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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
Eyerollcentral · 05/04/2023 12:21

JaneJeffer · 05/04/2023 12:16

But @Eyerollcentral they aren't dressed like modern teenagers they are wearing a version of what they themselves wore as teenagers. Jeans and T shirts are fine on everyone. Now if they said they were wearing rara skirts I might have a word.

I didn’t say they were dressed as modern teenagers? I said dressing for a body you had at 15 when you are double that age or more is unlikely to be a successful look for 90% of people as bodies, especially women’s bodies, tend to change over time. Also yes I do think vans in particular tend to look juvenile, I wear trainers w jeans myself but I personally hate vans and always have

Eyerollcentral · 05/04/2023 12:23

Changeau · 05/04/2023 12:17

But you can't possibly know that as you can't see anyone 🤷‍♀️

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I live in the real world, I see a good broad cross section of the population in the wild every day. I am pretty confident that an estimated 90% of the cohort on this thread could look much better in something other a tee and slouchy jeans.

JaneJeffer · 05/04/2023 12:24

My covered body looks practically the same as when I was a teenager.

Eyerollcentral · 05/04/2023 12:24

JaneFondue · 05/04/2023 12:17

Can someone post a picture of the kind of funky blouse I should be wearing in my 50s? I still wear tees.

Who said you shouldn’t wear tees? I said the OP should mix it up a bit so she doesn’t look like an overgrown teenager.

Eyerollcentral · 05/04/2023 12:26

JaneJeffer · 05/04/2023 12:24

My covered body looks practically the same as when I was a teenager.

You must be one of the 10% that can still pull it off then, congrats 🤷‍♀️

davegrohll · 05/04/2023 12:27

@Eyerollcentral But how do you know all us women aren't still dressing to flatter our changed figures ? I am a size 10-12, far from fat but 6 months pp, I don't look terrible in jeans, T-shirts or leggings, I dress well. Albeit comfortable. I always do my hair and make up as I like to make an effort, even if in your opinion that effort wouldn't be good enough.
I wouldn't dream of wearing what I actually wore as a teenager, denim shorts and tights ? Erm no thanks. I wear what I wear well, that's the point.
You have got peoples back up yes by being so narrow minded
Btw vans are so comfortable

JaneFondue · 05/04/2023 12:30

My body doesn't look like it did when I was a teen but I am yet to find an equally comfortable substitute for jeans/chinos and a tee, especially in summer. I don't like dresses, particularly the fussy floral midis. And I hate ironing.

Eyerollcentral · 05/04/2023 12:35

davegrohll · 05/04/2023 12:27

@Eyerollcentral But how do you know all us women aren't still dressing to flatter our changed figures ? I am a size 10-12, far from fat but 6 months pp, I don't look terrible in jeans, T-shirts or leggings, I dress well. Albeit comfortable. I always do my hair and make up as I like to make an effort, even if in your opinion that effort wouldn't be good enough.
I wouldn't dream of wearing what I actually wore as a teenager, denim shorts and tights ? Erm no thanks. I wear what I wear well, that's the point.
You have got peoples back up yes by being so narrow minded
Btw vans are so comfortable

They would need to be as they look absolutely awful to me! Not for me at all.
I haven’t said anything about hair or make up or making an effort. A lot of projection on this thread on to things I have actually said.

YouWithoutEnd · 05/04/2023 12:44

What about adding in some platform Dr Martins, a pair of tights and a skirt (denim or jersey or even sequins) from time to time? Or trying your t-shirts slim fitting with a pair of wide leg tailored trousers, a belt and then a cropped sport jacket or something? The adidas firebird jacket is good for that.

I dress quite alternatively, and have pink hair and wear lots of band t-shirts, but when I want to look a bit more put together or I’m having an evening out then it’s tights and DM’s. Then I sling my All Saints leather jacket on, my Mulberry backpack, and I’m very much myself and true to my style, but look adequately put together and styled. FWIW I’m nearly 37, and don’t really give a shit about what anyone else thinks of the way I dress, I dress for me and me alone.

