things you never wear and why - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

things you never wear and why

always trying

Veteran

Just thought it would be interesting to see where I am on the issue of the just not me list, or the not for my body type, or not around here, or just not fitting in my lifestyle--OR maybe too old for.

I don't wear heels higher than 3"-gotta preserve old feet, and also think they are bad for feet, posture, and definitely not for walking!

Don't wear shorts anymore, or above the knee skirts without hose or tights-wish I could, but have developed little above knee pouches that I need to hide.

No Cons, or Vans that look like them. Around here no one over 20 wears them, and then it is mostly boys.

don't wear booties, boots, etc. higher than just above ankle bone with skirts or dresses..
Just a look that,on me, makes my legs look fat. also not a popular look around my area anyhow.

don't like those tops that are great in front, but below my but in back-Have a pretty one I bought in the spring, but only wore once-Now I think the look is silly, but there seems to be loads of them everywhere.

Don't wear loafers any more either.To me they seem like more winter shoes, and they show too much sock if you try to wear them with socks when wearing jeans or pants. Maybe they would work great with skirts and tights, but not enough cold weather here to make the investment. I do have a pair of Mini Tonka moccasins that I love though, but only wear with capris, jeans, etc.

Dressing

32 replies

Latest reply was from

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I don't wear high waisted skirts - too uncomfortable. Don't wear pencil skirts (but have a tube skirt now that rocks). Won't buy skirts less than 17" anymore (just purged the last 2 shorter than that). Don't wear jeans with a rise under 8" - I have a higher natural rise and fitting a whole hand between my navel and waistband is way too much open real estate.

I also am on the 3" and under heels bandwagon. I have 2 or 3 pair up to 3.5" but won't buy any more.
Won't wear non-stretch, boxy, man like button front oxford shirts. Ditto loafers. Never wore either of these to begin with, so nothing changed there

MsMaven

Veteran

Feet can't take heels either.

The white shirt every is supposed to have--hate them. They never fit right, I always spill on them, and they remind me too much of the junior high gym outfit.

Those gathered top blouses I see all over now--we called them peasant tops in the 70s. Never again. They are horrible to wear when made out of polyester.

Ruffles--have always had an aversion to ruffles.

A "suit"--matching jacket and skirt or pants. I never did feel comfortable all matched up. Too "dress for success" and again, bad connotations.

As far as loafers--I used to like a quality pair of loafers--but now I have bunions and this kind of a shoe doesn't fit.

Anything that cinches what used to be my waist.

carrie

MsMaven...we share many of the same don'ts-yuck ruffles make me look like one of those bedside lamps from a little girls room in the 50-60's. Ruffles swallow my neck and make my bust look enormous!
Peasant tops...poor choice for my apple body AND wore them back in the 70s-nuff said.

We go our separate ways on white shirts, loafer and there is nothing more wonderful than a fabulous well-tailored suit.

Here is a list of my things that I never wear
Sleeveless out in public
jersey or knit pants
high-wedge booties...I think they look like an accident waiting to happen AND they make my legs look really fat!
round-toe or square toe shoes-ick!
Midi dresses or skirts-never wore them in the 70's and don't wear them now.
There is probably more but I am trying not to be soo restrictive...work in progress.

shaz

Skirts as i dont have the curves to fill them out end up looking like a lamp in a shade.

Leggings no one needs to see my knobbly knees

Baggy jeans make me look like a man

Patterns make me look pregnant

heals alas my knee can't take them any more

Peri

Veteran

Skinny...anything. I hate to feel squeezed.

Anonymous

Low waisted Jeans because my flat butt makes them forever ride down.
Ruffles and frills ... just not my style.
Heels higher than 2.5-3" as I wobble all over the place.
Stilletoe or very very thin heels as I would fall over!
Button-down shirts... I can't stand the feel of crisp unforgiving fabric and a stiff collar around my neck. Plus I wouldn't feel feminine enough.

