Experts share insights on outdated styles and recommend alternatives. You don’t need a complete wardrobe overhaul each season. Here are their top style tips, simple outfit ideas, and fashion don’ts.
If you’re fond of mini bags, wristlets, or baguettes but find them lacking in functionality, you’re not alone. While these smaller accessories may look stylish, they often fall short in practicality.
Need more help updating your wardrobe? Here’s a quick guide on what to keep and what to update in your wardrobe. Keep reading!
Roomier bags
Fortunately, larger bags are making a comeback in many wardrobes. Don’t abandon your mini bags entirely but just embrace roomier options. Consider medium-sized satchels, shoulder bags, bucket bags, or structured totes crafted from premium leather. These styles typically offer spacious interiors capable of accommodating everything from keys to tablets.
Stretchy jeans
The debate over jeans has intensified (thanks to Gen Z), but don’t let them dissuade you from wearing your beloved skinny jeans. Whether you favor high-waisted, low-waisted, slim-fit, or a hint of flare, the key is finding jeans that complement your body shape. While relaxed, straight-leg styles are gaining popularity, properly fitting skinny denim can still make a statement, especially when crafted from high-quality materials and styled thoughtfully.
Relaxed denim
Denim serves as an ideal canvas for expressing personality, particularly through distressing. Imperfections like holes and tears add depth and character to jeans, telling a story of their own. Whether it’s the classic Levi’s Premium 501 or vintage-inspired distressed denim with loose-tapered legs, there’s a style to suit every preference. Classic straight-leg jeans provide the perfect base for those who enjoy distressing their denim. For ready-to-wear deconstructed jeans, pair them with a crisp top or an elevated sweater for a polished look.
Round-toe shoes
Sandals and shoes featuring a rounded traditional toe shape can give off a dated vibe, reminiscent of styles from previous decades. This classic silhouette, while once popular, may now appear less modern and can inadvertently age the wearer’s overall look. Opting for footwear with more contemporary toe shapes can help maintain a fresh and youthful appearance.
Chelsea boots
Instead, consider opting for footwear styles that are considered timeless. This includes classics like ballet flats, loafers, heeled ankle boots, or Chelsea boots. Staten recommends pairing Chelsea boots with slim, boot-cut, or flare pants, or even a maxi skirt or dress for a modern style update.
Color blocking
Color blocking, once a popular trend, has become outdated due to its tendency to appear overly bold and busy. Modern fashion leans towards more subtle and sophisticated color combinations, making color blocking seem overly conspicuous. Additionally, the style can sometimes come across as dated or reminiscent of past decades, leading many to opt for more understated and timeless looks.
Monochromatic look
Monochrome outfits are in vogue, offering a sophisticated and stylish appearance. Fashion experts advise that dressing in tones of a single color ensures a polished look, suitable for any body type. If wearing one color entirely seems daunting, you can mix different hues within the same palette or choose complementary shades. Don’t forget to accessorize with outerwear, sneakers, and bags to enhance the overall monochrome ensemble with flair and versatility.
Poor-quality fabric
Poor quality fabric is considered outdated because it often lacks durability and fails to maintain its shape and color over time. In today’s fashion landscape, emphasis is placed on sustainability and longevity, making low-quality fabrics less desirable. Garments made from cheap materials can give off a cheap and disposable appearance, contrasting with the growing preference for investment pieces that stand the test of time.
Cashmere
Investing in key pieces like cashmere sweaters can simplify your wardrobe. Cashmere’s natural fibers offer lightweight warmth and exceptional durability, making it a versatile choice for both casual and formal wear. Trask suggests pairing a cashmere sweater with matching joggers to elevate loungewear, noting the growing popularity of coordinated sets among designers. Despite misconceptions, quality cashmere sweaters can be affordable, with options like a $50 editor-favorite that consistently sells out due to its excellent quality and reasonable price.
Large logos
Large logo luxury is considered outdated because it often appears ostentatious and lacks subtlety, which contrasts with the current trend towards understated elegance. In contemporary fashion, emphasis is placed on quality craftsmanship and timeless design rather than conspicuous branding. Overly prominent logos can also detract from personal style and individuality, leading to a shift towards more discreet branding in luxury fashion.
Quiet Luxury
“Quiet luxury” and understated fashion have gained prominence in recent seasons, focusing on elevated versions of everyday essentials like trousers, tees, and topcoats. To cultivate a wardrobe exuding quiet luxury, begin with staples like a satin or silk midi dress, a classic white T-shirt, a cashmere cardigan, and a timeless blazer. These pieces epitomize sophistication without relying on flashy logos.
Denim jacket
The denim jacket is not necessarily outdated as it remains a classic wardrobe staple, but certain styles may appear less fashionable due to evolving trends. For example, oversized or boxy denim jackets from previous decades might feel outdated compared to more fitted or cropped styles currently in vogue. However, with fashion being cyclical, certain vintage-inspired denim jackets may still be considered trendy depending on how they are styled.
All-denim look
Embracing the full Canadian tuxedo by pairing a denim jacket or shirt with jeans is not only acceptable but also trendy. As long as the denim washes complement each other, you can freely rock this ’90s-inspired trend. Adding your personal touch is key to modernizing the look. For a chic, runway-inspired vibe, consider pairing a denim jacket with exaggerated jeans. Alternatively, for a laid-back yet stylish appearance, opt for an oversized denim shirt or classic jean jacket paired with relaxed jeans.
