Floral Crazy
Florals? Groundbreaking. Although it's the perfect pattern for spring, you can have too much of a good thing. You know what they say—everything in moderation. Try to limit your floral patterns to two small accessories or one large statement piece. A floral dress can look beautiful with just a few accessories or the right pair of shoes.
If you’re trying to venture out from basic florals, try out a different type of floral pattern. Tropical print is similar but bolder—and perfect for the summertime! And if you want to completely reinvent your wardrobe sans florals, try a pattern like polka dots or stripes—both are simple, yet flattering.
Plain Hosiery
Pantyhose can be necessary, but they should only be pulled out for very specific (and infrequent) occasions—like if you work at a church, or you're meeting your boyfriend's grandmother for the first time. Especially as the weather gets warmer, neutral hose can immediately age you when worn outside of professional environments.
In all honesty, hose isn't the most flattering on anyone of any age—even if you have legs for days. Long, flowy skirts are in style right now and are actually super comfortable. Plus, they can be worn to most occasions and out to run errands. They're the perfect piece for summer!
Heavy Makeup
Heavy makeup takes an extremely experienced hand to get right without looking cakey. And because of the increasingly warmer weather, heavy makeup has the chance of sweating off without frequent maintenance. Your perspiration may also cause it to settle into every wrinkle on your skin and make your skin appear older, which is the opposite of what you're going for—yikes!
Instead of reaching for the full-coverage foundations marketed to you by influencers, opt for a sheer foundation—or better yet, even just tinted moisturizer. These products even your skin tone without all the extra pore-clogging products. Thankfully, the natural look is very much in style right now—and as far as foundation goes, matte is out and the dewy look is back in!
Slouchy Clothing
Spring and summer are all about showing off your unique style, and it’s hard to do that when you’re hiding in your clothes. I know the transition from winter to spring isn't easy—you've probably gotten used to wearing oversized sweaters and leggings—but summer is all about shedding those pesky layers!
First and foremost, buy clothing that fits well so it doesn't slouch or sag. If you're really missing your oversized winter clothing, opt for blouses with nice butterfly sleeves, or breezy summer dresses. And never forget the power of highlighting your waist with a cute belt! Covering up your natural curves is the first step to frumpiness!
No Color
Winter is all about the more neutral hues, but winter is gone and over with! It’s time for your wardrobe to spring back to life and embrace color. For the spring and summer seasons, any color goes, from pastels to neons. By avoiding color, you’re adding age to your outfit. (Not to mention you'll get pretty hot in your winter all-black ensembles!)
For this upcoming spring and summer, experiment with friendly and fun bright color-blocking and pastel hues. The warm weather encourages energizing and optimistic color schemes that brighten up your whole look. Bold corals and reds that pop against the blue sky and green grass are all the rage right now, but you can't go wrong with simple faded blues, cool greens, or saffron yellows.
Gaudy Jewelry
Accessories are a wonderful thing, but you can overdo it pretty easily – especially with chunky jewelry that weighs down your entire look. Spring and summer are often seen as the seasons to embrace minimalism, so try not to throw on too many bracelets, necklaces, and rings all at once.
But if you’re all about your jewels, keep it dainty. Layered necklaces, delicate rings, and thin bracelets are perfect for the warmer months, and nobody wants to spend their time sweating everywhere and getting weighed down by chunky chains. Jewelry can make a statement without being overwhelming, so don't get distracted by the oversized trend.
Head-to-Toe Animal Print
Animal prints can be tricky to pull off because they definitely act as a statement piece for any outfit, but they can also age the wearer with improper styling. These prints are sometimes overwhelming to look at if the whole outfit is a mish-mash of patterns, so when in doubt, it’s best to avoid these prints altogether after winter is over.
Because they are often overdone during the spring and summer, toss all animal prints to the back of your closet for the time being. Animal prints give off the impression of animal skin coats, which are used to keep you warm in the winter, so they can look out of place in the spring. Give your other patterns some love for the upcoming seasons, especially the bright florals. It’s likely that a little change is just what you need to feel youthful!
