There are some females who become women almost immediately. They seem to go directly from child to adult. They had handbags and wore high heels in junior high, and got a ‘real’ job right out of college. I on the other hand, meandered, and meandered, clinging on to childhood until it was just embarrassing to play dress up and make Barbie clothes. Clung onto my teenage years well into my 20′s. And even now, I’m like… am I supposed to be a ‘grown up?’ Perhaps it’s the phenomenon of the kiddult so rampant among my generation, but I saw no reason to hurry into adulthood…yet, just a six weeks from hitting 35, I’m only half ready to think about children… in a couple of years.
I had my first mission to be more adult when I was turned 30…five years and one career change later, I’m more grown up… but only somewhat. Then there is that whole issue of dressing more ‘age appropriately’ or ‘mutton dressed as a lamb.’ yeah, sure I know I’m not in my 20′s nor does that sound appealing at the slightest, but how to dress like a woman without looking like an old lady?
Last week I had a job interview, the first one in person for a real long time. Going on business meetings wasn’t something on my day to day routine, so I set out to find a new dress, it couldn’t be too conservative because the job was fashion related, but I still wanted to come across as sharp. Luckily I found this Alexander Wang dress that had been just returned right before I entered the store, and it had been marked down to $130 (from $395). It was amazing how well it fit me, hearing all the hype about Alexander Wang I could easily see why. The dress had a comfortable fit, I loved the drapey tulip skirt, and the jersey top is just so soft. When I took it home, the most obvious choice was to pair it with an indigo blazer from Violetville Vintage. I’m trying to work more colors into my wardrobe, so wearing a bright blue with black and white really added a lot of life to the outfit. At the interview I wore different tights and shoes, and different makeup…but this jacket and dress combination is probably one of my new wardrobe favorites. Plus, it’s very womanly.
Attire: Jacket : Violetville Vintage • Dress : Alexander Wang • Tights : L’Eggs • Shoes : Stuart Weitzman • Lipstick : Lancome
{ 53 comments }
absolutely gorgeous! that’s my favorite AWang dress; it looks like it was MADE for you
thanks! that’s how i felt the second i tried it on! crazy!
I don’t feel like I have an overly adult or overly childlike mentality. I think and feel and dress, in many ways, as I always have. Maybe even a bit more “fun” now. I can’t seem to find a description of my style. I’m not trying to look overly youthful, I just wear what I like. I have a job, a marriage, houses and voluteer in our town government… but I don’t feel like an “adult”.
It’s hard to define. I just continue to go on in the way that I want to.
As long as you are happy (and it shows!) then you should wear whatever makes you smile and feel confident.
being happy is what counts the most!
Could you be more sexy chic than here?? Gorgeous!
I always feel a little late too, I only just started even entertaining the thought of ‘growing up’ finally (tee hee). But if growing up means dressing like that, sign me up. The look is great, sophisticated yet still very contemporary and fingers on the pulse, you know? Love that jacket!
late bloomers are amazing! like why rush? what’s there to rush to?
good luck on your job interview! love the red lips (and the confidence).
This is a sharp & powerful look - I bet you will get the job!!
I can definitely relate the “kiddult” phenomena… I too am settling into my early 30′s and judging by how slow evolving my life is right now I might as well be in my early 20′s! But it’s all good, to each one their own pace. I am always testing what I can get away with in terms of dressing age appropriate, going by feeling instead of what’s expected.
What a lovely find, that Alexander Wang dress! beautifully versatile.
Wishing you luck getting the position!
xo
having a slow pace isn’t so bad… still don’t know what the rush is!
I like the way you put together your interview outfit! It’s still “you” but a little more grownup… I was just thinking about the whole “acting your age” issue today… There’s no timeline for the way you need to dress, act or be… We live in a fluid society, and thankfully so- Good luck with everything. I’ve got my fingers crossed!
yeah…that’s true, but at the same time, there are things you start to want more of as you get older, like nicer things, and a more classic look as trends become more and more tiresome and been there, done that… at least with me… wearing floppy bows and tutus would look ridiculous on a woman my age!
