Thursday, April 25, 2013

Dressing Your Age?


Oh Shift
I do not dress my age. I am not trendy. These are two things that I love about myself. I love that I don't dress like a typical 23 year old, traipsing out at night in sky high heels, a too-short skirt, and low cut blouse. It's not for me and never has been. 

I am also not one to wear trends. Sure, I follow them, sure I know what is on-trend... I read Voge, Elle, W, etc. I just don't try to pull them off... well, usually. 

As we draw closer and closer to the summer months, I have been spending weekend afternoons slowly pulling out my summer wardrobe and putting all of the chunky wool sweaters into storage (thank goodness). Every year as I switch over seasons, I do a bit of an inventory. I try things on, pull things that need to be taken in or let out, donate things that I am no longer interested in, and take note of what I am lacking and what I am most definitely not lacking. 

Every single year, I always notice that I am lacking a "young 20's wardrobe". I find that I never have anything that falls under the "going out to a bar" category. 

I have always put that in the back of my mind, and occasionally  when I'm shopping, I'll purchase something oddly out of my comfort zone just so I can add to my collection of (for lack of a better word) "hot" outfits... ahem, if you know me in real life, my "hot" outfits are about as G rated as they come. More, Kelly Rippa than Megan Fox, if you will. See above for one of my "hot outfits". 

Anyways, this time, as I was taking note on my lack of "going out" pieces, I came to a realization. I just don't care and I never will. Why try to wear something that is not "me"? Why try to wear something that I saw in a magazine or blog when it is so short that I can barely sit down? 

So for my 23rd year, I have resolved to wear my Lilly shifts to bars; don my pearls at the next Dave Matthews concert, sport those go-to-hell pants on my next date, and not care if everyone is looking at me like "who is that 50 year old from the Country Club". Rather, I am going to own it and not care that I don't "fit in" with the rest of my peers. 


Have you ever felt out of place because of the way you dress? If you're in the 18-30 age range, have you ever felt that you are "supposed to" dress a certain way when "out on the town"? Have a fabulous day! 
Yours, 

sCe

23 comments:

JR Mazur said...

Totally in the same boat as you, just be you and there's never an issue! Being classy never goes out of style!

Anonymous said...

Hooray! If there were only more women like you. I live in a 5 college area and wish people here had your - our - sensibility. Right now in my Lilys I stand out because I don't wear black, have body art, and green hair. All fine - if one wants it but don't comment of those of us who want to be "different." Kudos

Kelly C said...

oh my goodness I know how you feel! Everytime I get ready to go out I have to search through my rommates closests! Thanks for writing this, now I feel inspired to own my personal style, and not change for anyone. I love my preppy clothes, and so what if I look like I'm ready more for a country club than a bar, thats what I feel comfortable and confident in. :)

Just said...

I DID wear Lilly, Yurman, and a quilted Burberry to my last Dave Mathews concert.

Oops :)

whatBridgetwore said...

Yes! At 25, one of my favorite things about the "real world" post-college is absolutely ignoring any pressure for my going out attire at all trendy or risqué. I definitely love getting dressed up, but I wear what I want to the bar - even if it's a Lilly skort or a twinset. (Somehow I simultaneously dress like a small child and an older woman?) And it's the best! I’ve definitely hung on to the motivation to go all out for a theme party thanks to my college/sorority days, but not to feeling like I “should” be showing more skin or wearing the latest from Forever21. If I get strange looks, I don't notice :)

SHF said...

I get told that I dress "too old" all time time too and I'm only 22! I'm just not into the whole tight skirt (or dress) with a low-cut top. I think you can still look cute without showing off everything! I love that you're going to wear your Lilly out and wear pearls no matter what. It's so important to wear what you love and are comfortable in, even if it's not something that's "trendy". Thanks for inspiring me to always stay true to myself and my style!

SHF
thechroniclesofs.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

You are a pretty girl who can wear anything and look good!

Sure, you might be conservative. There is no right or wrong to that.

There is a great line from the movie Body Heat. William Hurt tells Kathleen Turner to stop dressing like that. She tells him she's just wearing a blouse and skirt. (She is and she is all covered up - no obvious cleavage, long sleeves.) So then he says
she needs to stop wearing that body! Love it!

Kayla Michelle said...

I definitely know how you feel! I know you know even as a student, it's hard with a student budget to go shopping and find stuff that is functional, tasteful, and is cute to wear out. I can't justify spending money on a hot little number when I could spend money on something that makes me look like a lady! Whenever I get dressed to go out, my friends comment on how I look like a "take home to mom girl not a party girl" and looking at your piece, it makes me think what is so wrong with that!! I should definitely start taking your approach!

Katy said...

From a 38 year old Mom...I admire your classy style! :-)

Unknown said...

