This article was originally published on Kueez
The fashion and beauty industries are known to thrive from products that claim to make us look younger. It’s the sad truth, but most of us fear becoming old, and well, there are many options out there to help us stay young as long as possible. But with trends continuously shifting, sometimes it’s hard to keep up with what really compliments our style, our taste, and our age. So to make things easier, we’ve compiled a list of fashion looks that might appear youthful in the ads, but at the end of the day are going to leave you looking and feeling older than you actually are.
Big Hairdos Are A Do Not
You might ask, “But volume is trendy, no?” Well yes, but there’s a twist to it. While adding volume to your hair can be incredibly beautiful and youthful, there’s a very thin line between trendy and heavy.
Hairdressers from all over the world have shared that many mature clients think that in order to stay in fashion they need to get a heavy and fancy hairdo. While on the contrary, teased-up hair might actually do the exact opposite, and make the person look much older than she really is.
Super Long Hair
This one might not come as a shocker. Several women opt to cut their hair shorter as they grow older, and there is a very good reason for it. That’s because really long hair (not shoulder-level hair, but hair past one’s ribs type of long) can make a woman look much older than she is.
While some women hope that the long and flowy hair could mask and hide some of their imperfections, but maybe we should look at our imperfections as what makes us beautiful and unique. A fresh and longer bob hairstyle is a much better choice.
Matching Lipstick To Your Outfit
So this one is kind of debatable, but should really not be taken lightly. True, the make-up community does usually recommend that lipstick should be somewhat matched to our outfit, but there are specific tricks that can be used - and some choices that should be avoided.
For example, wearing a bright red sweater with bright red lipstick could be a terrible idea. Why you might ask? Because this is mostly considered “mom-style” instead of trendy, which is automatically linked to being on the older side.
Jeggings Are A No-No
Jeggings are great - they are comfortable, they can easily fit into any type of body, and they can be trendy. But while jeggings can definitely be much more comfortable than jeans, it might even sound unnecessary to remind us that in the end, they aren’t jeans.
Jeans are usually designed to fit our bodies in a specific way, while jeggings might not always be very flattering. The thin material exposes every single bump in our aging bodies, resulting in a not-so-flattering situation.
Large And Gaudy Jewelry Is Too Much
Though we can’t say that a beautiful and delicate statement necklace isn’t flattering, this one is another thin line in the fashion industry. Big and plump necklaces might not be as trendy as we hoped they’d be, especially when they take over a person’s entire outfit.
In recent years, less has definitely become more, so opting for a thin and delicate necklace and pair of earrings might do wonders if we’re trying to keep our looks on the younger side.
Too Much Fake Tan
We get it, looking tanned is fun and can easily give us that “careless” and younger look we’re looking for. But sadly, it has been proven that tanning is one of the main actions that age our skin more rapidly. Not to say that the sun rays can exacerbate our wrinkles and fine lines.
Consequently, many women and men choose fake tan. But while fake tanners are less damaging, having way too much unnatural dark shade in our skin can be such a terrible decision, resulting in an unwanted orange and older look.
Overly-Done Eyebrows
If there is one thing that we’ve learned over the years, it’s that over-plucked eyebrows should be left to the '90s and early 2000s. Sure, back then almost everyone did it. But the thin, weirdly shaped eyebrow trend is no longer in fashion today since “natural” has become the new trend.
Overplucking eyebrows can make us look much older because well, we all know that the trend was here 20 years ago, so why insist on it? Better to go for slightly filled eyebrows that don’t draw too much attention.
The Jersey Dress Trend
Another trend that is long gone is the jersey dress style. In all fairness, it is very understandable why a person would find it brilliant to wear something as comfortable as a jersey dress. But unfortunately, this is another fashion choice that ages a person pretty fast.
The typical cotton fabric easily pinpoints to every single body part, even those that we are not quite comfortable sharing with the world. The quality also almost always seems pretty cheap, which is never something that flatters us in general.
