"I'm 23 but I look 16 at best (round face, big eyes...)," writes reader Marabu. "I'm still studying, so I don't want to wear too formal/office clothes, but what could I do to look a bit older? Thanks a lot if you could answer!"
Marabu, my dear, the answer to many pressing questions in life lies with...Blair Waldorf. No, seriously. Have you ever seen a recent high school grad with more polish and sophistication? You can snag a few simple tips from her and be well on your way to looking like the twentysomething that you are.
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First things first: Lose the Uggs, the ass-vertising sweatpants, the hoodies, the oversize jersey scoop-neck Ts, and the Converse sneakers. I'm not saying you can never wear these things (confession: I live in my old Vans on the weekends), but if you want to be taken seriously, these more juvenile items should be saved for Saturday play. And then start taking things up a notch in the accessories department. It's the easiest (and least expensive) way to give a little lift to your existing wardrobe. Blair's elegantly tied scarves, textured tights, and perfectly boxy handbags all lend her an air of instant sophistication, and they can easily do the same for you:
Add the new items in slowly--if you love wearing cardigans and skinny jeans, swap out your sneakers for a pair of ballet flats. If high heels wouldn't look totally ridiculous on your campus, start with a simple round-toe pair (with a thick heel) that you wear with wide-leg pants. And adding a pair of pearl studs to practically any look adds grown-up factor in seconds--especially close to your face, where you're worried your youthful air is coming from. Next step: start slowly adding in a few pieces that fit and flatter your silhouette. I find a lot of women who look really young are wearing clothes that swim on them, like shapeless tent dresses, the aforementioned oversize jersey cardigans and Ts, and stuff that's generally schlumpy. But if you opt for a slim-fitting pencil skirt, you'll automatically look older and you'll carry yourself more confidently, which will also lend you the appearance of years. And it doesn't have to look too "formal/office" as you fear--dress it down with some flat boots, a great sweater, and a belt, and you'll look like a (casual) million bucks. It can even be denim! Just pay attention to the fit and make sure it hugs close to your bod:
If you have a little more money to spend, I'd suggest getting yourself a great coat (like Blair's black and white number, above) in a basic color with a great silhouette. Anything long and belted or with a funnel neck definitely falls into the "mature" category. Throw that thing on, and suddenly you'll want to look as pulled together inside as you do outside--it'll become your subconscious motivator to start looking more grown-up! Plus in the chilly months, it's practically the only thing people see, so it's worth investing in. You don't need to spend a lot--check out some great affordable options:
My final piece of advice for looking a little bit older? LIPSTICK! Yup, you'd be amazed at how quickly this can change your entire appearance--and the way you feel about yourself. I discovered red lipstick less than a year ago and I've found there is nothing that can consistently make me feel older, wiser, and more pulled together than a quick little application of Clinique's Red Hot. You can go for a sheer berry or a soft coral or anything else that works well with your skin tone, but I guarantee you'll be looking less like you're 16 in no time--hey, it totally works for Blair, don't you think??
I hope we've helped you on your quest to look more like you're 23, Marabu! Send us some photos of your fabulous transformation--we've love to see! Do any of you struggle with trying to look more your age? What are some of your tips and tricks for looking more mature? Share!
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