Retro Styles That Age Women The Most

Fashion trends don't just disappear, they evolve. These days, it seems as though social media is constantly recycling tons of the retro trends we all used to know and love every single day, but with a modern twist, like cargo pants, puffy sleeves, patchwork, low-rise jeans, and large claw hair clips, just to name a few. If there is one thing that the ever-rotating trend cycle has taught us, it's that there are plenty of ways to give even the most retro and outdated wardrobes a fresh and modernized look, because the number one rule of fashion is that there are no rules.

It seems as though society is finally coming around to the concept that age really is but a number, as we're seeing an abundance of older women putting the rest of us to shame. If you don't believe us, take a look at Vogue's roundup of some of the most fashionable people on the scene over the age of 60. But, if you are of an older generation, please don't go running to TikTok to see what the youngsters are wearing these days — we beg of you. Instead, we have pinpointed some of the retro looks in your closet that you might not realize are actually making you look a lot older than you really are, while giving you the tools to find your own fashion niche, no matter what age you are.

As women begin to age, a focal point for their insecurities tends to be their neck. If your main concerns are to reduce the noticeable appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, pieces like silk scarves will only draw more attention to those details and give your body the look of being top-heavy, which is never flattering. Picture "Catch Me If You Can"-esque flight attendant scarves. Perhaps they were acceptable for '60s era women in their early twenties, but not for real aging women of the 21st century. In an interview with Real Simple, stylist, author, and fashion journalist Lloyd Boston discussed the many ways in which you can make scarves fashion forward.

"The coolest scarves are made of an ethereal, lightweight knit, are long enough to be wrapped around several times, and come in unexpected colors and prints," Boston said. However, he shared that archaic patterns like "paisley, equestrian, and sailor themes can add years" to your look. But, there are still many unique ways to style your old silk scarves, such as by fashioning them into a headband, tying them around the strap of a purse, or using them in place of a necklace.

"If they ain't hurtin', they ain't helpin'." Just kidding ... kind of. While there is no shame in the comfortable footwear game, it's important to be aware of the effects that our shoes have on our apparent age. Your friends might lie to you and say nobody will notice the shoes — but they will, and they do. Fashion faux-pas like clunky loafers, ballet flats or shoes that feature round or thick soles will do your legs absolutely no favors, especially for older women.

These days, there are tons of retro styles taking a modern approach. However, women over the age of 40 should be cognizant of how they style them. Who What Wear lays out the perfect substitutions to achieve age-defying footwear. Perhaps you could trade out wedges for heeled mules, or round-toed shoes for pointed toes. Or maybe even elevate some sneakers. With the return of the kitten heel, for instance, there are easy ways to be both comfortable and stylish, while elongating your legs and making you appear more youthful in the process.

Whether your skin tone falls in the category of warm, cool, or neutral, there is always a color pallet that pairs perfectly with it. However, a common mistake among older women is dressing for the wrong skin tone, which can not only have an unflattering effect on your style, but also your age. Olive and golden undertones are considered to be warm, bluish hues fall under cool skin tones, and neutral is a combination of the two. Dressing your body for the right complexion will instantly lead to a brighter and more vibrant skin tone.

InStyle spoke to executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, Leatrice Eiseman, about the rules of color theory in fashion. She shared that, unsurprisingly, warmer undertones pair well with warm colors like orange, yellow, and gold, as well as earth tones like browns, deep reds, and different shades of green. Cool tones pair well with darker colors like charcoal, violet, and cool blues. Neutral skin tones, on the other hand, pair best with — you guessed it! — neutral colors. Think taupe, beige, peach, jade green, and soft pinks. If you're unsure of what category you fall under, check out our extensive guide to the best colors for your skin tone.

The days of the skinny jean might be long over, but mom jeans are not simply one size fits all, especially for older women. There is an art to finding the perfect denim fit for your body. Overly baggy jeans can not only be unflattering to your figure, but can also add years to your look. Looser jeans are becoming the new trend, as people begin to look for both comfort and style. But, when your loose jeans begin to border on baggy, it begins to hinder your curves.

Whether it's barrel leg, cropped, or a modern version of the boot cut jean, there are tons of stylish options for denim these days. Elle UK took an in-depth look at the most flattering yet comfortable denim styles we're seeing in this trend cycle. A common misconception is that skinny jeans will give you a more youthful appearance, when in reality, the right fit of jeans will follow your silhouette and have enough stretch that your legs won't be gasping for air. Experts recommend finding jeans with about 2% elastic fiber for the best results.

If decades of "Americas Next Top Model" reruns have taught us anything, it's that you always want to elongate the neck. While older women tend to want to hide their neck impurities as they age, this can actually have the opposite effect than might be intended. Not only do high turtlenecks make your neck look shorter and wider, but they also draw more attention to those unwanted areas. But, we're not telling you to toss out all of your turtlenecks, because, let's face it, that style is probably never going anywhere.

Instead of a high turtleneck, opt for a mock turtleneck to get the same look while avoiding any visible aging. Collared shirts, V-necks, and scoop neck tops also have the ability to draw attention away from the neck, acting as a subtle way to keep a fresh and youthful look. Turtlenecks have the tendency to streamline your look, effectively flattening your figure and taking away any curves you have in the process. Pairing a mock turtleneck with fun earrings and an updo has the ability to bring the attention off of your neck and chest and up to your face.