Dress Mistakes That Make You Look Older
While aging is undoubtedly a privilege, when it comes to fashion, nobody really wants to pick pieces that add extra years to their appearance. And unfortunately, dresses can be a big offender of this. While picking dresses in stiff fabrics like tweed or going for shapeless silhouettes is something most of us know can add a couple of years to our look if not styled properly, the truth is that many other aspects of picking and styling dresses can add some years, too.
To understand the art of proper dress styling, we spoke to Amy Acton, the CEO of Acton Style Group. Exclusively for Glam, Acton shares just what mistakes you should avoid if you want to look young and stylish in dresses — and how a few simple tricks can help you look your best no matter what you're dressing for. Of course, keep in mind that while we love sharing fashion guidelines, we love authenticity even more, so if you're guilty of any of these mistakes on purpose, keep doing you if you want to!
Mistake: You pick dresses that were trendy in the past
It's no secret that trends return in a circular fashion, which is why plenty of people think it's fashionable to rock something they wore when they were younger. However, when it comes to dresses, our fashion expert advises against grabbing those old pieces from your closet no matter how trendy they might be. "If you rocked a trend the first time, leave it in the scrapbook," Amy Acton tells Glam exclusively. "More often than not, revisiting a trend you wore years ago makes you look like a blast from the past. ... Choosing dresses with sleek silhouettes and modern, minimal details can keep your look timeless and ageless."
That said, if a dress trend from your past is experiencing a big comeback, you can still rock it without giving off time capsule energy — you just need to tweak it a little bit. For example, when the infamous girly babydoll dresses were back and bringing fresh, feminine energy a couple of years ago, all a millennial, who undoubtedly rocked them in the early aughts, had to do to pull the trend off was style them in a more modern way. Specifically, this meant ditching the ballet flats and going for sneakers or chunky boots — and extra points if they also paired it with chunky socks. Adding youthful and modern elements to a comeback dress style is what will prevent it from aging you!
Mistake: You wear dresses that don't fit you properly
Another way that dresses can age you is if they're not tailored properly. "A well-fitting dress can shave years off your look," Amy Acton shares exclusively with Glam. "The fabric should hug you just right — smooth across the bust and back and natural waistline while skimming over the hips without clinging. No pulling, gaping, or awkward bunching allowed." We completely agree — most of us have likely felt the disappointment of owning a beloved clothing piece that just doesn't fit quite right.
Apart from having clothes that seem like they were made just for you, picking the right dress shape for your body type is also crucial. "Dressing for your body type is like good skincare — essential," Acton explains. "Hemlines that are too long or short mess with your proportions, and anything too tight or too loose can make you look frumpy." If you have dresses that you love but fear they don't fit you well, consider taking them to a tailor for subtle alterations. Trust us: Once a dress is tailored to your body, it will become your favorite go-to piece.
Mistake: You don't think about what undergarments you're wearing
Combining your favorite dress with the right choice of undergarments is very important, as this can easily make or break the look. "The quickest way to age yourself? Ill-fitting undergarments," Acton tells us exclusively. "In my opinion, this is a big one, and sadly, most people overlook it. Few things add years, like weird bulges, lines, and, my favorite, looking like an encased sausage."
While you can get away with not paying attention to your undergarments if you're going for a loose dress, anything that's tighter will, more often than not, need specific undergarments. (Here are our tips for finding the perfect shapewear.) "Undergarments and shapewear, when done right, can smooth, lift, sculpt, and turn back time," Acton adds. Once you find that perfect shapewear piece, you'll find yourself grabbing those skintight, sultry dresses from your closet a lot more frequently.
Mistake: You don't accessorize your dress properly
Last but not least, your choice of accessories can make you look older than you are, especially if you're going for pieces that aren't timeless or trendy. So, while that simple black maxi that you bought in the early 2010s is a timeless staple, that chunky statement necklace that you used to rock it with is probably an accessory you should avoid pairing it with today.
When it comes to jewelry, classic pieces are your best friend. "Opt for sleek, dainty jewelry, layered necklaces, or bold statement earrings worn alone to add fresh energy," Amy Acton explains exclusively to Glam. "For shoes, the best tip I can give is to make sure you can walk effortlessly in the shoes you choose to wear. Nothing ages you more than hobbling around because your feet hurt."
Now that you've mastered the art of styling dresses, check out these other outdated clothing mistakes that make you look older.