Exposed Undergarments
The flash of a bra strap or noticeable panty lines should never be ridiculed by purists, but they can cross the boundary of frumpiness if you're not careful. Look up fashion advice columns to help you pair the right style of bra with a t-shirt, dress, et cetera. Wearing the right types of outfits for your underwear can accentuate you instead of swallow you.
Wrap dresses and stiff denim are all forgiving options for staying stylish during the heat of spring and summer. They give your body shape without feeling completely restricting and rarely expose your undergarments to the world. However, not all undergarments are inherently made to be hidden. The occasional lacy bralette is the perfect match for a slim dress that needs extra support to keep covered.
Long, Unstyled Hair
Nothing should stop you from wearing your hair how you want no matter the season, but if you're concerned with looking older, ditch the long locks! Nothing ages you more than hair that reaches the ground because it takes years to grow hair out to that length. Plus, it's more difficult to manage and completely distracts from your cute style and beautiful face.
Don't let all that hair go to waste by completely neglecting to style it. From braids to buns to cutting it all off, the possibilities are endless. With spring and summer coming up, there's no better time to sport a breezy new do. Try asking your local hairstylist for some tips that flatter your skin tone and face shape.
Wearing Too Little
We're all for body positivity here, but we do have one tip to keep you looking youthful during spring and summer—don’t wear a bikini top and bottom unless you’re at the beach or swimming. We're not trying to criticize bralettes or crop tops, but sometimes less is more, even in terms of clothing.
While it’s considered “trendy” to wear a bikini top with denim shorts when you're in your twenties, it’s not as accepted when you’re 40 or older when you realize that there's no need to show off. That being said, feel free to rock your favorite swimsuit in the appropriate setting!
Jeggings
The fashion gods have put their foot down, and jeggings are finally out of style! Old jersey fabric and infamous stretch denim are styles that aren't cutting it for casual wear any longer. While they might be better for the summer when jeans suffocate your legs, jeggings are by far the tackier option.
The best way to be comfy and not look like an elderly fashion victim is to invest in athleisure pieces, like yoga leggings, bike shorts, and flattering workout tops. They can be paired with nearly everything for a dressed-up or dressed-down look without looking straight from the infamous early 2000s.
Overly Sensible Shoes
No matter what anyone might say, it is quite possible to be comfortable in a piece of clothing and be fashionable at the same time. For instance, if you prefer wearing comfy sneakers, try a clean white sneaker from a popular brand. Overly sensible shoes that aren't in style date you like nothing else.
Slip-on mules are also super trendy right now. They’re adorable with and without a heel, and we all know how much more comfortable a heelless shoe is. Plus, they look great with denim jeans, shorts, and dresses. If you buy yourself a pair, you will absolutely get your use out of them.
Cheap Glasses
Grocery glasses aren't cutting it anymore. These frames might be cheap, but they’re called “granny” glasses for a reason. Glasses are like any other accessory, even if it’s a medical device to help you see, and should be treated with more respect than grabbing any old pair from the rack.
Frames that are currently trending are black rectangular shapes and thin-wired metal frames. It goes without saying that these accessories should never be paired with retainers or chains—nothing will date you faster. Same goes for sunglasses; skimping out guarantees you'll pay the price one way or another in the long run!
Outdated Accessories
Like clothing, accessories can easily become outdated from season to season. Unfortunately, women often neglect to update their accessories, which can be fine as long as you're good at adapting to the season and styling. This spring and summer, look to refresh your purses, jewels, and other accessories. Your closet will thank us!
We recommend purchasing quality accessories if you need to revamp your collection. It’s better to buy a few nice pieces at a time that will last for years rather than buying a lot of inexpensive jewels that'll break in one season. Oh, and keep those brooches far away from your clothes.
Using an Old Bag
You found the perfect handbag ages ago, but it’s time to switch it up. If your bag has rips, tears, or looks worn, you can get a new one fairly easily. For the spring and summer, you can embrace color and choose one that will be a statement piece for several of your outfits.
