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Old Outfits Updated for 2020

When you’ve been sharing outfits on the internet as long as I have, you’re bound to have some misses. I cringe when I look back at pictures from 5 and 10 years ago, and even some of my outfits from 3 and 4 years ago have a way of looking dated.

I’m sure we all have those moments as we look through old family photo albums, but my pictures are documented on the World Wide Web for all to see!

Oh, well. It’s too late to go back now.

I have to remind myself to give 2012 Jo-Lynne some grace. I’ve learned a lot about fit and proportion and how to dress my body in the past 8-10 years. Plus, of course, styles change.

For example, we were all wearing our skinny jeans long and bunchy at the ankle in 2012, but that looks so sloppy to me now.

mom fashion | casual weekend wear
#OOTD, October 2012

Of course, I’m sure the same will be true in 2030 when I look back at pictures from 2020. That’s just the way it goes.

As an aside, I cannot get over how short my hair was in 2012. I never liked it short, but it was thinning badly, so I had to cut it. I’ve spent the last eight years trying to get it healthy and growing it out.

Any-who! Today, I’m taking a few older looks from the blog and showing how I would tweak them to look more current for 2020.

NOTE: I was the exact same weight in both of these pictures. Crazy, right???

Before we begin, I just have to say one thing. When I write posts like this, picking apart outfits and making suggestions for modern tweaks, there are always a few people who get defensive or take my comments as a personal affront to their own clothing and styling choices.

Listen, folks. There is really no right or wrong here, and of course we should all wear what we like and feel good in. The fashion police aren’t going to hunt you down and give you a ticket if you don’t front-tuck your shirt.

This is just how I would personally update these looks so that I feel modern and current. I hope it’s helpful.

Old Looks Updated for 2020

Let’s start with this picture that I shared in my Facebook Group the other day.

Utility Jacket with Stripe Tee, Black Jeans & Booties, circa 2017

I came across this post from fall of 2017 when I searched utility jacket on my blog, and I got a laugh out of it. At first glance, this outfit isn’t horrible. I mean, it was only three years ago. But it could use a few tweaks to bring it into 2020.

The first thing I noticed is the fit of the jacket is a little off. It’s too big in the shoulders and arms, and it looks a little rumply (maybe it just needed an iron) but it’s a classic wardrobe piece that I would still wear today.

Another thing I noticed is the length of the shirt — it’s pretty long and has a way of cutting me in half vertically. Today I would wear the same shirt and front tuck it, or it could be hemmed to a more flattering length.

But what really made me laugh is when I saw this picture, with my jeans falling into my booties. #justno

I guess we all did that? Or maybe I was just oblivious to it at the time.

So anyway, here’s would I do to make this look more current for 2020…

Utility Jacket with Stripe Tee, Black Jeans & Booties, circa 2020

The first thing I would do is shorten the jeans — either by hemming or cuffing (or just cutting them off and leaving a raw hem) and then I’d front-tuck the shirt. I could have done both of those things to the outfit above, and not purchased a single new thing.

But since I’m recreating this outfit three years later and no longer have those pieces, I wore this rounded v-neck tee in stead of the original boatneck tee, and I gave it a front tuck to keep my proportions in balance.

These black skinny jeans have a 27″ inseam, rather than the 29″ inseam of the ones I was wearing before, and I have a pair of very similar booties.

Finally, I wore the Caslon utility jacket I picked up at the #NSale this year. There’s nothing wrong with a classic utility jacket (as in the 2017 outfit) if you like the style, but personally, I’ve never loved the look on me so I finally got rid of all mine.

This one is a little bit shorter and more structured, and it just fits me better overall.

Also notice how much better it looks with the sleeves rolled. That little trick always makes an outfit look a little more styled, and it can help disguise sleeves that are too big or too long. (You can also push them up, rather than cuffing, for an even more modern look. I’m just too lazy to figure out how to make that work.)

I feel like this 2020 version of this outfit fits me better overall, and the shorter jeans and front-tucked top create a better balance and a cleaner appearance. The only thing I might want to add here is a belt, but it doesn’t really need it.

Chunky Turtleneck with Skinny Jeans and Leopard Flats, circa 2015

This outfit looks really frumpy-dump to me. I’m not sure why I thought it was cute enough to photograph.

A few things jump out at me about this outfit right off the bat. The sweater is simply not flattering. The chunky cable knit adds visual bulk, and the big ribbed fold-over turtleneck looks like I’m wearing a neck brace, but neither of those factors is what really dates the outfit.

It just isn’t the most flattering on me due to my body type. (It’s also a size too big, which I mentioned in the original post.)

What does date the look is the length and wash of the jeans. Sometimes I come across older photos on Pinterest of popular fashion bloggers I follow, and the length of their skinny jeans is always a dead giveaway that it’s an older post.

