Should I be dressing my age?

[SausageSmuggler]

I'm 30 this year and found myself wondering this. I live in jeans, converse and band/film t-shirts (currently sporting a Batman t-shirt). I'm not overly bothered but I've noticed that in the baby groups I go to and on the school run that other mums seem to dress a bit more 'grown up' or a bit smarter. At 30 should I be doing the same? I don't think I look my age but I worry slightly that I might look like I'm dressing like a teenager.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

Sounds fine to me for a 30 year old.

[Fairylea]

At 30!!?? You're still really young. Far too young to be worrying about it!

[ImperialBlether]

Sounds fine to me, too!

[SymphonyofShadows]

I'm 51 and live in jeans, docs, band shirt (currently Motörhead) and a biker jacket. Dress how you feel comfortable. If others don't like it that's their issue.

[BeccaMumsnet]

I dress like this most of the time and worry about it sometimes, but then I think the most important thing is to be yourself and to be comfortable

Love a good Batman t-shirt

[MamaLazarou]

Sounds like you dress exactly like most other people, I wouldn't worry about it.

[Jmangel]

But you're only 30 - wear what you like.

[ijustwannadance]

Wear what you like. I'm nearing 40 and my converse have stars on. . I think I am supposed to wear bretton stripes, a blazer and ballet pumps? even typing it sounds dull!

[BIWI]

Fuck me. When did 30 become old?!

If you like it, if it fits, if you can afford it then you wear it.

End of story.

[BIWI]

And what does 'dressing for my age' even mean?

[OneofTHOSEWomen]

My t shirt has leopards on it. I'm 37.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

I know it is the received wisdom on mn that there is no such thing as dressing for your age but in my world most people I know do try to dress age appropriately.

So no matter how good my body was - I wouldn't be out in a cropped top and cut off ripped shorts at 43.

I love fashion but there is some stuff that I realise looks better on 15 year olds than me and that's fine.

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

Wear what you like if you like it.

I'm 47 and still wear skinnies and converse, I like them and they suit me.

[BIWI]

But that's very subjective, MrsCampbellBlack.

It's the implication that there is a whole set of rules that you have to abide by as you get older which is ridiculous.

[MadisonMontgomery]

Just wear things you like & are comfortable in! I am 31 and tbh I probably dress a lot older than most people our age. But I only buy clothes I love so I don't care if others don't like them.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

Well all fashion is subjective but I do think for most people and I include men in this - you get to an age where you don't want to look like you are trying to dress like a teenager.

Although nowadays I see skinnies and converse being worn by way more 40 year olds than teenagers. I guess once the over 40's wear something then the teenagers no longer want to.

[PersonalClown]

I wonder what you think of me then?!
I'm 37 and sitting in jeans and a Doctor Who/ Walking Dead t shirt in work.
I have to wear steel toe caps otherwise I'd be in converse too.

Roll on summer when the warehouse get the full force of my geeky t shirts.
I love not having a dress code!!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I'm 46 and, outside of work, pretty much live in skinnies and Converse, although I have reluctantly got rid of band t-shirts and tend to wear a plain black turtle neck instead most of the time. I look like what I am - a middle aged woman dressed in skinnies and Converse. DD2 (18) lives in skinnies and Converse too, but we look v different.

[mogloveseggs]

Nothing wrong with skinnier and converse. I live in them except for when im walking the dog. I wear dh's comic t shirts all the time too.

[mogloveseggs]

*skinnies

[alltouchedout]

I keep seeing teens and 20 somethings in very 90s style clothes which look frumpy and old to me. No doubt they look at me and think 'unfashionable old trout what does she look like'. Dress in a way which pleases you and sod everyone else.

[maybemyrtle]

I've noticed this about female colleagues (doesn't seem to happen to men at all). They get to their late 20s and seem to suddenly feel that they need to dress more sensible and "grown up". They then go through a phase where they just look dull and frumpy. Usually by mid/late 30s they start looking like themselves again. I think there's a window where many women completely lose their confidence, sometimes connected to becoming a mother but not necessarily.

OP from your description you look great and totally age-appropriate (whatever that means).

[squoosh]

You're 30!

Doesn't every other woman wear jeans and converse?

[Knackeredknitter67]

40's here and you dress similarly to me. At your age I was wearing a lot of grunge and doc martens. Just wear what you like

[SagaAndMartinsLiftConvos]

I'm about to turn 37 and I have a Wolverine t-shirt and several Deadpool t-shirts. I love what I love and generally don't care. I try not to anyway. There is this paranoia about What I Should Be Doing / Wearing / Being At My Age, but I try to see it for what it is (a load of rubbish) and ignore it. That said, I also have plenty of plain clothes and a few classier bits (but they don't get much wear).