Have you changed your style because of your age?

I remember when I was in Japan women were very strict on their clothing, if they were older than 30 they wouldn't dress like the ones in their twenties anymore. And when reaching forties there were lots of restrictions, too, which would become more and more strict the older the woman got.

I would like to know if you have changed your style or if you abstain from wearing some kinds of clothing or even hair style because of the age factor.

I try not to dress like a teen, but other than that I am pretty easy on myself when it comes to clothes. I am more worried about my body type than about my age, although I do think some things would look a bit ridiculous now that I am 43...

What do you all think?

Personally, I'm still growing. But I think my style of clothing will never change. I'm always wearing sporty stuff like Adidas and Champion USA.

Though with shoes, I'm always changing those like socks!

It's funny that you should ask that, Maria.

Throughout my days in high school, I remember I had this teacher who used to get on my case because I always wore jeans and t-shirts to school and to my job at Sears (she was responsible for helping her class find work). But she didn't want to hear that I was not going to wear a shirt and tie to work since I worked in the warehouses anyway. But still in all, I wore my jeans and t-shirts everyday until 1990.

What you see me wearing in Pixie's post is what I've been wearing since 1990, baggie workout pants and t-shirt or muscle shirt (sleeveless t-shirt). So there you have it, you'll always see me wearing California Cra-zee Wear or House of Pain baggie workout pants and t-shirts/muscle shirts.:(

My only changes since I was a teen are my mustache/goatee' and my hair. I wear my hair shorter now. Yeah, yeah, don't laugh but I used to sport around a huge afro when I was a teen.
A fair skinned Super Fly.........LOL

yeah, I have changed....I had to buy a bigger freakin size! Damnit!! (is damnit allowed Maria! PLEASE LET ME SAY DAMNIT!))

I have no idea if damn is a cuss word. In Latin it means condemned I guess.

Sometimes I think you abuse this foreign moderator... :( :p

Originally posted by Tru
yeah, I have changed....I had to buy a bigger freakin size! Damnit!! (is damnit allowed Maria! PLEASE LET ME SAY DAMNIT!))

You are soooo true, Tru.

How could I forget that. I'll never have a 28 in. waist again.....DANG NABBIT!!!

I subtracted alot of hair and added mega size since my teen years.

Maria,

Not really. I still wear the same style of clothing. I think that once I get older, I would keep the GQ style and not have to look conservative for my age group.

Well even though I'm 21 I think this still applies to me. Up until a couple of years ago I wore the most boring clothes you have ever seen. I watched some makeover show back then and the host said "What do you see when you look in your wardrobe?". The only answer I could come up with to describe mine was "uninspired". So I changed everything, gave all my clothes to charity, got a new haircut, the works. sounds ridiculous I know, but I think I finally look like me.

I'll throw another issue into the equation here (apart from age and size). What about weather? It seems there is a trend in other parts of the world to think that boys wear shorts and men wear pants. In Australia it's too hot to wear long pants all the time. I wear shorts most days (except to work) because I would melt here wearing jeans etc.

I haven't changed my style all that much-
but there are some kinds of clothing that I
can't wear anymore because my body has evolved.
In other words-
no more bikini's for me.
After having 5 kids-
2 by C-section, I figure the world can live
without seeing those scars.
(I had an emergency section with my oldest
daughter and that scar runs from the belly button
all the way down- not too pretty)

I've always been the type to wear jeans, a flannel
shirt and hiking boots and I stick with that
for the most part-
but I also love my little black dresses that
have always done me well and my "Birks", (shoes).
And no, I don't wear the little black dress
with the "Birks".
LOL
I gave up super high heels a long time ago,
but will put them on for a very special occasion.

I've always been into "comfort" when it
comes to clothes.
The fussy, fancy stuff doesn't appeal to me much
and I refuse to buy anything "designer"-
too pretentious for me.

I have had phases, too. When I was a teen up to Medical School graduation I swong between casual and romantic. My graduation dress looks like some dress from a Cinderella ball; it was funny! Then I became very conservative because of my job. Once I was called on a Saturday, while at the mall, to come see a child with epilepsy. I was wearing a mini skirt, not too mini, but it seems it was a surprise for the my colleagues and the nurses, because when I entered the ward, everybody said something! I was so embarassed, put on my white jacket quickly and disappeared immediately after my consultation! :p

In Japan I did like the Japanese.... I dressed mainly in suits, channel style as they like it there, and retired all my jeans. I had only one pair for some hikings! If you see my pictures from that time I swear I look older than I do now, because of the dressing style.

