Does This Make Me Look Old?
Did you catch the lively discussion we had on my Facebook page last week? We chat about style, beauty, and life in general. That particular discussion affected how I got dressed yesterday. I shared a story I’d found on the web and wondered what my readers thought. They were as annoyed as I was. The article is called “The 10 Fashion Mistakes Making You Look Older Than You Are”. Titles like that always intrigue me but here’s the thing – the author looks about 30 and her theories are way off base.
Why do young women think they know how we should dress? I’m a firm believer that everyone is entitled to their opinion but please don’t dictate what I should wear until you get some experience under your belt and even then…
She was down on eyeliner, chunky jewelry, and brooches. I wear them all the time so feeling inspired, I darkened my eyeliner and pinned on a chunky brooch before we headed out to do some Christmas shopping. I don’t think they made me look older.
We drove to Nevada City which has tons of charm and cute little shops. Our first stop was a funky used bookstore. 
It was quirky, charming and filled with books that aren’t found at Barnes & Noble or Amazon. We got some great ones for my grandson which I know he’s never seen.
After 20 minutes I dropped my jacket back in the car – shopping can be aerobic – and transferred my brooch to the scarf. I still didn’t feel older.
Red and green plaid with a snowflake brooch felt particularly festive and perfect for this time of year.
 I wore flat booties which are perfect for the uneven sidewalks and kept my feet comfy. Nevada City is dog-friendly but that means you need to look down as you’re walking because some dog owners aren’t as diligent as they should be.
I added a small touch of leopard for some pattern mixing and a pop of red lipstick. I didn’t see anyone else wearing a brooch, nor did I feel older wearing mine. It’s all how you style things, ladies so mix things up and have fun.
Do you wear brooches?
Thanks for reading ladies and have a great day.
I had to search out the article. The author does have some new “don’ts”. You really can’t argue with her ill-fitting bra and out of date glasses “don’ts”. My 20- something niece does an elaborate black cat eye and she can keep that look. I love vintage brooches worn with denim or for a dressy look. At my age I’m really questioning who gets to say what is in style and why?
We get to say. We have earned the right to wear what makes us happy and style our clothes as we like.
Your outfit is so cute, festive and sassy! I love the broach and scarf together, too.
I do wear brooches. One for everyday of the year. They are my signature piece and I have curated a beautiful collection of fine work by artisans. I don’t care if someone doesn’t like that. Yours looks grand.
That’s so wonderful Mary!! I would love to see your collection.
Funny thing, I ran across a 30 year old video blogger who suggested wearing a brooch to elevate her blazer! The only difference was, it was a double C pin from CHANEL. If I look around to see what the younger people are wearing, that could give me a clue if I was current or not, if I want to be current. I do notice everyone looks the same lately, dark clothing, jeans, casual, and long hair, on younger women. Just my observation locally.
It’s an accurate observation!
I love this look-plaid, leopard, brooch look.I first thought about brooches again when I saw Julie Arkell wearing and making them in her
craft workshop. Hers are boho, unique and quirky.
How about a post on how to wear wraps or ponchos without getting the frumpy look?
Judy
Great idea! I love wearing wraps and have several ponchos too. I’ll get together for you.
You look fantastic. BBest outfit yet. The black hat looks mysterious aand the animal, plaid and broach all blend together. It’s tough getting your perfect mixed look. We all strive for this and it is a delicate balance. Fantastic!
Thanks so much Judy!
Pinning your scarf in place with a broach is genius. I don’t usually wear them but this is a perfect unusual and chic idea.
I love that look! You look fabulous in those jeans. I wore vintage brooches almost daily twenty years ago when I was an elected official. It actually started a “pin wars” competition with staff and the neighboring cities. At meetings and events, we would discuss where we found our brooches and then vote on who wore the best one! There was one staff member who had an entire collection inherited from her mother….oh, she was hard to beat. I still have my collection. I wear few suits and blazers these days and Christmas is now just about the only time I wear brooches now, but what fond memories! Bring them back ladies, I’m ready!
That sounds so fun Connie. Bring them out and start pinning them on sweaters, scarves, jackets, and coats. We have the power to bring them back by wearing and enjoying them.
