The Day I Knew I was an Adult

Fewer things make you feel like you're getting older more than the day you realize most of the junior fashions are no longer for you. I think I had been noticing this slowly over that last few years, but the other day, it really hit me. I was browsing in Kohl's and I could hardly find a thing I liked in the section for juniors. Most of it was just too loud, too trendy or just plain ugly. Some of it looked like they brought back the worst parts of the 80s that I had hoped were gone for good. Tight, stoned-washed jeans? Rolled up pants? What's next: penny loafers and Cosby sweaters?!

I hated to do it, but I wandered across the aisle to the women's section. You know, the one for working professionals? Boring, right? At least none of it seemed to scream "teenager," (although, to be fair, the women's section has plenty of horrid patterns too). Suddenly, I was finding all kinds of clothes to try on. Sweaters, blouses and dress pants quickly filled my cart. I guess I'm an adult now and I like to dress like one...well, most of the time at least.

I should note that my style has always been more classic than trendy anyway. When you don't have the money to buy new outfits every time something new comes out, you tend to buy things to last. I generally try to avoid wearing things that will make me look ridiculous in pictures ten years from now.

Even though I like classic style, I could usually still find clothes in the section for teens. Now most of it is horribly trendy. Not that all trends are bad, but I often refuse to follow any trends unless I really like them and they look good on me. So many people follow trends like sheep, wearing clothing that is hideous or does not flatter their bodies at all, just because "everyone's doing it."

Well, here is my partial list of things I will not be wearing anytime soon: skinny jeans, acid-washed jeans, jeans with lots of holes in them, leggings as pants, shoulder pads, shirts with only one sleeve (I like symmetry), UGG boots, loud animal prints, camouflage, anything neon (unless I'm riding a bike), and belly shirts. I'm not saying belly shirts are popular right now, but if they come back (and I'm sure they will at some point), I will stand my ground against them. I don't care if I have a six-pack by then. Also, if you like to wear these things, more power to you; they just aren't for me. I hope you wear them because you want to and not because you think you have to.

If I have a "style" at all, it would be that I buy solid-colored sweaters and t-shirts and dress them up with fun jewelry. My favorite pants are comfy and straight-legged or boot-cut. If this general style becomes outdated, I will probably not know it. If I have a daughter someday, she would probably be the best voice of harsh honesty I could get. "Mom," she would say, "those jeans are so not cool anymore." When I buy my first pair of Mom Jeans with the high waist, then I will know I've reached another milestone in my life.

I'd also like to add that even if they want to be on the cutting edge of fashion, moms need to know when to stop raiding their daughters' closets and just dress like adults. Some things are okay, but just because you dress like a teenager, it doesn't mean you look any younger. It might actually make you look older, because it just seems so out of place. We can still see you. We know you aren't 17 anymore.

There have even been entire Jerry Springer shows about teenagers embarrassed by the way their mothers are dressing too young or inappropriately. I have every confidence that I will not be like that. I'm pretty sure I will know when to stop wearing things that make me look like I am trying desperately to cling to my youth. In fact, I think I've already reached that point and I'm only 25, which may just mean that I'm no longer cool (or never really was to begin with). I guess all I can really hope for is to stay somewhere between too trendy and hopelessly outdated.