These days I just try being comfortable but also beautiful (and sometimes sexy, but usually discrete). I will go through certain "sacrifices" to look good, like wearing high heels!

I am only 4' 9" and high heels just put me a bit below the height of the rest of the human race... ;) no complexes here, I have always been very happy as a small woman, I think men like it... :p It's easy to carry me around! :D

LOL!

40 years ago I had extremely short hair and only wore OD green.

A few years later I was in tie dyed tank tops, ribbons, fringes, with both facial hair and long hair.

My "style" has changed MANY times since then!

Leaddog, some of us get younger, like you!!!

And welcome to the site, I see this is your first post! :)

Originally posted by kimmy
I'm sure you looked outstandingly beautiful Mrs. Hedgehog. I wish my ageless man would tell me what he'd prefer I wear when we meet. Every time I ask him, he says it doesn't matter - anything I have on won't last on me for more than a few seconds anyway! Naughty naughty man - now where's his chair?

"Naughty time out chair... (http://www.agelesslove.com/boards/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8385&highlight=naughty+manofmisteree)

I'm interested in knowing about everyone's style now. Which particular store sums up your style better than any other at this stage of your life? I don't know many US and European stores, so I won't try and give examples.

For me it would be Roger David, I don't shop that much, but I like the clothes they have. I dig their "Stray" collection, but I'm not really into some of the more militant style clothing. Not sure if you get them anywhere else in the world but you can check their stuff out here: http://www.rogerdavid.com.au

I think with my 40's came an appreciation not only for the wisdom that I've gained in ALL THOSE YEARS, but an appreciation for my own body and the strengths/weaknesses it has. I know what looks good, what doesn't, am not afraid to try new colors/accessories/combinations....and don't limit myself to fashion trends that come and go. If I like it...I try it...as for personal style....I dont really know if there IS a word or phrase that can sum it up....classic, but not overly conservative....im a jeans, high-heeled shoes/boots, and jacket kind of gal....I love dresses, but own more skirts than dresses. That's my new goal...
to find more that actually LOOK GOOD on me!

As for hair, well, my photo shows what my hair has been like since my early teens and will be like, hopefully, until I die. I wear what I want, not what I am expected to wear because of my age. Other people's opinions do not sway me. I follow the teens' cute and innovative styles, but can't fit into all of them because I have such a curvy figure and the junior styles are more for straight, boyish figures, but I do my best. Sometimes, my man, who is rather conservative, objects to what I wear, so I will modify my outfit to please him, but when he is not around I do my own thing. Unfortunately, the weather is so horrible where I live that I am stuck with wearing mostly jeans rather than pretty summer skirts and dresses. I hate stiletto heels, but love chunkies and platforms. Since boyfriend is short, I usually wear flat shoes when we are together. I guess, basically, I dress to fit my life attitude--very unconventional and true-to-self.

Since turning 40 (:eek: :eek: ), I've been struggling with the whole style thing, b/c 40 seems to be a major benchmark for what is "appropriate" or not for women.

Work isn't a problem as it dictates conservative dress for me, not always a suit (depends on the day's agenda) but definitely not jeans. I still change into my jeans within a few minutes of getting home, however.

And I refuse to give up my high heels -- I've worn them since I was a teenager, I'm comfortable in them, and the Queen Mum was wearing heels into her 90's so I've got a few years to go yet. :D

I think my biggest problem is having a few hyper-critical friends who persist in telling me what I should/shouldn't do based on my age. I chopped about 6" off my hair around 5 yrs ago after hearing repeatedly that I was wearing it too long for a woman my age. :rolleyes: Now they are harping about skirt length -- mine are apparently too short for a 40 yr old. So far, my solution has been to wear the short ones on days when I know I won't be running into those friends -- but I can't continue evasive maneuvers forever.

