It's no use, I just can't make up my mind about the whole 20-40 thing.

[fartmeistergeneral]

You know, 40 year olds dressing as 20 year olds.

I'm in my early 40s, but dress quite young I think. I feel young. I listen to a lot of music and go to gigs and scream and dance (ahem).

I just don't know if I dress too young for my age. I'm a 10, but don't ever show a lot of flesh (I do wear spaghetti strap vest tops in the summer, but feel a bit self conscious).

I was walking past New Look today and saw a really cute burgundy quilted jacket with a hood, and my first thought was, I must have it! Then I thought, can I really get away with a cute hooded jacket at my age?

I have hoody things, don't get me wrong, but just wonder if I'm pushing it a bit and will look a bit ridiculous. i just don't know, aagh!

I thought that converse were mumsy shoes - practically every mum I know has them!

I don't think it's too hard to avoid looking like a teenager really while also not looking like the woman in the dm article. But perhaps I do wander around looking like mutton. or like my mum.

I am 49. I dont wear skinnies or converse because they dont suit my body shape ( top heavy, long skinny legs, big feet). Nothing to do with my age

Lst four purchases

Zara studio sale linen parka style jacket
2bikinis for holidays from figleaves sale
Stripey Beach dress White co ( full price shock horror)

I agree Dm styling leaves much to be desired. Make up, hair and accessories very dated

OPi dont think new look jacket is too young.

I think that jacket would look like an old ladys quilted jacket on me (almost 40) on a 20 year old it would look cool ...in the way a shapeless beige cardgan looks cool on a teen....but on me it would look drab.

OMG no - at 40 you cannot get away with that jacket without looking like you're about to have a blue-rinse - it's a bus-pass style that becomes trendy with youth

at 16 you can just about get away with it if you're a cool 16 year old - but without the innate cool you'd look like a nerd - and not a cool nerd

so what should we be wearing in our 40s? I have to buy all my clothes 2nd hand
so it tends to be jeans and t-shirts as that is what is in the charity shops round here. That or beige/green cargo trousers and t-shirts.
I feel like I never look nice but beggars can't be choosers and I buy what fits.

Those padded jackets were in Jigsaw, Hobbs and everywhere else earlier this year. If they're in New Look now, it is definitely a trend. Probably fashion doing the 80s ironic revival/celebrating the Return of the Tories in its own particular way.

If you like the jacket, get it. I don't think it's too rad, though I'm not sure I'm loving the hood.

I would get it - but out of a practical way - lightly quilted and hood. Perfect for dog walking in late summer/autumn in Scotland. Though I know New Look sizes are teeny - so it would be too short in the arms and body for me.

WTF is that last top?

The "teenager" clothes were normal-ish casual clothes, not especially young or old, the "adult" clothes were more dressed up (and the pink dress didn't fit properly on either of them).

Agree about the Sloaney hair - she should have pearls and a polo shirt with the collar up.

It's not that it's rad...Activate hit the nail on the head....it's bus pass cool...which you can't pull of when you're older.

I had a moment in New Look when I saw a crochet cardigan....thought it was lovely and when I tried it on, I looked like someone's mad Aunty Mable.

MumblingRagDoll - that is very true. There used to be a Fashion Rule about not wearing something if you remembered wearing it on a previous whir of the fashion carousel. The idea being that you would simply look like one of those sweet eccentrics who have worn the same thing for twenty years, and haven't purchased anything since mummy bought them their coming-of-age wardrobe many moons ago.

Agree that Grannywear can look trendy on a teenager, it is just wrong on a 40 year old though.
I am a 40someting and I wear converse every day. DD is 14 and is always borrowing my clothes.
I wear stuff because I like it, not because I want to look younger.
Yesterday I was walking behind 2 women, one was in total leopard-print with a brown handbag and a brown silky type cardigan top thing. She had a bob, and I was shocked when I overtook them to see that she was only about 20. I honestly thought she was a pensioner.

I think there are some 40 year olds who are very petite and can get away with a bit more...but if you're a bit Mama-esque like me...then no way.

I dont think that jacket is too young at all, but now im scared after reading the article! I'm 40 and wear converse all the time, jeans and converse or linen trousers but I would never wear tight jeans! I also dont think I look as old as that Mum but now I'm scared and off to ask a few friends [maybe a bad idea??]

I'm 31, but with 2 children and a massive bosom, I can't wear teenager clothes. Buspass cool makes me look likesomething from Last Of The Summer Wine. Skinny jeans without a tunic top make me look like a double cone Mr Whippy.

But I do other things better.

I can now wear red lipstick without looking like a cheap hooker. On me, it now just looks statementy. When I was 17, it looked cheap and nasty.

I can wear a suit without looking like I've been rummaging in my mother's wardrobe. I can wear my hair up without looking like a bridesmaid.

Celebrate the beauty of your maturity! Don't try to emulate teenagers, they frequently get it wrong!

I do, but I am 21.

I last bought a patent navy quilted bag with a big cream bow from Suzy Smith London, a pair of skinny black jeans from New Look, a brilliant cream georgian dress from Asos, and a purple Bench hoody to chill in.

The dailymail link is fine apart from the 40 year old in hoody and converse which IMO looks awful!!

That's true Colditz....red lippy looks better on me these days...and I know which red suits me too!

I can also do a sophisticated 70s retro chic which I know I couldn't have carried at 20...

Melted you don't bloody count then! 21 indeed. How very dare you!

DD1 16 is very much a 'granny in mini skirts' dresser and looks great - I'd look like a bag lady.

The DM pictures are appalling - she looks ridiculous in the hoodie and bleached jeans but the main problem, as others have said, is the v v dated hairstyle.

I'm 41 and my last five purchases have been:

• purple silk drapey camisole (Vivienne Westwood)
• tweedy draped skirt (Vivienne Westwood)
• black silk top (Ted Baker - it's actually a PJ top but I will wear it as a t-shirt)
• navy blazer for work (Hobbs) - I might wear it with jeans too but haven't tried it yet; it could be terrible
• grey and beige v thin baggy-ish striped t-shirt (Hobbs)

Don't like the New Look jacket.

That DM article is cringe-tatsic.

The mother looks faintly ridiculous in all the clothes and she looks at least ten years older than 43.

I wear converse, please God - I don't look as wrong as her!