Am I too old for this pretty, girly dress?

Cali369

I'm new here but looking for advice.

A bit about me, I'm 44, short (5'2"), hourglass I think, long wavy blonde hair. Oh and a size 12 (UK) so I think that's an 8 (US)

I'm a sucker for dresses, I lust after and sometimes buy dresses that I love but that don't necessarily suit my lifestyle or age.

Today's arrival, a case in point. I love it, it's super pretty but I've a sneaking suspicion that it's really too girly/twee/young for me.

Should I keep it or send it back? And if it's a keeper how do I keep it from it from looking age-inappropriate?

Thanks!

https://picasaweb.google.com/C.....5610574802

Oh and obviously that isn't me, it's a slimmer, much younger model!

14 years ago

Dressing

31 replies

Latest reply was from Sharon

Astrid

Veteran

I love that dress! I would wear it in a heartbeat. I'm not sure about the age factor though, I will leave that to other people. But my suggestion would be to style it more "grown up" if you feel that is necessary. Maybe with a blazer and some nice heels? And I think I would leave any sweet or girly jewelry off and wear something bolder to balance the playfulness of the dress.

14 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Can we see it on you?

14 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

it's hard to tell without seeing you model it. Some 44 year olds could pull it off beautifully,while others might look a bit little girlish in it. Any way you can post a pic of you wearing it?

14 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

I think a lovely summer print dress is appropriate at any age. I'm 52 and I would totally wear that dress with my nude non-flatform sandals and maybe my navy knit blazer or coral shrug. Or a cardi in any of the colors in the print. Or white blazer. Or just a pashmina over my shoulders if it's cool at night.

And yes, a fun bold chunky necklace would look great with it!

BTW: I voted "yay," as in "yes, you should wear it." Not "yes, you are too old!" LOL

14 years ago

DressLover

Veteran

As soon as I saw the dress I thought, "MaryK would love that and totally wear it!"

I don't think floral sundresses are only for little girls/juniors, but I think people have that misconception because so many are a juniors cut. As long as it is cut for a woman, I think it is fine.

14 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Right, DressLover! Not just wear it, TOTALLY wear it! LOL

14 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

Lovely dress and I say wear it if you love it.

14 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

the dress looks so cool in this hot weather that i think it's a do. if you feel it's too girly, you could "toughen" it up with a leather or denim jacket.

14 years ago

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I think the dress reads a touch "twee."

14 years ago

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I think it's lovely also and would look great with a denim jacket or cute cardi....I would say 'go for it'

14 years ago

taylor

Veteran

The reason I give this a yay for any age is:
it has substantial shoulder strap and coverage...not spaghetti
and the length is really flattering also this is a flared skirt...perfect for an hourglass::)

wear and enjoy!!

14 years ago

Anonymous

I'm just passing this along for your interest. I was going to post this on Angie's links to what we've been reading, but got there too late.
http://www.kendallfarr.com/blog/
This especially: ", Karl got me thinking about what combinations of floral pattern plus silhouette work for ladies who are not kids. Florals are tricky. If you can imagine a particular floral looking adorable in a child's size then keep pushing those hangers. Choose a sweet floral in a style that is too girly or Mad Men-retro and it's easy to look crazy (and matronly). Floral and mini lengths are a no if you don't want to look like you are clutching at youth. Not to mention that minis are currently in remission. Fashion loves longer lengths and this trend is only just beginning."
Following the way I read her guidelines for wearing florals if not a kid, this dress would be a "no". It has a light background, seems rather retro and would look adorable on a little girl. Her guidelines for florals that work on women are for more sophisticated patterns and dark backgrounds.

14 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Heh. The number of pieces of Kendall Farr's advice I have followed remains at two. (Wearing pink lipstick and having a hairstyle with bangs.)

14 years ago

Girl X

(website)

Veteran

Love it - if it flatters your figure, I say wear it at any age. (I voted Yay as in Wear it!)

14 years ago

taylor

Veteran

Mary...I agree Kendall looks every bit her age and actually a bit dated...and is in desperate need of a haircut!!

14 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

Welcome to YLF!

