5 Trends to Trash or Switch to Update Your Look for 2013

Lose This, Redo That in 2013…

Truth be told, I HATE telling anyone to ditch something trendy. Something that is such a quick fad should not be in a chic wardrobe to begin with. There IS a sophisticated difference from looking on trend and  being trendy… particularly, after 25ish.

Trendy is a blip on the style meter that spoils faster than a gallon of milk and dates itself in one of those “what was I thinking” old photos.

On trend is staying modern, looking fresh and never dated.

>>RELATED: How to clean out your closet & the top 20 items to let go

It is OK to add a few throwaway trendy pieces here and there just fun of it. But please don’t make a heavy-handed diet of trendy or you’ll risk looking like a fashion victim and no one wants that.

Here’s a quick fashion cheat sheet of 5 trends to trash or switch to update your look in 2013:

Go tonal with shades of coralish reds or use it as a sweet accent to camel, like this Chinati Stripe Sweater by Marc By Marc Jacobs; available here: http://bit.ly/UbBLKc

Trend to Trash:  Tangeriny coral worn as a focal point. The trend color 2012 overdosed as a wardrobe single color must-have.

Switch It Up: Layer up shades on a theme to create a tonal palette of corals, rose, and tangerine a la Sonia Rykiel pre-fall 2013. Or, unite it with neutral camel for some extra pop, like in the photo above.

Use the silhouette of a peplum to balance a bold print bottom, like to to die for Alexander McQueen Nappa leather peplum jacket from luisaviaroma here: http://bit.ly/UbDezY

Trend to Trash: Peplums worn as a feminine dress.

Switch It Up: Use the solid flounce to ground an oversize print by way of a flowing skirt, wild pants, or jazzy cropped jacket.

The late 80s boxy crop top looks fresh and is far less provocative than belly baring pants of recent seasons. Rochas spring 2013 is perfect inspiration. See lead photo at the top for added proof.

Trend to Trash: Belly baring low rise pants. Plumber’s butt has burst its pipes!

Switch It Up:  Boxy crop tops that highlight the upper midriff and are proportionate with pants that hit your natural waist. Want the look but don’t have the abs? Try a cropped jacket  over a longer  top. Longer sweaters cover the overexposed areas of pants already in your closet. Here’s how to wear a crop top.

Think of lace as the new glitter, like this elegant take of a crisp white shirt by way of this Carolina Herrera Belted Lace-Sleeve Blouse; at Bergdrorf Goodman http://bit.ly/RV3GCz

Trend to Trash: Glitter addicted shoes and accessories. Dorothy has left the building.

Switch It Up: Anything lace  continues to be a must-have. Wear a dash of glitter as a  teensy accent.

Long shorts, like these from Dries Van Noten Spring 2013, take on a certain grown-up gam and are far more refined than butt baring short shorts

Trend to Trash: Cheeky short shorts because you shouldn’t have to ask… rompers included!

Switch It Up: Bermuda shorts and longer shorts are a sophisticated, flattering, and appropriate summer city shorts look.

SHOPPING picks in store now to think about:

Runway photos;focusonstyle.onsugar