Shapeless sweaters
Shapeless sweaters are considered outdated because they lack structure and fail to flatter the wearer’s figure. In today’s fashion landscape, there’s a preference for more tailored and form-fitting silhouettes that accentuate the body’s natural curves. Shapeless sweaters can appear frumpy and detract from a polished and stylish appearance.
Refined knitwear
Knitwear has experienced a significant resurgence, offering plenty of beautiful options that balance coziness with sophistication. Trask recommends opting for a 100% cotton knitted turtleneck sweater for a classic, quiet-luxury look that can easily be styled for various occasions.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry is often considered outdated because it tends to lack the quality and durability of fine jewelry, diminishing its overall value. Additionally, as fashion trends evolve towards minimalism and sustainability, the ostentatious and overly embellished nature of costume jewelry can appear out of touch with current tastes.
Meaningful pieces
Rather than stocking up on cheap jewelry that will tarnish quickly, consider spending money on fewer, higher-quality pieces or making your own. wear jewelry that tells a story. Picking up a piece of jewelry from your travels or using found objects is intriguing. To update your fashion accessories to make them modern and meaningful, try adding birthstones and significant charms to the end of a gold chain pendant necklace.
Zip-up hoodie
The zip-up hoodie has become somewhat outdated due to its association with casual and athletic wear, which may not always align with current fashion trends. Additionally, its ubiquitous presence in everyday wardrobes has led to a desire for more unique and elevated pieces. As fashion evolves towards more polished and versatile styles, the zip-up hoodie may be seen as less fashionable compared to other layering options.
Shacket
As temperatures drop, a reliable winter coat becomes essential. But for brisk autumn days, ditch the zip-up hoodie in favor of a shirt jacket, or shacket. These versatile pieces, often crafted from thicker fabrics like flannel or sherpa, offer warmth without the bulk of a traditional coat. Designed to be oversized, shackets can be layered over T-shirts, hoodies, turtlenecks, or sweaters. They’re also great for upcycling, with secondhand options like flannel jackets or thick menswear overshirts easily found to complement any outfit.
Platform Sandals
Platform sandals, once a staple for adding height and a bold statement to any outfit, can sometimes feel outdated or cumbersome. Their chunky soles and dramatic height can overshadow the rest of an ensemble, making them less versatile for everyday wear.
Sleek, Flat Mules
In contrast, sleek, flat mules or espadrilles offer a modern, streamlined alternative. These low-profile options provide comfort and versatility, easily transitioning from casual daytime wear to more sophisticated evening looks, all while keeping the foot comfortably grounded and the style effortlessly chic.
Low-Rise Pants
Low-rise pants have cycled through fashion trends, often criticized for their less-than-flattering fit and discomfort for many body types. They can also pose a challenge in creating a seamless silhouette, limiting the types of tops that can be worn without compromising on style or comfort.
High-Waisted Styles
High-waisted styles have emerged as a favored replacement, offering a more flattering silhouette that elongates the legs and accentuates the waist, making them a comfortable and stylish option for all body types. This cut can also offer more versatility in pairing with cropped or tucked-in tops, facilitating a more cohesive and polished look.
Heavy Makeup
Heavy makeup, with its layers of foundation, bold eye shadows, and lipstick, can sometimes mask natural beauty rather than enhance it. It often requires a significant amount of time and effort to apply, making it less practical for daily wear.
More Natural Look
A trend towards a more natural look, emphasizing skincare and minimal makeup, allows your natural beauty to shine through. This approach focuses on enhancing features gently and is both modern and timeless, encouraging a healthier appearance and a quicker, more effortless daily routine.
Chunky Sneakers
Chunky sneakers, known for their oversized soles and bold designs, have been popular for their statement-making style but can be overly bulky for some outfits. Their heavy appearance can clash with more delicate or formal attire, limiting their versatility.
Classic, Streamlined Sneakers or Loafers
Classic, streamlined sneakers or loafers provide a sleek alternative, offering comfort without compromising on style. These shoes can complement a wide range of outfits, from casual to smart casual, making them versatile additions to any wardrobe. Their understated design ensures they can be paired with both minimalistic and more elaborate outfits, enhancing rather than overpowering the look.
Overly Distressed Denim
Overly distressed denim, characterized by excessive tears and rips, can detract from an otherwise polished look. While they can add an edge to casual outfits, too much distressing can appear unkempt and detract from the overall sophistication of an ensemble.
Mild or No Distressing
Opting for jeans with mild or no distressing offers a cleaner, more refined aesthetic. This choice is suitable for a wider range of occasions, ensuring a timeless appeal that blends well with both casual and elevated pieces. Jeans without distressing maintain an air of classic sophistication, making them a staple in any wardrobe for their versatility and enduring style.
According to expert stylists, here are the styles that instantly date you
Jaclyn Abergas
04.09.24
Experts share insights on outdated styles and recommend alternatives. You don’t need a complete wardrobe overhaul each season. Here are their top style tips, simple outfit ideas, and fashion don’ts.
If you’re fond of mini bags, wristlets, or baguettes but find them lacking in functionality, you’re not alone. While these smaller accessories may look stylish, they often fall short in practicality.
Need more help updating your wardrobe? Here’s a quick guide on what to keep and what to update in your wardrobe. Keep reading!