When we were younger, we liked to hear that we looked several years older than our real age. However, the tables have turned. There are a number of fashion mistakes that you must avoid if you do not want to seem older than you are. Depending on your outfit, you can look younger or older! It is true that fashion is not always easy to get right. There are things that are in style just one year ago that would be a faux pas right now. Fashion trends are constantly evolving, so allow us to help you figure out what you need to avoid!
Poofy, Big Hairdo
In the ‘70s and ‘80s, everyone wanted to have big hair. Back-combing or teasing your hair felt like the only way to do your hair. These days, it is common knowledge that this will damage your hair. On top of that, the style is dated. Soft, silky locks are the way to go!
Poofy, Big Hairdo
Matchy-Matchy Outfits
Mixing prints and patterns is the fashionable thing to do. Color coordinating, not so much. It can be boring when you wear matching outfits, and it makes you look older. You should avoid looking overly put-together if you want to look young. You can mix leopard and plaid or stripes and circles instead.
Matchy-Matchy Outfits
High-Waters
Are you wearing high-waters to show everyone your amazing socks? If this is the case, keep doing so. Otherwise, you should await this style of pants no matter what the cost. When you buy pants, you should sit down and ensure that the ankle is covered. After all, cold ankles are not pleasant at all.
High-Waters
Over-Plucking/Tweezing
In the past, people liked to get their eyebrows done thin. These days, however, folks prefer thick and natural eyebrows. There is no need to be worried about stray hairs. The bushier they are, the better!
Over-Plucking/Tweezing
No Skincare Routine
Are you in your twenties? If so, you should know that this is a great time to begin using eye and night cream. Even though you are still young, you can prevent skin aging with the use of anti-aging products. You can stay young by including this step to your morning and night routine.
No Skincare Routine
Long Sleeves Only
Arm flab is a sad reality for many aging people. In reality, no one pays them that much attention. If you are covering them in summer, however, they will totally look. Own it and put on your short sleeves!
Matching Lipstick And Dress
If you have a black sweater on, you should finish the look by putting on pink lipstick. However, you should not get a pomegranate lipstick to go with your pomegranate blouse! We doubt that you will find a perfect match. The difference is just going to look weird, trust us.
Matching Lipstick And Dress
“Old Lady” Handbags
Big bags, sometimes referred to as “old lady” handbags, are no longer in. These days, small and elegant bags are where it is at. Besides, how much stuff do you really have to put inside a handbag?
“Old Lady” Handbags
Undergarment Lines
The right clothes only look good on you if you are wearing the right undergarments below them. Your outfit might look amazing on its own, but this might be useless if your bra is peeking through the shirt or if your underwear is too tight. You should get seamless undergarments to avoid embarrassing moments. After all, you do not want to go through the same thing that Faye Dunaway had to deal with, right?
Undergarment Lines
Jersey Fabric
Even though jersey is a comfy material, the fabric can accentuate the wrong areas. After all, it tends to cling to your body. Wool, cotton, and silk are better alternatives if you want to hide certain body parts. If you just cannot do without jersey, you should try jersey sheets or get looser pieces!
Jersey Fabric
Tan Stockings/Pantyhose
Nude and black tights are fine, but tan is not a good look. Gone are the days when the “four shades darker than your skin tone” look was popular. As a rule of thumb, just get them in your skin tone!
Tan Stockings/Pantyhose
Overdoing It With Powder
You should avoid using powder makeup as there is no better way to have your skin dry out and have makeup stick to every pore. It tends to highlight imperfections, no matter how few you might have. Creams and liquids are better alternatives if you want to avoid this fashion faux pas.
Overdoing It With Powder
Hiding Your Figure
Older folks tend to wear looser clothing. You should ditch baggy clothes and go for form-fitting ones that will accentuate your body shape instead. After all, garbage bag-like clothes will just make you look older!
Hiding Your Figure
Keeping The Same Hairdo
It is nice when you find a hairstyle that works for you, but it can get boring. You should occasionally change the color or length, if not both! With the right hairstyle, you will look like a brand new person. Make that appointment with your hairdresser right now.
