Can you dress too young for your age?

I can’t wait to overdress and wear glamourous, crazy, out of the box outfits in my old age. I think older women who do this look fantastic. And why the hell not!

I don't think so. Wear whatever you want. I would never think I was "too old" for a certain item of clothing. I don't care what others think either.

I wouldn't wear tight short dresses/hotpants and things like that but that's because I'm fat and wouldn't feel comfortable in them personally. I still wear things like doc martens, dungarees, joggers and hoodies around the house and won't stop wearing them.

Older women look a lot better when they stick to tailored items - shirts not puffy blouses. Plain fabrics or stripes not flowery. Smart jackets /coats not anoraks

I have to disagree with this. I'm 70 and tailored clothing, shirts and plain fabrics are a thing of the past for me - who wants to dress as though for a day at the office.

I don't dress like my granddaughter but perish the thought that I ever succumb to tailored trews and a sensible blazer!

As PPs have said I'm surprised that jean, trainers and hoodies are considered to be for younger people - surely they are are just part of everyday wear for any age.

Talking of hoodies - my DGD(15) was looking lovely in a very snug top with about 1/2" of midriff on show, voluminous baggy jeans but then goes and spoils it all with a huge baggy grey hoodie on top - honestly the youth of today!

chuck in a nice pair of boots and bootcut jeans and you have the invisible older women look or the look people who think they're dressing well have. It's so very dated. It's the equivalent of a twinset and pearls.

I think I'll stick to my floral mini skirts, my girly dresses,hoodies and trainers, and have fun with my clothes. Next, we'll be told we have to wear nice tailored chino knee-length shorts as short denim shorts are only for the young too.

I was also a goth and seeing the mini goths around has got me back into it! The young people seem to wear things once or not at all then put it on Vinted so I'm very happily picking up some nice bits. My inner 15yo is ecstatic.

I don't think anyone can dress young, it's just clothes innit.

I'm a firm believer in wearing what makes you feel comfortable and happy, and not what society and social media say you "should" wear.

I don't doubt it! 🙌🙌

Another one who couldn't care less - and I'm 65 and often wear hoodies. If anyone ever tells me I look "smart" my instinct is to run inside and get changed. It's not that I don't dress nicely at times, but "smart" is not me, and the word makes me shudder. Happy to be thought of as sloppy in my hoodie.

I think I'm a damn sight more lovely than anyone who suggests someone is "mutton dressed as lamb", so yes, I am lovely - thank you.

I always compliment someone who is absolutely rocking an outfit that really expresses a personality and their individual taste
Or just a bit of flair - otherwisw conservatively dressed older lady with gorgeous pastel pink dyed hair, the other day. Technically maybe mot dressing her age but she looked fab.

Oh me too. I took my daughter back to uni recently and we were coming out of a cafe and there was a lady heading in, around my age (50s). She was wearing a beautifully patterned dress (cant remember the exact pattern but it was very bold), matching earrings and a hat, gorgeous shoes, the whole works. And i said to her, I just want to say you look absolutely amazing. I couldn't have carried it off at all but it was exactly that. She was having fun with her clothes and it showed.

That's fair. I'd probably think the same about people [of any age] dressed ultra fashionably, latest hair and brow styles, big nails etc. Bit try- hard.

People in Goth or Steampunk or Loli, may belong to a fashion tribe too, but they look like they're having fun with clothes and I like that.

It's interesting though. Only going by literally my own opinion here. If I saw you in dungarees and a t shirt, I'd think good for you. I'd admire the fact you're wearing clothes that you like, even if they weren't to my taste.

Whereas if you were wearing something say tight, low cut etc. Plastered in make up and all that. Then I probably would judge.

If I question myself on why I hold those opinions, I would say it's probably because dungarees and t shirt say "I like these clothes and I don't give a fuck what people think" whereas anything that could be considered as trying to be "sexy" says i want to look younger than I am and/or I'm dressing for the male gaze.

I think for me that is the difference. But I repeat that is just my opinion, I wouldn't try and claim it's any kind of fact.

Quite. Those prescriptions sound terminally boring.
happily surveys racks of tie dye, paisley and whacky patterns

A dramatic arched eyebrow and 'Oh really?" to those comments. Cheeky little...

I'm in my 60s and wear dungarees and t shirts. Don't give a flying fuck if I'm dressing my age and nor should anyone.
Life's too short not to wear what you like.

I agree with this. Until I became a SAHM and moved locations I’d never dream of chilling out in jeans and hoodies, leggings, joggers. I lived and worked in a city, I dressed for work, on “casual” Fridays there was still a dress code, we dressed casually but smart casual for meetings and going out after work. I only owned dress jeans and only ever wore trainers walking or to the gym. All of my friends and colleagues wore similar to me.

Now I live out of casual clothes, but at 49 I’m at a point where I do feel many of my everyday clothes don’t really suit my age. I find myself putting different clothes on for the school run to what I’m wearing in the house.

Personally I think it’s about the quality of the garment.

I don't think it's insecurity, invisibility or misogyny any more. I do think dressing is inductive of who you think you are. My mum in her 80's wears jeans and nice tops. She's looked good in mini skirts in the 60's but why would she want to recreate that look 60 years on?

I agree people become comfortable and be alone less bothered by what they and others wear. Some people don't care and never have. The 90 year olds I know still get dressed everyday, wear nice clothes and brush their hair. They aren't judgy at all but making an effort with appearance is second nature.

My teenage son told me I dress young for my age and he told dh that a pack of t-shirts was 'too young for him and that he should remember he's 40.

Your mistake is in taking anything a teenager says seriously.

@5128gap @HausofHolbein Thankyou! I know it can sound brutal written like that, but it really does help me not give a fuck 😆 As long as whatever I'm doing doesn't hurt anyone, then I will do what I want, because one day we'll be gone and we'll have wasted time being concerned about things that really don't matter. Things that held us back from really being who we are. Mostly the opinion of others

@AncientBallerina

Older women look a lot better when they stick to tailored items - shirts not puffy blouses. Plain fabrics or stripes not flowery. Smart jackets /coats not anoraks. I’ve realized this about myself. Doesn’t mean I always follow it though.

In other words you’re saying older women look better when you can’t see them. Internalised misogyny at it’s finest.

Yes, I think that is absolutely the case and that is a very good explanation. I am mid 40s so hate all this 'invisible' talk at it's root it is just blatant sexism as far as I am concerned and my DD is good for my confidence as she will suggest stuff for me in BM, she obviously doesn't think I'm invisible.

My DH's thick, dark hair is starting to have streaks of grey and all his friends say it is alright for him as silver fox connotations, harder for them who are lighter haired. I think men overall are judged less though, I suppose traditionally, they were referred to as distinguished or similar. Maybe this isn't true anymore though.

I think she's saying "you should share my prejudices"

If she doesn't want to wear that stuff because she doesn't like how she looks in it - fine.

Deciding that means that only certain groups should ever wear it (because that's what fits her personal taste) is wrong to the point of ridiculousness