You’ve seen the TikToks of “fashion icks” and articles detailing what you absolutely cannot be wearing this fall. Maybe you’ve seen Coco Chanel’s quotes about “dressing impeccably” or “removing one accessory before leaving the house.” And of course, there are the age-old fashion faux pas: the seemingly endless list of clothing items and combinations that instantly make your outfit “terrible!”
But, isn’t the point of fashion to express yourself and to use it as a creative outlet? Isn’t it counterintuitive, then, to create a list of things to avoid and to harbor negativity within fashion circles? Personally, I think all fashion “faux pas” can be stylish — but here are a few of my favorites (and the most controversial??!?!?!?!).
Socks and Sandals
Ah yes, socks and sandals: the first thing to mind when someone mentions fashion faux pas, with some people regarding it as the singular most effective way to ruin an outfit. But come on, socks and sandals are just *so* practical! You can wear your most comfortable shoes while still being able to show off your silly patterned socks, or hide a manicure (or lack thereof) gone wrong while still dressing for the warm weather.
Maybe I’m just projecting because my stubby, still-bruised, ex-dancer toes are absolutely *not* allowed to see the light of day and the only time I wear sandals is with socks—or maybe (definitely) I’m right!
With the rise of the coquette aesthetic, socks and sandals are slowly becoming stylish. Not the usual birkenstock-and-calf-length-sock combo (which is fire), but frilly socks with delicately patterned ballet slipper-esque shoes by Sandy Liang or Simone Rocha. If the coquette girlies didn’t break the fashion convention of not wearing socks and sandals, would they have still contributed to the success of a minority-owned fashion label like Sandy Liang or have slayed as hard as they do in general? I think not.
Bleached eyebrows
“But they make you look like you have no eyebrows! Bleached eyebrows are so ugly.” NOT! As polarizing as they are, I love bleached eyebrows so much! When done correctly, they highlight your face perfectly and are gorgeous on darker skin tones where there is more contrast between the skin and eyebrow. Eyebrow bleaching also gives the illusion of more eyelid space, which makes it easier to do more complex and heavy eye makeup, and generally draws more attention to the eyes.
Evocative of the 90’s and Y2K aesthetics (which are more of an amalgamation of current and past trends), bleached eyebrows are a unique, easy, and affordable way of experimenting and being your best self. Also, Bella Hadid had bleached eyebrows, which is reason enough for us all to bleach our eyebrows.
Low-waisted bottoms
Repeat after me: THEY ARE NOT UNFLATTERING. Low-waisted bottoms, contrary to popular belief, look *so* good on all body types and you do not need to have a certain body type to pull them off. For my short torso girlies (or anyone), low-waisted bottoms elongate your torso, making it the perfect pair with crop tops or tight-fitting tops. Although they can be… logistically difficult (i.e. sitting down and having your bottoms gap and expose your skin), low-waisted bottoms are not just a fashion trend, but an homage to body neutrality and loving your body regardless of what it looks like.
The last time low-waisted bottoms were trendy was during the late 90’s and early 2000’s—which was also the peak of toxic diet culture and the “heroin chic” aesthetic. Now, as conversations about body neutrality and diet culture begin to permeate fashion circles, low-waisted jeans are less of an “exclusive item” unlocked by having a certain body type and are instead a way to empower oneself. Showing off copious amounts of skin and midriff regardless of body type is what makes low-waisted bottoms not only fashionable, but a genuine statement.
Over-accessorizing
Contrary to Coco Chanel’s quote, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off,” I look in the mirror and put two things on before leaving my dorm. If I’m not blinding everyone with necklace and ring stacks that are as heavy as Ice Spice’s chain, I don’t want it. Over-accessorizing adds a personal and unique flair to outfits, and can turn something more basic and “boring” to something on a Pinterest board labeled “fits 💋.”
Over-accessorizing can also make unflattering clothes look like they were tailored to fit you! An ill-fitting dress, for example, can be fixed with a ton of layering: a chunky belt to cinch in the waist and add visual interest, some necklaces to draw attention upwards for more balance, hair accessories and earrings to frame the face, a leather jacket, and some cute shoes can be added for a super cute, blokette-core look.
Final thoughts
It’s tiring to feel confined to a set of rules that you must avoid at all costs if you want to be “pretty” or “fashionable.” Fashion and style is about having fun and wearing what makes you confident, despite what people have to say about it. And anyways, defiance breeds innovation (which is why fashion is doing so well right now) — you might just start the next fashion trend by breaking the “fashion cardinal rules.”