Well, it looks like we covered just about every decade from 20's-50's! And I would gather that many of us have changed little as we went through each decade (except for that period in our teens and early twenties, perhaps that Mrs.H wrote about when we felt like we had to flaunt "it" due to the fact we were unsure of our sexuality....hmmmm the Brittany Spears' complex???) , for we tend to wear what we feel comfortable in (even though I think we do need to "keep up" as fabrics change as well as styles, and we do need to modify our look or we look "dated".... I mean remember when our fathers kept those polyester leisure suits WAY into the 80's as well as the white belts??) And like Sing said as well, we find out (finally??) what "works" for us... I began wearing black in hs, simply because it was not done. I had to design and make my own clothes, as the only ones found were for lil ole ladies who were either going to a funeral or a ****tail party. Hence black is still my main staple, but in updated classic dresses to sundresses, to funky tops to halters to jeans to skirts (but never suits!) . My skirts are long and short as are my dresses and my shoes are flats or heeled sandals (I will never succumb to "corrective shoes or tennis shoes" for work unless I medically have to).... and what I love about "NOW" is that basically one can wear what one WANTS to (and what the mood dictates!!) ... and not what the fashion guru's of the past MADE you....(as nothing else was available). OH and women.... those of you that are back to wearing the "body shapers" (ie girdles of long ago.... what the heck are you thinking?? The PAIN!!!)

When I was younger and oh-so-much thinner, I used to be among the more "funky" dressers around these parts. I was notorious for being avant-guarde in a very conservative community. Not trashy, just very Vogue.

Over the years (and two husbands, a couple kiddos, and enough extra weight to clone another me), I went to frumpy sacks . (mostly to please exhubby #2 who wanted to go amish and supposedly to hide the weight and my poor self image).

Since then, I have lost a lot of weight.... (not the full person yet, but working on it) and hubby #2 and am back to middle of the road for now: Jeans and cute tops for everyday, nice semi-fitted dresses and suits for work, no midriff revealing outfits, but I have picked up a few that flatter OTHER regions.... I love shopping in the REGULAR size section!!!

I must dress okay, as most people guess my age at 15 years younger than I actually am. My VYM wants to see me in leather (what else would Trinity wear?) and heels. The high heels will be the big change.... hubby #2 was very short and for some reason forbid me to wear heels. So I am very, very out of practice... but willing to learn for my beautiful, brilliant, tall Neo.

Trinity

Originally posted by Patricia
As for hair, well, my photo shows what my hair has been like since my early teens and will be like, hopefully, until I die.

I have been told many times that long hair makes us look older, but lately I have let my hair grow -mainly because I wanted to wait to be back to Europe and have it cut by my guru of French coiffeur in Metz, whose style I love ;) - and lots of people have liked it. So I am letting it stay long this year, I am not sure about the future! :)

I like long hair, too, had it very long until 24~25 years old and then I kept changing hair styles, and still do it a lot.

I haven't changed my style one bit. I am still a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal with clogs on my feet. I am very much into casual wear, especially since I have to wear dresses at work. :rolleyes:

The one thing I do think constantly about changing is my hair. I love it long, but I remember when my mom was this age... and I thought longer hair made her look so much older than she really was. Now that I am starting to look like my mother, I am considering going shorter, but am just not ready yet.

Originally posted by Savannah


I think my biggest problem is having a few hyper-critical friends who persist in telling me what I should/shouldn't do based on my age. I chopped about 6" off my hair around 5 yrs ago after hearing repeatedly that I was wearing it too long for a woman my age. :rolleyes: Now they are harping about skirt length -- mine are apparently too short for a 40 yr old. So far, my solution has been to wear the short ones on days when I know I won't be running into those friends -- but I can't continue evasive maneuvers forever.

I can sympathise there, I had a hyper-critical daughter right up until 2 years ago :D Then again I have always dressed to please me an I suppose it musta been tough growing up with a Mum that wore Doc's with skirts ... a bikini after the age of 30 ........... An horror of horror's, even got whistled at in the street by the local talent LOL

Nowadays she has reversed her standing an is happy to share my wardrobe .... we actually buy each other clothes that we know would look good on either of us .......... I still like to dress outside the box an wear stuff that a lot of ppl may consider far too young ......... As I see it as long as the body wearing the clothes is fit to be seen then it can be seen ...... If I am having a FAT period, like now, then I opt for stuff that will cover the evil blubber eg giant off the shoulder sweaters with micro skirts, funky hose an flat boots....... Once the blubber has been removed it will be back to wearing everything :D

How do you straighten your hair, Mrs. H., and how long does it take? My hair is very frizzy and I live in a humid area, so I would be interested in doing something like that if it isn't too time-consuming.