Is it time I stopped dressing like a grungy teenager?!
Is it time I stopped dressing like a grungy teenager?!
Is it time I stopped dressing like a grungy teenager?!
countrygirl99 · 05/04/2023 12:45

Eyerollcentral · 04/04/2023 10:03

Ha ha ha ha ha oh dear. Yeah fair point on the funky blouses, an unfortunate turn of phrase. So many people on here stuck in teenage mindsets about their appearance. I am going out on a limb here and 90% of you will look terrible in what you say you are wearing.

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Most of us don't care what you like. If you don't like what we look like that's your problem not anyone else's. I'm mid 60s and very happy with jeans and t-shirt/hoody.

Eyerollcentral · 05/04/2023 12:52

countrygirl99 · 05/04/2023 12:45

Most of us don't care what you like. If you don't like what we look like that's your problem not anyone else's. I'm mid 60s and very happy with jeans and t-shirt/hoody.

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Completely, neither should you. I’m still allowed to have my POV 🤷‍♀️ Irony is that according to most people on this thread actually I’m not allowed to have it. I said from the outset people should wear whatever they want. Some people don’t care what they look like and that’s their prerogative. What you can’t stop is other people thinking I’m not keen on that look. It’s odd on this thread because half the responses are I don’t care what you think but don’t you dare think that

davegrohll · 05/04/2023 12:54

@YouWithoutEnd you look amazing in all those outfits, I especially love the last one

Eyerollcentral · 05/04/2023 12:55

YouWithoutEnd · 05/04/2023 12:44

What about adding in some platform Dr Martins, a pair of tights and a skirt (denim or jersey or even sequins) from time to time? Or trying your t-shirts slim fitting with a pair of wide leg tailored trousers, a belt and then a cropped sport jacket or something? The adidas firebird jacket is good for that.

I dress quite alternatively, and have pink hair and wear lots of band t-shirts, but when I want to look a bit more put together or I’m having an evening out then it’s tights and DM’s. Then I sling my All Saints leather jacket on, my Mulberry backpack, and I’m very much myself and true to my style, but look adequately put together and styled. FWIW I’m nearly 37, and don’t really give a shit about what anyone else thinks of the way I dress, I dress for me and me alone.

I love your style esp the third outfit w the pink skirt

KillingLoneliness · 05/04/2023 12:56

YouWithoutEnd · 05/04/2023 12:44

What about adding in some platform Dr Martins, a pair of tights and a skirt (denim or jersey or even sequins) from time to time? Or trying your t-shirts slim fitting with a pair of wide leg tailored trousers, a belt and then a cropped sport jacket or something? The adidas firebird jacket is good for that.

I dress quite alternatively, and have pink hair and wear lots of band t-shirts, but when I want to look a bit more put together or I’m having an evening out then it’s tights and DM’s. Then I sling my All Saints leather jacket on, my Mulberry backpack, and I’m very much myself and true to my style, but look adequately put together and styled. FWIW I’m nearly 37, and don’t really give a shit about what anyone else thinks of the way I dress, I dress for me and me alone.

Your hair colour looks amazing! I dress similar to you, though I’m more of a pear and have hip dips so can’t get away with a skirt like that pink one! Stunning 🤩

Notanothernewname · 05/04/2023 13:19

Eyerollcentral · 05/04/2023 12:12

30 is the arbitrary number which has been leapt on here as the OP is 33. If adult women actually think that dressing as they did when a teen will look as good on them as they age or post giving birth, I genuinely don’t know what planet they are living on. Why aren’t we allowed to acknowledge that women’s bodies change? I also don’t understand why so many people on this group take it as an insult to say your style should change as you move through life. Elizabeth Windsor and her daughter Anne are the two worst examples of not doing this. Wearing the same styles they had for decades made them both look much older far before their time. Who wants to look like a teenager at 40 or 50 anyway??? Women can look amazing at any age, but very few could do it dressed as a 15 year old.

