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By the time you enter your fifth decade, you should not allow anyone or anything to stop you. At this point, you know your mind; you’ve figured out what works for you and what doesn’t. It’s finally time to put yourself first, whether that means focusing on your career, starting a new business, dedicating extra time to your hobbies, or learning something completely new. Therefore, you need to own your style and dress for the occasion: fun events, lunch with friends, weddings or parties, and weekend getaways, among others.
However, before giving you the tips to dress for success, you need to be aware, or rather, get rid of certain clothing choices that are aging you. I see it time and time again in my day-to-day life. On many occasions, I feel tempted to tell these women, what they should change in their outfits, but of course, I don’t. Sometimes we don’t realize that little changes can go a long way. Here is a list of fashion choices that you should avoid. Like with everything, there are exceptions. Some “older” women can get away with almost anything, and they can pull off outfits that even young women half their age could not. This list is just a guide, and I am not imposing any of my advice when it comes to style. You will always be your own judge.
What you SHOULD NOT wear if you want to look youthful and fabulous
- Shapeless blazers. Look for well-tailored, fitted jackets. If possible, tailor your clothes. The perfect blazer
- You wear the same clothes repeatedly (boring!!). Alternate the staples with hidden gems. The right shoe can do wonders! Ted Baker Stilleto Fashion Boot
- You wear drugstore eyeglasses. This is a no-no. Invest in bigger, more bold frames from a specialized store. Coach Eyeglasses
- You dress too revealingly. This is a no-brainer. Find clothes that compliment your features. For instance, if you are wearing a plunging neckline, don’t show a lot of leg. Pair that top with a nice pair of classic trousers or a midi or maxi skirt. Black Halo Juma Pants
- You only wear black. Please don’t; black it’s without a doubt a slimming and elegant color, but not for everyday life. Fashion is a way of expression; we are not wearing a uniform 24/7. I can’t say it frequently enough, embrace color! Dress the Population dress
- Retro clothing without a modern twist. Vintage is in, I know, but the keyword here is a modern twist. Otherwise, you are going to look outdated, and that makes you automatically old.
- Your skirts are too long. Except for beautiful and appealing summery maxi dresses, try to avoid very long skirts; midi length or right above the knee are great choices. I should note here that most fashion guides for “older” women “forbid” the mini skirt length; I disagree with this rule. Although I probably would not wear a micromini skirt, I still love short skirts and dresses. I like my legs, so I flaunt them. If you look good on a mini skirt at 50 or older, by all means, wear it! It is about balancing the other clothing items and accessories you are wearing with the short skirt. Susana Monaco High Waisted Flare Skirt
- Your bra doesn’t fit. This one is a biggie. If you don’t know your correct bra size, I recommend getting professionally fitted. Investing in a quality, supportive bra is a must. The right bra will completely change the way an outfit looks on you. And don’t forget, comfort gives you confidence. Natori Bliss Perfection Underwire Bra
- Your jeans have too much stretch. This one is critical as well. Since for most of us jeans are the perfect go-to outfit for many occasions, we should find the kind that fit well. Always look for form-fitting denim. More than 2% spandex is not a good idea. Personally, I prefer no stretch at all, but a little stretch is suitable for many women’s shapes, and it also helps with comfort. AMO Bella Jeans
- Turtlenecks. I haven’t worn a turtleneck in probably 15 years or so. They are simply not flattering for anyone. Free your neckline, go for a v neck or the universally flattering boat neck (it has an elongating effect on the neck). Your collarbone is a powerhouse feature worth showing off. Trina Turk Boat Neck Top
- Some of us should wear shapewear. Now, this one is a little tricky. I am not a big fan of shapewear because I find it quite uncomfortable; however, it is a lifesaver for many women our age. This one is up to you. Simone Perele Body Shaper
- You are wearing the wrong size clothing. This one is essential, too tight, or too loose, it’s going to look ill-fitting, and it will also make you look frumpy.
- You don’t wear belts. Belts are one of the best accessories for older women. It could transform an outfit. A wide belt can make a straight-shaped woman look like an hourglass. A skinny belt can make a shapeless top look a lot more elegant. B-low Statement Belt
- You wear the wrong silhouette. I refer you to my “dress your body type” posts.
- You wear the wrong colors. Take your time to figure out what color’s “shine” on you. Hint: red looks good on every woman. MILLY Scalloped Fit and Flare dress
- You wear pearls. This one is tricky too, and some women look great wearing pearls if they add them to a very trendy, modern look. Otherwise, pearls may age you.
- You wear large prints. Younger women can pull off this look. Unless you are shaped like a supermodel, I recommend avoiding them.
- You don’t dress proportionately. Again, it’s all about balance.
- You wear the wrong underwear. This is a big no-no, particularly with fitted clothes. I highly recommend seamless underwear, and remember the right bra. Chantelle Seamless Hipster For comfortable and affordable underwear click here
- You wear too many accessories. I confess I tend to do that sometimes because I love to accessorize. To me, accessories give life to an otherwise dull outfit. I recommend avoiding chunky necklaces and, in general, tone down the jewelry. Ross-Simons Love Knot Pendant
- Tweed. All right, at the moment, tweed is very trendy, even for girls in their 20’s. As a rule of thumb, I would suggest that if you decide to wear tweed, make sure the style is not outdated. The Perfect Tweed Jacket
- Gray hair. For me, this is a total no-no. Only very few women can pull this one off. Please cover your gray! It could age you a couple of decades.
- Sensible or comfort shoes. Vince Koren Pump
- Old lady handbag (I always think of the Queen of England, and she is in her 90’s). Remember, any size woman looks good on a lovely, youthful, trendy handbag. The Statement Handbag
- Too much or too little makeup. Nothing to clarify here. One of my personal favorites
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Stay tuned for future posts, I will be giving you tips and advice about what to wear, the few key pieces you need in your closet, and what to toss or donate.