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There was a time when wrinkles on the forehead or the occasional gray hair were telltale signs of the arrival of middle age.
But now, believe it or not, one of the biggest clues that you’re over it is your socks.
The arbiters of youth style, not content to just come for our skinny jeans (RIP), now insist that ankle socks are chronically uncool, and don’t even think about wearing their no-show sneaker socks, the tiny ones you can’t see at all. Goosebumps.
Nowadays, the only way to wear socks without looking totally out of fashion is to pull them up to mid-calf.
For a more elegant look, sporty white ribbed styles can be worn over leggings, like youth fashion icons Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner. Or pair long socks with shorts and sandals.
As a 36-year-old fashion writer with a drawer full of ankle socks, I’m a little alarmed by this news. Your first instinct, like mine, might be to believe that this is all the work of modern twenty-somethings. Fashion is constantly evolving and there’s no doubt that short socks will make a comeback sooner or later.
But looking modern has its advantages, and one of them is that it can take ten years off your appearance with almost no effort. A new pair of knee-high socks is better than a session of Botox.
And it’s not just socks. Everything from high-waisted jeans to half-tucked T-shirts are now considered embarrassingly dated, and there’s a proliferation of TikTok videos branding them as an instant sign of the wearer’s age.
With that in mind, here are nine easy ways to update your look… if you so choose.
1. White sneakers
Brightly colored sneakers have replaced white sneakers like these ones Amanda Holden wore in 2020
Once the ultimate casual shoe that paired with jeans and added a cool touch to dresses, white sneakers are now out of style. In their place, brightly colored sneakers are in. Gen Z, those aged 15 to 20, opt for super-rugged styles from Salomon and Hoka, but streamlined silhouettes from New Balance and Veja are easier to wear.
Like Bottega Veneta’s iconic Orbit sneaker, green is particularly on-trend and will add a cheerful touch to your jeans and summer dresses.
Abandon the old trend? Yes. White sneakers always showed a lot of dirt anyway.
2. Gold jewelry
Gold is so old hat, say Gen Z stylists who have opted for all things silver
Despite the youthful glow a pair of gold earrings brings to the complexion, wearing your trusty 9-carat gold hoops might get you offered a seat on the bus. Also avoid rose gold – its hue is definitely retirement-friendly.
Silver is the new trendy metal, especially if it’s adorned with tiny charms. Stars, hearts and birthstones are all good choices. Zodiac signs too – Gen Z loves astrology. Check out the Astrid and Miyu welded charm bracelets (£120, astridandmiyu.com) worn by Gen Z style muse Mia Regan (Romeo Beckham’s ex-girlfriend).
Abandon the old trend? Mmm… It depends on your skin tone and how much you want to spend on new jewelry.
3. High-waisted jeans
Bella Hadid leads the way with skinny jeans, which can be a little harder to pull off if you’re not a supermodel.
While the death of skinny jeans was announced a few years ago, now the younger generation is also sending high-waisted Mum jeans into fashion exile.
Low-rise, baggy jeans are de rigueur, with the star model being supermodel Bella Hadid, 27, who is regularly seen in hip-hugging styles.
I loved this style as a teenager, but now that I have a much smaller tummy thanks to my two children, I’m going to avoid it. A mid-rise, wide-leg cut that looks modern but keeps love handles at bay is more doable. Try M&S and Hush.
Abandon the old trend? No thanks. At least I’ll stick with the average height.
4. A nice top and jeans
What to wear with jeans is also a matter of debate. The “cute top and jeans” formula that most women have relied on for decades has been replaced by “fun top and pants.” It’s revolutionary, I know.
The look was perfected on the JW Anderson catwalk, where feather-trimmed cargo pants (a Gen Z style staple) were paired with simple tank tops. Get the look by pairing Mint Velvet’s satin cargo pants (£55, mintvelvet.com) with a black camisole.
Abandon the old trend? Yes, this is an easy update.
5. Shoulder bags
Former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo is on top of fashion with her crossbody bag in 2019, but fashion trendsetters are now saying no thanks.
They’re hands-free and can carry everything, so it’s no wonder crossbody bags are a favorite of women who are always on the go (my nursery is full of them). However, the practical bag is now a surefire way to show that you’re all grown up.
It’s much more youthful to carry a shoulder bag, preferably something small and ’90s-inspired like a Coach Ergo, a Prada Tessuto, or whatever Carrie and her friends wore on Sex and the City.
If you need to carry more than just a phone and a tube of lip gloss, consider a larger, looser shoulder bag that nods to the current bohemian style revival. Cos and & Other Stories both have chic styles.
Abandon the old trend? I will keep my shoulder bag to take to school.
6. Oversized sunglasses
Giant sunglasses, like those worn by Victoria Beckham in 2018, have been banned in style circles
If you’re over 30, chances are your sunglasses resemble a pair of plates. But Gen Z is taking inspiration from the new It-girls list, like Sofia Richie, and opting for slim, rectangular frames.
While you might need the bone structure of a twenty-something to pull off this angular look, the Le Specs Oh Damn frames (£65, lespecs.com) have rounded corners, making them a more wearable style.
Don’t put them over your eyes. The new position for sunglasses is halfway up the bridge of your nose, so you can look over them casually. Cool? Apparently. Ridiculous? Absolutely.
Abandon the old trend? It’s definitely something worth trying before you buy, and taking a friend with you to give you an honest opinion…
7. The French tuck
Olivia Wilde strolls through Los Angeles in 2018 and wears a French-neck top that is already out of fashion
Simple yet effective, the French tuck (tucking the front of your shirt into your waistband) not only gives your outfit a Gallic air of casualness, but is also very flattering, creating a line at the waist while covering your bum. No wonder it’s been widely touted as the style tip you need to know.
Until now.
Gen Z finds the French cuff tucked in ridiculously old-fashioned and insists on tucking their shirt in or not at all. Which shirts to wear? Boxy ones win out over fitted ones. Try Arket for relaxed styles that aren’t too baggy.
Abandon the old trend? Sadly, it’s time to ditch the French scrunchie.
8. Nail polish
Don’t limit yourself to choosing bright colors for your nails, try some nail designs from your local salon or use stickers.
With the rise of high street nail salons throughout the 2000s, lunchtime manicures became the go-to beauty treatment for millennials and Gen Xers alike (born between 1965 and 1980). OPI’s Big Apple red and Ballet Slipper’s pink hue struck the balance between chic and office-appropriate.
But while Gen Z still indulges in a regular manicure, solid colors are a thing of the past and bold nail art is the new way to adorn fingertips.
Fancy giving it a go? Glaize’s DIY nail stickers (£12, glaize.co) come in fun designs and are quick to apply.
Abandon the old trend? I’ll save the nail art for the weekend, thanks.
9. Midi dresses
Kelly Brook’s trusty midi dress of 2020 has given way to the maxi
If there is one item of clothing that should definitely be in the wardrobe of any woman over 30, it is a midi dress. I have several, as does my mother, who is 70 years old.
Wear them at your own risk, though, as Gen Z has decreed that long skirts are in. Bohemian hipster skirts are the style to look out for, accessorized with a studded coin belt.
If this sounds familiar, that’s because it is. We were doing it back in the early 2000s. Maybe I’m not that far behind. Well, they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Abandon the old trend? I keep both midi and maxi dresses in my closet.
