Help me look older

Dawn

Hi ladies,

I need your help looking more grown up and to stop people thinking that I am 15 years old (really I'm 20). I am 5 foot nothing, very pale freckly skin, long hair and am very thin. When I try to look more grown up, I feel like I'm trying too hard; or when I dress down in tshirts and jeans, I keep getting asked for ID in bars & clubs and have people treating me like I'm a child.

Thanks!

17 years ago

Body Type

12 replies

Latest reply was from evergreen07

shell

Active Member

hmm...good question. here are my thoughts:

1. dark-wash denim. it can still be a youthful style, such as skinnies, but the dark wash will make them look more sophisticated.

2. simple outfits. don't go crazy with a bunch of accessories or pieces. just keep it simple with the bottoms, shirt, maybe a layering piece, and a single statement item, such as a necklace or scarf. adding too many extras can make an outfit seem like you tried too hard.

3. high-quality items. they don't have to be expensive, but make sure they are of decent quality and are well taken care of. holes and stains can make you look a little younger.

well, that's all i have.

17 years ago

Mochaccino

Active Member

I'm short, petite, and not very well developed, so I have the same issue. People always start conversations with me by saying "What school do you go to" not realizing I'm 23 and I'm not in school anymore. About half the time I find out that they think I'm in high school, not even college. High heels would go an amazingly long way to making you look older. If you go with round or almond toe high heel boots instead of pumps, you can get them a half size up and pair them with thick socks and maybe even inserts.

17 years ago

Mochaccino

Active Member

Btw, lots of people don't realize platforms make heels even more comfortable for everyday wear. 3 inch heels, combined with a 3/4" or 1" platform, feel almost the same as wearing two inch heels without a platform. They're not as over-dramatic as you might think either, here's an expensive dream pair for city walking: http://www.kaboodle.com/review.....ar--womens. Also, I second everything shell said, but don't lose out on the chance to wear really fun clothes later in life then most women can There's a big upside to looking young.

17 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I still get that and I am almost 25 =\

One thing you may consider is a haircut. I don't know how long your hair is, but you mentioned it is long in your post. There is nothing wrong with long hair, but you really need to take care of it and maintain it to have it look good. Otherwise it just looks messy, tangled, and little girlish. I would keep it no longer than the bra strap, and even that is pushing it unless your hair is in great condition.

I agree with Shell about wearing darker wash jean. Makeup might be worth considering too (clean, light makeup...not dramatic trying-too-hard makeup). Also look for structure in your clothes.

BTW if you're only 20, so shouldn't you be getting carded anyway? I know 30 year olds who still get carded.

17 years ago

shell

Active Member

maya, i was thinking the same thing about getting carded but i think i read somewhere that she lives in ireland, which has a much younger drinking age. am i right, tassajara?

17 years ago

Dawn

(website)

Active Member

I live in Ireland- drinking age here is 18 and even then, most bouncers/ barmen don't check for ID. It's a bit annoying, especially when I want to go for one drink after uni and don't have ID on me. Most bouncers/ barmen in student clubs even question my student photo ID- some of them have accused me of borrowing my older sister's ID... totally annoying!

A haircut may be in order as it looks a bit battered at the moment.

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Heh, I'm 43 and got carded just a few days ago, while waiting for my hubby to park the car (he's only two years older than me but a distinguished grey now, so when I am with him, it's much less likely I get carded).

I'm also 5'0" and "cursed" with a baby face. I put "cursed" in quotes, because when i was your age, I really did feel like it was a curse. And, I know you are going to hate hearing this, because everyone probably already tells you this. I am just saying that I know exactly how you feel, since I've been there.

I can promise you this: *someday* - it may take 20 years from now - you are going to finally learn to love being carded and mistaken for younger than your age. Someday. Yeah, 20 years is a long way to wait for that!

