The Outfits Are DATED | The Truth About Pinterest

I feel like I’ve been a Negative Nelly lately. (Apologies to Nelly, my little sister, who is not at all negative and truly a ray of sunshine). But I’ve kind of made it my thing to tell you what to avoid as well as what to go for.

Knowing what to avoid is half the battle. At least. Maybe more.

This is at least as true for outfit inspo as it is for the specific items you choose to buy. Often, it’s not what we are wearing but how we put it together that makes an outfit look dated.

And many of those dated outfits have been sitting on the style shelf for far too long on Pinterest. And they’ve aged like sour milk. And this becomes a problem when we turn to Pinterest for our style inspo. If we don’t know when an outfit was created, we can be getting or inspiration from old outfits and creating looks (and wardrobes) that have long been out of style.

In today’s video, I share 7 ways that Pinterest inspiration pics might be steering you wrong, and updated options to try instead!

Dated Details

As I said above, it’s all in the styling. In many of these outfits, most of the clothing is fine if not 100% of the moment, but the combinations are the killers. They are what make the outfit look dated and out of touch. Whether it’s a shrunken cardigan worn over a button-down, a fitted jacket over a sweater, or a combination of accessories, these details date your outfit!

Vs. Updated Styling

Bad Cardigans

Snug cardigans in bright colors worn as layering pieces is a look that was all over Pinterest a few years ago, but current cardigans are longer, slouchier, and styled differently.

Vs Updated Cardigans

The never cardigans are either long or short but chunkier, with more weight, and not color-coordinated with an outfit.

Colored Jeans

Colored jeans are back, but they look very different and are styled differently than the colored jeans of several years ago. Skinny jeans in light or bright colors paired with matching accessories is a look that is definitely dated.

Updated Colored Jeans

The new colored jeans are in richer colors, generally, and different silhouettes, whether straight or wide leg. And or course they are paired with more modern tops to create combinations that look more current.

Booties + Skinny Jeans

This was a whole thing BITD! Omygoodness. How do we wear booties with skinny jeans? In? Out? Cuffed?We all had the skinny jeans and the SAME taupe boots with a round toe and stacked heel. Not only are skinny jeans not as trendy (although they may be coming back), the combo of skinny jeans and booties worn this way is out of style. (Note: Skinny jeans can be instantly updated with more modern boots!)

Updated Jeans + Boots

Whether skinny, straight, or wide-leg, pairing your jeans with an updated boot and keeping the rest of the look current can give you a fresh and modern look.

Dated Silhouettes

The overall skinny silhouette of several years ago, which combined snug jackets or cardigans, fitted sweaters, and skinny jeans with trim boots, is out of style. The other element that now appears dated is low-rise jeans worn with button-down shirts tucked in and belts, or skinny jeans with tunics worn with long necklaces and often a cardigan or blazer.

Updated Silhouettes

Infinity Scarves

Fortunately, these scarves were misnamed, because they are not a forever wardrobe item. And that’s a good thing, because they were super unflattering on most women. Unless you have Audrey Hepburn’s neck, this was a trend that you should have skipped, and not that they’ve been out of style for years, it’s even easier to set them aside (or eliminate them entirely).

Vs. The New Skinny Scarf

This long skinny scarf trend is a favorite of mine, as it elegantly conceals any neck issues without adding bulk and making your neck look shorter. Plus it’s so chic and easy to wear.

Statement Necklaces

Oh, I was obsessed with those bubble necklaces! Were you? I had the iconic (and now super-dated) J. Crew bubble necklace in multiple colors, and I also had the bejeweled big statement necklaces and every kind of statement necklace ever invented. It took me a while to let that trend go, but now I appreciate the versatility and subtle elegance of the more delicate jewelry that has been in style for the last several years.

The New Statement Necklaces

Statement necklaces, however, are making a comeback, but they’re more organic or sculptural in shape and generally neutral or made of natural materials. Thick chains, stone pendants, and nature-inspired themes look modern right now.

Were any of these outfits on your Pinterest boards? And which of these dated details and older trends have you been holding on to? Let me know in the comments!