Expressing yourself through fashion is empowering and a great way to show some personality and your unique brand of style. If you get it wrong however you will head straight into tacky territory. Trying too hard, wearing outdated trends, unflattering shapes, and the wrong shades for your skin tone and age will draw attention to you for all the wrong reasons.
1. Logo Mania
In an era of quiet luxury, there’s a fine line between showing off a touch of high-end designer style and trying too hard according to the fashion experts at Huff Post. Wearing clothing and accessories emblazed with logos from head to toe can look tacky and scream a lack of personal style. A classic designer bag or shoe with a logo is best.
2. Distressed Denim
Distressed, slashed, or overly embroidered denim can also look tacky and age your look. Avoid denim styles that don’t suit your body shape. Super tight skinny jeans, cut-off shorts, and anything too low-rise is not a good idea when you’re older. Right now it’s about high-waisted jeans, but if you’re top-heavy, these can make you look bigger. The denim jean maxi skirt is also unflattering.
3. Pointy Stilettos
A chic stiletto with a slight point is cool and can elongate the legs but anything too pointy can take you into witch or clown territory. A rounder almond-shaped toe is better and a mid-heel block heel is classic and timeless and will also save your feet and back.
4. Plunging Necklines
Showing a hint of skin is sexy but when you’re of a certain age low neck, v-neck, and overly plunging necklines can age you and highlight imperfections on the neck and chest. It’s better to go for a high-neck top or dress and show some legs if they are in good shape.
5. House Shoes
Uggs belong indoors and crocs are just never a good idea unless you’re six. Pay attention to the shoes you wear as you get older as the devil is in the details and accessories are where you can shine. A chic loafer, block heel, or ankle boot is where it’s at, and as your feet thin with age, you need something with arch support and cushioning.
6. Trucker Caps
90s dressing is back, but even back then the look was dubious. A boxy trucker cap is OK at the beach, but wearing it as a fashion statement, especially if it’s plastered with logos or bold designs can look too young or worse like you’re not trying.
7. Cowboy Boots
Right now the cowboy core trend is going strong according to Vogue. This ain’t Texas however and this is a look that can go horribly wrong. Beware teaming a cowboy boot with short shorts or a denim mini skirt, as it can look too young or like you’re trying too hard. It’s better to try the boot with a flowing maxi dress or jeans with a hint of a cropped hem. And never do a cowboy boot and cowboy hat, unless you’re at the rodeo.
8. Ugly Sneakers
Chunky ugly platform sneakers are a fashion trend that needs to be retired, especially past a certain stage. Not only are they bulky and will overwhelm your outfit, they are unflattering and well, ugly. Platform flip-flops also look cheap and tacky, so go for a simple sophisticated slide instead.
9. Boxy Blazers
An oversized man-style blazer is cool, provided it’s a modern cut, you balance proportions and it works for your body shape. A badly cut, outdated boxy blazer with 80s shoulder pads is never a good look. And if you’re shorter any long blazer can cut you off and look like a tent.
10. Cringe Colors
A pop of color can be playful and help break up a heavy look, but as you age too much color, especially neon brights can look cartoonish. It’s important to wear shades that flatter your color skin tones. Heavy black and gray can look harsh, beige and light pastels can wash you out, salmon pink can highlight aging and imperfections and purples can look dull and frumpy.
11. Off The Shoulder Tops
Off-the-shoulder tops can be tricky on the wrong body shape, not only will they show off too much neck and skin, but they can balloon to make you look bigger. As you age it is time to go for more classic styles like a chic button-up or a cool crew neck tee or sweater.
12. Crop Tops
Crop tops are fun and flattering when you’re young and have a great figure. When you’re older it’s better to go for more simple shirts, blouses, and tees or you risk looking out of date, over the hill, and lacking fashion sense.
13. Bike shorts
Bike shorts and all forms of workout wear belong in the gym. So unless you’re going for a bike ride, taking a spin class, or you look like a supermodel there is no reason to step outside in skin-tight spandex shorts. Besides, they aren’t even attractive.
14. Velour Tracksuits
A hit in the early 2000s, the Juicy Couture velour tracksuits are now considered tack-ville. We’re not sure this is a trend that will ever come back and given that they are also made from cheap synthetic material we hope they don’t.
15. Harem Pants
Some trends never were and never will be a good idea and the baggy, low-crotch harem is the perfect example. They aren’t flattering, they aren’t cool and they will make you look tacky and out of style.
16. Fanny Faux Pas
Let’s face it, the humble fanny pack will instantly make you look like a tourist without a sense of style. Fanny packs have made a bit of a comeback and we get that they are practical, but unless you go for a chic designer style (plain, not embellished) and wear it appropriately — slung over the shoulder is a no-go – it’s best to give them a miss.