I’m just curious…I don’t really even know what “dressing your age” means. I guess according to certain magazines, you shouldn’t wear neon if you’re over 35, or maybe do a trend again if you were around the first time…but all I’ve ever thought about when I get dressed, or think about buying something is “is this going to fit my lifestyle now, and for years to come.” Maybe that IS dressing my age, because I don’t remember thinking that when I was 20 (I’m 36 now, 37 in November). I’ve just never worried about if I’m dressing “appropriately” or not, mostly because I don’t know if I even feel like I’m 36 (what is 36 supposed to feel like?) and also, because I work at home, for myself, so I don’t have to uphold any particular standards…
I did look through some outfits of the day though, and made some observations:
The outfit on the left is “younger” looking than the outfit on the right:
 |  |
Right? or wrong?
So….
[poll id=”7″]
[poll id=”8″]
What do you think it means to dress your age? do you ever “wish” you could dress differently, but don’t feel like you can because you’re concerned you’ll look like you’re trying too hard?
How has the way you’ve thought about fashion changed over the years? has your style evolved? Do you feel pressure from others to dress differently?
From the twitterati:
The_Supermelon
2:46pm, Aug 19 from Web
@greedygrechen Dressing your age is just dressing in a way that wouldn’t embarrass your Mom! 😉
windyhill
2:57pm, Aug 19 from TwitterFox
@greedygrechen I’m your age, & I guess “dressing my age” means no micro-minis! I try to wear “classic” styles, esp.since I tend to look 12.
TofuFairy
3:03pm, Aug 19 from Web
@greedygrechen I am 36 too…I dress as myself…I wear what I like and what is fun and comfy and sometimes trendy…
the_din
3:13pm, Aug 19 from Web
@greedygrechen Dressing your age means not dressing inappropriately young, or far too old.
CandelaCandela
3:16pm, Aug 19 from Tweetie
@greedygrechen dressing ur age means if u r over 30 u can’t wear things ur 10 year old daughter would wear!
Retrochick_uk
10:41am, Aug 20 from TweetDeck
@greedygrechen I’m 30 & wear what I want. I think I’ve a notion that certain things may not suit, but I think more about my figure than age
I really dont know what it means to “dress your age”. As someone who’s pushing 31, I don’t wear obvious teen fashion or shop at Chicos or JJill and hope I never will!
.-= Carla´s last blog ..Green and Chic Moving Sale =-.
I don’t know that “dressing your age” really means a whole lot. I think it’s more of a time-place-manner appropriateness.
For example, most would agree that there is a certain point in life in which dressing in micro minis, stomach-baring tops, etc. is tacky… but Gwen Stefani and Fergie rock the look on stage and look fab.
And true fashion doesn’t seem to have an “age” associated with it. Does Carine Roitfeld “dress her age”? What about Kate Moss?
Interesting question, though. I can wait to see other responses.
.-= Steph @ Stiletto Jungle´s last blog ..New & Hot: Back to School Trends at Marshalls =-.
LOL at chicos or jjill – i would add talbot’s to that list – i hope no matter what age i am, i won’t shop at those stores…who knows, though, my style may change in 20 years 🙂
you’re absolutely right about time-place-manner appropriateness – what’s appropriate for a night out with the girls, is probably not appropriate for work, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that one is dressing more age appropriately….
LOL! I forgot about Talbot’s!
.-= Carla´s last blog ..Green and Chic Moving Sale =-.
I’m pushing 50 (really, just trying to shove it over the cliff) and there are very few rules I follow: 1)DON’T show off the sun-ravaged cleavage (that’s why GOD created cami’s) 2)DON’T expose the knobby knees 3)To paraphrase Donna Karan: “Everyone’s shoulders look good”
and 4)DO develop your own sense of style and tweak it now and then to stay current.
I’m 33 and people still ask me where I go to school (lucky me!) so I just wear what feels right to me. I dress youthful but not like a kid, and at the same time dress old enough for people to realize I’m an adult. On trend with some sophistication.
What’s funny is that sometimes I will look at an outfit and “feel” like it is too young for me, even though if I put it on I doubt anyone would think so.
By the way, I find it insulting when magazines suggest “age appropriate” clothes. (Hello, Bazaar!) I think we tend to dress according more to our personality than to our age. And that’s all a woman needs when she reads a magazine–to be reminded of her age lol!
you’re so right about looking at an outfit and “feeling” like it’s too young…i do that all the time! but it’s not really ME “feeling” like it’s too young, it’s more the pressure from outside telling me that it’s too young…kwim?
number 4 is so perfect! i think if you don’t try to stay current, you’ll look much older than you are…but if you don’t tweak it a bit to fit your own style, you will probably end up looking too young…
i’m 26 and hope to god i never get to the point where i start censoring my sense of style in favor of looking ‘as old as i am’ 20 years from now. no eileen fisher for me! i think from photos of women on the sartorialist and garance dore, it’s obvious that many of these women look gorgeous and chic in their 50s and 60s not because they’re adhering to some mainstream glossy magazine ‘code’, but because they evolve their style sophistication as they age, which doesn’t take away from any sexiness!
.-= miss sophie´s last blog ..weekend wedding, part 2 =-.
I used to think I dressed like a little girl until my boyfriend pointed out my style is actually incredibly old-fashioned (he meant it in the nicest way possible, I like twee 40s stuff). So obviously I go both ways depending on my mood!
.-= Gemma´s last blog ..I got Dollyrockered. =-.
This is such a timely topic for me, because I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. I just turned 35, so maybe that’s why? Anyway, my typical style is very girly – I love lots of bows, ruffles, ribbons, etc. and I’ve just recently been thinking maybe that look is a little too childish for me. But I love it! I’ve been trying to mix those girlie elements with black and other neutrals rather than the ice-creamy brights that I love. I think it’s working -or at least I hope!
you know, i’m in favor of nearly anything when it comes to fashion as long as the person who’s wearing it loves it and LOOKs like she loves it. sometimes i see women who simply look like they’re trying too hard, and aren’t really having fun with fashion – they’re either trying to hard to dress their age, or dress YOUNGER. they don’t pull it off, in my opinion. but if you love what you’re wearing, and are confident, you can pull off anything, no matter your age. i say wear what you love and what makes you happy 🙂
lol at eileen fisher – i cannot see you in eileen fisher 🙂
Grechen, I think you hit the nail right on the head when you said, “…[some women] simply look like they’re trying too hard.” It all goes back to finding your own unique style and keeping it fresh. And KNOWING what is current helps!
I usually gravitate toward classic clothes, but mix it up with fun and trendy accesories that may be considered “young”. It’s most important to focus on what makes you look and feel best. Dressing your age means being comfortable, confident, and dressing apppropriately for your lifestyle.
Well, I think Mamavalaveeta nailed it with tips #3 . At 42, I no longer have killer abs, or sinewy limbs, but I know what silhouettes, fabrics, and colours work on me without fail. I probably dress more like a 30 something than a 40 something. And… my mother always says, “If it’s your second time at the rodeo, don’t get back on the horse”.
BobbieSue–LOL! An FYI update: I went shopping with my mom today (she’s a beautiful 71) but she kept trying to make me go into Chico’s with her to see “all the cute things”! I was almost hijacked, but I got away….
LOL – i get to go to all those fun places with my stepmom (chico’s, coldwater creek…but mostly talbot’s!!!!)