14 Fashion Mistakes Women Over 50 Should Avoid – Get Rid Of This Wardrobe Item To Look Younger

Lauren Kirkbride | September 11, 2025 1:00 pm

In the past, many older people felt pressured to "dress their age." But this is rapidly changing. New styles are always coming out for all age groups, and what you wear can make people think that you're five years younger. By getting a different shirt collar, choosing the right patterns, and wearing the right shoes, you'll feel more confident and stylish. Here are some clever wardrobe tricks to make you look younger.

Swap Black With Lighter Colors

Nan Legeai, chairwoman of the French haute-couture company Celine, wears a pale yellow dress.
Eric Robert/Sygma via Getty Images
Eric Robert/Sygma via Getty Images

Black is sleek, slimming, and timeless. But wearing too much can make people appear older. Try swapping black clothes with lighter, neutral colors. Grey, beige, brown, or even white reflect the styles of younger people.

When you wear black, try pairing it with other colors. Add a colorful necklace or shoes to really make the outfit "pop." You might even feel more vibrant and confident!

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Never Fear Your Neckline

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The left shows a high-neckline shirt, while the right shows a lower neckline shirt.
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Engin_Akyurt/Pixabay and Christian Vierig/Getty Images
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Some older women are afraid to show their chest, so they stick to crewnecks or turtlenecks. Do not fear! Older adults can look fantastic in lower necklines. In fact, it might empower you and help you feel more confident.

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You don't have to go extremely low or revealing. But a nice v-neck or scoop neck can make all the difference. If you still feel insecure, pair it with a necklace. People will be so busy looking at the nice necklace that they won't notice the rest of your chest.

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Don't Ditch Heels; Find The Right Ones

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A woman wears one lavender heeled shoe and another deep purple heeled shoe.
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Many older adults can no longer embrace the "fashion is pain" mindset, especially with high heels. But you don't have to ditch heels entirely. Find a little bit of height that is comfortable to walk in, which will make you appear taller and younger.

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Kitten heels, platform shoes, and wedges can add a bit of height without destroying your feet. Younger people tend to wear at least a bit of heel when they're dressing up. That said, you don't have to wear heels all the time; a workout or trip to the grocery store might be better with sneakers and flats.

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Replace A Zipper With An Elastic Waistband

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Heidi Klum wears high-waisted pants with an elastic waistband.
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As people grow older, they tend to gain weight around their muffin-top area, says fashion stylist Lauren Rothman. If you're worried about this, ditch the jeans and slacks with zippers. Try pants that have elastic waistbands.

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Nowadays, pants and shorts with waistbands come in all shapes, styles, and colors. You can grab some jeggings (jean leggings) for extra comfort, or wear high-waisted elastic slacks. Plenty of young people wear elastic waistbands these days, and they are becoming more and more popular. This way, you won't have to sacrifice comfort for style.

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Swap Mom Jeans For Fitted Capris

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A woman wearing navy capris and holding a green Chanel bag leans against a wall.
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Capris and cropped pants never go out of style. However, some older adults tend to cover everything up, including their legs. Showing off ankles can elongate the legs and appear youthful.

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Capris, leggings, and rolled-up jeans can work with any style. Plus, they make you look like someone who's out on the town, not somebody who is stuck in the office wearing slacks. Nothing is more youthful than an outfit that says, "I'm ready to have fun!"

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Don't Stay Smooth; Play With Textures

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A woman in a striped red shirt holds an orange fluffy Chanel bag.
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As the fashion industry has grown, clothes have come in a variety of textures. There are fuzzy jackets, ripped jeans, and knitted sweaters. Clinging to one texture can make people look older.

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If you play with different textures, your outfits will look more creative and put-together. Pair a faux leather purse with a fuzzy scarf, or grab some animal print shoes. Nobody is too old to experiment with fashion.