Leather bags are super popular and durable, no matter the season, and the material will age beautifully over the years. If you normally use a black or dark-colored purse, switch it up by using a tan or light-colored purse instead. It will instantly make you look trendy.
Overplucked Eyebrows
The '90s grunge and supermodel aesthetics convinced everyone that big brows were bad and needed to be tamed. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you see it), the fashion industry changes its mind faster than a kid in a candy store. Big brows are back, baby!
The new rule of thumb is the fluffier, the better. Think Cara Delevigne and Brooke Shields. If you don't have that natural volume (or you plucked it all away years ago), use brow mascara to simulate real hair. You can also use a setting powder to fill in sparse spots and prevent the mascara from rubbing away too quickly. If you're feeling extra dedicated, use creamy concealer to highlight your brow bone and make the look really pop.
Chunky Highlights
The spring and summer allow you to lighten your hair to a shiny, new color, but stray away from the trends of old. Hopefully, your stylist will steer you in the right direction, but they're only human. Chunky highlights will date you faster than a desperate post-30s bachelor in a singles bar.
Babylights are all the rage right now, especially for the sunnier months making up spring and summer. They give your hair the desirable sun-kissed look without the gaudy resemblance to skunk stripes. When was the last time you looked at a skunk and said, "Ooo, cute! Love that look!" Their faces may be adorable, but that's no reason to copy their hairstyle.
Heavy Black Eyeliner
Heavy black eyeliner makes your eyes look smaller and attracts the wrong kind of attention from all the wrong people. We’re not saying to avoid black eyeliner. Instead, use a thin line on the upper waterline and highlighter on the inner corner. This method opens up the eye and makes it look clearer.
Many women don’t like using liner on their waterline, and if you can relate, don’t worry. Thankfully, there are other ways to fake eyeliner. One of the most popular methods is to apply eyeshadow with an angled brush as close to the lash line as possible. It’s easy to do and keeps your eyes looking big and bright.
Not Wearing Sunscreen
The sun is your skin’s enemy. While it can make it look pretty and golden, it’s damaging at the same time. Over time, age spots pop up. You can help prevent this by slathering on the sunscreen. After applying, give it time to soak in, and don’t forget to reapply if you go into the water.
Another way to prevent horrible sunburns is to avoid tanning in the sun completely. If you like to keep your skin bronzed, purchase a self-tanner or get a spray tan at your local tanning salon. Makeup is also a viable solution. Invest in a quality bronzer to warm up the contour regions of your face and give you that sun-kissed look.
Cargo Shorts
We doubt that you need this terrible fashion mistake to be spelled out for you, but cargo shorts are so "grandpa chic." It’s time to hike up the hem and wear something shorter. Are you guys afraid of bare knees or something? They are not going to hurt you!
You don’t need to go full booty shorts, but something that goes just above the knee can look stunning. Ridding yourself of all the extra pockets also lets your legs get a little sun after the dull winter months. And just like skipping leg day makes your proportions look unbalanced, neglecting your legs from the sunlight makes you more like an Oreo than a beach babe.
Going Neon
Let’s just admit that neon doesn’t look good on anyone outside of the club, the musical festivals, or the EDM shows. It hurts the eye and draws attention to every other flaw you may have. It’s best to avoid insanely bright colors and go for pastels during the spring and summer.
Pastels are flattering on all skin tones and always trendy. Neons, not so much. Most skin tones clash with the bright highlighter colors and draw attention away from your face, aging you in an indirect way. Do yourself a favor and stop trying to make neon a trendy thing again!
Obvious Fake Tans
Fake tans are the ideal way to get bronzed up for the spring and summer, but things can go really wrong really quickly. Trust me, there's a large chance of underestimating the effects of tanning and accidentally going overboard. If you’ve ever seen someone with orange skin, you know what a bad tan looks like.
Instead, go for a light tan that is only a few shades darker than your original skin tone. Although we totally advocate for fake tanning, like spray tans and tanning lotions, you have to be so careful. Choosing the right color for your skin tone can be tricky. Experiment with different brands and shades until you find what works for you.
