What's Your Fashion Faux Pas?

posted by shinyredthermos

Mar 18, 2008 2:22PM

uggs.

because its cold here.

ive almost completely abandoned the classic style for the leather riding boot, which keeps my legs warm but my toes freeze instead...

i am so so sick of them and so so open to any other shoe that will keep my toes and calves as warm. so if you have any suggestions...please.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 2:25PM

Peep toe heels with tights ! I only do it when partying, so most of the time people won't even notice... But i just love the contrast of a bright color peeping out of my shoes !

posted by syako

Mar 18, 2008 2:25PM

I do black and brown. Always. I used to tear people up in high school (secretly) for wearing black and brown. Sorry to all of them.

posted by Peter

Mar 18, 2008 2:26PM

I wear black flip flops, the ones from teva that are really smushy and comfortable... I could go hiking in them (sometimes I do). They're pretty ugly but I keep on getting them.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 2:33PM

hoodies. all the time. to work. to the gym. to dinner.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 2:33PM

Black and brown, black and navy, cream and white... I also have a pair of navy galoshes that are perfect (in my eyes) for my city's slushy quazi spring. Especially with skinny bright blue jeans n a black turtle neck. I love playing with shades.
If layering long sleeves with bare legs is a faux pas then I'm a sucker for that too!

posted by syako

Mar 18, 2008 2:35PM

and natalie, I LOVE shorts and tights! :)

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 2:36PM

i throw on a salt-n-pepper american apparel hoodie over everything. it's like my security blanket, or something. i wonder what my therapist would say...

posted by chartreusegirl

Mar 18, 2008 2:42PM

Thigh high legwarmers over skinny jeans. I know, I know. But at least my knees are warm.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 2:46PM

black and navy is very chanel, how is that a fashion faux pas?

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 2:48PM

Boots in the summer =(

posted by FWD

Mar 18, 2008 2:49PM

Side ponytails are bad? Oh snap, they've got me on that one.

I wear 80s cartoon T-shirts unironically.

posted by Lala

Mar 18, 2008 2:49PM

Oh pleasee how limiting, there is no such thing!
When it comes to fashion i wear what i want when i want where i want!

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 2:49PM

Let me say, many of the above "faux pas" don't seem bad to me -- they still seem stylish (excepting the Tevas ;)

Me? This is a real faux pas, and I cringe when I commit it: I wear sneakers to work and then change into my ballet flats! Horrendous, I know. But I'm commuting to work on foot (or at least partially on foot); I don't hop in a car and just drive. That would be easy. So both to preserve the shoe and protect it from the weather, I wear a sneaker or rain boot to/from the office. I'm mentally thinking "ugh" when I do so... surely this isn't good for my self-esteem and maybe I should look into a more stylish commuting shoe...

posted by hyst

Mar 18, 2008 2:58PM

slightly O/T but I think that Lindsay Lohan legging thing may be tangentially related to that Ashton Kutcher prank show?

as for faux pas - i do all the weird mixing colors that you "shouldn't," Shorts and tights, silver with gold etc...

posted by LauraMilli

Mar 18, 2008 3:05PM

I do shorts and tights, as well as mixing gold and silver jewelry. I wear two dainty bracelets on my left wrist every single day: "one is silver and the other's gold."

posted by syako

Mar 18, 2008 3:06PM

guest @ 249 don't be ashamed. I commend you for being so eco-friendly and I will NOT judge you on your sneakers! keep on keepin on.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 3:06PM

I definitely do the black with brown thing a lot.

posted by chic3

Mar 18, 2008 3:10PM

My bras and panties NEVER match... whateves...
and yes, I too rock the side ponytail occasionally.
Oh yeah, and I still sport some kors studded clogs circa three years ago.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 3:13PM

my two tone almond-blonde hair...
just cant decide one of them

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 3:18PM

Red and Pink
:(
It doesn't look that bad... does it?

posted by mpw

Mar 18, 2008 3:22PM

Glad to see lots of other people rock the brown and black-- after all, who doesn't enjoy a nice Black & Tan?

