I won't look twice at any item that has...

April

Veteran

-- Puffed sleeves
-- Spaghetti straps
-- Sky-high heels

What are your non-starters?

14 years ago

General

60 replies

Latest reply was from rosee

Lisa

Veteran

Lots of ruffles
A halter neckline (or any neckline requing my non daily bra)
4 inch or higher heels
A platform thicker than 1/2 inch under the ball of the foot
Detailed necklines with beading or embellishments or stones (I prefer to layer on my own)

14 years ago

nancylee

Veteran

Here's mine (some duplication here!):

heels over 3"
lots of ruffles or lace
puffed sleeves
boat necks (so unflattering on me!)
dropped waists
ANY neckline/top that requires special bras (except a t-back...I'll bend to that!)

14 years ago

Irene

Veteran

high heels
high necks
difficult necklines (bra-wise)
super short skirts
yellow, especially light yellow, I just can't pul it off no matter what

14 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

cap or bust length sleeves (unless it looks easily alterable)
heels over 3 inches
lots of bling
anything non-bra friendly
turtle and other high necklines
overly embellished and detailed tops (non shape friendly to me)
more than minimal waistline gathering
waistline ruffles (ha, I laugh at the mere picture in my head
muted/washed out colors. I need saturated and clear colors usually

I"m sure I'll think of more throughout the day.

14 years ago

rosee

Veteran

some things are common.
my list:

- heels over 3" (or over 1" platform)
- flat flats with no support (no cushioned insole)
- spaghetti straps or strapless (I got a great strapless brown lace dress thrifting which I am turning into a skirt)
- glitter or rhinestones (sequins are doable though)
- anything with too much frou-frou (embellished necklines for example)
- mini skirts (highest is just above the knee)
- pencil skirts that taper to the knees (ones that drop straight are ok -- good luck finding them though)
- low-rise pants
- logos all over it (small, barely discernable logo is ok)
and (EDIT)...
- animal prints in unnatural colors (but "neutral" -- thank you MaryK -- is doable)

14 years ago

Kari

Veteran

I'm totally with you on the bra thing. Any top/dress that requires me to wear no bra/a strapless or halter style bra is out. I've totally given up on finding a non-conventional bra that actually works for me.

Crew necks/slash necklines, super short hemlines (above mid-thigh), heels over 3", super thin/tiny heels, and super muted-washed out colors (the "soul sucking" variety) are totally not worth my interest.

14 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

- a length shorter than mid thigh in a skirt (short dresses can be worn as tunics)

- a lack of muted color or neutral availability

- a heel over 3 inches

- a neckline that won't accommodate a traditional or T back bra

- dry cleaning as a requirement (unless I feel that it can be safely washed on the delicate cycle)

14 years ago

April

Veteran

Oh, you all brought up a couple I hadn't thought of but that are definitely out for me:

-- Logos or visible branding that can't be removed
-- Turtlenecks (a recent, age-induced one)

Hee hee -- how do we manage to do so much shopping when we're rejecting so many items outright?

14 years ago

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Good question!

certain labels
pastel colors
browns, oranges, yellows, greens
wrinkly or cheap looking fabrics
tricky washing
unflattering neckline
unflattering shoulder line
lengths - mini and maxi
shoes and boots with non-leather lining
low quality shoes
thin soled shoes
pointy shoes
heels > 4"
visible logos

14 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

haha April.. I think we do so well because we can hone in on what we do like. I can step in to a store and quickly scan the racks mentally rejecting 80% of it. Probably not always a good thing... I probably miss out on some things that would be fab on me. But it's how I operate.

14 years ago

rosee

Veteran

I want to add much of Ornela's list to mine too (I will do some browns and greens though. I will do some maxis too).

QM: I think you have identified my shopping style too. I always thought I was odd that way.

