If you’re over 60 and still wear these 7 outfits, you’re aging yourself by at least 10 years

My partner's mom is in her early 70s and looks about a decade younger than most of her friends.

It's not because she's had work done or spends hours at the gym. It's because she figured out something most people her age haven't: the clothes you wear can either age you or refresh you.

I've watched her transform her style over the past few years, and honestly, it's been fascinating. She went from looking like everyone's typical grandmother to someone who gets compliments from strangers at the grocery store.

The wild part? Most of her friends are still making the same fashion mistakes that add years to their appearance. And when I point this out (gently, because nobody wants fashion advice from their daughter's boyfriend), they're genuinely surprised.

So here's what I've noticed from watching her, along with a regular at my coffee shop and a few family friends navigate style after 60.

1) Wearing oversized, shapeless clothing

Here's the thing about baggy clothes: they don't hide anything. They just make you look larger and older.

My partner's mom used to wear these enormous tunics that swallowed her whole frame. She thought she was being practical and comfortable. What she was actually doing was adding 20 pounds and 10 years to her appearance.

The switch to more fitted (not tight, fitted) clothing changed everything. A simple blazer that actually follows her shape. Jeans that fit properly instead of pooling around her ankles. Suddenly, she looked put-together instead of frumpy.

The psychology here is interesting. As noted by behavioral researchers, we often make clothing choices based on how we feel about our bodies rather than what actually looks good. We think hiding equals flattering, but usually, the opposite is true.

If you're over 60 and drowning in fabric, it's time to find your actual size.

2) Sticking with the same hairstyle from decades ago

There's this woman who comes into my usual Venice Beach coffee shop every morning. She's probably in her late 60s, and for years she had the same hairstyle from what looked like 1987. Same cut, same color, same everything.

And you know what? It showed.

Hair trends evolve for a reason. What looked fresh and modern in the 80s or 90s reads as dated now. And dated hairstyles are one of the quickest ways to age yourself.

She finally updated her look a few months ago. Went shorter, added some subtle highlights, and suddenly looked current instead of stuck in time. I actually did a double-take when I saw her.

This isn't about chasing every trend. It's about acknowledging that fashion and beauty standards shift, and what worked 20 years ago might not be serving you now.

When was the last time you changed your hair? If the answer is "I don't remember," that's your sign.

3) Matching everything perfectly

You know that look where the shoes match the bag, which matches the belt, which matches the jewelry?

Yeah, that screams "I learned to dress in 1975 and never updated the rules."

Modern style is about intentional mismatching. It's about creating interest through contrast and unexpected combinations. A family friend of ours used to coordinate everything down to her earrings, and it looked incredibly dated.

Now she'll pair brown shoes with a black bag. She'll mix metals in her jewelry. She'll throw a leopard print scarf with stripes.

And she looks infinitely more current.

The matchy-matchy aesthetic is one of those fashion rules that desperately needs to die. It's rigid, it's boring, and it instantly ages you. Style today is about being a little more relaxed and a lot more interesting.

4) Wearing dated glasses or no glasses at all

Those reading glasses that sit on the tip of your nose? The ones you peer over when you're talking to someone?

Stop. Just stop.

Nothing says "senior citizen" faster than those half-frame readers or the thick, outdated frames from 20 years ago. Glasses are a massive part of your look, probably the most prominent accessory you wear every day.

I convinced my partner's mom to invest in proper, stylish frames last year. The difference was dramatic. Suddenly, she looked modern and put-together instead of like she was shopping from a catalog in 1998.

And if you're squinting instead of wearing glasses because you think they age you? You're wrong. Squinting ages you. Good glasses frame your face and can actually make you look younger.

Treat your eyewear like the fashion statement it is.

5) Avoiding color in favor of all black or all beige

I get it. Black is slimming. Beige is safe. But when that's all you wear, you start to look washed out and tired.

Color brings life to your face. It creates visual interest. It signals vitality.

There's a neighbor in my building who went through a phase where everything was black or tan. She thought she was being sophisticated and age-appropriate. What she actually looked was drained and older than her years.

Adding pops of color changed the game. A coral cardigan. A cobalt blue scarf. Even just colorful jewelry against a neutral outfit. People started telling her she looked younger and more vibrant.

Research actually backs this up. Color affects how we perceive age and energy. Wearing no color can make you appear more tired and older than you are.

You don't need to dress like a rainbow. But adding strategic color makes a real difference.

6) Wearing skirts and dresses that are too long

There's this weird thing that happens where women start buying longer and longer skirts as they age, thinking they're being modest or covering problem areas.

All they're actually doing is making themselves look shorter, frumpier, and older.

I've watched multiple women in my life do this. Skirts down to mid-calf or ankle length that just weigh them down visually. They're trying to hide their legs, but what they're really doing is creating a dated, heavy look.

The sweet spot is around the knee or just below. It's flattering on most body types and feels modern without being inappropriately short.

Long, unstructured skirts in particular are aging. They hide your shape and create this bottom-heavy silhouette that adds years. If you love long skirts, at least make sure they're well-fitted and paired with something that defines your waist.

7) Wearing nude pantyhose

I'm just going to say it: nude pantyhose age you more than almost anything else on this list.

They're visible. They're dated. They scream "I'm dressing by rules from 1982."

My partner's mom wore them religiously until we finally convinced her to try bare legs or opaque tights instead. The transformation was instant. She looked more modern, more current, more stylish.

I know the arguments. Spider veins. Pale legs. Whatever. There are solutions that don't involve nude pantyhose. Self-tanner. Confidence. Opaque tights in winter. Going bare in summer.

The fashion world moved past nude pantyhose decades ago. If you're still wearing them, you're literally wearing a timestamp that says "I haven't updated my style since the Clinton administration."

This one simple change can take years off your appearance.

Conclusion

Look, aging is inevitable. Looking old is optional.

The difference between my partner's mom and many of her friends isn't money or genetics. It's awareness. She's willing to evolve her style while they're stuck repeating the same patterns from 30 years ago.

None of these changes require a complete wardrobe overhaul or a massive budget. They're simple adjustments that signal you're still engaged with the world, still evolving, still relevant.

Fashion isn't shallow. How you present yourself affects how people perceive you and, more importantly, how you perceive yourself.

If you're over 60 and recognize yourself in any of these points, good. Awareness is the first step. Now you can actually do something about it.