I’m approaching 32 myself (and very happily, at that) and have been faced with the same dilemma. I don’t really ever worry about looking too young in my everyday way of dressing, but I do worry about looking dated or matronly when I have to dress more professionally. You, I think, have pulled off looking chic and appropriate marvelously!
Totally gorgeous, Jennine. I’m sure you knocked their socks off! And I was just talking with a friend this morning about wondering when I’ll finally feel like a grown-up … will that day ever come?
maybe not! i keep waiting too!
gosh this is beautiful, an all in one dress? I’m really speechless because of how amazing that dress is.
it is an all in one dress!
That’s just about the perfect interview outfit. I’m sure you’d have had to pretty much thrown up on the interviewer for them not to give you the job!
I am in no way ready for adult hood in anyway. I build forts in my living room out of sheets.
Haha! I’m 28 and still at uni. And that’s not the only respect in which I feel behind. People seem to expect someone who is nearing 30 to move in with their boyfriend ( have one in the first place) build a house, have children, etc. and I am very far from that. I think emotionally I am not older than 24. But: I never had the impression that this makes me “dress childishly”. When I was a teen and pre-teen I liked elegant old-lady-clothes much more than sporty-young-fashion-clothes, but didn’t go as far as wearing them.
Please excuse this pointless comment. What I really wanted to say was:
Amazing outfit!!!!
28, that is a normal age to be at university in germany though! thanks to a free system you can take your time!
and thanks for the compliment!
I definitely still don’t feel like an adult. I thought surely by the time I was approaching 25 (in just a few months!), I’d feel grown up. lol. Some days I feel like I’m just playing at being an adult and being married; I feel more like I’m about 17 inside.
One thing I never want to loose is my joy of dressing and being me. I refuse to give that up in my 30s+, despite what the “experts” tell you. I’m determined to continue letting my style evolve and go in my own eccentric direction (I have visions of being 60 and dressing like a hippie with my hair long and silver! 
. I just don’t want to conform, which is probably why at 24 I still haven’t crossed off many (any?!) of the “grown up” things that one is supposed to do or have accomplished. I’m very much a rebel to societal expectations and standards and prefer to march to the beat of my own drum.
Anyway, enough rambling (I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately as the big 25 approaches! I think I’m slightly frightened of the number because I don’t feel nearly that age yet!). lol. I think your outfit is perfect for you-and not at all too “grown up”. You always struck me as one of those talented gals who dresses agelessly: just in a way that suits you, not following per-se what you’re supposed to adjust and tweak as the years roll by. I really admire people like you!
Wow! 25 is a big birthday! You have such unique style, it’ll definitely evolve as time goes on!
but i never thought you’d go for the hippy look! how fun! have you tried that lately? i think it would be interesting to see! i see myself as doing the artsy lady who wears big jewelery…the older i get the bigger the necklaces!
Loving your hair, it really suits you and defo doesn’t look mumsy in that sexpot outfit x
I aim to feel like an adult by the time I’m 91. Not a moment before.
Love that dress - and perfectly paired with the blazer for an interview. Sending you good-luck thoughts!
Your hair looks great after being re-styled! Not mom-ish at all.
And of course, that dress looks fabulous on you.
I don’t think I’ll ever feel like a grown up, the idea of being 21 still strikes me as weird, to be honest! When I was younger, I figured that anyone from 20 up must be a total adult. Turns out - not so much!
thanks! i’m not sold yet, it still needs to go in for a second cut!
you’re 21? wow!
wow - you look stunning! best of luck on the jobby job and that whole adult thing is for the birds…young at heart is the way to go (well, except for your amazingly sophisticated yet cool outfit that is…).
Jennine, you look soooooo pretty in this outfit. The colours remind me of YSL’s s/s 2008. And your hair is looking great.
oh yeah… i forgot about that! thanks for reminding, now i’m going to tell everyone i did that on purpose!
That dress looks great on you!
I’m 25 but I feel 22 at heart. I wonder if I’ll feel the same when I turn 30…
Fantastic! You look smashing!!!!
