Have you grown into your looks/style?

[MagicalHamSandwich]

New hairdresser today (lovely woman with brilliant style and very welcome feminist views, btw) upon learning that I'm actually from London said 'oh, that makes sense, I thought your face looked familiar! You're a model, aren't you?'

Now, I've obviously never done any modeling. I'm absolutely not photogenic, two inches too short, not sufficiently underweight and nowhere near pretty enough for that - but it did make me think about how, in my thirties, I seem to have finally grown into my looks/style.

I was an ugly teenager (not horrendously ugly but nowhere even near attractive) and a Plain Jane in my twenties. For the last two or three years, though, I've had people tell me I'm gorgeous for the first time in my life. And, no, these are not men interested in me or friends but co-workers, acquaintances and my ex husband's new wife (who hates it). I'm putting this down to a) finally having a bit more confidence b) figuring out what works for me and c) plain old money: I'm in a well-paying career and hence own quite a few naice clothes/cosmetics/accessories etc.

Has anyone else had this happen to them? Do you look better now than your younger self?

After being an ugly duckling for decades I'm still having issues seeing myself as good looking - but I'd have to be lying to say I wasn't chuffed that others apparently do. What the hell has changed?

Not read whole thread yet.
I don't think I've changed that much really I've lost weight and dress to suit my figure now rather than to follow fashion as much, ditto with my hair I know what colour and length suit me now.
I really wasn't particularly attractive teenager or in my early 20's but for someone in their early 30's I can hold my own among my peers a bit better now. I'm not sure if that's because I've grown into my looks or of others haven't aged well I'm not sure.

I feel much better looking now (I'm 61), but that's down to confidence and knowing what suits me and how to make the best of myself. And having a DH who tells me how great I look, not like XH who was a skinflint and made a fuss if I spent much on clothes etc, and would have had a fit if I'd shown anything approaching a bit of cleavage (not that I flash it about now, you understand, but I'm happier to wear things to show I'm a woman!).

I was also quite overweight in my teens and, although I was much leaner and fitter through my thirties and forties I didn't feel attractive (see XH above). So yes, much more comfortable in my skin now, so I suppose you could say I've grown into my style.

Oh, yes to the ExH, BestBeforeDate. Mine literally complained about me being fat at a size 8 (as opposed to my normal size 6 self) while he himself had a BMI that put him in the obese range. He also used to call me 'little miss fat arse' and insist it was meant to be a joke.

May he rot in hell - coming to think of it: no wonder I'm so much more confident after kicking him out. No one here to insult me anymore.

Agree with BestBeforeDate re confidence and knowing what suits. Its probably taken me most of my adult life to figure out what flatters and give a wide berth to certain fashion trends while embracing others.
Now that the kids are grown up I take better care of myself, eat healthily, take exercise. I feel better and certainly don't worry so much about how other people view me. Very liberating!

I also have more time - and money - now. When my children were small, and when I was a single mum I simply didn't pay much attention to my 'image'; the children came first. It's only in recent years I've had the opportunity to actually consider these things, and I'm loving it.

I'm 42 and I think I look okay, people describe me as "striking" but never "pretty" or "beautiful" or anything like that. I have a clear idea of what suits me and a definite style which doesn't vary massively regardless of what's deemed fashionable. I think it definitely helps to have a bit more cash to spend on decent clothes/hair/skincare etc. through my 20s and early 30s I had really horrible cystic acne on my jawline, which had a massive impact on my confidence and it's so bloody amazing not to worry about that now.

Yes me too!!! I have always looked young for my age really and only bownin mid tonlate 30s have I really grown intonmy looks. My hair is shorter, I have nailed how to make make-up work for me and I am sticking to simpler clothes that suit me more. Also I used to try to disguise my figure thinking I was skinny/gawky but now just care less what others think and it seems to help.