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Dozens of times a week, I am asked about age-appropriate dressing.
“Hi, I’m 61, 32, 54 … can I wear …?” or “Now that I’m 50, I don’t know what I can wear.”
So today, I want to dive into this big, nuanced topic, starting with the fact that you can wear WHATEVER YOU WANT.
I have never once heard my husband ask, “Am I too old for this?”
And would beat that no man on Earth has ever uttered those words.
Certainly, with age inevitably comes change.
But that’s very different than thinking because you are a certain age you now have to dress a certain way.
At 44, 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 live in a time when the conversation has shifted from “anti-aging” to health and vitality.
We want to feel youthful rather than look young.
So what if, instead of viewing our age as a limitation, we consider it an opportunity? Because if you keep thinking you need to follow “rules” when it comes to getting dressed, you’re just making it harder on yourself.
Stop Worrying About How to Dress Age Appropriate
I know firsthand what comes with aging.
I’m 44, a mother of three, and I have a lot of life under my belt.
Maintaining my sense of self and style in the modern world, which is still so rooted in misogyny, is challenging.
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
It’s frustrating because many options in stores seem like they’re for kids at the 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” or “can’t” wear, it’s time to embrace the world of opportunity that awaits us with each passing year.
And the good news is that classic style is inherently ageless.
You may have to replace a piece I recommend 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.
My job is to provide options to our community, which means that, based on your style and needs, not all of them will speak to you. Still, all the recommendations are under the umbrella of classic, modern style.
Over the years, I’ve created a hierarchy or checklist for clients and readers to go through when they wonder about mental 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 and you’ll always look and feel great.
A New Way to Think About Age Appropriate Dress
Body Type
The truth for most of us is that 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
As we age, many of us begin to appreciate quality and look 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.
Consider fit and custom tailoring, like a hem, or having your waist taken in – spend on the small details, things we we never thought of when we were younger.
At 22, you grabbed something disposable off the rack at a discount store; today, you’ll pay a little more at a better department or speciality store so you get a better product with a longer lifespan.
Finally, by the time we turn 40 we have a clear idea of who we are. Maybe your personal style isn’t fully formed yet, but you know what you like and dislike.
Is there a look you aspire to create?
A way you want to live?
These are the decades to do it in.
There is no such thing as age-appropriate
Our lifestyles, bodies, and personal style profiles are wildly different from when we were younger.
And that’s ok!
In my twenties I ran around in low slung jeans. I don’t do that now, not because I’m 44 but because I three C-Sections. If I still had rock hard abs, maybe I would still show them off.
Our tastes evolve with time for most of us, and we don’t like the same things we did in our younger years.
We’re also a whole lot smarter.
Remember the days of going out for the night in the cold, wearing sky high heels and no coat?
Can you imagine doing that now? We didn’t always make great choices … at least I didn’t.
With age comes wisdom, and now I know it’s not worth traumatizing my feet and getting frostbite.
And guess what?
Young women now have more sense than we did because they have no problem wearing their sneakers with their party dresses.
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 in my youth.
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.
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