Keeping The Same Hairdo
Minis
As you get older, it is a good idea to avoid “mini” anything. For older women, the rule of thumb should be nothing shorter than above the knee. Your legs might be amazing, but this is going to be for the best.
Minis
Pieces With A Story
Your dress might come with sentimental value, but that does not mean that you have to wear it. If it is big and baggy, you can have it hemmed or converted into a scarf. You do not need to go around wearing a hideous dress simply because you had it on your child’s 1st birthday!
Pieces With A Story
Trendy Sunglasses
A certain style of sunglasses might be trendy, but this does not necessarily mean they would look good on you. These days, it feels like everyone is wearing dark, square glasses. They actually tend to highlight your wrinkles and eye bags! You should go for a pair that is lighter in both lens shade and weight.
Trendy Sunglasses
Dark Lipstick
Dark lipsticks will draw attention to every line. You should opt for lighter shades if you want to show off your pout without highlighting unwanted cracks and crevices. If you are a huge fan of dark red stains, you should exfoliate first to ensure that the surface is smooth!
Dark Lipstick
Bad Color Choices
Different colors do not look the same on different skin tones. If your skin tone has cool undertones, you would look good in cooler colors such as greys and blues. If you have warm undertones, you should wear warmer colors such as yellows and reds. It is a good idea to know this to avoid looking washed out.
Bad Color Choices
Not Showing Your Neck
A lot of people assume that turtlenecks hide wrinkles, but they do not. We doubt that you enjoy feeling hot and constricted, so wear a v-neck or a scoop instead. If you want to look more modest, you can also draw attention away from your wrinkles with the help of a collared shirt.
Not Showing Your Neck
All Black Everything
It is pretty common knowledge that black can make you look slimmer. However, the color also tends to wash out your complexion. Our skin lightens as we get older, so you will look more washed out the more you age. If you have a black jacket on, you should wear a red shirt below it.
All Black Everything
Tweed
Tweed can age even the youngest-looking person by 10 years in no time at all. It is good for kids and seniors but no one else. If you like menswear, you should wear pinstripes and houndstooth instead.
Tweed
Resisting Denim
Denim is a material that tends to make you look younger. Do you want to hide problem areas? If so, you should go for a dark wash. The versatile material looks dressier in darker colors too. You can up your game by wearing a blazer or a pair of heels.
Resisting Denim
Chunky Jewelry
Costume jewelry simply says, “I’m old.” The trend has not been popular for a decade now, so avoid wearing chunky necklaces if you want to look younger. Small and delicate pieces are a lot more chic.
Chunky Jewelry
Stretchy Jeans
Even though stretchy jeans are very comfy, they might make you look lumpy if you do not have a body like a model. Do you want to flatten your silhouette and maintain your shape? You should get jeans that have 2% elastic fiber instead!
Stretchy Jeans
Nothing Tight
Tight clothes shed years off your age, but baggy clothes do the exact opposite of this. Older people think that they would not look good in form-fitting clothes. The reality, however, is that you will look your best if you wear something true to your size!
Nothing Tight
Chunky Sneakers
Sneakers, booties, and chunky heels are popular these days. However, they can actually make you seem older and heavier. Sleeker shoes, such as kitten heels and ankle strap flats, are the way to go. Those popular Fila disruptors would not do you any good.
Chunky Sneakers
Too Trendy
Trendy clothing is good, but there is a thing as taking it too far. When a fad goes out of style, you should let it go. You will not look young and chic if you are wearing something from last season. The effect will be the complete opposite! Classic trends such as leather and plaid are always good ideas since they will never go out of style.
Too Trendy
Jacket Around The Waist
It might have been cool to tie your jacket around your waist 20 years ago, but this is no longer the case. The trend is convenient if you do not want to carry your outerwear around, but it will make your waist and hips seem bigger than their real size. You should just drape it around your shoulders next time.
Jacket Around The Waist
Tanning
Tanning outside can damage your skin a lot. Even though you will have a healthy glow, it would not look this way 25 years into the future. Tanning will give you sun spots and wrinkles, which are things that you would want to avoid when you are older. You should try using tanning products if you want to get a summery glow but not the skin damage!
