Over 40 gals - spaghetti straps

chewyspaghetti

I've never really liked them on me, and I'm not over 40 yet. I have broad shoulders, so they aren't flattering on me- even when I was young.

13 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

Well, I think it's an individual decision and really depends on the outfit as well as how you look in it.

I mean, are you talking photo #1below, or #2.
I think style #2 could be appropriate on someone who wouldn't want to wear a bare little cami with nothing over it anymore.

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13 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

I am 47 and I wore them last summer. I had good arms and shoulders, but I always wore them with a lightweight shrug or short, linen sweater. I really think it depends on the person. I think that if you are large busted, it is a bit riskier because there is a lot showing.
It also depends on the item. I don't like cami's as outwear. But something like this with spaghetti straps is great !

http://www.loft.com/loft/produ.....Color=4355

You look AMAZING for your age and you seem to be in good shape, so you may be nearing the line, but I don't think that you are there yet.

ETA : actually, what Parsley said !

13 years ago

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Parsley, good point. I actually came to the 'camis are for layering, not tops on their own' conclusion about a year and a half ago lol. That would be about when I turned 40 now that I think about it . . .
But I am talking about sundresses and party dresses for the most part, in my closet anyway. Obviously you can't see the straps in #3 and #4 but they are spaghetti.

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13 years ago

Freckles

Veteran

Keep them Mo! You have great arms. I think when people think they are too old for them it is because they have suddenly gotten flabby or giggily arms.

On the other hand, I am trying to convince myself that when it's hot at heck out and ds has friends over it shouldn't matter if my arms show or not. Afterall, those boys who come into the house at one a.m. can catch a glimpse of me in my fleece pj's so I guess it depends when you think you have passed the age for them where it is that you'll be wearing them.

13 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

You look great ! No worries, at all !

13 years ago

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Ah, thanks for the kind words Freckles and Isabel. Khris, good point about your body shape mattering as much as chronological age. I guess looking relatively young for my age helps, too. I think I will keep these and just not go looking for any new ones By the time these wear out, it should be about time to hang up my straps lol. Thanks!

13 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

Looking at you in your dresses, I don't see any reason that you shouldn't wear them!
The first one is the youngest-looking one, IMO, and you may want to retire it before the others, but #2, 3, and 4 look like the sort that you'll be able to wear for quite a while.

Enjoy those fab arms while you've got them! (sigh)

13 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

I've never worn them due to arms and bust except for on my wedding day for my after wedding dress. You do not have arm issues and your selections are fine except I kind of agree with Parsley on #1 being a bit young overall, but not just because of the straps.

13 years ago

Anonymous

I have a lot of boney upper chest reat estate and a long neck so spaghetti straps always made me feel exposed. Now I have discovered that it wasn't just a modesty thing, I just plain look better with more coverage.

Mo, you are the most fit, youngest looking 40 year old I know! You look amazing in spaghetti straps. If you are starting to ask the question though, why not just refrain from buying that style in the future? No need to toss them all yet, IMHO. Really girlish styles can accentuate the fact that you are no longer a young girl, though.

13 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

You have nothing to worry about. I wore spag. straps until I was in my mid to late 40s, I still had the physique for it. I will still wear them at home (in private) on really hot days, but I am no longer comfortable going out in public in spag. straps or tank tops. I see a lot of older women here in CA with this look and their skin either looks saggy or with too much sun damage, and it doesn't look good so I am going to quit while I am ahead. An older woman showing too much skin is not in good taste, but when "older" happens differs with the woman. For me it has been in recent years, when I turned 50.

I do agree with Parsley that dress #1 is a little young, so maybe pass on that one.

13 years ago

fern

Veteran

It's not my arms that are the problem! I avoid skinny straps because I need to wear a bra - more and more as I age :).
For those who wear them (Mo) do you wear a strapless bra? Shelf bras don't work for me any more.
I have a spaghetti strap cami with a built-in bra (underwire and everything) that I wear happily, but almost always with a cardi because we don't get too hot here (NW).

13 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I have great arms and shoulders from climbing, but have never been able to wear spaghetti straps, no thanks to my boobs (another reason I feel my body type doesn't fit my style!). It is frustrating because I'd like to show off my arms, the one part of my body I love...

You, on the other hand, should wear this look all the time! It's more about comfort level than age to me - if you can flaunt it, do it!

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You look extremely fit and young and can easily wear spaghetti straps. The question isn't with the straps, it's with the overall look of the garment. To me, dress #2 is super-sophisticated and VERY age-appropriate. Dress #1 is on the young side and not really up to your level. But it's not the straps; it's the overall look.

