St. Louis has a lot to offer for fashion lovers. We have our own fashion week, a growing fashion incubator, and a strong athleisure culture—where it’s totally normal to wear stylish workout clothes to the grocery store. And, of course, there’s our beloved Cardinals, inspiring plenty of hometown fashion moments.
But here’s the catch—according to the 3rd Annual Wrinkle Ranking by RoC® Skincare and Sperling’s Best Places, St. Louis ranks 17th among the 50 cities predicted to be the most wrinkle-prone by 2040. To put that in perspective, both Los Angeles (ranked 25th) and Las Vegas (37th) are expected to have fewer wrinkles than we will.
One major factor behind this ranking is smoking. In 35 of the 50 cities studied, smoking rates are expected to drop close to zero—but not in St. Louis, Kansas City, or Nashville. Since smoking has a direct impact on skin health, our city’s higher smoking rates mean more visible signs of aging. If you need proof, WebMD highlights how smoking affects skin, teeth, and hair, making people look older than they are. The before-and-after images are eye-opening.
So, what can we do to change this? If you smoke, consider quitting—and encourage those around you to do the same. While wrinkles might not be the biggest concern when it comes to smoking, it’s one more reason to make a healthy change.
For non-smokers, taking care of your skin year-round is key. St. Louisans are a competitive bunch, so there’s hope we can improve our ranking in the future. And if you make a positive change for your health, why not celebrate with a stylish hometown-inspired piece?
I searched for St. Louis-themed fashion beyond the usual Cardinals jerseys (because let’s be honest, we all have one). One standout find is Coordinates, a brand that creates rings, bracelets, and necklaces engraved with specific coordinates—like St. Louis’ own 38.6270° N, 90.1994° W. They’re a bit of a splurge, but such a unique way to show off your STL pride.
How do you represent your St. Louis style?