Age Appropriate Style: 4 Questions You Need to Ask Yourself
What’s age appropriate when it comes to style? As CEO of a style tech company, and more importantly a woman over 40, I get asked this question a lot.
Can we wear distressed jeans? What about short skirts? Over-the-knee boots? A figure-hugging dress?
Earlier this year the Tik Tok trolls came after me for wearing ripped jeans. In a viral video response that resonated with women everywhere, I gave the definitive answer.
Style doesn’t need to be age appropriate, it only has to be YOU appropriate.
That’s right, it just has to be you appropriate. How do you know if something is right for you? Just ask yourself these questions.
1. DOES THIS MAKE ME FEEL MORE CONFIDENT AND STYLISH WHEN I PUT IT ON?
At the end of the day, this is what truly matters. If you aren’t comfortable wearing something out of the house then it’s probably not the right piece for you. But if you look in the mirror and say this totally feels like ‘me’ then it’s likely something you should be adding to your regular wardrobe rotation.
2. DOES THIS FIT AND FLATTER MY BODY?
As we get older we tend to err on the side of wearing baggier and looser-fitting clothes and it’s not always the best look. Rather than hiding your body as you age, try to embrace the parts of your body/figure that you love and showcase those in a tasteful, classy way. We do not have to cover our bodies completely in order to be age-appropriate.
3. WHAT ARE MY MOTIVATIONS FOR WEARING THIS PIECE?
This is my gut-check question if I feel uncomfortable in a piece. What is your gut telling you about this piece of clothing? Your gut is never wrong and a selfie never lies — so take a picture in the mirror and if it’s something that isn’t working for you then trust your gut.
4. WHAT DO I WANT TO TELL THE WORLD ABOUT MYSELF THROUGH MY STYLE?
Remind yourself that what we wear tells the world something really important about us. We are in control of that message.
I am all for empowering women to decide what is appropriate for YOU and when you look at it that way it takes age completely out of the equation.
It doesn’t have to be age-appropriate, only you appropriate.