My friends tell me that I have a habit of looking people over when I see them. I don’t try to do this, I really don’t. But I guess I do it. I like clothes. I like hair and make-up and jewellery and accessories. I like to see what people are wearing and how they look.
I do notice when someone’s look doesn’t work. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t CARE. I am friends with people irregardless of their fashion sense, and don’t think any less of people that are not stylish or even that look bad, I just figure it is not a priority for them and that is cool. But I do notice. Here are some of the things that make me take another look and long to help:
1) Shoe offences of all sorts:
1a) Sandals and socks.
1b) Thinking black shoes go with everything. They don’t. You at least need a black (for anything with black and the occassional non-black outfit that screams for black shoes) and a brown (for earth tones colours) for each season, and really a beige (for light coloured outfits-especially in the summer) is necessary too. If you really want shoes for everything, something in gold and something in red (looks great with jeans!) are always a nice touch.
1c) Casual shoes with dressy clothing or dressy shoes with casual clothing. Try finding something in the middle if you want to make it easier-sandals with a wedge or thick heel and thick straps (like the ones below) can often cross over and be quite versatile, as can many pairs of flats. If it is altheletic, it is casual and cannot go with dress clothes. If it has a high skinny heel or rhinestones, it is dressy and does not work with gauchos or sweats (though it can work with nice denim and a cute top).
1d) Crocs anywhere but the garden or some other very casual muddy outdoor event/place of the sort that I would generally try to avoid.
2) Too tight clothing. Tummy rolls, muffin tops and bulges from bra straps should not be seen. If you like your clothes tight enough for these things to be seen, you may want to either re-think your style or lose weight. If you have gained weight and are still wearing clothes from before because you can still stretch it out (or hold your breath) and get it on so you figure it still fits; you are wrong. It doesn’t fit.
3) Things that do not, in any way shape or form or by any stretch of one’s imagination, match. Rules for matching are much looser these days than in the past. Patterns can sometimes go together. So can red and pink or black and brown. But some things still don’t work. I know them when I see them, and wonder how the offending dresser doesn’t.
4) Sunglasses as headbands. I can accept occasionally popping them up on one’s head and even do it on occasion myself (but not often because it is sretches out the glasses and gives me a headache). But I know one woman who always has sunglasses perched on her head. Any time of the day, any time of the year, any weather. I have never actually seen them on her face, and am pretty sure they are there for the hairstyle and not the eye-protection. We all know that hair can look nice pulled off the face or with some accessory between the bangs and the back of the hair. This is why headbands were invented.
4) Sleeveless or short sleeved turtlenecks or hoodies. I just don’t get it. If it is warm enough to wear short sleeves, you just don’t need a hood or a turtleneck.
5) Mini-backpacks. So early 90s. They looked silly then (even though I had them) and look really silly now. I know they are convenient and hands free. I don’t care. Try a crossover bag for hands free convenience.
6) Bad jeans. I know a woman who wears high waisted tapered faded jeans that hit her calves about an inch above the ankle bone. She usually wears them with sport socks and sneakers. I almost cannot look, it hurts so much to see this.
That’s all for now. If you are guilty of any of the above offences, no worries. I still love you. But I am noticing. Please feel free to add your own fashion faux-pas!
Jennnifer said,
May 26, 2007 @ 1:38 am
HA!
I’ll confess. I wear crocs. But in the garden and at shows. I’m behind a table, on my feet all day, damn right I wear them. They make me less bitchy near the end because I’m not having back spasms. If I venture out from behind the table, I switch to my chunky heeled dress shoes.
Muffin tops make me cringe. I have a belly, but I wear shirts that FIT and pants that FIT. I cannot STAND muffin tops, or as the husband calls them “dickiedoos” when referring to men (that guys stomach hangs lower than his…..).
I’ll add one, that drives me insane, yet I do it occasionally. Sneakers.
Sneakers are made to be used for exercise. If you are an adult, wear an adult shoe. NOT sneakers. Or runners, or whatever.
PrettyMommy said,
May 26, 2007 @ 2:08 am
I think crocs are okay for that purpose Jennnifer. Sneakers for anything but the gym (on adults) are very wrong, thanx for the reminder! Any additions to my list of fashion crimes would be welcome!!!
Dina said,
May 26, 2007 @ 2:08 am
I agree with almost of those and with Jennifer’s add-on. I HATE HATE HATE when I see people wearing sneakes all the time. I do have a black pair i wear but those are okay with jeans only! I do like sleeveless hoodies. I wear it over a long sleeve t-shirt when it’s too warm for a jacket but not warm enough for short sleeves and I like the way they look.
Another thing i really don’t like is colored leather. I know someone who wears a red leather jacket from the 90’s (or possibly earlier) and it’s hidious.
Karen said,
May 26, 2007 @ 2:10 am
I am limiting my crocs to taking the garbage into the garage and wearing them at Liam’s swim lessons. So I hope I am still your friend!
I’m with you on the tight clothing and also Jennifer’s observation about running shoes. I never feel right wearing runners unless I’m in the gym – too clunky to go with anything else, really.
You should publish a book on fashion “don’ts” – I think it would be a best-seller.
PrettyMommy said,
May 26, 2007 @ 2:26 am
It’s okay Dina, I waer black sneakers with jeans on occassion too, if I am going to the supermarket or something. I think they are more sneaker style than actual shoes made for athletics though…the white ones with coloured stripes on them? Those are wrong.
I can accept that a sleevelss hoodie can look cute, but I still don’t really get it…and I tend to always think short sleeves over long sleeves looks weird, even when I know it is in style!!! Today at Starbucks I saw someone in a short sleeved jean jacket…it looked very odd. She was also wearing a flowered blue and white dress with black shoes. It was all wrong and weird looking (though the dress was cute) and actually the inspiration for this post.
Karen, Crocs in the garage or near a pool are okay. I prefer my $3 flips flops from the supermarket…but crocs are acceptable. I’ll start working on my book now…
Wendy said,
May 26, 2007 @ 7:16 pm
I will confess to wearing sneakers or tennis shoes everyday. I even have 4 pairs of them. I dont really have an excuse. I like them because they are comfy and easy to run after an escape toddler or pre-schooler. Besides, I have no idea what to wear with the shorts I am required to wear by the HOT AS HELL DECREE OF 1972. I have looked at many shoes, recently, and either dont like them or they dont have my size. I think I would get more looks from my unkempt feet (until just recently) in sandals than sneakers. Although, they make your feet soft and subtle from all the sweat. :)
PrettyMommy said,
May 26, 2007 @ 9:38 pm
Wendy Wendy Wendy. hmmm….do we need to plan an intervention???
Wendy said,
May 27, 2007 @ 6:37 pm
You will never take away my sneakers, which I prefer to call tennis shoes. I like them. Besides, while you all are getting your feet sanded at pedicures, the lady always ask me why my feet so soft. Take that tennis shoes haters. :)
Karen said,
May 27, 2007 @ 9:22 pm
I know Wendy, they usually need a belt-sander when they get to my heels :)
Chrissy said,
May 30, 2007 @ 4:23 pm
HAHAHA!!!! I LOVE this post! I have to confess that I have been guilty of one or two of the above! The sunglasses as a headband thing….I remember a few years ago, I did that. Now that I look back on that, I know what you mean about how wrong that is!
As for the running shoes……I wear them out quite a bit because I’m always running around somewhere with students, errands, etc. I do, however, have a great collection of cute shoes that Iwear when not doing said activities! :)
Oh, you must, must,must continue to post fashion do’s and don’ts. Please make it a regular thing. You should be paid to be a fashion guru like that fashion consultant from What not to Wear! I love her!