and am horrible at guessing people's ages, i've pretty much given up.<br /> I usually get carded when buying alcohol (store or restaurant) and it makes me feel good that they apparently think I look closer to 21 than to 30. I've also had customers at work ask me how school went that day, and be surprised when they find out I've been married for 8 years with 4 children. So, ego boost. I'd much rather be mistaken for younger than older. I don't think I dress terribly young, yeah, I still wear a lot of juniors clothes, some graphic tees and such, but I think (hope) I can pull it off and be 'youthful' instead of 'juvenile' (like the almost 50 year old at work who also wears graphic tees...I would like to grow old gracefully instead of being drug kicking and screaming, but...we'll see) I don't want to be mistaken for a teen, but early 20s? works for me :)<br /> Pictures would help! Then you could have a whole community backing you and you could go out with confidence, knowing you look great. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226710 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:08:21 +0000 Srujana 226710@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I routinely get told that I look like my mother's sister. While this is flattering for my mom, its less so for me (she's double my age). </p> <p>But on the whole, that hurts less than the instances when I'm out alone with my brother and get told that I have an adorable son. Seriously?!? He's 10 years younger than me, and I would get this reaction A LOT from when he was about 3 or 4 up until he turned 14 and outgrew my height by about a foot. Being told that you look like a toddler's mom when you're barely entering your teenage years is *not* an ego boost =/ </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226703 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:58:25 +0000 Isabel 226703@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Elly - I like Sparky's point of view regarding the person who comments.</p> <p>I have had two utterly opposite situations. I am 46 and I was was out with my kids ( 7 and 9 ) and the woman referred to my "grandchildren". I just laughed it off....I looked pretty good that day, better than her ; ) but I told her that I was an "old" and both laughed it off.</p> <p>Then, about 10 years ago , my friend's daughter who was 6 at the time asked if I was a "teenager" ( My friend was 51 at that time. ) This is one of my favorite memories of all time, btw.</p> <p>I just shrug my shoulders. I think kids ( even college age ones ) just can't tell age. I still can't. But if maybe you need to tell your friends that instead of name calling they could give you some gently, constructive, advice. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226665 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:13:35 +0000 biscuitsmom 226665@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was mistaken for being my salt/pepper haired husband's MOTHER once! OUCH....I need either a cane or walker to get around and while waiting for him inside the bank the greeter casually asked if I was waiting for my son (she saw us walk in together) but when I told her no, thats my husband, she did a double-take and got all flustered-lol....Im only about 5% grey with red hair! On the flip side, I was twice mistaken at the hospital for my (4 yr older) sister's daughter...lol, so I guess it evened out! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226599 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:21:31 +0000 Elly 226599@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all for replying. I got a kick out of some of your stories, and am glad someone can relate. </p> <p>Kate-- unfortunately by the time you posted I was already showered and in my lounge clothes or I would have posted. </p> <p>I guess it just was the last straw for me when I had someone guess me to be way younger and way older on the same day. Sometimes I don't understand why people can't keep their mouths shut about things like that! Occasionally mistaking someone's age can be a compliment, but I don't know many 20-somethings that like to be mistaken for younger or older. </p> <p>However, it has prompted me to rethink what I have been wearing and my appearance. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226445 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 03:00:06 +0000 taylor 226445@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can never tell peoples age, I have given up trying:)</p> <p>People always ask my husband and I, how old our children are when we are out with our grandchildren 5mo. and 4 yr old.... We always smile and thank them for the ego boost, these are our grandchildren:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226442 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 02:54:20 +0000 Queen Mum 226442@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>anytime I get carded I practically kiss the waiter or clerk. (hasn't happened in a while... hmmm)<br /> but I hear you. I want to feel that I don't look like a little old lady, but don't want to think I'm portraying an 18 year old either with my dress or actions. I do get some surprised looks when I tell people that I have 4 teenagers (one in college) but I just take that as a compliment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226425 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 02:35:13 +0000 Sparky 226425@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh lordy. I feel for you, Elly ~ those comments can be so frustrating! But those kinds of comments usually say a lot more about the commenter than about you, so I'd try not to let it get to me.</p> <p>Here are my tales to make you laugh:</p> <p>Two years ago I was picking up my kids from preschool. One of the little girls there looked up and said, "Ooh, that's your grandma!" to my sons. Now, I was looking plenty ragged that day b/c I had walking pneumonia (I was diagnosed later the same day), but please don't tell me that I look like a granny when only in my early forties. The preschool teacher pulled me aside and said not to worry, the little girl was busy looking for all sorts of alternative family arrangements, as she came from a family with two mommies. But I was mortified and it did make me think about dyeing out the gray in my hair.</p> <p>When I had just graduated from college, I started working as a teacher in a British school in Brazil. My first day, I paused in a hallway, and an 18-yo boy came up to me and asked if I needed help. He thought I was a new student and . . . . that I was in a grade BELOW his. "No!" I said with as much authority as I could muster while craning my neck to look up at him. "I AM YOUR NEW TEACHER!" Boy did I wish I looked older and felt more self-confident at that moment.</p> <p>Apparently my wish was granted ~ and then some ~ by the little girl at preschool. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226405 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 01:51:27 +0000 NK 226405@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The older I get, the worse I am at judging age, so I really try to keep my assumptions about other people's age to myself.</p> <p>And I think it's sad that being told how 'young' you look is often considered a compliment in our society. But then, I guess I'm a hypocrite because I'd rather people assume I'm younger than I am rather than older.</p> <p>I feel like I really struggle between dressing too old and dressing too young sometimes while so many of the of the women on this board just seem to have it down. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226394 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 01:27:44 +0000 Anonymous 226394@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm often mistaken for being younger than I am (which is 34, by the way!). But I figure as long as I'm dressed age-appropriately, I might as well take it as a compliment. Someday, I'll miss those remarks. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ok-i-have-had-it-dressing-and-age#post-226393 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 01:27:17 +0000 Kate 226393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>People frequently think I am younger than I am, which has been a major instigator for changing how I dress and my haircut. It seems to happen a bit less now, though I still get carded (even when my friends don't). </p> <p>On the other hand, while babysitting/nannying I have definitely had strangers assume that the kids are mine, even when the kids are old enough that I was 10 or 13 when they were born! So yeah, it happens.</p> <p>In terms of "Maybe there is something to their comments after all." - use this as an incentive to post your WIW and get some feedback! We won't bite, and can offer suggestions (or can tell you they're crazy!). </p>