Can You Dress 'Alternative' and Not Look Like a 12 Yr Old?

[vinaigrette]

Often, there are threads on here asking how to look older (or how to look one's age, even). The advice normally given is to just wear smarter clothes, some high-heels and get a good haircut. The problem I have with that is that it's not very exciting - I don't want to make myself look like everyone else just to look older. And in my pursuit to be accepted as a 17-yr-old, I've often given up styles I like just because they make me look younger than I am. I'm already a petite woman, so adding things like black bows to my hair just makes me look like a kid.

Furthermore, I don't have the right colouring to pull off buying clothes that make me look older, but just in black. It makes me look completely dead unless I wear tons of makeup, which looks silly during the day. I'm doing alright wearing colours that suit me in styles that flatter my bodyshape, but I'm beginning to wonder if I've lost everything that made my style unique.

So the question really is - is it possible to dress 'alternative' (and by that, I mean anything other than the mainstream - I think of myself as indie, but we can include goth, scene, punk etc.) without making yourself look younger?
I'm happy to hear suggestions for me personally, but that's not the main goal of the topic.

[gas station bathroom]

You can make any style look mature as long as you do it right. Obviously, you've been doing it wrong.

Also, "indie" isn't really all that alternative.

[Income Tax]

Yes, it is possible to dress alternatively without looking like a child.

For example, I can pull off ripped up fishnets. Could a 12 year old pull that off and not look like a hooker? I don't think so. Then again, dressing alternatively should be something you personally like. If you like the clothes, buy them. Don't worry about how other people will see you.
So what if you look younger, people get expensive surgery to look young. Cherish it!

Hell I'm 18 and get carded to go to R rated movies and to buy lottery tickets. Do what you want, if you like it, and you find it looks good on you, that's really all you can do to stay in the alternative area.

[vinaigrette]

Income Tax

Hell I'm 18 and get carded to go to R rated movies and to buy lottery tickets. Do what you want, if you like it, and you find it looks good on you, that's really all you can do to stay in the alternative area.

The real difference here is that, if I get carded, I don't get in. gonk

[Violet Fog]

It's possible, if you're smart about it. I dress kind of alternatively, and I'm 18. I'd avoid bows, or pony beads or really kidish stuff, but besides that it's very possible to dress fun and still look your age.
Hair plays a BIG part in your appearance. If you're dressed in a business suit and slacks, but you have a younger hairstyle, people will think you're young. If you get a sophisticated, age-appropriate hairstyle, you can do a lot of wacky things with your clothes and still look mature.

[Touch_Me(Im_infected)]

Dressing indie doesnt make you look like a kid.

[671637]

I think the best thing is to take a more mature outfit and add alternative flare to it. You just have to play with things until you get the look you're going for!

[Monsieur Plum]

I think the key to looking older (regardless of style) is not to look cheap. Like you can wear a t-shirt with cartoon characters on it so long as it's well printed and fits you.

I've never really had that sort of problem, I've always preferred a chic and elegant look which is pretty much persevered as "adult".

.__.

[Monsieur Plum]

Touch_Me(Im_infected)

Dressing indie doesnt make you look like a kid.

Depends on what sort of "indie" we're talking about. Indie pretty much covers everything. Styles like Rave or Lolita look rather childish.

[Touch_Me(Im_infected)]

The Super Fizz-BANG Plum

Touch_Me(Im_infected)

Dressing indie doesnt make you look like a kid.

Depends on what sort of "indie" we're talking about. Indie pretty much covers everything. Styles like Rave or Lolita look rather childish.

Rave and Lolita arent indie....and iy depends what kind of raver. Not all Ravers look childish.

[Orchestrated Oddities]

The Super Fizz-BANG Plum

Touch_Me(Im_infected)

Dressing indie doesnt make you look like a kid.

Depends on what sort of "indie" we're talking about. Indie pretty much covers everything. Styles like Rave or Lolita look rather childish.

Your definition of indie is wrong. Indie is similar to hipster. It's not just a cover-all term.
@OP:I honestly think indie looks relatively mature.

[random escapist]

Well, dressing for your figure can help a lot. What's your build like? Are you flat-chested, large-breasted, what?