Tips to Looking and Dressing Age Appropriate for Teens and Twenty Somethings

It can be difficult to look and dress your age no matter how old you are. Our taste in fashion and how we decide what to wear can be influenced by the media, our community and how we feel inside. When I was in high school I experimented with all sorts of looks but my last few years of high school I found myself walking around in slacks or pencil skirts, dress heels, and sweater tops. It was appropriate for school, but looking back at my high school photos it was easy to figure out why so many people assumed I was in my early twenties when I was really only sixteen at the time. I even sported a sleek bop to go with my office wardrobe. Thankfully I've found a happy medium between young and old. That doesn't compare to how some high school girls dress today, probably trying to mimic what they see on shows like 90210 and Gossip Girls. It seems like teen girls today are in such a hurry to grow up, and those who are now pass the age of twenty-five still dress like they're in high school. This is for those young women.

I'm not a fan of those teen shows, even when I was a teenager, that portray teenagers acting and dressing like they're in their early twenties. I found them incredibly unrealistic, especially considering how most of those actors are in their early twenties. I feel like teens watching these shows forget that these actors really are just actors, and most of them are much older than the characters they portray. Sure, walking around in high heels, short skirts and a Prada bag may look glamorous but how realistic is it? First off, how many high school girls can afford high end designers? Very few. Short skirts? Name a high school that doesn't have a dress code. Seeing high school girls walk around in high heels is probably one of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen on TV. When I was in high school we had to change classes at least four times a day while carrying heavy book bags. So high heels were not the most practical things to wear, especially if you're school had very slick floors.

There will be plenty of time to wear high heels and sexy dresses. If you're under the age of nineteen, stick to youthful colors and looks whether it be makeup or fashion. Makeup wise you'll want to look fresh, so avoid the heavy makeup, go natural or try something clean. At this age it's mostly about skin care and flaunting your natural beauty. Trust me, when you get older you'll be thankful you didn't cake it on because it really does come back to bite you in the butt. Fashion wise, this is the time to really have fun with patterns and colors. Stay away from things that show off too much skin, too form fitting or too dowdy. You'll end up looking older, and usually not in a good way. Stick to cute flats and small heels. Save the high heels for special occasions. Most importantly, don't confuse looking older for being mature. It doesn't matter what you wear, how you act and carry yourself will always give you away. If you want to be treated like an adult, act like one. That doesn't mean partying, drinking, smoking or making yourself look older. Being an adult means being responsible, treating others the way you'd want to be treated, and knowing how to carry yourself in a respectable manner.

Now, for those ladies in their twenties fashion can be a little more complicated. Your twenties is the time between being a child, and becoming a woman. This is the time where women are in college discovering who they are. Some women end up dressing too old for their age because they try too hard to look grown up, and some still dress like they're in high school. There are down sides to both extremes. When it comes to makeup, try to keep it simple and clean. It's okay to play with colors and looks but make sure it's appropriate for what ever environment you'll be in. In other words don't wear clubbing makeup in the work place; just like you wouldn't wear strappy heels and a form fitting dress in an office environment. When you're in your twenties it's a great time to focus on skin care because how you care for your skin during this time in your life will effect how it looks when you get to your thirties. So don't forget sun protection and anti-aging creams. If you have fairly good skin don't cover it up by caking on unnecessary makeup. My motto is if it isn't broken, don't fix it.

Dressing for your twenties can be fun if you know how to do it appropriately. This is the time in your life where you're old and young enough to wear certain things and get away with it. Just remember to keep everything situation appropriate. The sky is the limit, but I would recommend staying away from anything too childish. If there are cartoons on them you might want to avoid them all together. Hello Kitty is cute when you're in high school, but it screams immature when you're in your twenties. If you really can't live without Hello Kitty save it for your pajamas at home. I would also recommend staying away from anything too dowdy. You can dress conservative or work appropriate without it being boring. The key is color and fitted clothes. There's no such thing as one size fits all, so if you really want something to fit you perfectly you'll want to get them tailored.

I'm a big supporter of using fashion to express your individuality, so these are just some tips and suggestions, take them or leave them. But like I always say, no matter how you look or dress, who you are will always shine through.