Head-To-Toe Pastels
We can understand the urge to wear pastels from head-to-toe, and in all truth, the trend has been alive for a while. But unless we do want to look a bit older, wearing an outfit that is only made of pastels might not be the best idea.
That’s because wearing monochromatic outfits with the same shades can actually make some women fade, especially those with lighter skin notes. So, we’re not in any way saying that you shouldn’t wear pastels. But if you must, pairing pastel colors with a darker shade can be a great way to make things look more fashionable and youthful.
Long, Floor Length Skirts
It’s safe to say that at this point, wearing overly-long pieces of clothing or hair just doesn’t flatter us as much as we wish it did. Though several women choose to wear longer hemlines as time goes by, this choice is to be made with some caution.
Floor-length skirts can easily hide a woman’s figure completely, which is not necessarily flattering, since our curves are beautiful! So if you still opt for this style, choosing a tighter top with a looser floor-length skirt could be a good option.
Powdery Makeup That Gets All Caked Up
There is no doubt that makeup can be awesome. It’s fun, it can be pretty affordable, and it gives us that little push we need to enhance our facial features a little bit more. But as we age, it becomes increasingly hard for some women to go on without makeup, which sometimes results in the use of really heavy and cakey makeup.
Unfortunately though, if makeup is not put on properly, it can make someone look older really fast. Instead, it’s probably better to go for good quality tinted moisturizers or foundations.
Over-Covering Your Neck
The neck is a body part that becomes really hard to deal with when we get older. We can easily feel incredibly self-conscious about it, and so our natural reaction might be to constantly cover it up. But again, sometimes the cover-up might do exactly the opposite.
For example, wearing a dark turtleneck on fair skin, or a light turtleneck on darker skin might create a huge contrast that ends up bringing more attention to the area. So once again, not that wearing a turtleneck is a bad thing, but letting that beautiful neck shine should also be an option.
Wearing The Same Hairstyle For Years
While some women can never stay with the same hairstyle for longer periods of time, other women are able to wear the same hairdo for years, even decades. Why mess with something that works so well, right?
Well, unfortunately, even the nicest hairstyles end up fading over time, eventually making the person look older than she actually is. So there is no harm in changing it up every few years to keep the youthful feeling alive and to adapt to the ongoing changes in hairstyle fashion.
Really Dark Lipstick
Several occasions call for an edgy and dark lipstick. Be it because the cold season has arrived or we’re feeling pretty blue ourselves, sometimes we feel like spicing things up. But sadly, some darker shades of lipstick could result in someone looking unintentionally older.
Because our lips might become thinner and paler with the years, a dark lip can accentuate the inevitable signs of aging around the outlines of our lips. Instead, a nude color could work better over time.
Matchy-Matchy Jewelry
Because fashion can often be so versatile, we might lose sight of what’s still cool, and what has become a bit much. But as the legendary Coco Chanel once advised women, before leaving home it’s always a good idea to stop, look in the mirror, and take one thing off.
For example, wearing too much jewelry, and on top of it, matching it all together can seriously weigh someone down. Always better to break matching sets up and wear them one at a time, which also allows you to showcase their uniqueness while pairing it up with different outfits.
Floral Patterns Are Out
While floral patterns can make for a dreamy and romantic style, one has to be cautious about the way we wear it. For instance, the floral outfits at your local department store can repeatedly be very outdated, automatically aging almost anyone who wears them.
So for those who love patterns, there is nothing wrong with wearing a floral pattern once in a while. But if you’d like to make things more youthful, choosing different prints (like geometric, abstract, and even polka dots) might be for the better.
Ill-Fitting and Exposed Undergarments
The fashion industry has showered us with tons of undergarment options. There is literally every shape and color for arguably any outfit we wear, with many of them promising to “work miracles”. Both high-end and affordable brands have created every shape we can think of.
So with so many options, there are almost no excuses for choosing to wear an outfit that exposes our underwear. For real, choosing to wear colorful straps and ill-fitting underwear is something that we shouldn’t have trouble fixing with the array of options these days.