Meanwhile, my survival tips are:

1) Don't take up smoking. I thought it made me look older, it doesn't, it just made me look silly (I'm nearly 3 years quit now... but smoked for over 20 years and that was really stupid.... and it didn't even give me distinguished wrinkles either!).

2) Don't wear ultra-high-heels. It will ruin your calf muscles, possibly your back too. It's okay to wear flats even if you are barely 5'0". Baby your feet and they will thank you later. Bring out the high heels for special occasions only. I do think (in retrospect, having gone through this "4 inch heels make me look older/taller" stage" myself - that ultra-high-heels actually have the OPPOSITE effect on us short people. A 1-1/2 to 2 inch heel is great and streamlining. Leave the higher heights for people who have the overall height.

3) Focus on jackets. They give an air of authority. Needn't be boring and conservative - funky fun age-appropriate jackets are fine. The secret of jackets is that it gives you broader shoulders and more "presence."

4) Spend the $ for perfect fit - petite clothing lines, tailoring if you must. Poorly fitting clothing looks bad on everyone, but nothing makes you look "too" young than wearing clothing that is too big and overwhelming.

5) Go for quality over quantity. This gives you an aura of being your age - or older - despite how short or baby-faced.

6) Nix the teen clothing lines (even if they fit). Or use them very judiciously. Do not dress head-to-toe in teen-appropriate clothing. (I don't know the brands in Ireland, but for example, even if I can fit quite well in Aeropostale and other teen lines my teen daughters happen to wear ... I don't wear them because then I'd look like a teen!

7) Agree that shorter hair may make you look more your age. Or at least, just having a style, not an "unstyle." If that makes sense?

8) No more tee shirts. Sorry! Go for quality knit tops instead. Or, wear your tees but with a top-notch, great fitting, structured jacket over top.

Hope that helps!!!

17 years ago

Kyle

Veteran

My tips:

Wear heels...they do not have to be high.
Avoid trendy items.
Consider a polished hair style--pulled back or pulled up, for example.
Jackets are a great suggestion.
Wear makeup. Does not have to be heavy.
Classic pieces: Trenchcoat, scarves, cardigans, etc.
Good luck!

17 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Ah, gotcha. Well, my point was really about the fact that no matter how old you get, as long as you could conceivably be underage, you will be carded. You're not *that* much older than 17, so it's hard to tell. Like I said, I have friends who are 30 and still get asked for ID...only once you turn 30, it's more of a compliment than a nuisance (to Shiny's point).

17 years ago

Dawn

(website)

Active Member

thank you all so much! A new hair cut is definitely on the cards at the moment. I don't really wear make-up very often but I might start doing so more frequently now. High heels wouldn't work for me at the moment as I have to walk more than 3km daily around campus, not to mention walking in and out to campus from my house, but I will master the art of walking in high heels eventually.

17 years ago

evergreen07

Active Member

Hello, it's great to be your age -really-. I understand you concerns about being id'd and how annoying it can be to look a lot less than your age (this will be an asset later believe me I'd say as some previous comments above, a shorter haircut can be a good idea. You can go a bit wild with the make up especially putting the focus on the eyes with muted colours (dark brown/smoked green for example) with barely tinted lips to balance. Try wearing jeans with pumps with a medium heel and a suit jacket, simple shirts with a jumper, a trench coat. The 'work' bits (tailored jacket/trench) should help to give you a little age boost. The secret to wear high heels to buy good quality shoes (they're not all equal believe it or not), start with a 2inch heel then when you're used to walk in them upgrade to 3inch which is to me the most comfortable and most versatile heel size. Hope it'll help and above all enjoy your twenties

17 years ago

evergreen07

Active Member

I forgot to add, if pumps are too formal for you, give a try to high knee boots with a thick heel (but not too thick)/medium size heel or wedges hidden under trousers with a hem about 1 inch from the ground. Wedges are very very easy to walk in. Silicon pads inside the shoes also help relieving any discomfort when wearing high heels.

17 years ago

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