Table of Contents
Have you ever wondered if there are certain items of clothing you should avoid in specific situations and how you can better understand dress codes?
Whether you’re at your workplace, at a wedding, or working out, stylists say it’s best to leave some outfits at home.
So, save your crop tops for the weekend and consider swapping out your cocktail dress for something a little more formal the next time you attend a black-tie event.
To find out which items of clothing should be ditched, FEMAIL spoke to fashion experts about what they tell their customers to absolutely avoid.
“It’s important to have the knowledge to feel completely comfortable and confident in your appearance,” stylist Jasmine Mottley-Maddox told FEMAIL.
Stylist Jazmine Mottley-Maddoxbased in New Jersey, told FEMAIL: “Dress codes are more flexible today, as people recognize that style is a true extension of personality and narrative, so a person should not feel too limited”.
“However, there are times when you want to do a little research before heading out the door,” Jazmine said, mentioning “funerals, jury duty, black-tie events or glamorous red carpet galas,” which “all of them come with codes.” of clothing often tacit”. .’
“It’s important to have the knowledge to feel completely comfortable and confident with your appearance,” Jazmine advised.
Stylist and image consultant based in New York City Amanda Sanderswho has worked with celebrities like Chris Rock, Jennifer Coolidge and Gwyneth Paltrow, also weighed in on outfits to always avoid in specific scenarios.
gala wedding
Jazmine said one of the most important aspects of dressing for an event is reaching out to the host or friends to find out what people are wearing to “compare notes” and check guidelines.
‘If you have any questions about what to wear, check with the host of the event you are attending. After all, they will own the photographs forever,” Jazmine said.
For a black-tie event, Jazmine recommended staying away from “jeans, minidresses, wild prints, or club-style clothing, like tight or ‘freakum’ dresses.”
For a black-tie event, Jazmine advises staying away from club-style clothing, like Alix Earle’s strapless pink sequin minidress.
When it comes to attending a wedding, cutouts and hemlines that are too short are considered a fashion faux pas, according to Jazmine.
Instead of shorter dresses, Jazmine suggested a floor-length or tea-length dress for a black-tie wedding, like Anna Kendrick’s (above).
“This is usually not the occasion for a low-cut or crop top,” Jazmine warned.
Instead, Jazmine suggested a floor-length or tea-length dress, a smart pair of pants, or a well-tailored pantsuit.
And if you’re wondering if you can wear your favorite cocktail dress, it’s possible to make it more formal, as long as it’s not “too revealing or unsophisticated.”
Just keep in mind that there will be more long dresses, as that’s what the dress code requires, so Jazmine urges customers to “save the cocktail dress for a cocktail party.”
If you’re wearing something a little more casual, know that your footwear can help elevate your outfit.
“For a black-tie event, closed-toe or open-toe heels work,” Jazmine said. “Higher heels help elongate the legs and add a touch of glamour, but comfort is key.”
Don’t be afraid to get really excited, depending on the location.
“If the venue is glamorous, then by all means, go for the sequins and don’t forget a clutch,” Jazmine suggested.
Travel
Jazmine advises against ‘jumpsuits that make bathroom trips frustrating’, like this one worn by Dutch model Romee Strijd while traveling in France.
If you’re getting on a plane, it can be tempting to wear your most comfortable outfit, which works, as long as you can also wear it once you arrive at your destination.
But there are some clothes you should avoid while flying.
Jazmine advised against “overalls that make trips to the bathroom frustrating, fabrics that wrinkle or prevent sitting, jewelry that you’ll have to take off at security, and tight pants that you’ll be dying to unbutton.”
Instead, she recommended “breathable fabrics with comfortable details like drawstrings and layers, so it’s easy to adjust your wardrobe based on the ever-changing temperature as you cruise toward your destination.”
“Purchase thick compression socks, baseball caps or hats, scarves, and all-season jackets for added comfort,” Jazmine continued.
“Bonus points if any of the clothes you wear at the airport you can wear again later in your trip.”
The office
Jazmine says to avoid ‘tube tops (and) backless or off-the-shoulder looks that reveal a lot of skin,’ like the model Emily Ratajkowski is wearing on top.
Jazmine suggested sophisticated, well-tailored pieces, such as dark-wash denim and tailored suits that can be worn separately, of which French model Caroline de Maigret is a fan.
Even if your office is more casual, now is not the time to show off weekend clothes like sleeveless tops or bold graphic T-shirts.
Jazmine tells her clients to avoid “wrinkled clothing, fits that are too tight, t-shirts with offensive or potentially triggering messages, sleeveless tops, backless or off-the-shoulder looks that reveal a lot of skin” while in the office, no matter what it is. the official dress code.
According to the stylist, “plunging necklines, flip-flops or casual sneakers, low-rise pants, sheer details, super-short miniskirts or shorts, bra straps or visible lingerie, and distracting jewelry” are also prohibited.
Amanda Sanders, a stylist and image consultant based in New York City, offered her vision of fashion
Jazmine suggested sophisticated, well-tailored items, such as dark-wash denim, tailored suits that can be worn separately, modest dresses just below the knee, and sophisticated footwear, such as mules or loafers.
Amanda, who is a personal shopper for celebrity clients in New York City, explained that “leggings, sweatshirts, tank tops, anything strapless or spaghetti straps and backless are big no-nos for the office.”
“I’m also not a huge fan of jean shorts, or shorts in general for work; they’re just not appropriate in that environment,” Amanda continued.
“As I always say, dress for the job you want, not the job you have,” said Amanda, a television costume designer and wardrobe stylist.
And although sneakers are in fashion, Amanda believes that “casual sneakers are acceptable, but running or exercise sneakers are not.”
The gym
Make sure it’s comfortable, but don’t confuse comfort with worn-out clothing.
Jazmine recommended avoiding worn-out or flat sneakers like Converse.
Make sure your sports bras aren’t too worn out, as Jazmine said that can be “catastrophic.”
The expert said she’s seen some scandalous looks at the gym, including a bikini.
Instead of swimsuits, Jazmine suggested 100 percent cotton clothing “because those clothes absorb all the sweat.”
Jazmine recommended avoiding worn-out sneakers or flat sneakers like Converse (file image)
“When exercising, comfort, flexibility and breathability are essential in clothing,” insisted Amanda, of whom Khloe Kardashian is the perfect example.
“Most people will tell you to stay away from jewelry, but I never leave the house without mine,” Jazmine added.
“When exercising, comfort, flexibility and breathability are essential elements in clothing,” Amanda agreed.
“With this in mind, heels, jeans, boots, skirts, dresses and denim shorts should never be worn to the gym.”
“With all that movement you need to wear stretchy, light clothing that moves with you.”