High-Cut Swimwear
Last summer, high-cut swimwear made a major comeback. Look at the cover of any magazine, any Instagram post from celebrities, and the selection of bikini bottoms at the store. Women decided the higher the cut, the more enticing the swimsuit. If you love high-cut swimmies, there's no need to fret, but heed our advice.
We aren't telling you to completely do away with this style, just to tone it down a little. The cuts don't have to be as high as they were last year! Not everyone needs to see your hips, especially if you don't have the body shape that draws attention to your waist. We all look different and rock clothes in unique ways, so ignore the trends and wear what compliments you!
Capris
Whether you call them “floods,” “capris,” or whatever other weirdly British-sounding word, calf-length trousers aren’t flattering and age anyone that wears them years past their current age. If you want to wear pants that cut off before the ankle, choose a form-fitting version like skinny jeans paired with a cute spring boot.
Straight-leg denim is also having a moment and is universally flattering with the right outfits and waist-cinching. This style is defined by tightness around the thighs and looseness around the knees and shins. Straight-leg jeans usually cut off right above the ankle and are the perfect alternative to standard capris.
Open Shoes with Socks
No – just no. How many times do fashion gurus have to warn against this trend? Socks with sandals have never been the ideal thing to wear. It goes beyond showing the wearer's age; it just makes them look tacky. If it’s too cold to wear sandals, then wear a closed shoe like a sneaker.
This trend is the absolute worst in the spring and summer. The weather is finally warming up and men and women aren’t quite ready to forgo their socks. We don't get why you'd choose an open shoe with a close-toed sock. There's no point. Just decide to wear one or the other...please.
Sparkling Fabric
Your shiny accessories should provide the sparkle, not your V-neck T-shirt! Sequins, glitter, and rhinestones can make or break an outfit, especially during this spring and summer that favor minimalist styles. Unless you are going to the nightclub or a fancy disco, sequins and sparkles shouldn't be the go-to way to draw attention.
Accessorizing is usually a last-minute thought for busy people, which is why some women overcompensate with gaudy sequin tops. To remedy this mistake, we recommend picking out your outfits and shiny accessories the night before you wear them so your entire look is balanced and trendy. Cutting corners rarely works out well.
Over-Layering
Spring weather can be unpredictable, especially as it gets closer to summer. Temperatures are all over the place. One day is scalding while the others feel like it's the dead of winter. With this type of weather, it can be easy to over layer and look like you just rolled out of bed.
Wear your layers strategically so they don’t add to your age. Conservative dressing isn't bad, but a ton of layers weigh down your look. All you really need during these warmer months is a light cardigan or denim jacket in case the temperatures drop or you’re stuck in a cold restaurant or building for a day.
Ultra Boho
Boho-chic, the trend dominating lifestyle blogs, editorial spreads, and social media threads for years., might finally see its end this spring. The characteristic flowy pants and beaded jewelry aren't outdated just yet, but slapping every aspect of bohemian style into one outfit ages you far beyond the "cool" moms and Coachella teens that made it trendy.
Instead of leaning on Anthropologie for all your styling needs, try to balance earthy outfits with monochromatic minimalism, which is all the rage right now and will be into the future. It’s one of the hottest trends this spring and summer and doesn't require a ton of accessories to achieve the look.
Flip Flops Outside of the Beach
Flip flops belong at the beach, and nowhere else. Sandals are a perfectly good and comfortable shoe, so why would anyone prefer blistering flip flops? In general, this is a fashion faux-pas that happens specifically in spring that should be avoided at all costs. Make sure to have an extra pair of flats in your trunk if you’re out and about.
If you aren’t into flats, platform sandals were a must-have last season and are back again for round two this season. The best part is, they’re way comfier than regular flats or flip flops because they have more support and give you some added height, which elongates your appearance into model territory.
Logo-Mania
If you love high-end brands, you know they can't resist slapping their logo all over every one of their products, so it's essential to try and keep things to a minimum. Don't pair the same brand together into one overwhelming outfit. One logo per outfit should be the limit no matter how much you want to show support for the brand.
