Dress Your Age? Help!

[Jaye]

There was a thread a few weeks back about tips for girls going out for their first time. One of those tips was to "Dress Your Age". That's something I'm having a little trouble with. My actual, physical age is 32. In male attire, I've had people take me for younger or older, depending on various factors. I haven't been out in full dress in ten years, so no one has seen me to tell me how I look.

I have very little contact with women my age outside of work. One of my coworkers is my age, but I've never seen her in any clothes except our uniform. All of my other female colleagues are either much younger or much older, so they're not much help.

Where should I shop? What magazines might give me ideas? Help!

[Marda]

Hi Jaye

Excellent question

I'm sure there are many gals here who can offer you more precise information ...

As a former Ladies Wear Store Manager, it sounds to me like you are searching for a more "professional", "calm" and "mature" look ... (than "hot" or "alluring" & "sexy") ??

The main theme in my first store was "Classic Career & Sportswear" ... my "Prime Clientele" was the college graduate, single or married career sales, admin, health, tech, service etc clerk, supervisor, middle to upper management woman ... not all with great figures ... quality, fit and comfort were equally as important as style ... lots of mix and match to make the most of a wardrobe ... stuff that looks good for years with proper care ... good value, especially for moms ...

Proper bra styles are important for the look ... foundations also ...

One of the worst things you can do is try to squeeze into something too small just because you like the concept ... "little black dresses" are not for everyone ?? maybe at home ok

Less provocative (fuller/looser rather than slimmer/tighter) looks can blend in with the crowd easier and attract less attention than the glamour stuff ... how much attention do you want ??

(Same goes for makeup concepts too but I'm not good on that)

Suits can look good but fit and style may be issues depending on the figure ... ???

A few bottoms and an assortment of versatile tops can keep a girl going for weeks mixing with accessories ... you can really have fun without spending tons of money ...

Various styles of silk, micro, poly blouses ... classic cotton/blend knit long, short and sleevless sweater styles in mock, turtle, v, notch, scoop necklines ...

Quality solid colour wool skirts are timeless, some print poly easycare stuff, microfibres ... good flow if not straight skirts ... possibly some pleats ... every girl needs a couple of basic black skirts ...

alterations are always possible if you have seam and hem allowance ... depending on climate and function, lining is important

quality and placement of fasteners (zips) ... double buttons for security and finish ...

& versatile dresses that can go shopping, to work, or dinner just by accessorising with jewelry, scarves, belts, purses etc ...

Plus of course some "sexy and/or classy" "holiday wear" for "special occasions" ...

Shoes are important for the look and comfort as well

*And*, don't forget Blazers & short-mid length Jackets of various styles to "overall" the look of blouses, sweaters, skirts

Note: Pants are very popular with many women, but to my personal experience, women's cuts are quite different from men's cuts depending on your figure

Don't forget also that in the past, women "packed" themselves with "serious" corsets and all-in-ones to establish the "look" never minding comfort disadvantages ??? yech ???

"Fashion" is a strange realm ...

You may prefer or "need" practicality as opposed to "sizzle" ...
personally, I prefer the *flash* & *sizzle* in private and *Vintage Lingerie* gets my vote on this every time

The second store I managed was for late teens to late 20s suburbanite housewives and party hearty gals ... lots of throwaway junk showing lots of T & A ... lousy quality ... good for 1 season ...

Having said that, there are lots of hi quality higher fashion places for young living women and housewives too ...

Depending on *your* figure, look in malls for places where "adult" women with "Mature Figures" shop ... "elegance" as opposed to "flash" ... stuff for "confident", "self-assured" women ???

Regardless of what you shop for, make sure you're in the right size range ...

In my stores, "Petite" was for generally for women up to 5'4" due to overall height, length of legs and position of waist ...

Regulars were for women up to 5'11" ... then there were "Generous" cuts for "More Mature" figures ...

Having said that, a woman can cross size ranges depending on cuts and styles ... I had a "Tall" client who got great fit with "Long Petite" skirts because of her leg length and waist position - they "looked" "Regular" on her ...

What's your physique ??? What do you want to "hide" or "emphasize" ... remember, carefully chosen and placed accessories can "Draw The Eye" into or away from areas of the "look" ... a girl has to be very "strategic" about her appearance !!!

This is *not* a "frivolous" matter !!! A woman's "Look" is "Verrry Serious Business" !!!

Ladies ??? Referrals to magazines ??? Professional or lifestyle magazines as opposed to "Fashion" magazines ???

"SO"s ... How am I doin'?

