Twenty-Somethings

They're supposed to be young and beautiful and carefree, right? And style-savvy. I think I felt cute and stylish once, for about fifteen minutes in eighth grade before some angst-ridden peer noticed that I was looking rather confident that day and decided to make a snide remark about my clothing. (Ah middle school, and yet many people insist that school is the place kids learn about "social skills," haha. But I digress.)

Oh how I still detest Abercrombie & Fitch, and yes, those $95 jeans did come with the "dirty" and faded knees. Anyway, I've been thinking a bit about style this morning and how I might consider reclaiming or reinventing mine. Ann Taylor Loft is often my destination of choice, but I can't help wonder if its target demographic isn't a solid two decades away from me? I am not talented enough to design and create my own cute tops and A-line skirts (and where on earth I would be wearing a skirt, I do not know), so that option is temporarily out. I think I am stuck in a rut. I have never in my life been a sweatpants girl, but I've also never been a skinny jeans girl either. Actually, I'm always mistaken for older than I am (unless I pull my hair back, in which case I am instantly called "sweetheart" and "honey" and treated like a kid). Maybe it's the fact that I have a daughter, but I think it is probably the plain-Jane uniform of a top and jeans and the decidedly un-stylish flip-flops (although this winter I did purchase a pair of ballet flats).

So, what are twenty-something women supposed to wear? (And thirty-somethings, too, for that matter?) There must be something better than a cotton top and dark jeans. These concerns are largely superficial of course, but I do think it is important to take some personal pride in one's appearance and I am not content with the stereotype of the harried Mom schlepping around town with stains on her shirt, even if I do perpetuate it from time to time.