Are your clothes ageing you? Stylist shares 6 ‘frumpy’ items to ditch

If you’re trying to look more youthful, you may try switching up your skincare or hairstyle, but according to a fashion expert, it could be worth considering your clothes, too. 

From skinny jeans to white trainers, these mainstay styles may be making you look out of touch or older than you might like. 

We caught up with Ali Lees, a personal stylist and founder at Inspired Styling, who told HELLO!: “I work with a lot of midlife women, and none of them wants to appear older than their age!” 

She revealed some of the most common ageing culprits in your wardrobe, along with what to swap them for.

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Consider swapping skinny jeans for a looser silhouette

Skinny jeans

“Skinny jeans have had their moment. Their very tight spray-on look can give outfits a dated silhouette, which ages the wearer.”

Swap: 

“Straight leg or wide leg jeans instantly modernise your look and, in doing so, mark you out as more youthful. Balloon and barrel fit jeans also create an up-to-the-minute feel, but it can take more trial and error to find the perfect pair to suit your body shape.”

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Swapping black for navy can be more flattering

Wearing black near your face

“Black is often seen as effortlessly chic, but it can be surprisingly draining on many complexions, especially if you are over 40 (I say this with kindness as a 47-year-old!). Black can emphasise under-eye circles and fine lines, dull the skin and make the overall look feel heavy.”

Swap: 

“Navy is a softer, more flattering alternative for most people. Even better, a professional colour analysis can help you discover an array of shades that naturally brighten your complexion.”

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Longline cardigans aren’t always flattering, according to the stylist

Waterfall or longline cardigans

“Soft, draped cardigans were once a wardrobe staple, but the long, cascading silhouette now appears dated.”

Swap: 

“A cropped or waist-length cardigan in a chunky knit with large buttons gives a cleaner, more contemporary shape without compromising on cosiness.”

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Try swapping a tunic for a classic shirt

Tunic blouses, particularly florals

“Cotton tunics and buttonless ‘pop-over’ polyester shirts can look dated, especially those in a blousy floral print with a yoked front, designed to fall loosely over the lower torso and hips. Their trapeze shape finishes at the widest part of the body, which is less than flattering and gives a frumpy appearance.”

Swap: 

“Choose a shirt with classic lines, such an oversized menswear-inspired fit in plain white cotton or stripes. Another good alternative is a more boxy style button-through shirt that crops on the waistline, with either a sailor or scalloped collar.”

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Try modern trainers in colourful shades instead of white trainers

White trainers

“Minimalist white trainers do still have their place, but because they have been doing the fashion rounds for over a decade they can date the wearer if paired with a less-than-contemporary outfit.”

Swap: 

“Try more modern trainers in colourful shades to finish your outfit with interest. Use the ‘sandwich dressing’ pro-stylist trick to match up your trainers to another colour in your outfit such as a belt, baseball cap, triangle scarf or T-shirt.”