17 COMMON FASHION MISTAKES AND MISCONCEPTIONS

Ok so listen up, this list is just things that are common misconceptions not stuff that will land you on the worst dressed page. So if you think they resonate with your style then please continue.

You Believe White Shouldn’t Be Worn In The Day

Ladies, listen up: This is an antiquated rule that shouldn’t be followed. As countless designers and fashion stars have proven during the past few seasons, white is not only appropriate when the weather turns chilly, but it’s also amazingly fresh and modern. One thing to keep in mind when tackling the white-in-winter trend: It’s all about the fabric. Lighter textiles such as white cotton, linen, canvas, and seersucker will look out of place during fall and winter, so be sure you’re reaching for white wool, cashmere, fur, mohair, flannel, silk, and leather.

You Always Buy the Same Size in Clothes

As any woman who’s shopped high-fashion and fast-fashion knows, sizing can vary tremendously according to store, brand, and item. Cheaper clothing typically runs way bigger, making it common for a woman to wear, say, a size Large at Forever 21, but still be a size 2 in Stella McCartney. Don’t sweat the number—pay attention to how things look on your body instead.

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 could run the risk of making you look like you’re both in costume and 10 years older.

You Believe Tall Women Shouldn’t Wear Heels

This mandate isn’t only silly, but a little sexist, too. Stemming from a whole bunch of antiquated notions—including abundant height isn’t feminine, and a woman shouldn’t draw extra attention to herself—this rule is one no woman should ever follow if she doesn’t want to. We know plenty of women who are six feet tall and still rock killer heels with grace (ahem, Jenna Lyons, Charlize Theron, Michelle Obama, Karlie Kloss….)

You Shop for Instagram

We hate to assume you’d buy anything simply so people know you own it, but such is the world in which we live. Are you buying that Balenciaga bag because you really, really love it, or because you want others to know you bought it? If you buy those Jimmy Choo pumps, will you be able to truly enjoy them without posting them to social media? If the answer is no, you might have some thinking

to do about your shopping habits.

You Think You Can Only Wear One Bold Color at a Time

If we’ve learned anything from the recent color-blocking phenom, it’s that a bold, saturated hue can look even better when paired with another bold, saturated hue. Wearing an emerald-green silk blouse? Don’t be afraid to wear those fuchsia suede heels or carry that sunny yellow leather clutch—you’ll look super-modern.

You Think Sweatshirts Are Strictly Casual Wear

Once strictly for athletes, gym-goers, and errand-runners, the humble sweatshirt has risen to become a very stylish staple. Need proof? Top designers like Kenzo, Phillip Lim, Cynthia Rowley, and Karen Walker have been showcasing versions that are embellished and printed, while street-style stars started pairing their sweatshirts with swingy skirts, skinny trousers, and statement necklaces. And we’re not only taking about designer versions, either—your old heather-gray Hanes sweatshirt will do the trick nicely.

You Think Mixed Prints Are Way Too Busy

Actually, mixed prints can look extremely fresh, and elevate your look from ordinary to street-style ready in no time. Style pros know that anything goes when it comes to melding motifs (florals with stripes! polka dots with Ikat!), but beginners should start with this tip: Treating leopard or camo (or both) like neutrals is the easiest way to break into pattern mixing. Whatever colored print you choose, add a leopard or camo belt, shoe, bag, blouse, or anything else.

You Think Faux Diamonds Are a Faux Pas

While fake designer bags are a huge don’t, fake diamond studs in a reasonable size are a huge do. Why? Because faux stones are hard to spot to the untrained eye.

You Believe Loose Styles Flatter Plus-Size Women Most

It’s a myth that loose, flowy styles flatter a large bust or a plus-size woman. The area just under the bust is a woman’s smallest torso measurement, so emphasizing it with a structured waistband that hits higher than your natural waist will make you look a size smaller.

You Think Sequins Can’t Be Worn During the Day

 A modern trick to looking like the most effortlessly stylish girl on the street: Pair dressy bottoms like a beaded skirt, or sequin pants) with casual staples like a white shirt, a gray crew-neck sweatshirt, or a black blazer. Likewise, choose tops with sequin detailing, and pair them with boyfriend jeans.

You Swore You’d Never Wear Sweatpants Outside the House

As recent sportif trends have showcased, a well-fitting pair of track pants can actually look very cool when paired with things like peep-toe booties or heels, and a structured blazer.

You Think Clutches Are Only for Nighttime

It seems the after-hours staple is fast moving into daylight, as we’ve been spotting countless influencers using small, strap-free bags during the day at Fashion Week, on various style blogs, and right here in New York City on any given day. While some are fairly casual, like oversized leather clutches, others are dressy (i.e., shiny gold clutches and beaded clutch bags), and all look fabulous with things like faded boyfriend jeans.

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 (a huge trend for fall), and the rise of top bloggers and fashion insiders rocking sporty Nikes, New Balance, and Adidas kicks with everything from sleek skirts to leather pants, it’s clear that when styled with dressier pieces, sneakers can add a modern twist to an outfit that’s not comprised solely of sweats.

You Believe Shorts Have No Place on the Fall and Winter

There’s something incredibly cool and fuss-free about rocking a pair of shorts in the winter paired with opaque black tights and ankle booties. Stay away from shorts in summery fabrics like eyelet and cotton, but go ahead and rock shorts made from leather, wool, jacquard, even denim cutoffs, which offer a nice change of pace from skirts when paired with boots, tights, and a chunky sweater come fall and winter.

You Think Long Hair Makes You More Attractive

This is a biggie: Far too many independent women want to experiment with new hairstyles, but believe that a mane of long hair makes them more attractive to themselves and to men. First of all, some of the most beautiful women in the world, including Scarlett Johansson, Beyoncé, and supermodel JourdanDunn have embraced sexy chops. Secondly, not every woman was born to have super-long hair. In fact, many women end up looking better with a cut that better showcases her features.  Not to mention, shorter lengths can also make petite girls look taller, and curvier girls slimmer.

You Take Fashion Lists to Heart

This particular list is meant to be empowering. Lists that tell you all the things you need to throw away before you hit 30 are just a cheap ploy. And they’re untrue! A list like that might say you can’t wear ultra low-rise jeans in your ’30s, but hello—look as Isabel Marant! The French designer pretty much exclusively sends super-low jeans down the runway. Sure, they’re styled in a more modern way than the low-riders of the early aughts, but they’re still low-waisted jeans; so doesn’t it seem silly to rule them out because a list tells you to?

Age-appropriate styling is really what you should be following, which means knowing how to take pieces you like and making them look chic without being trendy, comfy without being messy, and vaguely sexy without being overt.