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Throw Out Drugstore Reading Glasses

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An older woman wears fashionable eyeglasses.
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The shape of your glasses can either make you look younger or older. Ditch plain, narrow glasses from the drugstore. The right eyeglass shape can flatter your face, and everyone benefits from different frames. Round, large, or cat-eye frames might work better with the shape of your face.

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Put neon colors inside the glasses' arms, or go for a bit of sparkle. These will appear more exciting and youthful.

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Stick To The Classics, Not To Trends

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Trends come and go, so try not to get swept up in them. Jack Prenter says that clinging to trends can put people into the "trying too hard" category. Even many teenagers don't hang onto trends!

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What should you do instead? Find clothes that make you happy, fit well, and work with multiple outfits. If you get stuck, go with the classics. Button-up white shirts, trench coats, black blazers, and blue jeans never go out of style. Fashion has no age.

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Stop Piling On Florals And Paisley

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A woman wears a floral print and paisley dress with a brown jacket.
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Floral and paisley patterns tend to be hit-or-miss, says fashion and accessories designer Brittany Allen. On one hand, younger people often wear florals and the occasional paisley. But on the other hand, too much of this pattern can age you. Neutral patterns, such as beige paisley, also tend to be old-fashioned.

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When in doubt, opt for a brighter pattern. Grab a pastel floral dress or bright, colorful paisley shirt. And don't pile on patterns; wear them with neutral pants or jewelry. Younger people tend to simplify their style, and older adults can pull off the same look.

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If You Like Oversized Pieces, Don't Go All Out

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An older woman wears an oversized coat with fitted pants and a yellow shirt.
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If you enjoy oversized sweaters or pants, style them correctly. Pick one large piece and the rest should be more fitted. Pair a large sweatshirt with skinny jeans, or put on baggy pants with a slimming shirt. Many young people are embracing this trend today.

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Also, buy purposefully oversized clothes. Getting a shirt that's two sizes too big will not work the same way.

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Swap Shapeless Clothes For High-Waisted Ones

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A woman styles a yellow, patterned high waisted skirt with a grey tank top.
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Unless you enjoy the look of shapeless clothes, don't resort to them. Embracing your body will make you appear younger and help you feel more confident.

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If you need somewhere easy to start, try high-waisted bottoms. These pinch in at the waist, automatically giving your body some shape. A high-waisted pencil skirt, pants, or shorts can make you feel more youthful. Gone are those low-rise jeans; young people are now embracing high-waisted clothes, and you can too!

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Be Careful Of How You Wear Your Scarf

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Kate Garraway wears a long, beige scarf with a black jacket.
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Although scarves are timeless, how you style them can be generational. In the past, people would tie a short silk scarf around their neck. But nowadays, people opt for cozier, longer scarves. If you want to appear more youthful, do the latter.

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Some people leave the scarf hanging down the front of their body. Others wrap it around the neck and tie it in creative ways. In some cases, people use scarves as waist belts or to decorate bags and purses. Have fun with it! A long scarf will give you plenty of options.

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Swap Out Skin-Toned Tights For Color

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When is the last time you saw a young adult wearing skin-toned pantyhose? These tights create the illusion of a smooth leg, but they are not so popular now. Showing off your skin appears more natural, and it can make you look younger.

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That said, tights are still in style. Try black, white, or even colorful tights under clothing for a fun outfit. If you like the look of pantyhose, try shapewear instead. Shapewear prevents the seams of skirts and dresses from showing through your clothes.

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Get Exercise Shoes In Solid, Neutral Colors

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A woman wears white tennis shoes.
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Plenty of people incorporate running shoes into their everyday wear. However, some sneakers scream "workout," especially when they have neon colors. Young people have gotten around this by getting sneakers in neutral, solid colors.

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Buy sneakers that are all white or all black. This way, you'll still have comfy shoes, but they will appear more hip and classy. Plus, neutral shoes can match with plenty of outfits. If you are not a fan of heels, even small ones, then this tip can help you look more youthful.