Summer Trends That Age You

You know how I have said that classic style can age you and trendy clothes are the way to go? Well, I totally stand behind that. Except when I don’t. Here’s the thing. Wearing head-to-toe conservative classic clothes can definitely be aging, while modern classics are always going to be chic. Not all classics are created equal.

The same can be said for trends.

Some trends are instant wardrobe refreshers, lifting your everyday style out of the doldrums and making you fall in love with your wardrobe all over again.

Others are just sad and unflattering mistakes. For almost everyone. And certainly for those of us over ________.

Today, I’m talking about these trends. And they generally fall into 2 categories:

1. Trends that look like “grandma” clothes
2. Trends that look like “toddler” clothes

Both extremes are disastrous. Here, how to spot them, and what to wear instead.

(Everything in this video can be found here.)

The Crisscross Sandal

Or, as I call them, Egyptian grandma house slippers. In their most basic, boring form, these are shoes that are intentionally “ugly” and a continuation of the ugly shoe trend of the past few seasons.

I, shockingly, like pretty shoes. I know. I’m weird. However, if you like the look of these shoes, but want to wear them in a way that doesn’t give off house slipper vibes, try a softer looking style with more color and a little more sleekness, and not something so utilitarian.

NO!

YES!

These styles have more design elements that make them feel more elegant and elevated, from the chunky sole to the braided upper in the pretty color.

Faux Orthopedic Shoes

Just because we are at an age where orthopedic shoes are a fact of life, doesn’t mean that we want them to look like orthopedic shoes. And now, they’re taking trendy shoes, like Birkenstocks, and making them look like orthopedic shoes by adding clunky details topstitching, molded footbeds, buckles on the straps, etc.

They are designed to look ironic on someone who is young. Like, look how cute I am even in my ugly shoes. But on a more mature woman, they just look stodgy. Try a prettier pair of Birkenstocks or another sleek comfort sandal style instead.

No!

YES!

These pretty Birkenstocks are the same style, but with much more flattering details.

The Classic Midi Dress

A classic midi dress in a classic color with a classic pattern is a very hard look to wear. In order to take this look from frumpy classic (the old-fashioned office or secretary dress) and make it modern, you need one of the classic elements to be modern. So either the shape, the color, or the pattern needs to be modern.

No!

YES!

Make one of the design elements in the dress (shape, color, or pattern) more modern and you’ll have a more flattering and wearable style.

The Office Blouse

The classic blouse in a ditsy or small geometric print (a nondescript print) is a longtime office staple, and can look potentially frumpy. Again, just updating one of the elements can take these tops from boring to beautiful.

No!

This simple top in a nondescript floral looks a little dull and potentially frumpy.

Yes!

Updating one element can take an office blouse and make it a chic and versatile wardrobe staple.

Babydoll Styles

Now we are moving away from clothes that intentionally look mature to those that make you look babyish. Babydoll styles aren’t all bad. In spite of the name, a babydoll dress simply refers to a dress that is shorter and flowy, often with an empire waistline. Some can work, but others are disastrous. The difference is in the details.

No!

Yes!

These dresses all feature details (solid neutral color, minimal detail) that make them easier to wear for anyone looking for a short flowy dress.

This babydoll top is much easier to wear in black than in pink, although styled properly, the pink is not out of the question.

What did you think of my take on these young and old trends? And which would you consider trying, in their more flattering versions, of course? Let me know in the comments!