Age appropriate clothing

[Jani]

So a lot of us, particularly the girls here, tend to jump in and buy clothing that we always wished we had bought at an earlier age. I know I certainly did. But sometimes our choices aren't really good and tend to bring unwanted attention. So how long did it take to realize that age appropriate clothing is what you need to stock your closet with? This question is for you girls and guys that are past your teens. You younger girls and guys have so many fashion choices that I am still jealous!

With me, it started with crossdressing and trying on clothing of other family members. When I did finally start to buy my own clothing it was definitely a number of items that were decidedly too young for me. They were fun to wear and I really enjoyed them but eventually I came to see that If I wanted to be my true self I should dress as other women of my age do. This is not to say there aren't fun, sexy, cute or totally awesome clothes out there for us, at any age. Once I opened my eyes and mind I saw the world of clothing open up for me. For me this was in my early 40's (long ago). I now have a closet (not quite full yet) with clothes I love.

How about you? When did you realize you need to move on from the clothing of your unfulfilled youth?

Jani

[Kristie]

Jani I know what you are talking about. For a long time I would buy things that just looked so cute and usually colorful. I would almost always wear skirts or dresses, pantyhose, and high heels. Even just to go shopping. I didn't even think of age appropriate dressing. I didn't think of "outfits". I would just buy whatever caught my interest.

Then one time when I was in my mid-thirtys I wore slacks, lower heels, no pantyhose and nice top. It seemed that I was so much more accepted as a woman and in turn I felt much more comfortable and with that came more confidence.I remember another woman complementing me on my shoes and it felt so wonderful.

Since then I have toned down my clothing and certainly try to dress age appropriate. But I have to say I hate that description "age appropriate". I am not going to let my age stop me from wearing skirts and dresses and certainly heels. But no mini dresses and stilettos for day wear. My skirts fall just above my knees and my heels are more in the 4" range. Have you noticed how heels have gotten higher these days.

I very much enjoy wearing jeans, flats, boots or booties and nice top and maybe a cardigan or blazer. It is no longer important to me to dress like I was going to a party. I dress in what I feel comfortable and basically what I feel like wearing that day.

Kristie

[StephanieVikingGirl]

I kinda dress appropriately for the weather, and what feels comfortable for me.

In our mild winter's day today for the return trip taking Alex back from class in Davis to our place in Sacramento, I was comfortable in my three tiered hippie skirt, flat sandals, short sleeved v-neck top, designer sunglasses, and a nice patterned shawl for warmth. We were zooming along in my mid-engine Spyder with the top down, sun beaming down on us, with about 63 degree Fahrenheit temperature, just lovely.

However on cooler days I wear sweat pants, sweater, and shawl over a long sleeved top. I still wear my flat sandals though, it is California after all. At work, if it is cold, I'll wear sweat pants, breathable top, bra, with sweater, and bicycle appropriate shoes. However in the summer it is very warm in the Napa Valley, and so I wear a mini-skort, and light breathable top over my bra, and bicycle appropriate shoes. Summer here in Sacramento is very hot, so on days off I usually wear a light mini-sundress like the one in my profile picture, but only wearing the bra if I am meeting someone, or going to a party. Then I like the girls to present themselves a bit better. Sorry about the long post, I am chatty tonight, and kinda high.

hugs,

Stephanie

[Jani]

Age appropriate, I know but I couldn't think of a better euphemism! I do think appropriate for the day might be better since you mentioned dressing at times like you're going to a party.

Being comfortable in our clothing and skin is what's it's about.

Thanks girls!

Jani

[Guest CLAIRE100]

As I move closer to going full time I find myself wearing the clothes that I see other women my age (65) wearing which when out slacks, and tops, or women's sweats but only when matching colors, and usually with a printed turtleneck under the top. I now have 2 winter coats that I found at a thrift store that would be considered age appropriate.As I have become more comfortable wearing skirts I will wear one when the occasion calls for it, but what I have found thanks to the advice from the ladies in my support group that as I wear the clothes like other women my age I blend in much more than if I wore something designed for someone much younger. One thing I do have an issue with is the desire to add something that stands out that adds a splash of color such as a nice scarf ,it does tend bring a little attention to how you look but that is a risk I take because it makes me feel that I am properly put together like other ladies my age.

