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

[Anonymous]

I am wondering what people say about me, then...as I sit here in a pair of khaki shortalls. I so do not feel like being fashionable today, and this is what is in my drawer and clean. I wore this same type of outfit in college - 15 years ago (luckily, only about 10-15 lbs different now). I am in my early 30s and most people think I am still in my 20s (only thing that would give me away is the massive amounts of grays in my super dark hair...which I just started coloring because plucking was getting out of hand) I've never been particularly fashion obsessed - I just wear what is comfy. I'm a jeans, t-shirt and sneaker girl - I don't even know most of the stores mentioned earlier! I know I need to update my wardrobe, but MOST of us can't afford to buy $200 jeans, $100 tops, etc. I shop sales racks at Ann Taylor Loft - the HORROR!

[Anonymous]

"I'm surprised by all of this "dressing the same" over the course of 15 years. Seriously? Skirt lengths, pants shapes, and bodice shapes have made major shifts several times during those years. You could only really dress the same if you've been shopping at... oh. We're back to LL Bean, aren't we? "

I have dressed the same for 20 years. I never buy anything that is too trendy. I prefer tailored suits in basic colors red, black, white, brown, and navy. Solid silk blouses, no ruffles, shoulder pads, weird collars. I love wearing one of the white suits with a black silk knit sheel underneath, great belt and great shoes. I have Armani, Gucci, early Prada and Ralph Lauren suits that are 20 years old. The Donna Karan bodysuit (not sure if this the right description it is not a full bodysuit just a shirt that has a bottom like a bathing suit that snaps so it stays tucked in) is definetely a thing of the past (my DD thought I was wearing a onesie while I was getting dressed) but the DK bodysuit sweaters and shirts are fitted and still look great. I'm lucky that I have stayed the same size through having kids but see no reason to throw these out. I still see the same type of things being sold today with very slight variations.

No matter what the year I have just not liked the trend. The empire shirts remind me of maternity shirts and I don't want to relive pregnancy. The flippy skirts seem too little girly for anyone over 6. Kelly green is the only bright color that I have seen some out that didn't look non flattering, look like an esater egg, or feel like it would get old quick.

On the weekends for me its about comfort jeans, t-shirts, maybe a cashmere sweater in the winter.

[Anonymous]

I mostly wear jeans, t-shirts and running shoes. I like concert shirts because of the art and they hold up pretty well. I'm 32, and would not call myself trendy. I wear long skirts when it is hot and dress nicely for events that call for it.

Do many 30 something moms wear concert t-shirts all the time? Probably not. Do I care? Definitely not.

[Anonymous]

10:21 here, I forgot to add that I usually shop at Ross. I don't care much about clothing and I'm not spending anymore than I have to.

[Anonymous]

I am so amused by the fashion blasts from the past in this discussion, because I just posted a bunch of pictures from the early 90's on FaceBook, including one of my best friend in a crocheted sweater vest over a bodysuit!

[Anonymous]

In all honesty, I really don't get the pride so many people take in not looking their best. But like everything else, to each her own...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, first of all lets be clear here - even for thin little teens and twenty somethings, mid-driff baring tops are totally OUT. Empire waist styled tops and long skinny tees are much more hip and fashionable. Showing your belly these days is a unfashionably trashy as feathered hair and tube tops was in the eighgties.

Dressing too young or too old is equally bad. Seriously, ask your friends, they should be able to tell you it straight and, that is what girl friends are for in my book. Relying on your DH for fashion approval is a very, very poor idea (unless you are gay) and my husband actually does have decent taste but still... the truly fashioniionably dressed women of the ages never relied on a straight man for advice.

Who died and put you in charge???

Hmmmmm well, if you are the single 40-something who doesn't agree, then go for it, wear a midriff baring top (if you can find one to buy) and then sing your trailer park anthem with gusto. We wont stop you but, we will enjoy the comedy.

[Anonymous]

The best is the LL Bean moms (or wannabes) giving the mom with cleavage (or wannabes) the stink eye. Funny!

