New Day Your Way

Are Your Clothes Aging You?

We've all made some classic mistakes in pursuit of keeping our age under wraps-shopping in the Juniors section being one. There is a reason they call your clothing section Women's-that's what you are. "Baby boomers across the nation are doing all they can to hang on to 35," says San Francisco style guru Colleen Abrie, but they may not be doing it successfully. It's great to look and feel younger-but there are some looks you need to stay away from.

On the other hand, you can also slip into dressing too old. It's

easy to stick to a familiar look-you just get used to seeing yourself a certain way in the mirror and, before you know it, you've had the same style for over a decade. Get a friend who knows you to help clean out your closet and help you update your image.

Signs that You're Dressing too Young

You're sporting little flowers, little animals, patent leather that isn't black, little handbags or tops with quotes on them. Teen-inspired clothes will not make you look like one-instead you'll look like an old person trying too hard.
Your style lingo includes rock-n-roll, gothic, or theatrical, and you own too much leather, grommets, and too many accessories. 'Too much' are the key words here.
There are miniskirts in your closet. You may have the greatest legs, but even these shouldn't be on permanent display at 43. Save them for around the house and the pool.
We can see your tummy. Neither tummy nor undies should be visible above the waist of your jeans.
You're color-happy. Color is a wonderful way of expressing your cheerfulness through clothes. But hot pink and bright pastels, no. You don't have to dress for a funeral, but muted colors are your very good friends.

Signs that You're Dressing too Old

Your glasses frames haven't changed in five years. If you can't wear contacts, make sure you don't fall back on the frames you've known and loved-for a quarter of a century! Shop around and observe what the current shape is. And stay away from tinted lenses-no one looks young in these; if you need sunglasses, get those cute clip-ons.
Your style tips come from that magazine article you saved from 1980. You don't have to attempt to be a runway model, but paying attention to current trends can take years off you. Think Jackie Kennedy or Audrey Hepburn-stylish and timeless without looking matronly.
We can't see anything under that shapeless sack. No, you shouldn't wear clothes that are too small for you, but a sure way to look older than you are, no matter how young your age, is to wear big baggy clothes. Stick to figure-forming outfits, things that will enhance your assets, rather than be stretched across your frame, leaving nothing to the imagination.
You own "hose". If you want to look fresh from Aruba, buy some self-tanner, but please-refrain from wearing suntan-color pantyhose. Have you seen anyone besides grandma wearing these? No one's legs are that color, nor should they ever be.

San Francisco Bay Area style guru, Colleen Abrie, is the "go-to" image enhancer, with a sharp and experienced eye for re-imaging men and women of all shapes and sizes.

Your comfort trumps your style. You can dress down, but keep the sneaker-wearing to a minimum. Sure, heels are less comfortable the older you get, but sensible flats spell out "frumpy" in big bold letters.