Dressing Like a Teenager at 24: Being Inspired by my Inner-child
By Florenne Earle Ledger published 13/12/2024
I've heard the phrase 'I'm just a 24-year-old teenage girl' countless times in the last year. Maybe it's because our culture celebrates youth to such an extent that people are starting to feel "old" at 24, or because Covid robbed us of a few years in our "prime"– Gen Z don't want to grow up. Myself included. It seems like my style doesn't want to evolve either. Looking back, I've realised being inspired by my inner child has underpinned my entire self-image.
Being inspired by your younger self can be freeing and fun, but also restrictive if you start to feel confined to set of rules to fit your established identity. Now that I've been wearing colourful clothes for so long, it feels synonymous with my sense of self. It may sound silly, but I can't break away from my inner child when it comes to how I dress.
A couple of weeks ago, I was clearing out my childhood bedroom as my mum was moving house. Finding pieces from my childhood brought it home that clashing patterns and wearing bright colours have consistently been core parts of my identity. I’ve always found inspiration in colour, but as I get older, I’m finding it hard to embrace that side of myself in a way that works with my adult self-image.
A couple of years ago, a close friend (the kind of friend who feels like a sibling and can say anything without hurting your feelings) told me lovingly that I dressed in a childish way. I suddenly realised they were completely right. How had I never considered how I dressed wasn’t exactly “mature”?
I’m sometimes mistaken for younger than my age. I have a slight baby face and I rarely wear any make-up which doesn’t help, but it dawned on me that the clothes I wear might be the main thing leading people to think I’m younger than I am.
Looking at my Instagram saved folder, most of it is neutral-toned outfits and baggy bold silhouettes (which is literally nothing like my wardrobe or any of the clothes I wear). It’s not that I want to stop wearing colour and patterns altogether, but it seems I’m not able to break away from my inner child and wear more neutral clothes, even those I am drawn to.
All the articles I’ve read about this topic define dressing like your inner child as an unapologetic expression of joy, a lack of awareness of what goes together, and even what’s appropriate to wear in different situations– with Vogue’s Bella Mackie writing about wearing bright red jelly shoes to walk around the ruins of Pompeii aged 8.
"I love this view of our inner child fashion sense as non-conformative and loud"
Packing made easy
I love this view of our inner child fashion sense as non-conformative and loud, wearing the colours, textures and patterns that bring us the most joy, regardless of what’s on trend or where we’re going. That’s what I find really inspiring. However, I’m now 24 and I still don’t know what my style looks like when not overloaded with colours and patterns. I’d like to tap into a V.2 of my inner child, one where I’m still me, but a slightly elevated version.
"We enjoy dressing like our inner child is because it reminds us of a simpler time with less external influences and stress."
Other hot takes from fashion psychologists state that some of the reasons why we enjoy dressing like our inner child is because it reminds us of a simpler time with less external influences and stress. Shakalia Forbes-Bell also suggests wearing clothes we loved as a child is a way of choosing how we remember our childhood, and framing it in a positive way that brings the adult version of ourselves joy.
These are all really interesting concepts and may ring true for others, I honestly feel like the main reason I honour my inner child in the clothes I wear is less nuanced, and simply because it makes me feel comfortable and true to myself. Whilst most people find wearing colour scary, it’s the opposite for me. For as long as I can remember, this is all I have known and I don’t feel like myself without colours. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want my style to change and evolve to include more subtle elements. Do you see my problem?
Just the other day I was discussing with my boyfriend how it’s almost been five years since we got together, and he noted I’ve been wearing the leopard print fleece I had on for the entire length of our relationship, along with lots of my clothes still in regular rotation. I’m literally honouring a younger version of myself by wearing the same clothes. Sustainability is another core part of my wardrobe, and I’ll always buy second-hand and wear things I like until they can’t be worn anymore. But, this begs the same question: how does my wardrobe grow and age with me, whilst remaining true to “me” as colourful and sustainable at its core?
To answer this, I decided to pinpoint everything I love about “childish” fashion sense and identify themes I find more prevalent in youthful styles, to help me translate it to ‘Flo’s style V.2’.
Novelty
Lack of practicality and bold colours always stand out as interesting to me. These pink ballet pumps feel like shoes I would have seen in a cartoon and LOVED as a kid.
"This way of dressing feels freeing, forgiving, and most importantly fun."
Fluffy things
I love the texture of this top worn by Jess Cheng. I have lots of fluffy things in my wardrobe and it always brightens my day wearing them.
One of my favourite fluffy items is this bag from Lazy Oaf. I always seem to get compliments when I wear it and it’s just so cute.
Doing things because you want to
I love this quote from Emma Dibiri’s book, ‘Disobedient Bodies, ’ :
'Let's get rid of the idea that singing is only for the select few, for the "good singers", it denies us so much, so sing to share joy, to express gratitude, to shift grief, to process rage."
Dibiri encourages people to do things because they want to, regardless of whether they are good at it. I think that’s what I love about a kind of “childish” fashion sense– it feels freeing, forgiving, and most importantly fun. Those feelings are so important to me as an adult feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world and all the things I can’t control.
Soft Materials
Same vibe as fluffy things, but soft clothes feel comforting to me. My quilted jacket has been a staple in my wardrobe since finding it in a charity shop earlier this year. It feels like I’m wrapped in a duvet when I wear it.
Fun Tights
Statement tights elevate any outfit. I love wearing them to spice up outfits that would otherwise be fairly boring with a little colour. A creator I love, Keelin Moncrief, wears red tights in this outfit montage and I think they look amazing.
Clashing
Lara Adkins does clashing like no one else I’ve seen online. I love how she pairs things together that other people would say look terrible but wears them with confidence and looks incredible. I think that’s what personal style and dressing like your inner child is all about– total lack of awareness or bother about trends, other people’s opinions and dressing for yourself only.
Wish me luck on my journey of translating my childish fashion sense into a more mature version, without compromising on clashing and bright colours that bring me joy and underline my sense of self. By working out what elements of ‘inner child’ styles I love, I’m able to translate them to other aesthetics and pieces I would have previously thought don’t fit the definition of my personal style.
Do you dress similarly to your younger self? Do you think the teenage or child version of you influences your adult style? Join in the conversation and email us at team@whering.co.uk.
Whering Dress Me
Packing made easy
Packing made easy
The rush of excitement after booking a holiday can often feel dampened by the thought of packing. But what if there was a way to make packing your suitcase easier?
Whering is the wardrobe app making your packing experience lighter. There’s a reason Condé Nast Traveller named us a must-have travel app– we take the stress out of deciding what to wear on holiday and feeling like you’ve forgotten something.
See our ultimate packing guide to take you from choosing outfits to packing your suitcase. You’ll never dread prepping for a trip again.
Something on your mind?
Share your thoughts with Whering community.
If you have an idea for an article around fashion, culture, environment, news, wellness, shopping or DIY, submit a pitch to us!