Dress Your Age Not Your Shoe Size

I hate too many rules with fashion – it takes the fun out of it. I don’t think a certain age requires one to have a certain length of hair or skirt, and heck, I think diamonds are too pretty only to wear in the evening and when older. However, I think some fashion guidelines are created to help us. As they say, dress your age not your shoe size.

I was crossing the street in Washington D.C.. In front of me was a woman in a full-length mink coat and a shoulder-length sandy-colored bob. She wore black pants and heels, had a very large black handbag, and was walking purposefully. From the back, I assumed she was a successful and powerful woman in her late 40s to early 50s.

At the intersection, she went left when I went right, and I was able to see the front of her and was utterly shocked to see this woman was, in fact, younger than I – probably in her early to mid-20s with a fresh face and a baby pink cashmere turtleneck.

This weekend, I visited Miami, the land of flamboyant dress. I saw so many women of all ages strutting their stuff – be it money, creativity, fashion sense, or love of a Bedazzler. What made many of these women great was that they wore their confidence as loudly as their gem-encrusted lounge suits.

It isn’t my desire to wear lamé tunics and appliquéd jeans, but I respect these women’s desires – their style is appropriate for their environment and lifestyle, and most had colors that flattered, cuts that fit, and accessories to tell a little about the woman inside.

However, I did also see quite a travesty while on my vacation – women dressing as children. My sister and I saw a woman at the Bal Harbour Shops in a pink spandex tube top riddled with beading and sequins, a white cotton ruffled micro-mini skirt, pink metallic wedges to match her pink metallic lips, and extensions that put Paris and Brit to shame. It had the look of a Bratz doll and was being worn by a woman in her 40s. There was nothing wrong with a passion for pink and all things girly, but on this woman, it looked like a costume… and it looked ridiculous.

Later, we saw a woman with her children with a teased ponytail on top of her head, sequin-embellished cropped jeans, metallic heels with satin bows on them, and pink glitter all over her eyes and lips. Her daughters were dressed similarly – too cute on a four-year-old but a bit desperate on the 30-something mom.

Dress Your Age Not Your Shoe Size

No one is saying you have to toss your Levis for wool gabardine once you hit 40, or that only “ladies of a certain age” can wear jewels, it is just being true to yourself. A four-year-old dresses in what is shiny and fun, not needing to find clothing as a uniform, a social norm, or a communication device. The older we are, the more our clothing multi-tasks and extends our personality and lifestyle. Our wardrobe needs to be as multi-faceted as our personality.

Just as I recently mentioned of animal-shaped hats and cartoon tees, wearing clothing too old or young for you confuses those who meet you, not understanding your true nature and often pre-judging you.

• Dressing too adult can make you seem boring, old-fashioned, unstylish, and uptight.
• Dressing too young can make you look unintelligent, superficial, promiscuous, and annoying.

It is possible to seem youthful and creative without raiding your daughter’s closet and to look classic and conservative without dressing like your mother.

How to Add Youth to a Conservative Wardrobe

Play with Color

Instead of donning neutrals and black, add some cheer to the mix. Pastels are feminine and subtle and great compliments to gray, camel and brown. Jewel tones like berry, teal and plum add class to a simple look and flatter most any skintone.

Walk the Mall

We often get comfortable with the brands we shop at; maybe we choose Boutique B because they have conservative hemlines and classic lines. The thing is you can often find items that fit your sense of style in unexpected shops. A classic pencil skirt could be found at Old Navy, a great suit in J. Crew, a lovely trench in Bebe. Be honest with the salesperson about your style and needs so you don’t waste either of your time.

Keep it Simple, Sweetheart

Keeping your hair and makeup simple, clean and fresh will help show your youthful side. Over-polished hair styles and matte makeup ages anyone.

How to Make a Whimsical Wardrobe Age-Appropriate

Consider Proportion

If you do a short skirt, balance it with a top with volume and/or a chunky shoe. If you do a whisper of a top, balance it with a full skirt or trousers. Baring the belly? Add a bit of fabric elsewhere to keep the look proportional. This isn't about covering up, it's about accentuating the positive and turning your ensemble into art.

Channel Chanel

Coco Chanel once said, “Before leaving the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory.” No one would ever find Chanel to be boring or fitting a mold. If you have on bracelets, large earrings, several necklaces, sunglasses, six chunky rings, a hip belt, a scarf and a headband… you look like a fashion victim, not an artist. You can still show your sense of whimsy or creativity with less embellishment.

A strong necklace can be far more telling than a ring on every finger, a great bangle made by an artist or picked up on vacation holds far more interest than a mess of necklaces from any old mall store. You will receive more compliments and inquiries into your look or accessory if it gracefully holds the spotlight and doesn’t fight for it.