How do I make myself look older?

Yes, I know it's counterintuitive, but I have a dilemna - I'm not THAT young, 31, yet, people always think I'm much younger. It's nice, but when it comes to work, as a young trial attorney, it really hurts me. Yesterday I met with a client of the firm and she stopped in her tracks, looked at me and said, aren't you a little young for this? Um no, honey, I'm not.

So, I KNOW this hurts me in my professional life - I'm never taken as seriously as my counterpart associate, who is male, my exact age, and yet looks like he's in his early 40's.

Everyday I dress professionally - a suit (usually from ann taylor), pumps, pearls, etc. I even where a suit on dress down days so people will understand that they have to treat me professionally at all times. I have uncolored shoulder length hair. I wear muted makeup. What else can I do to look more professional and older, short of dying my hair gray?

Message edited 10/13/2006 9:34:19 AM.

Re: How do I make myself look older?

maybe you can add to your makeup routine? Go to the mall or Ulta and have them do a makeover on you just to see if you like it.

also, you can try to wear your hair differently, like up?

Re: How do I make myself look older?

I have the SAME problem.

people think I am 15 (I am 24).

I actually look older with my hair down rather than up...

Re: How do I make myself look older?

Re: How do I make myself look older?

I have found that wearing my hair up makes a difference.

If you really want to look older, dying your hair may help. I had a friend who dyed her hair some frosted color and it aged her several years. A hair cut can also age you or take years off.

Re: How do I make myself look older?

How about wearing your hair up? Maybe glasses sometimes too.

Oh and put on some weight!

Re: How do I make myself look older?

Glasses do not help. I still get mistaken for 15.

Maybe a lil heavier on the makeup....not Anna Nicole heavy.

Re: How do I make myself look older?

Darker lipstick, and as Beth said, a more "styled" hair style can make you look older.

Re: How do I make myself look older?

Ok, guess I will make an appointment for my hairdresser, and look into getting a make-up makeover... I just hate wearing make-up

Re: How do I make myself look older?

I have the same problem. I am very low maintenance so its hard. I don't like to wear makeup but I'm trying. I think when I do everything-hair, makeup, nails, eyebrows it makes a difference. I don't think I actually look older but being more put together makes people assume that I'm older. You sound like you already do a lot so I'm not sure what else there is to do.

Re: How do I make myself look older?

Drink and smoke-heavily.

Sorry, just kidding. I agree about hair styling. I had middle of the back-length hair but cut it to shoulder length and I think it helped me get taken more seriously at work.

Re: How do I make myself look older?

I think hair will play a big factor in making you look more "mature" (mature sounds better than older)
Get a cut that gives your whole look a different twist.
Good Luck!
PS... I have the same problem... I'm only 24, but people think I look so much younger... I even have clients who I never see but speak to over the phone all the time who, just by the sound of my voice think I'm a teenager. It sucks! How do you change your voice to make you sound your age if not older!

Re: How do I make myself look older?

Posted by CoopersMom01

I think hair will play a big factor in making you look more "mature" (mature sounds better than older)
Get a cut that gives your whole look a different twist.
Good Luck!
PS... I have the same problem... I'm only 24, but people think I look so much younger... I even have clients who I never see but speak to over the phone all the time who, just by the sound of my voice think I'm a teenager. It sucks! How do you change your voice to make you sound your age if not older!

Re: How do I make myself look older?

I find that lack of sleep & extra weight helps me look like an old hag.

Seriously, if you are dressing the part (and you are) and you act mature - I'd say you're doing all you can. In my opinion, the quality of the work you do will speak for itself.

Re: How do I make myself look older?

Oh Beth, I feel ya. I was asked to go on a "run" a few weeks ago because this outside talent beeyotch thought I was an INTERN! I had to tell her flat out that I was in charge of the whole show...very uncomfortable...

It's hard to do, but I find that if my hair is pulled back and I wear a little bit more make-up like bronzer and blush, I am treated a little differently...I would go for the make-up trial (I am thinking of doing this too) I hate make-up that takes longer than 5 minutes to apply, but a little can go a long way.


Here's to being old and crotchety and still looking like a hot tamale

Re: How do I make myself look older?

I clicked on your profile and I don't think you look younger.

hairstyle, heels all the time (how tall is the colleague?), more makeup and maybe carry a mature (non-trendy) bag?

Re: How do I make myself look older?

Re: How do I make myself look older?

You see I would look at you in a totally different way. I would actually see you as more challenging and in an intimidating way - such a young person in this position? We actually have a young senior v.p. in my company's strategic planning dept. that everyone is $hit scared of and has the utmost respect for because he is very successful and bright and yet he IS young and looks young...I think it is all a matter of the way one carries themselves.

I dont think you should change your appearance at all! I think you just have to learn to put people in their place when they make comments like that.

Message edited 10/13/2006 1:51:46 PM.

Re: How do I make myself look older?

Not only would I be mindful of looks, but I would be mindful of posture and language choice when talking to colleagues. Those two things can say a lot about a person's confidence.

OR you could always have more kids. That sometimes ages people!

Good luck!

Re: How do I make myself look older?

- Party a lot especially on Sunday night ( )

OK seriously, put a darker lipstick (dark red), die your hair in a darker shade, year more conservative clothings.

Re: How do I make myself look older?

Re: How do I make myself look older?

Posted by Bxgell2

Yes, I know it's counterintuitive, but I have a dilemna - I'm not THAT young, 31, yet, people always think I'm much younger. It's nice, but when it comes to work, as a young trial attorney, it really hurts me. Yesterday I met with a client of the firm and she stopped in her tracks, looked at me and said, aren't you a little young for this? Um no, honey, I'm not.

So, I KNOW this hurts me in my professional life - I'm never taken as seriously as my counterpart associate, who is male, my exact age, and yet looks like he's in his early 40's.

Everyday I dress professionally - a suit (usually from ann taylor), pumps, pearls, etc. I even where a suit on dress down days so people will understand that they have to treat me professionally at all times. I have uncolored shoulder length hair. I wear muted makeup. What else can I do to look more professional and older, short of dying my hair gray?

Re: How do I make myself look older?