The Budget Fashionista

I’m wondering if there’s an “age limit” on wearing clothing from a store’s juniors department or stores like Wet Seal and the like. I’m 30, but often get mistaken for someone in my early-to-mid 20’s (I even still get asked to show my ID when buying alcohol). Plus I’m not always impressed with some stores’ misses clothing departments.

I’m 31 in the same situation.  I shop at Wet Seal occasionally, in fact some of my more commented-on pieces have come from junior departments.  I don’t think there is an age limit on where a woman could or should shop.  A woman’s figure, however, can keep some women out of the juniors dept.!  That’s the only real limitation I can think of.  A good sense of self style should keep you from looking like you’re TRYING to look like a junior.

I don’t think there’s a real age limit so much as a style sense limit. If junior sized clothing fits you better than regular misses clothing or petite clothing, then go for it. But be warned that juniors clothing is often very trendy and can make you look like you’re trying too hard to look young. You need to steer clear of anything too “gimmicky” and stick with simple pieces that make you look effortlessly fabulous.

Hey ladies (& gents!)

I am 42….soon to be 43… & am a very small woman. I am also guilty of shopping the juniors depts. & stores. I think it’s all in how you wear a lot of the trendy clothes as well as trying to purchase items that go a long way.  I am in the process of starting my own personal styling business. Would you be turned off by a small woman styling you? Just curious!!

Hachi

i totally agree with the posts here.  most of it depends on *how it fits*.  we’ve all seen juniors clothes on people who should not be wearing them.  i’m terrified to look like that.  i’m tripping on 33 years old, and i still shop in juniors, though not exclusively, and i think that is the key.  i have a shorter torso, so a low rise is important, but making sure the tummy is concealed takes priority.  and with a small frame (like some of you mentioned) sometimes misses is just to big and boxy.  which means *alot* of trying on.

fyi,, i really like the limited for clothes that fit well, and styles that are current but not “gimmicky”.

Everyone has some good points.

I think that as long as one tempers it with other age appropriate clothing it is fine. Juniors clothes tend to be made of lesser quality fabrics and of very trendy styles, but like everything else, if you choose carefully, one could incorporate something into a total outfit, I am sure.

Like Katherine said in her book, only 30 % should be trend driven…..I do also believe the adage that the older one gets, the classier the clothes should get. If you are talking things like T-shirts or button down shirts, you’re fine at any age - as long as there are no crazy sayings on it, I guess ( Confession #1, I have a Freddie Mercury t shirt that I love to wear under a very tailored blazer - I am 45 ).

But I will take it one step further, though I am 5’6’‘, I wear a size 2-4 top ( I got the man-boob thing goin’ ), so I can actually wear CHILDREN’S clothes in 12 to 16 ( YIKES ) !!!! ( Confession # 2 )

Yesterday I scored a skinny stripe , stretch T shirt at Target in the little girls’ department for $3.00 !!! I wanted one from Boden but I couldn’t justify the price. So as long as I don’t wear with my Hannah Montana jeans, I should be ok, don’t you think ??????  LOL

TO Hachi,

In styling size doesn’t matter, so your talent, not your size should be what matters. And besides, Susan Lucci is very small ( I have seen her in person ) and I would definitely take styling advice from her..in some ways it is harder to dress if you are very small, so if you do it well, it says alot !

Good luck in your business !

Lulu said:( Confession #1, I have a Freddie Mercury t shirt that I love to wear under a very tailored blazer - I am 45 ).
Hey Lulu!! Rock on girlfriend!!!

Yea I like the way juniors clothing fits on me better than misses. I’m 5’3” and wear size 6 jeans. I’m slender with curves and like to tastefully show them off. I try to get pieces I can still wear five years from now.

As long as stores like Wet Seal are still selling their jeans for $15.00, I will buy them there.  Transitional clothes…trendy clothes…all great buys for great prices at Junior’s stores.  But for the classic items that are expected to last year after year, I’d stick to the women’s departments.

I absolutely think you can and SHOULD shop at junior stores, regardless of your age. Stores like forever 21, wet seal charlotte russe, etc have great deals, especially on accessories. Granted the way you wear the items might be different than say a 20 year old, but who says you can’t be stylish, regardless of your age. My only advice would be to avoid anything extra shiny or anything with a current teen idol on it (Miley Cryus??)..