What To Wear When You're 30-Something...

[Lapin de Lune]

Just located another blog that may be of interest: http://lookingfabinyourforties.blogspot.com/

 

[Petit Lucille]

I am very appalled to see how much importance chronological age is given. What would being 30 imply? Why is it after 30 there is to be some change in what you wear?
There are so many 30 year old as immature as some 18 years old, and vice-versa, that I really don't think chronological time is what affects you that changes you so much, it makes you want to wear different type of clothes.
I think style changes along with how you take what life throws at you. The way you react can alter the way you feel about something, or reafirm it.
But I don't think it's a constant for everyone, each person goes through different things, and think differently, so how they digest it varies.

 

[Zarina]

^Very well said, Petit Lucille - I completely agree!

Actually I get more compliments for my look since I turned 30 than before and I wear more often mini skirts, so to me age means nothing.

 

[Lapin de Lune]

Sadly, I find that younger people seem more concerned by it than those of us who are older.

That said, I do find a lot less of 30+ people actually fashion blogging. Unless they do not state their ages. It does feel irrelevant to me, personally, and i fully agree with the above two comments, yet there is that subtle something which I even see here in the forums - in the star style forum for example, there are often remarks about how well a 28 yr old looks for her age, or why they might not be able to wear a mini any more, etc.

As annoying as it is, it tends to persist.

 

[HiHeels]

Sundial, my belated condolences!

Lapin, you are so pretty, and seem to enjoy clothing a great deal - start your own blog!!

I am inching closer to 40. - still in my 30s, just nearing the end, so please still let me post here.
I do blog but I find that I write a fair amount about not shopping, and this is a big thing that change for me re. style/fashion after 30 - I am a far more discerning, careful and questioning consumer. The standards seemed to have changed, it is not about new new new, as much as finding right right right.

 

[La Vanguardia]

HiHeels - Totally agree with you about finding the right, right, right. When I shop, it's mostly about the fit, fabrics and workmanship.

 

[HiHeels]

La Vanguardia, so we've both embraced right, right, right. It's good, right?
But seriously, shopping, I do it less and less and enjoy the results more and more.

 

[RedandNavy]

I agree with you, I don't care much about shopping anymore. I much more enjoy thinking about what I really want to spend on. I only buy pieces that I can see myself wearing in 5-10 years, still. And I try to be more focussed. I think it's not so much the style that has changed but the attitude towards buying. And well, I certainly love a good cashmere sweater now.

 

[Vega Magnus]

Thirty-something? Is that considered "old" now? That's absurd.

Anyway, I'm a guy, so I don't have to worry about this as much, especially with the simple way that I dress. Black t-shirt and jeans works for all ages.

 

[Lapin de Lune]

Vega, I think it is usually younger people who have a horror of it, at least this is what I have noticed on the internet. When you actually reach your thirties and realize that not much changes, at least concerning your interest in fashion, you wonder what all the fuss is actually about

I dare say that the 'fuss' is generated by the general attitudes to aging that are already embedded in our culture. Young girls are used to hearing reference to how they won't be able to wear mini's after a certain age, and how they ought to 'make the most of it whilst they can'. This type of thinking is already ingrained in people by the time they reach their mid teens. Many years ago, when I was studying a diploma, one of my female friends at the time struck up conversation with me about her thoughts on fashion. She was 20 years old at the time, and I recall her complaining about feeling old, past it, not as desirable as she was in her teens. She expressed a lot of concern about appearing ridiculous if she wore a pair of hotpants. I was in my mid twenties at the time (and had never worn hotpants and was simply stunned by her attitude. And I still encounter this now, on occasion, which tells me that these dubious fashion and age related 'rules' still persist. Perhaps even more?

Personally, I like where I am, I have more fun with fashion now than I did 10 years ago (it hardly interested me at all when younger), but I do notice some curious attitudes running amok!

I first came to this thread in search of bloggers in my age range, and having stumbled upon a few of them, I find that we are not very different after all to those who are younger.

