https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 01 May 2026 20:45:07 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness/page/2#post-1011160 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 11:54:17 +0000 Anonymous 1011160@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The rules do get stupid. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness/page/2#post-1010912 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 01:20:04 +0000 Echo 1010912@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I generally don't worry about age-appropriate, as I have never tended toward too short, too bare, too revealing or too tight. I don't think my clothing is generally at issue.&nbsp;</p> <p>But I like to wear stompy shoes, and I always have. So I am not picking my kids up from school wearing stilettos, but I have recently started to wonder if my combat-like boots are an issue or if my Balenciaga-like cutout buckle boots are "too young". Then I see beautiful and completely appropriate women here wearing Docs and I think I am okay.</p> <p>It just throws me for a loop knowing that even when we aren't wearing things that are "too" anything, we might still be perceived as "too young" or "trying too hard" while wearing completely flat (or maybe lug-soled) shoes!</p> <p>When we think about all the "rules" we've all seen for women over 40, though, they rule out EVERYTHING. No short skirts, no heels too high, nothing trendy, nothing too old fashioned, nothing too snug. And how about the rule that if you wore a trend the first time you cannot wear it again? Um... after a certain age that would leave women wearing nothing but burlap bags! "Skinny jeans" with zippers at the ankle were trendy when I was in college, and I remember when flares/bootcuts came back into style a few years later (I wore straight legs throughout childhood), so does that mean I can't wear jeans at all? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness/page/2#post-1010893 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 00:43:15 +0000 Suz 1010893@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yay, Sarah! Fab post!!&nbsp;</p> <p>And Denise, you are beautiful. Full stop.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness/page/2#post-1010887 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 00:32:29 +0000 cciele 1010887@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hear hear Sarah! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness/page/2#post-1010863 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 00:05:07 +0000 MovingFashionForward 1010863@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For about 17 years (from in my mid twenties!) I was quite sure that it was inappropriate for me to show my arms, wear skirts above the knee, and so on -- all the "age appropriate" rules.</p> <p>Then, when I was choosing my wedding dress in early 2007, and trying to find one with sleeves to be age appropriate, a single experience completely changed my thinking about these stupid rules.&nbsp;The young sales assistant and my younger sister persuaded me to try on a beautiful sleeveless wedding dress with a neckline that hit diagonally at the very edge of my shoulders -- sort of off the shoulders but not hanging down next to the shoulders. It was exquisite, but what about the lack of sleeves on a woman my age (43 at that time), I asked. Both my beautiful, stylish, ex-model sister and the young and beautiful sales assistant looked genuinely puzzled, and both of them insisted that I actually look at my arms, and that there was absolutely no reason to hide my arms.&nbsp;</p> <p>When I looked at them from all angles with the multiple mirrors they had there, I realised that all that time I had been thinking I had to cover my arms to be age appropriate, it was completely mad. I had been severely limiting myself for nothing.</p> <p>So now, I try to question any age-appropriateness-related rule I find myself thinking I should be sticking to. So many of the rules are actually completely arbitrary and not about covering ageing skin (which I would do if wearing a veil were in fashion but otherwise it's a bit tricky! It's my face where my age shows, as CocoLion said, though I certainly don't see it in her case!).&nbsp;</p> <p>I would feel silly in some teenage fashion, but I do now occasionally buy something from the children's department (though it's as likely to be the boys' section as the girls') and my own children (early 20s girls) are, if anything, proud of me, and positively encourage me to wear shorts etc.</p> <p>Moreover, I have seen catty comments ("mutton dressed as lamb")&nbsp;from people in their 20s and 30s on an internet forum about a woman in her&nbsp;40s whose style seems perfectly fine to me (and not remotely MDAL), so if that stylish woman can't avoid the MDAL slapdown, well, I conclude that to avoid the MDAL accusation one would need to dress in a depressingly dull, great-granny-of-100-years-ago-like manner, and that wouldn't be me, so I'd then be falling foul of the "be yourself"/"be authentic"/"your dress should be congruent with your personality"&nbsp;rule. How about forgetting the silly rules and instead&nbsp;each person dress in ways that he or she enjoys and we all stop disapproving of others' style choices?