Too Old for Novelty Prints - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

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

Too Old for Novelty Prints

LeandraofBleuAvenue

(website)

Just looking for a quick sound off from this stylish community on an issue I've been mentally debating for the past few years. I love novelty prints, but I've noticed that a some point people start labeling you as "crazy" for wearing those sorts of things. (It doesn't help that I have a job which is known to attract eccentric types.) I'm nearly 40 with two teenagers who have started constantly raiding my closet and while they've never complained about the way I dress, I'm wondering, is it time to leave the quirky prints to the kids? Or, is there a point/ an age when it is time and if so, what do you think that is. I'm posting a few pics of my most recent novelty print outfits

This post has 2 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.

Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from Liesbeth

Jules

Veteran

I don’t think there are any hard and fast rules! You do you
Prints are fine. In your examples, I think the dress works well. In the second photo, the combo of the print, skirt, tights and shoes reads quite youthful overall. But you’re also youthful! I personally might wear a top like that with jeans and stompy boots or sneakers. For you maybe skinny ankle pants and the red shoes?

always trying

Veteran

I don't think it is the prints. More the style of the garments, how it is styled, etc.

rebekahphoto

Veteran

Oh I think you can just wear what you want and what makes you happy!

Novelty prints can feel a bit juvenile from all our associations with kids clothings that have fun little animals, cartoons, objects & crazy colored patterns.

But imagine how boring the world would be in every "adult" only wore "sophisticated" prints or solid colors?

Anonymous

Depends on what image you want to project. Some people love whimsy and novelty, and others don't (me) as they/I find them not in line with the message one wants to send ....as well as my personality. Correct me if I'm wrong, but did you not make a critical comment about "tacky " LulaRoe (or whatever the name is ) print leggings recently ?

elpgal

Veteran

To piggyback on what Lisa said above, whimsy has to be consistent with your self-image of yourself and what you want to project to others. I love whimsical clothing, but have very few opportunities to exercise that choice. A corollary to that as an audience member, I find it it very confusing when whimsical dressers don't display the personality to match even in minute doses.

I don't see age as much of a limiting factor in itself.

Anonymous

I thought the first print was beautiful. I didn't see anything particularly quirky about it. The print in the second picture is too small for me to judge to give you an honest opinion. Jules does have a point about the second ensemble skewing younger, but not because of the print. It is a combination of many factors coming together.

I don't like all prints, but I adore floral prints. I wear them because they make me happy. If prints make you happy, you should be able to wear them at any age.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

FWIW, I think it depends on the details of the novelty pattern, the silhouette of the item in the pattern, and how it's worn.

I love you in #1. The silhouette of the midi dress is sophisticated and elegant despite the playfulness of the pattern. Works beautifully as a very playful classic. The colours are gorgeous with your complexion.

#2, to my eye, looks comparatively more juvenile because of the length and style of the skirt, and the cartoon print.

Jane

Veteran

No I don’t it’s time yet! The dress is especially lovely!

slim cat

Veteran

What Angie said - love the dress - perfect on you.

smittie

Veteran

I understand where you're coming from, and I just think it's important to stay true to yourself. So if you're feeling *uncomfortable* wearing novelty prints, then don't wear them. But if you're comfortable in them, then you should wear them. And understand that your comfort level may change from year-to-year, or even week-to-week.

I wonder if you stop caring so much about what people think as you 'grow up'.

rachylou

Veteran

Not at all. I think the novelty prints work well at any age. Much depends on styling and personal chutzpah. I do find the second outfit a young look. For me, it’s the flat ankle straps WITH the short skirt AND that you don’t have grey hair.

I think if you have grey hair, a person can practically dress like a toddler, lol. You always get a dose of dignity automatically

cindysmith

Veteran

If Iris Apfel can pile on the jewelry at her age, you can wear novelty prints if you want at your age
Love that dress!

Sal

Veteran

I don't think so and think they suit you well. The dress is especially good.

I think outfit two has a younger look but not because of the tee - but more the shoes and skirt. It suits you and is a really good look - it just has a young carefree fun feel about it. I think the tee would suit jeans or shorts or even pedal pushers for a retro look. Espadrilles could also work.

