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How Not to Look Old This Spring

by Susan Swimmer

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Wear Short Over Long

Playing with proportions is a very current way of thinking, fashion-wise. Try layering a little cardigan or shrunken suit jacket over a longer blouse (which you leave out, never tuck). Express blazer, $49.50; express.com
Photo Courtesy of Express

Try Long Over Short

Proportion works this way, too. Wear a long, fitted sweater over a shorter skirt or cropped pants. Chicos sweater, $79; chicos.com
Photo Courtesy of Chicos

Layer for Sleeves

Modern, hip dressing is all about layers. Create sleeves by putting a long-sleeve garment under a sleeveless top or sheath. Stella McCartney blouse, $1095; net-a-porter.com Forever 21 long-sleeve V-neck top, $6.80; forever21.com
Photo Courtesy of Polyvore.com

Opt for Opera-Length Gloves

The look lends a dramatic touch to any traditional coat, and it’s the new length for gloves. ALPO gloves, $167; farfetch.com
Photo Courtesy of FarFetch.com

Add Brooches

Add brooches/enamel pins to purses, lapels, or the yoke of a sweater. It’ll give you instant sparkle. Ben-Amun brooch, $170; ben-amun.com
Photo Courtesy of Ben-Amun

Funk Up Your Jeans

Your daughter has been asking, no, BEGGING you to update your jeans for years, and she’s right. Don’t have a pair of "boyfriend" jeans? Think about getting them. Then, roll them at the cuffs so they hit at about the ankle, and wear with killer heels. Silver jeans, $80; silverjeans.com
Photo Courtesy of Silver Jeans

Add a Scarf

This trick has worked for French women for eons, and it’s still a fantastic idea. Banana Republic scarf, $59.50; bananarepublic.com
Photo Courtesy of Banana Republic

Join the Chain Gang

For the most current look, layer a bundle of long chains around your neck (or beads, whatever you like), in varying weights and lengths. Lee Angel necklace, $215; leeangel.com
Photo Courtesy of Lee Angel

Apply Bronzer

Apply bronzer head-to-toe for instant glow. If you don’t have the skin of a 30-year-old (and who does?), the least you can do is fake it. Clarins bronzer, $32.50; sephora.com
Photo Courtesy of Sephora

Try a Tux

Try a fabulous pantsuit for cocktail attire, instead of a dress. The unexpectedness is what makes it so fresh. BCBGMaxazria Blazer, $188; bcbg.com
Photo Courtesy of BCBG

Change Your Hair

If you always wear your hair straight, let it go wavy, and if you always wear your hair wavy, blow it out straight. Why? Because change is gooood. Hot Tools curling iron, $49.99; amazon.com
Photo Courtesy of Amazon.com

Banish Black (for a Night)

Next evening out, wear a bright color-you’ll stand out, look lively, and you may even have more fun because of it. Diane Von Furstenburg dress, $425; nordstrom.com
Photo Courtesy of Nordstrom

Make a Statement

The strand of wedding pearls is over-today jewelry is all about big, bold, costume pieces. I’m a huge fan of necklaces because they make a statement and provide a great frame for the face. But you can get the same effect from a cuff, a pair of big earrings or a colorful cocktail ring. Gemma Redux necklace, $382; bloomingdales.com
Photo Courtesy of Bloomingdales

Wear a Thong

Visible panty line makes you look like a hag and ruins any style instantly. Hanky Panky panty, $18; neimanmarcus.com
Photo Courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Roll Up Your Sleeves

Whether you’re wearing a blazer, a collared shirt or a little jacket, it’s a great, relaxed look, because it’s casual (read: youthful), and it lets your under layer peek out. LOFT blazer, $79.50; anntaylorloft.com
Photo Courtesy of Ann Taylor LOFT

Have Hoop Dreams

Choose hoop earrings. Big ones. Possibly with faux pavé stones (in clear or a color), and channel your inner J.Lo. Nadri, $98; nordstrom.com
Photo Courtesy of Nordstrom

