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The fashion industry is perceived as a liberating world that encourages people to express their personality through clothes and accessories. From playful to professional, you can play a variety of characters depending on the outfits you choose to wear.

However, don’t be fooled by the apparent freedom you can gain from fashion.  Fashion is only liberating if you do it right. Otherwise, you might struggle to convey the right message through your outfit choices (I preach about this all the time!).  Consequently, fashion faux-pas, mishaps, and mistakes are commonly pointed out.  Many enthusiastic fashionistas feel somehow limited by the fear of criticism. The truth is that you don’t want people to comment negatively on your look – you’re human, after all!  Nevertheless, you shouldn’t let your Fear of Fashion Failure – the infamous FFF – prevent you from exploring the infinite possibilities of clothes.

Every fashion mistake you make is a lesson you can learn to improve your personal style. Nobody knows what works for them without testing. Trial and error is probably the quickest path to create looks that are unique and engaging.

But, you’re not on your own when it comes to experimenting with your clothes. As your Personal Stylist, I want to share some of the most common fashion mistakes and how to fix them.

Lesson #1: Don’t Buy Only From a Picture

Nowadays, e-commerce makes everything available to us in a matter of clicks.  Digital technology has revolutionized fashion shopping (I can personally attest to this!), so much in fact that a growing number of shoppers prefer to shop online instead of trying their outfits on in a brick and mortar store.  Because of this, you’re forced to rely entirely on what you see on the retailer’s website (or their apps), AKA pictures. This is where you’re likely to encounter your first stumble.

It’s not uncommon to discover that many clothes never look quite the same in-person than when in fashion photos – professional lighting, the model’s body type, and even the computer’s screen resolution can dramatically affect how fashion photos appear.  Also, many enthusiastic shoppers are convinced into purchasing an item on the basis of the photo. However, just because the outfit looks fabulous on a model, it doesn’t mean that it will necessarily suit your figure. A great example of this typical faux-pas is when it comes to buying stripes. While vertical stripes might look good on a model – who’s ultimately paid to achieve and maintain a slimmer figure – they can be unflattering on a more curvy body.  So, the lesson learned here is that before you add that coveted item to your shopping cart, take an extra moment to closely examine the cut and style of the garment and check the designer’s measurements against your body measurements to ensure a proper fit.

Lesson #2: When DIY Goes Wrong

Creating your own sense of fashion means taking risks, and, more often than not, building it up as you go.  When you’re surrounded by DIY and craft articles that teach you how to personalize your clothes, it’s fair to say that you might be tempted, one day, to give it a try.  As a rule of thumb, you should take time to familiarize yourself with any instructions and the products you’ve chosen to use.  For example, if you’re sewing a skirt (you can find plenty of beginner-friendly patterns online), it’s a good idea to sew a “first version” using a less expensive fabric to ensure that you avoid costly mistakes (if you make any!).  Here’s another good example…let’s say you’re totally DIYing your wardrobe and you want to add a cool, creative vinyl transfer to a favorite top.  It can be helpful to watch a few tutorial videos ahead of time to later avoid searching for tips on how to remove iron-on vinyl because you’ve applied it backwards onto your top, LOL. The thing about DIY is that you will make mistakes as you go along. But the right preparation can prevent many mistakes!

Lesson #3: The Dress That Makes You Look Sick

On the hanger, the dress looked fabulous.  But when it’s on you…not so much.  We’ve all been there!  One of the most important aspects to consider when dressing yourself (right up there with determining the right garment fit and shape for your body) is understanding the power of colors. Indeed, dressing for your skin tone is a delicate art that can make or break your outfit.  Picking the wrong color for your skin can make you look tired or even sickeningly pale depending on the clothes you’re wearing. As such, you need to explicitly define which skin tone category you fall into between warm, cool and neutral. Armed with this info, you’re guaranteed to select the best colors and shades that work for you and the best part is that it will give you an instant shot of radiance! If your skin has warm tones, your go-to colors consist of orange, red, warm green, and deep turquoise. However, if you’re cool, you should avoid these shades and focus on bright blue, lavender, and ruby.

Lesson #4: Your Shoes Hurt Too Much

Do beautiful shoes have to cause you pain?  Despite the fashion statement that you need to suffer to be pretty, in reality, if your shoes are hurting your feet, then you’re doing something wrong. As such, you should focus your attention on important details to make sure you’re avoiding unhealthy shoe mistakes. Start with the basics. Knowing only your shoe size isn’t enough. You should get your feet measured regularly, especially because they can change over time. Additionally, opt for shoes that comfortably support your arches – whether high or low.  A visit with a podiatrist may be on deck and can significantly improve your shoe pains.

Lesson #5: Quit Buying Clothes That Are Too Tight

It’s worth saying one more time – quit buying clothes that are too tight.  As a Personal Stylist, I spot offenders in this space every day.  It may be tempting to buy tight-fitted garments, or even uncomfortably tight clothes if you’re trying to lose weight. The idea is that your outfit is designed to act as motivation to keep you focused on your goal. However, wearing clothes that are too tight for you can lead to health issues – yes, it’s true! Also, your motivational purchases can backfire dramatically. Indeed, it’s best to go with an outfit that works for your current body instead of punishing yourself with something uncomfortable or even painful.  I cannot emphasize this enough!

Lesson #6: You Follow Every. Single. Trend.

Last, but not least, it’s difficult to resist the urge to purchase every new fashion trend. However, you need to remember that fashion is an extension of your personality. When you follow trends a bit too closely, you may risk losing your own unique style for a ready-made outfit that’s ‘in’ just for that season. I explain this in my semi-annual fashion trend report where I share what options you have that could be a natural extension of you.

All in all, don’t be afraid to take risks and experiment with fashion!  Ultimately making mistakes is, after all, the best learning process.  And the world doesn’t end either, right? 😉

What fashion mistakes have you made and what lessons have you learned?  Share in the comment section below!

Related Posts:

How to Develop Your Signature Style & Build a Wardrobe You Love

FREE 2018 Fall/Winter Style Trend Report

Stylishly Yours,

Roxanne XOXO

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Roxanne Carne is a recognized Personal Stylist & Personal Shopper styling women in Dallas, TX and virtually!  Visit www.roxannecarne.com to discover how she can help transform your wardrobe and transform your life!