Just saw you today in the short film Mary Scherpe made about fashion blogging (the one with the Menkes interview) at the Berlin fashion week blogger panel. Really liked your statements. If you have time go and check out my blog entry about the panel. Best wishes from Berlin, Annette
Oh, I love your insight! This gives me hope!
I’m 35 too & have no freaking idea what to wear either. I’m a mommy now though, which adds a whole other component to the conundrum. What’s appropriate for a mom to wear? What will all the other moms think when I show up in these wacky leggings? Can I carry my baby while wearing these platforms? What if I accidentally set my leather bag down in an unidentified puddle at the zoo? That sort of thing…
wow, those heels are snappy. i’m going to pull out my patent mary janes for sure now. you look great. i waver continually on the woman thing. i used to dress sort of womanly when i was really young. but if i dress like that now it looks kind of stiff. so it’s that mix of undoneness and womanliness which i think you have captured here.
I had to grow up fast….I missed those teenage years…had to help my mom out, which I don’t regret. Now, I’m 37, I have a 15 year old daughter and life couldn’t be any better. I feel young at heart and I know that my daughter helps a lot at keeping me so young at heart. But I truly love your outfit, it looks good!
I love this post because I struggle with the age-appropriate/work appropriate battle every day. And yes, I still do suffer from kiddult syndrome. I am finally getting comfortable in my 35 year old skin.
R.A.W.R.
Best interview outfit EVER. You look fantastic.
I’m never growing up. I refuse to.
this dress is amazing! effortlessly chic. i am really into the black bottom, white top combo. especially for interviews, it brightens your face wearing white or a light shade.
i think there are a number of things in life that when they happen, each of them will make us grow up, but this goes without choosing to. if we look after our innocent heart we can stay young for as long as we like.
i think there is never any rush for anything. stay who you are, you are doing fantastic! xx
what a steal on that gorgeous dress! love the blazer too of course - the whole outfit is perfect! i’m sure it helped at the interview!! i feel like i’m always dressing for attitude rather than for age - like, this is the perfect outfit for feeling confident!
That looks just right to me! You’re hired!
Love your haircut and red lips. They go with all these fabulous outfits!
♡,
Jessica
I have this theory: everybody is a child. It’s just that some are pretending to be grown up, because they are seeking for freedom, taking responsibilities without acknowledging them, but on their basis they are kids. They play (with words, with people, with clothes and accessories, video& comp games, whatever silly games at parties), they dance, they drink juice, they eat cakes, they say silly jokes, they mock they do every thing that a child does, but they pretend to be grown ups since they smoke, they wear office outfit, they have a corporate job, they have less spare time, but they can do whatever they want without asking for mom’s permission.
The point is: don’t worry, they might look like adults but they are dying inside to show how kids they still are.
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wam bam pow lips.
You look fab - and what a score with that A. Wang dress!
I think the best way to look grown-up but not like an old lady is red lipstick - you nailed it!
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beautiful
i struggle with this as well!
you look absolutely gorgeous…the dress is stunning and i love those shoes!
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it’s all about retaining that youthful spirit anyway, right? i remember being younger and thinking that when i was my age now i would be dressing “classy”. hahaha! i’m just being myself still, which is most important. i am tired of some people putting an age on everything. thanks for sharing your life with us. you look amazing and more power to you for having your own voice!
xxx
t
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Grown up folks bore my tits off and I have no plans on joining them…EVER!
.-= Imelda Matt´s last blog ..IMELDA’S DESIGNER OF THE YEAR - ROUND TWO =-.
I have a hard time with not dressing too old too, theres a fine line between sophisticated and retirement home. Love the outfit as it is, especially the shoes.
.-= Empress´s last blog ..Erotica =-.
I know what you mean, I’m clinging onto childhood like crazy! I’m 20, and will be graduating this year, and plan on traveling and working odd little jobs until I find a career that’s right-in my head I’m too young to make a solid decision. But most of the people I left school with are already well into their career path, having just left school and got a job. They also all dress in a distinctly adult-too-busy-for-fashion way, which makes them look about 15 years too old! I’m happy being ‘late’ !
Your dress in this post is lovely, but the shoes are by far the best thing in it!
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