Can you dress fun when you're older?

[softgrey]

^ I've noticed that some people are no fun at any age ... Let's not be them

agreed........

 

[FASHIONLOVA]

hmm am in my late 20 s and i feel like am always gonna dress fun and creative but not too much. dress ur age with an edge kinda
what helps s that i don t look my age at all and i think my personality s more fitted with creative than serious

 

[Aradia-Renee]

And she is kind of tall and thin which makes it easier. Her father put her in a Catholic girls bording school from 13 - 22 (college) and would not let her go on dates at night of if he did not know the boys parents. Well when got out of college she moved all the way to Newy York, lived there for 10 years and it was too stuffy so she moved to Los Angeles- beach areas like Santa Monica and Venice beach. Well to finishe the long story she got married and after awhile they moved to France for some years and then to Washington where they got divorced and we met.

Well, as you can see she misses out on a teenagerhood and is still trying to make up for it and always will. We never had children so well I think children tend to make you grow up so we sort of have arrested development. My child hood was similar to hers so I really did not get to act like a teenager until I got to be about 30.

She loves to dress edgy and a tad sl*tty, but not in a white trashy way. She loves to get eyes from men and stairs from their wives. :lol Like once we went to a Guns and Roses concert back in 89. she wore a strech black patent bustier knee length dress that laced up the sides. So the dress had about a 3 inch gap between the fron part and back part. it was skin tight to her knees and she had to take really short steps. SHe also wore black patent ankle strap pumps with 5 " hells where the bottom half was a gold spike. Because G and R had a reputation of biker croud everyon had to get pursed checked and slightly frisked. Everyone was in a line and there were 2 friskers a mal;e and a female... When it came time for her she goes running- well hobbling up the the guy with her hands in the air sayinf "FRISK ME FRISK ME FREISK ME PLEAZE!!!!!!!!!" well about 100 people in line all burst out laughing while the frisker man turned beat red. She was 44 when she wore that outfit. SHe is 64 now. In some ways she will never gorw up and will always dress young. She will always dress for fun and attentions. She will dress appropriate for the event, but will raise things up a notch. Last winter we went to hear a band and she wore a 12" rock and republic denim mini with black tights- (every one wore jeans at this place), some ankly boots with 3" heels and a t-shirt that read something. That is about the only placeshe would wear that skirt and not with bare legs.

 

[EvaIntl]

not at all ... i think it's more a question of attitude. if you are truly confident, it will work.

 

[Rubie girl]

Im 25 and I don't think im old and should dress mature, but I wouldn't wear girly/childish things like lolita, tutu and Hello Kitty...like Avril Lavigne who is my age, but dresses like she is 15..
Some women in their 30's dress fun and young like Kate Moss and Chloe Sevigny, who in general dress fun and still aproprieted for their age.

 

[Peaches_]

Im 24 and I wore a ruffled nude mini skirt the other day & a girl I work with asked if I was 20 yet... She thought I was still a teenager. At first I thought "great! I look young" but then I thought about it and I dont know if it means that Im dressing too young for my age. It was a weird feeling because Im not old. Maybe Im thinking about it too much.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ It will be a good thing later

 

[Zarina]

^Peaches 4 years more or less isn't a big difference.

 

[shelleybean]

^ I've noticed that some people are no fun at any age ... Let's not be them

Ain't that the truth fashionista-ta! And don't you have a birthday coming up??
I am over 40 and while would never wear my daughter's clothes (I don't actually have children - seems like I am still dating them! - just using an example) There is something to be said about dressing your age but at the same time being fresh, funky and fashion-forward. I see lots of women that are much older than me that seem to still be stuck in a time that was perhaps happiest for them like 1985 for example, when they were like 17, and still wearing the trends from those days. I think if you don't equate FUN with GOOFY then it will always work. I regularly wear Pucci-print tunics with capri-length leggings with crazy-a$$ wedgies and stuff. For someone whose "uniform" is twin-sets, scarves & pencil skirts with sky-high heels, that's my idea of "FUN". I think it all depends on perspective and FUN most certainly isn't just for the YOUNG!

