How certain clothes can add years to your look - Stylist's advice
Spring wardrobe mistakes 2026 (collage: RBK-Ukraine)
Popular mass-market and early-2000s fashion pieces can make you look older and distort proportions. It’s worth checking your wardrobe today, according to Ukrainian stylist Yana Markovska’s Instagram.
Short boucle jackets
At the top of the list are short retro-style jackets reminiscent of iconic Chanel. They always look elegant and festive, but come with a key caveat: without other matching elements, the jacket can clash with the outfit.
The result often appears overly formal or mature. The short length and decorative details create a distinct aesthetic that’s hard to pair with modern casual looks.
Retro-style bags
Next are retro bags. They look great on display, but can appear theatrical in real life and disrupt the rhythm of a contemporary wardrobe.
Especially when paired with T-shirts, hoodies, or jeans, instead of a stylish accent, they create visual dissonance.
Pleated midi skirts
Another style trap is pleated midi skirts. Though making a comeback from the 2000s, this length often cuts the legs, making the silhouette shorter and less proportional.
Large pleats add volume and can give a strict, school-uniform feel, turning the look into a grown-up schoolgirl rather than light, classic elegance.
Ruffled blouses
Another often-impulsive purchase is ruffled or frilled blouses. They look great on the hanger but require careful styling in real life.
Without a romantic set or the right bottoms, the outfit appears overly formal and unnatural, creating the effect of two different characters in one look.
According to the stylist, the trickiest piece is the short boucle jacket. People buy it most often for its luxurious appearance, yet it often goes unused because it’s difficult to style.
The stylist advises carefully selecting retro and romantic pieces in harmonious sets rather than buying them just because. Even a small detail can add extra years to your look and age your wardrobe faster than you realize.