Originally posted by MrsHedgeHog
p.s. grr, Savannah, do you feel good in what you wear (despite what your girl friends say)? If so, I'd completely ignore their remarks -- I can't help wondering if they're jealous that you're still comfortable with wearing shorter skirt styles or something like that...
On second thought, I was wrong -- my BIGGEST problem is allowing these self-appointed Fashion Police to get to me..... :(

I don't think it's jealousy, I think it's just a case of them feeling a sense of security (or superiority?) in rigidly playing by the rules.

And, yes, I feel better when I'm wearing clothes that are true to "my style". I wore a short skirt to work last week (first time it's been warm enough all winter) and, within half an hour, 6 coworkers had told me how cute it was...... no raised eyebrows..... no "Aren't you a little old for that now?". :)

Originally posted by MrsHedgeHog
LOL, it's a hassle, Patricia! If I lived in a humid area, I would either chemically straighten my hair or just say "to heck with it" and go for the natural look.

i used to have very straight here as a young kid. then some how it turned very thick and wavy.

went from salad bowl head to fro (http://www.agelesslove.com/boards/showthread.php?s=&postid=134877#post134877)

Sure. I dress younger LOL. I don't know what happened, but as I passed through my thirties, my hair got longer and my style grew simpler and more youthful. Just didn't want to fuss anymore, I expect.

I'm afraid I seem to be on the route to the old hippie look - but them's the breaks :>

My style is the same...anything from jeans and a t-shirt, to track suits, to Armani (which I will be wearing to Phantom of the Opera next week).

And to Maria: You'd better NOT cut that hair!!!

I won't, sweetie. :)

I have curly dark hair that is just past the shoulder & I hope that it gets longer...I am usually asked if I'm in my mid-20s so I figure I can get away with it for a while. I used to have very short hair, which was extremely comfy but not as fun (or attractive to guys). My style is constantly evolving, though I tend to dress in a more classic style as I get older - loving cashmere sweaters right now. I have a friend in her 30s who dresses very sexy and who is trying to get me to dress more so for the evenings...I think I'm more the sporty sort than the "sexy" sort...but I did buy a fitted sexy top while in Montreal. I figure that I'll keep wearing about the same thing for years as classic is somewhat timeless...

My style has changed a lot over the years. When I was with the ex, my clothing was censored, I pretty much wore what I was told to. Then, when I gained all that weight, it was whatever fit. . .then, when I lost a lot of that weight, I determined that I'd wear what I want to. . .so, I now wear lots of power suits and I've been color matched by a stylist so I try to stick to certain colors - jewels mostly, purple, red, royal blue or emerald green. I don't buy a lot of clothing, I tend to save my money, buy one or two expensive pieces and mix and match.

My hair. . .at the moment, sadly, needs SOMETHING. Just don't know what. Cade likes it long so I've been growing it out, but, I have a round head so I don't like how it looks. Still trying to figure out what to do there. It's down past my shoulders but doesn't look even, it drives me nuts. The color is fantastic, though. Last year when I was on chemo I had my hair colored and there was a little "accident", it turned sort of reddish purple, like Sharon Osbourne's hair. When I went back to the stylist I told them, keep this color. lol Cade loves it.

Originally posted by kimmy
I know what you mean whiterose. I probably should cut my hair. The only thing I have going for me is a hairdresser who is absolutely crazy about my hair. She's my biggest cheerleader and is reluctant to cut off over an inch of it at a time. I have to push her. :rolleyes:


i like how the hair dresser thinks. keep it long!:D ;)

I wear a lot of black and red too, Lynn. lol I'm not SUPPOSED to wear black, but heck, I have a big butt, gotta make it look small SOMEHOW.

I love my hair color, although, it DOES make me look older. Darker hair on me does that for some reason. I like your hair suggestion, I need to set up an appointment, I'm just procrasitnating. lol Got better things to do like upgrade my employment, make more money and MOVE!!

My style:

To begin with I am clean shaven and with short cut hair contray to my "grizzly" name. :p

My style has not changed much over the years... I gave up all the slogan t-shirts from my teens.

