Fashion Faux Pas

Fashion can be a game of hit and miss, but with programs such as What not to wear and the array of amazing shops and designer boutiques you would think there would be more hits then misses, however this isn’t always the case. We all need a helping hand from time to time, even the ultimate material girl Madonna gets it wrong sometimes. As a fashion icon through generations you would expect continuous immaculate style and taste, but even she has walked the red carpet in outfits that make us question is it really hot or not?

Hit or Miss?

With so many fashion myths it's no wonder fashion faux pas are common. People think that an outfit has to match, however this isn’t the case. For those who find a comfort zone in wearing similar colours why not experiment with mixed shades but not the exact colour. Or if you are more daring using bold apposing colours will get you noticed and make you stand out from the crowd.

There are many no go areas in fashion, which can be confusing at times, however if you bear in mind some top tips you should step out in style every time you walk out the door. One of the most common fashion faux pas is too many colours- wearing too many colours draws attention but not in the right way. To keep things easy you should limit your outfit to a maximum number of three colours or shades to ensure your outfit in simple and sleek.

The colour theory encompasses a multitude of definitions, concepts and design applications, which if followed should ensure you choose colours that complement each other instead of suffocating each other. To help you breathe easy you should bear in mind that colours on the ‘colour wheel’ that are opposite each other are known as complementary colours, for example purple and yellow, or orange and blue. Colours adjacent to each other are called analogous colours, for example orange and yellow. When putting an outfit together stick to these types of colour matching options to ensure you always get the perfect look.

Too many patterns can be offensive to the eye and make you look like you have raided your mum’s closet, so choose wisely. The key is to wear no more than three patterns, or to match just one or two patterns with one solid colour. The solid colour will break up the pattern but also extenuate the colours within the design. Of course the easiest option is finding a pattern or design you like such as stripes and stick with it as one bold outfit. For a nautical look add gold or red accents to navy and white stripes for a traditional look to suit any season.

What to wear or what not to wear that is the question:

You might live a hectic lifestyle or have a frantic social life but that’s not excuse to wear busy t-shirts, resulting in a classic fashion faux pas. A well known no-go is camouflage t-shirts. There’s a time and a place for camouflage - typically when under enemy fire and/or on a military base, not walking down the high street.

The general rule is stick to t-shirts in solid colours or only two or three different colours. Also avoid garish designs and logos that will draw attention to you for all the wrong reasons. In the long run, simple colours will actually give you more mix-and-matching options with regards to jackets and cardigans.

The perfect harmony can be defined as a pleasing arrangement.  So ladies please arrange your outfit to adhere to the basic fashion principles - ensuring you look fabulous at all times!

- K.J.N -