14 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Pump heels *under* 4-inches
Boot heels under 2 or over 3 inches
spaghetti straps
drop waists
elastic or drawstring waists
pastels
easy wrinkles
too much embellishment
totally flat sandals

14 years ago

Diana

Veteran

heels over 3" unless a good portion of that is a platform
non-leather shoes (except I guess athletic shoes)
bermuda shorts - don't know why, just don't like 'em
turtlenecks - I have a short neck, plus I feel like I'm strangling
tops with center front ruching - not going to get into this, but it's a psychological thing...
white bottoms with visible pocket linings/seams
sandals with no arch support
boat neck - again, short neck
big visible logos
racerbacks
ballet flats without ankle straps - they're cute, but I just can't keep 'em on my feet
clothing with fur, either real or fake - I just hate the way it feels touching my skin

14 years ago

nancylee

Veteran

April, high five on the no turtlenecks for aging necks!

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

April, you forgot bright colours

14 years ago

rute

Veteran

Hot pants
Tops or dress that requires me to go without bra
wrinkly
Bad fabrics

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I look at everything! It's my job

14 years ago

April

Veteran

Yes thank you, Angie -- bright colors.

Actually, this one is a "learning to stay away" item. Every time I give in on something that's intensely colorful -- and it still happens more frequently than it should -- it becomes an orphan.

14 years ago

lynne

Veteran

logos, fur, bling

14 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

horizontal stripes on the bottom half of the body
blatant logos
yellow unless it's in a print
strapless
lots of ruffles

14 years ago

HeleenH

Veteran

Fur
No straps or spaghetti straps
bra-unfriendly clothes
Clothes that require dry cleaning
frilly clothes
Certain colours
And probably a lot of other characteristics that I just disregard.
Heels over 4-5 cm
disstressed jeans

14 years ago

(website)

Veteran

A price tag over $200 if I'm being totally truthful.
High waisted skirts or pants
ultra conservative or preppy
trashy and cheap looking

other than that, I think I hone it on what I like automatically and sort of skim over the dislikes without it really registering what I'm passing

14 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Crew neck
Strapless

Other than that, I'll look at almost anything!

14 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

high heels - I simply do not wear them!
inferior fabrics - shiny polyester or pill-prone acrylic are the worst offenders
too short, too tight, too low-cut - trashy isn't classy
yellow-based colors - these shades are hideous on me
Overly frilly clothing - prissy is NOT my style.

14 years ago

Jonesy

Veteran

Pastel
Cheap-looking
Fur
Cap sleeves
A fitted woven top with no bust darts (it will gape even if it's roomy enough, I've learned)
High heels (over 3 or so inches, though I'll go a bit higher if there's a platform)
Skinny heels
Shoes that are narrow through the toe box
Fussy details
Ruffles, usually
Novelty buttons
Cut for a pear-shape, if it's a dress or coat (small on top, roomy on the bottom)
3/4 sleeved tops with gathered, banded sleeves
Tops with lots of embellishments, e.g., plastic stones, chains, etc.

ETA after reading everyone's posts: strapless, bling, asymmetrical shoulders/sleeves, velour, shiny poly satin, logos (hate!), empire waist, low-rises

14 years ago

celia

Veteran

Am I the odd one that likes to look at everything even if I won't buy it?

14 years ago

Beth

Veteran

logos
very shiny fabrics
bling
dropped waists
maxis
faux leather shoes
heels over 3.5"
platforms over .5" on shoes
asymmetrical hems
high waisted anything
miniskirts/dresses
oranges or yellows

Ornela, shoes with a non-leather lining make me nuts, too. But finding full-leather shoes are getting harder and harder to find around here, unless you're willing to spend $300 a pair:(

14 years ago

taylor

Veteran

April...too funny
Too bright
Too much pattern
low neck
scoop necked
I am sure there are more...just stumped for now:(

14 years ago

Steph

Veteran

Cap sleeves
Heels *under* 3 inches
Leather/fur/suede/animal products
Asymmetry (hems, shoulders, one sleeve, etc.)

14 years ago

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