[Guest]

My style is fairly age appropriate. Some of my skirts are just below the knee. It's hard to believe that ten years ago when I was forty five I was wearing mini skirts which I have been wearing since I was 32 when I got married first. I love to present myself as a fashionable fifty something lady. I get inspiration from looking at fashion websites for fifty plus women. The clothes are not matronly at all. I was looking at the shoes section on one the other day and they were very fashionable and not a bit frumpy.

[Guest CindyLouCovington]

One problem is that it seems so hard to find knee length dresses. Everything you see seems to be either mini or maxi. And has a revealing bodice. The shirt dresses of the 50's were lovely, but no one seems to make them anymore.

[Guest otter-girl]

Hi,

My preference is dressing to my strengths and personality rather than by age. I don't like dressing in dull colours or what I consider the 'majority drab'. Life is too short to be someone I'm not when I've come this far trying to be more me. So while I agree with all the common sense arguments and all the reasons for blending in, especially for the purposes of personal safety, it's just another closet for me. I don't know, it's all a bizarre game. In the early days all I did was put on some tight jeans and a pair of flats and some woman walked into a lamp post. Now I walk though the mall in the same stuff that people 20 years younger are wearing and no one bats an eye.

Hugs

Rachel

[Guest noeleena]

Hi ,

Un fullfilled youth ,was never an issue ,

I dress in what suits myself I don't follow fashion or others , I'm my own person and dress accordingly and all ways have and from age 10 Mom would buy me clothes that I hated, so .....if they were longs that did not last long ,I cut them into shorts suits never owned or had them or wore them and refused to buy any , and refused to wear them . my mistake was I never knew my clans colours if I had I would have worn them, > Kilts ,...

Call me stubbon I don't mind I did have a mind of my own , now the twist I hated male clothes and did not wear female clothes or funny as it was did not wont to , was not bothered so cant be called a dresser ,

because I was born a little different clothes did not matter to me Mom would say , well I think its time we brought some more for you as what you have are wearing out , so I said I ...don't ... care if they fall off my back I'm not buying any , So Mom would .

Okay I'm a female that's different in many ways hence my little wording . or short story of early childhood ,

Clothes of today and the last 22 years for me are quite nice yet don't do much for me , I Prefer my background = Prussian or German garb = clothes now that gets me and yes I dress in clothes of the 1400 to 1700 Renaissance times tell me about it and you have my full on , what can we do with this , so I make my own and wear them and over sea,s and any where more so for our get togethers

I do Edwardian times and that's quite nice and I will be dressed for next week end for our Edwardian group all week end .

Yet really lovely as that is some times I sneak in my renaissance clothes as some look good enough to pass nicely , or inter change ,

I'm over 68 ,I dress for myself not for any one else , My day and evening dress,s and skirts are long and blouse,s are lovely so I do dress elegantly and nicely so clothes are not an issue and even some of those I redesign remake and change to suit me ,

Oh yes high up or mini skirts never were on my list of to wear ,

I'm very self conscious and do get embarrised of how I look ,

You may think how strange , well I'm a PR person have done interviews for two TVNZ nation wide stations and done / do public speaking to large groups and hated being in front of camaras ,

Plus I don't do Justus to what I wear as a female don't have the facial features so its not about clothes never mind I live with it and do have a lovely life ,

A ? I see here , so you cant get clothes you need how strange theres many sites world wide = China ,

Plus you can get a sewing lady to make some thing for you or try the 2 nd hand shops or learn to sew and its fun , I,v been doing from age 10 ,

...noeleena...

[tracy_j]

I tend to dress in clothes for an age usually defined as somewhat younger than me. I think I have had the 'tut tut' of cis women in the past, but I am a bit more observant these days as the real risk is attacting the wrong kind of man. I like short skirts but only wear them of reasonable length (just above knee) unless over leggings or thick tights. Perhaps the one thing that really makes me laugh is my favourite jeans - Miss Selfridge so vastly below my age. No-one has commented but they have not read the label . They do fit well!

I dress as a woman and love to dress up as well (if you understand the difference).

