As a 34-year-old, I'd be lying if I said that dressing to look a bit more youthful wasn't something I thought about often. Especially in the winter. The bulky layers and dark colours that are so prevalent this time of year tend to be quite ageing. When I lived in Los Angeles (from 2009 to 2015), I didn't have to think much about this subject, but now that I'm a bit older and I live in North Carolina, where it's surprisingly freezing, I've had to develop a skill set to keep my winter wardrobe from inadvertently aging me. The good news is that these "tricks" are subtle. Some are as simple as avoiding certain colours near my face and others are as easy as switching up my shoe selection. Keep scrolling to check out my tricks and to shop pieces I rely on in the winter for their non-ageing powers.
Trick #1: Wear playful winter accessories.
Even if you live somewhere that's less than frigid, you can still work fun, lighthearted accessories into your winter wardrobe. Some of my current favourites are rainbow stripes, berets and anything shearling.
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Trick #2: Wear cool sneakers.
I often swap neutral-coloured boots out for cool sneakers in the winter, even if my outfit is a bit fancy. I just find that it gives the whole look a bit of youthful edge.
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Trick #3: Get thee a hair accessory.
Since barrettes, scrunchies and headbands are having a moment, I've been fully embracing the trend this winter, and I've found that every hair accessory I've tried takes years off of my look.
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Trick #4: Look for quirky details.
Even the smallest little heart detail or glimpse of animal print makes me look (and even feel) a bit younger. That said, I keep the quirky details to a minimum and make sure the rest of my outfit is nice and polished.
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Trick #5: Never underestimate the power of statement earrings.
Sure, you can't go wrong with studs, but I find that statement earrings bring light and energy to my face. Plus, they're fun to wear, which is a great non-ageing feeling in itself.
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Trick #6: Wear a puffer.
There's a time and a place for a classic wool coat, but if you want to take years off of your look, wear a puffer. Trust me.
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Trick #7: Avoid wearing all black.
There are some days when I just can't, and it's all black or bust, but in general, I try to mix in colour—both bold and other neutrals. And although I'm not sure I'd survive winter without my trusty black turtlenecks, I've found that they're the thing that ages me the most…
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Trick #8: Pair black tights with short dresses and skirts.
I love a bit of a gamine look in the winter, and there's no chicer way to get it than with a short dress or skirt. (I find that I can get away with shorter hemlines than usual when I'm wearing black tights.)
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Next up, the biggest spring/summer 2020 fashion trends you need to know.
This piece originally appeared on Who What Wear U.S.