FashBlog.com

You’re probably thinking that there since there are no firm “rules” when it comes to fashion anymore (like not wearing white shoes after Labor Day, or mixing prints), there can’t possibly be “mistakes.” Well, some things should be referred to as “offenses”, even though there really aren’t any fashion police!

Unlike some magazine articles that list what’s in and what’s out, I’m offering the following “offenses” for you to think about. The goal is that you don’t end up feeling uncomfortable, which is how any mistake usually affects a person.

The first offense is based on common sense, and that’s the failure of dressing for the weather. When you see a celebrity photographed on the Aspen ski slopes baring her midriff while wearing a ski jacket, what’s your first thought? Mine is, “Isn’t her stomach cold?” Trying to be provocative when it’s below freezing takes can be perceived as showing off. Since skin is not meant to be exposed to cold and snow, doing so takes the focus away from fashionable outerwear and places it on the woman’s intentions of why she’s doing it. Likewise are those who can’t wait to bundle up. Not long ago, magazines showed Tom Cruise and his family in New York in early October, donning scarves and gloves before the temperature dropped. The comments didn’t focus on their otherwise lovely attire, but on the absurdity of wearing winter accessories so early. The bottom line here is that trying to be fashionable should not make anyone unnecessarily hot or cold!

The next faux pas is in the same vein and concerns seasonal items. This could be in the form of too much holiday at one time, such as a Christmas sweater with a wreath pin, nutcracker earrings, and Santa charm bracelet…One focal point is always best. Remember that some “experts” say that a woman should not wear any more than 6 items of jewelry at any one time. (Wedding band sets count as one, as do a pair of earrings.) Plus, it’s good for those living in areas that enjoy 4 seasons to follow nature’s clues when it comes to dressing…warm, earthy colors in fall (not a pastel beach bag), soft colors in spring (save the brown cords) and footwear appropriate for winter snow. (The most fashionable shoes may not look or hold up well after a trek through slush, and your feet will feel like blocks of ice.)

And there’s the issue of co-ordination. Nowadays younger adults and teenagers vehemently eschew too much matching, and even gossip magazines have panned movie stars whose shoes are the same color as their dresses. (Although I think that’s harsh, considering the effort it must have taken to find just the right color-but that’s just my opinion.) Personally, I think a woman should aim for a level of co-ordination feels right to her. If you’ve grown up as a baby boomer, you’re probably used to matching shoes and purse colors, so if it makes you feel uncomfortable to forget this rule, don’t. If you love tying a dominant or favorite color into an outfit, including accessories, by all means do so. The thing you may wish to remember is that it may be worse to be off when matching colors, than to not match at all. In other words, if you want to wear a blue blouse with a blue sweater, it’s better if they’re the same hue instead of, say, royal and navy. The first will make the wearer appear that they’ve put some thought into how they chose their outfit; the second will make them look like they grabbed whatever was clean. Again, you may not really care, but it may be a bit jarring when you see yourself in a mirror, and that clashing could make you uncomfortable all day.

Finally, it should go without saying that wearing anything that’s stained, dirty, or unintentionally ripped is a clear fashion oversight because the wearer appears to be either careless or slovenly. This takes attention away from the clothing and puts it-negatively-on the woman's personal habits.

Consider fashion as a unique and fun expression of your personality, but do so in a manner that’s comfortable and flattering!