If you own lots of clothing items covered in logos, toss them aside. It's time to get new clothing. Logos may be popular, but they aren't the be-all-end-all of outfits. Wearing too many at once will make you look way older than you actually are. Stick to the basics and you’ll be just fine.
Ignoring How Your Clothes Are Made
If there's one major difference between Baby Boomers and Millennials, it's how they react to environmental issues and sustainability. We're not trying to blame anyone here, but we can tell that it's primarily Millennials leading the sustainability movement across all areas of life, especially in terms of fast fashion and clothing. In fact, Gen Z tops all other generations in their concern for the environment, dubbed "Generation Green." Why?
They realize that there are obvious links between the overproduction of clothing and how clothing is made. Many overseas garment workers make clothes in lackluster conditions in order to drive down prices for our malls and outlet stores. This fact also contributes to the extreme garment waste that leads to millions and millions of tons ending up in the landfill. All this to say, if you don't care how your clothes were made or where you bought them from, you're age will be to blame.
Too Conservative
We've already discussed over-layering, but this spring and summer fashion faux pas is a little different. As the world warms up during these months, the last thing you should be worrying about is extreme modesty. It is way too hot for that mess and nobody should shame you into thinking otherwise.
Dressing in long sleeves, a turtleneck, and a floor-length skirt will only make people think that there's something terribly wrong with you or that you're stuck in the past. Not only will you be extremely uncomfortable by getting overheated in head-to-toe cotton, but you'll also age yourself far past your actual age, which is just a plain shame! Don't waste the summer months covered up; it's time to get some sun!
Inappropriate Pairings
We're extending the "socks and sandals" debate into the entire realm of fashion because people can't seem to pair things together that actually look good! The purpose of flip flops is to let your tootsies breathe, not suffocate them under fuchsia fuzzy socks. Nothing's worse than seeing someone waltzing down the seaside getting sand wedged in their sock fibers. There's a time and place for these things.
And we're not merely focused on nixing socks for the spring and summer months, but any sort of fuzzy garment that is a heatstroke waiting to happen. The only people wrapped in heavy cardigans in the summer are the super old people who get chills if it's under 70 degrees. No shame if that's you, we get it, but don't tap into that look if it's not absolutely essential.
Imbalanced Outfits
Many of the fashion mistakes we list boil down to inexperience in pairing the right pieces together. It's' not only about color and making sure similar hues aren't clashing, but your overall silhouette as well. Too much fabric on the top in proportion to the missing fabric on the bottom makes you look like a whole mess.
A surefire way to prevent looking older in imbalanced outfits is to identify your body shape and dress according to what most flatters you. Of course, not everything you wear has to make you look super unbelievably gorgeous, but what's the harm in highlighting your waist so you aren't drowning in denim? That's what we thought.
Ignoring Your Proportions
Related to imbalanced outfits, your proportions matter in fashion styling more than you may realize. Just because the Vogue model says that crop tops and sheer blouses are the top trends of the season doesn't mean that it will flatter you in the same way. Sometimes following the trends make you look like a try-hard, so you have to find a perfect balance between trendy, what you like, and what flatters you. This starts with investing in clothes that actually fit you!
As we hinted to before, pandering your wardrobe to your body shape is an easy and foolproof place to start. Even the "ugliest" clothes can look straight from the runway if styled correctly and if the person wearing them has the confidence to rock them. We can't say this enough times, but highlighting your waist with a belt or cinched elastic is the easiest way to balance your outfit even if your shirt is three times too large.
Wrinkles
Boomers should be the masters of ironing their clothes religiously, but you'd be surprised how many of them simply don't care enough to take care of those pesky wrinkles. Like wrinkles on the skin show signs of age, fabric wrinkles make the clothing look older, worn out, and off-trend even it's a new piece.
Next to dressing to your proportions, providing simple upkeep on your clothing can keep them looking fresh, allow them to last longer away from the landfill, and elevate your outfits. You wouldn't show up to an interview or dinner party with wrinkled clothes, so why should they be acceptable when hanging out with friends or going to dinner? Don't those people deserve the same respect?
