Stop These 3 Fashion Habits That Secretly Make You Look Older

Fashion Has No Rules—But Watch Out for Aging Habits!

There are no real taboos in fashion. Still, certain clothes or color choices can unintentionally make your style look less current—a bit “granny-ish,” if you will. If you want to be effortlessly on trend every day, it’s about picking the right clothes and accessories. Right now, the buzz is all about trends like Quiet Luxury (also known as Old Money), which means opting for a chic, elegant look with high-quality pieces: think classic Breton stripes, a cashmere sweater, a tweed jacket, or maybe mesh or embellished ballet flats.

Fashion expert Cristina Cordula warns: while these timeless pieces are fabulous, beware of tipping over into an “old-fashioned” vibe. To keep things modern, the trick is to mix these elegant classics with something that’s totally current—a baguette bag, some dad sneakers, or an ultra-oversized, colorful blazer. It’s that quirky mix that makes a look pop and keeps things stylish and fresh!

Express Yourself—But Avoid These Three Fashion Habits That Age Your Look

Getting dressed isn’t always a piece of cake (even if we wish it was), and plenty of us worry about looking older than we feel because of our outfit choices. But remember, fashion should be fun! It’s your chance to experiment, to try pieces and combos that reflect your personality. The most important thing is to feel good in what you’re wearing. Still, if you’d rather not risk the dreaded “granny look,” here are three habits you definitely want to avoid:

• Wearing the Same Silhouette Head-to-Toe: To keep your style modern, play with volume and length in each piece. For instance, a super fitted ensemble—like a high-waisted pencil skirt plus a long, tight top—can have a flattening, aging effect on your figure. A “granny silhouette” is basically one with no contrast, so shake it up!
• Ignoring the ‘Sandwich’ Layering Trick: Want a foolproof way not to go wrong? Try the “sandwich method.” This is all about thinking in terms of layers and volume. Imagine your look as a sandwich: the bread is your top—be it a coat, jacket, shirt, or sweater. The filling is the bottom: jeans, wide-leg pants, skirt, you name it. And the other slice of bread? That would be your shoes. Use this handy visual to create contrast and interest in your outfit!
• Matching All Your Accessories (Too Perfectly): It’s a common misstep: matching all your accessories with the best of intentions. But having every bag, shoe and belt in the same color rarely achieves harmonious style; in fact, it can make the whole outfit look outdated. To stay current, mix up your accessories with different colors and patterns!

Mixing Colors & Accessories: Your Ticket to Modern Style

Let’s get concrete! If your bag is brown, opt for black or colored shoes—pink or red hues are bang on-trend and always in the fashion spotlight. A black-and-white tweed bag? Pair it with bold, colorful shoes. You could also play with accessories in two different shades: think pink and orange, red and pink, or intense blue and pale yellow. The possibilities are endless—let your creativity run wild!

Styles may not have hard-and-fast bans, but some shades and color pairings are more trendy than others. For 2024, pink, red, green (every green!), cobalt blue, and orange are all fashion favorites, and combining them is having a real moment. On the other hand, combos like burgundy and black, or teal and mustard yellow, are a little less in vogue right now (sorry, mustard lovers). Black and white, however, is timeless; you simply can’t go wrong there.

Takeaway: Fashion Should Be Fun, Not Aging

To sum up: fashion is your playground, and there’s no absolute right or wrong. The key is to have fun, feel great, and express yourself. But if you’d like to avoid slip-ups that age your look, remember to vary your silhouettes, embrace the sandwich layering method, and mix up your accessories. Trust your instincts—you’ve got this!