</p> <p>Sarah</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness/page/2#post-1010704 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 20:25:49 +0000 CocoLion 1010704@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is on my mind a lot as I am 55 and love trendy fashion. &nbsp;Add to that, I have no children who would be natural suppressants to trendiness, and third, my body from the neck down has aged slower than from the neck up. &nbsp;I have had the very uncomfortable feeling of having a young man check me out from the back or from a distance, then see my face and turn away in shock. &nbsp;My face reflects my age; I look like I'm in my 50s and I do not have the means to fix my face so it better matches my body.</p> <p>I think since my WIWs are posted from a distance this disparity may not be as apparent as I feel it really is.</p> <p>I want to wear trendy stylish clothes but I do not want to try and look younger, I want to look "good for my age." &nbsp;So it is a balancing act and I feel I get lots of help and support from YLF. &nbsp;</p> <p>One thing I have read and heard, repeatedly, is that distressing is for the young. &nbsp;I have a copy of More magazine that says the one "NO" for dressing in your 50s is distressed denim (March 2013). &nbsp;Yet I wear distressed denim, because it fits my rugged environment. &nbsp;And I do love my shredded Jimmy Page tee shirt but it is a fun, at home kind of garment, I don't think I'd wear it when I go to San Francisco and have lunch even at a casual restaurant.</p> <p>So -- besides age there is the very important aspect of environment and finally physique. &nbsp;All three are important factors when deciding on what to wear.</p> <p>The time I did feel uncomfortable was last year when I was fixated on finding a pair of neon, highlighter yellow skinny jeans. &nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/neon-yellow-pants-and-pushing-whats-age-appropriate----pic-heavy">Here's a thread about it.</a> &nbsp;I tried so many different pairs, then finally realized, this was too young for me. &nbsp;I landed on feeling very happy with one neon belt and a partially neon tote bag. </p> <p>ETA -- and thank you Adelfa for the shout-out! &nbsp;You are so kind to compliment me.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness/page/2#post-1010670 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 19:46:07 +0000 Anonymous 1010670@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The older I get, the more I want to dress the age I feel--not the age I actually am. No, I don't want to dress like my college-aged DDs, but I certainly don't feel compelled to dress like I'm in my 50s. No one ever guesses I'm 52. If they don't know my childrens' ages, they always guess I'm in my 30s.</p> <p>My SIL is several years younger than I, but looks older because of the way she dresses. It's really sad. She could look so nice if she ditched the mom pants and other wardrobe items that give her wardrobe the dreaded frump factor. Someone else in the family already said something to her about it, and her answer was that she feels she should dress her age. Dressing that way isn't working for her, bless her heart. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness/page/2#post-1010667 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 19:43:19 +0000 Gaylene 1010667@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You do start the most interesting threads, Adelfa! I've been thinking about this topic all morning and have had fun reading the responses, so I decided to chime in with my $.02.</p> <p>I think Caro and Lantana are spot on when they say that being told how to dress just doesn't go over very well with the senior crowd. At 64, I don't take kindly to someone younger setting "rules" for how I ought to behave or telling me what is "off limits".</p> <p>As many of the previous commenters have mentioned, age-appropriate dressing is probably more about situational dressing than about age itself. I'm totally in favour of the 60+ crowd wearing bikinis on the beach if that is what a person wants to do, but I prefer a bit more coverage on <i>all</i> ages when walking around in the shops. The same goes for going to a nightclub; if, in your sixties, you have the stamina, then why not wear your sequins and miniskirt--and, if the sight of you offends the younger generation, that's their problem!</p> <p>On a bit more serious note, I don't like it much when I detect the whiff of desperation that seems to accompany a mother who wants to dress like her daughter. It's not the outfit that bothers me as much as the fear of growing old that the look seems to give off. I think, as older women, we ought to wear clothes that add to our sense of vitality and fun. Instead of tweaking our outfits to look like our daughters, why not tweak to show our strength, self-assurance, and happiness at being blessed with these added years.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness/page/2#post-1010666 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 19:40:07 +0000 Classically Casual 1010666@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Most of the time I feel I've made peace with this issue, and enjoy my clothes again, thanks to YLF. I basically dress for myself, but will explain to others what I'm going for if they seem interested.</p> <p>BUT, and it's really annoying me lately, the models in all the fall ads look younger than ever. I'll see a photo of something I like, but then pretty quickly reject it since it must be aimed at 18-20 year olds. I'm not sure how to get over that hurdle. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness/page/2#post-1010605 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 18:40:21 +0000 Diana 1010605@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I worry about this a lot.&nbsp; I am 33, but look younger - not sure how much younger, but definitely younger; I have the "oriental genes" rachy alludes to for sure.&nbsp; (My mom was always being mistaken for my older sister when I was growing up, and my 90-year old grandma has better skin than most women half her age.)&nbsp; To that end, I've always worn specs, since they make me look older and more serious.&nbsp; I also feel more comfortable with shorter hair because it reads as more sophisticated to me.&nbsp; </p> <p>To top that off, I work in a field (academic lab research) where the lines between different levels of authority/experience are not at all clearly delineated, nor can you always even guess based on someone's age how senior they are.&nbsp;&nbsp; The dress code is casual, and anything goes, although there are some inherent biases in the academic community (some people think that anything too conservative or businessy says "industry sell-out', others think that too fashiony or trendy says "not serious about science", etc).&nbsp; I like the sartorial freedom, of course, but it makes dressing in an age- and position-appropriate manner confusing and difficult.&nbsp; When they say "dress for the job you want, not the one you have," it's difficult to know what that means when you have professors running around in ratty jeans and tee shirts, and administrators in business casual...&nbsp; </p> <p>Anyway, one of the reasons I came here was to figure out how to make my look more grown up and sophisticated.&nbsp; I am aware that my particular brand of arty style can easily skew too young or twee, and I definitely think that being here has helped immensely with getting a more sophisticated look.&nbsp; My favorite trick to look more grown-up is jackets!&nbsp; I acquired almost all of them since joining YLF, and they instantly add a dose of sophistication and professionalism to an outfit without being overly businessy or conservative. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness/page/2#post-1010595 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 18:29:06 +0000 Vickie KY 1010595@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is evidently a very hot topic as so many folks have taken the time to comment. <br />I do think about if an outfit is age appropriate but don't worry about it like I used to. I was in my 40's when I realized I needed to quit buying the majority of my clothes in the teen departments. I went through a grieving process when I realized I could no longer do clothing that I used to. I liked somewhat of a vamp look. I want to say that everyone feels different about what is appropriate but&nbsp;I feel "my" Old skin and hanging arms need to be covered up. I still like to do the vamp look; but very understated - maybe a shoulder showing. Two people that are the same age can age physically at different times so what is appropriate for one may not be for the other person.&nbsp; Many of the posts used the word "modern" quite a bit. I agree. I don't want to look an age I am not. I want to be the best me possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;I want to look current, fresh, engaged and approachable. I am 59 and get many compliments from the youth I work with at church. Naturally, I love all compliments but these are especially nice. <br />Vickie&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness/page/2#post-1010571 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 17:58:44 +0000 rachylou 1010571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't say I worry about it, but it concerns me. I <i>have </i>dressed in a way that ended up making me feel age-inappropriate and the experience was what made me start paying attention. It was the second time in a short period that I got asked out by a high school boy. Um whoa! Jail bait!</p> <p>Also, I've got the oriental genes. I mean *like* my cousin has been 12 for the last 25 years. It can be a problem. You show up for a job interview and people ask if you're the intern or which department your mom works in.</p> <p>Anyways, for me the trick lies not in "what" but "how." You know, no cute and sweet; there has to be something adult. One thing I do now is, I always wear socks (well, not with sandals of course). I'm also starting to avoid really flat flat shoes with skirts (but not dresses). I'm talking about ballet flats that you can feel the ground through. Grown ups don't want to feel the sidewalk through their shoes. Definitely no blisters. </p> <p>Haha! And yet I'm serious ;)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness/page/2#post-1010562 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 17:52:13 +0000 cciele 1010562@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with mile high style. Rules? Meh.</p> <p>I mean, I do wonder about MDAL dressing, but less often as I get older because I am more comfortable with who I am. I dress to the situation and also according to how I feel, not my chronological age.</p> <p>I wear tight tops that show cleavage, and short shorts and skirts, and the occasional body con dress. But it's all in context. