I want candy: tips for dressing cute yet age appropriate

Recently I had someone comment on one of my Instagram photos, saying how they felt they couldn't pull off my style without looking like a kid. By now you probably know I love mixing prints and wearing cute and quirky pieces, but it definitely can be tricky to keep this type of style age appropriate. Yes, there are times when I probably totally look like a five year old, but in general I try to keep my style whimsical yet mature. I thought it might be a good idea to put together a blog post with some tips and examples of how to keep a cute and quirky style age appropriate, starting with this look I shot at Economy Candy, featuring this dress from Dolly & Dotty. 

try to stick with only 1 or 2 quirky pieces: 
I try to avoid having my outfits look too gimmicky or costumey, so I aim to only have one or two quirky pieces per look. For this look, my Kate Spade taxi flats are that piece. The white tights and green beret also add some whimsy to the look, but don't compete with the shoes. 

anchor the look with something sophisticated:
I always try to add classic items to my looks to keep them grounded. Some examples include solid black pieces (like a layered turtle neck or black tights), a structured handbag, or a shoe with a small heel. In this case, the dress I am wearing is classic, in the cut, colors and print, so I was able to have more fun with the accessories. 

add makeup:
Obviously children don't wear makeup, so adding this can instantly elevate your look and make it more mature. Here I added a red lip and winged eyeliner. 
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I will most likely continue this series and break down some more of my looks with additional tips. If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to reach out!

If you'd like to shop my dress, you can find it here:
https://www.dollyanddotty.co.uk/lola-stylish-50-s-retro-swing-dress-in-dark-blue​​

Dress: c/o Dolly and Dotty
https://www.dollyanddotty.co.uk/
Beret: Reminiscence Vintage; Tights: Target; Shoes: Kate Spade
​Location: Economy Candy (Lower East Side, NYC)