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 3:34PM

I don't think cutoff leggings were a hit in 2003 as much as 2005-06. In 2003, we were all still wearing off-the-shoulder shirts.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 3:41PM

yeah..black & brown. I will never forget those Ms Moss´s kind of riding boots...
humm, black and brown

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 3:43PM

I've always felt certain tones of gold and silver jewelry actually compliment each other... I like to mix my skinny bangles, I think it gives them a gypsy or like roman goddess kinda look..

posted by TyTy

Mar 18, 2008 3:47PM

I wear black and brown a lot and I look gorgeous always.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 3:52PM

I always wear black and navy. I think it can look quite chic. Yet I'm always paranoid that people are judging me for it. People stare they really do.

posted by misshoax

Mar 18, 2008 3:58PM

people judge over black and navy? oh shit. i love it and wear it all the time.

um, i still do the hair bump when i wear my hair in a ponytail. i've got curly hair; thus two hairstyles: down when clean, ponytail when not. it's soooo 2004.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 4:01PM

i think it's funny everyone is listing their faux pas under "guest" - even me!!! i don't want anyone to know that i will never part with my warm uggs...:)

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 4:02PM

leggings a la lalohan

posted by leia

Mar 18, 2008 4:03PM

I hate when my shoes and bag match. I can't ever wear the same color on both!

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 4:04PM

jewelry.

I know that jewelry adds a lot to an outfit and can be described as fundamental and crucial to fashion. Each different outfit calls for different jewelry, different occasions, different colors. For some reason, I am reluctant to change my jewelry with each outfit.

I love my pearls, they match with everything and add an essential part of my style to my different outfits everyday. whether it be on the boat in poko pano, in a city in ralph leather boots, or at night in marc pumps, I really feel that my pearls bring "ME" to my outfit. I also genuinely believe that they make all girls look more beautiful, even though I'm not sure if this belief is stemmed from the actual contrast between the skin color and the shinny white ball, or from pure custom.

ALSO, on my left hand, I always wear a watch (for some reason I do change the type of watch with occasion, cartier everyday, swatch for the beach, gold for pumas, plastic for the gym) my hair bands ( yes, I know this is a faux pas on a whole different level, but in this case lets ignore it and emphasize the fact that they're always in a subtle shade of brown), and a few worn out bracelets and bangles. Most importantly among the collection on my left hand is a ribbon I tied on a long time ago with the flag of Costa Rica, my native country. This again, I feel adds "ME" to my outfit. I met the Queen of England last summer at one of her garden parties, worn Christian Lacroix but didn't take of my ribbon, did she think major fashion faux pas or get"ME"?

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 4:04PM

leggings are 2005-2006 dont try to seem cooler than you are. people @ fashionista still wear wayfarers.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 4:08PM

I'm the master at making black and brown work - especially when it's laundry day.

My faux pas would have to be the one where you should take off one accessory before leaving the house.

I tend to wear three or four necklaces at a time. When I go out - it's about 5 necklaces, 2 bracelets and an extra ring (I wear 2 rings at all times). Oh, and a headband. In the summer, add sunglasses.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 4:10PM

guest at 4:04 p.m. - i think your faux pas is name dropping and talking about yourself too much.

posted by anonymoose

Mar 18, 2008 4:15PM

i haven't been doing this too much lately but i used to have seriously matchy matchy accessories. i have some kind of crazy eye for color that enabled me to end up with a watch, hair clips for my bangs, eyeliner, and vintage pumps all in pretty much the exact same shade of electric blue but all bought at different places at different times. i wouldn't wear it ALL at once (for example, i'd put on a black t-shirt that had an electric blue print on it and wear either the same color hair clip or the pumps but not both). this would happen to me with several different colors, but i would call it more of a quirk than a faux pas.

posted by laney

Mar 18, 2008 4:18PM

shorts and tights forever. white shoes, black stockings all winter long.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 4:27PM

