As a 36-year-old mom of a 13-year-old, I try to stay “hip” on the current trends and be “in the know.” I just laughed to myself as I wrote that. But seriously, I do try to stay on top of things so when my teenager does mention a certain trend, I don’t give her a “deer caught in headlights” sort of look. 
Thank God for Facebook. I went back through some of my previously posted pictures and felt a range of emotions as I looked at some some of my past fashion choices: form-fitting crop tops, spaghetti strap tanks, headbands that matched every outfit (Oh wait, I still do that sometimes…never mind), mini backpacks, thigh high boots, just to name a few. And I was a mom, y’all. Gasp. I had my first daughter when I was 23, and I still wore my booty (short) shorts and my spaghetti strap top as I pushed my four-month-old in her stroller. Good for me!
“Never Have I Ever”
I figured, surely I wasn’t alone in looking back and regretting some of the fashion choices I made in my 20s that I would never make now in my 30s. So I hopped on to Facebook and asked other moms: “What is ONE item of clothing you wore in your 20s that you would never wear now in your 30s?”
I’m going to list their responses below and let’s play a virtual version of “Never Have I Ever.” If you see a clothing choice that you would never choose in your thirties, instead of a drink (although if you decide to grab a drink, be responsible; I don’t judge) take a sip of water or do what Oprah did when she played this game: grab a shot of raw apple cider vinegar. This would be great to play at your next Zoom happy hour or a fun book club icebreaker. Grab a girlfriend and let’s go!
What Would You Never Wear in Your Thirties?
- Anything from Forever 21
- Low-rise jeans
- Ponchos
- Crocs
- Skinny jeans
- Leather pants
- Mini skirts
- Booty (short) shorts
- Crop tops
- Spaghetti straps (anything)
- Headbands
- Tube top
- Tennis dress
- Thong underwear
- Mini backpacks
- Bootcut jeans
- Mesh or see-through tops
- Leggings as pants
- Thigh-high boots
- Velvet (anything)
- Anything from stores at the mall
Fashion Is Relative
Trip down memory lane, right? It was for me and I realized that my style dramatically shifted from my twenties to my thirties. And it wasn’t because I felt it needed to because I was now a mother (remember earlier, I told you I was wearing booty shorts when I was 23 with my four-month-old?). It is because the functionality of those clothing choices don’t work for me in my thirties. I want and NEED to feel comfortable in what I am wearing. My lifestyle in my thirties requires me to wear clothes that are functional: I do a lot of lifting and stretching and picking things up during my day. I need my clothes to be able to give and take and move with me. Anyone else?
Now if you look at that list and you currently wear any of these items, I promise you, no judgement here. You do you and rock that out. At the end of the day, our clothing choices should be about what we want to wear and not necessarily what is the latest and greatest trend.
Would love to know what you would add to this list of what you’d never wear now that you’re in your thirties. Let me know in the comments below!
