Fashion And Age - Appropriate Dressing

[softgrey]

a related thread here...
http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/f58/impact-aging-style-45074.html?highlight=forty

and another...
http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/f58/impact-aging-style-45074.html?highlight=forty

and another...
http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/f58/how-will-you-dress-1207.html?highlight=forty

 

[RetroGirl]

I found this a very interesting thread. Being in the 30s myself, I find it surprising that people think you lose all sense of style when you turn 30 or have children. It is true that there are some mothers and women over 30 that have "given up" on their looks or fashion. I know you have all seen them at the local school or mall wearing "mom jeans" and 80's mall hair. Well, I dont want that to be me. I try to stay updated but that doesn't mean I wear every trend that comes my way. For instance, you won't catch me in leggings any time soon. Been there done that a long time ago. However, I did purchase a pair of skinny jeans after trying several pairs on. I try to buy classics but I do purchase a few trendy items every year to stay current. I think you just have to pick and choose which trends are appropriate for your age, lifestyle, or body type. As for Nicollette Sheridan's character on Desperate Housewives, I think the costume designer was trying portray that character as sl*tty. Which dressing sl*tty at any age looks tacky. My favourite fashion icons( Jenifer Anniston, Gwenyth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, and Sarah Jessica Parker) are all in their 30s or 40s and look fabulous. Age is definately a state of mind

 

[softgrey]

i have decided that the key is not to compete with the girls...
and to just embrace being a woman...

 

[electricladyland]

In my neighborhood, where fitness is highly prized and women have the leisure time to jog, spin, and practice yoga several times a week, 50 year old women have the bodies to pull off youthful looks. It's so deceiving...you see what you think is a hot 20 something and they pull off their Chanel shades and it's a woman in her 50s. The only reason I think it's tacky is because they are usually quite trendy...which looks kind of costumey and ridiculous at any age. And then there are a few women who know how to stay current without looking like they're wearing their daughter's (or granddaughter's) clothes. Women with style...that's sexy at any age. B)

 

[Whitelinen]

i have decided that the key is not to compete with the girls...
and to just embrace being a woman...

Hmm...you are right but this once again raises one question in my mind; what is then appropriate for girls to wear? It feels that younger people, be it teenagers or twenty-somethings, are supposed to either be part of some group (goths, hip hoppers...) or be trendy. It is constantly said that "older" (although I think it is a little bit stupid to call women in their thirties or forties old) women have many rules on how to dress and how they should not dress. Are there any rules like that for younger people?

 

[tott]

^ I don't think there are any specific rules... You need to learn what works for you, what you look good in. A younger person doesn't have to be trendy or part of some sub-culture, they can look spectacular wearing nothing but classics...

Younger persons can dress "older" without looking pathetic or like they're trying to hard. Older people should be careful of dressing "too young", whatever that means, or they will look pathetic and like they're desperately clinging on to a fading youth...

I basically think that it's generally a good idea for older men to stay away from the most extreme cuts and shapes (like very slim jackets with slim lapels and skinny ties), bold patterns and such things.

Older women should generally be careful of very short skirts and dresses, cleavages that go down to their navels, extremely colourful stuff and things like that.

Anything very trendy, sexy and bold has the potential to look much worse on an older person than on someone younger, because it easily ages you 10 years instead of taking the years away - which is what the person usually wants...

But ultimately, it's up to you. If you have a great sense of style, you can get away with "no-nos"...

 

[Whitelinen]

^ I don't think there are any specific rules... You need to learn what works for you, what you look good in. A younger person doesn't have to be trendy or part of some sub-culture, they can look spectacular wearing nothing but classics...

Younger persons can dress "older" without looking pathetic or like they're trying to hard. Older people should be careful of dressing "too young", whatever that means, or they will look pathetic and like they're desperately clinging on to a fading youth...

But then what is "dressing too old"?

 

[tott]

I'm not sure there is such a thing as dressing "too old", unless we're talking dowdy, grand motherly... But then we're not talking fashion and style any more...

 

[Whitelinen]

Sorry, I just realised I read your original comment wrongly...blame it on the four hours of sleep.

 

[MissP]

In my neighborhood, where fitness is highly prized and women have the leisure time to jog, spin, and practice yoga several times a week, 50 year old women have the bodies to pull off youthful looks. It's so deceiving...you see what you think is a hot 20 something and they pull off their Chanel shades and it's a woman in her 50s. The only reason I think it's tacky is because they are usually quite trendy...which looks kind of costumey and ridiculous at any age. And then there are a few women who know how to stay current without looking like they're wearing their daughter's (or granddaughter's) clothes. Women with style...that's sexy at any age. B)

Yes I live in a similar area where women of all ages dress to the nines even to go to the groiceries on a sunday morning LOL

When I was younger I was a bit of a Charlotte simply because I wanted to look smart and grown up however as I get close to 25, I am becoming a Carrie. Hopefully I will never be a Samantha LOL

 

[RetroGirl]

Older women should generally be careful of very short skirts and dresses, cleavages that go down to their navels, extremely colourful stuff and things like that.

