How old do you think I am? A while ago, during a heated discussion with someone, I was handed what I decided to take as a backhanded compliment. "XX years?" they said, "You're not even XX years old!" Now this person had only just met me and had based their opinion purely on the way I was dressed. While I realise that I don't dress in the same manner as many of the mums, (or other women for that matter), around here; I do wonder what age I project.
So I wonder, what 'should' I be wearing at my age? I have no plans to change the way I dress, and I certainly don't base my style on trying to fit a mold, but I don't see how I dress as inappropriate for my age. Before I left my last job to have baby number two, I had some very shocked clients as they thought I was about 10 years younger than I actually am. They couldn't believe I was leaving to have a baby, let alone that I actually already had one!
I think that perhaps it is less that I don't dress my age, but perhaps that I dress with more exuberance than many my age. I guess it is all in the eye of the beholder and, for that matter, what your own social reference points are.
Discuss...
So I wonder, what 'should' I be wearing at my age? I have no plans to change the way I dress, and I certainly don't base my style on trying to fit a mold, but I don't see how I dress as inappropriate for my age. Before I left my last job to have baby number two, I had some very shocked clients as they thought I was about 10 years younger than I actually am. They couldn't believe I was leaving to have a baby, let alone that I actually already had one!
I think that perhaps it is less that I don't dress my age, but perhaps that I dress with more exuberance than many my age. I guess it is all in the eye of the beholder and, for that matter, what your own social reference points are.
Discuss...
12 comments:
Now you will tell if any of us are right, won't you?! I am guessing you are in your lower to mid-30s. You have enough polish and sophistication to be past your 20s and you don't look near 40!
I think you dress smashingly well. I do have a problem with some people dressing too "young" but for me this usually means ill-fitting, super trendy garments that normally on a pre-teen without any sense of style would be caught in!
Also, I was conducting a college tour the other day and the prospective student thought I was a child genius--only 14 years old! I'm 21! How off can you get???
I'll guess 28.
There are lots of factors going on here. Indulge me, if you will:
-First, you have superb porcelain skin that glows.
-Second, your tasteful makeup never overpowers your beautiful complexion.
-Third, you always look happy and/or smiling, which makes anyone look and seem younger.
-Fourth, you actually ARE happy, which is an instant youngifier. (Yes, I made that word up. Stick with me long enough, and I'll make up an entire language. I'm halfway there.)
-Fifth, you dress in a way that reflects who you are, and how happy you are, always age-appropriate.
-Sixth, kids keep you young.
I'm sure there are some things I haven't mentioned, but mostly, you present well, and are happy, so that gives you a very convincing young feel.
I think people still have this notion that XYZ age is "old" even though "40 has been the new 30" etc for decades. In the '50s, people used to dress older than they were. In the '60s, that all changed. But people still seem startled when anyone above 25 isn't completely decrepit and miserable.
Hey! This is my first visit in your blog (I discovered you via Kingdom Of Style) and it's amazed me that I was too concerned about the same issue (the age you're channeling via your clothing) in my last post! I am just 24 at the moment, but lots of people think I am much younger, mostly because of the way I dress. Even my - younger - sister sometimes mocks the wide-legged jeans and cartoon t-shirts I like to wear, herself having always dressed a lot more conservatively than me. Glad I discovered you! Cheers!
Now I really wonder how old you are!
I'm guessing around 28.
amy g: hmmm... I'll have to think about that. The strange thing is that since I was about 16, people always though I was 7-10 years older than I was! Now suddenly, it has gone the other way.
Clothes horse: This is a bit off! I would have been offended.
enc: there are some very well considered points there. Although I think the bit about kids keeping you young may be a bit of a myth for the parents. I think that may only work for Aunts.
Wendy: I think your are right on the money. It's like somehow people expect you to be haggered and weary all the time.
Lopi: Welcome. Perhaps I should post some earlier pictures of myself as a comparison.
Heheh..I know what you mean! Look at the models on the runways and magz. Some of them are only 15/16. Monika Jagaciak is 14 and she looks 20 in some of her photos!
But, I think you are one of the most unique dressers out there!
xo
I'm guessing you're.... 32..? That's based on the fact you have children and you look like my 32yr old sister :)
But I seem to have the opposite 'problem', people think I'm much old than I really am! *sigh*
I have to say though, you are one hot mama :P Random question; are you a Gemini? (They always look younger than their real age.)
Ivy: Thanks you. (And you're very close) I am actually a Leo, as is my husband, one daughter and two dogs! I guess that accounts for my love of drama.
I totally understand where you're coming from. I think I look my age, but, I still get carded for alcohol, even when I have my 13year old daughter with me. I know that I had her pretty early, but no way that early. I also have four children, and have people ask me "how many?" usually followed by "and how old are you?"...the nerve of some people.
Candy
Candy: I think the "how many", and "and how old are you?", questions come from people's expectations that,(as Wendy said) if you are over 30, and/ or have children, people expect you to look hacked and harried. I wonder how much of the motivation for these questions stems from people making a comparison of you with themselves; thinking that you look so good you couldn't possibly be in a similar family situation to them. Such a strange backhanded compliment / insult in a culture that strives for youth and beauty.
Thanks for commenting. :)
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