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness#post-1010534 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 17:08:02 +0000 MsMary 1010534@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I almost never worry about dressing age-appropriately. I can think of only one time that I felt like I really made a gross age-appropriateness error, and it was when I copied a fantastic DKNY look and ended up with a too-short skirt coupled with a too-low, too-tight, puffed-sleeve blouse and felt horribly awkward all evening. I wore the blouse once more before I passed it on and decided puffy sleeves are no longer "me!" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness#post-1010530 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 17:04:12 +0000 AviaMariah 1010530@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think fit and quality of fabrication is important. &nbsp;The only time I have looked at someone and thought they were dressed inappropriately for their age is when they were obviously wearing an item that was too small and/or bought in the teen section. &nbsp;I think if you wear of version of more youthful styles but that fit well and are made of quality fabrication you can usually get away with it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness#post-1010507 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 16:34:40 +0000 Elly 1010507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think this is an issue on both ends. I graduated college when I was 20 years old. I've been working in a subset of the field I studied for several years now, and my SO is a few years older than me (and quite young for his experience level and position in his field as well). </p> <p>It is so tricky to negotiate the waters of careers and a social life where being seen as too young or too old for a particular position or friendship can be awkward in the least and damaging at its worst!</p> <p>I guess the solution for me is not to worry about my age. When I am at work, I dress for a level of formality similar to the well-dressed professional looking ladies in my department-- I might incorporate more youthful fits or trendy elements, but I try to project the same put-together appropriate image. Going back for this graduate certificate, I don't dress my age, but my experience level. Although I am the age of some of the undergraduate students (and old enough to have diapered the others) I dress like who I am . . .&nbsp; a graduate student who has been working as a professional in the field. In my social life, I dress how I want to, but I save anything revealing or clubb-ish for the appropriate situations. Nothing is more awkward than having one of my SOs co-workers show up for a work BBQ with a young lady dressed in really short shorts or a mini and making the coworker look like a cradle robber when everyone else there is in their 30s or 40s and wearing much more family friendly get ups. </p> <p>I think I am lucky because I've always tended to be on the more conservative side and have been self concious about wearing overly revealing things for a long time because I'm tall and fairly large-framed. I also get away with alot because work tends to be casual, as does the field/school. </p> <p>However, I have definitely been mistake for a high school student when out for a quick lunch with my SO when I've neglected to change from clothes I've been hiking, cleaning, painting, or gardening it! Days like that keep this question always on my radar. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness#post-1010487 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 16:14:55 +0000 Wendi1984 1010487@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do worry about dressing appropriately for my age (46). When I was young, I loved a lot of vintage and romantic pieces. I still do incorporate those items into my outfits, but sparingly. I do reject anything with a bow or ruffles. I wanted to wear eyelet this spring/summer, but never did find anything that felt "right" on me. I do find that balancing tough with romantic helps. I wear a pair of floral skinny jeans (a very vintagey print) with a denim jacket or military anorak to tone down the possible girliness.</p> <p>I do wear Converse. I have one pair of flat low-tops in black, and charcoal gray Hi ness style. The Hi ness ones get me tons of compliments, from both women my age and teens/twentysomethings. (I do community theatre with a wide range of ages.) I also have a Police concert shirt that I love to wear, sometimes with a black jersey skirt, wedge sandals, and a denim jacket.</p> <p>I do remind myself at times when I think, is this too "fun" or "youthful" for me?, that Angie is in her 40s, too, and she rocks a very fun, inventive vibe.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness#post-1010454 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 15:19:51 +0000 lyn* 1010454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aww, you are so hip!!!! I can see what you mean though, by being a little surprised by that comment. I'm sure (as your colleague assured you) that you were perfectly age appropriate and that she meant it as a compliment! :)&nbsp;</p> <p>I shall answer your questions ... <p>1. Do you worry about dressing in an age-inappropriate fashion?&nbsp;<i>At work, all the time. I feel especially nervous when patients are my age, or their family members are similar to my age. I feel that they think, "Dude, the doc is the same age as me, WTF do they know?" and that's super unnerving.&nbsp;</i></p> <p>2. Have you ever worn an item or outfit that ended up making you feel you were dressed age-inappropriately? What was it?