Michelle
First novel published
Posts: 2,563
|
Post by Michelle on Feb 10, 2009 15:58:49 GMT -5
I'm struggling with this today, so I thought I'd ask all of you.
As you know, I'm a lawyer but I look like I'm still in college (could probably pass for high school if I wanted). People (i.e., clients and other lawyers) are constantly amazed when they find out that I am in fact an attorney.
Any thoughts on how to appear older?
I'm thinking maybe I should start wearing my glasses regularly (not the Harry Potter taped ones - I got a new pair).
I dress like a professional and I hope I act like a professional, but no matter what I do, I look like I'm 19.
|
|
|
Post by neveralone on Feb 10, 2009 16:07:17 GMT -5
A lot of people think my thirteen year old brother is older than me. I'm seventeen and I look twelve. I got my hair cut with bangs and I look my age. Sure, I still look young, but a lot older than twelve! A haircut can do a lot!
Everyone tells me that looking too young now will eventually pay off when you are fifty or sixty and you look like you are 35. I think it is a small price to pay!
|
|
|
Post by belle on Feb 10, 2009 16:08:37 GMT -5
I kind of have the same problem... I am going to go to university in April to become a teacher and I am 22, but I made an internship at a school a few weeks ago and one of the teachers thought that I was a new pupil in 7th grade and children in 7th grade are 13! So I also tried to look professional, but it didn't work at all.
|
|
|
Post by Hanna on Feb 10, 2009 16:36:48 GMT -5
I have the same problem! At 23 both students and teachers took me for being a student during my high school internship! I was taking copies, and the principal came in and was all like: "Should you be here unsupervised?" And I was like: "Yeah." And then she realized because I didn't act scared or something.
I don't know, hair, make up and clothes is probably all you can do. I learned pretty fast to avoid baggy jeans and band t shirts;) (which btw is totally allowed for teachers to wear here)
|
|
Halie
Collection of short stories published by an independent editor
Posts: 982
|
Post by Halie on Feb 10, 2009 19:15:56 GMT -5
Shop at places like Banana Republic and J. Crew. If you can't afford it, then emulate that style. A nice v-necked sweater over a collared french-cuff shirt with a pencil skirt and some heels, etc.
Wear simple makeup, very natural eyeshadow, a little mascara and some soft pink or neutral lipstick, etc.
And just try to perfect your poise, lol. Stand up straight, enunciate your words, etc.
|
|
|
Post by Dominique on Feb 10, 2009 19:25:47 GMT -5
I had a similar problem at work and started to take a bit more care with how I look to remind people while I am still at university I actually already have a journalism degree and I'm 22. I recommend pencil skirts as well, but corporate dresses are really, really good for making you look older and more professional. Plus they're practically a whole outfit right there, so much easier than putting something together in the morning. I have two in black and grey and they're a major wardrobe staple. I always wear eyeliner because I think that makes you look a bit older, not a heap but I still always wear it with some muted but still noticeable eye shadow. I also always wear foundation, mascara and lipstick Also I think if you have middle to long hair it's a good idea to wear it up. A french twist or a neat bun looks really smooth and professional. I find people talk down to me less at work now that I've started doing this stuff so hopefully it helps
|
|
|
Post by Hazy on Feb 10, 2009 21:46:04 GMT -5
Skirts or dresses are great, if you want to take it up a notch add pantyhose or stockings. I know it can be awful, but (provided its not neon pink fishnets) it really does add class. I find stockings much more comfortable, you can get thigh high "stay ups" which will work for almost all reasonably lengthed dresses and skirts, and then you don't have to fight with the curiously uncomfortable and generally ill fitting "panty" part of the hose.
Another small touch can be how you keep your nails. Chipped off vibrant coloured (or black for that matter) nail polish generally not so good. Clear gloss or nice soft neutrals can make you really look polished.
|
|
Michelle
First novel published
Posts: 2,563
|
Post by Michelle on Feb 10, 2009 22:25:20 GMT -5
Thanks for all the advice/similar stories. I would like you all to know that I had 3 different perspective clients make some comment about my age today. And then another comment at the gym. Apparently, I look very young today.
