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?

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, 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!

After that long drawn out post, I looked down and realized I have flames and skulls on my shirt.

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.

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?

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.

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?

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- 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!

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!

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.

*chuckle*

Not wanting to wear people's faces on T's makes perfect sense to me too, AJ :0)

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.

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....ES_GRAPHIC

ACK!! Oh Maya I shouldn't have looked at your link! I fell in love with this:

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....prepushId=

*Must...resist...buying!!!!*