a style thats more age appropriate - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

a style thats more age appropriate

Bree

Hi ladies, I need help finding a balance between sexy and classy. I've always kind of dressed in a bombshell fashion. I'm pushing 33 in May and I feel age inappropriate. I need help finding a balance and style that still suits me. I don't want to be the mom that still dresses like she's 20. I've always had more of a sexy style, than classic. I need help please!

General

22 replies

Latest reply was from JennyK (NC)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

How about adding a few classic and modest pieces to start?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I think 33 is still very young and definitely not too old for sexy! But to be classy as well, you could consider emphasizing only one feature at the time: If the skirt is very short, sport a moderate neckline. If your heels are really high, then the skirt hem could be a bit longer. If you show some cleavage, consider pairing the top with looser pants instead of a skirt and so on. Body con on top paired with looser styles on the bottom or vice versa. I also second Suz' advice on buying a few more classic pieces to mix with what you already have: Blazers, pants, button downs - they are all very versatile garments.

Jules

Veteran

I think the trick is to go less body con / less exposed skin. Pencil skirts etc can still be very sexy without being tight. Tight bottoms can still be worn but with looser tops... existing shorter skirts and dresses might work with tights, leggings (capri length in summer) or skinny jeans for casual wear? Skimpy tops might make good layering pieces with jackets or vests.

Jules

Veteran

Also.. people will still see that you have that amazing figure. It's not hidden by wearing less body con clothes, honest

Inge

(website)

Hi Bree!-)

Are you looking for ideas for work outfits or more casual ensembles, or perhaps both?

Maybe Angie's Mom on the Go formulas could be a good starting point?
http://youlookfab.com/category.....on-the-go/

Or perhaps search the archives for specific items you love to wear, there usually are lots of suggestions to wear them a little differently. E.g. I saw in your profile that you like pencil skirts, so these suggestions might be helpful:
http://youlookfab.com/2012/10/.....-pullover/

The entire Outfit category in the archive might be worth checking out.
http://youlookfab.com/category/outfits/

Diana

Veteran

Maybe Natalie's "demure bombshell" looks would work for you? Her username is Goldenpig, if you search for that some of her WIWs should come up.... You might have to go back a bit to see her non-pregnant looks though, as she is due any day now!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I also dressed less conservatively (short shorts, mini skirts) although I wouldn't have described my style as sexy, necessarily. I have no kids, but at around 40 I started to feel like I was wearing what a teenager might, and becoming increasingly uncomfortable in it.
I have found bringing hemlines down just a bit - I still wear 16" skirts at 5' 4" and 42 years old - and pairing one bodycon item with other looser pieces, hits a nice balance. Tight, low cut top with a swishy skirt, not a pencil skirt for example. Or with BF jeans.
Also, nicer materials and construction go a long way towards making sexy classier. A spandex bodycon dress can verge on trashy. A wool blend tailored sheath, classy.

Anonymous

I second what Ingunn said - it's about balance. Maybe post some of your favorite outfits and we can evaluate?

catgirl

Veteran

There are lots of members in your age group here - do you want to change your style or just grow it up a bit? Are there members here whose styles you admire for yourself? That would be a good start.

Also, Pinterest!

KikiG

Veteran

I think you can find a magic formula.

Consider this one, and see what something along these lines might feel like to you:

For work: ONE bombshell item. (pencil skirt, or lace edged cami under a jacket, rest of outfit is neutral)
For after work/casual: TWO bombshell items. (pencil skirt worn with a top that shows some skin)
For evening: THREE bombshell items (pencil skirt, top that shows some skin, fishnet hose.

Something really glittery, for me, counts as a bombshell item.

When it goes over the top is when everything glitters or everything is tight or "look at me."

T-Rex

Veteran

Ingunn summed up what I was going to say. Focus the sexiness on one part of your body, and dress more conservatively everywhere else. If you wear a short skirt or dress, make sure the dress isn't tight or low cut. Or, if you want to wear something body conscious, make it something that doesn't expose much skin.