 

[PinkPrincess113]

Ok I know this thread is about those above 25 dressing young, but I have opposite experiences. I'm 21 and people always assume I'm 16! Is it the way I dress? I wear heels most of the time and I carry myself around maturely, everyone says. I wear make-up and everything. It must be my face and the way I dress.. I guess you can say I follow the trends and since I don't have a job right now I'm dressing casually/more fun/freely but I'm thinking people are assuming I'm young.. Think denim cutoffs, neon, random layers, basics, vtg tees. Do you guys have any opinions on if I should dress more appropriately?

I mean I was DENIED alcohol at a restaurant. the waitress said "you can't have that, it has alcohol in it"... "why? is the bar closed or something?"... and she goes "OH are you over 21??"

another time i was given a CHILD'S MENU at Chevy's. I mean c'mon!?

 

[fashionista-ta]

Ain't that the truth fashionista-ta! And don't you have a birthday coming up??
I am over 40 and while would never wear my daughter's clothes (I don't actually have children - seems like I am still dating them! - just using an example) There is something to be said about dressing your age but at the same time being fresh, funky and fashion-forward. I see lots of women that are much older than me that seem to still be stuck in a time that was perhaps happiest for them like 1985 for example, when they were like 17, and still wearing the trends from those days. I think if you don't equate FUN with GOOFY then it will always work. I regularly wear Pucci-print tunics with capri-length leggings with crazy-a$$ wedgies and stuff. For someone whose "uniform" is twin-sets, scarves & pencil skirts with sky-high heels, that's my idea of "FUN". I think it all depends on perspective and FUN most certainly isn't just for the YOUNG!

Just had it And the funny thing is, I was carded recently. I started laughing, and she didn't I've been over 21 for exactly half my life now

When I got my first 'real' job (doing what I still do now), I was 23, and everyone thought I was still in college. I framed my diploma & PBK certificate, and slapped them up on my office wall.

Just wait a few years ... getting carded will be no problem at all

 

[cygnenoir]

Perception of age is a weird thing. I think people just pick up on small visual cues and the brain fills in the rest.

When I was a kid, everyone thought I was much older. I was a little taller than the other kids, but I think it was just that I was already experimenting with clothes and gothy make-up. When I was 10, 17 year old boys were asking me out. (Thankfully, I was still 10 inside and did not go there, I just acted cool about it! )

Now people think I'm much younger and I always get carded. I don't think I look any younger than my friends of the same age, but I don't dress as conservatively/matronly as some of them, I wear less makeup and take better care of my skin. I think that has a lot to do with it?

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ You know, I had that very same experience ... in high school people were sure I was older, and then in college people were sure I was younger

 

[applejammy]

Do you think fashion is only for the young?

All right, I don't believe many people here will agree with me, but this is how I really feel about fashion. I think after a certain age (I'll be lenient and say-- 36) being so concerned with fashion seems weird. I don't want that to be true, but I can't help but feel this way.

I just turned 25 and already I sense a change in my attitude towards fashion, appearances, etc. All through my teens and early 20s, I was obsessed with my looks, and to a lesser extent fashion. In fact my obsession with my looks brought me a lot of misery because I was never happy with my face and body. I had very low self-esteem, and didn't see the point of trying to make myself look good because my self-loathing was so strong. But that's beside the point. I used to compare myself with prettier girls or models and seethe with jealousy. It's so strange, I don't know what it is about turning 25 that changed things for me. It's sad because I feel like I can't do girly things and obsess over cute accessories and the like, because of this belief that fashion is a young person's game.

What I'm trying to say is that... after a certain point, doesn't fashion just seem really frivolous? It's OK to dabble in such frivolities when you're young and you've got more years ahead of you than behind, but when you're over 30 and legitimately an adult and your looks are fading... well it's all just so depressing. Isn't it nature's way of telling you "you're past your prime, dude."

I watched the Rachel Zoe show and I see how haggard and old looking (albeit still quite beautiful) she seems, and she is decked out in jewels and great clothes but I mean you're looking at a 39 year old grown woman dressing like a barbie doll and still busying herself with frivolities like fashion. Trying to look cute and pretty for the camera when there are 17 year olds who look effortlessly better. Doesn't that depress you? I don't really buy that fashion is a serious or meaningful passion that could rival, say, writing novels. Same could be said about Anna Wintour. I saw The September Issue a few months ago and I recall even her own daughter, who is studying to become a lawyer, saying "I like fashion, but it's not the end all, be all."