Huge And Baggy Outfits
It’s undeniable that getting old isn’t easy. For many people, that also means changing the way we dress and shifting to much baggier outfits. But although oversized outfits might be in fashion, choosing a huge outfit might sometimes make us look older.
Tent-like and baggy dresses simply fail to accentuate our bodies, making us look older and even careless. Instead, a good combination of something baggy with a piece of clothing that is slightly tighter almost never fails, and keeps that “umpf” feeling alive.
Constantly Wearing Long Sleeves
It’s no surprise that as we age, several parts of our body age with us. Some spots, like our arms (specifically our underarm area) become a little bit floppier and might make us really self-conscious about our bodies. While this is a completely natural part of getting older, some people naturally start covering those parts as much as possible.
They end up wearing long sleeves almost on a daily basis, including during the peak of summer. That way, instead of covering up, the person might simply get more attention. Besides, constantly sweating while wearing a long sleeve in summer probably only reinforces that the person is getting older.
Tan, Shiny Pantyhose
Here’s the thing, a pair of tights can either go really well with an outfit, or it can absolutely ruin the entire thing. While tights once served to make a person’s skin look younger, today, they don’t particularly do the same.
Even though tights can be a statement piece of many women’s closets, some types of pantyhose (like the really shiny ones) may do the complete opposite of what they are intended to. So going for darker colors or really see-through could be a better wardrobe option.
Dark, Heavy Eyeliner
Another fashion trend that has significantly changed over the years is the eyeliner situation. Really dark eyeliner can very quickly become heavy, making a person add years to their actual age.
For example, as the day passes and the make-up gets smudgy, the eyeliner may get stuck in certain areas that end up accentuating the fine lines and wrinkles around our eyes. Instead of covering it up, the eyeliner might do the exact opposite.
Small, Stiff Handbags
Choosing the right bag can be the perfect way to compliment an incredible outfit. But it’s important to talk about the different types of bags out there, and which type of bag we might want to stay away from.
Small, leather, and hard bags may seem convenient and fashionable, but they are way too close to being considered “grandma bags”. So if you want to avoid that, try to go for a looser bag or something that doesn’t scream “old”.
Take Off The Brooch
While it might seem like wearing a brooch may be fashionable and “vintage”, let’s be honest, it’s not really. Though we’re not in any way saying “don’t wear that brooch that was passed down several generations in your family”, we are definitely saying “wear it with caution”.
Brooches were in fashion many years decades ago, but since then it’s probably best to keep them safe and happy in your jewelry box. And if you must wear it, try to choose a smaller one that adds delicate detail to your outfit, instead of overrunning it.
Water Pants And Capris
If there is one pair of clothing that has never really made sense, it’s the famous high pair of water pants. Sure, they are comfortable and convenient, but did it ever look good? Yet, when the weather gets warmer and going to the beach becomes an option again, many folks choose to wear capris or high water pants.
This can happen because they don’t feel so comfortable with a bathing suit as you get older. Unfortunately, though, this type of pants automatically comes hand in hand with being old, so it’s best to avoid and embrace that unique body by wearing an actual and comfortable bathing suit.
Wear Those Jeans!
If there is one thing in our closets that will most probably never become out of fashion is a good pair of jeans. While different styles of jeans get in and out of fashion, a pair of good quality, tight jeans always does the job of keeping our shape accentuated.
So for those who choose to no longer wear jeans when they start getting older, you might want to start thinking about including that timeless piece of fashion in your wardrobe again. Jeans easily make one look youthful and always in trend.
Wearing Unflattering Colors
Playing with different colors of clothing can be extremely fun, but that too can be tricky. That is not to say that you’re not free to wear whatever you want, that’s a given. But if you’re trying to keep that jovial look alive, do a little bit of research.
For example, people with warmer skin tones look great in peaches, reds, golds, and corals. People with cooler skin tones, on the other hand, look much cooler with different tones of greens and blues. The best thing to do here is to experiment and see how you feel when you wear different colors of clothing.
Anything Tweed
Though tweed has been considered in fashion several times throughout history, we’d like to say that as a rule of thumb, maybe just put down the tweed. It has long been out of fashion, and to be honest, it will probably never return to the runways.