My fashion faux pas is my consistent refusal to follow conventional fashion trends. Set the trend always and you remain forever stylish. I don't believe there are any fashion faux pas. The greatest names in fashion today had their own style which many considered as faux pas. Case in point Isabella Blow! God rest her soul

posted by etoilee8

Mar 18, 2008 4:38PM

I am guilty of wearing brown and black together. I also wear (gasp) Birkenstocks. . . to the grocery store. . . the clogs. They feel so awesome on, I got addicted in high school and now I'm just sold for life. (As is my father, which is perfectly acceptable for him but not so acceptable for me). Forgive me fashion. . .

posted by Jacqueminette

Mar 18, 2008 4:43PM

Anonymoose-

I did (and still do) the same thing with robin's egg blue. And Hermès orange. And rossa corso. And aubergine.

Also: I rock brown with black like there's no tomorrow.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 4:44PM

I have a favorite loose brown gap shirt I got that's SOO comfy for wearing on a summer day, and I always pair it with my favorite black bcbg hoodie, the zipper is a nice bronze that goes with it.. I also have brown glasses and almost always wear black hoodies.. /shrug

As someone else was saying about having an "eye for color" every year when I'm adding some select pieces to my wardrobe to make it a lil more with the times I always seem to have an unconscious palette in mind, so after I'm done with a couple weeks of shopping and I lay it all out on my bed, all the clothes have some weird color ties.. two summers ago it was black and brown, and last year it was turquoise and lime, and this year it seems to be more rich colors in blues and greens and purples.. idk, hopefully one day they do a study to explain it all to me, lol (and speaking of summer, why can't it be here already?!)

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 5:07PM

i love side ponytails... the sneakers with work clothes thing really bugs me... ballet flats can be just as comfortable to wear during a commute and you don't look like a middle age suburban secretary.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 5:12PM

I mix gold and silver! I bought a f21 coat last winter for a dirt cheap $60. I needed to tailor it myself to fit me correctly (I am tiny), and I replaced the tacky plastic black buttons with oversized silver equestrian buttons down the front and gold buttons on the wrists. Not many people notice it, but I love the way they look.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 5:18PM

oh gosh i just realized that i've there's so many that i do.
like wearing uggs, leggings as pants, shorts and tights, i'm petite and i wear big baggy cloths (sometimes), and probably some more.

it's so sad.

posted by madelineXOX

Mar 18, 2008 5:32PM

I unfortunately wear leggings sometimes with a tunic or something, it's bad but I still like it. ;)
I rarely match I love bright colors with other bright colors and its boring to always see the same to colors.
And brown and black can look good depending on how you wear it.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 5:35PM

My pea-soup-green wellies are my friends as I commute to work, as I can't handle running down five flights of stairs to catch my parking garage shuttle that then takes me to the train station in any heel--fortunately living in New England has justified wearing them more often than not. And come warmer weather, I'll be living in flip flops and I don't care who's bothered by it.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 5:46PM

Dresses over pants...it's a holdover from when I lived in the UK and they actually sold pants with attached skirts at Topshop and New Look. (Which I never bought...too much, in my book.) With the right proportions and fabrics, it can actually look great.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 5:52PM

I've done the dress over jeans look. It's not that bad. The jeans are well fitted not loose and the dress is short so it can seem as though I'm wearing a tunic. I like it a lot.

Also, I bought a tunic and plan on wearing it as a short dress. Sue me.

posted by Fassion

Mar 18, 2008 6:14PM

Uggs, I guess. They are all over chocolate brown leather so you can only tell they're Uggs when i sit down and you see the metal name plate on the back. I also loooove my bling (real and faux). I only wear black with luggage/camel tan. And the navy and black thing I personally never do because I feel like it just looks like I don't have the black or blue piece/shoes in my wardrobe to match with the rest of the outfit. So i guess my other faux pas is being matchy-matchy to a certain extent.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 6:27PM

shorts and tights!

leggings--not cut off ones (although...this summer), but regular ones. Sorry, but I go the way of La Lohan. Too many cute long tops (not quite long enough to wear on their own or with tights) to care otherwise...

