90s grunge style in your 40s?

[PanadTe]

I’ve lost my way with style and I’d like to fix it!
My job dictates my clothing, I work outdoors and mostly wear walking boots/trainers, walking trousers, fleeces and down jackets…. This style has leaked in too my everyday life too. Because it’s practical and the clothes aren’t cheap!

I’d like to say I’m quite grungy and earthy with my tastes in music/lifestyle and thinking. My job is in eco conservation so I’m keen on 2nd hand/make do, buying quality over quantity.

But I’m also aware that I’m 40! I don’t want to look like I’m trying to relive my youth (no crop tops here!), but I’d also like a bit of style. Am I too old for a band tee? Particularly now they’re sold mainstream! Can I get away with boxy tops and baggy jeans?

Does anyone else have a similar style? Maybe suggest some outfits/brands/shops?

Thanks!

Well, I was 50 yesterday and have never really moved away from the little floral frock, leggings and DMs look, so 🤷‍♀️

(hey, it suits a curvy pear shape with a fat tummy but good legs. The current fit of jeans and trousers is an absolute disaster for my shape).

The only thing that has really changed over the years is the cut of the dresses, and the style of the DMs (currently a brown Chelsea boot, the same as literally every other fucker in this area 😆).

You see so many older women rocking some version of the grunge look and looking amazing.

Wear what the hell you like! Fuck the patriarchy!

Great!! Thanks.

I love the baggy tee and jeans look. But I have no boobs or arse or shape so it suits me well.

I still wear dresses/skirts and new rocks literally everywhere and i'm 44 I don't care what people think I dress for me and what I like.

Absolutely you can still wear band t shirts, why on earth not? I am 50 and have just bought my first pair of Docs since my early 20s. I am rediscovering my old slightly grungy style and I really like it. I got lost somewhere along the way of adulthood and having to look professional for work etc ...

I love this look. I reckon an older person (me...cough!) can get away with a grunge/professional crossover. Boots, leggings, mini-skirt, t-shirt and a cardie is my work and pub wear.

@PanadTe Have a look at the all saints website, OP. (The clothes brand not the band...)

I have never understood the idea of "dressing for your age". I understand dressing for your body shape/type, for example with my diastsis recti belly I would not choose crop tops anymore. But surely everyone should just wear what they like and are comfortable in? We shouldn't think "now I must dress like a middle-aged woman". You like grunge? Rock the grunge OP!

I'm in my sixties and wear band t shirts. But only bands I've seen and mainly t shirts bought at gigs to be fair. I remember one of my kids wearing a Joy Division t shirt with no idea who they were..

Wear whatever you like/makes you happy!

I always think your clothes should suit your lifestyle and personality rather than what fashion magazines or men tell you to wear...

It is just the usual misogyny/patriarchy that wants to tell you what is attractive or not and who love telling older women that they need to bland in the background and dress a certain way.

I moved to a small seaside town a couple of years ago which is quite arty and I keep seeing older women who wear bright, quirky clothes and hair colours it always cheers me up. Everyone in general wears whatever the hell they want here from goth to casual and I am really enjoying the liberal vibe.

I think one of the perks of getting older is that you are likely to stop giving a damn about what other people thinks.

I am enjoying trainers, baggy jeans, bright jumpers and motorcycle boots and spiky pixie platinum hair . I am 53 :)

Yes wear exactly what you feel happy in . Ignore any so called "rules" . Finding the freedom to refuse is so liberating. I'm 60 this year and will be going to see The Killers in an original Bat out of Hell T-shirt and cut offs . I will feel great because I really don't care.

I’d feel uncomfortable i a crop top at 40 though.

I would never do what your kid did 🙈🤣… It kind of drives me mad that they sell Nirvana tee with the InUtero album cover in kids shops… It’s not a child friendly album 🙈

I looked up grunge outfits just now. Most were just ripped jeans or shorts with DMs and a band T. But one was these with a pin stripe blazer open over the tee, sleeves pushed up, and mid calf white DMs. It looked more put-together, more intentional and would work brilliantly in your forties.

Thanks! I do worry, with baggy jeans and tee I’ll be dressing like a teenager

There's always a 90's edge to me, and I think that is quite usual in life - we somehow stick with what our generation loved in our youth, with incremental changes as we age.

I wear similar to when I was young at 50, but with less pattern and better fabrics. It is all in the fabric for me now, so a softer, smoother look than the chunky frivolity of my indie kid days. With my chunky boots still!

I'm mid 40s and was wondering if I was too old to wear converse high tops. dd has a lovely blue pair she's grown out of but they're just my size i love them so much but am I too old at 46?? I do find I'm also wary of looking like mutton dressed as lamb these days. but also don't want to dress like an old woman!

Go for it, OP! I'm early 40s and still wear jeans, men's t-shirts, band t-shirts, DMs, grungy jumpers, gothy jewellery and lumberjack shirts. There are a few things I wouldn't wear now because I think they're a bit young for me. But generally speaking, I hold to my style and intend to do so indefinitely.

I get a lot of stuff from Vinted and Ebay. I tried to use DPop but got too annoyed at the daily communications.

Definitely not too old!

You are definitely not too old to wear converse at all! Wear them and enjoy them!