I completely agree! I'm a teacher so my clothes are on the more conservative side. (by choice and by necessity) I was(still am) an Alpha Xi Delta and my sisters always made fun of my "bar wear". I'd wear cute skirts that were mid thigh, I'd throw a cardigan over my tank, and my shoes were always flats.They'd occasionally dress me but I always felt wayyyy too scandalous. (not to mention I'd always get crept on at the bar, gross) I'm so with you about dressing for yourself. I actually take pride in the fact that I don't dress like a "Pretty Woman" cast member! Cheers to keeping it classy and country club!

Just Jess said...

I agree! I tend to dress on the modest/conservative side and have always been that way. Even when I would go out in college there were a few tops I had in rotation with pants and riding boots, no crazy skin tight Forever 21 wear for me. I think that is one thing that the world needs is more people discovering their own style and appreciating it as a part of who they are rather than the need to expose themselves! Stay classy!

Madilene Lake said...

I definitely agree! I would much rather be classy than anything else. So proud that you stay true to yourself!

Portuguese Prepster said...

I'm totally with you!! In my early college years I tried dressing sexier out at night and eventually got tired of it. It's just not me! Now if I go out ,I like to stick by the old rule of showing off one thing at a time...a shorter skirt with a more conservative top, or a flirty top with pants. And I always feel totally weird wearing heels to bars...thank god it's not really done at UVA anyways! girls usually just wear Jack's to bars!

Karin said...

I found that when I dressed like my friends (in clothing appropriated from their closets) I felt uncomfortable and often went home early. I felt as if I were in costume. You have to be who you are.

miss andrea lee said...

I threw away all my 'bar wear' years ago and I've never looked back! I was under so much pressure in college and sorority to dress a certain way, but now I just wear what's 'me' no matter the occasion! Also I know your future husband will totally appreciate that you are not dressing like a 'lady of the night'! Haha!

Anonymous said...

Speaking of not dressing your age...I would love it if you would do a post on your spring Talbot's picks-you always find the best things!!

Anonymous said...

Here's a story for you. I am much older so this story dates way back to the 80's. My brand new hubby and I were meeting another young couple for a few drinks and dancing at a local night club. I had never met this couple before. I was dressed in my very preppy white linen pants, striped blouse and stand up collar light weight jacket with espadrills. The other couple was dressed in the black parachute pants that were so popular in the early 80's. Yes, they were both wearing those pants with dark shirts and the girl had on very heavy eye makeup and had "big hair". Well, I felt very much old, frumpy and out of date. As the girl and I became better acquainted over the next few months, we had the conversation of first impressions. I expressed how I felt old fashioned and prudish when we first met and she expressed to me that she felt sort of trashy and thought I looked very classy. So, there you have it. Just because people dress a certain way, does not mean they like what they are wearing, they are just trying to fit in. I like your style and wish more young people dressed like you.

Anonymous said...

Sydney, i'm glad someone feels the same way! i'm a senior in college majoring in fashion merchandising and i feel like i had a similar "style revolution" this past summer. i decided that i was over trying to like super trendy pieces (like stuff with huge cutouts and denim with serious distressing...yikes) and own the fact that i am a proud Lilly lover and i dont care how much my bright colors and patterns stand out in a sea of people in sweat pants and an over abundace of studs and leather. Sure people may think i'm rediculous for wearing j.crew out to bars and parties but i'm alot happier that i could ever be in something from forever 21 ;) congrats on your personal "style revolution", nothing feels better than being proud of who you are!

-kAc

Anonymous said...

Knowing who you are and what you are comfortable in is more important that being on trend. When you are comfortable, you can wear a smile and that is the most important thing to wear.

Chelsea Oliver said...

I think we're at the age when what our peers think "we should be wearing" and what our bosses want us to wear is an obvious difference. I always (seems like you too) go with what I feel best in and just try to look my best. I don't think there is any problem with not dressing like a certain girl, if you're obviously not that girl.

-Chelsea

Alexandra Bee Blog said...

I'd definitely say I wear a mix of things both trendy and classic, but I do sometimes dress a bit conservative when I'm going out. I'll never forget wearing a leopard print cardigan out one night my first year at UVA and someone saying "Allie, only you would wear a cardigan out!" To me the leopard print, and jeweled buttons made the cardigan jazzy enough for a night out on the town!

Ali said...

Oh my goodness, do I hear you on this one. I just turned 20 today and have always dressed "out of the norm" for my age. I wear pink skirts that cover my butt and don't nearly flash my crotch to class all the time with J.Crew sweaters and pearls and constantly get looks. People always assume I am 26+ because of the way I dress. I have always been a little insecure about it all... but I finally realized this. I dress for me. I don't dress for anyone else but myself. I wear Lilly because it makes me smile and pink because it is my favorite color to wear. It makes me unique and I like it that way!

Sarah said...

I went to a bachelorette party a few years ago and all the girls were dressed up in slutty costumes. I wanted to play along, but wasn't about to dress like that, so I went as a "caricature of myself:" head-to-toe in my loudest, brightest Lilly possible, complete with headband and large pearls. One of the girls said to me, "Where did you get those CLOTHES?" to which I had to reply "my closet." :) I have never, ever in my life been more comfortable in a bar then dressed like that.

 

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