Stop Dressing Appropriately For Your Age

Dozens of times a week, I am asked about age-appropriate dressing. 

“Hi, I’m 61, 32, 54 … can I wear …?”

So today, I want to dive into this big, nuanced topic.

Your age should never be the sole factor in deciding what to wear. 

However, it’s hard to take age entirely out of the conversation because with age inevitably comes change.

At 43, I wouldn’t be caught dead in what I was wearing at 22 because my body and style have changed, and, thankfully, I can spend a little more now than I could then.

But, I would never say I couldn’t wear something simply because I’m over 40.

Happily, we are living in a time where the conversation has shifted from “anit-aging” to health and vitality.

We want to feel youthful rather than look young.

And today more than ever there are so many more options to choose from when it comes to getting dressed.

So what if, instead of viewing our age as a limitation, we consider it an opportunity?

I know firsthand what comes with aging.

I’m 43, a mother of three, and I have a lot of life under my belt.

Maintaining our sense of self and style in a world that wants to limit us after we hit 40 isn’t easy.

Add to that our ever-changing bodies and increased personal responsibilities, and it’s easy to see how many of us, myself included, can get into a rut or feel like we have lost our way.

Related: How to Stop Feeling Frumpy

And it’s frustrating because our options are either 20-year-olds at a club or 80-year-olds in a home.

So before I get into the nitty-gritty, let me say this: the one thing I know for sure is that we’ve got this whole age-appropriate conversation wrong. 

Aging should be a celebration, so instead of thinking of all the things you “shouldn’t” wear, it’s time to embrace the world of opportunity that awaits us with each passing year. 

And the good news is the classic style is inherently ageless. 

You may have to replace a piece I recommend here or there with something that works within your budget or with your body type, but the style tips and theories offered here are all timeless. 

I’ve never liked telling women what they should and should not wear. 

Instead, I hope you see this site as a guide to achieving a modern, classic style with a bit of a twist, regardless of the year you were born.

Over the years, I’ve created a hierarchy or checklist to mentally go through for clients and readers when they start to wonder about appropriateness.

As you’ll see, age is the last piece to consider; even then, it’s not what you might think.

How to Dress for Your Age

Do you want to know how to dress “for your age”?

Stop thinking about it.

Instead, filter your choices through a few checkpoints; you’ll always look and feel great.

A New Way to Think About Age Appropriate Dress

Body Type

Our bodies change with age, so focus on wearing clothes that work best for the body you have right now and make you feel confident.

Take some time to learn about the most flattering shapes and silhouettes for you.

It makes all the difference in the world.

Be sure to read our How to Dress Your Body Type Guide Here. 

Lifestyle

Understanding your current lifestyle is surprisingly critical in making good purchasing decisions.

I work with many women who love the idea of an outfit or specific piece but have no place to wear it.

So, ask yourself, where am I going in this?

And can you wear it a few different ways or to a few events so you get your money’s worth?

Otherwise, it’s not an appropriate purchase.

Quality and Fit

For many of us, as we age, we begin to appreciate quality and are looking for a more sophisticated style.

Buy the best quality you can afford, spend a little more, or find a higher quality garment at a discount. 

And consider fit and custom tailoring, like a hem, or having your waist taken in – spend on the small details.

At 22, you should grab something disposable off the rack at a discount store; today, you’ll pay a little more at Nordstrom or Banana Republic for a better product with a longer lifespan.

Personal Style

Finally, have you defined your personal style

Is there a look you aspire to create?

Interestingly, many women over 40 end up looking matronly or much older than they are because they are hyper-fixated on comfort and not considering style at all.

And sure, if comfort is king for you, do what you must do.

But this strategy will be challenging if you want to curate a style.

An open mind and a little trial and error will show you that you can create any look you like and feel comfortable.

Both are possible.

There is not such thing as age-appropriate

But it’s never the REASON not to wear something. 

Our lifestyles, body types, and personal style profiles are wildly different from when we were younger.

And that’s ok!

It’s fabulous.

Our tastes evolve with time for most of us, and we don’t like the same things we did in our younger years.

At 22, I was wearing sky-high platform stilettos; at 43, I’d rather not.

With age comes wisdom, and now I know it’s not worth traumatizing my feet.

And guess what?

Young women now have more sense than we did because they have no problem wearing their sneakers for a night out.

My Best Tips to Timeless, Ageless Style

You can see that age is simply the catalyst for changes that affect how we want to look and dress.

Quality over Quantity

Get comfortable with the idea of investing in yourself. 

Buy the best quality you can afford. 

Start to think strategically about the items in your closet so you get more wear out of fewer, higher-quality pieces. 

Be Cautious with Patterns

I’m not telling you never to wear a pattern. I love some bold patterns, especially in the warmer weather. 

The challenge with patterns is that so many in retail look cheap and flimsy and do nothing to elevate your style. 

Use them with a light hand; remember, you must LOVE them.

Don’t wear prints and patterns to spice up your outfit.

Instead, incorporating texture is a more sophisticated way to elevate your look.

Invest in Your Accessories

Nothing elevates a look more than your bag and shoes. 

Investment is different for every person. 

Today, I’m at a place in life where I would rather have a few better quality shoes than a closet full of heels from the DSW clearance section – which used to be my jam.

When it comes to bags, look for simple, clean designs. 

Avoid logos, studs, patchwork, or anything that dangles, like charms and chains. 

You don’t want your bag to fight with your outfit.

And wear your better jewelry every day – what are you waiting for? 

Shop in the Right Stores

The only time our actual age comes into play is when it comes to where to shop because stores and brands target specific, age-driven demographics.

So, if you were my best friend and I found out you were shopping in the junior’s department, I would, without hesitation, tell you you are too old to be there.

The clothes in junior departments and youth-focused stores are cut for the bodies of teens and early twenty-somethings.

Plus, they are cheaply made and have minimal size ranges.

But, these days, the real challenge is finding clothes for grown women that hit the sweet spot of being sophisticated, fresh, modern, youthful, practical, and stylish.

The good news is that we provide daily inspiration, recommendations, and advice to keep you looking as ageless and timeless as possible.