Think you’re up to date on the latest fashion trends? Don’t be so sure. Styles are constantly evolving and changing, so you can never be too thorough. Time to take a look at your closet and purge the following fashion faux pas from your wardrobe.
Tweed
Okay, Dr. Who is fabulous and all but that does not mean tweed is back in! Tweed is quite outdated and pretty stiff, so unless you want to look like Sherlock Holmes, leave this itchy material where it belongs: in the past!
Ballet Flats
Ballet flats are easy to pair with most outfits and may have been a go-to style for you back in the 2000s. Despite the hype from celebrities and fashion designers though, these shoes are not made to last a lifetime. They can make you look a bit immature (when’s your next dance recital?), and they’re often listed among the most uncomfortable and unsupportive shoes for your feet.
Turtle necks
If you feel insecure about your neck, use a chic scarf or a classic piece of jewelry, but don’t you dare don a turtle neck! Wearing one completely distorts the proportions of the body, making your head look bigger while giving your jawline more emphasis. So, unless you’ve found a super-chic turtleneck that actually compliments your body, we suggest moving on from this outdated trend.
Statement Shirts
Statement shirts can come off as obnoxious, especially if you wear one outside of your teenage years. Of course, these shirts could work if you are actually making a statement. For example, luxury brand Dior sent one of their models down the runway wearing a shirt saying, “We should all be feminists.” A powerful and impactful meaning like that has way more style than silly sayings such as “I’m with stupid.”
Oversized Blazers
Depending on the cut, blazers can be unforgiving to a variety of body types. Oversized blazers in particular aren’t flattering on most. This trend could work for you if you’re lean, tall, and confident (or you’re Cara Delevinge, the unofficial blazer queen), but if not, this style is probably best to steer clear of.
Spray Tans
Remember the acronym GTL from Jersey Shore? “Gym, tan, laundry” was one of those sayings in 2010 that’s long since died out. Ignoring the Jersey Shore connections, spray tans also have a horrible reputation for staining your bedsheets, clothes, and even car seats! Ditch the orange sprays and opt for a slow-build, at-home tanner instead.
Silk Scarves
As far back as the 1800s, silk scarves were worn by almost everyone, even the famed composer Ludwig van Beethoven. Many years after, they were made famous again by luxury brands like Hermès and Burberry. But buyer beware: they can look busy or gaudy if they clash with other patterns in your outfit.
Low Rise Jeans
In the 2000s and 2010s, many people wore low-rise jeans everywhere and matched them with underwear and bedazzled belts. While it’s still fun to look at pictures of people sporting this trend, we don’t think we should bring it back anytime soon. Try a comfy, stylish pair of boyfriend jeans instead.
Statement Necklaces
Statement shirts, shoes, and of course, necklaces are all pieces we add to our outfits to make them shine. We humans love decorating our bodies with whatever we can find! However, there is something wrong with statement necklaces. Is it how they cut the length of your neck? Is it how you can only pair one necklace to a specific outfit? We’re not so sure, but we can all agree that they are an old trend on their way out.
Long Hair
Beauty will always be about expressing individuality. Whether portrayed through makeup, fashion, or hair, showcasing our individual beauty gives us a sense of freedom. However, most people like looking put together, and you’ll have the exact opposite effect if you sport extremely long hair (which is also super old-fashioned).
Dressing Up Cargo Shorts or Pants
Throughout fashion history, we’ve always had a love-hate relationship with cargo pants and shorts. They clearly have a purpose and a place in our hearts, but they are not formal attire. They are were meant for cute, causal outings or hiking up a cliff, so please stop trying to dress them up.
Kitten Heels
Kitten heels are supposed to act as “training heels” for young women or those who aren’t ready to commit to real heels. The kitten heel is not as bad as the others on this list since we see them worn by powerful people like Michelle Obama, Theresa May, and Hillary Clinton, but they’re still not that flattering. Either embrace real heels or stick with flats.
Thin Eyebrows
Pencil-thin eyebrows were perhaps one of the most famous beauty trends of the 90s. Some people who kept up with this trend never recovered their brows, as we often see in tabloids. We recommend avoiding over-plucking your eyebrows though, as they don’t always grow back. Plus, why tweeze when many beauty experts agree that thicker brows actually make your face look more youthful?
Lengthy Cardigans
Cardigans work to build an outfit, but only if the silhouette is right. If you want your favorite cardigan to look flattering on you, wear a waist-length one instead of something that reaches your thigh. The thigh-length cardigan has become outdated and can even give you an unflattering, rectangular shape.
Capri Pants
Capri pants are one of the worst fashion trends that ever graced the fashion world. They highlight the midsection while also cutting it shorter. These were made popular in the ’50s and ’60s by icons like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn and then sadly came back in style in the 2000s. Go ahead and throw them in the donate pile if you haven’t already!
Choker Necklaces
These necklaces date back to the Renaissance era and were brought back to the spotlight in the 1920s. A second revival happened in the 90s as a sign of teenage rebellion with the jewelry often worn by celebrities like Natalie Portman or Drew Barrymore. A couple of decades later though, they are not as popular as they used to be!
Bouffant Hairdos
Before Marge Simpson, there was Jackie O. who made this hairdo famous. Though this over-the-top hairstyle is rarely seen today, it crops up occasionally and doesn’t provide much in terms of style or up-to-date fashion sense.
Ugg Boots
Although UGG boots were made famous in the 2000s, you can still see people wearing these every winter. These sheepskin boots just won’t go away! The company producing them says they abide by strict ethical standards in making UGGs, but also note that they are not entirely cruelty-free. We think that’s enough to retire these shoes.
Jeggings
Jeggings combine the comfort of yoga pants and the illusion of wearing jeans. Sadly, the outdated trend is coming back today because more and more people are working from their homes. We suggest choosing either jeans or leggings, not both.
Leg Warmers
Leg warmers are simply socks without the fabric that covers the feet. This 80s trend started with dancers who believed that leg warmers might prevent injuries. Today, it’s not deemed a fashion trend worth continuing.
