How To Avoid Common Fashion Mistakes

Fashion plays an ever important part in our daily life, yet a few avoidable mistakes could turn a potentially fashionable person into a fashion disaster. The basic rule is NOT to follow fashion trends blindly.  Every person, whether a man or a woman, has different body type, complexion and personality that needs to be kept in mind while dressing.

A well shaped body can carry off much of the designs or styles that are in vogue. If you are slightly on the heavier side, then it would be wise to avoid certain cuts and falls that would accentuate your faults instead of highlighting your assets.

Colors should be chosen according to one’s complexion. Contrary to popular belief, light colors suit lighter skin tones whereas people with a dark skin tone should avoid them altogether as the contrast makes a dark skin look darker. Medium to dark shades are perfect for dark people as they accentuate the skin tone and lend a healthy glow. Too many colors would mar a dress and the wearer. If you do have to mix colors, keep it to a maximum of three to avoid looking, well, funny! Coordinated colors look best on any person.

The same goes for prints. Mixing too many types of prints is a fashion disaster. Keep to a single print for a fashionable look. If you have to mix, then go for a print with bold. For example, wear a printed shirt with a pair of trousers or a skirt with a bold color. Large people should avoid large prints at all costs as they accentuate the size of the wearer.  Also wear prints according to your age group and the occasion. A middle aged person would not look great in bright, fluorescent prints and you definitely don’t want to wear a Hawaiian shirt to work, especially a board meeting! Neither would you want to be seen in a Garfield tie at work!

Stripes are another fashion accessory that can add to your glam quotient if used carefully. A tall person would do well to wear asymmetrical stripes. A short person would do well to wear vertical stripes as it gives an illusion of height. Broader people should avoid horizontal stripes at all costs as they tend to lend breadth to a body. Needless to say, they work wonders for thin people.

Larger busts can be minimized by low ‘V’ shaped necks as well as scoop necks. These also add length to one’s neck. They should avoid high necks and turtlenecks as they add volume to breasts. Halters can be carried off by anyone with a well toned shoulder and arms. Same is the case with sleeveless and short sleeved shirts and dresses. These accentuate your shoulders, arms and neck and draw attention to them. Avoid them if you have heavy, bulky shoulders and arms and a short neck. Heavy arms can attain a slimmer look with a three quarter sleeve instead of a short or full length sleeve.

If you have short, stocky legs then it is better to avoid wearing short skirts and dresses however much they may be ‘in’ this season. Instead try sticking to A-line cuts which will add length and grace to your legs. Avoid low rise jeans as they too make short legs seem even shorter. Instead, opt for hamsters and slightly flared boot cuts and straight legs.

Tight fitting clothes look great as long as you have a great body to flaunt. It does not really add to your sex appeal if you have a tight fitting dress plastered over love handles. Or for that matter wearing super-tight jeans may make your thighs look like thunder-thighs and have the excess fat of your waist roll up and hang over your jeans like a padding of fat and it definitely would not look appealing to you or anyone else for that matter. Wear your size, no matter what it may be. That would help increase your ‘fashionista’ aura.

Last but not the least, wear the right size undergarments. A ‘show’ is not fashionable at all and you really don’t want to flaunt your innerwear brands, whether it’s a Victoria’s Secret or a Playboy! Bra straps and panty hemlines peeping from under your clothes looks tacky to say the least. Leave them for the music videos.