You Can Look Ageless in the Global Trend

Post author:Nicole Mölders
Reading time:8 mins read

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

Globally Inspired Looks Pop up Every Couple of Years
What Works for Ageless Style in Global Trends
Native Jewelry
What Doesn’t Look Ageless in the Global Trend

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post.

Globally inspired looks 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 made it into mainstream. Just think wearing a kimono or a tunic.

The photos below show an American West favorite print on a western high-low cut. More on styling crazy print at the link.

style book author in Native American inspired print dress — Lulu Roe print dress with high-low hem, pantyhose, Salvatore Ferragamo pumps, Confidential layering top, Hermes collier de chien bangle ( all own), cross-body bag c/o JORD and sunglasses c/o Sungait

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 look. Here are my secrets.

Then style them with western items for a sophisticated look like in the example outfits in this post.

India inspired prints

style over 40 woman in Sigrid Olsen designer dress with ethnic Indian print — Sigrid Olsen designer A-line dress with ethnic print c/o HSN with own Neo Tango sandals and statement necklace.

fashion over 40 woman in wrap dress with ethnic print — Samantha Brown travel wrap dress with ethnic print c/o HSN with own Liz Claiborne open-toe pumps, and Longchamp bag

Scottish Tartan

over 40 fashion woman wearing a tartan print fit-and-flare dress — 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

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

Pacific Islands motifs

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

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

history of tie-dye for outfit inspirations

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.

fashion over 40 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 (all own) for an ageless style with global inspiration

Another great way to achieve ageless style with ethnic pieces is to go for an

eclectic style

with pattern mix. See the examples below.

Alpine prints, pattern and stripes

stylist featuring a Dirndl — Geiger Dirndl, Carhartt button-down shirt, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Tissot watch, Anne Klein T-strap pumps, DIY necklace

Paisley

over 50 years old style blogger wearing a traditional dress as skirt with an ethnic belt — 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 (all own)

Native Jewelry

When wearing Native jewelry add one item at a time to your outfit either as accessory or as the statement piece. Wearing several western jewelry pieces at once gets you into the territory of looking like applying for a supporting role in the next Hollywood western movie. 😉

The example outfit below dons a casual neutral color outfit with 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 western piece that makes this classic casual outfit fashion forward and on trend.

style blogger in statement belt American West look — Native American inlay belt with white boyfriend jeans, multi-color high heeled sandals, Ray Ban mirrored sunglasses, gray cashmere sweater and light gray cardigan knotted at the waist plus a sunflower yellow Longchamp bag to keep the western trend modern

The photo below shows another example of how to wear a Native belt. Here floral print pumps repeat the colors of the belt’s inlays. Despite in this case, the dress is a denim shirt dress, its shirt dress cut keeps the dress out of cowgirl style.

stylist in denim dress with western belt — Liz Clairborn denim dress with Ray Bun aviator sunglasses, western belt and floral pumps

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.