The Outfit "Mistakes" I've Noticed During My 10-Year Fashion Career

As someone who's been a fashion editor for 10 years now (insane thinking about it), I’ve probably spent a trillion hours over the last decade talking about clothes. Yes, it’s always been part of my job to write, curate, and trend-forecast, but my sartorial curiosity continues once I log off from work as well. Aside from shopping in my personal life, I also consistently clock people's outfits wherever I am.

No, I’m not evil or a creeper (don’t go there), but given my “passion for fashion” (had to), personal style and unique ensembles, in general, pique my interest. While I’ve spotted a wide range of forward looks that I’ve often shared with you, dear readers, I’ve also encountered a smattering of ’fits that felt a bit off due to a styling “mistake.” Now, you should always style your pieces however the hell you want, but given my laser-focused attention to outfits, there are a few “blunders” I’ve noticed over the years that I’ve always thought could be avoided to keep an ensemble feeling fresh.

With that, I’m sharing four outfit mistakes below to perhaps inform your upcoming styling decisions. I also shopped out some of my favorite must-haves below based on visual inspiration of A+ ensembles for a little something extra. Muwah!

It may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised by the number of times I’ve noticed an ensemble that’s great in theory but could be even stronger with proper tailoring. Getting a blazer to fit you flawlessly or bringing up the hem on a pair of trousers may seem small, but the style impact is quite significant.

Shop tailored pieces:

Now, hear me out. I’m always one to have fun with accessories. It’s the simplest way to add character and personality to any outfit. But I do believe that you can go overboard. Remember Coco Chanel’s advice, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” Rather than going for a hat, layered necklaces, bangles, stacked rings, a belt, a bag, etc., consider just a few of those pieces for a more streamlined vibe.

Shop statement accessories:

While I’m all about testing out new trends (clearly), I’m a proponent of finding ways to incorporate a new look into your existing personal style. So when someone I know forces a trend to fit in with everyone else, it irks me a bit. You do you.

Shop on-trend pieces:

There’s really no such thing as “dressing for your body type,” because you should wear whatever makes you most comfortable. That said, it’s never a bad idea to keep proportions in mind when you’re getting dressed. For example, rather than going for a looser jumpsuit as is, consider adding a belt to enhance the silhouette, like this perfect look here.

Shop pieces to play with proportions:

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.