posted by soundsoldierxo

Mar 18, 2008 6:53PM

I go to a catholic highschool, with a uniform. So we have to wear black dress shoes. I wear a really nice pair of black flats. But I don't want to wear it outside. So, my faux pas is wearing my black & white lo-top converse with a dressy, wool double-breasted coat. I know!! But, I couldn't possibly ruin my flats with all the walking that I do.

posted by JennMSU

Mar 18, 2008 7:27PM

uggs because it's cold here in the winter, and in the summer i rock tan lines. i can't help it! i am out in the sun 5 hours a day and no amount of sunblock has yet to prevent tan lines. :(

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 7:36PM

boots worn YEAR ROUND!!! (worn with visible knee socks to make it worse)

oh and denim jackets

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 7:40PM

a polar fleece (that hideous material always made into hideous fashions) underneath my pea coat when it is really cold... its just so warm.

never sink to the level of uggs if you care about being at all fashion minded or original... never...

posted by porscha

Mar 18, 2008 8:32PM

leggings. i just can't quit them.

posted by johnhenry

Mar 18, 2008 9:13PM

i wear tapered levis. they are directly from the 80s and belonged to my father, they make me feel killer and i don't care if i look dated or tasteless, i rock them ironically, with wayfarers and colours that only exist at american apparel

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 9:34PM

it's finals week right now and i think i've hit every college-themed faux pas known to man. i have a nasty t-shirt on, athletic shorts, flip flops, my hair is in a side braid WITH a headband, and no one knows when i showered last. oh my god, i didn't realize how bad it was until i committed to typing it out. oh, and i am definitely rocking the hairtie-around-the-wrist thing. y'know, in case my side braid gets loose.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 10:06PM

I rock the side pony tail, regularly. I also mix tons of bright colors and think Britney never matches, why should I?

posted by poseur

Mar 18, 2008 10:38PM

some people can do really tasteful gold silver combinations that are effortless.

I probably do tons of faux pas but can't stand men who wear white socks.

posted by guest

Mar 18, 2008 11:41PM

I'm so glad to see others are doing the black and brown thing. I used to hate it, and even made fun of people for it. After I bought the cutest jacket that is in fact black and brown, I got over myself. Now when people say something about me wearing black and brown, I just show them my jacket. ;-)

p.s. I always rock the hairtie on the wrist thing. My hair is really curly and frizzy, so I'd rather have it under control at all times.

posted by guest

Mar 19, 2008 12:09AM

I must condemn people who wear black and navy, it just doesn't work! Although, I did rock my black boots with a brown skirt and no tights, only once though! Bare legs all year round is something I have always done though. It is Southern California after all, I just can't help but wear to shorts and spring dresses in February :)

posted by guest

Mar 19, 2008 12:16AM

okay...so black and navy is my school uniform, so if it's really a huge "faux-pas" then tell it to the administration. i also do shorts with tights, and i do have some *gasp* cut off leggings, but they're an electric blue i bought from TopShop last year that i absolutely love. oh, i also wear uggs- eeek! but only when it's super cold!

posted by guest

Mar 19, 2008 1:50AM

- My bra and panties never ever match.
- I love flip flops. I live in a tropical country anyways.
- I wear black tights with bright peep toe yellow flats, which seems to irritate my sister but I love it.
- I do wear shorts and tights.
- I Clash prints and colors. I don't think it's tacky if you pair them up nicely.
- I only wear Argyle socks. Like srsly.
- My bags, shoes, jewelry and accessories never seem to match. The only thing I match is my earrings.

posted by guest

Mar 19, 2008 4:18AM

I love tacky accessories. Like, have an unhealthy knack for finding the most over the top, ugly cute accessories. All of my earrings are enormous, most of them are shiny, and some are clanky. Necklaces are the same way--my favorite (and most complimented!) is one I made in third grade, out of brass colored safety pins with multicolored seed beads attached, alternating with brass colored swivel hooks.

