Dressing Young (Part 1)

[missypie]

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]

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]

[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.

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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]

[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!

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

[musicamusica]

"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]

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]

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.

[anothermom2]

If your job will allow jeans, then OK as long as not too tight too low cut. Leggings, no; nice casual skirts or dresses (flowered, other prints?) or not young enough? I have to say that a woman I knew (same age range) looked ridiculous in her "young" clothes - leather pants and skirts, Juicy sweat pants and jackets - her problem was not her figure but that she looked like a middle aged woman who did not realize that she was not 20. And although you don't mention it, I also do not think that yoga pants are proper except to class and to and from the house. Some people don't know that the pants with the flower on the rear end are yoga pants, and will wonder why anyone would wear pants with a flower on the rear.

Is it so casual that you can wear shorter pants like capri or long nice shorts? We saw some of the BCBG nice shorts on sale in the outlets - but you have to be very slim to fit into what is left (good for D, not me:()

[oldfort]

I am wearing heels, boots with jeans.

I am not into dressing like my kids, been there done that. I have nicer things now, even for leisure. Instead of sweat suit, I have cashmere top/bottoms for at home. I may wear jeans out, but I wear a jacket or nice shirt on top. I am not a casual type of person, so when I go out I like to be put together. Even pool wear, it's not a T shirt over bathing suit. Cut off jeans, casual T-shirt or wife beater shirt would look strange on me.

I do believe not dressing old. I don't mean to offend people, but I won't step into Chico, or any place that sells elastic pants (especially jeans). I'll buy jeans with stretchy material, but not elastic waist.

[worknprogress]

Well, my problem with leggings is that if the top is loose it does nothing to flatter your waist. Perhaps I am vain, but since I am fairly slim, I don't want to wear something that looks like I am covering up my tummy. On the other hand, I can't wait for cold weather so I can hide my darn goose neck with one of my many turtlenecks!!!!

I just returned a pair of skinny jeans from White House/Black Market because I wasn't sure I would wear them very often. I decided to buy a cheaper pair and see how it goes.

[hmom5]

I will be teaching at the grad school level and the vast majority of my peers, like throughout my first career, are male. I have seen them wearing everything from shorts to suits. I'm not planning on wearing the jeans to work for the most part, but do wonder about a dressed up pain with a nice top and flats or boots.

[quote]
Well, my problem with leggings is that if the top is loose it does nothing to flatter your waist.

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I like a lot of the long tops out now that tie in the back or have a belt. With leggings/tights it's a very slim look.

So am I hearing that tights are OK but not leggings? They seem the same to me.

[mom60]

In my part of Ca many 50 something women wear skinny jeans, boots and yes even leggings. Also a tank top under just about anything. Look at Blue Bee dot com and you will see what many women in my area are wearing.
In my part of the world jeans can be worn most anywhere. A dark wash with a pair of boots or heels to dress it up. A tank top that peeks out below your top.
I just ran into a friend who had on black leggings with flat black boots worn with a longer sweater. She looked great. I ran into another friend who had on a longer T shirt with a tank under with white leggings and sandals. While she definitely had the body the white leggings were a bit young.

[worknprogress]

Hmom5 - If the look is slimming, I say go for it! I have a hunch that you will exercise good judgment and look professional AND fresh. If your daughter approves, you are probably on the right track. You know they will be painfully honest with us if we look ridiculous. On the other hand, they sometimes gift us with an unexpected compliment.

[GA2012MOM]

[quote]
I do believe not dressing old. I don't mean to offend people, but I won't step into Chico, or any place that sells elastic pants (especially jeans). I'll buy jeans with stretchy material, but not elastic waist.

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About 4 or 5 years ago, my parent's got me a gift certificate for Chicos for Christmas. My D still laughs thinking about my facial expressions when we went to shop there. This was an attempt by my mother to make me "grown-up." She also wants me to cut my hair short, but that is another subject. It took me three trips to Chicos to use up the gift certificate, and a good portion of it was on some jewelry.

I would never wear anything but heels with jeans. As we get older (not me of course) I think giving ourselves the appearance of long lines becomes more important to balance out a few "problem" areas. I think a dark washed jean with pointy toed heels with just a touch of toe cleavage, a white shirt and some type of jacket can take you just about anywhere, be age appropriate, yet still modern and fresh.

I shudder thinking about my favorite grey stirrup pants with oversize cowl neck sweaters that I used to wear in the 80's. Never again.

[worknprogress]

Actually, one of my favorite jackets is a short/bright green one from Chico's. I guess I had better not let anyone know where I got it!! ;)

[Northstarmom]

Chico's is my favorite store. I love the colors and how the same clothes can go from casual to dressy.

[MomofWildChild]

Chico's has some cute jackets. My sister and I (totally different body types) have both found things we like at Chico's. It is not a regular haunt of mine, though, because it just has sort of an "old" vibe. I feel the same way about Talbot's.

[anothermom2]

I hope its ok to jump back in with a couple of funny (hopefully) stories about clothing. Years ago (30 or so) my mom told me that she could not buy a brand called "ecobay" (at least I think that was the name) because they were old lady clothes (elastic waist - jersey stretch- you know). Then she starts to laugh - she cracked herself up and says "who do I think I am?!" meaning she was an old lady (late 50's then.) I've never been to chico's but it sounds like this brand looked.

Also decades ago, my friend went to interview for a job in LA. She wore a suit that was fine for a law firm in Atlanta (which is where we were in school) or NY (which is what I was familiar with). She was waiting for an elevator, and an associate of the law firm looked at her and said "who died?" Yes, I always forget that California is so much more casual than NY or NJ.

Anyway, Hmom, how exciting for you! Good luck and all that other wonderful stuff. I thought you had kids in HS, no?

[PackMom]

^^ I happened by a Talbots Outlet store recently so thought I would look around. Oh my,it was like stepping into a time warp or something. The prices were really good but couldn't find one single thing I would have worn.

What's the vote on Coldwater Creek? I sometimes wander through when passing it in the mall but have never bought anything. It all seems sort of too "matched up" if that makes sense.

[missypie]

[quote]
The important thing with leggings is that, under all circumstances, your butt must be totally covered.

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Amen and amen.

[quote]
Also decades ago, my friend went to interview for a job in LA. She wore a suit that was fine for a law firm in Atlanta (which is where we were in school) or NY (which is what I was familiar with). She was waiting for an elevator, and an associate of the law firm looked at her and said "who died?" Yes, I always forget that California is so much more casual than NY or NJ.

[/quote]

I don't travel on business often, but the few times I've been to NY, I've avoided the black/gray suit and have worn something professional yet "Dallas" (eg. a fitted beige jacket.) Always willing to give the other folks something to talk about