Top 12 Fashion Mistakes That Make You Look Old & How To Fix Them 

As a Wardrobe and Personal Stylist for over 16 years, I've dressed women for movies, tv, and film. When we want an actress to appear older than she is for her role, we will actually use some of these "style mistakes" to do so.

Dressing for comfort doesn't mean one's given up, it means one doesn't feel like dressing to please someone else. I'm done with that. Now, I dress to please myself and I dare say I look pretty damn good, even if I say so myself.

I embraced the long, loose tunic top because I was sure it was hiding my expanding middle. Nope. It was, in fact, putting a big red arrow pointing out the fact that I had something to hide. I decided to work on making the middle smaller (I am in my sixties and yes it can be done) and wearing more tailored items with a front tuck. Who knew? It actually gave me a waist and made me look younger and more stylish.

You speak my language, so many women give up on their style just because they’re in a certain age. I do believe that we should dress well and not be seen as giving up on life, at least not me, I’m 53 and there’s no way I’m going to look dowdy. Great video, thank you 😀

I have to agree with most of your points here. My style words are comfortable, casual, minimal with a touch of edgy. A lot of thought is put into it. I agree that comfortable doesn’t always mean frumpy but it can if you are not paying attention. Being creative in my wardrobe using these style words gives me challenge in my wardrobe and I like the process of putting outfits together

Some of us older gals can only wear comfortable shoes! ❤

There’s no rules to fashion and ages, as long one is mentally happier. Some people as they get older, they finally have enough finances to able to shop for themselves whereby they have waited for ages to dress up that so happens it has past their time. So be it, as we live only once

Horizontal and vertical proportions are key. Know YOURs, learn to balance your own body. Following fashion reveals insecurity.

Great video, Erica! Keep them coming!

Great points! I would also add capri pants, the ones that stop mid calf. The only one I disagree with is sweater sets. But the trendy ones with a shorter sweater tank, almost cropped but not showing belly.

You’re showing slim Bermudas, they’re out of style, but I like some of the current wider-leg ones, but shorter than just above the knee, at least four inches above, I’d say. I have great legs (thanks, DNA), but just find shorts usually uncomfortable, they tend to ride up when I sit, so I only wear them when nothing else will do (same for blue jeans). Most occasions where shorts might be worn, like barbecues, a cotton dress works fine.

Great points!

This is fascinating. I think about everything you mentioned and I agree with them all except one. The Bermuda shorts. I'm sure I'm the exception and not the rule but I have a short torso and a short waist with a large bust and very long legs in proportion. I wear tailored Bermuda shorts that hit right above the knee Or fitted denim ones. I wear tops that fall right below the natural waste and it helps me create balance in my look. I think it's because of the rule of thirds. Ironically in real life I always got compliments when I wear them.

Cowl necks only emphasizes sagging skin, softening jawlines and the downward droop and wrinkles of the face and neck of us mature women, they’re awful. Those wide-cut necklines, tunic-length tops and sweaters, and 3/4-length sleeves at mature brands are super-frumpy, too. No one has a perfect figure, it’s always better to show one’s shape than wear oversized, baggy clothes. I do wear “cropped” tops and sweaters because they come down to at least cover my waistband, and often to my hipbone, I’m short overall and very short-waisted (never exposed belly skin, though, no one wants to see that, especially me!). Regular-length tops and sweaters end between my leg break and mid-thigh, major frump-a-dump. I always tuck in my tops or otherwise show my waistband, it looks so much more youthful and improves the proportions significantly. Even though my legs are on the long side, they look very stumpy in those tunic lengths, plus, they’ve been out of style for three decades, they were only a thing briefly in the 90s, with leggings. That silhouette is long gone from fashion.

Just checked out the parker long jeans, no way on earth would I wear them. They are too short for someone of a petite size. I've tried them before. Personally, I don't like showing too much flesh and would be uncomfortable in them. I go for boho knee-length dresses in the summer they look just right. Also I think as long as you adapt certain pieces of clothing that instantly makes you feel great, then that's all that matters. Each to their own.❤

I am plus size 22, apple bodied, short from crotch to waist and have a terrible time with pants as a regular or high waisted fit is up under my large bust. I have several pairs of rolled cuff denim shorts that you would probably call Bermudas and they are perfect for me so yes, I am rocking them! There is no way that I could wear the shorts you recommend because a) they don't come in my size and b) for an event with an older crowd attending, the raw hem is less polished than the rolled up. Please keep us oldies in mind!

Love your video. Please talk about color and prints.

Yes, dressing too young is ageing! So is dressing too old!

I don't feel I gave up - I've just never had any sense of style.

I know this is about clothes but choice of make up hairstyle and eyeglass frames also can be very aging.

Perhaps you should consider your style to be a bit bias because you don't like particular styles not the age of the person wearing them a sweater set is classic if the person wearing it is classic pearls are timeless no age for them either perhaps you should consider it

I’m in my early 30s and I find it difficult to find stores to shop at. It seems like stores either have styles for teens and young adults or 50 year old women. Where is the in between? 😅

I have to say I don't agree about the cowl neck sweaters. I think if one has a softer body (as in soft natural or soft classic in the Kibbe system for example) the soft draping of a cowl neck can look really good, regardless of age.

I personally find frumpy-looking midi skirts really ageing.