Tanning
Flowery Prints
Florals can accentuate your outfit every so often, but you should only use it on statement pieces. Wear too much of this pattern, and it will age you a lot. If you pick a floral dress, you should make sure that it fits your figure. In our opinion, these two ladies are doing it right.
Flowery Prints
Split Ends
Long hair can age you even if you are only 30 years old. Do you want to keep a youthful appearance? Make regular trips to the salon or barbershop then! This will give you a fuller style, and you can say goodbye to dead and split ends too. Hair thins as you get older, so this is very important.
Split Ends
Too Much Blush
Blush has to be executed perfectly. If you apply it on the wrong spot or put too much on, it will age you. Blush is supposed to be faint and subtle, the opposite of a red lip. If you apply an excessive amount of blush, you should get a beauty blender or tissue to blend it out until you are happy about how it looks.
Too Much Blush
Only Wearing Flats
Heels might not be the comfiest footwear choice out there, but flats just scream granny like nothing else. You will look younger if you wear some heels. Luckily, new styles are successful at combining both style and comfort. Boots and booties with thick heels, as well as kitten heels, have made comebacks.
Only Wearing Flats
Logos For All To See
Logo clothing just says, “I’m trying too hard.” It did not look good when you were 18, and it would not look good when you are 50. To be honest, it comes off as attention-seeking. You should wear pieces from a brand because you like its style, not because it mentions the name of the designer.
Logos For All To See
Long Skirts
Hemlines often get longer the older we get, but you can do this in a graceful way. On one hand, it can backfire and simply make you seem frumpy. If you are tall, you would not run into such a problem. You can also wear boots or high heels to make it work. Proper proportion is the key here.
Long Skirts
Slouchy And Slouchy
There is one rule you should always follow. If you are wearing tight bottoms, the top should be loose. If you are wearing loose bottoms, the top should be tight. These are good guidelines if you do not want to look sloppy or frumpy.
Slouchy And Slouchy
Not Showing Your Waist
Sadly, loose clothing does not always cover all the bulges and can even make us seem bigger. This is the way to go if you want to look like a huge garbage bag. You can add more shape to an outfit with the use of a belt. By clinching your waist, you can define your figure!
Not Showing Your Waist
Heavy Black Eye Makeup
Do not put on thick black eyeliner if you want to make your peepers pop. The only thing it will do is to bring attention to your wrinkles. Pick a lighter color and put that liner on instead. We recommend colors such as gray, brown, and olive green.
Heavy Black Eye Makeup
Clothes That Aren’t Tailored
Regardless of style, unaltered clothes would not look great on you. Even though alterations are not cheap, it would not cost you over $35 to get a jacket taken in or a shirt darted. You can drop by a local dry cleaner to get a better quote, of course.
Clothes That Aren’t Tailored
Drugstore Reading Glasses
As you age, your eyesight tends to get worse as well. You do not have to use those ugly reading glasses at drugstores, you know. You should get bigger and bolder frames if you want to highlight your face. This is going to work better than cheap and skinny ones.
Drugstore Reading Glasses
Bras That Don’t Fit
Bras that fit are the way to go. You can change your figure and silhouette with the right one! It is not impossible to look for a bra brand that offers support, style, and comfort all in one. For women, saggy breasts are the number one tell-tale sign of aging.
Bras That Don’t Fit
Chunky Heels
Chunky heels only really work at black-tie events. If you wear them at any other time, they will only make you look outdated. We recommend going for a point heel over a chunky one since this will make you seem lighter.
Chunky Heels
Silk Scarves
Have you started seeing wrinkles and lines on your neck? If so, you should know that a silk neck scarf will just give them more attention. They will also make you look top-heavy, and no one wants that.
Silk Scarves
Pearls
Pearls can instantly add years to your appearance. Even if you plan to go to a charity ball, you should leave the pearls at home. Silver accessories are better since they are cheaper and more timeless!
Pearls
Boot-Cut Jeans
Boot- jeans will make you seem short and squat, and who wants to look like that? You should opt for slim-fitting denim that will make you look slenderer and draw attention away from your bottom half.
