After years of feeling pressure to dress a certain way and follow a million "wear this, not that" rules as women, we reach a point where we lose all desire to impress and simply say screw it.
So when redditor u/clickyteeth asked the r/femalefashionadvice community: "What fashion quirks have you developed as you’ve gotten older?" the responses made me feel seen, heard, and respected.
From ditching bras altogether to women wearing whatever the F they want, here are all the best responses:
1. To kick things off, the OP wrote: "For me, it’s matching PJs only. Idk why but getting into bed with a coordinated set of jams soothes. my. soul."
I couldn't agree more. Something about a matching set makes me feel like I have my life together.
2. "I don’t know if this qualifies as a 'quirk' but I’m not willing to tolerate basically any discomfort now. Heels, clothes that require sticky bras, purses that are heavy/impractical, clothing inappropriate for the weather, those are all things of my youth. I’m 100% willing to take points on the frump factor to be comfortable."
"Same. Bras with air filled pockets to shove my boobs up? No. A purse that I can’t sling across my back and fill with snacks? Fuck off. Shoes that are even slightly uncomfortable? Girl bye. That was 20-year-old me. 34-year-old me appreciates this comment!"
Discomfort? Simply put:
3. "I really think I lost my ability to wear heels during COVID-19. I’ve been building it back up a little, but I doubt I’ll ever go over two inches again."
"I can't even wear Oxfords now. All I want are sneakers and everything that men wear and look so happy in." —u/usherer
Miranda Priestlys of the world, your judgy glares aren't going to work anymore.
4. "Life is too short to deal with holding a clutch purse all night."
5. "I can't stop buying robes. I have... 8. God help me (I hadn't actually counted until that ellipses). And they each serve a different purpose."
6. "If I can't do a full snow angel or a double front twisting somersault without ripping/unbuttoning/untucking anything, I'm not wearing it. (Not that I could actually do a double front twisting somersault... but it's a fun visual.)"
Basically, if I can't do this in my clothes...it's not happening.
7. "Thirty-four-year-old me absolutely hates doing the ironing, so one of my age quirks is to almost always wear knits, pullovers, hoodies, satin shirts, polyester blouses, viscose, fake silk, everything I don't have to iron and that I can throw in the washing machine, put on a cloth hanger and let it air dry."
8. "Got a clothes steamer. Easier than an iron and great for things like puff sleeves. Everything looks better with less wrinkles."
I second this advice. I got a portable steamer I can bring when I travel, and it changed my life.
9. "I've streamlined a few colors that work for me. I acknowledge that if I buy something in a color outside my 'palette,' it will just sit in the back of my closet. If it's too fussy or requires an extra special bra for everyday wear, I'm not wearing it."
10. "I have stopped wearing bras. I am small-tittied and have fully acknowledged I don't need 'lift' or 'support'... I do have a couple soft bralettes for when I need nip coverage under thin fabrics, but it's freeing to be free."
11. "Some sort of a capsule wardrobe, but in the sense that, if I cannot picture the item of clothing being paired with at least three other items I already own or I cannot picture myself wearing it in at least two different occasions, I won't purchase it. Has reduced my impulse buying and my outfits are more intentional cause they are thought out even before the purchase is made."
12. "I’m all for high quality comfort clothes. 100% Pima cotton, silk, and merino wool. Hell yes. I buy less clothes, but want to invest in higher quality."
13. "Differentiate between 'house clothes' and 'nice outside clothes' (this wasn't in my culture growing up). I have stuff like casual T-shirt dresses I wear around the house. Change out of them and into presentable clothes to leave the house, and vice-versa, when I get home I change right away. Never do chores, cook, lounge, or eat at home in my nice clothes. I think it keeps them looking nice and stain free longer."
As a chronic stain creator, I'm stealing this one.
14. "I refuse to buy dresses without pockets."
An immediate add to cart if it has *functional* pockets.
15. "Athleisure is the fucking best. Even leggings feel like too much effort now when I can just pull on some joggers."
16. "Breathable clothing! I had a hysterectomy five years ago and I am a sweaty Betty. It doesn’t matter if it’s -10° F outside, I am miserable. So I wear a lot a lot a lot of breathable clothing."
17. "I own one pair of presentable jeans for when I feel the desperate need to look edgy. Otherwise, I think it's crazy that they are (or at least used to be for a long time) the default casual pant for adults when they're so uncomfortable, stiff, notoriously ill-fitting and not even warm. The age of leg prison is over for me."
In the words of Beyoncé, "If you don't jump to put jeans on, baby, you don't feel my pain."
18. "Brainwashing myself into thinking that my Birkenstocks go with any outfit."
19. "I wear what I like and wear it where I like... I am 65. I have very long hair with grey streaks and wear it up or down as suits my fancy. I refuse to color it or cut it to fit some mold. I wear platform shoes and boots, clogs, and pointy toed flats. I refuse to wear stuff I don’t think feels good and looks cool...
I strive for cool hippie retired art teacher look. I was forced into suits when I worked a government supervisory job and it was very hard to have much personality in my clothing. I decided after I quit working corporate type I didn’t have to be in suits or black dress slacks ever again if I didn’t chose it."
You go girl! I'm more of a Ms. Frizzle myself...
20. "Always wear something underneath. Camisoles, slips, thermal layers in winter etc. Keeps clothes cleaner and helps them lay better I feel."
21. "Matching lingerie always makes me feel like I have my life together, so that."
22. "Lately I’ve been really vibing with granny panties. Full coverage, no wedgies."
23. "One summer I got sun-stricken and I vowed never to repeat that experience. Haven't left the house without a hat or a scarf on my head since...
Pro tip: If you're gonna be spending time somewhere you can't wash your hair that often & it get's dirty and smelly quickly (like camping, working on a farm, etc.), get yourself a rectangular scarf from a thicker natural fabric and a simple comb. Tie up your hair and wrap that scarf around your head so it covers all the hair. It will protect it from elements and smells. Comb your hair thoroughly each evening, and they should stay fresh and odorless for a long time."
24. "I’m really into loose, casual button-up shirts now... I can wear a comfortable bra with them and they cover my arms in the summer so I don’t get burned or have to reapply sunscreen. I even have nylon ones to go jogging in when it gets hot."
In the words of H Duff...
25. "My quirk is fuck growing up. I still wear tube tops because I overheat easily and because they make my shoulders look great. Still wear cutoff shorts. I started wearing sarongs and huge scarves as impromptu halter tops in college and never stopped."
Tan France might disagree...
