“Wait… Aren’t You Like 40?” — Apparently I Don’t Dress My Age

Another day, another DM about my age.

This time around, a lovely young lady decided that my latest outfit choice was entirely inappropriate. More specifically, her exact words were:
“Aren’t you like 40? Why do you dress like Gen Z?”

To be completely honest with you, I actually laughed when I first read it. Not in a mean way, not in an offended way… more in a genuinely fascinated kind of way. Because once again, I find myself wondering: what exactly is a 40-year-old woman supposed to dress like?

But more importantly… who decided that?

I’m turning 45 this year, and the truth is, my style hasn’t dramatically changed over the years because I haven’t dramatically changed. I still gravitate toward the same things I always loved — feminine dresses, oversized blazers, denim, mini skirts, beautiful shoes, playful trends, romantic details. I still enjoy experimenting with fashion. I still save outfit inspiration. I still get excited about getting dressed.

And no, I don’t see any of that as something with an expiration date attached to it.

I think somewhere along the way, society quietly decided that women are supposed to become more invisible with age. More “appropriate.” More toned down. Less playful. Less noticeable. As if joy, experimentation, and self-expression belong exclusively to youth.

But personally? I find the opposite to be true.

The older I get, the less interested I am in dressing for other people’s expectations and the more interested I am in dressing for myself. For my mood. For the life I want to romanticize.

And honestly, if I want to wear a short skirt to dinner with my husband, carry a tiny little bag that barely fits my lip gloss, or try a trend that a 22-year-old on TikTok also happens to love… I will. Happily.

So no… I don’t dress “my age.”
I dress like myself.

In case you too would like to apparently dress like Gen Z 😊😂 I linked this entire look on my ShopMy page.

But in all seriousness, I received so many compliments on these jeans in real life — they’re that good.

Love,
Annabelle x