Do you struggle with how to dress for your age? If you do, just know that you are not alone. Not too long ago I received an email from a woman who felt very frustrated with her appearance. She wrote something along the lines of this:
“Dawn, I’m only 51 but people think I’m at least 60 and it’s because of my clothing. I never feel like I’m put together, I hate everything in my closet and I never have anything to wear. Help! How can I dress my age but still look great?”
This is a good question – and one that I get frequently. How can you dress in a way that’s very professional and clean, but still expresses your personality? And more importantly – matches your age!
Well, I happen to have a few tips to offer in this arena. Read on for more.
Tip #1: Accept Your Age
I hate to have to say this, but the sooner you accept who you are today and appreciate where you are in life the sooner you’ll be able to put together a wardrobe that really helps you shine.
One of the biggest mistakes I see women make with their clothing choices is to try and dress too young. I understand why people do this – because there is so much social pressure to look young and hip – but dressing a decade too young will always backfire!
Tip #2: Consider Your Lifestyle
Someone who’s still climbing the corporate ladder will dress very differently than someone who is recently retired and planning to travel the world for 6 months. Let your lifestyle inform your wardrobe and you’ll never look (or feel) out of place!
Tip #3: Clothes Generally Don’t Age Well
Aside from the fact that it’s important to wear clothing appropriate to your age, it’s also crucial to remember that in general, clothing doesn’t age well!
So that paisley silk top that’s been sitting in your closet since the 90’s? It’s gotta go! If you really want to look up-to-date, the best way to do that is to regularly refresh your closet. Every month purchase a new item and discard an old one to keep things feeling fresh.
Tip #4: Choose a Place to Shop
Second-hand shops are great if you know what you’re looking for… but most people don’t! That’s why I recommend finding some go-to boutiques and stores where you know they’ll have clothing in your size and catered to your needs.
Tip #5: Get Help
If any of this feels overwhelming to you, find someone who can help you. Hire a stylist to take you shopping, help you identify what looks great on you and show you how to put together outfits that align with who you are, what you’re up to and where you want to go.
Would you like a little help in this arena? Let’s talk! Click HERE to connect with me one-on-one and find out how a wardrobe overhaul could make a huge difference in your life.
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Dawn’s Favorite Age-Appropriate Shops for Women 50+
Good tips Dawn – sometimes we just don’t want to let old items go do we!!
JoAnne, no we don’t it’s a psychological attachment to something (how much money we spent on it, how great we looked in it or the compliments we got when we wore it). But once we release them, we open ourselves to a newer updated look, clear the clutter in your closet which clears the clutter in your life. Bless them and release them!