10 Fashion Mistakes that Make You Look Older
Did you know there are common fashion mistakes that women over 50 often make that make them look older?
In this post, I’m going to cover 10 easy tips you can do TODAY to look 10 years younger. You could be over 50, over 60, over 70 - you’re sure to find a helpful tip in here to shave off the years.
No one wants to look frumpy, dumpy, or older than they are let’s take a look at these fashion faux pas and turn back the clock to a younger you.
You may not even realize what makes an outfit look frumpy. As we age, there are a number of things we do that give off an “older” vibe (and we don’t even realize it) and by making a few simple tweaks to your appearance, you will look years younger!
Now I’m not saying you are trying to look like a twenty-year-old or return to your college days.
Rather, I’m going to show you some simple and sophisticated fashion tips to dress in age-appropriate clothing while showing you how to dress to look more vibrant, refreshed, and relevant.
So, if you’re wondering how can I dress younger in my 50s, or at 60, keep reading. This post is for you!
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10 Ways to Look 10 Years Younger
You can read the article or watch the video version for all 10 style tips.
#1. STOP WEARING Comfortable (and Ugly) Shoes
I recently did a survey and I asked what kind of shoes you like.
Guess what? Most of us, including myself, prefer to wear flat shoes rather than heels. You can see the results of the survey below. Only 12% of us prefer heels while a whopping 88% love to wear flat shoes.
However, just because you like to wear flats or comfortable shoes, doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice style.
There are so many great shoes available right now!
You can update your look, so you look relevant and stylish but be completely comfortable!
You don't have to succumb to ugly shoes in order to be comfortable; there are so many elegant options on the market that will elevate your whole look just by updating your shoes.
Comfortable and Stylish Shoes
Tuckernuck French Sole H Leather Alibi Sandals
#2. Wrong Length Pants or Capris
Choosing pants, capris, crops, or culottes that are the wrong length can make you look older.
Many women make the mistake of choosing capris that end at mid-calf. That is actually the widest part of your leg.
Guess what that's going to do? It’s going to highlight the widest part of your leg which will add weight.
It’s going to make you look frumpier and dumpier. We don’t want that!
Instead, look for pants that end at ankle length or just above so they are highlighting the skinniest part of your leg and giving you a younger more youthful appearance.
Best Pant Length for Women Over 50
#3. Poorly Fitting Bras
I know those stretchy comfortable bras tend to be a go-to for many women because they are so comfortable.
I love those you can throw them on at home and feel like you're not wearing anything.
They don't have any clasps, there are no underwires, they're just like a big elastic rubberband that goes over your chest and holds your breasts in place.
However, they don't really hold the girls in place the way they should.
Plus, if you're over 50 like I am, gravity takes over and things are not as perky as they may have been.
These stretch bras don't provide the support that you need and the lift that you need to give you a younger more youthful appearance.
If you want to shave off some years, have your body look better, and your clothes fit better, go and get fitted for an updated bra.
You can still buy very comfortable bras. You just need to get professionally fitted for a bra that fits your body and doesn't make you feel like you want to move around.
Most lingerie experts recommend getting fitted at least once a year and as often as every six months.
Get a good bra even if it's one that you're just wearing out to events or when you're out of the house.
Keep your stretchy bra for when you're relaxing at home and you will shave off the years off your figure and give you a very elegant look.
Best Bras for Women Over 50
#4. Statement Necklaces
Stop wearing large, chunky statement necklaces.
I know we all grew up in the 80s we were fans of the big chunky necklaces, big chunky earrings, and big chunky anything to go with our high, high hair!
However, today’s look is very understated and sophisticated. Instead of large statement necklaces, choose thinner, more elegant pieces.
It will refine your look and give you a younger more updated appearance if you scale back on big bold necklaces.
Instead, opt for thinner necklaces in gold, silver, or rose gold. Small chains are popular as well as pendants. Wear them alone or chose to layer several of them. A combination of both chains and pendants in one metal is currently trending.
Necklaces to Look 10 Years Younger
#5. Wearing Too Much Black
I’m a culprit of this! For a long time, my closet was entirely black, gray, and white.
For years, black was my go-to color and I lived in it most of the time.
I love black because it is very chic and very classic.
However, as I’ve gotten older, I realize BLACK is very harsh against the skin especially when worn near the face.
It shows under-eye circles.
It shows lines and it ages you.
Instead of wearing all black, add in some pops of color.
For example, add a little scarf up around your neck.
Wear a beautifully colored blouse or sweater.
Carry a statement bag that's a pop of color or some colorful glasses.
