10 Fashion Mistakes That Make You Look Older

Shopping has become a dreaded task as you find that nothing seems to fit your body the way it should. Your sizes are always just off, and every style and cut seems as though it was designed with every figure but yours in mind.

Wearing ill-fitting clothing is a sure way to tack on the years, causing you to either look frumpy and shapeless or stitched-in to your outfit. And it goes without saying, if you don’t feel confident in your clothes, you won’t look it.

It can be frustrating to consider spending more money on top of your purchases by utilizing a tailor to adjust the fit, but consider this: if your purchases are tweaked to fit you perfectly, you’re more likely to get more use out of them, hold on to them longer, and save yourself future trips – and cash – trying to replace items you regret buying in the first place. The right fit will flatter your body, boost your confidence and keep you looking put together. Consider it an investment in your wardrobe – and yourself – you’re worth it!

Walking into your closet is like taking a trip into the land of the bland and boring. An endless array of neutral solid pantsuits and sweater-sets, your style hasn’t changed much in the last few decades – and things are starting to get stale. Sticking to a few classics is always a good thing, but refusing to take a few fashion risks and update your style every so often is like living in a time warp, and can really age you as time goes on.

Nowadays, it’s common to find personal stylists on-hand to help with your shopping in most major department stores and mid to high-end shops. Several stores even offer their onsite styling services for free for customers, giving you some professional insight and added boost in updating your wardrobe. Let your stylist know what you like, what you don’t, and what you aren’t sure about but would like to try. Often, getting an outsider’s perspective can really go a long way in introducing you to styles you might never otherwise try, and will help you to bring your closet in to 2016 without compromising your comfort level.

In an effort to turn back the clock, you find yourself jumping the bandwagon for every trend that hits the magazine stand – leaving you looking overwhelmed in frills, fringe and velvet ensembles that just don’t work. By working so hard to stay current, you’re losing grip on the classic elements that work best for you – and in effect, aging yourself in a very obvious way.

We’re all about taking the odd fashion risk here and there – and there are definitely some trends this season that we think work well for all (ankle booties anyone?) but getting on board with every trend isn’t going to keep you looking current, and there’s just no way they’re all going to flatter your style and shape – so pace yourself! Get a feel for the basic shapes, cuts and fabrics that work best for you and keep that in place as your fashion foundation. From there, when a trend that flatters you comes up, have fun with it – but don’t forget that great fashion sense starts with you – not whatever’s on the celebrity radar that week!

Reading glasses are inevitable for most of us: we spend so much time in front of computer screens and other technology that the biggest surprise is how long it takes most of us to give in before signing up for the lenses we know we need. The wrong reading glasses can completely take over your face and leave you looking much older than you are.

Make a point of taking a friend whose opinion you trust, asking the opinion of the salesperson, trying on several pairs and sleeping on it before deciding on the right frames for your face. Have your friend take a photo of you wearing your top picks and then take some time to mull it over. Often, just because a particular style works on a celebrity or friend, that doesn’t mean it will work for you. The right frames should frame your face, complimenting your natural shape – not overwhelming it. Forgo current trends for a great pair in a classic style that will look good long after frame fads fade.

Comfort is king in your books – and we get it! Who wants to stomp around all day in shoes that don’t support our aching feet? When it comes to your go-to footwear, we totally agree that comfort is number 1, but can we at least agree on putting style second? Sensible shoes that lack in style can often come across as clunky, outdated, and distract from the rest of your outfit.

If you haven’t checked out a shoe store in a while – you might be in for a shock. Comfortable – and stylish – footwear is no longer all that hard to find. In fact, many shoe stores offering the latest trends and styles are quick to offer up shoes that come equipped with supportive insoles and have actually been designed with all-day comfort in mind. Finding a pair that feels and looks good on your feet will set the tone for the rest of your outfit and immediately freshen up your look.

Neutrals have a place in every stylish women’s wardrobe, because we all know – you just can't beat the basics. But do you find your palette leaves you looking washed out and tired?

If you have fair skin, you’ll want to stick to colours that contrast with your natural tone – as these will brighten up your look and keep you from looking washed out. Try introducing the following hues into your wardrobe: rich greys and browns, deep blues and burgundy and bottle green. Avoid pale hues and pastels.

If you have medium, or olive skin, you’re in luck. Your warm complexion works well with more colours than other skin tones, and you’re safe to play around with most shades – still, we recommend always opting for a shade brighter or darker when possible.

If you have darker skin, than you really have your pick of the colour-spectrum, as both bold and soft hues will work well against your natural tone. We would advise you to stick to bright or rich shades and avoid the too-dark tones.

Nothing will age and unflatter your look more than an ill-fitting bra. Undergarments in general, from bras to pantyhose and every intimate in between, are such a vital starting off point for keeping your looks youthful and flattering.

You’re going to want to leave this one to the professionals, as most of us have no real clue where to begin when it comes to getting fitted for the right bra. The biggest issue with the fit starts with size – so before you wonder if a new style might be the ticket, do yourself a favour and get fitted by a pro first. You might be surprised to discover you’re wearing the wrong size. Most retailers now offer free fittings by trained sales associates to help set you up with the right size and style for you. If you’re shy, have them size you up while wearing a thin t-shirt so they can pick out some sizes and styles for you to try on in private. The right fit will give you a boost in your clothing, save your back and posture from slouching with unsupported weight and take years off your look – we promise!

Jersey fabric is not your friend. We repeat: jersey is not your friend. Sure, it’s comfortable for those lightweight layering tees and around-the-house pieces, but it’s not the most flattering material. It can be easy to fall into routines with easy go-to jersey sets, but these pairings can look drab and sloppy if you’re not careful.

Jersey material is very comfortable and can feel great against your skin – but don’t overwhelm your wardrobe with it. Stick to this material for basic pieces, but avoid the all-over look, which can age you and unflatter your figure. Stiffer materials with some stretch can feel just as comfortable, but will go a long way to leaning out your figure and keeping your outfit streamlined and sleek.

Your silhouettes are shapeless and frumpy, packing on the appearance of added pounds and in effect, aging your style.

While not every outfit will benefit from a belt – some looks may need to be tailored, or worst-case, tossed – some looks can be completely revamped with a cinched waist. Not only are belts this season’s hottest accessory – we love the heavy-buckle western style! – but they’re a quick fix for bringing out some instant shape over boxy blazers, shapeless overcoats and layered pieces that need a little help getting pulled together.

Mixing prints and colours is a fun way to freshen up your pieces, but if it’s not done properly, you can end up looking aged and overwhelmed by too many contrasting styles in one outfit.

Take some time to organize a few hangers with pieces that you know look good together and pre-assemble them in your closet for speedy morning ensembles that you can feel confident about. A good rule of thumb for mix and matching is to stick to one mismatched factor. So, for example, if you’re mixing prints, make sure the pieces are in the same colour-stream as one another, and are complimentary in both style and fabric. That way, the mix-up works because the pieces are still coordinated in more ways than they aren’t.