Let's be honest: fashion and the desire to look good are two sides of the same coin. The purpose of fashion is to express yourself through your wardrobe, on the one hand, but also to seek attention. When you're young, wanting to get attention at the prime of your life makes sense. You want to find yourself a mate. You want to look hot, whatever. You wear your age proudly. But as you get older and you start to age, shouldn't priorities change? Shouldn't you have become wiser? I look at the pictures on the satorialist website and there are lots of people who are 30+ being featured. And yes they all look good, but I can't help but judge them for being at an age when they should KNOW better than to waste their time dressing up, looking fashionable for the camera especially when they're competing against much younger better looking people.

Lots to think about here... sigh, and who am I kidding? I hate the thought of getting older. I hate, hate, hate it. I tell myself I gotta accept it but it really depresses me. The older you get the less forgiving people are towards you.

 

[Les_Sucettes]

I disagree so much with this post that I do not even Know where to start.

 

[Mchunu]

^So do I. I don't to sound offensive, but this comes off as more of a personal thing to me..

 

[mimiko]

I look at the pictures on the satorialist website and there are lots of people who are 30+ being featured. And yes they all look good, but I can't help but judge them for being at an age when they should KNOW better than to waste their time dressing up, looking fashionable for the camera especially when they're competing against much younger better looking people.

Lots to think about here... sigh, and who am I kidding? I hate the thought of getting older. I hate, hate, hate it. I tell myself I gotta accept it but it really depresses me. The older you get the less forgiving people are towards you.

I don't agree with you at all.First of all if you think dressing up is a waste of time ,then you're on the wrong website.Come on we're all here because we're into fashion.By the way do you really think people dress to compete other people To be honest as I get older I started to have more fun with fashion because now I know what suits me better and I have more confidence.I really don't even want to remember the things I used to wear when I was 17. Being stylish has nothing to do with looking sexy or showing flesh so I don't think I have to dress down when I get older.My only concern is that I might not be as experimental l as I used to be when I get older when it comes to fashion.By the way I don't think being a 30 something is old at all.
I suggest you should check this website http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com/ I just love seeing people enjoying fashion whether they are young or old.

 

[Over the Sea]

36 is hardly old
fashion should be more about making yourself feel good than competing with other people
and I think Rachel Zoe looks really bad for her age, most 40 year old woman look a hell of a lot better than her.

 

[Taya]

So basically, when you're past a certain age, you should stop caring about your looks just because you're "old" and old people shouldn't look fashionable or have the want to feel pretty?
That's quite a depressing outlook for everybody, since we certainly won't get any younger in the next years. I'm reminded of baroque poems, as they often lament the transience of beauty .

Of course you can't put on the same clothes you put on when you were in your teens or twens, if you aspire a well dressed look, since desperate clinging to youthfulness can look odd and may cause the frivolous perception you described.
But who can forbid you doing that anyway? Isn't it all about being comfortable in your attire? Why judging others for wanting a bit of spring in their life, even if it might look rather comical to outsiders, when you yourself hate aging?
If you know how to dress yourself well, age won't matter to you, as you'll be able to create a classy appearance despite some wrinkles on your face.
Well, we can't do anything about getting older, but we can make the best of it! I assume, that when you're older, you possibly possess the means to afford the more costly (designer) products. And why must the more experienced compete with the young?
Sometimes a mature woman will look more stylish to me than a young girl (I don't want to make the wine reference).
Maybe young girls might look better if they were daily dressed by stylists, but I don't think that this is possible with non-celebrities.

Oh, and old people are concerned about their looks. Maybe they don't care about being fashionable clothes-wise, but they still desire to look their best.
Every time I go to my hairdresser there are mostly (really) old ladies there, and sometimes I wonder, why would they want to look good while being so aged ?

 

[CaitlinC]

I think fashion can be for all ages. Just because you hit a certain age, doesn't mean you are at the end of the road. The editors of fashion magazines are well over 30 and have an amazing sense of style.