Dressing well and paying attention to your grooming and beauty routine makes you feel confident and polished. Appearance counts, and style has the power to transform your look. Everyone has their own personal style, and trying to conform to the latest trends just because they are in isn’t what it’s all about. If you wear outdated trends or try tricky looks, you could make yourself look dated and less attractive. Here are a few things to avoid or retire immediately.
1. Color Coordination Overload
When you try to match every piece of your outfit to a specific color palette, you can look like you’re trying way too hard. It’s great to have a cohesive look, but if you’re too matchy-matchy, it can come off as stiff and forced. Go for more tonal looks in complementary colors rather than sticking to one shade.
2. Elaborate Cutout Heels
The right shoe can make a bold statement, but wearing a pair of ridiculously high or flashy shoes can overwhelm your outfit. Choose classic heels, such as a mid-stacked block heel in black or a neutral shade, to offset your outfit, not become the main focal point.
3. Cargo Style Jeans
Jeans should be streamlined and unfussy, so steer clear of cargo styles with bulky pockets as they are dated and unflattering. These pants look too casual and add unnecessary volume to your frame, making your legs look wider and heavier. Swap them for chicer-tailored, slim-fit trousers or medium-rise jeans for a more balanced, sleek look.
4. Pleather Pants
Pleather pants can look cheap, nasty, and unforgiving; they also highlight every curve and wrinkle in an unflattering way. They also don’t breathe well, so they can make you look like a sweaty, chaotic mess. Invest in genuine leather for a smoother, more refined finish, as it will also last forever and be less likely to end up in a landfill.
5. Fake Regal Jewelry
Fake flashy bling looks tacky and can make your outfit look cheap. Instead, it’s better to invest in the real deal and wear simple, understated, high-quality pieces—long gold chain necklaces, simple studs, and a cute bracelet or delicate cuff is much cooler.
6. Orange or Coral Lipstick
Orange and coral lipstick shades are dated and cringe. They can make your skin tone look red, and in heavy matte formulations, they will settle into fine lines and wrinkles, making them more noticeable. These colors can also make your teeth look yellow. Go for a classic red shade, and always choose a hydrating satin texture.
7. Intoxicating Perfume
An overpowerful fragrance can be overwhelming and a turnoff. It’s great to wear scent, but it will backfire if you douse yourself in heavy perfume, especially intense sandalwood and musk fragrances. Go light on the scent and choose fresh florals that are modern and sexier.
8. Heavy, Complicated Makeup
Makeup should enhance your natural features, so avoid heavy or overly complicated looks and techniques, as they can make you look like you’re hiding behind a mask. Choose one feature to highlight (a dramatic eye or a bold lip) and leave the rest neutral. Outdated techniques like too much blush placement, thick, drawn-on eyebrows, and heavy matte lipsticks can take you into clown territory.
9. All-Black Looks
Black might be the uniform of fashionistas, but it can look severe when you’re older. Wearing it head to toe can create a harsh contrast against your skin tone, and when you add sunglasses, you can come off as unapproachable. Break up all-black looks with a pop of color on your shoe or bag
10. Knee High Boots
Knee-high boots can be unflattering and cut you off at a weird spot. The boots tucked into jeans look has also sailed, and if you’re going to wear a boot, make sure it has a mid-heel; flat boots are unflattering. Also, be careful when piling on the coats, jackets, and scarves, as over-layering can create an unbalanced, bulky look.
11. Loud Printed Pants
Loud prints, especially Animalia ones, can be tricky to pull off, especially on pants. They can also look dated and over the top. It’s better to keep your prints for shirts and jackets and go for more delicate florals or checks, as these are chicer, more modern, and less likely to draw attention to you for the wrong reasons.
12. Tricky Peplum Outfits
Peplum dresses and tops are one of the trickiest fashion trends. The extra fabric around the waist can add bulk to your figure, making you appear wider than you are. If you have a peplum dress or top in your closet, it might be time to switch it out to a sleeker silhouette that will accentuate your natural shape, not obscure it. You’ll never go wrong in a classic blazer or a simple, elegant dress.
13. Cold Shoulder Dresses
The cold shoulder trend has outstayed its welcome. Once considered a cute way to show some skin, the cutout shoulders can make your proportions look off, and the whole look can appear fussy and tacky. Retire this style in favor of a simple midi dress with long or three-quarter sleeves for a more flattering look.
14. Tacky Unnatural Streaks
Your hair is an extension of your look, and like your makeup, you want it to look chic and natural. Over-bleached or badly blended streaks create a dated and unattractive appearance. Chemical dyes also damage your hair, leaving it dry, brittle, and straw-like, making you look older. If you want highlights, go for subtle, balayage-style streaks or lowlights in a shade close to your natural hair color.