MsMaven

Veteran

I will never be too old to wear a print dress that looks like photos taken in a bookstore or library.

I worried about the rules for older women for a couple of decades then at one point all hell broke loose and smart women threw out all the rules, such as, no jeans or leather jackets over 40! Then I came to this forum and learned even more about wearing and styling your wardrobe to reflect who you are.

I admit I never had a daughter.

Joy

Veteran

At my age (over70) I avoid prints a child would wear like cartoon characters or kittens, but like water colors type prints or architectural prints...something that does not have a repeating pattern is my favorite.
I agree with others that say the styling is key. Nothing that screams “ I’m trying to look like my daughter (or son’s girlfriend).

LeandraofBleuAvenue

(website)

It's true, I Detest! Lularoe leggings. I've never seen them look nice on anyone IRL. I'm open to changing that opinion, because I'm sure someone out there could style them well, but what I've seen on the street is tacky prints being worn in a very thin fabric that shows underwear lines and cellulite and without tops long enough to properly cover all that. Printed leggings on the other hand are different story entirely. I own a nice pair of snakeskin print leggings and they're great.

I do like to try out different styles, but I agree about the length of the skirt. I like the top, and the electric blue color of the skirt, but the skirt is too short. I don't want to say "juvenile," because I don't let my teenage daughters wear a skirt this short without something covering their legs.

DonnaF

Veteran

Well, I'm a senior with gray hair. A few years back I ordered a cartoon belt off Amazon and really loved it BUT it fell apart almost immediately. More recently I ordered a Topshop cartoon print top but am returning it because it is too snug through the bust line. But that is me. I detest *serious* clothing, and at this point in my life's journey I don't have to worry about embarrassing my daughter or presenting a certain image.

The shortness and style of the skirt is very twee and reminds me of Zoey Deschanel.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I agree that it depends more on how the overall outfit reads than any one piece having a novelty print on it. If you'd worn the first dress with a wide alice headband or your hair done in pigtail plaits finished off with T-strap Mary Jane flats, the overall look would skew more little girlish. Similarly, if the first dress had been lowcut or the second skirt was worn without tights, it could skew more teenage.

Teenagers raiding your wardrobe doesn't necessarily mean that your style is too teenaged btw, but rather that they're still in their experimental stage. I remember wanting to try out new things from my mother's wardrobe to see what I liked without spending too much - most of it I never wore again, but shopping your closet is free for them

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I love both of these outfits! I think it’s more about what you want to project where/to whom. The second outfit is cute, youthful, perky and a little quirky. If that isn’t how you want to be seen at work, then save this outfit for something more fun later. You could probably wear the individual elements to work, even the print top if it’s under a cardi or blazer and paired with serious pants or midi.

LeandraofBleuAvenue

(website)

@zaeobi I guess you're right, I raided my mom's closet and my brother's too when I was a teen. I guess I just linked it to us not having money for me to buy new clothes but you're right, part of it was experimenting and getting to know my style.

These are the things I want to project with my outfits: Intelligent, creative, confident. Just not crazy.

I'm counting on this community to tell me if it crosses over into that.....but nicely, I have feelings

Bijou

Veteran

I like and wear quirky prints, so I am all for these being worn at any age. However, it is a good question and I have enjoyed reading forum members responses. I mainly keep these items for the weekend. I do add the odd quirky item into my work wear, but keep the other items quite classic, so it does not look too juvenile.

You look gorgeous in both outfits. Your impeccable hair and make up means that whatever you wear you are not going to look crazy. #2 is just closer to looking like a costume than #1.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

To me, your first outfit here hits exactly the notes you want

madeline

Veteran

Wear what makes you happy. Life is short.

Gigi

Veteran

I think Angie explained it well. I really like the first outfit. In the second, I think that the top would work better with a pair of pants or jeans, to tone down the quirkiness a little.

I think your overall appearance is youthful, so injecting some of that into your dressing works well. As others pointed out, I think that analyzing what items you're wearing with the quirkly one would be helpful.

Liesbeth

Veteran

You look great in both outfits and I think novelty prints are actually better as you get older. The younger you are, the more you can look like a teen with such a print. Yet when you're clearly no longer one, it looks really intentional.