At the time, it looked right, but now I think the longer length looks so sloppy. It’s amazing to me that we all wore them like that. I know the cropped trend won’t stick around forever, but hopefully the pendulum won’t swing back this far! Ankle-length jeans are my favorite.

The other issue with the jeans is the wash and the two slit knees. They’re a quality premium denim brand (DL1961) and I’m sure they were in style at the time, but denim washes and distressing techniques have come a long way in 5 years.

I also find it funny that they were considered skinny jeans, as they look pretty straight to me. My daughter walked in while I was working on this post and asked me why my jeans looked so long and baggy. Even the 15 year old can tell this isn’t flattering, lol!

Now, in my defense, when I look back at most pictures from 2015, my jeans did fit better than this. I think these were just an unfortunate choice, but I guess I didn’t see that at the time because I wore them quite a bit.

And the shoes… while leopard ballet flats are a classic, loafers and pointy toe flats are more on-trend at the moment. Or a boot would have helped to offset the bulkiness of the sweater and create a more pleasing balance.

Chunky Turtleneck with Skinny Jeans and Flats, circa 2020

While I love a chunky turtleneck sweater, they just aren’t always the most flattering on me because I have wider shoulders and a larger chest. Plus, I think I must have a shorter than average neck… that’s a thing, right?

And yet, I do live in Philadelphia and tend to be cold-natured, so I like to wear cozy sweaters. I just have to choose them carefully.

In the 2015 outfit, I could have given that sweater a front tuck, but that’s hard to pull off with that style of sweater. It would have been better to pass on it and find one that is an inch or two shorter, and of course to buy the right size.

FIGHT THE FRUMP TIP: Wearing clothes that are too big will make you look frumpy. Fit is so important. And so is wearing what works best for your unique body.

I’ve learned that a cowl neck or relaxed mock neck are more flattering for me, and I try to stay away from super chunky knits. Again, these aren’t things that make the look dated, but as we age, we hopefully learn to choose our wardrobe items more wisely.

In this case, I picked a different style of sweater altogether. This one has a shorter mock neck, and while it has some ribbing in the knit for texture, it’s not as thick and bulky as the cable knit sweater above. I also prefer the straight hem to the big contrasting ribbed hem.

From this side view, you can see how much more streamlined and slimming this sweater is than the one above. It still reads as a cozy, chunky knit, but it’s not as bulky and cumbersome.

I also wore skinny jeans that are a couple inches shorter (these have a 28″ inseam, as opposed to the 30″ in the ones above) and the raw hem is more modern… although I have no problem with classic denim hems either. I wear both.

These jeans also fit me better than the ones above. They have more of a legging fit, so they’re slimmer through the calves; and because they’re shorter, they don’t create bulk around the knees or ankles. This gives me a long, lean leg line from hip to hem.

Finally, I swapped the leopard ballet flats for leopard pointy toe flats. I love the ballet flats from the picture above, but I feel like these look a more polished and sophisticated, and a little more NOW.

I could take this outfit a step further, and wear ankle boots rather than the pointy toe flats.

Either are in style, but the booties look a little more modern and create a bit more balance. Since they’re bulkier than the flats, they help offset the chunky sweater on top.

Styling Note: In this case, my jeans have a 27″ inseam, and the booties have a lower shaft, so they just barely meet at the top of the shaft. This gives a much cleaner look than if the jeans were bunching on top of the bootie or falling inside.

And here’s another version, where I cuffed the jeans with a 28″ inseam to accommodate the booties.

In this case, the sweater isn’t really a chunky knit, but it’s soft and cozy with extra long cuffed sleeves and a shorter length — definitely a more modern, almost trendy look, than the two above. Also, the relaxed cowl neck is far more flattering than the big neck brace in the 2015 outfit.

Okay, I’ve got one more for you. These posts take forever to write! Brevity is not my strong suit, and it’s hard for me to analyze these outfits without using all the words.

Cardigan with Infinity Scarf and Skinny Jeans, circa 2015

I remember being so proud of this outfit when I posted it back in 2015. I was just starting to do fashion blogging full-time, and Paul was hard at work as my photographer.

And again, it’s not terrible, but that long t-shirt hanging down under the cardigan and the infinity scarf really date the look… and again, the jeans.

What I Wore: Marled Cardigan over a White Tee with Skinnies

I will say this, though. I feel like these jeans are flattering — far more flattering overall than the ones in the two older outfits above — just not a modern look due to the length. But if they were shortened a bit, they would be perfectly fine for today.

In fact, they still sell them. No, this is not the exact same wash, but the dimensions are the same — 30″ inseam; 11 1/2″ leg opening; 9″ front rise.

The infinity scarf, however, severely dates the outfit, and this is why.

What I Wore: Marled Cardigan over a White Tee with Skinnies

Infinity scarves were a new thing long about 2011. They came into style quickly, got really popular for a few years, and then disappeared. That’s a passing trend.

