These 5 Outfit Templates Will Make You Look Younger (But Not Like You’re Trying To Look Younger)
Image: Nobody Wants This | Netflix
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by The Candidly Team
Right, so maaaaaybe we mis-titled this article. Because rest assured, none of this is gonna be about some sad effort to dress young. No one’s about to suggest you start wearing pigtails and knee socks and hoodies that say “can’t adult today.”
What it is about is NOT wanting to look older because of how we dress.
Clothes are powerful in that way. Small choices we make in front of a mirror in the morning make a huge difference in terms of whether or not we age ourselves down or up.
So while we’re not going to introduce some convoluted system or monstrous effort that involves wearing dumb things like barrel jeans or injecting ourselves with painful potions, we are gonna break down some very easy, very good ideas about how to dress in a way that evokes a fresher sort of chicness. An uncontested coolness. And okay fine, we’ll just come out and say it - a youngness.
There are 5 templates that, because of how they fit and flatter and feel on our bodies, work a little magic in making us look younger.
Here we break down exactly what those 5 looks are and the exact pieces that help us to achieve them. Some you will whiz past. Others you will love. All of them will look good on you. That we can’t explain. They just will.
1. ThIS “COOL GIRL” TRIO: SHORT BLAZER, CROSSBODY BAG, AND BLUE JEANS
Image: The Morning Show | Apple TV
WHY IT WORKS: It’s all about proportions. The fit of a sleek, not-too-long jacket with high waist jeans makes your legs look longer and your waist look more defined. Add a petite crossbody bag, and the whole thing is like a teeny tiny symphony of coolness.
WHAT YOU NEED:
Start with THIS* exceptionally flattering turtleneck as a base layer.
Add THESE*, stretchy, pajama-like jeans that cost a third of designer and make your butt look its best.
Slip on THIS* perfect-length, tailored blaze.
For the final touches, add our fave classic, black BOOTS* (which are wildly on sale right now) and toss on THIS* crossbody, because it actually fits all our much-needed crap, while still looking very petite and chic.
SHOP THE LOOK
2. This Date-Night Outfit
Image: Nobody Wants This | Netflix
WHY IT WORKS: We first saw this look when binging Nobody Wants This, a show with outfits we wanted so much we had to find them all HERE. But the lightbulb moment really sprung from this particular outfit’s sheer simplicity. An all-black top and jeans broken up only by a chic belt, and yet, it’s the perfect date-night/ going-out ensemble. The cut of the top makes it jusssst a wee bit sexy … and it still has arm coverage - the dream!
WHAT YOU NEED:
THIS* is the easy black top that sort of made us believe in the going-out top again. This exact one sells out a lot, but luckily they also sell THIS* near-exact version.
Pair it THESE* incredibly flattering, dark jeans (unreal on curves).
Add THIS* belt, which we recently discovered elevates everything we wear.
SHOP THE LOOK
* Gifted items included
3. THIS ICONIC FALL SKIRT LOOK
Image: When Harry Met Sally | Columbia Pictures
WHY IT WORKS: Yes, there is so much sentiment in this look that we’ve wanted to recreate for nearly 40 years BUT it’s also a very, very flattering template that ages you backwards. You get to be all covered up and cozy in a sweater, tights, and boots, but the length of the skirt and color of the turtleneck are vibrant, youthful and brimming with that Meg Ryan spark of adorableness.
WHAT YOU NEED:
Yes, you do need the perfect-length, perfect-fit cable-knit version of the sweater. Fear not, We FOUND* it
The SKIRT* can’t be too short or too tight for us to feel comfortable in it, but it should still have that skimming, leggy effect. Found that too!
We opt for these practically unrippable TIGHTS* which are fleece-lined, so we’re both warm and don’t have to shave our winter legs.
Last, use the SAME* black booties from above. They make everything even chicer.
SHOP THE LOOK:
4. This Youthful and Chic Street-Style ENSEMBLE
WHY IT WORKS:
Mixing classic and tailored things like black trousers and denim jackets with casual elements like baseball caps, hoodies, and sneaks is the key to youthifying the “quiet luxury” aesthetic. Add a big leather bag and sunglasses, and it’s the laziest, comfiest execution of perfect styling.
WHAT YOU NEED:
Put on your comfiest HOODIE* that gives you an immediate serotonin hit.
Pair it with a drapey trouser that looks like Katharine Hepburn but feels like pajama pants. THESE* are the best of them.
Add with a cool and roomy jean jacket like THIS*.
Toss on a cap of your choice. We go HERE* and HERE* for ours.
Throw on a favorite minimalist sneak. We do love ADIDAS*, because they’re classic (despite also being on trend). But if you don’t do trends at all, THESE* are a very fun way to add a little color.
Last grab your biggest, chicest TOTE and a statement pair of sunglasses, and poof, you’re 10 years younger.
SHOP THE LOOK:
5. This Foolproof Little Black Dress And Leather Jacket
Image: The Morning Show | Apple TV
WHY IT WORKS: A leather jacket makes everything look more luxe but also less stuffy. So adding one to your classic, Audrey Hepburn holiday look is a way to look 10 years younger.
WHAT YOU NEED:
A simple more cropped leather jacket is the most flattering and THIS* one is the perfect sleek shape. Though we also consider THIS* one from Sézane an unbelievably useful staple with a bit more edge.
The dress is all about the fit, and we’ve simply found none more flattering on bellies and hips and smoothing on lumps and bumps than THIS* one.
A block heel is the way to get all the sexiness of a heel with loads of support. THIS* one is gorgeous and a great price.
SHOP THE LOOK:
* Gifted items included
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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