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Original poster

Is it time I stopped dressing like a grungy teenager?!

177 replies

PastaBakeCarrotCake · 02/04/2023 23:31

I am definitely a jeans-and-tshirt person and can't see that changing. I don't own any heels and don't plan on buying any! I live in jeans.

If I'm going out somewhere nice then I wear nice boots, I've got some lovely coats and jackets and some smart tops that I like. A couple of skirts for the summer, with ballet pumps or sandals. I go a bit more "hippy" style in warmer weather and have some nice sun dresses etc.

But on a day-to-day basis I live in band t-shirts, converse/vans trainers with a more slouchy pair of jeans. I have done since I was a teen, and it's just "me". When I bought my latest pair of Vans (black & white checkerboard ones) my DH thought it was very funny because his cousin's 15 year old son has some almost the same. It's got me thinking. Am I starting to look a bit silly?? I know, I know, if I like it then I shouldn't care what anyone else thinks. But I have to admit to feeling a bit self conscious now! What do you think??' I'm 33 and have two young DC, and I definitely don't dress like their friends' more glamorous and trendy mums 🙈

OP posts:
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13
IsolatedWilderness · 02/04/2023 23:39

33 is young. Dress how you want. Be you. Anyone who minds doesn't matter.

GoodVibesHere · 03/04/2023 07:17

33 is still young, your clothes are still ok at that age. At around 40 I did start to feel rather silly in converse and jeans/tshirt, like I stood out a bit? Also having teens of my own it's a bit akward dressing like them. So I made a few changes, footwear I still wear trainers but leather and more expensive/supportive than converse, I guess I smartened up a bit overall and in summer go for a dress and sandals.

GoodVibesHere · 03/04/2023 07:18

Oh and people will come along and say it doesn't matter, don't be daft, wear what you want etc.

But there does come a point where you feel silly and look a bit out of place in certain clothes.

MangoBiscuit · 03/04/2023 07:27

If you like what you wear, and you feel comfortable in it, then why change? If you feel silly in it, then I'd say you're obviously not comfortable.

Personally, I'm older than you, and I tend to live in thick leggings and hoodie dresses, or t-shirt dresses, with boots or converse. In the summer I also go a bit more boho/hippy style, summer dresses and floaty skirts. I can't see me ever "dressing my age". I like what I wear, I'm comfortable, I'm not desperately trying to copy the latest trends like a teenager, I've just found my style, and I'm sticking with it.

Fluffygreenslippers · 03/04/2023 07:34

I’m 35 and I live in graphic tees. Would a man feel the same way? Doubt it. Wear what you like!

milkysmum · 03/04/2023 07:35

Well I'm 42 and dress in a similar way as you op. It's just how I've always dressed, I wouldn't know what else to wear!?

Mabelface · 03/04/2023 07:39

50 odd here. Still happy in marvel t-shirts, comfy jeans or dungarees, docs or trainers.

yogaretreat · 03/04/2023 07:41

All the mums around me just wear jeans and tshirt. I don't see many glamorous ones! I think it's fine at this age personally.

Catspyjamas17 · 03/04/2023 07:42

Teenagers don't dress like that any more, so don't worry about being confused with one.

Luredbyapomegranate · 03/04/2023 07:45

Lots of people dress like you at 33, and it’s not all that unusual at 53. It’s just a different kind of style to glossy.

Re trainers - not to say they aren’t differences between teen and adult dress, but plenty of individual items will be the same.

Heel wearing has plummeted and trainer/flat wearing soared in the last decade, even amongst the glossy.

Merrow · 03/04/2023 07:48

I'm 36 and dress the same. I am surrounded by glamorous school mums, and most of them are absolutely lovely and just more fashionable than me! I occasionally panic about it, but I just don't think the other styles are me.

Changeau · 03/04/2023 07:49

I'm 56 and still wear converse high tops. Yesterday I wore them with socks over the jeans and showing above the top of the converse a la Timothee Chalamet. A Fleetwood mac t shirt and a long navy wool coat. I was comfy and my teens didn't say I looked ridiculous so I'm taking that as a win.

Changeau · 03/04/2023 07:50

Catspyjamas17 · 03/04/2023 07:42

Teenagers don't dress like that any more, so don't worry about being confused with one.

Quite!

WhatFreshHeckle · 03/04/2023 07:50

Nope! Keep wearing what you love and are comfy in.

AlisonDonut · 03/04/2023 07:53

I'm 55 and still dress in jeans and tshirts, I sometimes get into a pair flylady boots if going out but I'm mainly in my walking boots.

I have graduated to loose cotton tops in the middle of summer, but then again I do live in the South West of France now. I longingly look for 90s style tops when I do look for new clothes.

WordtoYoMumma · 03/04/2023 07:55

I'm 45 and yesterday I wore baggy jeans with many holes in and a Stranger Things hoodie. I am a collector by nature and have many pairs of converse and DMs. (I do also own heels though!)

It wouldn't have occured to me that this isn't ok!
Why do I need to be glamorous just cos I'm old? 😂

Jeans converse and band t shirts is fine. Although what do you wear to work? I don't have to be glam or officey but I do have black jeans (no holes) and nicer tops for work. (Still wear converse though 😂)

Maireas · 03/04/2023 07:57

No one will confuse you with a teenager, but you're still young. Jeans, t-shirt and converse is hardly an unusual outfit, nor is it grunge. Don't compare yourself to others. If that's your style, enjoy it!

Nellodee · 03/04/2023 08:02

Most people kind of stick with what they wore at a certain age. I’m fifty, and like most women my age, wear a lot of skinny jeans with knee boots. When bootcut comes back in, I’ll probably feel comfortable in that. Twenty somethings seem to wear ankle grazers. Teenagers tend to wear more wider trousers or athleisure gear.
I’m obviously painting with a wide brush here, but my point is that never changing your style will make you look dressed old for your age, not young for it.

hattie43 · 03/04/2023 08:07

Wear what you like . Anything goes these days .

borntobequiet · 03/04/2023 08:08

I dress much as you do most of the time, except no band T shirts because I prefer plain, and no Converse because I’ve always found them uncomfortable.
I’m 70 this year.

Wear what you want.

WhatFreshHeckle · 03/04/2023 08:09

@Nellodee bootcut have been back for a few years so you can go for it! I'm also a fan as I find them flattering.

Anyonebut · 03/04/2023 08:12

The trendiest women I’ve seen on the school run wear things like that, but they always wear the “latest” version, so to speak. For example the jeans are not skinny jeans and the length lets you see socks at the moment, and the T-shirts are oversized or whatever is the trend at any point IYSWIM.

Maireas · 03/04/2023 08:13

To be honest, it makes a nice change from leggings and a crop top, which many women round here sport.

KillingLoneliness · 03/04/2023 08:20

I’m 33 and I dress the same! I will never give up my band tees! I also love to throw on a floaty midi skirt, my dm’s and a band tee, it’s who I am.
I do understand how you feel though as I keep saying to myself I’m too old for this and my DH just raises an eyebrow at me like WTF are you talking about 😂

CockSpadget · 03/04/2023 08:24

Im 48, and I always wear band t shirts, flared jeans or cords and either converse or adidas originals, it’s my “uniform”. I’m comfy, I like it and it suits me, I’m sure I’ll be dressing the same at 70. I don’t go out out anymore, so long gone are the days of heels and getting glammed up in that sense, but I do love make up and having my nails/hair done. So while I do dress casual, I do like to be groomed.