Traditional oblong scarves and square silk scarves are classic wardrobe pieces that rise and fall in popularity through the years, and you can style them in many different ways. They will never be out of style, per se, but they may be more “of the moment” some years than others.

Please don’t throw rotten tomatoes at me, but I recommend ditching your infinity scarves… and while you’re at it, those big square “blanket scarves” as well.

Now, for my standard disclaimer: If you lurve your infinity scarves and want to keep wearing them, by all means do so. It is entirely up to you. There are no rules here. But if you are interested in staying current, I’m telling you that infinity scarves are starting to look tired and dated. But if you love yours, by all means, keep wearing them. I just wouldn’t advise investing in new ones.

It’s much more modern to wear a more traditional oblong scarf, and if you want to go a little more trendy with it, the bigger, thicker, longer ones are really hot right now.

Cardigan with Infinity Scarf and Skinny Jeans, circa 2020

This outfit is from December 2019, so it’s not QUITE 2020, but who’s counting?

Now, let me say, I get that this scarf is not exactly flattering, but it’s the modern day “blanket scarf” — far more modern than the infinity scarf or the big square blanket scarf worn kerchief style that was also a passing trend.

Also note, the fit of the jeans (and the shorter length) and the ankle boots rather than moccasins.

And of course, I’m wearing a leather moto rather than a cardigan. I actually still like the marled cardigan in the 2015 outfit, but I don’t have a lot of cardigan + scarf outfits in my recent archives.

This is the only one I could find, and I don’t really like it. I feel like this outfit ages me. Cardigans are hard, you guys. Seriously, I am less and less enamored with them as the years go by.

How to style a camel and black outfit for a classy fall look #fashion #fallfashion #falloutfit #scarfoutfit

Here’s an outfit with a scarf that I love. I’ve worn this many times in various ways over the past two years…

Jo-Lynne Shane wearing VEJA Esplar with AG Raw Hem The Legging Ankle Jeans, black Bernardo leather moto jacket, and Everlane cashmere scarf

The sneakers keep it modern, but ankle boots work just as well. I will say, though, I am dying to chop off an inch of those jeans. They’re a 28″ inseam, and I really prefer the 27″ inseam with sneakers.

I also really love how a leopard scarf levels up a neutral outfit. This top-down selfie is from 2018, but I wear this exact same outfit (I still have this exact scarf —  it’s from J.Crew but no longer avail) a few times a year.

And that’s all I’ve got!

Want even more? I did a similar post last fall — scroll down past all the Try-Ons.

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139 Responses

  1. Ok, there were a couple really funny comments in here but my favorite was the turtleneck looking like a neck brace! 😂 I have to agree on the blanket scarves. I never know what to do with them and I feel enveloped by them when I try to wear them. Fun post!

    1. Thanks for such a fun and entertaining post! I remember all of those old trends, and I freely acknowledge participating in almost all of them. I also remember feeling happy and on top of my fashion game at the time.

      I appreciate your writing style and the way you explain and analyze fashion choices. Thanks for never just “phoning it in. “

  2. I still love cardigans. I hope it doesn’t age me or look out of date. I do see a lot of bloggers styling them, and I think they work well for my dressing “on top” for teaching and working on line with zoom.
    I have realized that I just haven’t been wearing my infinity scarves and other scarves. I have many that I used to wear all the time. Maybe I have just felt they didn’t really look flattering on me (I am larger chested), and I need to donate them.
    I am getting ready for some serious closet purging as I look at what I will be wearing after we move (next summer hopefully) to North Carolina (and no longer working). I won’t need my heavy sweaters and coats, so while I will need them this year here in New Hampshire, I am not buying any new ones. Time to take a serious look at my closet and decide what I am not wearing (and why) and what I don’t want to pack and move.
    Not really going out since before Covid has changed how I look at my wardrobe, but some day that will change. I hope my clothes won’t be too out of date by then haha!
    Have a great day and weekend!

    1. Hi Arna,
      Congratulations on your upcoming retirement and move to North Carolina!

      Just a thought…don’t underestimate how cold it can get in NC! Our youngest daughter lives outside Raleigh and we usually make it down there in February for our granddaughter’s birthday. I definitely pack winter clothes for that trip! We also have a daughter in Vermont so I know it’s certainly not New England  cold but, if you the least bit cold-natured you might want to hang on to your favorite cold weather pieces!
      Deb

      1. Thank you! Yes, I am not getting rid of all my coats and sweaters, but I don’t need the one piece down suit I wear for snow blowing haha!
        Our son, daughter in law, and new grandson live in Durham, so we are hoping to find a lot and build no more than 20-30 minutes from them. We aren’t moving for the warmer weather, but to be closer to them.

