Steer Clear of These Tacky Outdated Accessories
The right accessories can make or break your outfit, according to fashion consultant and personal stylist Sarah Meikle. There’s an art to accessorizing so if you get it wrong or overload you can end up looking outdated and tacky. It’s important to keep up with the latest shoe and bag trends but avoid tricky ones or anything that has had its day. “A chic handbag, a cute shoe, a well-placed scarf, and simple statement jewelry will elevate your look,” says Miekle. Ahead some outdated, ugly accessories you need to retire to stay stylish, not ruin your look or worse age your outfit and appearance.
1. Animal Print Accessories
Animal print can be garish and a fashion faux pas best left in the past, especially long vulgar dresses. As for animal print accessories like shoes, bags, and scarves, they can look plain tacky, date your outfit, and age you. It’s best to go for a more timeless black, tan, or white—on trend for summer according to Vogue—loafer, handbag, or scarf with a pretty floral print.
2. Chunky Oversized Jewelry
Chunky jewelry is a tacky trend that needs to go. If you overload on oversized earrings, thick necklaces, or layer on chunky jewelry you can look cheap, tacky, and like you’re trying too hard. Most of the time you can bet these pieces are made out of cheap synthetic materials that are bound to discolor and make your skin turn green. It’s best to invest in high-quality, dainty pieces of real old jewelry instead, like a fine necklace, small hoop earrings, or a cute bangle.
3. Ankle Socks
Though they’ve been a staple in the sock draw for years, ankle socks are officially out. Younger trendsetters now favor the tube sock instead of ankle socks for every shoe combination from gym shoes to trendy sneakers. It’s officially time to retire ankle socks and kit out your sock draw with tube socks or longer statement socks. Not only are they more comfy they will inject a cool factor into every outfit. And never wear mismatched socks, it’s not chic or cool.
4. Weird Toe Shoes
Toe shoes might be practical for sport but should never be worn as a fashionable item. While they might be handy on a boat or when hiking, that’s where these shoes need to stay. It might have been trendy to own a pair of these weird-toe shoes a few years back, but we implore you to pick another pair of shoes—any pair–over these fashion offenders.
5. Canvas Boat Shoes
When it comes to making a style statement boat shoes are a big no-no. There are few scenarios where these look good on anyone – even if you’re on a boat. They may feel like an easy shoe to slip on and wear with anything shoe, but please leave these in the clearance bins and go for a chic sneaker or slide instead.
6. Stiletto Ankle Boots
Stiletto ankle boots are aging your entire outfit and can look a little witchy, especially if the toe is pointy or the boot features a loud print or texture. They left the trend stratosphere at least two years ago and were replaced by the much more timeless short-stacked-heel ankle boot or stylish knee-high boots (with a softy rounder toe). Sure, ankle boots are comfy and easy to slip on and off, but the slit of skin they expose between the top of the boot and the hemline isn’t flattering on anyone. Add the pointy toe and a high heel and they are a killer to wear.
7. Tiny Impractical Sunglasses
The tiny micro sunglasses of the ‘90s were a short-lived trend in the world of fashion. As fast as some trends come, they go out just as quickly. This is the case for tiny impractical sunglasses especially if they have a tacky colored lens. Swap them out for bigger frames in a more classic style and shade of black or tortoiseshell and they will be stylish forever. Ridiculously oversized sunglasses can also drown your face and make you look like a fashion victim.
8. Blingy Watches
In the era of minimalism, blingy, overly embellished, colorful, or super sporty watches are a big no-no. While a statement watch is a timeless accessory a lot of us dream of, the fact of the matter is an overly gaudy watch can cheapen an entire outfit. With so many fake watches on the market today, investing in a simple and understated designer watch in gold, silver or black is the way to go.
9. Flip Flops
Unless you have a day at the beach or the pools planned, wearing flip-flops out and about is a surefire way to commit a fashion faux pas. Flip-flops can make even the best of outfits look seriously cheap and disheveled. Swap out flip-flops for a pair of Birkenstocks, simple slides, or a cute pair of sandals to give your outfit a sophisticated edge. And never wear chunky platform flip-flops, as these are beyond tacky. Platform stilettos are another no-go as they will take you straight into stripper territory.
10. Logo-ed Accessories
Quiet luxury is in and loud luxury is out. There’s nothing more tacky than drenching yourself in head-to-toe labels and brands. Not only will you look like a try-hard with no personal style but it will cheapen your entire look. It’s better to save and invest in a classic designer handbag from iconic brands like Gucci or Chanel as they will last forever. Just make sure the logo is understated, you aren’t dripping in the brand’s logo, and never wear a logo bag, belt, and shoe at the same time.
11. Ugly Chunky Sneakers
The chunky platform sneaker trend needs to be retired. They are ugly, and unflattering, will overwhelm your outfit and these clunkers can also make you look bigger. It’s better to go for a lower more slimline kick, like the Adidas Samba which is still going strong according to fashion editors at CNN and comes in cute color variations.
12. Big Statement Belts
A chic belt can streamline your outfit, flatter your waistline, and add a stylish touch to your outfit. Go for a simple, thinner black, tan, or white belt to come off more stylish, and steer clear of big wide buckle belts and anything busy or embellished as it can look cheap and like you are playing dress up.
13. House Shoes
Ugg boots are slippers and should never be worn outside the home as you’ll look tacky and underdressed. As for colored, plastic Crocs, they were never cool the first time around and should not be worn as a style statement (save them for the garden, or the bin). Again it’s better to go for a classic Birkenstock or cute leather ballet flat if you need a throw-on-and-go shoe.
14. Fantasy Fingernails
Your hands and feet are an extension of your style so consider a chic manicure and pedicure an accessory that can make or break your outfit. Steer well clear of fake-looking long talons, crazy nail polish colors, and embellished nail art as this is a one-way ticket to Tackville. Classic red, sheer nudes, soft pinks, vibrant white or black (if you want to add a little edge) are the most modern, stylish, and flattering nail shades, and go for a shorter squoval (square/oval) nail shape.
15. Fanny Packs and Micro Bags
Fanny packs have always been a tricky fashion contender as they can make you look like a tourist or backpacker. Steer clear of fanny packs with vivid prints or in casual canvas as they can look like you’re not trying. If you are a fan of the fanny pack which we understand can be handy, invest in a high-quality stylish tan, black, or navy leather one and get it with a cross-body strap so you can also wear it over your shoulder. As for the ridiculous micro-bag trend, not only have they had their day, they are completely impractical.