Chipped Nail Polish
Chipped nail polish is one of the easiest fashion mistakes to make because you have little control over how your nail polish acts. Unless you visit the salon every other week, keeping up with your nail care is a huge hassle and draining on anybody's bank account. Sometimes it's better to ditch the nail polish altogether!
If your nail polish isn't looking fresh, it's the first sign that you don't really care about your appearance, which people may associate with bad hygiene. Of course, those assumptions aren't necessarily true... nail polish chips so quickly! We advise investing in acrylic or gel manicures that are durable and last weeks longer than traditional polish. Just be careful not to overdo it and damage your nails!
Not Altering Your Clothes
When most people think of alterations, they fantasize about taking their dress pants to a little old lady and getting charged to raise the hem of their clothes. We're taking that idea a step further than altering your new clothes and extending it to include old and secondhand clothing as well. Weight fluctuations are common and nothing to be ashamed of, so it's better to have a game plan instead of spending hundreds on new clothes.
Remember the statistic about clothes ending up in the landfill? Most of that waste boils down to overconsumption and people being quick to dispose of their clothes when minor damage occurs. Like we said, haphazardly ridding yourself of these clothes separates you from the greener generations below the Boomers, so get out that needle and thread and get repairing!
Ditching The Purse
Sure, a handbag isn't needed at all times and everywhere you go, but if you're past college age and still carry around everything on a keychain, you're actually aging yourself rather than making you appear hip and young. College kids have lanyards for their IDs to access the cafeteria and dorm rooms... Everyone else should stick to pockets and purses.
A purse doesn't need to be a giant tote bag either. Bucket bags and fanny packs (yep, fanny packs!) are both super trendy and practical because they can hold a lot of cargo without taking up too much space. If those aren't speaking to you, a tasteful wallet or strapless piece is equally practical and rounds out your outfit.
Cool-Toned Hair
Finding hair colors that match your skin tone can be difficult. No matter how you pair your tones though, it's easy to go too cool and end up making your hair and face look older and washed out. Any good hairstylist can help you pick a color that would look great for you.
If you're a DIYer when it comes to hair, your safest bet is to stick with natural hair colors. Bleached blonde can easily come off as gray as you get older, so don't misrepresent yourself. If you don't like the color, try a toner. Remember: you can always dye your hair again if you really hate it.
Floor-Length Skirts
We know some of you guys are ready to fight us tooth and nail on this fashion mistake but hear us out for a bit. Floor-length skirts are not flattering on anyone, really. Fabric that covers up your shoes squashes your silhouette and makes you look inches shorter than you really are.
Fabric type also makes a huge difference. Long denim skirts have been on the outs for years, so there's no reason why you should still be rocking that style unless you've altered them to knee height. Long skirts aren't completely outdated, just make sure that they stop at the ankle or risk averse effects.
Only Wearing Jeans
You guys know that jeans aren't the only variety of pants out there, right? Sure, they're the easiest thing to throw on and pair with other pieces, but ease does not always equal "better." If anything, jeans are one of the most impractical pieces of clothing for the scalding summer.
Depending on where you live, the heavy jean fabric is notorious for uncomfortable chafing, sweat stains, and restricted movement. And this is not an excuse to buy more jeggings. Never buy more jeggings. We encourage you to browse the other materials, styles, and cuts of pants that exist past the wall of jeans in most department stores. There's a world out there waiting to be discovered!
Cool-Toned Nail Polish
That's right, nail polish colors aren't spared from the scrutiny of spring and summer fashion gurus. Nail polish might be less noticeable than things like your hair color or shoes, but they do a lot of work in rounding out your outfit and making you look happier and healthier. So what's the problem?
Because we are advising against cool shades of hair color for the spring and summer, which is arguably a much bigger change than nail polish, we can't let you get away with cool nail polish. Because nail polish is much easier to change and control, there's no shame in trying out new colors that don't complement the season every now and then but try to keep in mind color coordination with your summer outfits and skin tone.
