Fashion mistakes are not about the outfit that could land you on a worst-dressed list, but long-held habits you refuse to break, fashion clichés you still believe are true, and small things you’re avoiding that might be ruining your style. So, keep on reading to gain some insight on making some fashion faux pas stylish.
1. You think sneakers are only for the gym.
As recent trends have proven, the right pair of sneakers can take you way beyond the gym. Between wedge sneakers, slip-on sneakers, and colorful kicks, fashion bloggers are seen wearing the sporty footwear with their dressier pieces. You may start with a black pair of sneakers and striped athletic pants, but go for a chic off-shoulder top like fashion blogger Janni Deler did to elevate your look a bit. Indeed, sneakers can add a modern twist to an outfit that’s not comprised solely of sweats.
2. You avoid horizontal stripes like the plague.
Buying into the notion that all horizontal lines make you look wide is a cliché mistake. The key is to go for perfect fitting pieces and strategic stripe placement that look fashionable and functional for you. Like fashion blogger Blair Eadie, think of a classic cotton Breton striped shirt teamed with dark jeans, and topped with a printed scarf that looks trendy and modern.
3. You believe white shouldn’t be worn after Labor Day.
Countless designers and fashion icons have proved during the past few seasons that white isn’t only appropriate when the weather turns chilly, but also feels fresh and modern. The key is all in the fabric as lighter textiles such as white cotton, linen, canvas, and seersucker will look out of place during fall and winter. So, bend the rules by reaching for white wool, cashmere, fur, mohair, flannel, silk, and leather that will still make your style fashionable while being season-appropriate.
4. You think sexy means showing tons of skin.
If you truly believe that sexy means dressing for stereotypical men, think again. You can have a sexy style without looking flashy by balancing your silhouettes, necklines, hemlines and sheer fabrics. Like fashion blogger Janni Deler, you may go for a plunging crop top, but team it with a high-waist pencil skirt that’s long enough to look modest.
5. You think actual menswear is just for men.
You’d be surprised by how many made-for-men pieces can work for you. Think slim-cut button-downs, boyfriend blazer, sweatshirts, oversized sweaters, straight leg pants, oxfords, brogues, loafers, and utility jackets that look fashion-forward though aren’t as trendy as their women counterparts.
6. You think you can only wear one bold color at a time.
If we’ve learned anything from the recent color-blocking trend, it’s that a bold saturated hue can look even better when paired with another bold saturated hue. Like fashion blogger Blair Eadie, be daring wearing clashing colors like neon yellow with pink, pink with red, purple with yellow and such that look fresh and modern.
7. You think denim on denim is fashion don’t.
Also known as a Canadian tuxedo, the easiest trick to rocking double denim without looking like you got lost on the way is to pair pieces of varying washes together, such as a light denim shirt with dark denim jeans, or a denim top with different fabric trims with denim jeans like fashion blogger Zanita Whittington did.
8. You wear retro pieces without a modern spin.
We all know that fashion is cyclical and that everything comes back around, but that doesn’t mean you should dress in full of-another-decade outfits, which will only look costumey. If you’ve found a vintage leather dress, wear it with a classic Breton striped top like Jane Aldridge did, making the vintage style looks trendy. By taking these things into consideration, you’ll make your style endless and your looks original.