The Art Of Dressing to Look Younger

If you're like most women, you probably spent your teenage years laughing at clothes for women over thirty, and swearing that you'd never have them in your closet. Now you're in your thirties, and realize that it's time to put away your twenties-something look and begin assembling a wardrobe which allows you to age gracefully.

No one is suggesting that you dress to appear older than your age. But did you know that trying to dress more youthfully can actually make you appear older instead of younger?

So what can you do to make sure your fashion sense is not aging you beyond your years?

Change your style

Don't make the mistake of thinking that the styles which won your raves in high school and college will continue to work their magic when you reach your 40s. Why?

First, because fashion styles seldom stay in vogue for very long, and what worked for you in your teens and 20s will probably be completely dated when you're past 40. Second, your body has changed, and what flattered your youthful curves may now simply be inappropriate for your new shape, making you look like someone who is desperately trying to hold on to days gone by.

Dress appropriately

Wearing those low-cut jeans and halter tops might have been great twenty years ago, but it isn't any more. You don’t need to start dressing like your favorite grandma. You will do very well simply borrowing one or two youthful touches from the under-thirty crowd. Try well-fitting jeans, a T-shirt with a colorful logo, and a coordinated blazer.

You can find plenty of ideas simply by heading for the mall and paying attention to the fashion choices on the best dressed women you see passing by.

Change with the Seasons

If you don’t keep up with seasonal style changes, your wardrobe will quickly become stale, making you look stale as well. You don’t need to completely replace all you clothes each season, and can give your tried-and-true favorites a brand new look by simply adding some new accessories.

If you're lucky enough to have hung on to some favorite clothes long enough for them to have returned to style, you can make them look brand-new with a scarf or jewelry in a trendy color, or a bag and shoes from your favorite designer.

Classics are classics for a reason

The term "classic," when applied to fashion, doesn’t necessarily mean Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Chanel suits and pill box hats. Nor does it mean the polyester pant suits of the 70s. Dressing in clothes too closely associated with a specific decade will simply add years to your age, especially if you're still sporting the same hairstyle and makeup you did in your 20s.

Building a classic wardrobe simply means going with basic items of apparel in the colors which are most flattering to you. Have your skin tones, hair, and eye colors analyzed so that you can build a wardrobe of the correct colors. It will be the single most effective way to fill your closet with clothes which make you look your best.

Once you have the basic items, you can give them new looks from season to season by adding the latest bag, belt, shoes, or jewelry. Having the basics will ensure that you look pulled together and adding the latest touches will keep you looking young.

by MARCUS RYAN