Really, the fabric choice rarely makes a person look young because it’s so heavy and serious. So if you’re thinking about a tweed outfit, maybe go for something more flattering such as suit fabrics like window panes or pinstripes.
Too Much Blush
There is no doubt that a nice amount of blush makes our face look healthy and “naturally” sun-kissed, which is something that most of us can welcome anytime. But while blush can help us achieve that youthful look, a little bit too much of it can look very old-school.
The days of wearing excessive rosy rouge are long gone, especially when our cheeks turn so pink they eventually becoming the first thing we see when we look at our faces. So unless we are looking for a '60s throwback look, a tiny bit of blush might be a better option.
Relying On Trends Too Much
Okay, yes, we have mentioned a couple of times that keeping up with trends can’t hurt that much, but anything in excess can become bad really fast. That is, if you completely rely on new trends and make your fashion choices depending on the newest trend out there, then you might want to take a step back.
No matter how cool trends are, it is always important to consider your taste and the type of clothing that flatters you and makes you feel comfortable and beautiful. So don’t run and buy the first thing you see once a new trend is in, take your time.
Out-Of-Date Eyewear
Though eyewear may not be considered a piece of fashion for some people, the truth is that eyeglasses also go out of style. We’ve seen tons of different trends of glasses over the years, and while some people have attempted to stay in style, some haven’t gotten the memo.
Because eyewear is literally one of the first things anyone sees when they look at our face, more than staying in fashion, it’s important to choose something that flatters our features, especially as we age.
Any Cardigans
When fall comes and it starts getting breezy outside, sometimes the easiest thing to do is to grab that old cardigan from our closet. But while cardigans can be cozy and snuggly, they don’t particularly scream “style”.
In fact, cardigans can quickly make the person wearing them look much older, as they don’t usually flatter our bodies. You might want to go for a comfortable and stylish jacket instead, or even a cool blazer.
Huge And Overly Decorative Scarves
Scarves can be really cool, not to say that they can certainly feel like a warm hug. But while scarves can be an amazing addition during winter, if it’s not cold outside, they don’t particularly make for the most fashionable pieces of clothing.
In fact, if it’s warm outside, just do yourself a favor and ditch the colorful scarf. Best to go for a nice necklace as a decorative piece in order to keep that youthful aura alive.
Forgetting To Belt
No matter what age you are, and what body shape you have, showing off your figure is always in style. Though we can always make smart choices when it comes to the most flattering pieces for our bodies, choosing items that show our waistline a bit and accentuate our shape is almost never a mistake.
So, whenever you pick up a piece of clothing that doesn’t really show your waistline naturally, wearing a belt can take you a long way. This can be done with nearly anything, a dress, large pants, a skirt, and the list goes on.
All Black, All The Time
Black outfits can undeniably be amazing. They can be comfy, they can be stylish, all the while allowing us to feel great about ourselves. But, though we’re definitely not telling anyone to never wear black, we are saying that an all-black outfit may sometimes come across as slightly old-school.
Some tricks to consider can be choosing to mix different types of black fabric or adding a cool belt to add a pop of color to the outfit. That way, you can still rock that all-black outfit while remaining as youthful as possible.
Not Sticking To A Skincare Routine
Over the years, it has become increasingly clear that good skincare can be crucial to the way we age. Starting good skincare from an early age and sticking to it is one of the best ways to keep looking as youthful as possible.
And this doesn’t in any way mean that we have to spend lots of money on fancy “anti-aging” products. It means understanding what works for our skin and what makes our face feel healthy and moisturized.
Choosing The Wrong Foundation For Your Skin Tone
When it comes to makeup, there isn’t too much to go crazy about. It can be simple and easy to find the perfect pieces for our skin, but it has to be right. Wearing makeup that doesn’t match our skin tone and the shape of our face can very quickly achieve the opposite of what we’re looking for.
For instance, a common mistake that some women do is to choose the wrong color of foundation for their faces, which consequently results in them looking much older. It’s important to consult a beautician and find the right match for you.
