5 Common Fashion Mistakes for women over 35 - Live with Sandhya Garg
Let's talk about common fashion mistake we all make and style problems we all have. Identify your body shape, skin tone and appropriate clothing to wear with me. Drop any/all questions in comments below.
1. Fashion mistake ONE - Wearing loose clothes to hide our chubby bits.
2. Fashion mistake TWO - Wearing wrong or dull color for our skin tone.
3. Fashion mistake THREE - Wearing wrong/weird hemline that cuts our body wrong.
4. Fashion mistake FOUR - Wearing too many accessories with an outfit.
5. Fashion mistake FIVE - Wearing wrong or clashing proportions.
I'm going to talk about five super common mistakes that we all make that can make us look older.
Sometimes I feel like I've dressed all wrong and look older than I should, and I've been working on that constantly. So if you feel that way, let me know with a yes or no in comments below. I'm really curious to hear your thoughts!
"Hey, do you remember me from Project Runway Season 13? It's your favorite fashion reality show hosted by Tim Gunn, Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, and Zac Posen. If you haven’t checked out my season yet, you should! Season 13 was one of the good ones, definitely worth a watch. We had some crazy challenges, tons of fashion, a lot of drama, and just all-around good stuff. So go watch my season! And if you know someone who loves Project Runway and is missing it, tag them in the comments below. Just mention their name, and the algorithm will show them this video!"
Let’s dive into five common mistakes that women over 35, and you know, over 30, make that are making us look older than we actually are.
Wearing loose clothes to hide our chubby bits.
Fashion Mistakes: The Wrong Size for Women 35+
Number one: it’s super common to hide our problem areas with loose clothes. Tell me, who hasn’t done this? If you have, raise your hand below with an emoji. And if you’re feeling sad about it, just let me know! Seriously, I think we’re all guilty of this."
One fashion mistake I used to make was hiding my problem areas. You know those days when I'm not feeling great and I’d wear loose, dowdy, ugly dresses or tops? Later on, I realized that it wasn’t helping me look or feel good. So I decided, instead of hiding those bits, I’d show off my pretty features. I’ve got so many things I love about myself, but I often feel like there's something wrong with me. I think we’re harder on ourselves than we need to be, so I made a change.
"Instead of hiding, I’m embracing who I am and how I feel about my body. I want to show off what I think is pretty about myself. So, I decided this is my body shape, and if you’re not sure what your body shape is, I’m going to link a video where you can measure yourself and find out. Go watch that video, and you’ll know exactly what your body shape is. If you have any questions, just let me know. First, I learned what my body shape was, and then I..."
I understood which parts of my body made me feel confident and look pretty, so I decided what kind of clothing to wear that complements my body shape and the features I feel good about. It was as simple as that. I know it sounds complicated, but once you know your body shape, it’s a done deal. No matter if you gain or lose weight, your body shape stays the same. A straight or rectangular body will gain or lose weight accordingly, so it doesn't change.
"It's all about the shape, style, and the way you dress. I have an hourglass figure, and I love my neck and shoulders, so I like to show off that area. I wear dresses that fit me at the waist and then flow out. It makes me feel super confident; I don't feel like I need to hide anything, and I don't look older than I am. I hope you can guess my age—I’m a mom of two, so I’m not a young 20-something. Tell me, how old do you think I am? Instead of hiding anything, I like to show off what I've got."
If you share your body shape with me, I’ll let you know what styles look good on you. I’ll also share a video link where I talk about this, and maybe I’ll do a new video about knowing your body shape and styling accordingly.
Wearing wrong or dull color for our skin tone.
Fashion Mistakes: The Wrong Color for Women 35+
Now, let's talk about a common fashion mistake 2—wearing the wrong colors for your skin tone. I'm going to link a video I made about skin tones and the colors that complement them. I have a warmer skin tone, more on the golden side."
I have steel gray eyes, and I feel like I look like Morticia Addams from the Addams Family. I look so dull sometimes, but I know I have a warmer skin tone, so warmer colored clothing always complements my skin. I look fabulous in yellows, oranges, and reds; all these warm tones really suit me. Right now, I’m wearing this beautiful velvet dress with a warm print, but it’s also muted for fall, so I brightened it up with some bold red lipstick. If you ever feel like you're wearing something dull, you can always spice it up!
