Lately, when I check out myself in the mirror, I have this moment happen when I realize I look my age. Now I’m not saying that I’m noticing fine lines or anything, but my demeanor, my attire– I’m 30. I’ve all but stopped wearing my Sesame Street vintage tee. My skirts are longer. My heels, more conservative.
And this was all an organic change! I didn’t have a made-for-tv makeover. I just started dressing this way. I still have my own distinct style, but it’s definitely more grown up these days.
I feel like a lot of this has to do with the fact that I am secure in the knowledge of who I am. I’m comfortable in my own skin. My body is mine and I’m used to the curves. I know how to dress them to make them look good. To hide the flaws. I know that I can’t get away with wearing yellow anything.
And on the flip side, we’ve all seen the folks out and about who look like they found their style in high school and gave up. You know, the ladies still rocking a cap cut and fluorescent prints. The guys with those baggy jeans. *Shudder* The 90s were such a fashion wasteland. Ugh.
So Scoundrels, have you noticed a fashion evolution in your life? Have you gone from unrefined to polished now that you’ve got your image on lock down? Or have you found yourself in the land of the 90s hair? Not that anyone is going to admit that last one…
Sport
talk30tome
Talk Thirty To Me 
I’ve come a long way since my Nike half shirt but I rocked it every time I went to the roller rink. My derby wife would be proud of me. 20+ years of skateboarding and snowboarding influenced my style and thank god I eventually moved on from baggy jeans. More like bad idea jeans. Those are long gone along with a good percentage of the hair on my head, but that’s all good. Still love a simple plain t-shirt though and that’s been a staple since the early days.
Anyhoo – love your style girl, keep rockin it and keeps it real!
I bet that half shirt was amazing! It’s nice when our hobbies can influence our style. I know my roller derby fishnets are still very near and dear to my heart.
I don’t want this to sound snobbish or chauvinistic, if there’s any chance that it’s taken as such, it’s unintended.
I think there’s a certain class about being able to dress well, for men and women. I’m a 31-year-old male and I’d take a woman who really knows how to dress over a supposedly gorgeous top model in a grotty pair of leggings and an ill-fitting tee. When you’re an adult and you’re wearing the same clothes as young teens, you have to ask yourself questions. It’s a sign of caring about your appearance, which is a pointer to caring about other things, too. I don’t understand the current trend for men in extremely skinny jeans, an open checked shirt, a scruffy low-cut tee and a hat. It looks terrible and my nickname for it is homelesswear. Even at work, most of the men have shirts with the top two buttons undone and no tie and I think it looks scruffy. I’ve had comments along the lines of “don’t bother with the tie if you don’t want to” because I wear one and take pride in my appearance without getting vain and overboard.
Are you sure you’re not just dressing well, rather than dressing 30? It’s a plus in my book, every single time.
It could be that I’m just dressing better. Definitely have “grown into” my style and it’s far more sophisticated than my “My So-Called Life” reject years.
And I agree. Skinny jeans on men are just terrible.
You both need to back off. I like my skinny jeans, and I make them look, well, less hipster. I think?
GREAT post!
My style has evolved as I’ve gotten older as well (I’m your age.)
I think I used to dress a certain way (not poorly, mind you) because I didn’t have much self confidence, so I needed my clothing to get the attention.
Now, I’m way more conservative. I don’t feel the NEED to dress up for attention because if I’m in a meeting, I know I can command the room based on my knowledge of the topic or what I’m bringing to the discussion, as opposed to being looked at because my boobs were half hanging out or something.
I dress is suits mostly for work, and keep it classic with pearls or something of the like. I’m much more comfortable with myself this way.
Yes! I let my brain do the work my boobies used to do.
When I went throught the breakup from hell – or the best diet ever – when I was 28, I found myself the exact 10 pounds lighter I’d always wanted to be. And I think at that point, I started buying clothes that fit me. A.) because I was too miserable to care if people looked at me, and B.) I was fitting into sizes 2 and 4. Ever since then, I’ve done a much better job about fitting my clothes to my body type. But lately? I don’t have the energy to shop. So lately, I look like a homeless businesswoman most the time, but that’s okay. I look good at weddings. ;)
Weight changes can wreak havoc on anyone’s wardrobe. But it’s like a moment of clarity when you can finally address your body type and dress to flatter it. Some days I still struggle with that.
Well, I have a job where I wear jeans and t-shirts or company shirts almost every day. I voluntarily wear slacks once in a while just for fun, but I get funny looks.
That said, I have to say I am ECSTATIC that ankle-boots and skinny jeans are back “in.” Do they look good on me? Do not care. They remind me of the pair of slouchy, pointy-toed ankle boots that my mom was so angry I bought when I was in 7th grade. They looked awesome with my black leggings, ginormous hoop earrings, and Metallica t-shirt.
I have always thought “looking your age” is such a subjective term. I just think that as you hit 30 and beyond you start to know who you really are and you start to dress and behave accordingly. You are no longer so wrapped up in what people think of you. At least that is what happened to me.
I’m just determined that I will never wear high waisted jeans and sneakers with a tucked in polo, nor will I drive a mini-van.