Fashion is an exciting and colourful field that permeates every facet of a person’s life. This is a no-brainer because clothing is one of humanity’s most essential needs. In terms of styling, some people consider themselves fashion enthusiasts while others simply go with the flow on whatever’s available. Indeed, good styling is in the eyes of the beholder, but there are a couple of general recommendations that everyone—fashion-forward or not—should keep in mind.
Staying on top of some fashion do’s and don’ts can help you look your best and avoid the common pitfalls in dressing up and organising your wardrobe. To get you started, listed below are some of the most common fashion-related mistakes that people tend to make. Bearing them in mind will not only help you elevate your daily wear but also help you stay on top of managing your closet and resources.
Mistake 1: Not Knowing Your Body Shape
This is a common tip that every fashion expert says, but it needs reiterating. Always dress for your body shape, or more accurately, always dress for your body. This means that you should always take into consideration your body’s shape, skin tone, and proportions when you’re picking out clothes.
Some clothes look better on some body shapes than others. Some colours look more vibrant and inviting on some skin tones and others. Other clothing styles, like high-waisted jeans, work better for other body proportions. The trick is to find what works for you and to stick to these effective clothing styles, colours, and cuts.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t experiment with other kinds of clothes anymore. It simply means that you’re setting a strong foundation for your styling, and you’ll have a better idea of how to incorporate different kinds of garments because you already know what works for you. For example, why wear jean leggings that are low-waisted when you know high-waisted cuts look better on your bottom half?
When you know what works for you, you will have an easier time picking clothes and allocating your resources because you already have a set of parameters you can use as a reference.
Mistake 2: Following Too Many Trends
Most people today use social media, which makes it easy for them to stay up to date with the latest fashion trends. While it’s fun to take note of what’s hot and what’s not, remember that you don’t need to jump into these trends all the time.
For example, you might see those viral videos showcasing a particular type of dress are circulating on your social media feeds. If you consider yourself a fashionable person, you might feel pressured to buy the dress and join the hype. However, before checking the item out, take a step back and assess the dress first. Does it fit you? Does it mesh well with the rest of your wardrobe? Do you actually like the dress or are you only buying it because it’s trendy?
Having a couple of trendy pieces is not bad. You can purchase a couple of seasonal pieces and rotate your closet as needed. However, jumping into too many trends—or worse, mixing trends thoughtlessly—can be detrimental to your style and cost you a lot of money in the process as well.
Mistake 3: Wearing Ill-Fitting Items
Once you have a better idea of which types of clothes look best on you, the next phase is to make sure that they fit you properly. Clothes that are too tight or too baggy not only look awkward but can make you feel uncomfortable as well.
There are a couple of things you can do to amend the trap of wearing ill-fitting clothes all the time. Firstly, purchase clothes that are only slightly larger than your size. This will help address concerns of shrinkage in the dryer and allow you to move more freely as well.
Secondly, have your clothes tailored. Clothes today are mass-produced and are made to fit certain body shapes better. Hence, they usually need a little bit of altering to make them fit you well. Taking the time to have your clothes altered will help ensure that you look your best in them, which means you make the most out of your purchase.
Mistake 4: Holding on to Clothes You Don’t Use
You most likely have a bunch of clothes in your closet that you don’t use. These are the clothes you’ve only worn for one occasion, the trendy pieces you bought to join the hype, or items that don’t really suit you but couldn’t resist getting because they were on sale. You might also have some old clothes you used to love but no longer fit into.
The general rule of thumb when organising a wardrobe is to let go of pieces that you no longer use. Of course, there are bound to be a couple of sentimental pieces you’ll want to keep, but your closet cannot be an archive for these memories. It’s best to store sentimental pieces in archival boxes and reserve your closet space for your daily wear. In this manner, you’re not only saving on space but making it easier to pick out clothes you can actually wear.
Mistake 5: Buying Clothes for One-Time Use
The inclination to buy something new for an event, such as a reunion or a birthday, can be hard to resist. It’s understandable to want to look different and fresh on what you consider a special occasion. However, unless you’re dressing up for a remarkably special experience (e.g., your wedding), it’s difficult to justify the costs of buying clothes that you’ll only use once.
To put it into perspective, think of clothes as investments. They can cost a lot depending on the quality and brand, and so if you want to treat yourself to a really nice piece, you also want to be able to wear it multiple times to get a “return” on your investment. Moreover, consider how the pieces you’ll be wearing once can contribute to fashion waste, which is already a big problem on a worldwide scale. When you take these factors into account, it becomes clear that buying new clothes you can’t wear repeatedly may not be worth it on the grander scale of things.
Instead of shopping for new clothes, consider thrifting or renting clothes instead. Many brands and stores offer these services, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
Mistake 6: Overlooking the Details Before Going Out
When it comes to picking out an outfit, it’s easy to become engrossed in the bigger pieces (the clothes) and overlook the details that tie the whole look together. Some of the things that people often forget to consider include having neat fingernails, pressing out creases in their clothes, and tidying their hair.
Polishing these areas not only makes you look more presentable but also shows the great care you put into dressing up. Attending to these tiny details also ensures that there aren’t any unpleasant elements that can detract from the attractiveness of your outfit. As such, taking the extra time to clean up these areas can go a long way.
Explore and Enjoy Fashion
If you’re not sure which types of clothes fit you best, this can be an incentive for you to get out there and try new clothes. You don’t need to spend a lot on shopping. See if you can borrow from a friend, rent from a store, or visit a thrift shop and score some deals. In many ways, finding your unique fashion style is also a journey of self-discovery because you learn more about your preferences and become more acquainted with your body. As you continue down this path, don’t forget to enjoy the experience.
