Too old for a Gossip Girl headband?

[Lotta Little]

Hopefully this hasn't been discussed elsewhere. If so, I couldn't find it. Lately I've seen a lot of cute headbands with a ribbon bow on the side (apparently worn often on the TV show "Gossip Girl") so I bought a batch of skinny headbands with bows on the side, fabric flowers, etc.

BUT...I'm heading toward my mid-30s and I wonder if I'm just too old to wear headbands, hair bows, etc. On the one hand, I think they do look very 1940s worn with side-parted waves. On the other hand, it's a little Alice In Wonderland. I wore a feather fascinator to an Easter brunch this year and my friends acted like they were embarrassed to be seen with me. What do you gals think?

 

[MissAmelina]

Good question.....we discussed this sort of thing at the restaurant where I used to work, only it was concerning pigtails. (Not the solo ponytail, but the set of two)

I worked with a bunch of very classy, chic and urban fashinistas. And I used to always ask them for fashion advice.
They decided that pigtails had to go bye-bye in your early 30's. And I tend to agree...even though it bums me out a little.
As far as headbands, I personally would not wear one (I am 36...I don't think I've worn one in ten years or so---but that doesn't mean you can't!)
I opt for a hat, or maybe a strategically placed flower.

BUT, it is *entirely* up to you and what makes you feel fabulous.
You do sound like you are having some doubts...and frankly, I would trust yourself and listen to them.
I too started having these little thoughts about certain things....like shopping in the juniors section.....and my old rainbow legwarmers that I used to wear for fun (until just a few months ago), or short skirts and low cut shirts (not all worn together....well, at one time they woulda been! ) because I just started to feel strange and out of place in them.

I finally took the last load of old clothes to Goodwill this week, in fact. Very liberating. This might sound kinda strange....but it did make me feel a little more grown up, in a good way.

 

[Paisley]

Hopefully this hasn't been discussed elsewhere. If so, I couldn't find it. Lately I've seen a lot of cute headbands with a ribbon bow on the side (apparently worn often on the TV show "Gossip Girl") so I bought a batch of skinny headbands with bows on the side, fabric flowers, etc.

BUT...I'm heading toward my mid-30s and I wonder if I'm just too old to wear headbands, hair bows, etc. On the one hand, I think they do look very 1940s worn with side-parted waves. On the other hand, it's a little Alice In Wonderland. I wore a feather fascinator to an Easter brunch this year and my friends acted like they were embarrassed to be seen with me. What do you gals think?

When in doubt, don't. Around age 37, many women adopt a more sophisticated, elegant look. A beautiful hairclip would help you carry off the look:

http://www.michellesvintagejewelry.com/products/accessories5.html

 

[Viola]

If you DIDN'T feel off, I'd say rock that headband, but if it doesn't feel natural, it won't wear as well as another piece that does.

On the other hand, experiment with a rather sober headband, like one of the myriad of tortoiseshell ones, or another simple style and see if you like the overall headband effect. It may be the combination of headband + bow + possibly "girlish" colour that's too-too for comfort. A simple headband can be worn with your hair UP, too, in a chignon, and that cuts the Alice-in-Wonderland effect. It only works if you like your hair back and up, though.

I think you might find combs, or decorative "chopsticks" or clips, though, more timeless.

 

[pretty faythe]

i

I often buy cute or frilly barrates (I have a big head and headbands are usually too small for me, always have been). I turn 35 this August and a lil fril makes me fill like a woman every now and again.

 

[maybelaughter]

i think it all depends on your personal look/style and personality.
i'm 23, but wouldn't wear a brightly colored headband ever. black or brown but with lots of fun things coming off of it, yes please.

your friends shouldn't be embarrassed by you wearing a fascinator. i'm sorry but that's just silly.

if you're not completely comfortable with it, but enjoy the style, maybe try to find a more subduded, classy version of the things you're loving. but if you love it completely, then go for it. if you're confident, it doesn't matter how "old" you are, you'll look great in it.

 

[Lillemor]

I wear slim, undecorated headbands because I think they look good on me and they're a simple way to look pulled together. I only have two, a black one and a faux tortoise one. I can't wear the wide ones because they give me a headache and I think I look stupid with them. I would love to be able to afford some of the decorated ones I'm seeing around me and my hairdresser has some lovely ones.

My view on other youthful styles:

Right now I'm wearing a solo ponytail and a chiffon scarf tied around it. I feel a tad rediculous I like the look all the same. My youngest son keeps saying I look so beautiful with it today so no one else's opinion matters!

The two pig tails is a very individual one and how high or low it's worn can make a difference as well. I think in a modern context it looks just fine low on most women under.....well it depends on how youthful the rest of their style is. I've seen many other women who look to be in their 30s as well wearing two low side braids. If my hair was long enough I'd give it a try but probably roll mine up into "snails" above my ears or wrap them around my head if I can grow really long hair.

