A Woman's Guide to Dressing Age Appropriately

You can take good care of your body----eat the right foods, don't drink or smoke, and regularly work out, but still look older than you are because you don't dress appropriately for your age. If you're hanging onto the same clothes you wore 20 years ago, it's time to get a new wardrobe. What's more, if you've lost a considerable amount of weight, but still hanging out in baggy sweat shirts and pants, it's time to bag up those old clothes and donate them to your local thrift store, and then buy fashionable clothes that will show off your new slim body

Whether you're in your 30s, 40s, or 50s or older you want to dress according to your age and not appear older than you really are.

What's the most common mistake American women make that makes them look older? Actually, there are two biggies---They dress too comfortably with sweats and sweatpants and they try to stuff their bodies into sizes smaller than they really are. Let's face it---A woman in her late 30s who's had at least three children doesn't look so hot trying to cram herself into a pair of jeans designed for a curveless body of a teen or woman in her early 20s

If you want more respect, then you have to dress better, making the most of what you have. Up until the time you enter your 40s, if you have nice curves and good cleavage, you should show it, because later on you'll need to start showing less flesh. As the old saying goes, the older you become, the more your body moves "south."

Here are some suggestions for women in their 30s, 40s, 50s and older...

Dressing Tips for Women in Their 30s

This is the time of life when many women are transitioning from dressing like teens and young adults to grown ups. Usually this change doesn't come easy. But even if you want to hang onto dressing like your teenage daughter, it's still time to put away the miniskirts, jean skirts, and tank tops. However, women in their 30s are still young enough to wear the patent leather look.

Dressing Tips for Women in Their 40s

Although you're too old for mini-skirts when you hit your 40s, you still don't need to have all your hemlines below your knees as your mother used to lecture you. Use your judgment when it comes to knowing just how high your hemline should go. A good rule of thumb is, "if it feels wrong, then don't wear it." The 40s is a time to wear metallic colors. Just be sure to cool down that metallic jacket with some cooler pants of cream or white. Women in their 40s also look great with signature paten leather books. It's also the time to wear wide legged trousers (rather than the tight ones you wore in your 20s.)

Dressing Tips for Women in Their 50s

In in 50s, women become self-conscious about their aging necks, so it's to their advantage to wear blouses that hide the neck. Wide legged trousers also are hot for 50ish women. Remember that the older you grow, the lower your coat should hang. In addition, wearing boots rather than pumps also adds to your overall appearance shouting, "one hot lady!"

As a final note, don't just think about redoing your wardrobe. As the familiar ad for Nike Shoes tells us, "Just do it!" What a better way to start off year than with a new look. After all, you're worth it!