I like girly stuff as much as the next pubescent teen, but I do try to keep my appearance age-appropriate. Covering myself in sparkles and Hello Kitty decals or wearing skirts with hemlines 6" above the knee would attract the kind of attention I want to avoid. I have nothing against drag queens, but I don't want to look like one.
I like floral prints and paisleys, and swishy but longer skirts. I do have one cardigan that has sparkles, but it is otherwise plain gray. I'll wear tops with lacy necklines, or let a bit of a lacy camisole peek out a low neckline. I like some bling in my jewelry, so I'll wear sparkly earrings or neckaces.
When I say "age-appropriate", I don't necessarily mean my chronological age. I don't want to look like a 63-year-old matron. I'll settle for middle-aged. So I aim for a style that a 40-year-old woman might wear when she wants to make a good impression. I always dress a bit upscale for the circumstances without looking implausible. I might wear a skirt with a floral print for grocery shopping, for example, when most women are wearing jeans or yoga pants. It's not over-the-top, but it is at the upper end of what is considered appropriate.
At the theatre (we like live community theatre), I ramp it up a couple of notches. I have all those nice clothes in the closet, and that is my chance to show them off. Yes, I do attract a bit of attention, because most audience members don't dress up. But it's not outrageous: something that you might wear to a Broadway play instead of a local one.
If the weather is such that pants are necessary (winter, for example), I wear skinny jeans and a fancier top. Something in my outfit is always eye-catching: either a pattern, a colour, the texture or cut of the fabric, or some glittery jewelry.
This way, I get to indulge my girliness and show off a bit, without attracting negative attention.
