MomSkoop
Fashion moves fast, and what looked cool five years ago can suddenly feel outdated today. Many millennials still hold onto certain style choices from the early 2010s without realizing these habits might be adding unnecessary years to their appearance. The good news is that small updates to your wardrobe can instantly refresh your look and help you feel more confident and current.
1. Clinging to Super-Skinny, Heavily Whiskered or Light-Wash Jeans
Those early-2010s skinnies, especially ones covered in heavy distressing and whiskers, now scream that you’re stuck in a past trend. The fashion world has moved toward more relaxed and varied silhouettes that feel fresher and more comfortable.
Light-wash denim with lots of pre-made wear patterns can make your whole outfit look dated, even if everything else is current. The problem isn’t skinny jeans themselves, but the specific ultra-tight fit combined with all that artificial aging.
Try swapping to straight-leg, slim-wide, or relaxed denim in cleaner washes instead. These modern cuts are flattering on everyone and instantly update your look. You’ll feel more comfortable and appear more in tune with today’s style without sacrificing your personal vibe.
2. Overly Distressed Denim in General
Rips everywhere used to signal edgy rebellion, but now they can veer from cool to dated faster than you’d think. When your jeans have more holes than fabric, the look can feel like you’re trying too hard to hold onto youth rather than embracing modern style.
The issue is that extreme distressing became so popular that it quickly oversaturated the market. What once felt unique now looks like a costume from a specific era. Plus, all those rips can actually make an outfit appear messy rather than intentionally styled.
Pick one intentional rip or go for clean denim and add interest elsewhere through accessories or layering. A single well-placed distressed detail feels purposeful and current. Clean denim is surprisingly versatile and lets your other style choices shine through without competing for attention.
3. Pairing Long Tunics with Leggings as a Default Outfit Formula
The classic tunic-plus-leggings-plus-riding-boots combo defined millennial style for years. While comfortable and practical, this uniform has become so associated with a specific time period that it now reads as very peak-millennial and can look frumpy.
Long tunics often hide your shape entirely, which can make you appear shapeless and older than you are. The combination lacks the structure and proportion play that makes modern outfits interesting. It’s not that leggings are bad—they’re just being styled in an outdated way.
Balance leggings with shorter layers like a boxy tee or cropped jacket instead. You could also choose wide-leg pants for a similar comfort level with a fresher silhouette. These small adjustments maintain ease while giving your look updated proportions that feel current and intentional.
4. Wearing Dated Silhouettes That Ignore Your Shape
Shapeless, boxy cuts or overly conservative fits can instantly add visual years to anyone’s appearance. When clothes don’t acknowledge your body’s natural proportions, they can make you look like you’ve given up on style or are hiding behind your wardrobe.
Fashion has evolved to celebrate different body types with tailoring that enhances rather than conceals. Wearing outdated silhouettes from decades past—think shapeless sacks or overly stiff business attire—signals that your style hasn’t kept pace with the times.
Modern tailoring that skims the body, or purposeful oversized pieces styled with structure, will serve you much better. The key is intention: oversized can look chic when balanced with fitted elements. Look for clothes that acknowledge your shape without being too tight, creating a contemporary balance that flatters and feels fresh.
5. Going Too Matchy-Matchy With Shoes, Bag, and Belt All Identical
Perfect coordination used to be considered the height of polish, but now it can read as older or dated instead. When your shoes, bag, and belt are all identical in color and finish, the look feels too calculated and reminds people of strict fashion rules from past decades.
Modern styling embraces a more relaxed, confident approach to coordination. The most stylish people today mix textures, tones, and materials to create interest rather than uniformity. This creates visual depth and shows you understand current fashion language.
Let one piece be the anchor and mix textures and tones around it. For example, pair black leather shoes with a suede navy bag and skip the belt entirely. Or wear brown shoes with a tan bag in a different finish. This approach looks effortlessly pulled-together rather than rigidly matched, giving your outfits a contemporary, lived-in feel.
6. Chunky, Orthopedic-Looking Comfort Shoes
Comfort absolutely matters when choosing footwear, but thick clunky soles and dated shapes can age an entire outfit instantly. Shoes that look purely medicinal rather than stylish send the message that fashion is no longer a priority, which can make you seem older than you are.
