are you one of those moms that dresses too young for her age?

[Anonymous]

i'm kind of worried that i may be one....especially now that i'm a SAHM I don't have the same restrictions as I did with my office job. i'm in my early 30s and find myself wandering over to the "free people"/C&C/James Perse/well you get the picture section of the sotre....what are the signs that you can't pull it off anymore?

[Anonymous]

You can't pull if off anymore if your love handles spill over your jeans like muffin tops. Or if your midriff shirt shows off your stretch marks.

[Anonymous]

So funny that you post this because I was just thinking about this the other day. I am mid-thirties but I think people always assume that I am younger because a) I just generally think I look youthful and b) I like to wear "younger" looking clothes, I think because I like things that are a bit more casual and comfortable (also because the LLBean mom look just isn't for me).

I think you can pull it off as long as you look nice and are comfortable.

[Anonymous]

if i can see your cleavage is a little too much too.
and if you're in the junior's section you might get the wrong stuff too.

[Anonymous]

Wrong, ladies. You can dress too young for your age until you're in your 50s, if you do it right: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/25/fashion/25IRONY.html

[Anonymous]

i worry about this too. i don't wear skirts shorter than knee level and i don't wear anything low cut, and yet...other moms just seem to be dressed a wee bit older or more conservative than i do. maybe they are just frumpy.

when not at work, i am usually wearing a jean skirt or a cotton skirt from American Apparel and a T shirt (usually H&M or target).

[Anonymous]

If you're worried about this, take a trip to another city like NYC, London, or LA. There, you'll see that women don't need to chop their hair into severe, frozen professional styles at age 30 and have Ann Taylor dress them exclusively. (Oh-right... J Crew for weekends... see, I'm not even talking about the Talbot's and house-shoe mule crowd)

When you notice signs of aging in your skin or figure, cover them up, but there's no need to stop having fun with fashion altogether.

[Anonymous]

lol if you're rich and gorgeous age doesn't matter too much.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you're in your early 30s (or even late for that matter IMO) you don't need to worry to much. The brands you mentioned are hip but not so revealing (generally speaking). I think it's so sad when I see moms who are outfitted head to toe in LLBean-style clothes. I'm sure they dressed that way before kids, but really do you want to look 10 years older than you are?? If you're in good shape and feel good in what you're wearing, go for it.

[Anonymous]

everybody thinks that i look 15 years younger than i really am so i do exploit it when choosing my wardrobe.

[Anonymous]

"I think it's so sad when I see moms who are outfitted head to toe in LLBean-style clothes. I'm sure they dressed that way before kids, but really do you want to look 10 years older than you are?? If you're in good shape and feel good in what you're wearing, go for it."

LOL. I have worn LLBean since I was 10 years old. I don't like the jeans or pants because they tend to be high waisted and pleated rather than flatfront but love their short and long sleeve t-shirts, turtlenecks, oxford shirts, hiking shoes, coats and sweaters. Frilly, flippy skirts and jeweled flip flops are not my think, I like simple clothes that fit, last, are comfortable, and don't restrict what we happen to be doing. I don't think the clothes add 10 years to anyone. The hairstyles and weight seem to do this more regardless of what you choose to wear.

[Anonymous]

OP, I had your exact question one day for a friend...I wondered if I was supposed to start wearing J. Jill or something (I'm 32 w/ 2 kids). She used Nordstrom terms to explain that I shouldn't shop in BP but I didn't have to give up Savvy. Hope this helps

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I had your exact question one day for a friend...I wondered if I was supposed to start wearing J. Jill or something (I'm 32 w/ 2 kids). She used Nordstrom terms to explain that I shouldn't shop in BP but I didn't have to give up Savvy. Hope this helps

Brilliant analogy!

[Anonymous]

Why is it if you are a Mom in your 30's or 40's it is assumed you are a frump if you don't shop in the teeny bopper stores?

I'm sick of hearing this term tossed out and stamped on Mom's who choose to dress in nice clothes that don't come from the teen store or teen department.

[Anonymous]

I'm 30 and still buy Forever21...though I do stay away from the neon green racer back shirts and the plastic leggings. My mother dressed young her whole life too. I see nothing wrong with it. Though there is a BIG difference between dressing young and looking like a hootchie mama about to go clubbing.