 

[RedandNavy]

I sometimes wonder whether there are certain prints I should no longer wear? I like polka dots for example but sometimes I think they always have something girlish and maybe should be avoided? Or I do feel attracted to some childish playful prints by designers like Markus Lupfer or Sonia by Sonia Rykiel or lately Mulberry. I will attach some examples. I wonder: are those for the younger crowd?

Somehow my gut feeling says no to such things, although my heart can feel playful at times. I wonder what other people in their thirties and fourties think?

 

[RedandNavy]

I'm sorry, forgot to credit the pictures:

All pictures by net-a-porter.com

 

[Zarina]

^I don't see why any of these styles should not be worn by someone over 30, and I know many even older women whom they would suit very well.

 

[Tiger-lily]

^I don't see why any of these styles should not be worn by someone over 30, and I know many even older women whom they would suit very well.

I agree. Those are cute.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Melisande]

I agree. Those are cute.
Posted via Mobile Device

Ditto

The last thing the world needs is the perpetuation of meaningless rules.
We should consider it our moral duty to show the world how it's really done. B)

 

[kokobombon]

I´m 33 and sometimes I worry that I´m into too cutsey stuff, I don´t want to look too juvenile though people usually think I´m in my early 20s... but then I look at Gwen Stefani, she´s older than me and wears playful stuff but still looks chic, she´s truly an inspiration

Redandnavy: I love the orange sweater and heart one, I would totally wear them

 

[fashionista-ta]

I sometimes wonder whether there are certain prints I should no longer wear? I like polka dots for example but sometimes I think they always have something girlish and maybe should be avoided? Or I do feel attracted to some childish playful prints by designers like Markus Lupfer or Sonia by Sonia Rykiel or lately Mulberry. I will attach some examples. I wonder: are those for the younger crowd?

Somehow my gut feeling says no to such things, although my heart can feel playful at times. I wonder what other people in their thirties and fourties think?

I would say no to the fruity one I think the best and most versatile choice is the stripes & heart, but not everyone needs horizontal stripes at the bustline, that would be my reservation

I found as I approached the end of my thirties that I was wanting to weed out cutesy. I had given it a good run though I still have a few of those things in my closet, but they don't see the light of day very often.

 

[RedandNavy]

Thanks everyone for all the input!

I actually didn't buy any of the designs. I just feel a bit unsure about the cutesy stuff for me now. I really like some of the cute designs though. I try to find ways to wear some cute cuts without wearing the much juvenile prints. I think I've become more insecure about what is cool for me since I've crossed the thirties. I also think that my body starts to change. I have had two kids and **edited*** it has changed a bit. *edited* So I'm trying to find out what is my biggest assett now

 

[Zarina]

^One should always dress according to the body, but I think the fact that you gave birth to 2 is the reason your body have changed - not your age. Maybe you have also changed in your mind because you became a mother?

 

[Rova]

I'm dressing very casual and "normal" these days. My current style (or lack thereof) is percieved as OK by other people. I never get negative comments and people treat me with respect, however I often have to tell others how old I actually am (soon 35). I'm a student right now and it shows. Nobody assumes I have a job, everyone asks if I'm a student, which is fine, since I am one.
So I'm thinking I want to keep dressing like I do at the moment, but less scruffy. My goal is not to be treated well at Gucci, it's merely to be able to walk into a flower shop and buy a houseplant (like the fatsia japonica) without getting the recommendation to buy something smaller and more affordable.

Dissecting my style it's clear that I do not invest in quality shoes and bags. I also don't own a purse/wallet, I just keep my cash in the pockets of my jacket or occasionally in a canvas bag.
The struggle here is to find quality materials that aren't leather. Any thoughts on materials?
I find that with both shoes and bags, it's hard to find non leather items that will last. Or, I don't know what to look for. Also some vegan friendly materials will last, but looks cheap to begin with.

Any ideas on how to elevate a casual daytime look are welcome! (High heels are not an option.)