Sally ? Phylis Anne? You have very "professional" overall "Looks" in your Avatars?

Beauty? CJ?

If I 'Hear" you correctly , hope this helps Jaye

I'm itchin' to hear more from the Powder Room regulars ... of course I *May* take a beating, but "What Else is New*

Love / Marda

[Beauty]

Hi Jaye,

I think you'd do well to look in at JC Penny's website and less Glamour or Cosmopolitan. Go to lifetime.com's website (woman's television network) and look at women there or any place you think there could be a link that shows professional women or women in casual wear.

I hope this advice helps.

Beauty

[Lorna]

Ditto what Marda and Beauty said.

Being 32 myself, I will sometimes fall into the trap of being tempted by clothing that is intended for much younger women. But the bottom line is that how you feel and where you're headed will be the main factors in what to wear. If you're heading out say shopping at the mall or going to the movies or a restaurant, you'll want to be more conservatively dressed than you would if you were heading out to a club.

You can find a lot of great ensembles in catalogs and magazines such as Vogue or Cosmo. Plus at 32 we can still be sexy without dressing like we're 18 (although some 32 y.o. women can pull it off, not me LOL) Good luck to you!

[S. Lisa Smith]

Perhaps a good way to see what women your age are wearing would be to go to the mall. I'll be you will see all ages and women dressed in many different styles (especially if it is an upscale mall). You could wander around and see what the shoppers are wearing as well as window shopping.

Marda's post was excellent and gives you a great range of general options. Hope you do well!

[Marda]

Hi Lisa

*Excellent* Idea

Besides ... sometimez our "Mr.Spacemanz" *need* a teeney bit of *gratifikashun*

*Gal_watchin* at the mall ain't the wurst thing they kould be doin with us

Kaveat: *Beware* who you pay kompliments to if/when *You* are the passenger and itz Mr.Spaceman the women see when they look at you

Recently, a gal in the supermarket gave me the *dirtiest* Skowl because I told her "That's a kute dress" ... and last week, a receptionist in a "professional" office komplained to her boss that I "hit_on_her" bekause I had over 2 okkasions 1) given her my bizkard, and 2) told her how *Great* she looked

Lemme tellya ... I'm *More* Ladylike then *Most* "women" I meet ... but those B*T***S kan make lottza trouble ... and itz much better if we spend our time shopping than bailin' our Mr.Spacemanz outa the "Jugg" on harrassment charges

Thanx again Lisa ... and I like your blouse (dress?)

Love / Marda

[Virginia]

Jaye,
If you follow the "kitty kat's" advice and that of the rest of your sisters here, I guess basically what you will end with is (assuming all things are equal) you end up wearing something that fits properly and you - YOU like it, the final test is philosophical! one of our sisters quoted some sage: and I paraphase: "the best mirror is not on the wall but in a friend's eyes."
Good luck and let us know how its going and what you decide on.
Deborah

[SophieLawson]

If anyone has Cable or Sky, watch the fashion channel I LOVE watching it, seeing the girls walk down the catwalk, doing their makeup etc

Sophie xx

[Virginia]

Sophie,
I am not blowing sunshine up your skirt - well yes I am, anyway, unless I missed your post somewhere - Other than great genes, who does your make-up? How did you learn to make yourself look so beautiful? I don't think you learned it on your own, but if you did - Honey you are in the wrong business! Curiosity killed the "kat" but satisfaction "brought her back!"
Love,
Deborah

[SophieLawson]

Sophie, who does your make-up? I don't think you learned it on your own

I do my own makeup with my own shakey hands, does that ever go away? lol It's a nightmare doing nails and putting mascarra on it's hard to judge where the stick is You girls with wifes/girlfriends to help you are so lucky

Sophie xx

[Carol Ann]

Hi Jaye , when I lived in New Orleans one of my favorite pass times was to go to the mall and girlwatch or should I say women watch. But I will have to say that my wife will pick out my cloths if we are going some where and I am to dress (tri-ess). At 65 I can look 45 or so with makeup and she makes sure I dress proper for my age. Me I still prefure to dress as a teenie bopper. But you will learn as time goes on what and how to dress. Hay you have a huge bunch of sisters to help and we all love talking about dressing up more then anything else. You Go Girl Carol Ann

[Virginia]

Sophie, honey, if you can make yourself look that good on your own, you are ready for the big time! I am very very impressed!!!
Carol Ann, I will not repeat what I saw in your post, but ain't no way your, well you a day over 35!!! You look great! Maybe Sophie can give us some lesson and we can get down to 16.
Love,
Deborah