Youth can be Young

Images 1 and 2: Carey Mulligan at the Oscars wearing Prada. She looked stunning.

After I wrote my review of the Met Costume Institute Gala, I found myself thinking about Carey Mulligan’s outfit. I know it got some bad reviews, but what I really loved about it was that it looked young. She’s young (24, to be exact), and she dresses her age. That may not sound very groundbreaking, but in a world where 16 year olds get breast implants and girls dream of being “sexy” rather than “elegant”, it is quite unusual.

Images 3, 4, 5, and 6: Carey looking young, elegant, and sweet.

You are probably thinking I’m crazy, since Carey’s last film (An Education) featured her as a 16 year old, having an affair with someone who is in his 30′s. But she never tried to be “sexy”, and neither does Carey. I did some research on her past red carpet outfits, and she definitely has a style: it’s young, almost gamine. She dresses like a girl, not a woman. And she’s pretty, rather than beautiful. I think it is ok to be pretty when you’re young (and then be beautiful when you’re older.)

Image 7: Heidi Montag looking scarily plastic.

There has been a lot of talk recently about the change in what is considered “sexy”, due to the vast amount of “modified bodies” in the media, and internet pornography, which is so easily accessible. Many say young people’s perception of what a woman should look like and how she should behave has dramatically changed for the worse. Heidi Montag is a very sad example of this, she’s 23, has had over 15 cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures, and even her mother has denounced her. And there was no need, pre-surgery she was a pretty, tanned, natural Californian blond.

Image 8: Heidi Montag before (left) and after (right.) She looked SO much better pre-plastic surgery.

Carey Mulligan is setting a good example: you can be successful without being plastic. Its ok to dress like a girl, without doing the “sexy school girl look.” Children are growing up faster than ever, no thanks to the media and their access to it, and frankly, its terrifying. It is so good to see someone who is not flaunting her curves, cleavage, and leg when she hits the red carpet, but who still looks great.

Images 9, 10, 11, and 12: Carey still looking great. She can even do full length strapless evening gown without looking old or tackily glamourous.

Now, all I can hope is that she doesn’t get caught up in some hideous sex scandal next week, and everything I have just written is completely nullified. Don’t let us down Carey!

Image 13: Carey Mulligan at Monday's Met Costume Institute Gala.

Image references: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13.