When I'm all made up, I both look younger and dress younger than my age.
Having said that, I've never been one to believe in "age appropriate" dressing or looks. What the hell does age have to do with anything? This is why a lot of gg's begin looking older - they start
dressing their age when they don't need to.
Hit my flickr photos (link in sig) and then try and guess my age based on my appearance. Obviously, you know I'm older than I might appear as I'm making that clear now, but can you really guess my age
based on my appearance alone?
Without makeup, I look like any weathered, aging man. It's been at least 10 years since I turned any women's heads in guy-mode. When I'm Gabrielle though - screw my age! If I can pull it off, I'm WEARING IT! I exercise and work my butt off to look good and all that caked on makeup does wonders for my old face!
Age doesn't mean squat. I believe that's universal. If you can pull off a certain look - what does your age matter? If you look good in it, then enjoy!
In terms of our "golden period" question, I'd say that would be in the late teens and early 20's. That's before the skin loosens up and the metabolism slows down (causing weight gain and muscle loss). Sadly, I never got to see what Gabrielle looked like at that age. I bet she would have been a real hottie... but I'll never know.
With continued exercise, diet, and facial creams, I think I've got the better part of a decade left before I can no longer pull off what I like to wear any more. It will have little to do with my age and a lot to do with how my body looks. According to the "age appropriate rules" I'm already dressing way younger than I should.
My wife dresses even younger than I do, btw! She's older than me and can pull off some rather sexy looks, showing a lot of skin. Guys half her age (and then some) kick it to her regularly. If she was dressing her age... well, it just wouldn't be very pretty, and what a waste of her beauty, imo.