"Dressing your age"...?

[Magpie]

So, I see this a lot on message boards and in the media, people put down mothers who "dress like their teenage daughters".

But I'm wondering - what exactly does this mean?

I'm coming up on 40. What clothes am I "not allowed" to wear anymore? (Which isn't to say I'm planning to change how I dress, I'd just like to know how much of a rebel I'm being when I pull on my shredded jeans. )

 

[sweet angel]

I say, wear what you want as long as your appearance supports that decision. I mean, if you're 55, overweight and gray-haired, it probably won't fly. If not, have at it.

My mom told me when I turned 35-ish that I needed to get my hair cut short because I was "that age". What??? No.

 

[DebbieB]

I'd say it's time to give up the low hip jeans with your thong hanging out.....

 

[Christine]

I don't think there are any rules because everyone carries themselves differently, has different body shapes, sizes, etc. It's not really an age thing; however, it is REALLY evident when someone is wearing something they don't belong in, but that "something" could look perfectly fine on another woman of the same age.

Jeans, in my opinion, are ageless and very forgiving. I think as long as they fit well and flatter your shape, you're good to go.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I say wear whatever you want. The whole "fashion" industry is ridiculous. I've seen threads on here about people shouldn't be wearing this, or shouldn't be wearing that, or they can't believe someone went to the convenience store in pajama bottoms & Crocs! (Oh the horror. )

There is no such thing as "fashion." It is all made up by people looking to get consumers to pay large amounts of money for a name, not quality. Believe me, I worked in the industry for several years before I got tired of, what amounted to, scamming people.

As I said, wear whatever you want. If people want to snicker or say things about you, then they are shallow and aren't worth your time.

 

[Magpie]

I'd say it's time to give up the low hip jeans with your thong hanging out.....

I just can't wrap my mind around wearing thongs, to be honest! It seems to me that it'd be like walking around with a perma-wedgie.

However, I do wear low-rise jeans. That's because I can't seem to find any other style that doesn't gap around my waist.

Also I was severely traumatized by high-waisted jeans back in the 80's.

Those kinds of jeans are NOT a good look on me.

 

[NMAmy]

If I wore a trend the first time around, I tend to skip it now. I'm 48. I have great legs but mini-skirts are ridiculous on me--I look like I'm trying too hard to look like my 19 yo dd.

I actually think that when older women get too trendy, it makes them look older. I try to avoid that by sticking with classic items instead of the latest trends.

 

[wendy46001]

i think it means skip the Junior section

I see new professionals all the time around here that are just shopping in the wrong department, you can get cute clothes but the juniors cut just wont work it anymore
(aka adult clothes come with a little more support)
Basically the time for "stink and shrinks" or cheap club clothes is over

 

[luvmy3]

I think people should wear what they are comfortable in. Having said that I do believe there are certain fashions that belong in the Juniors dept for a reason and a woman over 40 just looks like someone desperate to hold onto their youth when they are wearing them. However there are still many things in the Jr. department that are perfectly fine for a "woman".
I also feel the same for men, and I know more 40 something men trying to dress like their 17 year old kids than I know women who do it.

 

[Magpie]

I say wear whatever you want. The whole "fashion" industry is ridiculous. I've seen threads on here about people shouldn't be wearing this, or shouldn't be wearing that, or they can't believe someone went to the convenience store in pajama bottoms & Crocs! (Oh the horror. )

There is no such thing as "fashion." It is all made up by people looking to get consumers to pay large amounts of money for a name, not quality. Believe me, I worked in the industry for several years before I got tired of, what amounted to, scamming people.

As I said, wear whatever you want. If people want to snicker or say things about you, then they are shallow and aren't worth your time.

Thanks! That makes me feel better.

And you've reminded me that I had much the same impression of the comic book industry when I was working in it. They were constantly manufacturing "limited" this and "rare" that, and people would line up for hours just to buy a comic book and stick it right away - unread! - into a mylar case, all on the hopes that some day it would make them rich. It made me kind of queasy, I felt like I was scamming them just by selling these books.

I like how I look. My husband likes how I look. I suppose that's all that matters.

 

[Anjelica]

I know this is going to come off bad but I really can't stand older women who wear the "sweet cheeks" or "hot stuff" pants - what I mean by this are the sweat type like pants that actually say "sweet cheeks" on their butts. I don't care if you are in shape or out of shape, etc. no one over the age of 25+ really needs to wear those...

 

[Christine]

I know this is going to come off bad but I really can't stand older women who wear the "sweet cheeks" or "hot stuff" pants - what I mean by this are the sweat type like pants that actually say "sweet cheeks" on their butts. I don't care if you are in shape or out of shape, etc. no one over the age of 25+ really needs to wear those...