The problem isn’t wanting comfortable shoes—it’s choosing styles that look outdated in their construction. Many comfort shoes from previous decades featured bulky, unflattering designs that prioritized function over form without successfully balancing both.
Sleek trainers, refined loafers, or modern block heels with cushioning offer the best of both worlds today. Shoe technology has advanced dramatically, meaning you can have support and style together. Look for contemporary silhouettes with hidden comfort features rather than shoes that announce their orthopedic purpose. Your feet and your overall look will both thank you for the upgrade.
7. Sticking to Statement Necklaces from the 2010 Era
Big bib necklaces over basic tops were once the go-to way to dress up a simple outfit. However, these pieces instantly timestamp a look to a very specific era, making your whole ensemble feel like it hasn’t evolved in over a decade.
Statement necklaces from that period often featured chunky, colorful designs that dominated the entire outfit. While they served their purpose then, they now feel heavy and dated compared to the delicate, layered jewelry that’s currently popular.
Layered delicate chains, sculptural small pendants, or interesting earrings are today’s answer to accessorizing. These options add personality without overwhelming your outfit or dating it to a past trend. You can still make a statement, but with pieces that feel current and allow your clothes to share the spotlight rather than competing with a single dominant accessory.
8. Over-Accessorizing
Loading up on accessories might seem like a way to show personality, but too many bold pieces at once can clutter an outfit and feel matronly. When every element is competing for attention, nothing stands out, and the overall effect reads as trying too hard or being stuck in maximalist trends from years past.
The problem is visual overload. Our eyes don’t know where to focus when there’s too much happening, which creates a chaotic rather than polished impression. This styling approach can also make you appear older because it resembles how previous generations approached dressing up.
Let one hero accessory take center stage and keep the rest quiet. Maybe wear statement earrings but skip the necklace, or rock a bold bag with minimal jewelry. This approach feels modern, confident, and allows your chosen piece to truly shine while maintaining clean, contemporary proportions.
9. Constant Side-Part Plus Overly Done Hair with No Update
Hair isn’t a crime, but unchanged 2012 styling can make everything feel dated, even if your clothes are current. That rigid side-part with hair that looks overly set and finished has become a telltale sign of someone who hasn’t refreshed their look in years.
Hairstyles frame your face and influence how modern your entire appearance seems. When your hair is stuck in a past trend, it affects how people perceive your age and style awareness, even if you can’t quite put your finger on why.
Softer texture, subtle face-framing layers, or just a refreshed finish can make all the difference. Even keeping your part but adding movement or trying a middle part occasionally updates your look. Hair that looks lived-in rather than heavily styled feels more current and youthful. Small changes to your hair routine can dramatically impact how fresh your whole appearance seems.
10. Only Wearing Neutral, Low-Contrast Palettes
All-beige, grey, or black outfits with no contrast can wash out your features and make you feel older than you are. While neutral palettes are sophisticated, wearing only low-contrast colors without any pops of brightness can drain the life from your complexion.
Color brings energy and vitality to your appearance. When everything blends into one muted tone, you risk looking tired or uninspired rather than elegantly minimal. This is especially true as we age and our natural coloring becomes less vibrant.
Add one brighter or richer tone near your face through a lip color, scarf, or top. Even a small injection of color makes a huge difference in how awake and youthful you appear. You don’t need to abandon neutrals entirely—just introduce strategic pops that flatter your skin tone and bring life to your look.
11. Ignoring Fit Basics Like Too Tight or Too Baggy, Plus Wrong Undergarments
Fit is the fastest age-adder in fashion: pulling, sagging, or lumpy lines make even expensive outfits look tired and unflattering. When clothes are too tight, they create unflattering bulges and stress lines. When they’re too baggy, they add visual weight and make you appear shapeless.
Wrong undergarments are equally problematic. Visible panty lines, bra straps that dig in, or undergarments that don’t support your silhouette all detract from your overall appearance. These fit issues signal that you’re not paying attention to the details that make outfits work.
Quick tailoring and proper bras and undies that support your silhouette are game-changers. Spending money on alterations or quality undergarments often makes more difference than buying new clothes. When everything fits correctly and your foundation garments work properly, you instantly look more polished, current, and put-together.