Matching Tracksuits
Yes, tracksuits are super comfortable, and they have actually been back in style in the past couple of years. But though athleisure has become a popular choice amongst women, the trend can definitely go backwards if it’s not worn properly.
So again, just because something is trendy doesn’t mean that it’s the right choice. If you really want to wear a tracksuit, maybe choose to wear one piece at a time, pairing it with some other cool pieces of clothing to break the ice.
Shoulder Pads
Another thing that has recently become sort of fashionable again are shoulder pads. They were the absolute hype back in the 1930s through the 1980s, but slowly went out of fashion and had become almost nonexistent until a couple of months ago.
So unless you are about to rock up at a '70s themed party, try to stay away from the shoulder pads. If you particularly like the style, there are tons of clothing items that actually have pretty strong shoulders without necessarily having huge pads.
Shiny, Shimmery Makeup
Shimmery makeup can definitely be very tempting, especially if you’re feeling kind of fancy. But if there is one thing we have learned with the changing trends over the years, is that less is more.
Though it’s hard to face it, too much shimmery makeup may end up making your face look a little bit older. So if you must add that shine, try to do it just enough to add the sparkly feeling without overdoing it.
Chunky Highlights
If there is one way that can take you to look much older in a split of a second is by wearing really chunky highlights, '90s style. These days, balayage-style highlights have become more prominent, and have shown to add just enough “coolness” to a person’s hairstyle.
Stripy highlights have since become pretty outdated, and may just not be the right choice for a youthful style any longer. It’s always better to consult with your local hairdresser, who will most probably go for a balayage.
Ill-Fitting Suits
Suits are another cool and trendy look that has come back to the runways in the last couple of years. The chic fashion choice is timeless but does come with a number of dos and don’ts if you want to remain in fashion and look as hype as possible.
Though there are thousands of options in shape, color, and size out there if there is one suit that will do the opposite of what you’re looking for is an ill-fitting suit. So always try to choose something that really fits your style and your body shape.
Loud Nail Polish
It has been a long time since the loud and colorful nail polish was a trend. Nudes and colder colors are a more popular choice nowadays, but some women still feel tempted to choose the most sparkly and brightest shades at the nail salon.
But unfortunately, really loud and sparkly nails can draw the wrong type of attention to one’s hands, especially as we become older. So opting for a lighter nail not only makes us look younger, but it’s said to make one look tanner too.
Kitten Heels
Kitten heels are no longer cool, period. Though some women still attempt to rock it in the short stiletto heel with a bit of a curve, at this point they may take your outfit to look kind of outdated.
If you’d like to wear shorter heels (because let’s face it, they are much more comfortable after all), try to choose the square and blocky heel instead. That way, you are still comfortable and in fashion, while remaining as youthful as possible.
Rhinestone Details
It’s not uncommon for people to want to add some sort of spark to their outfit. But if there is one thing that won’t do any good to what you’re wearing is an outdated rhinestone. The piece will automatically make your outfit look so much older.
While rhinestones can be cute on children, they have become a big no-no in adult clothing. But again, if rhinestones are your thing and you must wear it, choose a smaller piece that adds just enough to the outfit.
Blue Eyeshadow
Eyeshadow can be the trickiest piece of makeup in our day-to-day lives. It’s not an easy one to master, since there are so many options but so many colors that make our eyes look older than they actually are. Blue eyeshadow in particular can be pretty rough.
While they were somewhat hype back in the days, today, wearing a darker shade of blue (like navy or really dark blue) may add an older look to your makeup routine.
Too-Tight Pants And Panty Lines
This unflattering look is typically worn by people trying to look younger- but did you know it actually has the opposite effect? Wearing clothes that are too tight accentuates the body in an unflattering way, especially if you're not wearing the right undergarments. These too-tight undies are giving this gal's behind a strange look and show off any cellulite a lady may have. Listen, we all have it- but the more we see, the older we look!
Swap this look for better-fitting jeans, and be sure your underwear isn't visible or cutting you off- you'll look and feel better in the right-fitting clothes.