I am normally dressed in fully female clothing, unless at work, but not always specifically presenting as female. I have found that in practice to a large extent it is possible for me to dress feminine without appearing girly. Passers by make their own minds up about my gender, some thinking male, others female but in practice very few raise comment etc. As such perhaps my age is also somewhat indeterminate?

Another thing I would point out is that these days, as the elderly are generally more active, then perhaps the age ranges of various clothing types are changing. Looking back to middle last century even fairly young people wore clothes that middle aged people wore.

Tracy

[Julia70]

I've al ways preferred more tailored and classic couture but lately I like skinny jeans and a nice loose top, a long turtle neck or an un tucked button up with heals accessorized in the right way you can go from day to night looks some times all it takes is a necklace and hand bag or clutch

[Guest Sarah1967]

I prefer something comfy like a off shoulder top an a short jean skirt an I don't care if is age appropriate or not as long as it is comfy,,

[tracy_j]

I agree Sarah - many cis women I know care far more for comfort than looks!

[Guest Razilee]

I did get rid of my shorter skirts and dresses in my last purge. I am not sure if dressing "age appropriately" was a factor or not. It was, I think, more that I felt more comfortable and not so much needing to be noticed. I don't have a princess dress or tiara, but that certainly would tag me as going to a party or Walmart.

Raz

[Guest Kaylee]

I have compleatly given up on "age appropriate" clothing. People usually peg me for around 30, so I'm gonna dress..

25 ha ha!

[Charlize]

I can say i'm not into granny dresses yet. The pull always seems to be towards looking cute and sexy. I missed out on that opportunity when young so perhaps that's why it appeals. I also missed out on the nuisance that guys can be when they are on the trail. I've experienced that only on occasion and find it both frightening and exciting. At this point i may show a bit of knee. perhaps i'll wear a V neck T but never too much. Even so i feel great. I'm also much less noticed by others as i move around. By age appropriate we often do seem to mean dressed in a way that doesn't draw attention to ourselves. Maybe if i were to go clubbing i'd pull out one of the outfits i haven't parted with but then i would hope the lights were down and the booze was flowing (for others) so they wouldn't notice all the flaws that clothing covers.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest]

The way I see it :

my mother is 65 and has an excellent fashion sense. She don't really dress "age appropriate" but more day/weather/strength appropriate. She know her strength, what she want to emphasize and what makes her beautiful. She knows that her neckline is full of wrinkles. She will not wear too reveling of a neckline because she know it's not pretty and that it's not working on her strength. she never stop wearing things because of age per say. I try to do the same. For me it's not really age that matters it's being realistic and knowing what people want to see and when. Everyone know i'm trans* and the guys here don't want to see me in a mini skirt, I know it. I'm not a delicate 10/10 cis girl. For me being a woman is not being sexy, it's about being me. I have certain "frontiers" and will never wear miniskirt because... it's just awefull on me. That being said, I can be bold and a little eccentric in the clothes I wear and I will continue to be until old age because now i'm a little uncompromising on the "being me" part. I feel so good when I dress and look like I want to. I will evolve with age but will dress like I want. I have every confidence in my fashion sense

[Guest Lizzie McTrucker]

I would say during the first year or two the first time I transitioned, I went a little overboard in the feminine department, but since then I've toned it down and settled into a more comfortable and age-appropriate girl style.

[Guest AshleighP]

If age is mostly mental, then what defines age appropriate? Just kidding. I do find myself dressing more modestly than I used to. I think I lean more to "situation appropriate" than age appropriate. When I first started it was almost always the shortest skirt and the highest heels, even just around the house. Nowadays, you most often will find in a maxi skirt and ballet flats.

Either way, comfort and how the clothes make you feel is what makes any outfit appropriate.

[Jani]

I think we do all settle into situation appropriate. While many (including me) have gone the route of short skirts and high heels, I think "sanity" does ultimately prevail and we come to our senses and end up wearing comfortable clothing.

[sarahlash]

I will say that at first I was trying to find my own specific style that I wanted to wear consistently. And that I made my own mesh of differing styles, that are attributed to younger age and my current age range. Personally, I say find what your comfortable in, and be happy.