13 years ago

Vildy

Veteran

I grew up in Southern California, so the idea of wearing spaghetti straps seems
a no-brainer to me. It all depends on if it suits your build. Me, it doesn't anymore but you look wonderful.

13 years ago

taylor

Veteran

Mo, you look great.!!!! I wouldn't worry
This look is more about how it looks on you rather than IF you can still You will know when it is time to add a wrap:)
. I don't wear them at my age ...but they never looked good on me ...too bony:(
I still wear off the shoulder though , covers the bony chest , shows my shoulder, they are still nice ... and I am comfortable doing so in my mid 50's.

13 years ago

nancylee

Veteran

Mo, you look absolutely svelte and lovely in your spaghetti straps. No fear there!

As for me, like Khris, I was never a fan of spaghetti straps...even in my 20's! And I had definitely left them behind by the time I hit my 40's. I was always slim, but I have somewhat broad shoulders so they just didn't flatter me like my friends who had slender sloping shoulders.....but oh, how I wanted to wear wispy sundresses. sigh.

13 years ago

lynn

Veteran

Wear them while while you can and you CAN! As long as the overall look is age appropriate, the size of the straps is not a problem. IMHO.

13 years ago

Elly

Veteran

Age 12-- but I'm larger chested than you. On me, becoming a C and then D cup and having broad shoulders meant that I always looked better in a top with straps that could hide a bra, or a more supportive halter style.

I've seen ladies rock them at many ages, but I think it is important to pick pieces that don't have other "juvenile" elements.

13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Mo I haven't read all the coments yet so I expect I will be repeating others. I am 40 something and as I type I am sitting wearing two layered tshirt style camisoles with spaghetti straps This is not the norm for me, but it is hot and I am having a home day. I think it has to do with how you feel and how you feel this look flatters or doesn't flatter your body. I prefer thicker and wider straps if I am leaving the house, but I think that you can definitely wear spaghetti straps. From your pictures, they are very flattering, you have lovely shoulders and very toned looking arms. The overall style of the dress will factor into your decision making also. #1 is a little more girly looking, whereas the others are very sophisticated and womanly.

13 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I agree with others: it is not age issue but a mater of looking good in them and have an overall style right. I personally never liked them even in my 20s because of my wide shoulders: wider straps look much more proportioned on me.
I think you can wear them as long as you like how you look in them (and you look great in them now)!

13 years ago

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

You look great in them! You can get away with a lot more (miniskirts, spaghetti straps, cutesy dresses, short shorts) because you look so young...you definitely do not look like you are in your 40's! More like 20's I'd say!

13 years ago

Irene

Veteran

I don't feel comfortable enough in strapless bras to put myself under such a suffering, but if you feel good in them, I don't see why you can't wear spaghetti straps. They certainly look good on you

13 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Those dresses are gorgeous on you. I'd probably wear the rainbow dress as a strapless but that's just me. I wouldn't give it another thought!

13 years ago

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Rita, it is convertible to strapless! I got it for a wedding attendee capsule and have yet to need it. Seems after 40 the weddings schedule slows down a little lol.
Thanks to all of you for reassuring me. Sometimes I get these funny ideas and need to reevaluate them. I should be hanging on to everything, due to my SYC, if anything ha ha ha.
I do, incidentally feel the white dress is a tad sweet and have thought of adding some hardware in shoes/belts and/or a moto jacket to it to counter that aspect of it. I bought it at 39, so wasn't quite concerned at that time yet.

13 years ago

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

You look great, Malina, your arms are in fab shape, you don't need to worry about it for a while! I have broadish shoulders and a biggish bust, and I don't think spaghetti straps are my best look, so I would only wear them in an underlayer, or just around the house if it was really hot.

13 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I don't wear spaghetti straps too much because they tend to fall down on me. I have very slope-y shoulders. When it's hot, I also tend to cover up because I don't like the feel of being crisped by the sun. I always wear tanks/camis under something else.

Anyways, as for age and spaghetti straps - unless it's an evening or night gown - the thing is, it's like you should be able to afford more material by a certain age. And that age, I think, is 27.

13 years ago

Heather

Veteran

Child, please. Age is just a number and you rock it always, Malina.

I think as long as you keep the cuts and prints age appropriate, you can keep on rockin it!

13 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I just had the slightly perplexing (to me) thought that strapless seems more fitting for an adult woman than straps. There's something little girl about them. Maybe that's because that's what you need to hold your top up when you haven't got anything else?

13 years ago

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