Dressing Young (Part 1)

Parents Forum Parent Cafe
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<p>Hmom5 - If the look is slimming, I say go for it! I have a hunch that you will exercise good judgment and look professional AND fresh. If your daughter approves, you are probably on the right track. You know they will be painfully honest with us if we look ridiculous. On the other hand, they sometimes gift us with an unexpected compliment.</p>

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<p>About 4 or 5 years ago, my parent’s got me a gift certificate for Chicos for Christmas. My D still laughs thinking about my facial expressions when we went to shop there. This was an attempt by my mother to make me “grown-up.” She also wants me to cut my hair short, but that is another subject. It took me three trips to Chicos to use up the gift certificate, and a good portion of it was on some jewelry.</p>

<p>I would never wear anything but heels with jeans. As we get older (not me of course) I think giving ourselves the appearance of long lines becomes more important to balance out a few “problem” areas. I think a dark washed jean with pointy toed heels with just a touch of toe cleavage, a white shirt and some type of jacket can take you just about anywhere, be age appropriate, yet still modern and fresh.</p>

<p>I shudder thinking about my favorite grey stirrup pants with oversize cowl neck sweaters that I used to wear in the 80’s. Never again.</p>

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<p>Actually, one of my favorite jackets is a short/bright green one from Chico’s. I guess I had better not let anyone know where I got it!! ;)</p>

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<p>Chico’s is my favorite store. I love the colors and how the same clothes can go from casual to dressy.</p>

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<p>Chico’s has some cute jackets. My sister and I (totally different body types) have both found things we like at Chico’s. It is not a regular haunt of mine, though, because it just has sort of an “old” vibe. I feel the same way about Talbot’s.</p>

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<p>I hope its ok to jump back in with a couple of funny (hopefully) stories about clothing. Years ago (30 or so) my mom told me that she could not buy a brand called “ecobay” (at least I think that was the name) because they were old lady clothes (elastic waist - jersey stretch- you know). Then she starts to laugh - she cracked herself up and says “who do I think I am?!” meaning she was an old lady (late 50’s then.) I’ve never been to chico’s but it sounds like this brand looked.</p>

<p>Also decades ago, my friend went to interview for a job in LA. She wore a suit that was fine for a law firm in Atlanta (which is where we were in school) or NY (which is what I was familiar with). She was waiting for an elevator, and an associate of the law firm looked at her and said “who died?” Yes, I always forget that California is so much more casual than NY or NJ.</p>

<p>Anyway, Hmom, how exciting for you! Good luck and all that other wonderful stuff. I thought you had kids in HS, no?</p>

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<p>^^ I happened by a Talbots Outlet store recently so thought I would look around. Oh my,it was like stepping into a time warp or something. The prices were really good but couldn’t find one single thing I would have worn. </p>

<p>What’s the vote on Coldwater Creek? I sometimes wander through when passing it in the mall but have never bought anything. It all seems sort of too “matched up” if that makes sense.</p>

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<p>Amen and amen.</p>

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<p>I don’t travel on business often, but the few times I’ve been to NY, I’ve avoided the black/gray suit and have worn something professional yet “Dallas” (eg. a fitted beige jacket.) Always willing to give the other folks something to talk about</p>

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<p>I got their catalogue for years. Then a store opened at a mall in our region but pretty far away. One Saturday morning I made the 45 minute drive out there. I was horrified to find that I was the only woman under 65 in the store. </p>

<p>Chicos has likewise been ruined for me. I had a secretary who was 12-13 years older than me. She was very well dressed and always shopped at Chicos. So when I see their clothes, I think *her *age (mid 60s) rather than *my *age (early 50s).</p>

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<p>I guess more common than someone our age dressing too young are the ladies whose attire says “I give up.” Many of us no longer have the thighs/bottom/belly we desire, but that doesn’t mean we have to wear huge baggy sweatpants and t-shirts all the time. Hope I’m not offending anyone - I know that people get defensive about their clothes. But believe me, baggy sweat pants *do not *make our butts look smaller.</p>

<p>Okay, now I can’t stop. Another pet peeve: Don’t dress like a kindergarten teacher unless you are, in fact, a kindergarten teacher.</p>

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<p>Final post, I promise. My youngest is an 8th grade cheerleader. One of the other 8th grade cheer moms is 29 years old.</p>

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<p>^^^^</p>

<p>Bad flashback to D in 3rd grade ice cream day for her class at school when one of her friends asked me if I was her Grandmother! :frowning: I was only 38, but I soon found out her mom was 24!!!</p>

<p>Sorry, back to topic.</p>

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<p>Even if you are a Kindergarten teacher,don’t dress like a Kindergarten teacher.</p>

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<p>I’d put Coldwater Creek in the Talbots and Chicos category–definitely post-menopausal.</p>

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<p>The first adage: If you wore it once
applies. In soCal how you dress for work depends on your job. But in an industry where youth is importent (show business for example or fashion) to dress too young makes you look old. And you do look ridiculous. Jeans, white shirt, jacket/sweater
all are classic and elegant. Thigh high boots
not so much. Ankle boots with tights
iffy, depends on your legs. A good rule of thumb: If you see the outfit you’re wearing in Glamour
don’t wear it. In Vogue
ok. (Not the price tag the idea).</p>

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<p>Dress young - if you can pull it off. </p>

<p>If you have the build, the attitude and the hairstyle dressing young will make you seem
 well, young! But if you don’t you’ll merely look
 questionable at best - ridiculous at worst.</p>

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<p>Thought you all might enjoy this: [An</a> interview with Delia and Nora Ephron about Love, Loss, and What I Wore.](<a href=“http://www.doublex.com/section/arts/life-your-clothes-not-clothes-your-life]An”>Slate Magazine - Politics, Business, Technology, and the Arts)</p>

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<p>How about “youthful” rather than “young”? I actually weigh less than my beautiful 16 year old daughter, but I could not pull off 99% of her wardrobe. (There is a classic dress that she bought in Sedona that I have borrowed.)</p>

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<p>Funny, booklady. Of course, I had to look up Eileen Fisher
those clothes look pretty nice to me!</p>

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<p>In the words of my D, "Never, never wear mom jeans or a “Christmas teacher sweater.”</p>

<p>She doesn’t have to worry on either front.</p>