I dress professionally. Usually in pants though. Nice trousers, blouses, suits when i'm in court, and heels. Maybe I should give skirts/dresses a try (if you were here, you would see me cringing). And I know I should wear hose when I wear skirts, but it's just so hot down here most of the time and they get uncomfortable.
I get most of my clothes at The Limited, so I think that's nice enough.
As for makeup, I wear a bit more than I would normally. But not a ton. Like Dom, I think the eyeliner helps. I hate lipstick though so I never wear it. Maybe that should be something I try.
I like to think that I act my age, but I'm sure I have some younger habits that I should work on. I try to stand up straight and I've learned that most older men are very impressed by a firm handshake.
I'll try a few things and let you all know how it goes.
|
|
Halie
Collection of short stories published by an independent editor
Posts: 982
|
Post by Halie on Feb 10, 2009 23:00:49 GMT -5
Hey, at least when you're so old you're supposed to be all wrinkled, you'll still look young!
|
|
|
Post by Hazy on Feb 11, 2009 17:15:55 GMT -5
If you don't like lipstick, maybe try lipstain (I like Benetint), it doesn't feel like you are wearing anything on your lips but it does give a nice colour.
|
|
annak
Collection of short stories published by an independent editor
Posts: 632
|
Post by annak on Feb 12, 2009 0:18:45 GMT -5
I don't think there's anything you can really do about looking you in all honesty. I dress more conservatively or at least more professionally most of the time and when I sat in on a class at my old high school, a lot of the students thought I was a new student. Only a couple said I looked too old to be a sophomore.
I say, embrace what you've got. The fact that you look young is an asset not a hindrance. Hopefully people don't take you less seriously, i mean after all you are a lawyer and obviously quite smart and qualified. I've learned to just ignore the fact that I will be carded at bars for the rest of my life.
|
|
Juliet
Collection of short stories published by an independent editor
"To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.?Victor Hugo
Posts: 576
|
Post by Juliet on Feb 12, 2009 12:30:18 GMT -5
I've always had the same problem:people usually think I'm somewhere between 16 and 18...and I'm 25! Lately it's getting even worse because between school and university I work full time as a teacher and after some really embarassing situations I've started to change the way I dress, my make up and hair...I think it is something even though I still look young!
Perfect your pose is a relly good advice, I'll try that one too!
|
|
Michelle
First novel published
Posts: 2,563
|
Post by Michelle on Feb 12, 2009 13:43:05 GMT -5
I wore my glasses today and the consesus is that they make me look a bit older. I went to the bar luncheon for my city today so I was with about 70 lawyers and my table voted me the youngest looking lawyer in the room. But tonight I'm going to happy hour with the Young Lawyers division of that same group, so hopefully I'll fit in a bit more. I don't mind looking young to other lawyers. Because then I can just amaze them when I do something better than they thought I would. But it's hard for clients to take me seriously. And they don't always see or understand everything that I do so I don't always get the opportunity to impress them.
|
|
|
Post by Carma on Feb 12, 2009 14:25:18 GMT -5
Do you wear your hair down? I think it helps to wear it up, like Dom said and I guess lipstick.. Most of the time people guess me younger as well, but I don't do anything that requires for me to look older and professional and they say that you'll be happy with it when you are.. 40.. but I'm not sure that true.. a lot can change!
|
|
Isa
Administrator
Posts: 6,995
|
Post by Isa on Feb 12, 2009 14:49:31 GMT -5
Same here, many people think I'm my nephew's sister - once I was at a restaurant with my sister and her two kids and someone came up to our table to compliment her on her "three beautiful children"!! My sister was NOT impressed But I don't really care because I don't have a job that requires me to look professional - it's like people expect us to look different because we've got a degree in literature and, you know, that's strange But anyways, I would agree that to look older, cutting your hair short usually works for most.
|
|