Pop Of Color Ideas
You just want to add a little bit more color to your life and you will be surprised how many more compliments you receive once you're wearing more color.
In addition, if you love wearing dark shades, instead of black, opt for chocolate brown, navy blue, or slate gray.
#6. Nude Pantyhose
This may be the biggest thing that ages a woman.
Wearing nude pantyhose or skin-colored pantyhose.
Now, I know you might be saying, “I have spider veins,” “my ankles are in bad shape,” or “I have freckles or sun damage,” or “I haven't been out in the sun so my legs are pasty.”
You know what?
It looks a lot more updated than wearing pantyhose!
So get rid of the nude pantyhose.
You can buy tanning creams that give you a tan look on your legs or you can just embrace it and go with a nude leg.
Keep your legs shaved, apply a moisturizing cream, put on a self-tanner that will give you a warm glow.
It makes a huge difference and it really shaves the years right off you.
#7. Running Shoes with Street Clothes
You may not think that running shoes date your look but they do.
If you want to look younger more polished and refined and elegant switch out those running shoes.
Unless you are running! If you're doing athletic activities, of course, wear your sneakers.
However, if you want a more updated modern fresh look do not pair your athletic sneakers with your jeans or a little skirt or skort.
Instead, opt for some nice clean white sneakers.
Just a nice plain white sneaker will update your look and give you a fresh modern edge.
it's a very simple way to update your wardrobe!
Best White Sneakers to Wear with Street Clothes
Superga Cotu White Sneakers at Nordstrom
Lilly Pulitzer Hallie White Leather Sneakers with Gold Accents
Kenneth Cole Kam Platform Sneakers with Leopard Trim
#8. You Don’t Update Your Style
When is the last time you updated your look?
Now, I love talking about classic and preppy wardrobes, however, that doesn't mean that I don't stay relevant.
I still like to update my wardrobe and bring new pieces in every year. Because, no matter what style you wear, it will occasionally need to be refreshed.
In addition, when is the last time you updated your hairstyle, your glasses, or even your jewelry?
This doesn't mean you need to hop on every fad or trend but you still want to stay relevant and up to date.
Even though you might be using a classic look or style there are still trends that will come in and out that will update the look without it being a fad that's going to go out of style.
Trends come on slowly and they die out gradually rather than fads that go out of style almost as quickly as they come in.
Update your style occasionally so you'll still have garments to wear for years without looking dated.
Look for pieces that are updated and classic like any of these 20 classic brands.
Make sure you're updating your hair every year or two. I have friends that have not changed their hairstyle in a good 20 years, maybe even 30 years. They're still wearing the same hairstyle they wore in college!
You want to update that look and stay relevant.
Look and see what hairstyles are out there today and what is modern and fresh.
What is what are people doing from a jewelry standpoint?
Like I said earlier, you don't have to hop on every fad but you do want to stay relevant and that will again shave off an easy 10 years from your look.
Not sure what your style is? How to Find Your Own Style
#9. Cheap Drugstore Reading Glasses
Yes, these glasses look fun and they’re inexpensive.
However, they are going to age you so much!
They've got the little half eyes that like sit down low and you wear them down on the tip of your nose and you look over your glasses at everyone.
It’s a quick and easy way to tell the world you’re over 50!
Instead, go invest in a pair of good glasses that sit properly on your face that are up to date that suit your style and choose good glasses instead of those cheap readers because they are definitely going to make you look aged.
Here are some great eyeglass sites to check out for updated eyewear.
#10. Skirts too Long
Skirts that are too long this is one of those things that really can age you and make you look frumpy, weighed down, and just not fresh.
I know that long midi and maxi skirts are popular, however, if you are trying to look younger, I would avoid longer skirts.
What we tend to do as women of a certain age is as we gain weight, or we don't love the look of our legs anymore, we buy longer and longer skirts to cover up.
Unfortunately, the effect is the opposite of what we were going for. Those long skirts weigh us down and we end up looking frumpy.
I recommend avoiding anything longer than knee length.
I think knee-length is the most flattering look (or just slightly above the knee) on women over 50. It’s a beautiful and flattering length for most women.
On the other hand, midi skirts hit right at the mid-calf.
Mid means midway or halfway between the knee and the foot which is “boom!” the widest part of your calf.
So anything that hits at this point is going to give you a very frumpy look and aged look.
Hike up your skirts a little wear them around knee length and it will shave off the years.
Best Skirt Length to Look 10 Years Younger
Do you have any favorite tips to look younger? Let me know in the comments below!
