Can you dress too young for your age?

[Elliebobhobnob]

Can you dress too young for your age, and if so how would you define dressing too young?

It could be a man or woman.

I'm interested to know how someone would describe a person dressing too young.

Some clothes that are made for teenage bodies are not made for women in their 40s

So you probably won't wear that, as you'd feel bad in it.

But that's no reason at all for other people to swerve something if they feel great when they wear it.

I don't think many clothes themselves are precluded from any age group.

But there are age-specific trends - especially young/teenage types, they're by design trying to create their own style and signal belonging to their tribe.

If I, in my (very) late 30s were to wear something heavily teen-of-the-moment coded, I think it would send a message that I was trying to identify with them and be a bit weird

I'm in my 50s and that's my standard attire! My husband says I look like a little boy 😄😄

I am aware that people think this of me.

I am 42. In summer I was sporting bralettes, shorts, heels..
I went to the pub last night in a halterneck shiny black top, shorts,(with tights,mind!) and thigh high velvet block heeled boots.

I don't expose all of my bits and pieces and everything is well-fitting.

I love clothes and if people don't like it, they don't have to look at me.

If my 82 year old mum was to wear what my 19 year old daughter wears for a night out I'm sure all of you would have some raised eyebrows- it is possible to wear clothes which do not suit your age. Of course, if that's how you want to dress- go ahead, but don't expect others to think you look good!

I am not saying I disagree, but teenage bodies aren't all the same. And some women in their forties are still slender and toned.

Fillers, botox and inflated lips also adds to the effect.

The way you dress sounds like nothing to do with age- I can't think of any young women who dress like that! I think if I saw you I would just think you had no taste or lacked class rather than dressed too young!

If they fit you, then you can wear them

I think it's about your figure rather than your age. Someone who is a teenager but morbidly obese probably isnt going to look great in a cropped top for examples. Sorry, but they just arent.

Lily Collins posted a picture on Instagram recently in what I thought was honestly quite childish attire. She was dressing as a Spice Girl and it might just be because of the hair style which was bunches but also she is worryingly thin and clearly underweight so I have a feeling those clothes were meant to be for teenage girls to be honest

Lily Collins is only 35!

I hear you! I never think it of other people and genuinely think you should wear what you like, I’m 41 and have started asking my DD19 if I’m too old for whatever it is I’m going to buy 🤣 her reply is often - you aren’t too old for it but don’t buy it coz it’s hideous 🤣🤣

I'm wondering - when you say too 'young', what do you mean specifically OP? What makes an outfit 'young'?

Super trendy (teen/20 fashion currently)?
Or very revealing? (flesh)
Or tight/figure hugging?

Any combo of the above?

I don't know what dressing for my age is! I am mid 40s, so it is frumpy blouses?
I live in plain black or grey. No patterns. It is what I feel comfortable in. Surely that matters more than my age?

That's what I wear a lot of the time - and I'm 65!

This. ^ It really does depend on your figure. Obviously a 55 y.o. woman in a JoJo bow and a pink barbie T-shirt will look a bit daft (IMO.) but a 49-50 y.o. with a cracking pair of pins and a good figure - like Bev Callard in Classic Corrie - will look waaaaay better in a sleeveless top (showing cleavage,) and a short skirt, than a 21 y.o. woman who is 7 stone overweight.

Of course you can, I mean seriously this outfit looks utterly ridiculous on this man.

Why are we talking about teenagers? All except one year, they aren't adults. Teenagers shouldn't be wearing what my 20 somethings do, they couldn't handle the sexualisation. They shouldn't be in the same venues, they are under age. If we are saying that we hold children up as the epitome of womanly perfection, we really need to examine were that message came from.

If you liberate yourself from the idea that you need mass approbation, and therefore find yourself pandering to the gaze and judgement of others, life becomes much better.

Ageism is wrong.

(By fluke I am wearing purple today)

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’ Sounds as if he’s scared of dressing like his Dad

But on Snoop Dog it wouldn't.

I get so disheartened by people who judge ageing as if there’s a right way to do it and a wrong way, particularly when it comes to how to cover your meat suit.

Honestly who gives a shit what you wear at any age? If you’re comfortable wearing it and it’s not obviously offensive then have at it. Who defines what is considered young clothes and old clothes anyway?

I’ve worn the same style trainers, baggies and a hoodie since my teens. It’s comfy. It’s back in fashion so am I expected to suddenly change to suit some grumpy judgemental morons on mumsnet. I don’t own a mirror so I don’t need to see or care how it looks and if someone has an issue with that they can don the twinset and clutch the matching pearls to their hearts content. Their problem.

I think people should wear what works for them tbh.