Aging Gracefully...and Pierced - FreshTrends Blog

As your 20s end, it’s natural to begin to analyze which aspects of your life will still be age-appropriate in your 30s and beyond.

Age is a social construct, which means that what you’re “too old” for is largely dictated by society. Turning 30 has become a massive milestone because it’s the arbitrary moment when you’re supposed to have life figured out, and you’ve officially entered full adulthood.

In reality, it is nothing more than another birthday. We all grow and change at our own rates, and who cares what society thinks about what it means to be 30?

That being said, you might feel your own individual pressure to enter into a new phase of life when you turn 30. The heralding of a new decade offers an excellent moment to evaluate who you are and who you want to be in the next 10 years.

As you analyze yourself and your choices, you might begin to consider how you dress. Is it time to opt for heels over sneakers? Do your jeans really need to have designer rips in them? Should you take out the septum piercing that you’ve adored for years?

Of course, these decisions are up to you, but as an (admittedly biased) body jewelry retailer, we say that if you still love your body piercings, then you should enjoy them no matter your age! However, if you’re feeling a little self-conscious, there are ways that you can rock your alternative style while still feeling as though you’ve successfully entered a new phase in your life and have grown a little beyond your youthful rebellion.

Choose classic jewelry styles to wear in your alternative piercing

While fashion trends have come and gone, many jewelry styles have been around for hundreds of years. It comes down to the fact that quality materials will always look beautiful, whether it’s 14k gold and platinum, diamonds and gemstones, or pearls.

If you want to update your style, switch out your neon, bioplastic eyebrow ring with a gorgeous 14k gold curved barbell. If you prefer bolder styles, you can still enjoy a splash of color in your eyebrow piercing while decorating it with a stunning piece of jewelry. Instead of choosing neon plastic, opt for bold gemstone colors instead. This will bring your look from that of a teenage rebel to a sophisticated adult.

Diamonds are forever

This line may be cliche, but it has many meanings. Not only do diamonds stand the test of time physically, but they will also forever remain a symbol of class and elegance. In body jewelry, they serve to elevate your piercing from cute to stunning.

Whether you’re the type who enjoys dainty jewelry with a slight sparkle or you prefer eye-catching styles that gain attention when you walk into a room, you can find the diamond that will achieve your goal. 

The great thing about body piercings entering mainstream acceptance is that it’s paved the way for a prevalence of diamond body jewelry, so you have your choice, no matter your style. You can even choose black diamonds for those of you who aren’t quite ready to say goodbye to your edgier subculture style.

Opt for nostril piercings and multiple cartilage piercings

We believe that piercings are the ultimate individual expression, so we never put an age limit to what piercings you can wear. However, if you’ve never been pierced before, you might feel a little hesitation when you go to get pierced in your 30s.

The good news is that it’s become quite common for nostril piercings and multiple cartilage piercings to be worn by men and women of all ages. For whatever reason, society has deemed these piercing types more acceptable than others, which means that you can still get your new piercing without feeling like you’re holding onto your youth too hard. 

If you’ve passed your 20s, and you want a piercing, but you fear that you’re “too old” to get one, start with the nostril or the cartilage. And, who knows? You might love it so much that you decide to get more amazing piercings. 

Choose piercings that are more hidden

Sometimes, our hesitation to get piercings when we’re older doesn’t have to do with what we think people might say but rather the fact that we’re in careers that might look down upon piercings.

While body piercings are becoming more and more accepted, certain industries still tend to frown upon them. So, what do you do when you want a piercing but your job won’t allow it? Get a piercing that you can hide.

A turtleneck can easily hide your surface piercings.

The prevalence of surface piercings has allowed piercing aficionados to get pierced almost anywhere. This means that you can get a piercing that you can easily hide beneath your clothes. Opt for a chest or clavicle piercing that you can show off when you’re not at work and easily hide behind shirts with a higher collar. If you often wear your hair down, you can also choose a nape piercing. Or, if you’re comfortable with wearing sleeves at work, get an arm piercing.

When you’re in your 20s, you have more space to choose jobs that might be more accepting of your alternative fashion choices. In your 30s, you don’t always have that luxury. Don’t let your boss drag you down. Get a piercing that you love that your employer will never know about.

In conclusion: age is just a number, and you should feel free to rock whatever style you want

We understand the need to make personal adjustments as you get older. We all change as we grow up, and part of acknowledging that change is updating our wardrobes and styles to reflect the new people that we’ve become.

On the flip side, society puts a lot of pressure on 30-year-olds to start their families, hide their tattoos, put away their body jewelry, and say goodbye to their youth. We say that you should hold true to yourself, no matter who that is.

Don’t let your age stop you from getting a body piercing that you want. If you’re concerned, there are a number of ways to help your body piercing reflect the adult you’ve become rather than the rebellious youth who you were. After all, age is just a number. What’s important is that you remain your best self.

Meghan O'Neal