Six fashion faux pas that will age you
Haute horrors, frock shocks or style missteps. We all know the fashion mistakes that make us scream “quelle horreur!” But what are the fashion faux pas that age you?
1. You're stuck in a style rut
Unfortunately, style doesn’t come with a use-by date. Without the occasional refresh of clothes — and hair and make-up — you can end up looking older than you are.
Stop relying on trusty old favourites and update them with more modern versions. Ditch the drab boxy old double-breasted jacket for a fab fitted slimline single-breasted version; leggings and easy-to-wear fleece for classic straight-leg jeans and a boyfriend shirt; square-toed pumps for kitten heels or slides; and a longline cardigan for a khaki army jacket or leather jacket.
2. You dress too young
Once you reach a certain age, there are some style choices you should leave behind because you'll look like you're trying too hard. Instead, make your outfits chicer and body appropriate.
Aim for a classic chic look, and if you’re self-conscious of your arms or some other body part, perhaps swap sleeveless, low-cut mini dresses for a long-sleeved dress that sits just below the knee with heels – especially if you have great legs.
Wear flattering fitted jeans – classic straight leg or boot leg styles in a dark denim – with a gorgeous silk blouse.
3. You've forgotten about fit
Fit is the key to everything! If you don’t care about the fit of your clothes, you run the risk of looking older.
A clean, lean silhouette with modern sharp lines is timeless and ageless. Garments that skim the body, jackets that fit you in the shoulders or a pair of classic straight-leg pants or jeans will flatter your figure in a way that’s both stylish and youthful.
Most important is the correct bra size. Pregnancy, fluctuating weight and menopause can change a woman's bust shape and size. When your bust drops, you can become short-waisted and find it difficult for clothes to fit properly. So, it’s important to get professionally fitted once a year to determine your correct bra size, one that keeps the fullest part of your bust exactly halfway between shoulder and waist.
4. You wear the wrong underwear
One of the worst is the VPL – visible panty line – and wearing coloured or patterned briefs under white or light-coloured pants.
Look for smooth seamless styles that sit under your buttock cheeks.
Or invest in shapewear and Spanx-type power panties or shorts (the new girdle) under dresses. And when it comes to white or light-coloured pants? Stick to nude or skin tone underwear.
5. You choose comfort over style
Active wear is a huge trend right now, but that doesn’t mean you can wear leggings, track pants or elasticised-waist pants and an oversized top everywhere.
While the look is undeniably comfy, try to leave them for the gym or yoga studio.
Instead, keep your silhouette narrow and wear tailored pants, classic straight leg jeans or cigarette-leg cropped pants that skim the body.
6. Your glasses are so last decade
The style and shape of your glasses is just as susceptible to fashion trends – and can age you. So, take a risk and try something you wouldn't normally wear.
Swap out your old metal frames with those fiddly little nose pieces for a pair of funky plastic frames.
But if you wear multi-focals, getting lenses updated every year (particularly if you have optical glasses AND sunglasses) can get expensive. So, opt for transition lenses instead or a pair of cheap 'n' cheerful readers from the chemist.
Written by Anne-Maree Gale. Republished with permission of Wyza.com.au.