I love your outfit and don’t think you look old at all! In fact, I think you look very stylish and confident. The belt, scarf, and brooch, along with the hat, add a sophisticated edginess to your look. I would venture to guess that you turned many heads that day as strolling around town and shopping. I am headed to the Talbot’s website to order that brooch right now!
You look great. Love the touch of leopard with the plaid. Its good to have guidelines but it also stifles creativity. Its about looking appropriate to the situation & translating that to your body type, coloring & personality.
I think the brooch is very cool! I have never bought a brooch but have several that were my mother’s. One is a butterfly that I have pinned to a fatigue jacket.
You’re so lucky Kathy. My mom didn’t wear brooches. I love the idea of pinning it on a fatigue jacket. Modern looking.
I’m seventy now, and I have the absolute right to wear whatever I want, including brooches. Ironically, I am most often stopped by strangers complimenting me on my beautiful brooches .
Brooches are special so they do get noticed which I love. Who doesn’t like getting compliments? I know I do. Good for you Kelly.
I think you look great in that outfit! What do 30 year olds know anyway? Nothing. At my age, and I just had a momentous birthday, I decide what I feel good wearing, and I may not be as daring as other women, but I want to feel comfortable and if jewelry and scarves make me feel that way, I will wear them! There are a lot of styles I won’t wear, but I choose items that will fit my body shape. end of story
Awesome Linda! That’s the very best way to get dressed. Thanks, I felt sassy in this look.
Love the scarf and brooch combo and I am going to steal that look. You wear it so well. I agree that it’s not always what you wear but how you wear it. Thanks!
Steal away Karen. I am flattered.
Hah! What does she know and what gives anyone the right to dictate? That drives me nuts! I rarely wore brooches and now find them very interesting and a great option for shawls, capes and scarfs.
I think you look very hip in this outfit and wouldn’t be surprised if others were inspired by it. Brooches the new trend??? I am pinning this!
Thank you Janet. You’ve just inspired me to get out my cape. I hardly wear it but love it’s drama. Clothes are for enjoying.
Trust me, you look anything but old! In fact, this may be one of your most fabulous outfits ever! I agree with Shari that vintage is a great term. How did you manage not to get hat hair? I wore a fedora Saturday while shopping in a deluge, but I knew once I put it on I was committed for the day. Nobody here wears hats, but I got tons of compliments from strangers (always a good sign!).
By the end of the day my hair was flattened but like you, I kept it on. Hats are a commitment but so chic looking they’re worth it. I’d love to see you in your Fedora..are you in my Facebook group where you could share a picture?
You look ‘fabulous’!!! I was SO glad to see that you feel the same way I do about styling our clothes. I’ve NEVER been one to follow the fads and get so irked at the fashion industry for trying to dictate what I SHOULD and SHOULD NOT be wearing at ANY age!! I wear what I want to but at the same time, staying stylish. I also do not spend a lot of money to achieve the look I’m after. I still do buy quality clothes on the things I know I’ll keep for years and years. Love your look today on you and enjoyed seeing parts of Nevada City.
Thanks, Sondra. Style is our personal expression and should be fun, not someone else’s idea of a formula.
If a 30 something says we shouldn’t wear it, it makes me want to do it even more. Red rag to a bull and all that!
You look SUPER! Who cares what a 30 something thinks, she hasn’t lived long enough to know!
Thanks! She will find out as she gets some experience under her belt.
yes I do especially for the holidays!
Some were my mother’s and still wonderful! I say vintage not old fashioned.
I have every color and am not quite sure about the matching earrings……
You look so cute as usual! Your slim figure helps!
Will you wear some dresses soon to help us know what’s not making me look old in a dress??
Thanks Jennifer, I always look forward to your opinions!
Brooches are much like any other accessory or clothing item and has to do with how they are styled. I don’t wear brooches as I am generally not a great fan of them – except on the Queen (and Jennifer’s scarf of course). As for matching earrings and brooches, that can border on ‘matchy matchy’ which according to the fashion gurus is ageing.
Shari,
I agree with your suggestion about dresses. I would like to expand my wardrobe in that direction, at 5’6 I cannot find appropriate dresses that aren’t too short.
Sharon
You’re so lucky to have some of your mother’s brooches Shari! I like to break up my matching sets. It helps each piece be more special. I’d be happy to style some dresses. I don’t wear them often but find them easy to wear and comfy.