    2. I love my cardigans too, but I like them long and in dark colors…im short, 5’3 so I think they elongate my body. But they definitely have to be more fitted; they look great with skinny jeans/leggings and hight boots…pretty much all I wear all winter.

  3. I loved this post Jo-Lynne! It really give perspective for staying current. I so agree with your comments about cardigans, and once coat weather is here, those long cardigans are no good as they don’t pair well. I know that some women feel that scarves camouflage an aging neck; however, I feel they draw attention to mine and I much prefer a nice v-neck. Have a wonderful weekend! 

  4. Love love this post. And love your analysis- using “all the words.” That’s what I think you’re the best at.. in addition to showing cute clothes, and sharing fun commentary, you break down and analyze why this outfit works -or doesn’t- so that when we try clothes on for ourselves we can say it feels off because “jeans too long”, “body not in 2/3, 1/3 visual proportions,” “scarf looks dated.” I hear your voice in my head when I try on new clothes or put together a new outfit!

  5. One of my favorite posts! Even though I’m retired, I still want to look and dress fashionably and your suggestions will help me tweak my own wardrobe. 

  6. This is one of my favorite posts you have ever written.  I would love to see one of these done for each season!
    Have a great weekend. 

  7. Great post Jo-Lynne! I’m going to go thru my scarves and get rid of the out of date ones…I try to stay up on what’s current but always appreciate what’s in and out…
    You made the refresh of outfits so interesting…ready to shop my closet!
    Have a great weekend!

  8. I do like all of your current outfits better, but as you stated, what you wore in 2015-2018 was on trend at that time.  I really appreciate you explaining what you don’t like about those looks now, and the modifications you made.  Like you, when I look back at some of my looks over the years, I cringe.  And I definitely don’t feel like you are attacking what I choose to wear.  I laughed because you prefer motto jackets or shorter jackets and I prefer cardigans.  But I don’t have a surplus of either one in my closet.  The fashion industry does a great job at continually changing things, trying to get us ladies to buy new clothes every year and season.  In reality, all of us can’t afford to do that nor do all of us like the new trends they create.  Have a fantastic Friday!

  9. Love the post. I guess I need to cut my infinity scarves. Hahah! How do you tie your scarves? (post suggestion) I’m petite, and I find it hard to find a good way to style scarves. 

  10. Agree love this post.  Styles change & this is helpful so we can make simple updates without throwing out pieces we may still love. 

  11. I loved this going back to the future episode. You were so brave to show us styles from years ago. I must say it must’ve been fun to do this blog. Thanks for all your doing to keep us sane and feeling normal in these unprecedented times

  12. Great post! Very helpful. Do you have a post on moto jackets? Do you always have the shirts the same length in the front as your moto jacket or when can they be longer? Thanks!

  13. I’m new to following your blog (discovered it sometime in September) and loving it. This is such a great post and don’t apologise for being wordy, it’s one of the things I like about your writing style (along with the fact that you are very funny). It is very helpful to see the outfits compared and you show how easy it is to update them. I never “got” infinity scarves although I do have one. Considering cutting it open to turn it into a “normal” one!
    I live in the Southern Hemisphere and we are 6 months behind the North in terms of style seasons so by reading your blog I will be ahead of the game when it comes to knowing what’s current! 
    Stay safe and well.

  14. I agree with the scarfs, pants, and sweaters. I have a few people tell me I look like an old lady! I am always trying to cover up my fat arms. I appreciate you telling theses things instead of just pushing us to buy things. BTW, what do you do with your old clothing??

  15. I loved this post!  Jo-Lynne, the Vince sweater is sold out at Nordstrom.  Can you find it somewhere else and provide a link?  I’d love to try it!  Thank you!

  16. I LOVE this post! Those older pics are exactly what I was wearing at the time (and thought I was so hip). Thanks for being brave and noting the updates!

  17. Love this post. It made me chuckle a few times. Thanks , this post was very helpful. Have a great weekend. 

  18. I LOVE your honesty and how real you are! This was a great post (funny and helpful)! Thanks for all the time you put into your work. Even when you have busy days you take time and put thought into what you’re posting and styling…thanks!!!

  19. LOVE this post!! Visuals are so helpful, really great and pushes me more to buying classic pieces that I LOVE instead of wasting money on trends. Just taken 48 years to really figure it out, but better late than never!! xo U are looking fab, btw!

  20. OMG!  I’m so glad you mentioned how the cardigans have a tendency to age us.  I think this my be my last year with the long cardigans especially.  Thank you for your comments/advice about scarves.  I’m going to purge mine today!
    I think the distressed jeans look will be a trend we may question in future years🤨😊

    1. I agree… I have often thought about that, as I wear jeans with rips and holes. Also the front tuck… I really don’t care for it, but it is so often necessary the way things are made these days.