I agree with you. The "words on the butt" fashions are ridiculous on older people. One Christmas my DD got me a pair of sweats from Abercrombie with Abercrombie across the butt. I was about 40, in fine shape, they fit will, but I felt stupid in them so I didn't wear them outside or to an exercise class.

 

[Magpie]

I think people should wear what they are comfortable in. Having said that I do believe there are certain fashions that belong in the Juniors dept for a reason and a woman over 40 just looks like someone desperate to hold onto their youth when they are wearing them. However there are still many things in the Jr. department that are perfectly fine for a "woman".
I also feel the same for men, and I know more 40 something men trying to dress like their 17 year old kids than I know women who do it.

See, this is exactly my question!

Which styles are these? What do you think makes a woman look "desperate"?

Me, I shop in the Juniors department, because that's where I can find clothes that fit. Also, I get depressed whenever I look at what they've got to offer over in the "Ladies" department (elastic waists, polyester prints, ick!)

On the other hand, if I was going to dress like my 14yo daughter, I'd be wearing black leggings with a black-and-silver oversize top with an open back. Basically, I'd look like a refugee from 1985. You couldn't pay me to dress like my teenager (okay, actually you could - but it'd be a reasonably good sum of money!).

 

[Domas]

If you look good you can wear anything-simple but true

 

[FireDancer]

I'd feel more visually assaulted but the 20 year old that squeezes into s****y jeans and spills out all over them like some kind of meat volcano eruption than a 40 year old who still had a great body and wanted to show it off.

ETA: Only on the community board would the word s k i n n y be considered a bad word that needs filtered

 

[Christine]

See, this is exactly my question!

Which styles are these? What do you think makes a woman look "desperate"?

Me, I shop in the Juniors department, because that's where I can find clothes that fit. Also, I get depressed whenever I look at what they've got to offer over in the "Ladies" department (elastic waists, polyester prints, ick!)

On the other hand, if I was going to dress like my 14yo daughter, I'd be wearing black leggings with a black-and-silver oversize top with an open back. Basically, I'd look like a refugee from 1985. You couldn't pay me to dress like my teenager (okay, actually you could - but it'd be a reasonably good sum of money!).

I think because you are smaller (as you say junior sizes are what fits you), you can "get away" with more??? I have browsed through the junior departments (because I am always looking for a more fitted shirt) and some of the stuff is too cute for me (I'm 5"7, not overly tiny, and have a more conservative look with short hair). I don't think it's bad on other women my age, just not me. In fact, back in my 20s, I thought some of the stuff was too cutsey on me. I never thought I looked good in puff sleeves, bows, or tieback waists.

 

[luvmy3]

See, this is exactly my question!

Which styles are these? What do you think makes a woman look "desperate"?

Me, I shop in the Juniors department, because that's where I can find clothes that fit. Also, I get depressed whenever I look at what they've got to offer over in the "Ladies" department (elastic waists, polyester prints, ick!)

On the other hand, if I was going to dress like my 14yo daughter, I'd be wearing black leggings with a black-and-silver oversize top with an open back. Basically, I'd look like a refugee from 1985. You couldn't pay me to dress like my teenager (okay, actually you could - but it'd be a reasonably good sum of money!).

I was thinking of all the ultra mini's and shorts that looked like underwear, tee shirts that are so tight they look painted on, etc. Basically what a couple of my teenage nieces wear.
If all you are finding in the ladies dept is elastic waists and polyester prints then you are shopping in the wrong stores. I love Kohl's because they have many clothing lines for women that are current and stylish. I also love Ann Taylor Loft and Macy's.

 

[kirstenb1]

OP, if you shop in the Misses dept you'll find plenty of cotton/wool/silk and smaller sizes too. Think classics like Ann Taylor, or Charter Club in Macy's.

OTOH, I didn't like Juniors, even when I was a junior size. Everything there was polyester or acetate, and didn't hold it's shape well after dry cleaning.

 

[Arielle22]

I agree with wearing classic clothes. No one, no matter the age should be wearing polyester pants! Trendy clothes, which go out of style after a season should be avoided.

I want to age gracefully and not look desperate.

For the PP who seems to be a smaller size, petites departments are there for women so they do not have to shop in juniors.

 

[AustinTink]

I'd feel more visually assaulted but the 20 year old that squeezes into s****y jeans and spills out all over them like some kind of meat volcano eruption than a 40 year old who still had a great body and wanted to show it off.

ETA: Only on the community board would the word s k i n n y be considered a bad word that needs filtered

Meat volcano... I WILL be using this term from now on. Hilarious!!