Be Careful, These Fashion Trends Might Be Making You Look Much Older

1. Big Hairdos Are A Do Not

“But everyone says that volume in hair is a good thing!” some might remark. And it definitely is! But too much volume can turn a hot hairstyle into a hot mess pretty quickly. “Too often, a mature client thinks she must have height,” a New York City salon owner told The List. 

“Teased-up hair can make anyone look older,” the owner explained. “Volume is different and can look modern and elegant.” However, overly-teased hair, especially styles that involve the use of hairspray, can  have the unintended side effect of quickly aging a person. Instead, invest in a volumizing shampoo and put down the teasing comb.

2. Long, Long Hair

Women often try to hide behind their hair, thinking that long hair will more easily cover up any imperfections or mask other body-based insecurities. But in an effort to have young, flowing hair, many women risk achieving the opposite: making themselves look much older.

“Too long always ages a woman,” celebrity hair stylist Mitch Stone told The List. “I’m not talking past your shoulders long, but cat lady long (not to be confused with Cat Woman).” Stone qualifies “cat lady long” as going past one’s ribs. Instead, this stylist says that women should opt for a longer bob hairstyle that doesn’t weigh them down with all that hair.

3. Matching Lipstick To Your Outfit

4. Jeggings Are A 2-For-None

5. Large and Gaudy Jewelry Is Too Much

Statement necklaces are given that name because they do exactly that — they make a statement; we get it. Sometimes, while shopping at a jewelry store, that big, intricate, statement necklace might jump out at a shopper. But generally speaking, people should try to resist the urge of buying that louder piece.

Costume jewelry, or pieces that look like they are probably straight from someone’s deceased relative’s hand-me-downs can immediately age a person. These big accessories can weigh someone down. Instead, the best statement is to let your natural beauty shine through. Switch out that statement piece and instead opt to wearing simple pieces that are more in style.

6. An Overdone Fake Tan

Tanning is one of the number one proven actions that ages one’s skin rapidly. The damage that harmful sun rays can cause to someone’s face can create deep wrinkles, fine lines, and a leathery feeling that is not a good look on anyone. So sometimes women decide to offset this aging trend by using a fake tanner.

But while these fake tanners might not ruin someone’s skin, they can still ruin a perfectly good outfit. That is because having too unnaturally dark of a shade can actually draw attention to imperfections on one’s face — not to mention the difficulty that comes with matching a fake tanner to one’s skin and the treat of turning one’s face into an Oompa Loompa orange hue.

7. Over-Plucked Eyebrows Raises Eyebrows

8. The Jersey Dress Trend

9. Head-To-Toe Pastels

Pastels are very on trend, so much so that some are even opting to wear full, monochromatic outfits of the same shade of pale pinks or blues. And for older women, this trend might be welcome. As we age, our skin tones often fade and become lighter, pairing well with a pastel hue.

But because of this, too many pastels can have the effect of washing a person out and can make them look older. Instead, pair a pastel with a dark pair of jeans or another contrasting piece. And if one simply insists on soft colors, opt for neutrals like a beige or off-white rather than a baby green.

10. Long, Floor Length Skirts

11. Cakey, Powdery Makeup

As people age, imperfections and sun damage increasingly begin to surface on the skin, especially on a one’s face. And for some women, the quest to cover up those spots might mean packing on a lot of cakey face makeup. But that might be doing more harm that good.

Even for young women who are not trying to cover up such damage, packing on a ton of face makeup almost immediately makes someone look much older. Instead, focus on using cream foundations or tinted moisturizers. And when it is necessary to add a little powder, apply only to the areas that need it rather than all over one’s face.

12. Covering Up Your Neck Too Much

When it comes to imperfections or areas we feel self-conscious about, the knee-jerk reaction is often to cover it up. Sometimes that could mean applying makeup, and other times it could mean extended hemlines. But when fighting back against aging skin on one’s neck, sometimes covering up is not for the best.

The skin on necks loosens with age, and many choose to hide those signs of aging by wearing a lot of turtlenecks. But that fashion choice might be aging people even more. Too tight of a fit can draw attention to that problem area, and wearing a dark turtleneck might contrast the fading of one’s skin tone with a dark shade too harshly.

13. Wearing The Same Hairstyle For Years

14. Dark Lipsticks Leave A Bad Mark

15. Matchy-Matchy Jewelry

16. Floral Patterns Are Out

17. Ill-Fitting and Exposed Undergarments

18. Big, Baggy Outfits

19. Long Sleeves Get The Cold Shoulder

Almost every person has an area on their body that they are self-conscious about. And as we age, for many people, that problem area is on the arms, especially that area on the upper arm where skin seems to hang, sag, and wave around.

A natural reaction is usually to want to cover up one’s arms. The hope is that wearing long sleeves hides the issue and hopefully might draw less attention to that area of one’s body. But wearing long sleeves exclusively might, instead, achieve the opposite. No one will notice some arm imperfections on the beach, but they will notice a person sweating through their long-sleeved shirt — and they’ll wonder why.

