This is what happens when we stop paying attention.
I know I talk a lot about things that can age us, and I will keep making these videos as long as they keep making these clothes. And, as catchy as the title may be, it’s not aging we have a problem with. It’s looking out of touch and out of style.
Aging is a gift. Looking dated is a choice.
These are the outfits that happen when we buy what they’re selling us. When we start putting comfort and ease above everything else, and adopting a narrow idea of what it means to dress your age. It’s the misconception that we “should” stop showing our arms or our legs and that we should stop wearing certain clothes and start wearing more “appropriate” clothes.
This is when we can fall into the dreaded Frumpy Trap.
It’s a word that none of us like, but frumpy really just means a combination of Dated + Unflattering. When you pick something that is out of style and also doesn’t suit your body, it will look frumpy. And as I always like to remind you (and myself), it’s not you. It’s the clothes.
Outfit Formula #1: “Cute” Tee + Capris
This outfit starts with a novelty tee in a print that is overly busy, cute, or juvenile. Add capri pants with an awkward and saggy fit, usually in beige, and the outfit goes south really fast. The hair and the shoes (which might be cute in another context) further drag the look down.
Outfit Formula #2: Busy Tee + Capri Jeans
Again, we start with a dated and troublesome tee. This one has a pattern, which might be ok on its own, but the tee is also adorned with metal and pearl embellishment, making it busy in an out of style way. It is worn with skinny jeans that are capri length, which are the exact opposite of the denim that is currently trending, and also create an awkward and unflattering proportion.
Outfit #3: Baggy Tunic + Baggy Pants
Baggy clothes are NOT the way we hide excess weight or camouflage our changing bodies. Boxy clothes like this add weight, and detract form our beauty. This gargantuan tunic which is, shockingly, my size (XS) is paired with a pull-on linen pants (which are actually cute, on their own) for a sloppy mess of a look.
Outfit #4: Bedazzled Black Set
Ah, the bedazzler. For some brands, it never went away, and the evidence of this shows up in studded, besparkled, and otherwise embellished items aimed at the 50-plus set. (That’s us!). Bedazzled items are absolutely not in style, but they look worse when they are worn with other sparkly items. So a sparkly or studded shirt worn with a similar jacket, pants, shoes, belt, hat… you get the idea.
Outfit #5: Printed Tunic + Bermuda Shorts
Ah, the tunic with the “fun” print. It’s an item that is aimed exclusively at women of a certain age. You don’t see tops like this in trendy stores or contemporary brands. That’s because it’s been out of style for nearly a decade now. The length and fit are bad enough, but the dated print pushes it over the edge. Paired with baggy and shapeless Bermuda shorts, and you have an instantly aging outfit.
If we want an idea of what modern shorts outfits should look like, we need to check what is being offered by contemporary stores, like J. Crew, Target, Loft, Boden, etc.
And skip outfits that look like this.
Outfit #6: Boxy Tunic + Tight Bottoms
One of the least flattering and most ubiquitous silhouettes aimed at mature women is the flowy, boxy or oversized top with tight bottoms. It can make many of look out of proportion and imbalanced. In addition to being largely unflattering, it’s also out of style. Reverse the silhouette with a more fitted top and flowy bottoms.
Oh, and skip the athletic sneakers with outfits. Pair outfits with clean and simple fashion sneakers instead.
Outfit #7: Frumpy Formal Wear
It’s Aunt Bee all over again. This stiff and stuffy raw silk ensemble, with humdrum dress, dated jacket, and atrocious accessories is a bad homage to matronly outfits of the past. Yes very similar outfits are sold to women “our age” for church, weddings, and events.
Which of these outfit formulas is still in your current rotation? And which of these is your LEAST favorite? Let me know in the comments!
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