Try Bright Red Lips

I guarantee you’ll get a million compliments before lunch. MAC lipstick, $14; maccosmetics.com
Photo Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

Belt It

Big and baggy ages you. Whether you’re wearing a tunic, a long sweater, a sheath dress or even a traditional cardigan, adding a belt will update the look in a jiffy. Good tip: A belt is a fun place to use shine (patent leather, metallic) or a pop of color. Michael Kors belt, $350; saksfifthavenue.com
Photo Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

Mix Prints

For those interested in advanced style, this is it. Within one outfit, mix prints for a bold effect. Best bet; Stick with one color scheme, and make sure the prints are of different sizes (like a small floral shirt in a mélange of blues with a larger-scale plaid in the same color combination). Coat – Tuleh, $1,995 Blouse – Tuleh, $995 Tuleh skirt, $895 neimanmarcus.com
Photo Courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Go Masculine

Experiment with wearing a men’s-inspired watch. Even if you like to wear girly clothing, a touch of something masculine is uber stylish. Michael Kors watch, $250; shopbop.com
Photo Courtesy of Shopbop

Try Monochromatic Dressing

It’s chic and flattering. Choose your color (even all black) and make it look rich by selecting fabrics with texture for added interest. Helmut Lang dress, $415; bloomingdales.com
Photo Courtesy of Bloomingdales

Embrace Fishnets

They’re the best transitional leg wear (from season to season), hands down, and a great way to keep it funky. HUE tights, $12.50; bloomingdales.com
Photo Courtesy of Bloomingdales

Expose your toes

Wear open-toe shoes all year long. Yes, your grandmother would cringe at the thought, but it’s what all the young girls are doing. Wear opaque tights (black, gray, brown are favorites, but any color could work) with slingbacks or open-toe shoes. Nine West heels, $89; ninewest.com
Photo Courtesy of Nine West

Choose a Trend: Floral

Choose one new trend a season and add it to your wardrobe. It can be as big as a coat, as small as a belt, but it’s a sign that you’re with the times. This spring, look for stripes, florals and sheer fabrics. Rebecca Taylor dress, $345; shopbop.com
Photo Courtesy of Shopbop

Colorful Accessories

Use a pop of color in a shoe or a bag for every day. (Psssst: Wanna look younger? The bag doesn’t have to match the shoes.) Rebecca Minkoff bag, $550; neimanmarcus.com
Photo Courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Try Sparkle for Day

Why save it for night? A little beading or other embellishment-when paired with quiet fabrics and simple silhouettes-looks chic, fun and youthful. J.Crew top, $138; jcrew.com
Photo Courtesy of J.Crew

Killer Heels

Heels, heels, heels! Not every day, not for a day when you’ll be on your feet for 10 hours, but some days you should break out of your same old, same old comfort shoe and think about throwing on a pair of great heels (with jeans, with a dress). Michael Antonio heels, $50; piperlime.com
Photo Courtesy of Piperlime

Bright With Tights

Wear a bright summer dress with opaque tights. Because I said so. Tibi dress, $378; shopbop.com
Photo Courtesy of Shopbop

Embellished Comfort

Slip on dressy flats for the evening instead of heels. There are lots of beautiful, embellished flats in stores now, at every price point. I especially like this look with pants. Vera Wang Lavender Label flats, $295; nordstrom.com
Photo Courtesy of Nordstrom

Wear the New Hue

Get a manicure in a mauve/taupe hue. It’s the nail trend of the new season. Adopt, woman! It’ll add a chic edge to whatever you’re wearing. OPI nail polish, $8.50; discountbeautycenter.com

 

 

 

For even more youthful style inspiration, check out our modern spin on the classics.

 

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photo courtesy of OPI

First Published Fri, 2010-02-19 15:12

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http://www.more.com/fashion/clothes-trends/how-not-look-old-spring

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