IMHO, Kendall Farr's advice about florals should be taken with MANY grains of salt! If your style is girly and feminine, please DO consider that dress.

Usually I just don't know if it's really ME until I try it on. The reaction to my reflection in that mirror is always instant, whether it's positive or negative!

14 years ago

Ginkgo

Veteran

Yay -- I think this is fine to wear, Taylor is right that the straps and coverage are good and not teenagerish. The dress has a bit of the 1950s about it and that's what makes the style seem appropriate for a woman. Now if it had puffed sleeves that would be another story!

14 years ago

rute

Veteran

Of course not! You can style in a more mature way! A lady-like bag and shoes, a lovely bracelet!

14 years ago

Vildy

Veteran

I'm in the minority here but I think the dress reads on the other end, the print a bit
matronly.

14 years ago

Cali369

Member

Wow, thanks for all the responses ladies, very thought provoking - it's late here and I'm at a meeting all day tmrw but might be able to post a pic of me wearing it tmrw evening. Unsure of the etiquette, would I just update the original post with the new pic?

14 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

That's fine, and starting a new thread is fine, too.

We're easy!

14 years ago

Aida

Veteran

In terms of cut, fabric, print, it looks fine (as Taylor explained). However, I do think it depends on your style as well; I'm 30, and with MY style (more urban) this would look too twee on me. But if this is in line with YOUR style then it wouldn't necessarily for you. I do agree that it would be best to see you in the dress though, and would also like to get an idea of some other outfits you love that you actually wear out and about, so we can give you more targeted advice

14 years ago

Freckles

Veteran

Beautiful dress, anxiously awaiting to see you in it.

14 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I do think it's necessary to see a garment like this on before determining whether it "fits" the person. I can see it working nicely on someone in their 40s (I'm about to turn 46), but a lot depends on personal style and how you accessorize the dress. If the shoes and jewelry aren't sweet, I think it could work nicely. I have a dress that's the same shape and the silhouette is very flattering on a woman's figure.

I understand what Kendall Farr is getting at, but I agree with taking her rules with some grains of salt!

14 years ago

sunnycloud78

Active Member

hmm,looks so cute.

14 years ago

cindygaga

Member

Your dress is very beautiful.

14 years ago

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, another Brit on here!

I like the dress (and it did make me think of MaryK's lovely skirt she posted the other day). If that is your style, I don't think age comes into it, particularly. It's not an ultra-short, strappy, skimpy dress. I think we need to see you wearing it.

For myself - I wouldn't wear it because it's totally not my style as I am more pared down and not so much about patterns. But I can still appreciate that dress on someone who rocks it!

14 years ago

Vix

Veteran

Hi Cali --

First, another welcome!

I still find I fall in love with a lot of items "on the rack" (especially prints, which can be so artistic!). Then I have to decide if I want to stop and analyze whether they work for my coloring, features, body proportions etc. -- and then think about the actual cut, whether it works with my so-called style...and also the age thing (early 40s here).

Usually I do want to consider all that, which may be one reason solids are a lot easier for me to buy, ha.

As others have said, seeing the dress on will help us give you that stranger's initial reaction to whether the dress seems to align with your look -- since we can pretend we don't know your age!

I think the dress you linked taps in HARD to feelings many of us have of wanting to look feminine, relaxed, youthful (not necessarily young and so on....The trick is to see whether it actually seems to create the inverse...and whether we care if it does!

I have to put in a plug for Kendall Farr's take as I have her books and think she offers up thought-provoking advice on style for the 40+.

I suppose I follow many of her "rules," but I'm pretty sure she would hate my beloved silk jersey top in a Grandma's-Wamsutta-Bedding print, ha!

Here is some of Kendall's portfolio -- if I ignored age, body type, lifestyle I would wear all of "her" looks as styled. Stepping back from my emotional response I would cherry pick/modify!

[The looks take a bit of time to load fully; should be around 20 on the first page then a few more on pg 2.]

http://www.judycasey.com/fashi...../portfolio

14 years ago

Anonymous

You should definately wear this dress, don't worry about your age. It is beautiful and only girly if you look at it that way, I see it as a classy sunday casual or going to the beach, I would try wedges with it!

14 years ago

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