Well said Tott, I quite often see older women wearing a bright colour from head to toe. And it really ages them. For instance I saw a woman wearing a yellow leather jacket, sweater and shoes. I think she could have got away with the one bright item, but all of it together was definately a fashion "don't".

 

[softgrey]

i also think tight is trickier when you get older...
fitted is better...

*it's a fine line...

 

[Blithe Spirit]

I think when you become older you should become more concious of quality of fabric and construction. Fit is important; don't wear a size 6 just because you can squeeze the zipper shut! Your clothes should drape your body, not wrap it like a sausage casing. Try to stick with quieter colors for your main garments, add drama with exciting accessories.

 

[HBoogie]

I have no idea how to wear some of the clothes I have without looking like I'm 15. It also doesn't help that I have a young face, am 5'3'' and am often assumed to be a teenager!

I have the same problem. I'm 25 years old, so I feel as though I'm on the cusp of girlhood and womanhood. I'm the same height as you and petite with a young face. I still get mistaken for a highschooler pretty often.

I have the same build as my mom, and if I continue to maintain my weight as she has, I'll probably be able to shop in juniors for several decades to come. But would I really want to? I barely want to now.

I like to still look youthful and playful, but I truly do not want to look like a teenager, especially as I'm a college graduate and a professional.

It's a tricky balance that I am currently trying to strike.

 

[Whitelinen]

I would love to learn the etiquette for dressing - dressing right for the occassion. Do you know the general rules or know a good website about it? What I found was this site http://www.bartleby.com/95/33.html about what Emily Post had written, but I guess those rules don't apply to modern society. How to learn the etiquette?

What do you think is never appropriate to wear, no matter what your age is? What do you think looks "sl*tty" or inappropriate, cheap even? What is not appropriate to wear for younger females?

 

[Rebel Yell]

Ok, I am a teenager and I will admit I have cringed at pretty wrinkled ladies wearing skimpy dresses in public, but really I think it should be more about what is flattering on each individual and what really complements their beauty instead of blindly just following trends because they are 'trends' or being..excessive as if that is the only way that they look attractive.
It's not that style/clothing is 'limited' for various ages, but what fits and looks best on someone. If a young girl dresses 'conservatively', people might relate that to a mature woman(for EXAMPLE) and therefore the girl is then thought of as 'trying too hard', because of all the images that have been associated with her style of dressing. Another instance is when someone dresses 'inappropriately', but there is no definite 'borderline' as to what is tasteful and what is tacky, because, again, everything depends on each individual and the fit of clothing will be unique for everyone. A low-cut shirt on a skinny model WILL look different compared to a curvy woman wearing the same outfit. And it is not only their style, but their attitude, posture, the way they walk, how their hair is done, and every other little detail that counts to the result of the look.
So I'd say there is no particular borderline for what is appropriate and inappropriate in the way a woman dresses, and even then it is entirely based on different opinions..but I'm sure women have enough logic to see themselves and decide whether it is tasteful to them, and more importantly, if it fits them and they have confidence about it. Though there are many girls that I am just pained to look at because of their over-exposed skin. A little skin can be every bit as fashionable and sexy, actually, MUCH more sexy, than just dressing in the tightest, smallest, skimpiest outfits out there. Mainly for me I just separate appropriate and inappropriate from how they look in the outfit. If the outfit is so tacky it makes me shake my head...well then instinctively there must be something wrong here, because clearly it must have been an unflattering outfit. Anything that brings 'sl*t' or 'wh*re' into mind is NOT good. But I guess for Christians the 'borderline' is also different, because I have christian friends who disapprove of me wearing a tank on a hot summer's day..