While DC is not the fashion capitol of the world, MUST we shame ourselves into looking like Mrs. Frump 20 years prematurely? And to the cleavage woman, as long as everything else is covered up, I say the stinkeyes (LL Beans) are just jealous. But it IS amusing to watch the stinkeye. It's pretty obvious what the issue is (them).

Sometimes the LL Beans (I store I love, BTW) still think they have their 20 year old face and figure, when in fact it may be more like 50. Hence the 50 year old haircut! Sorry to sound snarky.

I have a friend with great cleavage, and she says other friends constantly remark on it and want her to wear turtlenecks (especially around their husbands)! WHY are they paying such attention to HER, I ask?

Okay, okay, to each his own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am so amused by the fashion blasts from the past in this discussion, because I just posted a bunch of pictures from the early 90's on FaceBook, including one of my best friend in a crocheted sweater vest over a bodysuit!

Oh my goodness, bodysuits were a MUST! Kelly Taylor and Brenda Walsh were such trendsetters.

[Anonymous]

"I am so amused by the fashion blasts from the past in this discussion, because I just posted a bunch of pictures from the early 90's on FaceBook, including one of my best friend in a crocheted sweater vest over a bodysuit! "

I was not talking about the catsuit bodysuit that has the top and leggings. The knit sweaters and tailored blouses had the bottom part that snapped. I would put the catsuit/bodysuit and crochet sweater in the trend category which is exactly what I mean by avoiding trendy stuff. The classic pieces don't go out of style. If you are going spend 1K on on a piece of clothing its silly to only wear it for a few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I am so amused by the fashion blasts from the past in this discussion, because I just posted a bunch of pictures from the early 90's on FaceBook, including one of my best friend in a crocheted sweater vest over a bodysuit! "

I was not talking about the catsuit bodysuit that has the top and leggings. The knit sweaters and tailored blouses had the bottom part that snapped. I would put the catsuit/bodysuit and crochet sweater in the trend category which is exactly what I mean by avoiding trendy stuff. The classic pieces don't go out of style. If you are going spend 1K on on a piece of clothing its silly to only wear it for a few years.

Coco? Is that you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In all honesty, I really don't get the pride so many people take in not looking their best. But like everything else, to each her own...

Looking their best for you or themselves? Who decides what is looking their best? It is all kind of relative.

[Anonymous]

"Coco? Is that you? "

Coco was amazing! Long white pearls and a black top all the way! It became too busy under KL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I am so amused by the fashion blasts from the past in this discussion, because I just posted a bunch of pictures from the early 90's on FaceBook, including one of my best friend in a crocheted sweater vest over a bodysuit! "

I was not talking about the catsuit bodysuit that has the top and leggings. The knit sweaters and tailored blouses had the bottom part that snapped. I would put the catsuit/bodysuit and crochet sweater in the trend category which is exactly what I mean by avoiding trendy stuff. The classic pieces don't go out of style. If you are going spend 1K on on a piece of clothing its silly to only wear it for a few years.

Clothing is always of its time. That's how we are best able to date photographs and sometimes paintings. It follows that everything, eventually, goes out of style. Some items may be merely passable for a bit longer. Eventually, lapel shape, color, neckline, overall silhouette, or fabric choices will look distinctly dated rather than never intentionally fashionable.

[Anonymous]

I am 37 - a lot of people think I'm much younger, probably because I dress a bit "young" and I don't wear makeup. I just like to wear things I'm comfortable in and I can wear a lot of stuff others can't because (thank you, gene pool) I'm naturally tall and thin.

I think your style definitely evolves (or should evolve!) over time, if for no better reason than to keep up with the fashion trends. But at the same time, I like what I like - capri pants, t-shirts and tank tops (including spaghetti tanks and camis), knee length casual skirts (denim, eyelet, khaki). I think the "young" part comes in because I like clothes from H&M, Gap, Ann Taylor Loft etc. I've tried buying clothes at LLBean and Lands End and they just don't fit me well - too short in the waist and arms and usually pants aren't long enough.

I think as long as you don't look embarrassing (no belly hanging out or major cleavage) you should just wear whatever you want - it's not like there's a "mom" uniform.