Always highlight it with a little bit of bright makeup and some vibrant accessories. You could go for a nice bright bag or shoes; it's going to make a fashion statement and instantly elevate your look, making you appear younger than you actually are. Those dull, boring colors don't do your skin any favors. One way to fix that problem is to wear colors that complement your skin tone. I'm talking about creating a capsule wardrobe that suits your skin color.
Wearing wrong/weird hemline that cuts our body wrong.
Fashion Mistakes: The Wrong Hemline for Women 35+
One of the biggest fashion mistakes women over 35 make is choosing the wrong hemline, which can cut the body at an unflattering point and disrupt overall proportions. The right hemline can elongate the legs, create a balanced silhouette, and enhance confidence, while the wrong one can make you appear shorter, wider, or disproportionate.
Too Short or Too Long: Mini skirts or dresses that end at the widest part of the thigh can emphasize thickness instead of elongating the legs. On the other hand, maxi dresses or skirts that drag on the ground can overwhelm the frame, especially for petite women.
Awkward Mid-Calf Lengths: Mid-calf hemlines, like some midi skirts, can visually cut the legs in an unflattering way, making them appear shorter and stockier. If opting for a midi length, choose one that hits just below the knee or the slimmest part of the calf.
Boxy, Unstructured Hems: Dresses or skirts with no shape or structure can create a frumpy, undefined look. Instead, opt for hemlines that taper slightly or feature asymmetry for a modern, slimming effect.
The key is to choose hemlines that work with your body shape, highlight your best features, and create a flattering, elongated look.
Wearing too many accessories with an outfit.
Fashion Mistakes: Overloading on Accessories After 35
One of the most common fashion mistakes women over 35 make is wearing too many accessories at once. While accessories can enhance an outfit, overloading on them can create a cluttered, overwhelming look that takes away from your overall style.
Less is More: Stacking on statement necklaces, oversized earrings, chunky bracelets, and bold rings all at once can make an outfit look chaotic instead of elegant. Instead, opt for one or two key accessories that complement your look without competing for attention.
Mixing Too Many Trends: Wearing multiple trendy accessories at the same time—like oversized sunglasses, layered chains, and flashy belts—can appear dated or try-hard rather than chic and effortless. Stick to timeless, well-curated pieces that elevate your style rather than overpower it.
Ignoring Balance: If your outfit is already detailed, such as a printed dress or an embellished top, keep accessories minimal. On the other hand, a simple outfit can be enhanced with a statement piece, like a bold necklace or elegant scarf.
The key to accessorizing after 35 is refinement—choosing pieces that enhance your personal style without overwhelming your outfit. A polished, well-balanced look always makes a stronger impression than over-accessorizing.
Wearing wrong or clashing proportions.
Fashion Mistakes: Clashing Proportions After 35
One of the biggest fashion mistakes women over 35 make is wearing outfits with unbalanced or clashing proportions. The right proportion creates a streamlined, flattering look, while the wrong one can make you appear shorter, wider, or out of sync with your natural body shape.
Baggy on Baggy: Wearing oversized tops with loose-fitting bottoms can create a shapeless silhouette, making you look bigger than you are. Instead, balance an oversized top with fitted pants or a structured skirt. Likewise, if you wear wide-leg trousers, pair them with a well-tailored or tucked-in top to define your waist.
Too Tight All Over: On the other end, wearing skin-tight clothing from head to toe can be unflattering and uncomfortable. A body-hugging dress, for instance, looks more refined when layered with a structured blazer or a flowy cardigan for contrast.
Ignoring Proportions in Layering: Long tops paired with cropped jackets can visually shorten the body, while overly long coats with maxi skirts can overwhelm the frame. Instead, aim for proportions that elongate the body, like high-waisted bottoms with tucked-in tops or mid-length jackets that highlight the waist.
Mastering proportion is key to looking effortlessly chic and well put-together at any age.
Subscribe to get special offers, free giveaways, and once-in-a-lifetime deals.
About the
author
Sandhya Garg is a Project Runway fashion designer. She studied and specialized in women's fashion at London College of Fashion, UK and has worked at Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Liberty London, Alice Temperley to name a few.
She has her own successful resort wear, vacation dresses, special occasion dresses, wedding guest looks, swim coverups label. While on Project Runway Season 13, she won 2 challenges and was fortunate to show her collection at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. The brand has been featured in Marie Claire US,Workshop at Macy's, Ftv.com, Elle Magazine, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Vogue online to name a few.
She designs limited edition high end printed spring dresses, casual resort attire and swim coverups. Beautiful prints are inspired from around the world to be worn during travel, resort stay or cruise holidays.
Leave a comment