Liven Up Your Look Instantly With These 7 Practical Tips

by admin May 31, 2022

While there are many things we can’t control as we age (achy joints and thinning hair spring to mind), there are plenty of things we can! While age comes with unparalleled wisdom, there are definitely benefits to maintaining a vibrant—or, dare I say, youthful—energy.

Personally, I feel much more confident when I’m wearing something lively and energetic. And I don’t mean wearing the latest trends or shopping where a twenty-something would—I mean clothes with personality that are still sophisticated and age-appropriate.

If you could use a confidence boost in the form of a style tune-up, you’ve come to the right place, because today I have 7 simple and practical fashion tips to share that will help freshen up your look so you can feel your best.

7 Practical Fashion Tips That Will Revitalize Your Look

1. Illuminate Your Face

The brighter your face looks, the more youthful and positive you appear. Having a pop of white near your face is an easy way to achieve this brightening effect, so try layering a while collared shirt underneath a sweater or cardigan.

Your makeup and self care routine plays a big part in your overall appearance as well, so make sure you’re avoiding the common grooming mistakes that can make you look older.

2. Don’t Overlook Jeans

The classics are often classics for a reason, that includes classic wardrobe staples like jeans. A good pair of denim jeans can do double-duty for you by emphasizing your figure and camouflaging trouble spots. Throwing on a pair of jeans with a fun top is an effortless outfit choice for daily errands or casual gatherings.

3. Pop In Bright Colors

Don’t be afraid to experiment with bright colors! I love adding a pop of color to my look, usually in the form of a cardigan or lipstick. Turquoise, fuchsia, orange, and periwinkle are all bold options that add liveliness and excitement to your look! (To avoid going overboard, pick one or two brightly colored items to be the focal point of your outfit.)

4. Avoid Black

Black can be chic in certain contexts, but it can be problematic for us older adults because of how severe it is. Wearing black can actually magnify the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and even make the circles under your eyes appear darker too.

I used to wear a lot of black back when I first started blogging because I’d always heard that black was “slimming” and “chic.” But once I started embracing brighter colors (thanks to a push from my friend Carol Tuttle of Dressing Your Truth), I realized that my black clothing hadn’t really been doing me any favors.

If black has generally been your neutral color of choice, try swapping out those staples for charcoal gray or navy blue. Both colors are softer, more flattering, and easily matchable!

5. Add A Little Movement

If your style seems stuck in once place, add some movement to it! Pleated skirts that swish and swing as you move are infinitely more fun and vibrant than boxy or shapeless skirts.

6. Update Your Readers

For eyeglass-wearers (including those of us who only use them for reading), swapping out drab or simple frames in favor of a bolder shape or color can update your whole look! To see this in action, look no further than recent seasons of the Great British Baking Show (Bake Off for you Brits), where judge Prue Leith shows off an ever-changing array of fun and fashionable frames.

Consider cat-eye frames, which are flattering on almost everyone. And good news for bargain hunters—discount stores like Marshalls and T.J. Maxx often carry very affordable options!

7. Simplify Your Accessories

Stick to the “remove one item” rule when deciding how to accessorize your look. If you have a necklace, bracelet, watch, belt, and bag that match your daily outfit, put them all on and then remove at least one.

An abundance of accessories is almost guaranteed to date your look, especially because the minimalist look is “in” now. You can absolutely keep wearing all of your favorite accessories—just not all at once!

What’s your best practical fashion tip?