I dress differently depending on the situation. For work I wear a casual dress shirt and dress pants. For my off hours I dress "causal conservative". Think of sweaters and shirts from Van Hussen, the Gap, and L.L. Bean. I like solid colors....
In the warmer weather I love to be outside, I usually wear a plain white t-shirt, blue jeans, and boots.

as now 2 1/2 years have passed since we discussed this and some of the members are still here...but we also have gobs of new ones! SO I am curious as to where we all stand now.

SOOOO...update on me as I am now 57...and NOPE! I have basically not changed style in regards to the color I dress in (BLACK!), but I have been a bit more "daring" and added some color like olive green, gold, pink and purple, but no prints! However, now that I have "buff arms" :D I tend to wear more that shows them off and love the racer back tops. And with the "peasant" look back in vogue this summer, I was lucky to still fit into one top I had in my "hippie days" and LOVED buying the skirts again...from 3/4 length to short! :) And I now am a convert to wearing garters and stockings rather than the dreaded panty hose as I do find myself wearing more skirts and dresses!

My hair is still short and up to date as my daughter is a hairdresser, so not a problem! I do wish I could grow my hair longer, but for some reason, it just will not grow without breaking.

Next???:D

WOW it was so strange to reread this thread............

As for my style, I guess it has changed a little, for one thing I wear skirts a lot more now, have a couple of long ones that sit really low on the hips and are so comfortable that I wear them to death............ I love all the hipster skirts, jeans and combats that are around, especially teamed with the newer skinny type Tshirts and vests (I think you guys call them tanks??) and a wide belt to show off my flat stomach and slender waist. Being a skinny rat is fun LOL


So bottom line is I still don't dress like a 50yo :D

I don't dress like a teenager, but I try to stay up with the trends and use the best of the new but still in a way that camoflages the age. For example, I wear low jeans but with these great new long t-shirts so midriff doesn't show. Or I wear a "t" that just touches the top of my jeans so that when I raise my arms, only a hint of skin shows. BF thinks that's very sexy! I tend to wear longer sleeves...btw SB, how did you get those buff arms?) I think the trick is to try to stick with stuff that looks good on you. Nothing ages a woman faster than looking ridiculous in clothing that was clearly not meant for her!

My style hasn't changed much over the years. I use the word 'style' loosely because I am FAR from being a fashion plate. I've always just tried to find things that looked good on me, flatter the good parts and play down the bad parts.

I still wear jeans with heels the vast majority of the time, trading off with cowboy boots in the winter. I love to wear dresses and since I keep my legs fairly buff, I'm okay in short dresses (but not too short!). I have always loved to wear long girlie dresses and still do so (today, as it so happens).

Like others, I try to keep up with some of the overall trends - but I've never been particularly trendy, even as a younger gal. I think that I picked up my mother's style of dress at a young age, although her style trends a little more toward Santa Cruz classy hippy (beautiful scarves, shawls, etc.) and mine trends a little more towards girlie (with more flowers and dresses).

I've actually probably become just a tad more fashion-conscious as I've gotten older. Not really trendy-conscious but, for instance, today I bought a totally modern pair of jeans - in fact, they just hit the shelf today in a local boutique and I'm the first 'local' to buy them - hand-painted, or, rather, hand-splattered with paint. I try to buy semi-fashionable shoes - no pointy-toed shoes have ever made it into my closet (just my preference) but I'm dying for some Ed Hardy slip-ons.

I think that it's important to try new looks - even those you're not sure about. It took me FOREVER to abandon my 501s for lower cut jeans. But the key was to a) find some that my vertical smile didn't peak out of all the time and b) try on a million pairs every time I shop to find just the right fit. SO many of those low cut jeans do NOTHING to flatter a woman's OR a girl's figure. I think that most of them make a girl's butt look terrible! Anyway....I think that we need to give some of the new looks a go sometimes. I'm not saying that low cut jeans are for everyone (although I think that they do make misses pants in slightly lower-waisted styles these days).

