3 mistakes in fashion that make your style look dumb

I always find it difficult to share “fashion tips” or talk about “fashion mistakes” because there is no one-woman-fits-all style. So much with fashion has to do with confidence and just genuine pleasure, and those two elements transform traditionally “un-chic” pieces. While one piece might look “dowdy” on one woman, that same piece can look stunning on another, and that’s just because her personality helps carry it. When you truly enjoy a piece, it automatically becomes chic on you because you carry yourself in this wonderfully self-assured way.

But having said that, there are always times in people’s lives when they look in the mirror and think…when did I become so frumpy? Why is this outfit all wrong? Why don’t I feel good about this? If you have had that experience recently and can’t pinpoint what about your outfits make you feel older than you are, then this list can help you narrow down some of those fashion culprits.

But if you love wearing the kind of clothes or styles I mention, then skip over those points! It probably works fabulously on you — but that’s not to say it works fabulously on all other women. Ahead are some fashion mistakes that might be making you look older. Let’s see if we can narrow it down for you together.

But having said that, there are always times in people’s lives when they look in the mirror and think…when did I become so frumpy? Why is this outfit all wrong? Why don’t I feel good about this? If you have had that experience recently and can’t pinpoint what about your outfits make you feel older than you are, then this list can help you narrow down some of those fashion culprits.

But if you love wearing the kind of clothes or styles I mention, then skip over those points! It probably works fabulously on you — but that’s not to say it works fabulously on all other women. Ahead are some fashion mistakes that might be making you look older. Let’s see if we can narrow it down for you together.

Wearing Baggy Clothes

With this fashion tip, I am not advocating for you to wear skintight clothing so you can appear more “youthful.” Instead, I am suggesting that you wear pieces that are tailored to your body.

Sometimes wearing baggy clothing is fun. A loose summer dress feels romantic, and a baggy tunic or a flowing pair of pants can make you feel bohemian. The trouble comes in when you consistently wear pieces that are a few sizes too big because you’re uncomfortable with your body or feel like you should hide it. There is a difference between wearing something that is designed to be loose, and wearing something that is a size too big!

Take a look into your wardrobe and see if your pieces are tailored to your shape. If they’re not, and you have been feeling frumpy in your outfit choices lately, this might be why.

Bad Posture

Much like wearing an ill-fitting bra, having bad posture instantly ages you. Your clothes sit on you differently when your back is straight and your shoulders are back. You appear healthy, energetic, and elegant when your posture is straight, though I know it can be difficult to train your body to do so. I have found that IFGfit sports bras and shirts help with that training period.

IFGfit is posture-correcting sportswear created by an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon who wanted to help his mother with her cancer battle. He noticed she felt less fatigued when her posture was straight, so he created these items to help correct her alignment and keep her shoulders back.

Wearing Outdated Trends

I love a good vintage outfit. Women who dress in retro fashions look amazing, and those who choose to indulge in small accents here and there (like wearing ’60s high waist pants or ’90s boxy blazers), look equally as stylish.

Since fashion is cyclical and everything eventually comes back into style, there is nothing wrong with borrowing from the past. But you begin to date yourself when you do it unintentionally.

If you have a retro sense of style, then that aesthetic fits your personality and your confidence helps you pull it off seamlessly. But when you’re wearing dated pieces simply because you haven’t updated your closet in a few decades, then that ends up looking dowdy rather than vintage.

If you love trends from decades past but feel like they age you, meet in the middle and wear their updated versions. For example, boxy blazers with shoulder pads are fashionable again, but the blazers have sleeker silhouettes that make them feel contemporary. High waist slacks are also chic, but they now have a tighter silhouette down the legs and on the backside.

Overly Matching

A few decades ago, it was the epitome of style to have your shoes match your handbag, and your handbag to match your hat. That style rule now feels dated since fashion has embraced more of an affection for clashing. That’s not to say you can never match, but try the alternative with a few outfits to feel more contemporary. Experiment with wearing shoes that don’t match your purse, and see what fun combinations you can come up with. Have fun with it!