Wrong Bra Size
Wearing the wrong bra size is the easiest fashion mistake to make and a prevalent issue among women. Because some of us grew up wearing hand-me-down bras from our siblings, mothers, and cousins, we weren't really taught how to pick out a bra that fits. And in this case, ignorance is not bliss because the wrong bra size can completely throw off an outfit.
This mistake isn't strictly concerning appearance either; listen to these benefits of wearing the right size: it improves posture, boosts confidence, lasts longer than ill-fitting bras, elevates your outfits, makes it easier to be active, and reduces back pain. Because most associates that measure you for your bra do it wrong, we highly suggest going to abrathatfits.org.
Refusing To Wear Hats
This spring and summer fashion mistake has less to do with the actual outfit in terms of color and fabric choice, but more to do with how the clothing can help your physical appearance. UV rays are especially damaging during the summertime, and you can't go wrong with added protection from the sun during the spring either.
Hats are a cute, trendy, and practical solution to preventing advanced aging of the skin, sunburns, and skin diseases. Bucket hats, flat-brimmed hats, straw beach boaters, and fedoras are the trendiest hats on the market right now, but any hat is okay to wear as long as you're protecting your skin from the sun.
Tan Pull-Through Belts
Cargo shorts are obviously and inequivocally the worst fashion offender. Yet no amount of criticism or trips downtown by the fashion police will make people clear out their ungodly stash of cargo pants for the summer. Unfortunately these shorts are typically parterned with another fashion mistake that dates you like no other accessory: pull-through belts.
Just like gaudy jewelry, elastic braided belts can age a youthful 20-year-old far past what's appropriate. Tan-colored pull-through belts are so early 2000s and anyone who thinks they're trendy in this decade are seriously misguided. With the amount of trendy belts on the market, the elastic and prongless variety should be the last option for your keeping your pants up on vacation.
Skimpy Tops
The summer can be so smoldering and humid that the thought of wearing any clothes at all can be demoralizing to a point that you don't ever go outside. We're here to say that you shouldn't crowd in front of your fan all day out of fear of the heat -- less can definitely be more on the hottest days.
However, there comes a point when comfy tops cross over to skimpy. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, per se, but depends on the context of your outing. If you're on the beach living it up with your pals and groovin' to some tunes, go for it! No one wants to wear a long-sleeved top there. But if you're going out to the grocery store or your neighbor's potluck, you run the risk of aging yourself by trying to hard to keep up with the young-gun's trends.
Impractical Shoes
Wearing shoes purely based on the "look" of them without any consideration of how they feel (we're looking at you, stilettos) is a staple of youthful fashion. For the sake of the Instagram post or looking the most enviable at the Friday-night hangout sesh, you'll see gals stomping around in blistering heels and platforms that they'll regret wearing as soon as they put them on.
Don't be like them. It's fun to wear an impractical shoe every once in a while, but the older you get, the less effective "the look" will be. So go ahead and throw on your Keds or Birkenstocks for that brunch with the girls and leave the aesthetics for the rest of your outfit. It's not worth the pain -- truly!
Muscle Shirts
We know this is a tough pill to swallow... but there's a reason why these pieces are deemed muscle shirts. Not trying to be too harsh on you guys, but the only people that actually pull these off are the gym freaks with bulging biceps and rock hard, six pack abs.
Even those with admirable thin figures or healthy bodies can't seem to pull off this style the way it was intended. Of course, gym clothes aren't exactly supposed to be trendy as much as practical, but a sports bra or a sleeved shirt can go many more miles for your self-confidence than you think. And we have to add, just because it may be a flattering shirt on you doesn't make it a summer-appropriate outfit.
Strappy Tops
Okay, this spring and summer fashion mistake is a little broad, but an important category to address. No, not all strappy tops age you, obviously. From spaghetti straps to open backs, strappy tops are a great way to keep cool during these warmer months while staying trendy, comfy, and beautiful.
The issues arise when you don't account for your body shape or how certain tan lines will alter your appearance. It can definitely be funny and harmless to have some tan lines peeking out from your new sundress, but tops with intricate straps everywhere lead to you resenting your tan lines because they detract from all your other breezy outfits.