What does a 23 year old woman dressing her age look like to you?

It would be helpful to have an idea of what you had worn to the meeting, so we could see exactly what it was about that outfit that gave that impression. There are tons of ways to dress one’s age depending on a person’s individual appearance, style, etc., so it’s not really possible to determine exactly what every 23-year-old should wear. Could you take a picture of yourself in the outfit, or if you’re not comfortable showing your face, lay out the outfit and take a picture of that?

And really, it may not be what you wore at all, you may just have a very young look. Do people frequently think that you are younger than you are?

Are you in NYC? Nebraska? San Francisco? That makes a difference, and shows you there is no definitive style by age.

Depends on the workplace. What type of office and what is the standard dress code? The best thing to do is to dress similar to how other women do who work there. Usually a simple straight skirt that hits the knee and a blouse should work. The old rule at some places was slacks require a jacket with it, skirts don’t, but it varies now from office to office. Stay away from lots of patterns, go solid black, navy, brown or gray, should help. Clothes should fit well, not very tight. No capri pants. No heals over 4 inches, in fact I recommend keeping it down to 3.

Are you sure it was your clothes and not your face, hair, and body? You might just look young.

I don’t think tasteful dressing has too much to do with age. The outfit @JLeslie describes would look good on a 23 or 73 year old.

But it does vary with the occasion.

I’m a woman in my 20s, who looks a bit on the young side.

OK, so when I was 23 I could show up at my old high school to visit a favourite teacher and they’d ask me why I was in the Seniors hall.

I think hair has a lot to do with it. I had very very long, unstyled blonde hair. When I cut it and dyed it red, I instantly didn’t look like a teenager anymore. I still get carded all the time at clubs (unless they know me), but that’s a compliment in my opinion.

The thing you should focus on most is your face. Dressing professionally when your face and hair still look childish just ends up looking like a kid playing dress-up.

Go for tasteful makeup: no around-the-eyes black eyeliner. A little muted eyeshadow in a colour compatible with your skin and eyes – NOT YOUR OUTFIT, mascara, bronzer or a touch of blush, and lip tint (not lipstick, not 5-alarm lip gloss – a tinted lip balm is the best bet. Burt’s Bees is awesome). It should effectively look like you’re not wearing makeup, without you actually not wearing makeup.

Cover up. No skin above the waist.
Nothing low cut.
No labels.
Here are some good looks.

@AnonymousWoman Meeting leads me to think office so to be taken seriously subtle is the key. Not much makeup, and light on the perfume. No bare shoulders or any skin above the waist as marinelife said. Subtle colored dresses, nothing flashy or bright. Knee length or close at least. Jackets should cover the butt, although a little shorter works too. No really high heels. Think of men’s suits and try to work towards something similar. And this from a guy that loves miniskirts, lingerie and all that inappropriate wear for the office.

Depends on where you are. My guess is that you look young no matter what you’re wearing, like me. One day, you’ll be glad you look younger than you are. I know it’s annoying when people comment on your age, but there’s no need to buy a whole new wardrobe so people think you’re older. And there’s no one “way” a 23-year-old should dress. Wear what you like and to hell with what others think.

When I was 18 and working at an eye clinic, wearing the same exact uniform (scrubs) as every other employee, I constantly got comments like, “What are you, 15? Shouldn’t you be in school?” Ha….ha….ha. That particular gem came from a woman in her 50’s. I almost said, “shouldn’t you be in a nursing home?” just to make her feel like crap (not that 50-something’s are old), but I kept my mouth shut, smiled politely, and went on with my day.

I have a niece who is in her thirties and is constantly getting crap from family members about dressing more appropriately. She does usually look like she is on her way to the gym or on the way back or going to play ultimate frisbee—i.e. she wears lots of lycra and t-shirts and very casual clothes most of the time. When she’s working she’ll be wearing regular pants or jeans but still with the casual tops.
She’s very fit, and it’s not like her clothes are dirty or torn, so if you ask me and my wife she looks just fine. But the other aunties are always trying to get her to wear something “better”.
I think if she wore a regular shirt/blouse over or instead of the athletic-looking tops the aunties might calm down a bit.

Shoes, of course, make a difference too. But I think she got the message that wearing her running sneaks to an office job does not cut it, and she does own a couple pairs of ‘mules’ for the job.

Hair and makeup is something underlooked directly impacts perceived age and maturity.

I am still told I can pass for a teenager when I don’t wear makeup or do my hair and if dressed casually. Gym, walk, day off etc.

When I have a hair cut styled shorter and blown dry. A touch of bronzer maybe subtle day time eyeshadow and light coating of mascara a tinted lip balm I don’t get the young remarks as much.

Also groomed nails at least buffed shined and cut to a length appropriate for job and upkeep, it is not necessary and can be tacky to polish nails if you aren’t going to maintain. If you go for nail art stay away from loud colors or designs. A french tip or something is simple and elegant.

Accessorize. It makes you look polished though less is usually more. I like to make my pieces practical a sweater if it is cooler, an interesting belt, neat efficient purse, a scarf sure the odd necklace or bracelet. A broach I know sounds old fashioned but can be modern and tasteful actually useful. Of course shoes.

Classic lines, depending on body type, less trendy stuff. Its fun one or two items should do. But it dates too quickly. Well fitting modest. No thongs or tramp stamps showing when you bend over. In fact don’t bend over, but lower at knees legs together back straight.

Posture is helpful it implies a surity and confidence which help translate to age and experience. Yoga stretching and exercise help that. Moving with purpose, noticing and refraining from give aways such as hair twirling, fidgeting, popping knuckles, chewing on lip etc.

A lot of extraneous info, it might be helpful as it could have been something other then clothes that contributed. You probably can identify problem areas and just focus on one at time. I can’t be further help as wardrobe without additional info such as field dress requirements, body type, personal style and coloring as well as climate if you desire something really specific.