 

[Whitelinen]

Ok, I am a teenager and I will admit I have cringed at pretty wrinkled ladies wearing skimpy dresses in public, but really I think it should be more about what is flattering on each individual and what really complements their beauty instead of blindly just following trends because they are 'trends' or being..excessive as if that is the only way that they look attractive.
It's not that style/clothing is 'limited' for various ages, but what fits and looks best on someone. If a young girl dresses 'conservatively', people might relate that to a mature woman(for EXAMPLE) and therefore the girl is then thought of as 'trying too hard', because of all the images that have been associated with her style of dressing. Another instance is when someone dresses 'inappropriately', but there is no definite 'borderline' as to what is tasteful and what is tacky, because, again, everything depends on each individual and the fit of clothing will be unique for everyone. A low-cut shirt on a skinny model WILL look different compared to a curvy woman wearing the same outfit. And it is not only their style, but their attitude, posture, the way they walk, how their hair is done, and every other little detail that counts to the result of the look.
So I'd say there is no particular borderline for what is appropriate and inappropriate in the way a woman dresses, and even then it is entirely based on different opinions..but I'm sure women have enough logic to see themselves and decide whether it is tasteful to them, and more importantly, if it fits them and they have confidence about it. Though there are many girls that I am just pained to look at because of their over-exposed skin. A little skin can be every bit as fashionable and sexy, actually, MUCH more sexy, than just dressing in the tightest, smallest, skimpiest outfits out there. Mainly for me I just separate appropriate and inappropriate from how they look in the outfit. If the outfit is so tacky it makes me shake my head...well then instinctively there must be something wrong here, because clearly it must have been an unflattering outfit. Anything that brings 'sl*t' or 'wh*re' into mind is NOT good. But I guess for Christians the 'borderline' is also different, because I have christian friends who disapprove of me wearing a tank on a hot summer's day..

Here you have to define Christianity. I live in a country where most of the people are part of Christian church but religion plays no part in our lives - frankly I have never heard anyone I know going to church. Therefore I have never met people who would say something isn't appropriate because of their religion.

Sadly, I don't think many women can look at themselves objectively and decide what suits them and what they want to wear instead of wearing something in order to please someone else, i.e their social group, partners etc or to follow trends. I wish more and more women would learn about that, but at the moment it does not seem too common - but maybe things will change and women can finally develop a healthy self-esteem if there is more attention paid to that compared to teaching what you should wear in order to be something or attract certain people.

But what brings "sl*t" and "wh*re" to our mind? And who has defined which looks suggest that? I define the word "wh*re" (in fashion) to be a person who doesn't do her own choices because she wants them, but because she wants to gain something through her choices that will please others, not herself. In short she dresses for others, not for herself. It can mean everything from wearing what we usually associate with "sl*tty" dressing, i.e skimpy tops, miniskirts, fishnet thighs, visible underwear and too much make-up, but it could also mean someone who follows trends to be "fashionable" and "in", and therefore accepted by others. If someone wears a nun's uniform because she wants to please others and wants them to accept her, but doesn't actually like the dress of choice, I think that can, in a way, be defined as sl*tty. What I am trying to say that if you dress for others, I think that is actual sluttyness, not wearing certain clothes... though we can then ask who actually likes to be half-naked in public (and I am not meaning the pool or the beach) and look like she came out of an edition of Playboy, and can a style like that ever be a woman's own choice or is she just trying to get attention and acception, and therefore making the wrong choice which will probably not make her feel good.

 

[Beautiful Stranger]

Very interesting thread. Being very young myself, i think it depends. But i agree with the ones saying that it's "easier" for a young person to dress "older" than for an older person to dress "younger".

In general i think there's too many rules. I dislike people who for their own personal styles follows hundreds of rules. It must be so boring, never experiment! I actually remember posting a picture of myself some months ago wearing a pink u-neck together with 3 different belts around the waist, two of them red, 7 big necklaces, three brooches and tons of other jewellery.

There's also the clothes that suits everyone, any age. Like the black cardigan, the blue straight-leg jeans, the simple, black stilettos, the simple v-neck, the plain tee's etc. Simpler clothing work for everyone, but more quirky stuff might work better for younger people? But then again, two of my own biggest style-icons is old lady's and Vivienne Westwood. Me myself tend to wear some of my grandparents clothing, etc..

It's a very interesting subjekt. An important factor is that, i feel, before "all" teenagers shopped at the same teen-stores, while grown-up woman (say, 50 + ) shopped at other stores. I have the impression that people have gotten a more personal style the last few years? 14+ buying more expensive clothes, second-hand and high-street? ( i recently saw a picture of too 11 year old boys in vintage scarves and Acne jeans) People aren't so afraid of "shock" and mix-match perhaps.

 

[Whitelinen]

But what do you think is never appropriate?

 

[Beautiful Stranger]

In general or pr age? I think very few things is "un-appropriate", but i do think it's "wrong" to wear white in a wedding as it's the day where the bride truly can shine and be the "focus"-point, i think it's hard for people over 70 to pull off hoodies, most jeans, some sneakers and other typical "youthful" and un-comfortable things. I rarely think S&M-shoes who everyone seems to dig is appropriate, outside the bedroom of course, and i can't think of an appropriate situation using a turban unless you're in a shoot for Vogue/Elle, in a carneval or at the Prada-catwalk.