  21. I really enjoyed this post!  I decided to dissect the “before” outfits before seeing what you wrote. I felt like I was taking a test of all that I had learned since following your blog since Spring of 2017. Only, a fun test!  A lot of issues you had with things are the same issues I have being 5’1”. Long cardigans look terrible on me, and I always return them except for the Barefoot Dreams cardigans because they are only worn at home for warmth and coziness. I only wear scarves for warmth, not fashion, although I only wear current ones even then. I have the same body type as you, hourglass, and I know I can’t wear oversized anything. Most of these things I have learned since following you. I have been getting a lot of compliments lately on my outfits and footwear, so I know I am doing better, thanks to you!

  22. I love a good cardigan around the house (morning & night in pajama lounge ware).  But I agree, cardigans are dated looking on me as well. I have your body type and height, and I have been recently taking your advice with a denim jacket that is fitted. It’s amazing how it completely changes my outfit. I am currently looking for similar jackets & coats for the PNW rainy season. – thank you for blogging, you have been my main source of information for 7 years now, I’m 28. You have helped me grow my wardrobe into a fashionable stay at home mom (5 & 2). I love your take on things. You inspire me to get out of leggings and my robe everyday. Thank you! My kids and husband appreciate your inspiration as well (they just may not know it!).

  23. I love this post! I laughed at several comments, but I have to admit that as a teacher, I wear a lot of cardigans. For me, they make more sense and are just more comfortable than wearing a moto all day long. My room fluctuates in temp, so I’m constantly putting on my cardigan and taking it back off. Even now, when we’re barely into October. I have also given up on regular utility jackets. I really like the look on others, but never think I look quite right in them. I have a couple of Old Navy field jackets, which have similar styling, but are shorter and more fitted, and I think they look so much better.

    1. They are definitely cozy, and I do wear them more around the house in the winter. I don’t think they always look frumpy, and some ladies look great in them, but I have to pick and choose them carefully, and style them well.

  24. I think it’s so funny how we look back at our photos and judge them by today’s standards.  My daughter does this with her childhood and  teen photos, asking why i would dress her in such lack of fashion!! I always say you were fashionable at the time. Lol 
    Knowing what looks good on your body is key. And being able to purchase it! Finding flattering pieces is quite difficult for me so shopping is a chore. 
    I appreciate your try on sessions and your posts about fit and styles. If only we had the same body type! 
    Loved this post! 

    1. “I think it’s so funny how we look back at our photos and judge them by today’s standards.” – That’s such a good way to put it. We know that was the look at the time, but it still looks so strange once our eye adjusts to the newer styles.

  25. I agree with you on cardigans. It may be my body type but I feel frumpy in them. 
    Oh, I love my infinity scarfs. They are light weight and so easy. 😢 I didn’t buy any blanket scarves. It just seemed a silly look to wrap and bunch these huge almost blanket like things around our necks. 
    Fortunately, I never did tuck my skinnies into booties but cuffed them instead. So, a win for  me! 
    I love this type of post. We learn so much from the comparisons. Please do more! 

  26. Hi JoLynne,
    I loved your post. I will be getting rid of some of my old sweaters. Do you still suggest a front tuck for someone who’s a little thick around the middle?  
    Thanks for your help,
    Marcia

  27. Great post! Thanks for clarifying the scarf issue! Are we still seeing ponchos/ capes? This type of post really reminds me to weed through the items that when I put on I actually do feel dated. Very simple changes can certainly bring our outfit up to snuff!
    Thank you!

  28. Great post! I really got so much from this – especially liked how you pinpoint what about the styles make it look dated. And how to fix it! Getting out the scissors to shorten some jeans and release the scarves!

  29. Hey Jo-Lynne,
    I haven’t posted in a while but I keep reading. Been reading since 2015 or 16, I think! I love this post. I had an infinity scarf, and it’s long gone. I never really liked it anyway… chuckle… But I do absolutely love my blanket scarf. However, I get that it’s dated. So I am going to get some scissors now. I like to alter my clothing myself. I am no seamstress, but some things are easy to do (like raw hems on jeans or cutting a scarf). A tip that I am sure you have given yourself on here before: Take a picture of yourself on your phone, ladies! I don’t know what it is, but you just see your outfits much, much better that way. Often, I have thought something looks good on me, then taken a photo on my phone, and thought, actually – this doesn’t suit me. 

    1. Yes, I love seeing familiar names (and emails, lol!!) Thanks for hanging around for so long. I agree, many times we can alter things with a quick snip and repurpose older pieces.

    2. Emma, another idea for blanket scarves is to use it as a table runner/cloths. I see a lot of decor bloggers throw one on their table at an angle for Autumn and Winter. They have that cozy vibe. 

  30. I bought a red plaid blanket scarf when they were a thing but never wore it because I couldn’t find a flattering way to wear it. I ended up using it to decorate my Christmas table. It was perfect for that😉! Thanks for the fun post.