20. Tan, Shiny Pantyhose

21. Dark, Heavy Eyeliner

22. Small, Stiff Handbags

Before we talk about the perfect bag, let’s talk about talking about the perfect bag. By that we mean, call it a purse, call it a handbag, but do not call it a pocketbook. No matter what bag one wears, calling it a pocketbook immediately ages even the most trendy accessory.

Now that that is out of the way, let’s talk bags. Picking the right one is crucial. A small, structured, leather bag might seem chic, but it could age a person and veer too close into “grandma purse” territory. Instead, try a slouchier style that is a bit more relaxed and youthful.

23. Take Off The Brooch

24. Short, High Water Pants and Capris

25. Never-Ever Wearing Jeans

26. Wearing Unflattering Colors

27. Anything Tweed

28. Too Much Blush

29. Sticking Too Much To The Trends

30. Out-Of-Date Eyewear

31. Any Cardigans

On a breezy afternoon, sometimes grabbing the closest cardigan might seem like the safest bet. What could possibly be better than snuggling up in that cozy, cashmere cardigan? Well, we hate to say it, but a lot of things could be better when considering style.

Cardigans are one of those pieces that immediately makes the person wearing them look older. Maybe it is the material or maybe it is about their cut and fit, but they just do not do anyone any favors. So ditch that cardigan and go for something a little bit more flattering. Some great alternatives are comfortable, stylish jackets or a good blazer instead.

32. Adding A Large, Decorative Scarf

33. Forgetting To Belt

For most women, no matter what age, showing off one’s figure is always stylish and always flattering. But sometimes we run into items of clothing that do not naturally show of a waistline. And in those times, it is important to grab a belt.

While a loose fitting dress might seem appealing for comfort reasons, usually having a straight line from our armpits to our hemlines is unflattering. Instead, a quick fix is to either take a cloth or leather belt and gather the waist of a dress a bit in order to show off at least some of that figure.

34. All Black, All The Time

Don’t get us wrong, a black outfit can be an amazing thing. But there are times where that all-black-everything look can be taken way too far, and inevitably may be making a person look much older. So before anyone ditches their black clothing, here are some tricks for an all black outfit.

Try mixing black fabrics so that the outfit is not too matted, like mixing cottons with more luxury silks or lace. Another good idea is to add a fun belt or a pop of interesting jewelry that can really be shown off against all that black. And when all that fails, use makeup for a light pop of color.

35. Not Sticking To A Skincare Routine

Everyone should make sure to put their best face forward. And that means getting the perfect shade of foundation. Makeup artists say that those who are unsure should stop testing shade on the back of their hands, since the rest of our bodies are usually a shade or two darker than the face. Instead, put some on the cheek. And when in doubt, go a bit lighter since the foundation will wear off a bit throughout the day.

37. Matching Tracksuits

We get it, track suits are back in style after taking a long hiatus from the fashion magazines. Atheleisure is in, it is comfortable, and a matching tracksuit is, frankly, pretty easy to throw on in the morning. But just because something is in style does not mean that it should be in everyone’s closet.

Unless anyone is heading to or from the gym, stay away from a tracksuit. And if anyone absolutely must wear a tracksuit, do not pair it with heels. That look is bound to make someone look much older than they are. Instead, pick one piece at a time from the matching look, or don’t wear it at all.

38. Shoulder Pads

Unless anyone is on their way to an ’80s themed birthday party, there is just no excuse to wear shoulder pads. Not only are they very much out of style, but adding shoulder pads to any look is one of the quickest ways to age a person unintentionally.

Looking too boxy can add a decade to anyone’s look. And shoulder pads do just that. As a good alternative for anyone who is sad to see shoulder pads go, try purchasing something with a more structured look. A suit jacket can have strong shoulders without the cumbersome shoulder pads, and the result will be chic and leave anyone looking younger.

39. Shiny, Shimmery Makeup

Adding a little shimmer to a makeup look can be tempting. But a little bit goes a long way when it comes to shine. The truth might be hard to face: but piling on too much of shimmery fake makeup can end up aging someone. But before anyone goes and throws out their makeup palettes, there’s still hope.

The reason why sparkly makeup adds years to a look is because all of that glimmer can end up gathering in all of those creases that someone might have on their face. So if anyone is going to apply some shine, just use it sparingly.

40. Chunky Highlights

The fastest way to appear older is to wear a look that is dated, and chunky highlights look like they were taken straight from the pages of a 90s magazine.Today, it is time to do away with those chunky highlights and replace them with balayage-style highlights instead.

And don’t just take it from us. A spokesperson for L’Oreal told Good Housekeeping, “Look at any celebrities these days and you’ll never see a stripy highlight; everyone has balayage because it’s painted in exactly the right place to suit you, it grows out naturally (so is lower maintenance) and looks up to date, and therefore youthful.”

41. Ill-Fitting Suits

A suit can be one of the most timeless and chic fashion choices a woman can make. And the best part is that suits come in so many different colors, cuts, and styles, there really is a suit for everyone. But no matter which kind of suit a person chooses, there is only one way to ruin the impact of this classic look.

