Last week, I wrote about developing your own Signature Style. Since then, it has come to my attention that I also need to discuss self editing. Therefore, I will profile 4 of the worst offenders and their fashion personalities:
She’s Bringin’ Sexy Back
This describes the woman who always wears clothes that are either too tight or are ill fitting. The inspiration for this post occurred when I went to the
gym last weekend. A woman checking in ahead of me was wearing a very low-cut, flesh toned tank top in which her breasts looked like they were fighting to escape. The woman seemed to be oblivious that she needed to cover up. The Sexy Back gal doesn’t know what’s appropriate and where.
Fashion Tip: Get a professional fitting for a bra, Go up one size in your clothes and understand sexy is not looking slutty. You can wear clothes that bear a little cleavage, just not all of it. One other thing, keep the butt cheeks under wraps too while you’re at it. Think Salma Hayek when looking for a sexy style role model.
Pack Rat
A client of mine recently asked me what the basic expiration is for clothes. While not everything has an expiration date (i.e. vintage Chanel), in general, I would say about 2-3years. That does not include timeless well tailored basics like a white blouse, black pants or jacket. Understand that each year designers look for ways to update their collections to generate more sales for their companies. Prime examples are the changing lengths of skirts, shapes of shoes (think wedge or pointed toes) or cuts on collars.
So many of us keep things counting on the return of that fashion cycle. But consider this, chances are you will be too old to wear that trend the next time it comes back around the fashion merry-go-round.
Back in the 80’s, fluorescent T-Shirts, skinny jeans and half tops were considered really stylish. That was 28 years ago. Imagine how stupid I would look wearing a half top 28 years later (designer or otherwise).
Fashion Tip: You have to know when to let go. If it is showing signs of wear or you haven’t worn it in 2 years get rid of it. If you own quality jewelry or shoes from trends of yore, hold on to them and wear sparingly during the next cycle of that trend. But also think about it this way, do you really want to hold on to all that stuff for another 20+ years?
The Fashion Experiment
This is a woman who doesn’t like to play by the rules. She likes to use pieces that were never meant for the purpose she is intending. A prime example was the woman profiled on Buttercup Punch this week. She decided to wear a scarf for shirt (I doesn’t matter that it was a Chanel scarf). Consider your shape, wearing a scarf for a shirt will either make you look like you are waiting in line for a smorgasbord with your bib ready or a contestant on Survivor.
There’s also those women who don’t understand formal wear vs. casual wear. These ladies will put shoes that they wore in last summer’s wedding with a pair of shorts and casual top.
Fashion Tip: I embrace experimentation and so should you. That being said, if you don’t have anything clean to wear, do the laundry; don’t start experimenting with household objects. Try to step out of your comfort zone and try looks that you wouldn’t ordinarily. For example, try a little bit of color or a pattern that is in proportion to your size. It’s ok to try new things, but take it one piece at a time.
40 Going On 20
Did anyone see The Real Housewives of New York City? Do you remember Ramona? This woman’s young daughter had to tell her that she dresses too young. Ramona actually snuck a lingerie looking top out of the house so her daughter (who hid it) wouldn’t find out. How bad is that?
Fashion Tip:I understand that 50 is the new 30, but you need to check yourself if you are over a certain age and still visiting the Junior section. This is something that even I struggle with from time to time. I really like youthful fashion (I own Little “RED” Riding hood Chuck Taylors), but there is a line. As with the Fashion Experiment, you need to edit wisely. Once you enter a new decade for your age, you need to limit the number of trendy pieces you wear at once.
If you have any other Fashion Crime examples or better yet, pictures, feel free to leave a comment!
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Fashion Sensei 