  31. What a much needed post. With just a few changes, we can look more modern. At 60, I try not to look dated. Thank you so much! I have been a faithful follower for years and as usual, you came through again! 

  32. I love these updated outfit posts! Thanks for taking the extra time that it takes to do them! It really helps me see changing trends and some easy ways that I can update an outfit without having to go buy all new clothes! And thanks for giving us permission to get rid of those infinity and huge blanket scarves!! HA!

  33. This was a really fun post.  I personally love that you use “all the words.”  That is what makes your posts so much fun to read!  Thanks for sharing your thoughts about updating and showing the before and after.  It is interesting to look back and see what we wore a few years ago and wondering why we did, but it was in style back then, and we were on trend at the time!  And on that note, I really do need to purge my scarves.  I’ve held onto too many for way too long.

  34. Thank you for this post. It’s a good reminder to look at how the small details can keep an outfit current. 

  35. Very nice updates! I do have a question though. When it’s cold, I don’t want bare ankles, so how do you handle that and still have the look be stylish? Is it okay then to wear the booties with socks and let your jeans hang into the boot rather than have them cuffed?

    1. Yeah, I need to do some examples of just that. I let the socks show and wear the same jean/bootie combos. Or there are some booties (like the grey ones in this post) that I just don’t wear when it’s super cold out. I also do more tall boots in the winter.

      1. Looking forward to your post about booties and socks lol! Maybe you could include some mid calf duck boots, chukka boots, etc.

  36. Don’t trash your infinity scarves, just open the seam and fringe the ends and you now have a new, more current look. I’ve done that to several of them. 

    1. Pam…. what do you mean by fridge the ends? How? I have pretty infinity scarves I hate to get rid of but feel like I’m wearing a cow collar. Never did like the style. Not sure why I bought them. 

      1. Kathy, just take out the seam where the scarf is sewn together. Just start pulling out the row of threads that run crosswise on the scarf.  It will take a little time to do this. I usually use a pin to pull out each row of threads. Take out as many as you would like for either a short fringe or a longer one. Voila, a new scarf!

        1. Thank you Pam….. I’ll have to try this. I thought it would just unravel the whole scarf. I have several ones that aren’t knitted so going to just get rid of those. 

        2. Pam,  thanks for replying again. I’ll try this on my woven scarves. I wondered how it could be done on knit. Lol. 

    2. Thank you for that great idea. I have several infinity scarves that I like, so on this rainy Sunday, I’ll be cutting and unraveling the ends. 

  37. I love all of your updated looks, JoLynne. One of the best things I am learning as a Fashion Blogger is that I will always be learning and growing. I also am finding I am much better at recognizing what is truly my style as opposed to just a trend or a “ageist” theory of how I should be dressed as a 50 something woman. Love your style girlfriend! Keep it up! – Amy
    https://stylingrannymama.com/

    1. “I am much better at recognizing what is truly my style as opposed to just a trend or a “ageist” theory of how I should be dressed as a 50 something woman.” That is really key, in my opinion. I’m getting better at that too, and it’s so freeing to be able to say, I don’t wear that style; it doesn’t work for me. Rather than trying SO HARD to fit a square peg into a round hole.

  38. I know you probably gone over this already, but I suffer from severe muffin top is there anything that you can help me with that I won’t look so big there thank you.

    1. Finding jeans that fit properly is the key – it sometimes requires alternations. I feel like a higher rise smooths things out and reduces the tendency to get the muffin top.

  39. Love this!!  I actually took a bunch of my infinity scarves and just cut them open so I could still use them but have a more modern look. I still love a good scarf 🙂

  40. I have very long legs the 27″ inseam hits me at a very awkward place. I need the 29″-30″ inseam to look like your 27″ 28″ inseam looks on you. And they are very hard to find now days. So my old jeans look modern on me.

  41. I really enjoyed this. I would like to see more posts that used things from the past in a more modern way! I cannot afford to buy all new every year, but like to freshen up what I do have! It was very helpful that you explained why it looked aged. Thanks! Happy weekend!

  42. Such a fun post to read! I hope you enjoyed writing it as much as we did reading it. It’s so funny to look back on what we were year ago and interesting to see how the trends change so fast. One trend that I’m loving is the raw hemp jeans. Being petite, I use to struggle to find shorter jeans but now you can find them almost anywhere but…do love being able to just cut them if I have to 😃

  43. Hi Jo-Lynne, 

    I’m following you after hearing about you from Cindy Spivey’s blog  and enjoy it ( but rarely comment).I learned a lot on this one. Thanks for picking apart outfits and showing us how to update them.  Love it!! 

