To want to look older?!!

[shishnfips]

I'm 31, married and a mother of two but I literally look 14-16!! I know when I'm "older I'll appreciate it" but right now I really don't. I get raised eyebrows when I say my oldest is 8. I regularly get ID'd for a bottle of wine. Anyone else in the same boat!?

Not in same boat it’s but I agree / that doesn’t sound good

What’s your hair style and clothing like?

Hair usually thrown up as I'm a primary school teacher. Clothes what I'd describe as regular, usually from Warehouse, Asos, River Island etc.

Maybe consider different hate style

Sadly, not.

But I do remember when I was younger wanting to look older and that it could be awkward looking younger than I was, so I do have a tiny bit of sympathy for you. (But mostly envy...) But all you have to do is wait: it won't be a permanent condition.

Ha! Two kids of my own and out the door by 7am, I don't have the time for anything that requires maintenance. My hair is crazy thick/frizzy so it's easier to shove it up.

To be fair I'm 31 with an 8 year old and get told I don't look old enough, I don't think that I look particularly young, just that not many people have children in their early 20s anymore, so that may be one factor!

I get this. I'm 29 and when a recent photo was put next to one of me at 16 it's clear that I look exactly the same. I have 2 children and have been asked if I'm the nanny/childminder. My DM is 55 and has been mistaken for DDs (3) mum so clearly it's in our genes to look young but having to carry ID everywhere and having sneery/judgey looks when out with the children is horrible.

I've found I look much younger with my hair up and without eyeliner so I try and wear my hair down or at least half up/half down so it frames my face and make sure I always wear eyeliner if nothing else.

It doesn't help that I have teenage breakout skin either.

I have no real advice OP other than you aren't alone!

I'm 36 and have always had this issue too. I try not to worry about it as much now but it has always been awkward in work situations and when needing to deal with things like having someone do work on the house as people do like to refer to it regularly! (Saying things like "oh I imagine you don't even remember this because you were too young in 2000...")

The clothing brands you mention are quite "young" though, especially River Island. Do you think a different clothing and hairstyle might help? Do you wear make up? Glasses?

Yep I'm the same and I'm 34 tomorrow. 😅 I'm obviously used to it now but at work I feel I would benefit from looking a bit older as I fear that sometimes people don't take me seriously because I look so young. But I can't really change the way I look unless I start drinking and smoking heavily. 😂 I feel you OP but I guess we just have to accept it!

I'm 30 and I got I.D'd for paracetamol. I didn't have any! I said I'm married with a child and the cashier said I don't look 16, let alone 30.

I used to have this. Right up until I stopped dying my hair 5 years ago. Now I look every single one of my 41 years.

I used to have this (sadly not any more).

At least your job doesn't require you to look old and responsible... mine did and I found it useful to have hair tucked up neatly away from face, very matte face (lots of powder all over), and very conventional blouses and suits with block heels.

I didn't look good but at least I looked old enough to be doing my job!

I used to have this, perhaps not to the extent you do, but I'm petite and would always get mistaken for younger, people couldn't believe I was old enough to have 2 children etc. I think the 3rd child did it for me.... I've aged about 15 years in the past 5, and suddenly nobody is surprised when they find out my age!

Oh and also dark lipstick (blotted, so not too shiny).

If you really want to give the impression of being older, then it is achievable. But you may not actually need to if carrying ID will do instead.

I'm 33 and have the exact opposite problem, and have been ID'd precisely twice in my life. One at an 18th where they were ID'ing everyone and one where the assistant obviously was having a bad day as she was trying to ID me for Schloer! I'm hoping I'm going to give the opposite end of the spectrum that might give you some ideas.

Clothing wise I gravitate towards a more formal style generally. Lots of tailored dresses, trousers rather than jeans, blouses and floaty tops. Skirts and dresses are worn with tights. Even in jeans I tend to pair with boots, maybe a boatneck top with a jacket.

You'll find 3 pairs of trainers in amongst my shoe collection. One pair masquerades as a ballet pump in flesh tones, one pair are black and are actually steel toe caps and the last are a pair of Nike's from around 2003! The rest of my shoes are primarily court shoes, from kitten to platform with a few ballet flats thrown in for good measure.

Make up - I've always been a make up fiend. I do wear a full face daily. I stick with more neutral shades during the day but never just one flat shade. Mascara is a must, and I float about with eyeliner and just using shadow to line the eye. Blusher and/or bronzer depending on season and usually a deeper coloured lipstick. If I wear coloured nail polish it is one colour all over no art and nails are never extremely long.

9 times out of 10 my hair is up either in a claw clip, bun or fancy pony. It is rather long (sits below my waist line).

Finally I think, my handbag probably ages me more than anything! I like a medium size multi pocketed organizer and I live out of it! Pens, tissues, medicines, plasters, books, hand sanitiser, keys etc.

Colour wise for clothes and accessories I tend towards black and red with a few blues, greys and pinks thrown in. I also have quite a number of scarves (floaty and woollen), jewellery is simple unless I'm going out (smaller studs in ears, perhaps pearl necklace, just my wedding/engagement/eternity rings and a watch). I guess even my choice of phone cover isn't "young" - it's a Van Gogh!

I was essentially born middle aged. I can't think of anything else to add right now :)

Stealth boast! Actually not very stealthy. Get yourself a perm and a cardi!

I’m the same, 36 and when introduced to three separate people a couple of weeks ago they all commented on not looking old enough to have kids, never mind my eldest is nearly nine. I’ve been mistaken for their sister. Asked to get my mum to sign a form for me that was for my child. I get mistaken for the office admin at work. My DH is similar despite grey/thining hair, amazing skin and he’s almost 40. I’ve lost weight which may have helped a bit. But I’m not sure clothing helps as most mums tend to wear jeans and trainers similar to teens anyway.

I am the same OP. I'm mid 30s and when meeting clients they often over look me as I'm sure they think I'm the apprentice or something (I know apprentices can be any age but wasn't sure how else to describe it) I would love to look my age so I'm taken more seriously by some.

I'm not the type to try and look older or younger, I don't dye my hair , or wear makeup, or follow trends
I think the reason I look younger is that my face is very round, and I smile a lot.
I am 41, and still get asked for ID.
My dc are 19 and 21, people say things like " my god, did you have kids when you were 12?!"
I just ignore them, really, because there isn't anything you can do.

@AnnieOH1 err thanks?

I'm the same, I think it's because I'm short and have quite a round face! I've just turned 30 and am expecting my first this month and I still get I.D'd when out. I tried to buy Gillette razor blades the other day and got I.D'd. And a few years ago I answered the door to a salesman who wanted to know if my mummy was home.... I don't really mind that much, but I find it's harder to be taken seriously, and often I get looked down on at work or made to feel like my opinions don't matter. I am however expecting to look quite haggered and tired once this baby arrives so that will be interesting....