You Can Look Ageless in the Global Trend

Traditional pattern from all over the World are often summarized as global inspired style. This term is misleading. Actually, it is one country’s, region’s or cultural group’s traditional clothing decoration in form of a print or weave pattern. Read which of these ethnic or tribal variations or inspirations work best to look ageless in the global trend.

Contents

Global-Inspired Looks Pop up Every Couple of Years
What Works for Ageless Style in Global Trends
- Ikat Print
- India Inspired Prints
- Scottish Tartan
- Pacific Islands Motifs
- Traditional Tie-Dye
- Tunics
- Alpine Prints, Pattern and Stripes
- Paisley
Native and Global Jewelry
What Doesn’t Look Ageless in the Global Trend

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post.

Global-Inspired Pop Up Every Couple of Years

Global inspiration is a perennial trend, almost a classic, at least for the woman with Bohemian Style. This means when you see something awesome on sale in great quality and it fits your shape and style, go for it, and have it for years to come.

Interestingly, many of these traditional pieces, prints or patterns are meanwhile mainstream. For example, we consider wearing a paisley print an element of British Classic style.

In some cases, the entire garment became mainstream. Just think of wearing a kimono or a tunic.

ageless style in global pattern example block print dress — Edith Leiber belt, Spring Step sandals, Indian bracelet, Liz Claiborne straw cap, Indian traditional block print tunic dress , watch c/o Nordgreen watches. Get 15% off with my discount code **HLSTYLE**.

What Works for Ageless Style in the Global Trend

The trick to look ageless in ethnic-inspired clothing is to go for a sophisticated western cut. Here are my secrets.

Go for pieces that have a clean classic cut like an A-line dress, sheath, wrap dress, fit-and-flare dress or shift with an ethnic print.

Then add classic western items for a sophisticated look.

Ikat Print

The ikat print is an American West favorite and looks great on a classic high-low cut. More on styling bold prints.

India Inspired Prints

ethic Indian print dresses with empire waist style and wrap dress cut — Left: Sigrid Olsen designer A-line dress with ethnic print c/o HSN with own Neo Tango sandals and statement necklace. Right: Samantha Brown travel wrap dress with ethnic print c/o HSN with own Liz Claiborne open-toe pumps, and Longchamp bag.

Scottish Tartan, Gingham, and Plaid

Tartan and gingham are traditional Scottish and Alpine weave pattern. Plaid is an European variation thereof.

global trend tartan gingham plaid ageless style in ethnic clothes — Left: Geiger Dirndl, Carhartt button-down shirt, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Tissot watch, Anne Klein T-strap pumps, DIY necklace.. Right: Tartan print fit-and-flare dress c/o Voodoo Vixen paired with own GNW Luxe cashmere sweater, GNW tights and Clarks booties for a warm sophisticated winter look with this ethnic Scottish pattern.

Tip: On sales, look for jackets or coats in an ethnic pattern, but western cut. Pair these items with simple classic occidental pieces for an ageless style.

Pacific Islands Motifs

Native Hawaiian print dress with satchel white sandals blue hat — Magenta Hawaiian print dress and hat c/o Coolibar, Very Fine Dance Shoes sandals, Prada bag.

Fashion blogger Nicole wearing the global trend in an ageless style — Pineapple Moon Hawaiian print blouse, BCBG leather capri, Celine tote, and mules c/o Vionic.

Traditional Tie-Dye

When the tie-dye style is a trend subtle tie-dye dresses or skirts and accessories like scarfs are great ethnic pieces to buy.

Tunics

Tunics with subtle beading or embroidery are great choices too. Pair them with jeans or dress pants and pumps for an effortlessly chic look.

over 50 years old woman in jeans and an embroidered ethnic style tunic — J Brand skinnies with Indian embroidered ethnic tunic, Christian Louboutin pumps, Hermes Medor watch, and Longchamp bag for an ageless style with global inspiration.

Alpine Prints, Pattern and Stripes

Another great way to achieve ageless style with ethnic pieces is to go for an eclectic style with pattern mix or traditional local pieces like dirndls or bunads.

Paisley

over 50 years old style blogger wearing a traditional dress as skirt with an ethnic belt and a denim dress with Native belt — Left: GNW cardigan, Geiger dirndl, Juicy Couture nude cork plateau sandals, Hermes collier de chien bangle and leather cuff, Tissot watch, ethnic metal belt, Ray Ban sunglasses, and 3.1 Philip Lim bag. Right: Liz Claiborne denim dress with Ray Bun aviator sunglasses, western belt and floral pumps.

Native and Global Jewelry

When wearing Native jewelry – no matter from which culture – add one item at a time to your outfit either as accessory or as the statement piece. Wearing several American West jewelry pieces at once gets you into the territory of looking like applying for a supporting role in the next Hollywood Old Times Western movie.

In the above example outfit with the denim dress the shirt dress cut keeps the dress out of cowgirl style.

The casual neutral color outfit below has some spots of color in the shoes and bag. The inlay western belt picks up some of these colors. The viewer has to look twice to realize that this Casual Friday look even has a western piece in it (see zoom-in below). However, it is the American West piece that makes this classic casual outfit fashion-forward and on trend.

styling ethnic jewelry in a posh casual look — Native American inlay belt with white London Jean boyfriend jeans, Studio multi-color high heeled sandals, Ray Ban mirrored sunglasses, Festina watch, Hermes collier de chien bangle, VS cashmere sweater and VS light gray cardigan knotted at the waist plus a sunflower yellow Longchamp bag to keep the American West trend modern, and Russian enamel necklace and earrings.

While in the Native American jewelry inspiration the floral print pumps repeat the colors of the belt’s inlays, here the gladiators pick up the belts colors.

What Doesn’t Look Ageless in the Global Trend

Shapeless clothes in global prints or pattern will make you look old. Furthermore, global inspired clothes styled like in the 1970s make you look old fashioned. Do I have to mention embellishment or embroidery overload?

The same applies for dressing like you are from a specific country unless there is a reason to do so like for instance, Chinese New Year’s celebration that you attend, going to an Oktoberfest at a local brewery or in Munich, celebrating Diwali or participating in an International Friendship Day, just to mention a few occasions.