Being obsessed with caring for my hair, I'd rather wear an alice band than use a lot of hairstyling products or bobby pins to keep shorter layers and random short strands off my face.

What's right for me may not be for you and vice-versa. I agree with MissAmelina on this:

BUT, it is *entirely* up to you and what makes you feel fabulous.

I wear slim alice bands because I'm still comfortable with them but I don't wear skirts that have an above knee hemline ever any more. I do wear shorts but "classier" styles if you can talk about classy and shorts in the same context. I do pay more attention to striking a balance between the fun and the classy now more than I used to. Attention seeking sexy has gone out of the window and been replaced with subtle sensuality and so on; There are many "rules" I've changed for myself but I don't hold others to the same rules.

 

[Lillemor]

I wore a feather fascinator to an Easter brunch this year and my friends acted like they were embarrassed to be seen with me. What do you gals think?

That's sad. Women on other interest forums who know I like vintage and retro styles of the late 40s-early 60s for day wear and historical styles in general have actually been urging me to revive fascinators.

I lack the courage to wear hats. Don't know why.

 

[bettie.mac.]

if you're not completely comfortable with it, but enjoy the style, maybe try to find a more subduded, classy version of the things you're loving. but if you love it completely, then go for it. if you're confident, it doesn't matter how "old" you are, you'll look great in it.

I completely agree.

 

[The Shirt]

37 and proudly wearing mine today. I think people dress a little younger than their age (perhaps the old rules of what was acceptable for your age doesn't quite apply) and look just fine. I think the headbands that go across the forehead are way too young for me and just too 80s. I lived thru it once and don't intend to do so again.

I sport low ponies too. But I'm too old for the high ones.

 

[Lillemor]

37 and proudly wearing mine today. I think people dress a little younger than their age (perhaps the old rules of what was acceptable for your age doesn't quite apply) and look just fine. I think the headbands that go across the forehead are way too young for me and just too 80s. I lived thru it once and don't intend to do so again.

I sport low ponies too. But I'm too old for the high ones.

...and I used to sport mine low so now I'm sporting them high. It's the same feeling of not wanting to do it again. I see many women in their 30s around here with high ponytails and none of them look pathetic or severe to me.

When I wear vintage inspired styles I prefer to keep the look younger. It's just what I feel most comfortable in. Comfort will show through and if you aren't comfortable in your style, it doesn't matter how well the style suits your face or body, I don't think it'll look good. Sometimes taking your time to move your comfort zone can suddenly make it look good. So what I guess I'm saying is that I won't wear something I'm uncomfortable with in situations where I know I might already feel self conscious.

I'm going to an important meeting today where my impression as a capable mother matters (don't worry, social services doesn't have me under suspicion for anything it's a school meeting with some specialists I don't know to discuss some issues reg. Autistic son) so I've bunned my ponytail, used more products than I like and left the alice band off for a more professional look (sorry, it's just my opinion that alice bands don't look serious or professional enough) and tied the chiffon scarf around the knit scrunchie so many times that there are no loose ends which would make the look, look too cute.

So cute and vintage is out today. Classy, conformist, without trying too hard and looking pulled together is in today. A difficult one for me to balance. I want them to take my suggestions and input seriously. That's why I'm taking my outward image more seriously than I usually do.

 

[The Shirt]

Whoops - I should have added, my hair is thinner now - so high ponies just look kind of sad on me. I agree - it comes down to comfort and attitude.

 

[lazydaisyltd]

Hopefully this hasn't been discussed elsewhere. If so, I couldn't find it. Lately I've seen a lot of cute headbands with a ribbon bow on the side (apparently worn often on the TV show "Gossip Girl") so I bought a batch of skinny headbands with bows on the side, fabric flowers, etc.

BUT...I'm heading toward my mid-30s and I wonder if I'm just too old to wear headbands, hair bows, etc. On the one hand, I think they do look very 1940s worn with side-parted waves. On the other hand, it's a little Alice In Wonderland. I wore a feather fascinator to an Easter brunch this year and my friends acted like they were embarrassed to be seen with me. What do you gals think?

I wondered this myself just yesterday...saw some cute "Gossip Girl" type headbands at Target, one with a small-ish black bow and another with a gray frill...I considered them but put them back. Was just not sure about them. I am 36.

 

[Lotta Little]

UPDATE!

So, my box of GG-esque headbands arrived the other day and I wore one--a skinny plum-colored satin with a small flat bow on the side--out to get a few drinks with my friends. One of my friends SQUEALED "That's so cute on you!" and I scored a free cocktail from a cute rockabilly bartender. So I think as I long as I don't go too young with the rest of my outfit, I can pull it off after all. Thanks to everyone who responded to this thread!

 

[cecil]

and I scored a free cocktail from a cute rockabilly bartender.

^^ Well there's your acid test right there! lol Awesome!

 

[Lotta Little]

Right you are. You never know unless you just go with it, I guess.