Also, I have this fabulous pair of boots that hit at midcalf and are that suede type material on the bottom and fur on the top, with straps made of the bottom material. They're hilariously tacky, but I love them since I live in SD and MN and it's horrifically cold in the winter.

posted by studioQ

Mar 19, 2008 10:47AM

Baggy, wide leg, too long pants. Yes, they need altering. Yes, they're a few sizes to large. But they look awesome and are part of my power look with platform heels and fitted jackets and cardigans.

posted by southweststyle

Mar 19, 2008 10:56AM

dirty hair! i wear it half up or all up when I wake up late! i think no one can tell but who knows.

and black and navy are no faux pas...we just shot a black and navy DVF wrap dress for our April issue and it was stunning.

posted by guest

Mar 19, 2008 11:07AM

-Uggs in the winter when it's super cold outside
-Brown and black
- Leggings a la Lilo
-black thick tights or black lace tights with white sandals and a white dress;
-white pants way past labour day: until it snows or gets too muddy

posted by studioQ

Mar 19, 2008 11:47AM

Oh, and matchy matchy is how I roll.

posted by Softel

Mar 19, 2008 12:15PM

*cringe* is it so bad?! I rock white pants pretty much all year round... I think its more than safe when I'm in RSA, but perhaps not so much when I'm on this side of the world?!

posted by guest

Mar 19, 2008 7:25PM

Okay people, enough with the half-hearted justifications as to why you HAVE to wear Uggs just because they're warm. It's not that I'm without my own fashion faux pas (I'm an idiot when it comes to accessorizing so I basically just don't), but if my friends and I can survive frigid -30 degree Canadian winters sans Uggs, than you can too.
-gigi

posted by guest

Mar 19, 2008 11:08PM

im a sucker for uggs.. i have 12 pairs, all different colours/sizes/types, though. i usually keep a pair in my car to wear if i get cold or whatnot. i cant help it. i love them to death [some of them even have holes in the toes they are so old, eek].

i didnt really think the whole hair band around the wrist was a faux-pas, but i guess it is? either way, i wear one all the time mainly because my hair has a mind of its own sometimes and i need to pull it back, esp since i am an art major.

i guess my other faux pas is that ive been carrying around a brown leather michael kors purse off and on for about two years now. sometimes i dont bother changing it if i wear black. it my fave and its huge, its my life. oh and i guess my last one would be brown belt with black.. yeah.. sorry, sometimes im too lazy/ cant find my black belt in time to change. le sigh.

posted by guest

Mar 20, 2008 10:23AM

Natalie - no worries, I'm studying in Spain for the semester and women here are OBSESSED with shorts and tights. Okay, not that I'm pretending Spain is the fashion capital of the world, not even on the map, but after being here for a few months already, I think it deserves a bit more attention. Women NEVER leave the house unless they are completely done up. If nothing else can be said for Spain, Spanish women have complete fashion discipline.

posted by guest

Mar 20, 2008 10:59PM

I mix patterns all the time. Like right now, I'm wearing a sweater coat, red striped t-shirt, and a Burberry scarf (it's a pink plaid).

I'm not sure how faux pas this is, but I realized that most of my wardrobe is red, white, and blue. And yes, I wear it together. Essentially, my entire wardrobe matches itself; I can wear almost everything together.

On rainy days, I've been known to wear the headscarf/babushka. It prevents frizz, actually.

Speaking of hair, I'm the queen of dirty hair. It looks disgusting 99% of the time.

posted by disneyrollergirl

Mar 21, 2008 11:53AM

Oh dear, mine is mutton-chic. I am continually drawn to Hello Kitty accessories, smiley-face prints and kitschy cutesy stuff that is so not age-appropriate. I know I shouldn't care and I don't really but sometimes I have to stop myself from buying ANOTHER heart-shaped pendant when I'm well into my thirties...

posted by guest

Mar 27, 2008 11:28AM

I wear a giant clip in my hair... everyday. It's sort of my signature. All of my friends, whenever they pin or clip their hair back, think of me.

I used to use a hair scrunci instead of hair ties everyday for my pony tails.