Dressing Young

hmom5 · 09-29-2009, 04:03 PM

Someone on another thread mentioned dressing young. After 30 years of living in business suits, this winter I'll start a far more casual job, move across country to warm weather and get to redefine my look for semi retirement.

I love what the young girls are wearing including skinny jeans, leggings, tank top under everything, all of the cute boots.

What's appropriate these days when you're 50 something?

musicamusica · 09-29-2009, 04:08 PM

Well I live in Los Angeles and dressing young is usually dressing in whatever your 14 year old daughter is wearing.....

(APPROPRIATE?---what does that mean?

)

Booklady · 09-29-2009, 04:15 PM

Skinny jeans are fine if you truly have the figure for them. If not, and you want to wear jeans, a mid-rise boot cut in a dark wash looks good on most people. The look of leggings with a long top/short dress over them is very cute, but only on the young, IMO.

hmom5 · 09-29-2009, 04:21 PM

What about leggings with a top that comes about an inch above the knee? Agree that old ladies like me look pretty silly in them with a short dress.

Anyone else forget their old while shopping?

FallGirl · 09-29-2009, 04:27 PM

I'm 52 and wear skinny jeans (dark wash). I love boots and tank tops. I wouldn't wear leggings though.

I no longer wear hose except tights with boots. I go with bare legs (made possible for me by sunless tanner).

Jolynne Smyth · 09-29-2009, 04:31 PM

Hate to admit it, but I shop at Plato's Closet (consignment store for upscale/trendy teen clothing).

I go for what flatters my figure and try to stay away from the 'super busy' stuff or outright girly/girly (e.g. ruffled mini-skirts, although I did wear them in my early 30s, for better or worse).

I like the low rise jeans in a boot cut or slight flare. My gf runs a Plato's and says the trick is that all shirts are longer (nothing short). I don't think empire waists flatter anyone but the pregnant (and maybe my 7 yo?) but that's just me. I like fitted shirts that go over the waist band of the jeans somewhat (so you don't flash).

Have fun & good for you hmom5!!

Northstarmom · 09-29-2009, 04:32 PM

Skinny jeans, boots, tank tops all are fine if you've got the figure for them. This is true too, for women much younger than are many of us.

I think leggings, though are too young for people our age.

momlove · 09-29-2009, 04:35 PM

I used to hate What Not To Wear, but now I love it. They have great tips for dressing and looking your best for your body, skin tone, etc.

I try to purchase clothes that are a 'classic' look that will last for many years. I also enjoy purchasing a couple of more trendy items to update my classic (I hope) clothing occasionally.

That being said, I could never go for the leggings and a long top. The leggings remind me too much of stirrup pants *shudder*. I do think the leggings, skinny jeans, etc. do look cute on the right figure, but I would personally leave those to the younger set.

missypie · 09-29-2009, 04:38 PM

I own one pair of very skinny jeans and they are frankly too uncomfortable to wear for a long period of time. I also have several pair of thin cut jeans that feel better and still work with the tops.

No leggings for me. Our newspaper occasionally publishes pictures of "people in society" (for want of a better term) at various parties, charitable events, etc. I have not seen any pictures of ladies my age or older (50+) in leggings that actually looked good. Even though these are beautifully groomed, wealthy, slim ladies, they still look like fashion victims in their leggings.

Jolynne Smyth · 09-29-2009, 04:40 PM

Agree--I don't really thinking leggings flatter anyone except the little girls in the Hannah Anderson catalogues. Even photos of super-skinny starlets -- just not an appealing look!

missypie · 09-29-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

That being said, I could never go for the leggings and a long top. The leggings remind me too much of stirrup pants *shudder*.

My general rule for trendy clothes is that if you wore it the first time around, you're too old to wear it the second time around.

missypie · 09-29-2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Agree--I don't really thinking leggings flatter anyone except the little girls in the Hannah Anderson catalogues. Even photos of super-skinny starlets -- just not an appealing look!

I encourage my teen Ds to wear the shorter leggings when I think their dresses are a bit short.

musicamusica · 09-29-2009, 04:43 PM

"My general rule for trendy clothes is that if you wore it the first time around, you're too old to wear it the second time around."

you beat me to that Missypie! Anyways--I didn't like eighties fashions when I was a young woman in the eighties, why would I wear them now?

hmom5 · 09-29-2009, 04:49 PM

OK, the leggings go back. My DD encouraged me, and the top is long--but I think you're all right.

Who's wearing heels with jeans? Not too high in my case.

MomofWildChild · 09-29-2009, 05:00 PM

I would have agreed about the leggings until I went to New York & Co. this weekend. The tops are VERY long (really they are dresses) and with leggings and boots it is really the same as wearing a dress with tights. At our age you really can't wear the ones that show skin between calf and ankle (except to the gym). I got some cute leggings that are a denim-look and with a long sweater (really a sweater dress) they are very cute. They are just tights without feet. The important thing with leggings is that, under all circumstances, your butt must be totally covered.
I don't wear heels because I'm not good at walking in them and I don't think they are comfortable. I will wear a higher shoe like a clog or platform something or other (not the real platform shoes). I have a few low heels (comfort brands) that are chunky and comfortable. I like cowboy boots and other Frye boots.