  44. This post was amazing! I laughed out loud at your neck brace comment and was wearing a schlumpy too long pair of skinnies while I read it. It was like you were pointing at me and saying “I know who you are!” ha! I love my infinity scarves because I get cold in the house, and I can still cook/clean/etc. with them on. A scarf tying post would be great. Also, my hair varies between touching my shoulders, and just above. This affects turtlenecks, jacket collars, etc. Not sure if you can get a post out of that, but during the winter months, it can be an issue. I don’t like to constantly be adjusting my hair in/out of the collar. Your comment about the turtleneck made me think of it. Please don’t go back and revisit our collegiate years with giant sweatshirts and flannels. Just when we had no muffin top, etc. we covered it all up! Ha!

  45. Great post! You are so right about the chunky cable knit sweaters. Hard to pull them off unless you are super thin. Better to try a more form fitting less bulky style. Sad about infinity scarves since I have a few of them. I seriously need to update my look since I tend to stick with a certain style after it goes out of style! Glad I found your page!

    1. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, especially when you find things you really like. And I don’t want to make people feel like they aways have to have the latest and greatest to stay current, so I like when we can find ways to update our old favorites to keep them looking modern.

  46. What a fun post!  How funny that you looks so different and amazing that styles DO really look a little different, even if it’s just slightly.  I know you answered this but sorry, I love my infinity scarves.  They don’t come undone and they keep me warm. I find regular scarves unwrap and move around. I really don’t care if I’m on trend.  Not many people where I live in the suburbs are anyway…oh well!

    1. Hey, girl. If you love them, by all means, keep wearing them! And I mean that without any irony or sarcasm. I feel the same about my skinny jeans.

      I realize they’re starting to look dated, but when I try the newer styles, I just can’t love them yet. So I try to make very subtle adjustments (slightly wider leg opening, slightly shorter length) to my skinnies without totally embracing the newer, straighter silhouettes b/c they just don’t work as well for me personally.

      I also think you bring up a good point about where you live – I try to throw that in with my caveats whenever I’m talking about “current” styles. Some areas are further ahead on the trends than others, so styles that look “dated” to me may be perfectly on time in other areas.

      Likewise, I sometimes post things and get chided for looking frumpy or dated. But I think it’s partially a sign of the times where I live. Taking into account where you live, who you will be with, and how they dress are all relevant factors when deciding what to wear.

      Sorry for writing a whole other blog post, haha!

  47. What a fun post. You did a great job updating the outdated looks. I die looking back at family photos albums. I don’t know what I was thinking half the time. I do need to go through my scarves. I have wayyyy too many and I for sure need to toss the infinity ones. At the time they were in I never really liked them, so not sure why I bought any. I do like a regular scarf in cold weather. I also like how it adds to a simple outfit. 

  48. Hi. I saw your comment about cutting your hair short due to thinning hair. I am going through the same thing and it is humiliating. I can’t tell you how embarrassing it is. Can you please share what you have done to get your hair healthy? I’m desperate and even thinking of getting a wig. It’s been getting worse over the last 3 years. I’m 51 now and until 3 years ago had thick, healthy hair. 

    1. Hey Julie. Hair loss is so demoralizing, and I feel like it is something that isn’t talked about enough. I honestly do not know what I did to get my hair to come back, and it still very thin in the front. In fact, it’s been falling out a lot again (that seems to be cyclical – but it’s never gotten as bad as it did 8 years ago.) My dermatologist just told me to go get men’s Rogaine and she prescribed a steroid cream to try. I haven’t filled it yet, but I’m going to give it a shot. She said often times of intense stress will bring on hair loss, and usually a few months after the stressor. She thinks the situation with having to rehome our puppy, the 2 deaths in my family, and general COVId is to blame for my current situation and said that it will come back.

      I will say this. I have used Monat hair products consistently for the past few years, and it is supposed to help with thinning hair. I do like the products, but I can’t say if they are to credit for my thicker hair.

      1. Thank you for your response. I’m so sorry for your loss. Stress is probably to blame for my hair loss as well. I’ll try Rogaine. It is demoralizing! Really enjoy your fashion advice and love seeing the ideas you have!

  49. I so enjoyed this update.
    Your blog has helped me so many times over these years. Most of the compliments I get (when I used to be out & about) are on an outfit that I styled using your blog as a guide.
    Thanks. I look forward to checking out what’s new every day.

    PS. Your help with my jean selection was great..and especially taking the photos to use to compare is brilliant. (I went with the AG Faye cigarette leg & love them)

  50. Actually I prefer pants that fall to the correct length OVER a shoe or boot……ask any tailor about pant length and how to hem at the perfect angle so they sit right. This current fad of high water pants look like the pants don’t fit

  51. This is a great post! You honestly look 10-15 years younger today. Love how you’ve evolved over time and really found what works for you!

  52. SO funny neck brace… I hv some of those!!!
    Loved the comparisons …starting to finally 
    Understand the balance you talk about!
    Didn’t realize how good all the shorter 
    Jeans look with boots!
    Have a great weekend!