Boot Cut Jeans
Solar Shield Sunglasses
If you want to let everyone know that you are old, you should put on a pair of Solar Shields. They are, to put it mildly, huge and ugly. They can block out the sun effectively, but no one should be wearing them.
Solar Shield Sunglasses
Transition Glasses
Transition glasses also make the youngest folks seem old. Who wants to wear sunglasses indoors, after all? Even though they can be super convenient, you will not be able to convince us to put them on.
Transition Glasses
Jean Sets
There was a time when jean sets were popular, but this is no longer the case. Far from it! Wearing a matching set of black-wash jacket and pants will just age you. Pick one or the other but not both.
Jean Sets
A Huge Wallet
A huge wallet is another thing that screams, “I’m old.” There is no need to keep a pen, photos of your grandchildren, and 20 credit cards in one place. You should only have the necessary cards and a couple of bucks in there. Nothing more and nothing less!
A Huge Wallet
Jewelry Sets
We would like to ask you to stop buying matching jewelry sets right this moment. You do not have to match your ring, bracelet, necklace, and earrings. This will only make you look older! Ditch the matching sets and simply mix and match metal tones.
Jewelry Sets
Jeans & Running Sneakers
Let us be blunt. This look never caught up, and it never will. Your tight jeans should not be paired with running sneakers. The only people that do this are moms and dads. You do not want to look like them!
Jeans & Running Sneakers
High Socks & Shorts
If you have shorts on, you should skip the high socks. Stick to low socks that reach the top of your shoes. Otherwise, you are basically telling everyone, “I have no style.” No one wants to look like a nerd, right?
High Socks & Shorts
Short Haircut
Short haircuts tend to age ladies. Avoid bobs and pixie cuts if you plan to take the attention away from your face. If you really want to have short hair, the least you can do is to avoid what Kate Gosselin did to her locks.
Short Haircut
Elastic Waist Pants
There are plenty of comfy yoga clothes on the market, so you can retire your elastic waist pants. If you want to look good while working out, yoga pants or “athleisure” are stylish and comfy at the same time.
Elastic Waist Pants
Old Ties
Here was what Jill Merriman, a networking expert, had to say about ties: “Gone are the days of the wide, stripped 1970s tie or the 1980s skinny ties. Instead, wear a trendy tie such as a current floral print to appear hip and youthful.”
Old Ties
Eyeglass Chains
What are you doing if your glasses still come with an affixed eyeglass chain? Get rid of it right this instant! Your glasses should be on the face or inside a bag. They should not be around the neck!
Eyeglass Chains
Wrong Color Makeup
If you are interested in saying goodbye to your youthful glow, make sure to put on the wrong shade of bronzer or foundation. This is only going to make you seem ashy! Next time, do not be scared to ask for help at the makeup counter to get it right.
Wrong Color Makeup
Glitter Overload
Glitter is stuff for teens. If your eyes are more mature, you should avoid using eyeshadows that have glitter in them. We’re sorry to say this but sparkles just draw more attention to fine lines and wrinkles.
Glitter Overload
Blue Eyeshadow
Blue is a lovely color but wearing certain blue eyeshadow shades just makes you appear older. You can lighten up your eyes and your overlook look by using nude colors. This will make you seem younger!
Blue Eyeshadow
Overdrawn Lips
Step aside, Kylie Jenner. Her heavily lined lips are on their way out. You should know that this look is more likely to go wrong than right. You should stick to your natural features instead of overdoing it.
Overdrawn Lips
Dangly Earrings
Dangly earrings tend to draw the eye to an area that many older women are not fond of. This is a look meant for young women, so older ladies tend to look a little off when they try it out.
Dangly Earrings
Locket Necklaces
Even though a locket necklace would be a nice gift for your little girl, it is not a great look for a lady in her 50s. You can just keep your spouse’s photo in a frame or on your phone these days, so why bother?
Locket Necklaces
Cargo Shorts
Cargo shorts simply break all the rules in the book. That is all there is to it. Extra pockets might be nice, but your water bottle and flashlight should not be in your thigh pocket anyway. Ditch these monstrosities!
Cargo Shorts