The 15 style crimes making YOU look ten years older – don’t worry, my expert fixes are guaranteed to anti-age all women over 50, says SHANE WATSON

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Those of us Over Fifty now have a pretty good handle on certain outfits that add years to our look; However, we must also say that there are regular surprises. But what about the other ways we can accidentally change the age we’re looking at without even thinking about it?

How about all the little things that can have a knock-on effect, from the way we style our hair to the effort we put into choosing a bra?

And here’s the kicker: these can often be solved with little or no investment. Just by being alert to a few common pitfalls, we can cut through the years, or at least keep them from accumulating…

Royal Reception high heels

Shoes formerly known as limousine heels (if you wore heels that high you were mostly chauffeured from A to B) are now known as RRs – Royal Reception shoes – and are the opposite of youthful.

The trick: Shoes are the fastest way to look younger; so wear the trendiest styles you can get your hands on. For now, that could be leopard-print flats, polished black over-the-knee boots, shiny patent kitten-heeled slingbacks, or retro brown suede sneakers.

wrong card

Cardigans are gorgeous; They’re neat sweaters that have the potential to reveal some skin when worn with nothing underneath or just slightly unbuttoned with a vest. But the open, floppy, pull-on cardigan wears out almost as well as a bed shirt.

The trick: Look up – move the switch up and then back.

delicate earrings

Anyone over 50 knows the experience of putting on your favorite earring that you haven’t worn in a while and discovering that you look like an Easter Island statue head wearing two fleas.

Everything delicate disappears from the Fifty Pluses, including the thin straps on shoes, the tiny charms on necklaces, the ring and belt straps, the little flapper sleeves and the baby bags.

The trick: Be bolder and simpler. Try sculptural earrings; They don’t have to be big, just not fragile and use strong rings.

beanies

Ahh! Hats are the kryptonite of the Fifty+. Ninety percent of these might make you look crazy, old, poor, or all three. But some hats are worse than others. If you’re Faye Dunaway, the limit for looking good with a beret is 55, for civilians it’s 40.

The trick: Wear a structured headgear.

leather biker jackets

Once I ignore the biker jacket, I can imagine Kristin Scott Thomas, 65, looking great in her slim-fit, hip-hugging jacket… but it’s not black. And it’s not full of zippers!

The trick: In the case of leather, it should not be bulky, but soft as a glove; It should be plum colored or deep red if you are Debbie Harry. In 2025, even the Blonde won’t be able to get away with a black leather jacket.

Any old feature

You won’t know how many signs of aging there are until you see a photo of yourself lying on the couch, chin on your chest, squinting at a book. First tip: Don’t put yourself in a situation that creates a double chin.

The trick: Contact lenses are nothing short of a miracle these days, and it’s never too late to start wearing them. Otherwise, get more than one product; Your stylish work duo, your flashy party duo, your reading duo in bed…

opaque tights

Opaque pantyhose can make you look like a Nun over 50. You love the protection they give, but something lighter makes you look younger.

The trick: Wear 10-15 denier John Lewis or M&S and stick to black. Navy tights look more mummy-like, even on great legs (see Lady Starmer at the Labor Party conference).

Tight fit everywhere

Bodycon dresses have made a bit of a comeback thanks to all the new Ozempic and Mounjaro bodysuits to show off, but bodycon is in the same camp as high heels. This look is corporate and dated. Likewise skinny jeans and trousers.

The trick: Show off your figure by tailoring jeans at the hips and buttocks (not the thighs or calves) and avoid stretchy fabrics.

Vest, £119 and jeans, £99, alignment.co

mom haircut

This is a killer. Not short, not long, and probably short hair, but not only will it add to the years, it can make you look tough, serious, and weirdly (sorry) genderless.

If it’s short, it won’t look like the two-on-one at the barbershop (check out Kristin Scott Thomas or Robin Wright to see what works); If it’s longer, it needs elegance, shine and movement.

The trick: Fifty Year Olds’ haircuts should be a bit uneven, and a neat, stiff blow-dry can extend the decade even further and turn your entire look into lady mayor territory. However, as long as it’s all about movement with some movement, blow dryers are your new best friend. If you are in doubt about how to spend your money, wear your old dress with nice makeup and shoes and just pay for the hair dryer.

bra sagging

If I had a pound for every time I saw Over Fifty being made older by a zero-support bra, I’d be loaded. There is a posture problem here too, but a good bra will do half the job for you.

The trick: I swear by M&S (who wouldn’t?) where can you still find a lady who will guide you on the right bra materials and measure you if necessary?

interesting sunglasses

Frames are a critical asset in the fight against looking older, and sunglasses likewise have the potential to shave off the years or add a few more.

The trick: Most sunglasses need a little edge: Think 1970s That girl is no Joan Collins. Bug eyes and variations on aviator frames leave oversized moonlight sunglasses behind and eschew eye-catching colors and finishes. We’re not aiming for laughs, but cool appeal.

gloomy gray

I have a slate gray sweater that I love, but when I wear a moss green one instead, everyone asks if I’m going on holiday.

The trick: Wear slate gray on the bottom and bright coral on top.