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In a world where women are told that fifty is the new forty, forty is the new thirty, and leggings are the new anything, it can be stressful to figure out what exactly constitutes "appropriate" dress for one's age. Unfortunately for today's active, fun-loving, professional woman, trying to dress as young as you feel often results in embarrassing fashion don'ts.

Usually when we see a woman dressing too young for her age, the "too young" refers to the fact that she is following a trend that isn't appropriate for her age group. Clothing trends tend to target the young; teenagers and young twentysomethings make up the majority of starlets and celebutantes who get lots of visibility, so designers are going to cater to them. And as we all know, what looks good on Paris Hilton will not work for the rest of us! Unfortunately, many women believe that when it comes to clothing, "appropriate" is a synonym for "boring." The key to dressing appropriately for your age without turning into Mrs. Cleaver is to figure out your own personal style and let that guide you, not the trends.

The First Step
Not sure what your own personal style is? Try this quick exercise: grab a piece of paper and make three columns. In one, list all of the things you love about yourself (we're talking personality traits here, not "long fingers"). In the next, list qualities of women you admire. In the third, list words that you'd like people to use about you when you're not around. What words show up in all three of these lists? How would you like to present yourself to the world? Once you have a better grasp of what you want your style to say about you, you can walk into a store armed with self-knowledge.

Do Your Research
I began working as a high school teacher three years ago, when I was twenty-three and stuck in that wardrobe limbo somewhere between "party all night" and "first job." I still cringe thinking about the 4-inch fuchsia stilettos that I used to wear to work because I didn't know how to buy "grown-up" shoes. Once I realized that those shoes were completely impractical for teaching, I knew I had to take action. I began to pay close attention to what my colleagues wore, and when I saw something cute, yet professional, I'd give an enthusiastic compliment and ask where it was from. Even if I had no intention of going out and buying the piece, I ended up building a mental library of "appropriate" clothing stores. This gave me more direction when I went shopping, and I ended up trying many brands I otherwise would not have considered.

Customize the Trends
Being of a certain age by no means signifies the end of your fashionable, fun-loving days. But how can you achieve the balance of looking trendy but not trashy? Here's a trick; the next time you're at the mall, eyeing something that is probably "too young" for you, take a step back and assess what it is about that particular look/trend/outfit that appeals to you. Are you attracted to the sparkle? The color? The retro vibe? Once you've figured it out, you can head to a store that sells "appropriate" clothes and find a similar, look. Not only will you look much more appropriate, but you will also feel much more confident knowing that while you are fashionable, you are a slave to no trend.

When all else fails, class trumps crass.
If none of the above suggestions seem realistic or helpful for you, my last piece of advice to you, as you're standing in the fitting room next to your daughter trying on matching low-rise sweatpants, is to ask yourself the one question that will always guide you in the right direction: "What would my mother think?"

Learn more about this author, Heather Russell.
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