Fashion should flatter your natural body shape and make you look current, and stylish. When you wear outdated trends, shapeless pieces, or the wrong prints and colors your appearance suffers and you can look frumpy, out of style, and older and less attractive than you are. Ahead are some common fashion offenders that take you straight into frumpy territory without passing go.
1. Unflattering Dress Shapes
Smock-like, shapeless, and flowing maxi dresses without any structure look dated and unflattering on most people. To avoid looking frumpy or like you have something to hide, choose dresses with more fitted, tailored silhouettes that add waist definition and enhance your natural shape. Midi dress lengths are most flattering and if you do wear an oversized dress, cinch it in at the waist with a chic belt.
2. Boring Beige, Mustard, and Neutral Overload
Done well, neutrals can look sophisticated and stylish. However, if you’re wearing too many at once, you can guarantee you’ll look washed out, dull, and frumpy. Try adding color with a cute scarf or trendy, modern accessories to brighten your look and add interest to your outfit. And word of warning; mustard is dated and never looks good on anyone.
3. Dated Prints and Patterns
Pattern trends come and go quickly and can be tricky to pull off. 80s prairie florals, plaids, or loud prints can make you look tacky, bigger than you, and out of fashion. Rather than wearing dated patterns, look for more classic pieces with a hint of print or stick to solid colors as they are more flattering and timeless. And never mix and match prints as you can look clown-like.
4. Oversized Shapeless Clothing
Loose-fit and oversized clothing might be super comfortable, but overly baggy styles can hide your shape and make you look larger and less polished. Try swapping out loose pieces for properly fitting styles to accentuate your natural silhouette. Baggy jeans, shapeless dresses, and tops without any structure around the body or neckline can all make you look frumpy and dated.
4. Wearing Harsh Shades
Whoever said black was universally flattering was lying. While black can be slimming, wearing it head-to-toe in a monochromatic way can create a harsh, dated, and drain your complexion and highlight signs of aging. Work out the best colors that suit your hair and skin shade and incorporate those into your look. It’s also always best to break up an all-black look with a pop of color with a belt, scarf, shoe, or bag.
5. Old-Fashioned Glasses
Yes, your eyewear is an accessory, and wearing the wrong ones can make you look old and frumpy. From oversized glasses to wraparound specks, outdated frames can add years to your face. Instead, update your look with modern, stylish glasses to give off a more fashionable, younger appearance.
6. Frumpy Flat Granny Shoes
Shoes that are tattered or scuffed up can make you look disheveled and detract from your overall appearance. If your shoes are hanging on by a thread, bin them and invest in the latest styles. Steer clear of shoes that are out-of-date, overly flat, and granny-like, and go for a cute sandal, ballet flat, or slimline sneaker.
7. Dull Matte Makeup
Even if you’re wearing the world’s most flattering outfit, a thick, cakey layer of makeup can exacerbate your wrinkles and make you look older. Opt for lighter, hydrating, satin-textured foundations to enhance your features and create a youthful glow. As a general rule; matte lipsticks, especially in dark shades also give off an aged appearance.
8. Long Cardigans and Layers
Over-layering with bulky clothes can make you appear larger than you and take away from your natural shape. Combat this by layering lightly or ditching the layers altogether. Beware of long, chunky, oversized cardigans or granny knits as these will date your style and you.
9. Boxy Blazers
Not everyone can pull off a boxy blazer. Blazers without any shape or tailoring can make you look older and outdated. Opt for styles with more structure and definition around the waist and shoulders to create a more modern, polished, flattering look. Pay attention to the length also; as anything that falls too low can drown your entire outfit.
10. “Mom” Jeans and Tight Capri Pants
Not only are tight skinny jeans and trousers out of fashion they are unflattering. The shapeless, high-waisted mom jeans can make you look floppy and frumpy, and skinny-cropped jeans have had their day. Go for a more modern stylish mid-rise jean in a mid-wash with a regular hemline and avoid denim that is overly distressed or embellished as this is pure tackville.
11. Untucked Shirts
A classic button-down shirt looks sharp and chic and will give off a more polished, put-together appearance. Wearing your shirt open looks dated while leaving your shirt untucked can look sloppy and unflattering.
12. Antique Jewelry
Jewelry styles are always changing. If you own chunky, gaudy pieces of jewelry or outdated styles, it can age you and your outfit instantly. Invest in more modern, elegant timeless pieces that will enhance your look and show you have a great sense of style.
13. Elastic Waistbands
Elastic waistbands instantly make an outfit look cheap and tacky. Whether that’s on trousers, skirts, or sweats (which don’t belong outside the house) elastic waistbands can make you look frumpy and your figure will lack definition. Choose pieces with proper tailoring, tuck in your shirts, and add a nice belt to give a more put-together appearance that shows you care about style
14. Off-Shoulder and Billowing Tops
Off-the-shoulder necklines are unflattering on the body and will highlight skin imperfections and an aging neck. Billowing shapeless tops, and tricky sleeve lengths (especially capped and three-quarter); along with vertical stripes can make you look larger and highlight arm fat and a large bust.
15. Jeans with High Boots
Tucking knee-high boots into jeans and pants cuts you off at an unflattering point and the whole idea of it is dated. It’s even worse if your boots are flat (or suede) as you can look frumpy and out of proportion. Also, beware of high boots with mini skirts and dresses, it’s not really stylish at any age. A chic ankle boot with a mid-stacked heel is chicer, sexier, and more comfortable.