I think it's JUST as important to know when a look just isn't for you and (yes, it's true, it happens) to know when a look is just too young for you. Even if you have a little knockout of a figure the size of a teenager's, it doesn't mean you should be wearing all of the up-to-the-minute teen styles. (Not to mention who can take a XYZ-year old woman seriously when she's wearing a 6-inch long ruffle skirt and wedgies that she can't walk in? I saw this last weekend and it was awful. Most of you won't like this but a gf of mine, who prefers YM, as well, cracked "Damn, she's giving cougars everywhere a bad name." Seriously, at the time, it was hilarious, because the woman was with a guy much younger than she was (date, son, don't know.))

As for the original question of the OP. I would have to say that I have not changed my style much in relation to my age. I am a chameleon of fashion anyway. Glam gurl one day, hippie chick one day, librarian look,...I have all kinds of looks and I don't suspect that will change with my age.

Well, I was going to go with lyposuction, until I found out the cost! Then decided I would be a woman on a mission. It took me 6 months but I did it (even though I still would want a bit more firmness underneath, and it will get there as I took almost a month off). I did it two ways: one was doing wall push-ups and the other was with weights... dumbells and machines consistently for 4-5 days a week and with the help or a trainer at times. I had 2 inches of "jiggle" underneath and now have 1/2 inch; my biceps are slightly noticeable when I move my arm to write or pick up something, and my shoulders...well, some men have drooled over them!:p All told I lost two inches in each arm and still have muscle! There are no "miracle cures" unless one does lypo... it takes hard work. NOW onto my tummy!!!! NOT!!!!:D

PS. If you want to know all that I did, send me a PM!!!

Regards....

When I weigh less, I dress more provocatively. When I weight more, I cover more up. I've always loved dressing in the latest trends. I would dress like my teen-aged daughter if I could! When I get the body, I will.

One of my housecleaning customers is a 45-year-old who's a size 4. She dresses like a teen, does her hair like a teen, and looks GREAT! Her husband, 16 years her senior, loves every bit of it I'm sure. She's a very intellectual, mature woman (a probation officer) personality wise, but she's very into fashion and can get away with wearing anything. I see her in work clothes, work-out clothes, and casual "at-home" clothes. I've seen her going out clothes that are in her closet. She looks timelessly great in everything! Oh, and she wears skimpy bikinis too!

I will NEVER cut my hair short. I will NEVER dress conservatively. I will prolly never dress my "age" either. I think it's ridiculous for people to curtail their clothing according to age. I mean, obese people shouldn't wear belly shirts, but other than that, I don't think there should be hard and fast rules regarding age. You should dress how you like, as long as it's not TOO obnoxious! :D

size has a big part in what you can get away with, my step mom is a perfect size four and everything looks good on her, even though i am a little bigger, it makes a huge difference? i dont get why, she is a bit taller than i am and i am a size 6, i would LOVE to be a size 4, even though 6 does not sound big, i am only 5'3".

maybe i will get serious and do the gym thing like suicide, it would make a world of difference. i admire her, liposuction is alot faster, i have friends who have done it. health wise, excercise will prolong you life.

i usually am totally into looking just on the fringe sexy, like it was an after thought, not obviously, by that i mean, a halter top, or tight jeans, or a (not to short) mini skirt. i love stuff like that. just a hint of sexiness, makes me feel like i am still alive and kicking.

i have noticed, i have kinda given up my high heels???? there were certainly something i loved before. maybe its out of comfort, when adam comes home, maybe it will be something i enjoy again.

SB, thanks for the pm. I answered you, but your mailbox was full. Was a very nice response though and sounds like I have some work ahead of me! :eek: Kittylane, I like that description....sexy like its an afterthought. I think that's what I aim at too. I will never give up my heels though! Lol. They will just have to give me a taller walker!

yes being sexy is important, but not to attract attention, its important to be taken seriously and not intimidating to other women, its a balance. my perfect look would be classy-slightly sexy, if that is a look.

Living in California everything is naturally laid back. My style would be something like: Classy/Sexy/Glam/Surfer.....go figure..... I can wear my Reefs with almost anything in my wardrobe. I loooove dressing up, this is when I miss Paris because nobody goes 'all-out' here. I'm on the small side so I try to 'work what I got' as much as possible. It's all about balance. If I am wearing a mini skirt, I try not to go skimpy on top.....if I'm wearing jeans or a long skirt I may wear a sexy little top........same thing goes with jewelry, if I'm wearing a nice necklace I try not to go crazy with earings and vice versa.