Try looking around the net and in magazines, and find images of women who look sexy, but grown up. Maybe you can find a formula there to get you started.

T-Rex

Veteran

Almost on cue, a work friend just came in to ask me something. I complimented her on her outfit, and she took off her velvety cardigan thing to show me that the top she was wearing under it was sheer in back.

So, think about accenting the sexy in places that people don't normally think of.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I love the pin-up look as well, and I like to reference Dita von Teese. She is 40 (or close to it) and in her non-formal streetwear, her skirts are always at or below the knee, and her blouses and jackets are up to the collarbone or neck. But everything is exquisitely tailored and fits like a glove. The same holds true for Bettie Page. Very ladylike, very little exposed skin - but everything fits her like a sheath.

Bree

Thank you for all of your replies and great advice! I really appreciate all of your input and suggestions. Anne, I think that's a great idea. I will post some pics of things I have worn in the past. The one in the blue and black dress is my most recent pic. The last was the oldest pic, about 3 yrs ago. My style really hasn't changed all that much. It's kind of a blend of everything

This post has 5 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I don't think your looks are too sexy for someone your age! Not at all. But I come from California, and we tend to dress younger and sexier than elsewhere.

If you want to make your look a bit more grown up, but not "old" if that makes sense -- my advice would be to go for longer hemlines. That would be the one thing that would seem more adult to me. The short skirts and shorts are really really popular with women in their tees and 20s so that would be a way to distinguish yourself.

However, I think even at much older ages it's OK to pull out a mini on a date night every once in a while!

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I think you look very age appropriate already! Lots of women dress like you in their thirties where I live ( in Norway), and I also want to add that you are a beautiful woman. No need to hide that fact:)

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I don't think women have an expiration date that says "I'm X age, now I cannot wear the same outfit I wore two days ago and felt glorious in". I love your first three outfits!

T-Rex

Veteran

None of these looks read as "too sexy" to me. I really like that first pic. It follows the advice some of us have given to highlight one body part and to keep the rest low key. You have terrific legs!

You could raise the sophistication level of look #2 with a higher neckline, or a soft blouse with a looser fit than the tee, since the skirt seems to be quite fitted. However, I wouldn't think of that look as "too sexy" even as it is.

Really, you look terrific. Don't get too hung up on your age as a barometer for how you should dress. It's just a number.

Molly L-R

Hey Bree, I'm 29. When I'm 33, I plan to still dress as chaotically and eclectically as I do now You have a great figure, so don't feel pressured into "frumping up" your outfits just for the sake of it.

Bree

Ty ladies. U have all given me a lot of great advice I look forward to applying the styling tips and putting together some new looks!

rachylou

Veteran

I love your outfits in #3 & 4 - bombshell and grown up.

Re. general principles, I second Mo and all who mentioned hems being a little longer, better material and construction. The hallmark of the child is short pants and skirts because they grow so fast and would always be putting holes in their clothing at the knees otherwise. The other marker of childishness is sloppiness.

...of course, I should add that being RATE (rough around the edges) is not the same as being sloppy.

JennyK (NC)

Wow Bree! We're style sisters! I'm now in my 40s and I don't intend to ever, ever dump my Bombshell style persona. It is having to evolve, but I have no desire to give it up. I'm struggling with this too, in the sense that I've gone from working gal to SAHM, and I don't have a good idea of how to incorporate that style into my always-crawling-around-on-the-floor lifestyle. Plus, the years do continue to creep by. I don't want to express my style persona in the same way I did 8 or 10 years ago.

I think you're never too old to feel/be sexy. How you portray that might change over time, but that doesn't mean you have to start wearing mom jeans!

I don't have much good advice at the moment because I am really struggling with how to transition my style over to my current needs. I am finding though that I am starting to prefer not to have my tops quite as low-cut as before. Not because I'm a mom or because I'm getting older or even because I'm more modest (I'm not). It's because I spend so much time leaning way over and sitting on the floor that I am seriously exposing my entire bosom all the time! LOL That doesn't count for date nights with the hubby though. Date night = anything goes!