Hmmm.. No I haven't experienced this personally.

When I think of a baby face I of think of Miranda Kerr. Obviously I can't speak for her, but I don't see her let it get in the way of her (public/casual) style. She wears a variety of clothing types with aplomb! I wonder if it relates to self perception (either a girl or a woman) and the confidence or attitude that goes with that.

All the time! I just got carded (at 30) at a restaurant last week. In Canada. I'm petite and have always looked fairly young, and I still get a lot of more "cute" than anything else.

It was a big problem when I first started teaching during grad school. Over the years, I've learned how to look a little more together than my students and also just generally increased my confidence standing in front of a crowd, which helps even if I do still look young.

It hasn't put me off aiming for any particular styles though. I do avoid the juniors department to not compound the issue, but I have been starting to incorporate some edgier items and haven't found it to be a problem yet.

This is such a complicated issue for me. I have always been labled as "cute" and at 41, I really am finally appreciating the fact that I am often mistaken for younger, but it still stings when someone is condescending and makes assumptions. There is always an internal struggle between being flattered and annoyed - particularly at work. As some have said, I compensate a little for it with my hairstyle, but the clothing that I prefer all tends to be soft, pretty and youthful. Recently I realized that I have been feeling like a little kid at the grown up table and decided to let go of certian pieces of my style and replace those things with different silhouettes and simpler colors and patterns. I haven't embraced edgy and harsh things, other than in very small doses, because it truly isn't me, but I can incorporate other things that let me feel like I belong at the grown up table!

I'm 46, and I still get carded occasionally, and flirted with by teenaged boys (who are not looking for a cougar), and my husband, who is only 3.5 years older (and so about to turn 50), is often taken for my father. This all used to really bug me, but sometimes in the last 5 years or so, I just let it go. I'll be honest, it helps that my peers are wildly jealous of how youthful I look. And also, somehow I've developed an attitude of authority - in academia, while I'm occasionally taken for an undergrad, I'm just as often taken for a prof. When I was nursing, I was routinely taken for a Dr. In my 20s and even into my 30s I was often overlooked or condescended too and I simply didn't know how to handle it. If it happened now, I'd quell them them a look and a well placed comment. I'm well aware of my own worth.
If you want to experiment with edgier looks, by all means go for it! We'll be here cheering you on from the sidelines and offering friendly suggestions and enthusiasm.

Gigi, I would suggest avoiding any styles that would look appropriate on a little girl. Pencil skirts over twirly or frothy styles, no maryjane style shoes, limit frilliness. When you're small, that kind of thing can really challenge the "I'm an adult woman" message.

Also, there's something my friend Paul used to call "acting short." By which he meant things like being giggly, or using what's now called a "sexy baby" voice, or using "upspeak", or making a big deal out of not being able to reach something on a high shelf. Any constellation of those behaviors really magnifies others' perceptions of one as someone who might need a booster seat.

And let's not kid ourselves - we've all known petite women who get off on that perception: "I'm small and sweet and fluffy! Isn't it adorable?"

Please.

I have a very soft, feminine face (small nose, thick lips, rosy cheeks, wavy fine baby hair). I'm also curvy all over. I'm not especially short though. I am very feminine-looking. Just last week I was asked whether I was coming back from school. And when I say school, I don't mean college. I mean High school -we do have that distinction in Spanish. I am 26.

Unlike you, however, I think that I can get away with more masculine, edgy stuff because I still look like a girl. I actually think that more androgynous women should be careful with masculine attire, since it can give the wrong vibe, but no matter how much leather I wear -and combat boots, and over-sized sweaters-, I still look like a woman.

Too feminine clothes can look a bit twee on me, anyways, although I like that from time to time, too.

I say if you want to wear leather jackets, do so!

Ughhh, you guys are reminding me of so many similar experiences, including an "oh, are you on your way to school?" in my 20s and getting stared at by my college freshman students (generally, they were 17 to 19) at the start of semesters when I taught as a grad student. I knew exactly why they did that, and they weren't shy about asking my age. They said I barely looked older than they were. Well, I was 35. Once we got past that, though, everything was fine.

Anyway...I was interested to hear about the "no mary janes" idea. I surprised myself a few years ago by getting a couple of pairs--they were super comfy for work. But I do de-girly them by avoiding white or high-contrast hosiery. I even wear them with skinnies. The impression could vary depending on the particular style and details. For sure, patent would be just too much...!

What great examples you all have given...it's such a relief to know I'm not the only one with this problem. In fact, I apparently have lots of company!

Great ideas to dress in a nongirly way. Although I do like to dress whimsically now and then! I did buy a couple of skater skirts, which are girly, but they are faux leather, so they are grown-up. Plus, I've been wearing them with heeled boots. Today I have on a cute sweater with an apple on it...but I'm wearing black coated skinnies that look like leather pants. I'll just have to watch what I pair the girly stuff with.