Ill-fitting suits don’t suit anyone. And that is not to say that someone cannot pull off a more relaxed style suit. The trick is, if one piece of the suit is more relaxed, try pairing it with a more fitted pant or blazer. No one should ever look like they’re drowning in their suit. It isn’t a swimming suit, after all.

42. Loud Nail Polish

43. Kitten Heels

The cat is out of the bag, these shoes are out of style and out of date. Kitten heels, the term given to a short stiletto heel with a slight curve, are way passed their time. But for some reason, women are still making this fashion faux pas.

Like many of the other styles on this list, the reason this fashion choice ages people is because it is outdated and out of style. Rhinestones might look cute on a young child, but they really should never go on adult-sized clothing. But if anyone absolutely must have some rhinestones, make sure to keep the bling to a minimum.

44. Rhinestone Details

Want to add a little sparkle to an outfit? Well, please don’t add rhinestones and definitely don’t bedazzle it. Not only will that look raise some eyebrows, it will also raise someone’s age, or at least how old they appear to be.

Like many of the other styles on this list, the reason this fashion choice ages people is because it is outdated and out of style. Rhinestones might look cute on a young child, but they really should never go on adult-sized clothing. But if anyone absolutely must have some rhinestones, make sure to keep the bling to a minimum.

47.  Short Heels

If you want to wear shoes with heels, you should go for ones with stiletto heap heels or stick to block heels. Either way, the consensus among fashion efforts is, commit to going all the way – or don’t. Shoes with shorter heels, especially ones with pointy-toes, are slowly making an exit.

If you don’t like wearing heels, you can go with ballet flats as these are quite trendy and have made it through enough fashion seasons to be considered a safe bet. Your heels should always be tall enough so you can achieve a sexy and confident look with your favorite bodycon black or red dress.

48.  Drug Store Eyeglasses

You might want to get rid of drug store eye-glasses if you currently own a pair. If you have to wear eye-glasses and don’t have a choice, opt for frames with a modern style. Cat-eye frames are perfect for helping you achieve that attractive and youthful look.

You can always use lenses as an alternative. They will make you look younger, and you won’t have to worry about your prescription glasses ruining your outfit. Nevertheless, remember to consult your eye doctor before getting contact lenses.

49. Gray Hair

No, we’re not talking about the new gray hair color trend that gives a classy, metallic touch. However, if you have grey hair, you have to keep maintaining the color. Otherwise, you will look older, as hair loses sheen.

That’s not to say a head of grey hair can’t look great. As long as it looks healthy and moisturized. This means going for regular toning appointments and updating your color. It’s the best thing to flaunt your natural hair color, but make sure to maintain it at the same time.

50. Unfit Jeans

You may easily fit into any pair of jeans, but are they the right fit for you? Often, we don’t realize that a particular pair of jeans is ruining the look, and these don’t fit the inseam properly. To get the right inseam size, you must know your waist size.

A pair of jeans with the right waist size and inseam will help you achieve the perfect look, so you look youthful as ever. This article was originally published on IcePop: Be Careful, These Fashion Trends Might Be Making You Look Much Older

51. Dry Hair

As we age, our hair starts getting flaky and dry, but you can control it by regularly moisturizing your hair. Not moisturizing your hair enough will definitely make you look older and ruin your ability to try cool hairstyles.

You must use the right hair oils that will suit your hair texture. More importantly, remember to use a hair protectant before applying styling tools. The heat from these tools usually adds to hair damage.

52. Jersey Clothes

You must avoid wearing overly fitted clothes that consist of jersey material as this highlights all the flaws on your body and at times make you look unfit. Yes, no doubt jersey clothes are very comfy to wear, but they ruin your overall appearance and make you look bigger and older.

You can opt for a denser double-knit jersey as these mostly provide a more structured shape and are perfect for you if you’re not fully ready to let go of jersey material.

53. Sweater Sets

Sweater sets look quite cool some of the time, but they are definitely not going to make you look any younger. Wearing a cardigan right over a matching shirt will make you look older because this look tends to be popular with the backgammon and knitting club.

You can go for a loose cardigan with a single colored top underneath and match it up with a belt at the west for a more youthful appearance.

54. Poor Posture

Wearing the right outfit is not enough for you to look young. If you don’t want to ruin the appeal of your outfit, you’ve got to maintain the right posture. Bending too much or slouching will definitely make you look old.

In the worst-case scenario, you may get a hunchback sooner than you expected. To maintain confidence in style, you have got to keep up the right posture. The right posture can accentuate your outfit and enhance your figure, making your body look slimmer and toned.

50. Extra Layers

During the winters, you may wear extra layers to keep yourself warm. But remember to style your extra layers properly because haphazardly putting them on will make you appear older.

Ideally, you should wear fewer layers made from warm materials so that you don’t have to wear a million layers, one on top of the other. In the event that you want to wear extra layers, try contrasting them with classy accessories or shoes, so you sport a youthful aesthetic.