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I don't dress like I did as a teen as I wore over sized t-shirts, lumberjack shirts and holey jumpers as that was what Grunge was about back in 1994. I also wore some fetching tie-dye tops and fringed skirts with DMs back in the early 90s. Now at 45 walking around in a Nirvana T-shirt that said a certain couple of phrases would be frowned upon. As a teenager I didn't give a shit if I offended anyone.

So I do agree my style has changed somewhat because I'm not stuck in the 90s but the basis is still there.

@Eyerollcentral it's not your opinion on fashion that is the problem but the fact that you keep saying people who disagree with you don't care what they look like.

SocksAndTheCity · 05/04/2023 13:21

I'm 50 and dress like I wish I could have afforded to when I was a teenager. Works for me 😁

Floralfan · 05/04/2023 13:22

I’m 50 this year and I just bought this hoodie…
i probably will be shy to wear it but what the hell..
I never had a clothing like this in the 90s so…

Is it time I stopped dressing like a grungy teenager?!
countrygirl99 · 05/04/2023 13:26

"Haven’t read the other responses but honestly yes you are 15 years too old to be dressing like this" was what you said. Bit bloody rude really.

Eyerollcentral · 05/04/2023 13:33

Notanothernewname · 05/04/2023 13:19

I don't dress like I did as a teen as I wore over sized t-shirts, lumberjack shirts and holey jumpers as that was what Grunge was about back in 1994. I also wore some fetching tie-dye tops and fringed skirts with DMs back in the early 90s. Now at 45 walking around in a Nirvana T-shirt that said a certain couple of phrases would be frowned upon. As a teenager I didn't give a shit if I offended anyone.

So I do agree my style has changed somewhat because I'm not stuck in the 90s but the basis is still there.

@Eyerollcentral it's not your opinion on fashion that is the problem but the fact that you keep saying people who disagree with you don't care what they look like.

Show quote history

Yeah I was a grunger in 1994 myself 😅
No I haven’t said that, others said they didn’t care what they looked like or what people thought of what they wore. I don’t care what people think of what I wear but I do care what I look like. Loads of people do not care what they look like. The OP obvs does to a certain degree as she is thinking about what she looks like

Objectionhearsayspeculation · 05/04/2023 13:34

I'm a firm believer in wear what you want. I'm 41 and it's still jeans or leggings and boots with layers of tshirts and long tops vests or jumpers and lots of bracelets and rings, I've always worn these. I do like long dresses and skirts too. In summer it's sandals but that's because I had an accident and I'm permanently on crutches and can't wear my converse anymore they hurt the tops of my feet.

Wha · 05/04/2023 13:39

Jeans? I think you’re well smart OP, I can’t find jeans to fit these days so I live in drawstring yoga pants 👀

Riverlee · 05/04/2023 13:42

I think I dress better than I did as a teen, as I have a greater awareness if what suits me.

Don’t mind admitting I brought ‘the Sainsbury dress’ (for those who remember the thread) and always get complimented when wearing it (also in my 50s).

Notanothernewname · 05/04/2023 13:58

Eyerollcentral · 05/04/2023 13:33

Yeah I was a grunger in 1994 myself 😅
No I haven’t said that, others said they didn’t care what they looked like or what people thought of what they wore. I don’t care what people think of what I wear but I do care what I look like. Loads of people do not care what they look like. The OP obvs does to a certain degree as she is thinking about what she looks like

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I apologise for misinterpreting then. I thought you had said it.

TheaBrandt · 06/04/2023 07:06

Don’t you get bored though op? I mean it’s fine to wear what you want but if I was still wearing the same clothes I wore in 1996 I would be bored stiff!

i have very trendy teen girls so have to try to up my game as dont want to be frumpy mum! If you want to update yourself get a Named Collective hoody then you a trendy teen circa 2023 rather than 2003!

JaneJeffer · 06/04/2023 15:06

then you a trendy teen circa 2023 rather than 2003!

Sure fire way to make yourself look ridiculous