Do you dress your age?

Posted Oct 24th 2006 at 5:08PM by Anne Metz (Subscribe to Anne Metz's posts)

Filed under: Fashion, Best of the Season, Denim, Designers & Brands

Retail experts have recently coined a new phrase that refers to the buying habits of some women in their 40s and 50s. They call it "10 years younger syndrome". This term describes the tendency of well-off women over the age of 40 to dress exactly like women ten years their junior. It has become commonplace for mothers and daughters to shop in the same store -- a thought that I would have never entertained back when I was a teenager.

I hesitate to say that this means that older women simply aren't "dressing their age" -- I think they are. It's just that the term "age-appropriate" doesn't make that much sense anymore. In an time when 20-year-olds are wearing couture (the Olsen twins) and 45-year-olds are wearing low riders (Elle MacPherson), it seems silly to draw those distinctions in the first place.

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Tags: age-appropriate, casual wear, CasualWear, fashion, trends

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)

MJ in LA 10-25-2006 @ 8:25AM

GO ELLE!!!! She's got the body for it and whose fault is it that the little teeny-boppers are spending all their (daddy's) money on couture anyway? Women are supposed to dress older because the little girls want to dress their mum's age, too?

sylvia Simpson 10-25-2006 @ 8:25AM

what is dressing your age? I certainly buy what looks good on me and dont shop with age in mind, after all I wear clothes very well.

roshelle 10-26-2006 @ 7:54AM

the only thing i have to say is, please, PLEASE, wear clothes that are the right size. young, old, that is not what bothers me, it is seeing WAY too much of someone that is really bothersome.

Liz 10-26-2006 @ 8:19PM

I'm 47 and have a twenty year old daughter.
I love to see mouths drop when I tell people how old I am!
They swear that I look like I'm in my thirties! I definitely don't go around showing bare skin, but I do have a pair of great legs! Have fun, enjoy life!

Ada 10-26-2006 @ 8:14PM

it's not necesarily that these women are not "dressing their age"... it's probably that they are dressing how they feel like it and it happens to be younger... they are still younger at heart than on their cronological age. What's the problem with that?

Joanie 10-26-2006 @ 8:20PM

I agree with Roshelle........who needs to see the fat hanging over the jeans, wonder if any of them own mirrors !!!!!!!! YUK !!!!!!!!!!

cecilia 10-26-2006 @ 8:27PM

age is no longer a number- and never should be- we are as young as how we take care of ourselves and good genes- wear what you please if it looks good on you who cares about numbers!

Lynne 10-26-2006 @ 8:24PM

I for one am sick of women dressing like little children. The crop tops that show way too much skin...I don't want to see your fat rolls....the Hello kitty t-shirts and other babyish items icons, I mean come on it's cute on a 4 year old, pathetic on a 40 year old. Where clothes that fit your shape and hide your faults.

Karen 10-26-2006 @ 8:26PM

Come on. Did you really expect Elle MacPherson to start wearing "comfort waist" polyester-rayon pants, boxy blouses and seasonal applique sweaters?

Diane 10-26-2006 @ 8:25PM

HELLO? My mother wore the same styles of clothes in her 40's and 50's that SHE wore as a teenager and early 20's. My generation started shorty shirts, halters, jeans and tanks, thank you very much.....

Rohan 10-26-2006 @ 8:47PM

I agree with Roshelle 100%:
"young, old, that is not what bothers me, it is seeing WAY too much of someone that is really bothersome."
What the heck is "age appropriate"? We should all wear whatever makes us look & feel good. But, please no "rolls" and "muffin tops" busting out of 2 sizes too small cropped tops and "plumber crack" jeans!And, for the love of God, NO thongs on display! That's just plain dumb & ugly on anyone, be they 15, 30 or 55 years old.

Maureen 10-27-2006 @ 11:33AM

It is not that we are dressing inappropriately. It is that you go into most stores and, they do not make clothes appropriate for our age.
I have looked and, looked for jeans that are not low rise. Or looked for tops that are not low cut. What about people are age? What about styles that are classic or, classy for us? Things are designed with younger people in mind.
There is nothing wrong with wearing some of the clothes, if you can wear them, look good and, are comfortable doing so. People say I look like younger than I am all the time. I just don't like low cut tops or, bottoms.

Sami 10-26-2006 @ 8:35PM

I'm am 48 with a daughter in her mid-20s. I look very young for my age. People mistake me for my daughter's sister. However, I think that women of a certain age should be age appropriate regardless of what your face can get away with. I gave up mini-skirts. And I won't wear trends like bubble skirts and super low rise jeans. Sure, I can wear them but should I? What's wrong with a classy pencil skirt just at the knee? By the same token, I don't think that my daughter should wear skirts up to her crotch. That's for a 19-year-old. Also, I'd like to make the point that dressing your age doesn't mean old and unstylish! In my estimation the best thing is to dress in a timeless, classic way with a tight, toned body. THAT will take off 10 years at least!

Richelle Lashuay 10-26-2006 @ 8:34PM

I am going to be 50, and I still wear jeans and fun cloths that fit me and cover the excess... I dont show my belly fat... must be doing something right... the guys still look. :)

Vicky 10-26-2006 @ 8:38PM

Wear younger styles ONLY if you look good in them. No one should be wearing polyester or elastic waist pants! There are plenty of choices now, so any age or size should be able to dress well. I am a 61 year old woman who wears a size 6 and if I ever have to dress like a senior you can just place me in the coffin!!!

Liz 10-26-2006 @ 8:39PM

I love wearing couture and I love wearing low rider jeans. I work very hard EVERY DAY to keep my body toned and in shape. Cardio, weights and pilates. I absolutely love fashion and like trends, but I have the wisdom to know where I feel comfortable and what is truly hip and in good taste. I am 51 and know my boundaries. No matter what I wear, I always choose a great pair of shoes and handbag. My sister is a bit older than me and dresses like a stuffed shirt dowager - never want that to happen to me! My clothes help compliment who I am, not define what I am.

Becca 10-27-2006 @ 9:09AM

Sorry Diane - you are incorrect in believing your generation first thought up the current fashion. Am 55 and have already seen the halters, espadrilles, open toe shoes, low waisted jeans, hobo bags - I could go on and on. Been there, saw it and wore it. These are all repeats of what has already been fashionable once in my life. And the things (at least some of them) that I liked then, I am wearing again this 2nd time around.

carole 10-26-2006 @ 8:40PM

I still am a size 5 and do not run around with my stomach hanging out except at home:) I am over 50 and still wear in style clothes, fitted jeans and nice suits, lots of shoes. my nieces and friends who are much younger wear the same clothes. pretty much.
women really need to look in the mirror before they leave the house.
carole

Vicky 10-26-2006 @ 8:41PM

Sami 10-26-2006 @ 8:45PM

I agree, Liz. I think it's about knowing your boundaries. If I just had to expose my midriff, it would be a sliver. Do I have the abs to show 12 inches? Yes, actually I do. But I'm not going to look ridiculous!