Age appropriate fashion?

[Michelle (Oz)]

Well Jenn there is hope for you yet. I saw that outfit posted and resisted the temptation to question your usually passionate defence of the dress code. "Subtle messages" really has no deeper meaning than simply conforming with age conventions.

BTW, I thought your outfit looked terrific. Also delighted that you're now getting comfortable showing bare shoulders.

[AprilR]

I've yet gone out full crossdress but I do have some ideas on how to dress. Depending on where I'm at I would like to dress my age and current style. During the day and going downtown maybe I would go for professional. Going to the store I would go as causal. And as for going to the park I'll go in a sporting outfit. Now I have gone to a few gay clubs, with an ex-girlfriend before, and I think it would be a moment like this that I may want to try "hookerish" as some may say. I think it's the one time you can let your self loss when going out. The one outfit I would love to dress up in while going on a night out is a pinup. But I may consult a few fiends on what to wear when going out for the first time.

[ClosetED]

When you are dressing for you as the audience, then dress what makes you feel happy. I don't dress for the public, and so I don't try to blend. I want to look pretty, in my mind. I have aged well, so I can get away with a bit of more youthful clothes. If you are preparing to go out and want to blend in, then you do need to consider what styles are being worn by those your age. There is still a range of the average woman compared to the very fashion conscious woman.
Hugs, Ellen

[pamela7]

While the wear-want-you-want crowd is somewhat vocal, I thought the "message" idea above was new and interesting. What "message" do you want to send? Are you dressed that way?
[/COLOR]

to quote Sigmund Freud, "sometimes a cigar is just a cigar" - sometimes we dress with a message (sharp suit, expensive watch, shiny shoes, serious tie, short hair, nice pen, leather briefcase, quality coat = mr busynessman), or (trousers, open-neck shirt, pen in top pocket, lab-book in hand = engineer), and other times we're just out enjoying ourselves and have no wish to send any messages at all.

The problem is, the clothing+hair defines the identity projected, and given our social stereotypes conclusions are made, so we're forced to conform to some extent or face potential consequences.

[Rhonda Jean]

Despite the protestations of some, there IS an age appropriate dress code and we all know it when we see it violated. And, just like pornography while we know it when we see it, the description is hard to put into a nicely packaged box.

For me, the violation of the rules it is simple and clear: when out in public, inappropriate age dressing is exactly the same as bad fashion. Of course, anyone can wear anything they like. The consequence is looking like a fool and having the general public deride you. No one has to care what others think. This applies to men and women. But, dressing appropriately, at any age, does NOT mean one must look frumpy. Well styled does NOT have an age requirement. Dressing inappropriately is just sad. One is not presenting the best of themselves

Jennifer,
Seems ridiculous to point out here, but there's also gender appropriate dressing that we all violate. Most people have more problem with that than age inappropriate. There are some on here who I thing pull it off extremely well. Samantha Rogers is HOT in a short dress, and there are certainly others. Right now, for me, I just don't have the motivation to be so "on" all the time (not to mention that little thing about not looking like I used to). One of these days I'm sure I'll be sufficiently motivated to dress inappropriate for any age! I've got a closet full of inappropriate stuff. It's just fun! And for a little while I can pretend that I, too, pull it off. Don't we all do that?