&nbsp;<i>I have a pretty quriky style, but anything overly quirky without an adequate dose of severity can make me feel pretty age inappropriate. I was stuck wearing rubber boots (pink) once because I forgot my locker combination which held my work shoes. Ugh.</i></p> <p>3. What has worked *for you* to feel that you are projecting the right kind of youthfulness, that is, current but age appropriate? This could be specific items or styles, or it could be general guidelines.&nbsp;<i>Like I said before, I limit my quirky or do it in more serious colours. ie: My "work tutu" is navy blue instead of bubble gum pink :)</i></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness#post-1010439 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 15:00:38 +0000 Eliza 1010439@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another one who tended to dress older rather than younger in my youth (in part for professional reasons and in part just personality/tailored style preferences).&nbsp;</p> <p>Today, I rarely need be concerned with dressing too young, but sometimes do find a challenge with being a bit more conspicuous due to putting current outfits that flatter together. &nbsp;Few around here make it a priority, so even a fun look for running errands could possibly be seen as&nbsp;&nbsp;"over the top" if there is a statement or on-trend&nbsp;piece is involved. &nbsp;I have just decided to suit myself. &nbsp;And that is one of the greatest compensations of being older. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness#post-1010437 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 14:59:56 +0000 Anonymous 1010437@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with milehighstyle on the importance of dressing appropriately for the situation and for your body type. I also agree that certain "age appropriate" rules should be ignored. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness#post-1010433 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 14:51:22 +0000 milehighstyle (Linda) 1010433@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't really worry about this issue very often.&nbsp; I believe more in dressing situational appropriate and body appropriate. &nbsp;I think I am attracted to more sophisticated clothing for the most part. Echoing some others, I've never been one to wear super body con styles or show a lot of skin, but I think that it's ok to dress that way if you are comfortable with it and the occasion allows it.&nbsp; I wear above the knee shorts and skirts, but not so short that they are mini's.&nbsp; I do&nbsp;wear some ruffled tops and dresses, but they are not twee.&nbsp; I did buy a skater style dress online last year, it was adorable with little horses all over it.&nbsp; But I never wore it.&nbsp; I knew as soon as I tried it on that it was a young girl's dress and I just felt like an idiot in it.&nbsp; Also -&nbsp; I hate rules.&nbsp; Everyone is an individual and should evaluate things on a personal level, not blindly follow what the "experts" say no one is allowed to wear after a certain age.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness#post-1010417 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 14:35:24 +0000 deb 1010417@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I dressed like a 40 year old when I was 10. I have always dressed inappropriately in an older way for my age. As I became more comfortable with myself I can now embrace more modern, updated silhouettes. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness#post-1010407 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 14:19:39 +0000 Carole 1010407@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such excellent points for discussion. When I first joined YLF and started experimenting with fashion I did feel this way, like I was trying too hard and sometimes not dressing "my age" but I have since settled into my style comfort zone. For me, keeping classic pieces with just a modern touch and accessory here and there to be current makes me happy and feel most like me. Great stylish shoes and a fab bag go a long way in making me feel current without trying too hard. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness#post-1010383 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 14:05:17 +0000 Peri 1010383@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I definitely worry about it...my main goal is trying to achieve the balance Suz talked about. I think the problem stems from keeping clothes so long before my big purge...I had a sweater that was 27 years old!!</p> <p>The last thing I wore that I felt really off about was a pale pink sleeveless linen top in a semi peplum cut with ruffles around the bottom. It was something I loved 10 years ago and I just kept hanging on. Pretty, but very sweet and girlish and just too much...and dated to boot. I had serious doubts about it last summer...this summer after time on YLF it was the first thing to go.</p> <p>As for question 3, that's what I'm working on now...work in progress. I'm noticing I feel better in cleaner lines and more streamlined cuts, in colors I love. I'm going for more simpllcity, but trying to add interest through color and accessories. I still love the romantic fluff look in theory, but just don't feel right in it anymore. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness#post-1010376 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 14:03:01 +0000 AnnieMouse 1010376@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, lantana is my new hera!<br />&lt;3</p> <p>I worry about being mutton dressed as lamb (and thank goodness I'm not the only one uses that expression - my partner always looks at me like I've lost my mind), and I have watched more than my share of "What Not To Wear" which made me simultaneously second guess myself and hate Clinton and Stacy (I always came away feeling judged and as thought they'd stripped a lot of their guests of their individuality). So I shy away from above-the-knee attire of most kinds (no miniskirts over 30!). For the first half of my 30s, I went more towards frumpifying myself, while I got comfortable with my new metabolism and that milestone age. </p> <p>At this point in my life, I wear what makes me happiest and fits comfortably. From my recent post ("Pondering my style identity"), I've come to realise somewhat that I'm a funk rebel - I didn't do the typical teen rebellion&nbsp;because my parents were the black sheep of their respective families, so the closest thing I could do to a rebellion was dress very conservatively. Now I have the ability to buy things that appeal to me, and make me feel my best - often that's very bright and defies the idea of muted colours as we get older. </p> <p>I draw a lof of inspiration from Catherine at "Not Dressed As Lamb" these days - she is very colourful, but never looks as though she skews young. </p> <p>On the other hand, isn't 40 the new 20? What *is* age appropriate? I have a harder time with figuring that out, because I feel quite sure Clinton and Stacey would be appalled at the wardrobes of my friends. ha!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness#post-1010286 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 12:58:23 +0000 Anonymous 1010286@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am 36, and a mother of two, and work a lot with first year university students, and supervising MA grad student TAs. I don't want to look like a grad student, as I am 10 years out of grad school, but I am not a professor either. There is also a kind of snobbishness from faculty when interacting with staff like Gaylene noted with the sweater/skirt thing and coffee cups (not so much with the younger faculty but the old guard for sure). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness#post-1010271 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 12:44:39 +0000 BlondeAmbition 1010271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Since I reached the wrong side of 35 I've thought about this. &nbsp;There are a lot of trends that I haven't been able to participate in because of my weight. &nbsp;Now those trends have come and gone and I never got to take part in them, and never will even if I did lose weight simply because of my age.</p> <p>I never want to feel old and unfashionable, I don't ever intend to wear skimpy shorts, but it will be a long long long time before I'm too embarrassed to show cleavage or wear a trend that I like. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness#post-1010266 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 12:34:24 +0000 Raisin 1010266@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well I think sometimes I may dress a little age inappropriate, but perhaps in the opposite direction. My DH often complains I look like a grandmama! Lol! I suppose it's because a lot of my clothes are oversized or baggy. Recently I've been trying to get a little more youthful in my casual wear. Like I just bought a tiger tee and its so cute! Although it is oversized. Haha!</p> <p>I find I have a hard time uniting my different sides. I mean I'm 29 now but it's been a complaint of his for 8 or 9 years. I feel like I need to look a certain way , more mature, I guess due to the fact that I have a fairly serious career and also due to being a mom of 2. At the same time, I see others that are older, wearing way younger clothes than me and I feel like they look fun and hip, so it reminds me I may need to bring it back a notch. I need to find my happy medium! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness#post-1010245 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 12:09:36 +0000 TraceyLiz65 1010245@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>At almost 48, and looking younger I strive find balance and wear what makes me happy. I think shorter skirts cause some controversy on those sticking to age appropriateness , but for me it is about also dressing for my petite height. Just saw an article about choosing the right skirt for body type and for petite it said flared above the knee, my favorite style. </p> <p>I am also careful of not wearing anything too kitchy , as I don't want to come across as trying to dress younger. That also applies to no Converses in my shoe wardrobe. </p> <p>I am happy with the balance I have been consciously striving for this last year! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/projecting-the-right-kind-of-youthfulness#post-1010224 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 11:52:01 +0000 Jaime 1010224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes agree that with age comes the desire to look&nbsp;modern if not young. In a strange way letting my hair grow into its natural color makes me more comfortable wearing whatever I want and not feel like I am trying to look younger than I am. </p>