10 Fashion Mistakes That Make You Appear Older & 10 That Make You A Style Icon
How To Dress Like A Pro
The clothes and accessories you put on your body can really affect your overall appearance and energy. Certain items might make you appear older than you'd like, while certain techniques and choices can make you look like a pro. So which one do you want? Here are 10 fashion mistakes we'd recommend avoiding and 10 to follow so you can feel up to date with the hottest trends and tips.
1. Animal Prints
While animal prints can work as a statement piece in your outfit, this is the perfect example where less is definitely more. Dressing from head-to-toe in a zebra or cheetah print will do you more wrong than good — your hope for a stylish look will quickly turn into an outdated disaster if you go overboard.
2. Dark Lipstick
What color you choose for your lipstick can actually make you look a lot younger or more mature. If you go for a dark, brooding color, all it does is take brightness away from your face. Not to mention, these darker colors tend to settle into your lines more, accentuating unwanted features.
3. Shapeless Sweaters
When you don't dress in a way that compliments your body, it can really tack on a couple of years to your age. One big culprit of this is shapeless sweaters. While they do keep you warm, they can make you look boxy and bulky, taking away your natural shape.
4. Wearing Only Dark Colors
We know most people think the color black goes with everything, but what it's actually doing to you is making you look older. Younger individuals tend to be associated with bright and vibrant colors, meaning darker hues can wash out your complexion and make you seem less youthful.
5. Wrong-Sized Undergarments
When we don't buy the right-sized undergarments, it's sadly noticeable even when they're worn beneath our clothes. Whether certain lines just stick out or they make you look weirdly shaped, it's always important to put extra effort into avoiding the wrong size. The best way to look stylish (while being comfortable) is buying what you know fits you best.
6. Oversized Clothing
Oversized shirts and hoodies are quite the popular trend right now, which is nice given that it prioritizes comfort, but there's still a fine balance you have to manage. If you start layering oversized tees, with oversized pants, jackets, and everything else, you're just going to look like a pile of clothes. It doesn't do anything for your shape, which can make you appear older than you'd like.
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7. Baggy Cargo Pants
Speaking of poorly-fitted clothes, there's one in particular we have to shout out: baggy cargo pants. These might be comfy, but it's an article of clothing that's commonly worn by older adults, meaning that's what it'll make you look like. Especially if it's in a bright color that highlights the pants even further.
8. Outdated Eyewear
Yes, when it comes to fashion, even your glasses can't be overlooked! Eyewear has transformed a ton in the past few decades, meaning there are certain looks that are terribly outdated. Always pick ones that compliment your face shape and skin tone; picking wacky frames or unique prints just make it harder for you to style.
9. Unflattering Haircuts
The problem with haircuts is, once you do it, you can't go back! Until it grows again, that is. But picking the right hairstyle can really affect your overall appearance. If you choose something like a bob, a mullet, or a pixie cut that isn't flattering for you, it can make you seem like you're from a different time. Always carefully examine your face structure to see what compliments you best.
10. Pantyhose With Printed Designs
Wearing pantyhose with unique designs like stripes, polka dots, or flowers will certainly make you stand out, but just not in the way you want it to. These tend to be hard to style with and can easily make your outfit look cluttered and messy. And when you look like you're throwing too much together, it can appear like you're a bit out of touch with current styles and trends.
1. Accessorizing
On the flip side, if you understand the art of accessorizing, everyone will look up to your amazing fashion taste regardless of how old you are. Mastering the ability to find the perfect belt, necklace, or earring to complete your look is a skill all fashionistas can admire.
2. Matching Makeup
Even if you love a beautiful red lip, you have to understand that there's a time and place for it. How you do your makeup shouldn't be separate from how you dress; the two need to work together to create the ultimate cohesive look. Knowing which blush colors to use, which shadows to blend, and which eyeliner look to go for is a lot harder said than done.
3. Natural Makeup
And to emphasize our point on makeup even further, wearing less and letting your natural beauty shine through is the best way to look more youthful. The more product you throw on, the cakier it'll look on your face, highlighting those unwanted wrinkles and lines even more. At the end of the day, love yourself and how you look. Confidence is the most attractive trait after all!
14. Trendy Shoes
No one said you have to only wear Velcro shoes once you turn a certain age! You can still prioritize comfort, just pick from brands that are trendy and popular. Sometimes, just showing off a certain logo can make you look a lot more stylish.
15. Comfort With Style
If you're on the older side, being fashionable doesn't mean you have to compromise on comfort. Don't wear tight skirts, short dresses, or revealing shirts if you're not comfortable with it. Being a style icon is all about applying trends to what you know works for you. It's all about wearing the right colors and styles that look flattering on you.
16. Understanding Color Theory
And speaking of color, fashionistas have a solid of understand of how color theory works. What looks good on someone else doesn't necessarily mean it'll look good on you. Hues and tones appear differently depending on your skin tone, and using this knowledge to your advantage ensures you're always wearing colors that highlight the best of your features.
17. Styling Your Hair
There's absolutely nothing wrong with letting your hair run free and wild, but if you want people to see that you know what you're doing, learning to style your hair is one way to do that. Whether it's getting the perfect curls or using hair claws in the most creative way, this simple touch shows that you put thought into your appearance.
18. Using Pimple Patches
In today's society, people are becoming less and less scared of walking out bare-faced, especially when there's products like pimple patches with fun designs. Coming in a variety of shapes, all the trendsetters simply throw on one whenever they need to hide a big, red pimple instead of covering it with concealer. Take Millie Bobby Brown for example who showed up to a televised interview wearing no make up but a pimple patch!
19. Bag Charms
The most popular trend when it comes to your bags right now? Personalizing them with cute bag charms that fit your personality and vibe. This small addition just tells people that you're up to date with what's popular and that you love throwing a bit of yourself into your outfits.
20. Doing More With Less
While this point has been echoed throughout this article, we can't ignore how important it is to find the right balance in all your looks. If you're able to make a simple shirt, jeans, and boots look fashionable, it simply means you know how to look good even when you don't have a lot to work with. Because trendy and stylish doesn't mean layering on excessive clothes and jewelry, it's being able to rock every kind of outfit you put on.
