5 Times Kristi Noem Made Herself Look Older By Dressing Like A Teenager

Kristi Noem was born in 1971. But she doesn't always dress like it. During public events, the Secretary of Homeland Security usually adopts a mature, chic, and structured wardrobe that leans into preppy cuts and styles that work for her career and age group. However, we've seen her ditch her work-appropriate blazers and pointed-toe heels a few times in her private life in exchange for ensembles we'd expect to see on a teenager.

Though Noem (who looks so different without her hair extensions) may strive for a youthful aesthetic, she's discovered the hard way that embracing trends loved by Gen Z can sometimes make you appear older. Though there are no hard and fast rules to dressing for your age, there have been a few times Noem taught us an important lesson about how attempting to look younger via your wardrobe can seriously backfire.

Gen Zs love a baggy shirt, and if it's cropped, even better (even millennials were urged to give the crop top another chance). Noem got in on the youthful trend in a raw-hem, stomach-baring, blue sweatshirt, worn over a gray top with matching sweatpants. But the oversized, casual ensemble appeared unkempt and didn't fit with the more refined looks we're used to seeing from her. The slouchy vibe gave the impression she was chasing trends over staying true to her style in her June 2025 Instagram upload, making her look older.

Kristi Noem embraced the comfy, athleisure look again while shopping in South Dakota in a photo shared to Instagram in 2024. Although we understand why Noem chooses comfort on her days off, stepping out in loungewear, chunky sneakers, and an oversized, cropped sweater without any intention to workout felt youthful in all the wrong ways; as if she was trying too hard. Though she didn't need to get all dressed up for a low-key day, jeans and a t-shirt would have been a more mature, yet still appropriately casual, choice.

The backward cap has been in and out of fashion more times than baggy jeans. It was officially declared trendy again in early 2025, though — and Noem couldn't wait to try it. She shared a Facebook snap that April wearing a black hat titled behind her head, with a green puffer jacket, black pants, and chunky, blue sneakers. Unfortunately, the flipped cap revival was too fresh and divisive for anyone except teenagers to wear it unironically, making the politician (who was 53 when she posted the image) appear older.

Kristi Noem gave us TikToker vibes with her monochrome black ensemble in a 2024 Instagram upload, when she wore an oversized top, wide pants, and a baseball cap. But the minimalistic, single color aesthetic felt more Gen Z than Gen X and was devoid of the personality her outfits usually have. Noem's generation is known for embracing prints and outfits that feel more put together, so this felt like a missed opportunity for someone who's had decades to develop their style. Plus, too much black is an outdated fashion trend that instantly ages a person.

Kristi Noem also took the teen-favored casual dressing route for a shopping trip shared to Facebook in 2023, but her relaxed 'fit once again felt too reliant on youthful trends. Her teddy, beige jacket needed more tailoring to compliment her figure, plus it felt informal paired with her loose-fit sweatpants and her and Gen Z's favorite footwear, sneakers. Though we appreciate that Noem clearly has her eye on trends and is open to new styles, sometimes, they need tweaking to feel authentic in line with her age.