6 Fashion Mistakes That Age You + Easy Ways to Avoid Them

1. Wearing the wrong colors

One of the most effective ways to achieve a youthful glow is via the colors we choose to wear.

The right colors will reflect back to your face enhancing it further, while the wrong colors will cast unflattering shadows that will highlight fine lines and wrinkles.

You don't need to wear your best colors from head to toe. You only need to be concerned with the colors around your neckline.

Because I have a neutral undertone, I can get away with blue base colors, although I'm slightly warm.

My ideal color is rich brown.

Pale, pastel colors wash me out. 

2. Wearing the wrong prints

The trickiest print to wear is florals, as they can have that Granny connotation.

So, if you pick florals, pick something with some freshness instead of something too heavy, large, or with contrasting colors.

But, on the other hand, those dainty little flowers can also look a bit dated. 

This abstract print top is making me look passé. It's quite boring and makes me look older.

Swapping to a brighter, more classic print, my outfit looks more contemporary and vibrant.

Here I'm wearing a floral dress with a dark background which is good because it doesn't make me bigger.

But it makes me look way too serious. The styling is also wrong. Buttoning the dress up and wearing flats and a neutral bag adds to the Grandma feel. 

Here I swapped the floral dress for a thin zebra print with a much more interesting cut that drapes around my curves without adding to them. It also accentuates my waist.

The print is fresher, more current, and complementary to my style. 

3. Wearing shapeless clothes

Wearing shapeless and oversized everything has been trending for quite a while, but for many of us, it doesn't do us any favors, and it's quite unflattering.

This formless blazer leaves me with no silhouette, with no way to show off my body shape. 

To balance out the proportions, select only one part of your body to wear the most voluminous piece.

If you have large hips, leave that area for the most restricted piece and place the volume around your upper body.

And, if you are larger in your upper body, keep the area simple and place the volume at your lower part.

Here I'm wearing a skin-hugging bodysuit, showing some skin at the top and keeping the volume at the bottom half, so I don't overwhelm my entire frame.

Creating the opposite effect, I'm wearing more constricting fitted Bermuda pants and leaving the volume piece for my upper part.

I'm taking the edginess off the oversized blazer by creating a slimming black base underneath and showing off my legs. I’ve finished off with pointed-toe shoes, which help elongate my legs.

4. Wearing dated accessories

No matter how great and current you look, if you wear dated shoes, bags, and jewelry, the impact they will have on your outfit is striking.

Notice how the old and tired accessories detract from the dress and drag the look down.

Inserting a pop of color in the accessories brightens the black dress up.

I’ve added midi heels, a small baguette in the same color, and dainty hoop earrings. They are all I need to look current, light, and feminine.

5. Black monochrome

The next thing that might be aging is wearing black from head to toe, but it doesn't have to do with the color itself. It is how you wear it.

Anytime that you wear black and you don't show any skin or have the addition of any other color, you can look too serious.

In this look, I’ve paired black pants with a sophisticated top with long strings to add dimension and short sleeves that show a bit of skin.

White accessories break the blackness and work well.

Here, I’ve created an outfit with some texture, making it more appealing and current.

When choosing black pieces, choose something with an unexpected cut.

I love this leather skirt because it has cute frills that open at the bottom, balancing out the hip area. 

6. Only wearing neutral colors

Neutral colors are essential in every woman's wardrobe. However, if you only wear them, you risk appearing boring, dated, and even older than you are. 

To elevate a neutral look so it doesn't look mundane, add a hint of color and a detail such as a belted blazer to give the silhouette shape and balance.

Fashion mistakes that age you

These are some of the things that might be aging you. By making some tweaks here and there, you can make your outfits more current and more contemporary. 

For more styling content, check out my post on 10 Styling Tricks to Create a Sleek Outfit Every Time.