What is considered a fashion faux pas today can become stylishly acceptable sooner than you think. There are so many examples of this phenomenon that it’s almost comical how fashion moves from one extreme to the other. 

Many decades ago it was considered poor style for a woman to be suntanned, to wear black, or to sport trousers. My word, how fashion has changed. More recently, faux pas like wearing denim on denim, mixing patterns, combining navy with black or brown with black, pairing high vamped footwear with skirts and dresses, leaving off the pantyhose with skirts and dresses, and sporting more than one animal print item per ensemble have become fashionably acceptable. And just when you thought that wearing a very matchy-matchy look was frumpy, it becomes on trend.

It’s a tricky business when faux pas become fashion because this means readjusting our style perceptions. Sometimes we adjust no problem, but it can also be hard. And sometimes we don’t adjust at all.

For example, I never thought that combining black and brown was a faux pas, so that adjustment was a non-issue. I have always liked the look of subtle pattern mixing, so I quickly began to appreciate more advanced pattern mixing. I was initially a little resistant of the denim on denim trend, but soon began to love the possibilities with my denim shirt.

There were adjustments that were harder for me. It took longer for me to appreciate the effect of wearing two similar animal print items like a belt and shoes in one outfit. And although it is hard to imagine now, when skinny jeans became fashionable about seven years ago, I initially battled to readjust my style perceptions. Presently I am still adjusting to the whole phenomenon of stylishly messy hair when it’s long and straight.

Over to you. Have you found it hard to readjust when a faux pas becomes fashion?

Cropped pants and midi skirts are very on trend. But this poll is not just about those trouser and skirt silhouettes. We’ll extend the poll to include ALL styles of non-denim trousers and skirts. 

You are on Team Trousers if you prefer to wear trousers over skirts. You are on Team Skirt if you prefer to wear skirts over trousers. Note that trousers does NOT mean jeans. 

If you asked me this question two years ago, it would have been Team Skirts all the way. I just didn’t wear trousers unless they were jeans. However, I started getting bored of my pencil skirts and I didn’t have any full skirts (only dresses with full skirts). I’ve accumulated a few full silhouettes which has rekindled my love for skirts, AND I’m back to wearing pencil skirts after giving them a bit of a break. But trousers are definitely my new wardrobe love and I’m having fun adding them into my style. I am all over ’80s inspired pleated and slouchy trouser styles as long as they aren’t cropped. I also love wearing black cigarette pants, silky harem pants, classic grey pinstriped suit trousers, micro check pants, tapered glen plaid trousers, and bright tartan skinnies. I am on Team Trousers. 

Over to you. Are you on Team Trousers or Team Skirt? Tell us why, and no batting for both sides.

Cropped trousers and jeans with lengths that finish just above the ankle, or a few inches above the ankle, started coming through in full force last year, both for Spring and Autumn. They are here again with even greater gusto this year. And after recently viewing the Fall collections at fashion week, it is clear to me that these cropped lengths are sticking around. 

I have repeatedly shared my apprehension about this particular length of cropped trouser and jean, and it’s still there. My eyes are not poisoned against the silhouette, but I do find it extremely hard to pull off with style. My suggestion is to proceed with caution. They can shorten the leg line — even on a tall and leggy model — and to my eye this is unflattering. Of course, if creating a long leg line is not your figure flattering priority, the silhouette will be less of a concern. Personally I strive to create a long leg line with my own outfits because I think the proportions look more attractive that way. 

That being said, you can create a long leg line with cropped trousers and jeans (here are my guidelines) . Revealing the ankle bone is alluring and breezy, and I can see the appeal of this cropped length. You can also purchase cropped trousers or jeans and shorten them to a length that finishes a few inches below the knee. I’ve found the slightly shorter length generally more flattering on most body types. This is how I intend to approach the cropped trouser trend because I prefer to create a long leg line without wearing heels. 

Over to you. What are your feelings on the unstoppable cropped trouser and jeans trend? Do you find the length flattering? Will you wear the silhouette? If so, will you try to create a long leg line, or is that of no concern? Are you going to shorten the hems a little like I plan to do?

When the elastic waistbands of pantyhose are too tight and uncomfortable, they can dig into your flesh leaving huge red marks on your skin. Not so fab.

I recently stumbled upon a hosiery brand called “Commando” just because I liked the animal print pattern. I wore the pantyhose all day under a skirt with booties when I was at Fashion Week and they were so comfortable. The waistband elastic is designed in a way that does not dig into your flesh. In fact, I later noticed that this “dig-free” design feature is mentioned in the description of the product. 

Unfortunately, $32 is pricey for pantyhose. But it might be worth it at least once in a while. I was impressed with the silky and thicker quality of the pantyhose too. I definitely appreciated these little extras during a tiring time at fashion week. 

Do you recommend a brand of hosiery that is comfortable and a cut above the rest?