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What do you wear when you're in your mid - late thirties ?

18 replies

jaykay34 · 10/06/2016 10:22

Sorry if this has been done before, but recently I've been harbouring a fear that from the back I look about 20, and face on I look middle aged Smile. I'm 36, so not ancient - but feel I'm at a bit of a transition point style wise.

My staple wardrobe (when I'm not at work) consists of retro trainers, ie Gazelles, Superstars, Vans or Converse pumps and skinny jeans. If I'm having a feminine day, then I usually wear Henry Holland dresses or short skirts with a Peter Pan collared top.

My friends seem to be a real mixture, some go for real high maintenance glamour (which just isn't me), some are head to toe in Next or Mantaray type clothing, and some have (by confession) just lost all interest in clothes. The only people who seem to like what I wear are my 25 year old colleagues and my teenage daughter's friends !

I do feel as if I dress a bit too young, so just wondered what other people a similar age wear ?

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fiorentina · 10/06/2016 10:33

If your teenage daughter friends approve, stick with what you're wearing!!

I wear a total mixture, sometimes more conservative, sometimes more fashion led, and then corporate for work. I don't think late thirties is old, at least I hope not!

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dragonsarebest · 10/06/2016 10:36

I do feel as if I dress a bit too young

I draw the line at grown-ups wearing babygros in public. As long as you're wearing clothes that an adult female might wear, I think that's all that matters. It sounds as though you do.

I'm 40 this year and aside from buying better quality and dressing a little bit more modestly than what I'd have done 10-15 years ago, not much has really changed tbh.

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feelingmiffed · 10/06/2016 10:38

I'm 35 and tend to wear skinny jeans, vest tops, long cardigans and sketchers or boots

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phoolani · 10/06/2016 10:38

I'm with Dragons on everything she said, tho I would add that wearing pigtails is also out for anyone over 8.

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Emochild · 10/06/2016 10:38

I wear what's clean Grin

Skinny jeans, boots and a jumper or dresses with leggings if the dress is above the knee

I may be frumpy as my lovely daughter says but i'm comfortable and don't experience gasps of horror from other people

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Buttwing · 10/06/2016 10:44

I'm pretty casual as I'm a sham. At the moment I'm wearing girlfriend jeans, two strap birkies, and a linen tshirt. But my hairs done and I've got makeup on. I don't mind being very casual but I find I carry it better if I'm vaguely groomed.
Things I wear a lot are

Skinny jeans
Converse
New balance
Long vests
Biker jacket
Utility jackets
Boxy tshirts

I did invest in some Isabel Marant ankle boots in the winter which make me feel great when I wear them but they are still really casual.

I'm 38 by the way.

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Buttwing · 10/06/2016 10:44

Sweet Jesus a sham!! I feel like it sometimes!! Obviously that was meant to be sahm!!!

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chipmonkey · 10/06/2016 10:49

Wear what you like and what suits you. This article is very helpful!
Things women over 30 should wear

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PaintedDrivesAndPolishedGrass · 10/06/2016 10:59

A woman should wear exactly what she wants to wear regardless of her age and if anyone judges her for doing so it is their problem not hers. 👍🏼

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nickEcave · 10/06/2016 11:30

Love that link chip!

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SuperFlyHigh · 10/06/2016 11:34

I'm only a few years older than you (44) but look younger (and dress younger).

stick to what you know I find.

I agree with ButtWing re the Converse, skinny jeans etc.

I do tend to go for things to add colour etc so would add:-

Denim jacket
Tops that suit you (I love long sleeved t-shirts in light wools with eg chiffon sleeves for colder weather)
Black cardigan
Nice skirts with colourful print and pattern (Whistles animal print pleated or Louche pink and white and green pattern for colder weather)
relaxed trousers (H&M do some) with print
dresses (got one in a Bath boutique which is Italian and printed with beaded neckline), Monsoon old style
also nice boots - got great green fake snake ankle boots (sound nicer than they are) recently - I know I will wear as different but stylish.

I don't suit:-

white shirts
plain clothing with no structure
vest tops (apart from summer when I make an exception)
overly trendy items

So I don't wear what I don't suit!

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MarvinGorilla · 10/06/2016 12:49

I'm 37 and live in Gazelles or Converse, skinnies or khakis and Bretons.

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jaykay34 · 10/06/2016 13:27

Thanks for all of your comments, they are much appreciated. I guess the general consensus is to wear what you feel comfortable in. I'm also glad that some of you dress like me Smile.

Chip The link was brilliant, thank you !

I totally agree that it's about what suits you. I have a friend who wears a lot of Monsoon etc patterns and she always looks really vibrant, fresh and pretty. I tried on some similar items and seemed to age 20 years in the dressing room mirror - I just looked frumpy.

One of my daughter's friends said I am always wearing "well banging trainers"(I think this was a compliment Smile), and my daughter rolled her eyes and replied "that's cos my mum thinks she's still young". Thanks for that DD !

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SayAGreatBigThankyou · 10/06/2016 13:43

this week I have worn

gap girlfriend jeans and a breton
Boden blackberry dress and birkies
hush ruched skirt and uniqlo drapey T and converse
oasis floral midi dress and tan sandals

I need some banging trainers.

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Floisme · 10/06/2016 14:06

I would point out to your daughter that trainers have been around (as fashion) since at least the 70s and maybe ask her why she's trying to dress like her mum.

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megletthesecond · 10/06/2016 14:20

My reference point tends to be middle-age Neneh Cherry. (If she didn't have much cash). Got back into Nikes once I turned 40 so tend to work around them.

jay I look weirdly frumpy in monsoon, next etc.

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Floisme · 10/06/2016 17:47

I think it's a bit of a myth that we graduate into 'older' clothes. Loads of us just stick with what we're most comfortable with, which is often a slightly modified version of what we wore in our 20s/early 30s. Normally though, the next generation moves on to a new style and blows us out of the water. For some reason, this generation hasn't done that. Apart from the odd tweak, they've mostly adopted their parents' jeans, short skirts and trainers.

I would say, it's not that you're dressing youthfully but that the definition of youthful has barely changed in 20 years. Which isn't your problem - it's for young people to change, if it bothers them.

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jaykay34 · 10/06/2016 18:42

That's such a good point "Floisme". I also loved your response to my daughter - I will definitely be using that !

Megle I'm glad you have said you can't pull off Monsoon, I was beginning to think I may be the only woman on the planet for whom it brings frump instead of class.

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