I wish I could wear my heels Had a stress fracture in my foot now I got to wear flats 😢love your video

I think the most important factor with clothes is body type, height and size.

What about wide leg jeans should they be avoided if over 50? Black ones can look like wide leg trousers. Great tips on the video 🙏 x

Classic pieces should not go out of style.

Sometimes I like what you say and sometimes I don't!. This was both.

My question….what is WRONG with looking older if you are? It breaks my heart that women are still being told their worth is diminished by looking their age. I popped on here because I just need to say out loud…..PLEASE quit making women feel “looking older” is bad, wrong, ugly, etc. Many of us are older and are so thrilled we have lived this long. PLEASE. This is what keeps women hating themselves as the natural progression of life happens.

WOW 💯 correct! Love this video. Cowl neck…UGH!

What is sweater set?

Great video, I have gone to making my short shorts because of this issue. I find a 5 or 6 inch inseam is great on my 5'7 frame. I just took a pair of wide legged jeans that were just not right and turned them into some great shorts. Consider what is wrong. It might be a trip to the seamstress. 😊

I am only 30 years old… Take that as one may as far as the age scale, but I still feel like I’m pretty young amongst my friend group, especially since they are all older than me. I do tend to dress a little “older” as those my age or younger might say, but really, it’s dressing for myself, which is minimal, chic, comfortable, and elegant. I have found I am actually taking a little more seriously, especially since I look a lot younger than I am, and I really stand out amongst people my age who are mostly just stressing gym/pj style. I actually find I am comfortable wearing my style of clothing rather than the “comfortable” gym/pj style. I feel rather uncomfortable if I go out in this type of clothing even at home, I like to get dressed! I feel confident and powerful in the way I dress, and it definitely comes across and the way I portray myself. It did take some time to get comfortable dressing so differently in an area where most people do not dress in a chic and classy style. But I feel confident and get many compliments!

A year late to this video, but the combination of wide width and foot problems means it's really hard to find nice shoes! Also, I love bermuda shorts and cannot wear anything shorter - it wouldn't be a good look...and I don't want to wear a dress when it's hot. Anyway, enjoying your videos, even if this 68-year-old is doing it all wrong...😁! Like cowl necks, too, because they help a little with my small bustline - oh, no!!!!

Completely disagree, I love it when older women wear "younger clothes," whatever feels like them, and I hate the idea that women need to change their style each decade and look accordingly.

What about skorts? I don't have one but have considered it.

My personal fashion rule is: after a certain age, if you wore a particular garment the first time it was in style, you have no business wearing it when it comes back in style.

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Lol 😂😃- cowls, long shorts, capris will come back as moto jackets blazers and skinny belts die away. (Again) The circle of life with consumerism. 👜 None of it really has to do with style or fashion. ❤ Just spending 💵💰.

Colour is a big one,too much black sometimes.

You can wear comfortable shoes without looking frumpy. Study French style. Parisian women never wear heels in the day time, they wear sneakers, usually Converse etc.or loafers, with jeans or pants and with a chic top, white t shirt etc and a blazer. Study Ines de la Fressange for inspiration.

Martha Stewart looks so frumpy there, she needs to get her weight under control, too. But capri pants and crocs? I always thought that big-shirt worn out look is aging, too. I agree with all of your points. I think most mature women where I live tend towards too young, rather than too old in their clothing, makeup and hairstyling. It’s sad seeing a 60-year old in Daisy Dukes, a crop top and heels and waist-length bleached curls. More age-appropriate, but modern, clothing looks much better on mature women than teenagers’ outfits, which are going to fool anyone anyway. It hard to go wrong with high-quality, modern classics at any age.

Sweater sets are classic timeless. Otherwise I agree.

Omg yes, cowl necks! 😂 They are awful. Also, I know everyone loves them but denim jackets are dowdy. Sorry not sorry....

Love lots of your advice, but this one fell flat for me. I think different body types can wear different cuts and hangs of fabric successfully. And your "style" isn't for everyone, timeless is great advice, but neither my style nor my lifestyle is "classy". I was hoping for more details that could apply across style choices.

Could you please define, what it means for you - dressing for your age? You keep repeating this, in this video. Do you have a rules how a woman should look like in their 30s, 40s, 50s…etc 🤔 that’s a very old way of thinking I would say 😜 I’m 47, my style is minimalist, androgynous with a touch of vintage. I got myself a baggy jeans, love it, and wear it with a well design jacket. my 17 years old son complimented me that I look like a cool mom 😝 and wanted to find for me a nice colorful sneakers! I believe that the problem is not in the specific piece of clothes, but in how we wear them! I will happily wear oversize clothes, bermudas and sometimes I'll buy trendy item at the teen store 🤪😜😝 because women can express themselves, regardless of age.

Martha Stewart is an extremely successful woman, but she’s never been fashionable. Even 20 years ago, she looked frumpy to me.

I disagree, I think Bermuda shorts are really classy!

Its amazing how youre wrong in jut about everything you say. I opt you dot mind me saying this.Really mom jeans look good on everyone. And mom jeans always have a high rise, so u dont o=know what they are.

don't take my bermuda shorts!

Life is too short for uncomfortable shoes. Oversize looks awful on everyone. Heartily disagree on the Bermudas. They must fit properly. The images you showed all looked like crap because none of those shorts fit properly or were the correct length.

Painfully obvious advice.