I'm 38. What should I wear at my age?

[beaniesteve]

Just read another thread where someone of 28 was worrying about some clothes and I was astounded that some people would think some clothes are age-anappropriate.

So - I am size 10/12, 38 years old. What should I be wearing. Or more to the point what shouldn't I be wearing.

today i am wearing a grey scoop neck short sleeved t short which is crocheted on the chest and ties up under the ribcage, then loose to my hips, with a brown mini skirt, herringbone tights and biker boots

something from a catalogue that comes from the Radio Times

something with elastic in it

something that says it is about 'comfort'

fawn shoes

yes but you don't say how old you are lou

you might be 36 for all we care

whippersnapper

whatever you wore when you were 37

i'm 41 lol

Am I the only one who is secretly looking forward to being past caring about fashion, make up and hair styles? I look at my wonderful grandmother, beloved by all who can be up, dressed and out in 10 minutes, looking respectable, clean, warm and comfortable.And cuddly.

Compare that to my own morning routine of shower, wash hair, lenses in, tortuous hair drying and straightening, application of generous but subtle make up and putting on uncomfortable but stylish clothing. I'm not quite ready for a blue rinse yet, but must confess to looking forward to having a simpler way of life.

"whatever you wore when you were 37 "

I was 37 2 weeks ago! Wooot

now I'm 38.

I HATE fleeces and those awful slip on backless trainers things! Why do so many women wear 'fat' clothes when they become parents or hit their thirties.

I am wearing IKEA PJ's

I went for coffee with a friend earlier and wore
Skinny jeans, a navy and white spotty t-shirt and short white cardy and ballet pumps

38 is the new 18...
then again i wouldn't want to wear what I wore at 18 in 1988. or what 18yo's wear round our way - more like what i'd want on underneath my jeans and jumper

I am nearly 43 and wear what I want within reason

Hm, I COULD wear what I wore in 1990 when I was 18, it would fit after all - well, the Inspiral Carpets etc t-shirts would fit, they were terribly baggy. My 18yo self could have worn what 18yos wear now and look better than a lot of them, but no, she was TOO busy being an indie kid and wearing sack-like t-shirts underneath plaid shirts. What a waste.

Today, I am wearing not-skinny jeans, a top from Bravissimo (norktastic) and Dr Marten Drew wedges (google 'em, they're lush) and ridiculous mismatched stripe and spot socks.

totally agree noddy, i hate this age related fashion restriction

do your own thing!

I think I'm the oldest person on this thread and the other day dd told me that I dress like a teenager! (not including the wrinkles or grey hair obviously)

I'm 38 and according to my daughter I dress "like a Geek" and according to my friend's 15 year old son I am "cool" so it's all relative. Today I'm wearing straight leg jeans, a black, very deep v-neck jumper with a cami underneath, Fly wedges and a very, very fitted black blazer from St Martins of Sweden, or whatever they're called which has fine pinstripes and a very funky purple lining.

I think the things to avoid are overly "old" stuff (which would include anything beige in my book) and overly "young" stuff but especially crop tops and leggings and jeans so low that they let everything hang out, which is not a good look at any age. Baseball caps go without saying too I think!

LOVE the DMs btw! I have the cone heeled Mary Janes and adore them.

I am 41 and am waering wide leg jeans,white vest,green cardigan and fantastically comfy(!) brown wedge mary jane's from M and S childrens ssection!

I am in my 40's and a size 10-12.

Today I am wearing light blue baggy boyfriend jeans, a white "bubble"-bottomed t-shirt (hides the muffin-top ), a grey cotton cardigan and pink animal print slippers.

Things I wouldn't wear (and why)-

mini skirts (cellulite, skinny legs, crepey knees)

leggings (skinny legs)

crop tops (wobbly belly)

tight sleeveless tops (wobbly upper arms)

anything little-girlish eg. ruffled dresses/skirts, prissy bows/patterns (just look silly)

anything very low-cut (cleavage getting a bit lined)

Other than the above, pretty much anything goes. I do wear trendy stuff as long as it follows the above rules. I have a good figure for my age so can still get away with most things.

getme, agree with your what not to wear list!

There are some styles which are only ok for people in their teens or 20s but some styles suit all ages.

definitely not:

fleeces
slacks
lace up shoes
pop socks
jumpers with zigzags
dresses with buttons up the front

yes to:

very expensive clothes that most 28 year olds cannot wear eg great jeans, great shoes, great bag

retro - nothing worse than looking like your wearing something from your wardrobe last time round.

well beaniesteve, what do you wear?

Newgirl, why can't 28 year olds wear very expensive clothes?

Or 40 year olds wear fleeces or lace-up shoes? (whatever you mean by that) DMs are lace-ups and suit all groups imo.

errr, I live in my Converse and they are lace-up.

I wear a fleece (trendy type) when I am walking in the hills of the Lake District (most weekends) and occasionally on the school run.

The jeans I am wearing are "great" but cost only £10 in the sale at Republic (definitely a shop that is too young for me but do great jeans and great cardies IMO).

When I was 28 I COULD afford expensive gear (working full time, pre-kids). Now I work part-time and have 2 kids, the money has to go further.

I agree, I hate button-up dresses, always gape on me and I don't have many bulgey bits TBH.

I am 39 and live in jeans mainly, but am starting to realise that I do look better in more tailored clothes of better quality, rather than the hippy stuff I used to wear. It just seems to suit me more now. Better quality material hides more lumps and bumps!

Personally I think it looks odd when you see women over 40 wearing the latest teenage fashion (eg short, large-bottomed 50 year old woman in skinny jeans tucked in Uggs seen in garage yesterday). But some can get away with it.

i said 'most' 28 year olds... i was trying to be say one of the positive things about being older is you tend to have more money.

wearing fleeces when walking etc is very practical no problem at all. sure if you are a perky type who looks like thomasina myers just got off a mountain walk you probably look great in a fleece. the women i see wearing them look knackered walking around the shopping centre and does them no favours.