  53. I LOVE this post! I hope you do one like it every year or maybe twice a year with different seasons! I love your longer hair now!

    1. Thanks, Linda. I feel so much prettier with longer hair. For most of my adult life, until it started thinning so badly after my pregnancies, I’ve kept it somewhere between shoulder length and a few inches longer. It’s so nice to have it back!

  54. Such a great post! I also love a 27 inch inseam – I feel it’s the perfect length for me! And you are so right about infinity scarves. They are dated. Why am I holding on to mine? I don’t know, but I’m going to do some purging this weekend and they will all be in my donate pile!

  55. These outfit update posts are a great idea. I really like seeing the ideas for how to update older outfits.

    1. That’s certainly your prerogative! 🙂 But I do want to be clear, these looks are for fall. I certainly don’t advocate freezing for the sake of style. I can do another post like this for cold weather looks.

      1. Yes, please do this type of post for cold weather looks for us northerners. Can’t wear cropped jeans in winter months. Thanks!

  56. I loved this post because you gave such good explanations for why outfits looked “dated”. I really loved seeing the older photos and how you updated the outfits. This will really help me when I am shopping for new pieces. I thought your point about making sure your pieces fit you well was also important to mention. Sometimes I need to remember to just pass on cute pieces when I know the fit just isn’t quite right. Thank you so much.

  57. My favorite post ever!  Ok…maybe not ever ….but this was so fun.   It’s so amazing to see how quickly our styles change.  And so cringe-worthy to see ourselves in our “favorite” outfits looking our best only to decide years later that we looked totally dorky!  (Not that you looked dorky in yours)

  58. Thank you for this post, Jo-Lynne! It is such a big help because I often wonder, do I keep it or donate it? I hope that this type of post becomes a yearly feature on your blog (or twice a year feature).

  59. Hi there 
    Love your blog, but have a question!!  I am curious to know what would be an alternative to a long cardigan sweater as I am heavy in the lower half of my body.  I have also noticed that they are beginning to age me and I’ve grown tired of wearing  the same style!!  
    Lynne

    1. Hey Lynne, I think women always look best in a structured jacket of some sort – whatever works for your lifestyle. I love a denim jacket, or a moto jacket. Utility jackets and blazers can be nice too.

  60. What a great post! It is so obvious when you show the before and after examples. A really good visual for those of us who need to “see it!”

  61. I would love to know where you have found your black moto jacket? Is it real leather? Have you seen any good ones this season? I really love the look of a fitted black leather jacket and don’t know where to start looking…thanks!!

  62. This post seriously made me happy!   Thank you for sharing these updates! Such cute style, and the throw backs were just flat out fun! 

  63. This post made me want to run to my bedroom to chop an inch or two off all my jeans and get rid of my infinity and blanket scarves. LOL! Thank you. I do think a lot of it is just finding things that fit you better than in the original posts, though. 

  64. Loved this post!  You’ve mentioned Skinny jeans inseams in previous posts and now I cringe when I pull out a pair too long. I didn’t realize infinity scarves were out. I love scarves in the winter, and always though they worked with my body type. I’m tall-ish, thin, and have a long neck, and I am always cold in the winter. I’d love to know how to wear scarves in 2020. 

  65. Keep being honest!!! This is why I love reading your blog!! I’m ditching my infinity scarves— tomorrow 😊

  66. I came upon your post and I just loved it! I try hard to look put together, I don’t have a lot of money to throw into new clothes and accessories and need to be very thoughtful in my purchases. I want them to last..more than a year! I also find wearing any type of scarf item difficult, one “hot flash” and its done! 

  67. What a great article. So interesting. I have a big problem with cardigans. I love them and have way too many. But I’m starting to understand your statement about them being hard. I’m really sad that the waist length cardigans aren’t quite so fashionable anymore. 🙁

  68. While I understand most of the ideas. I absolutely hate the pants rolled with The booties. I think it cuts woman off at the ankle no matter their height. I understand the shorter sweaters , but again I don’t like them. I am short5’3 and 122 lbs. I don’t like skin tight pants , but do not like baggy or loose fit clothing. I like my butt covered because in bending over I’m not comfortable unless it’s coved by a cardigan or shirt. I am 50 yrs old and instead of hair turning greay it has turned a white/blonde/grey color. I can’t wear heals because I take care of my parents so heels interfere with daily life. I clean houses so I don’t dress up for work. I find it really hard to “stay in fashion “ with the times because I look awful in the clothes. I always feel overdressed when my husband and I go out , or underdressed. He’s a country boy and has no style despite me trying. I have colored my hair a few times, but having had alapecia for over 30 years of my life. I color it and my hair just doesn’t do well with it. What can I do to elevate m”my style “ without it looking awful. I’m a very thrifty shopper so if I buy something I’m already thinking of what I have that can go with it.

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