Whoever said a woman should dress her age clearly had never come across the "turning mom into me" trend. Many of the before-and-after photos are proof that age is just a number. Women should be able to wear whatever they want, especially if it's comfortable and makes them happy.
Megan Kristel, a personal stylist and founder of The Well Dressed Life, believes the phrase "dress your age" should retire already.
"What’s 'appropriate' is clothing that fits you well, supports your life, and reflects the woman you are today," says the fashion expert. "I don’t wear low-rise jeans anymore—but not because I’m 45. It’s because I’ve had three C-sections and prefer feeling held in. If I still had abs of steel? Maybe I’d still rock them."
The fashion expert believes that instead of dressing for your age, a woman should dress for their body, their lifestyle, and their style goals. She says that our bodies change as we age, "sometimes subtly, sometimes dramatically." And rather than longing for the shape you once had, we should honor the one you have now.
"Start by learning what silhouettes and proportions flatter you most right now. That might mean adjusting hemlines, trying new rises in jeans, or trading fitted tops for relaxed shapes that still feel structured," Kristel explains.
The team over at Women & Home magazine say that ageing can affect how a woman chooses to dress, mainly because as they get older, their bodies undergo changes in weight, shape and skin texture.
"This will affect how you choose to dress and what styles work for you – what you could pull off in our 20s may not be appropriate in your later years, so your fashion sense must evolve with you," they note. They suggest building a wardrobe that suits your current body shape and lifestyle, while still allowing your personal style to shine through.
"The key is finding a balance between classic staples (shirt dresses, button-down shirts, blazers, flats or white sneakers) that you most likely already have and modern pieces that suit your current body shape and personality," advises the site, explaining that doing so can keep you on-trend and confident while still comfortable and age-appropriate.
However, the experts warn against trying to incorporate every trend.
"Avoid trends that don’t suit you," warns Women & Home's team. "Dressing as such could leave you in an outfit that looks unflattering and perhaps like you’re trying too hard to look younger."
Meanwhile, Kristel believes that developing your personal style isn’t about following trends—it’s about feeling like you. The stylist says that the key to looking modern without looking like you're trying too hard is to keep it simple.
"Focus on clean lines, great fits, and elevated basics," she suggests. "Skip anything that feels costume-y or uncomfortable."
Many fashion experts agree that choosing the right fit is important, regardless of one's age.
"Baggy or loose-fitting clothes are a popular go-to as you age, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Embrace the parts of your body you are happiest with and highlight them in a tasteful and classy way with pieces that fit well, flatter your body shape and are made of good-quality materials," says the Woman & Home team.
They add that structured blazers work well for an apple shape while A-line skirts suit a pear shape.