DonnaF

Veteran

YLF has taught me never to say *never*. However, due to arthritis and future foot surgery that will fuse my joint, I will never wear heels above 2". Actually, the podiatrist said 2"; I think for my particular foot it's 1.75" or 1 7/8". I've never worn anything as high as 3" in my life, but even 2.5" would give me a lot more options.

I've gotten over my aversion to going sleeveless, but I run cold so it isn't much of an issue anyway!

I go fitted and tailored but never skin tight. OTOH, even when I was young I never did body con.

JennyK (NC)

princess shirts - I think that's what they're called. The ones with elastic just under the bust, and then flowy. With my hourglass figure and (very) large bosom, they make me look 8 months pregnant, no joke.

ankle strap shoes. I like my legs from the knees down and I have slim ankles and feet, but those shoes still make me feel like I look stumpy.

neon. Did that in the 80's. Never again.

boxy anything. Boxy does nothing good for my figure at all.

low-rise anything. No one needs to see that (on me).

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I was trying to think of things I won't or can't wear and came up with a few.

I occasionally wear heels if I'm going to an event (last was a grad dinner) but rarely these days.

I rarely wear anything that is doesn't drape that is boxy. I have a fairly big waist/hip difference and it makes me look big. The empire tops (princess for JennyK) is also not a good look for me.

Peep toe booties. I know they were extremely trendy but it doesn't make sense to me with our climate. It is either too hot for booties or too cold for peep toes for about 350 days of the year here.

Warm green tops. I love blue/green but can't carry off warm greens.

I am sure there are a lot more but that is all I can think of at the moment.

Day Vies

Veteran

I'm with DonnaF. Never say never. I am open to having my mind changed. Usually if I don't wear an item or a color it's because I just don't like it and probably never will:

Most peep-toe booties look odd to me so I won't wear them.
Pepto-Bismol pink looks horrible on me, so I don't wear it.
Jeans with holes are not my thing, I bat for team polished.
I've never liked extreme platforms on heels -- I always thought the overall effect was rather trashy. I am so glad refined footwear has returned.
I don't wear vests but not because I don't like them it's because I can't find one that fits. without looking boxy.

JulieJohn

Veteran

Ha, fun thread!

Jeans with holes - just not my style
Shoulder pads - they make me look neckless, kinda like a linebacker
High Heels - I like comfort, full stop.
Pale pastels - they make me look washed out
Dramatic dark jewel tones - ditto
Neckties - hubs can't stand this look (alas)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Never say never is my motto. Most of my "won't wears" have to do with weather and lifestyle anyway. So if I moved somewhere else or had different roles, I might feel differently.

Some that wouldn't change:

Don't do heels over 3 inches. Preferably 2.5 or below. But also....
Don't do flats. A teeny baby wedge can work for short periods, but genuine flats? No. NOTHING is worse for my feet.
Don't wear yellow near my face. Or orange. Or beige.
Don't wear "seasonally confused" looks -- e.g. sandals in winter with a coat.

In terms of what I will or won't wear as a result of aging and body changes...

I avoid low necklines, whether they are scoop or V necks.

That is honestly about it. I'll wear pretty much anything else I want. I never did wear short skirts or super body con looks, so not wearing them is not a change.

Anonymous

Tops/coats with the 'in/fashionable' name splashed across the chest.

I like to be individual and not wear what everyone else is wearing.

rachylou

Veteran

Good question.

I stopped wearing real denim aeons ago. It's so stiff. It gives me stomach aches. Actually, there are a lot of stiff things that I've given up on. Another one is oxford shirts - I don't have the body for them.

I also don't wear shorts. They always feel hot and clingy to me. I have been keeping an eye out for silky baggy shorts, but to be honest, I sorta think might as well put on a skirt at that point.

I'm turning away from true ballet flats and above the knee skirts. They feel too sweet and girlish on me. Ruffles, bows, puff sleeves, and little '50s type cardigans/twin sets have gone this way too.

I'm sure I'll think of more.

Lyn D.

Veteran

High heels- I don't need the extra height and I like to walk.
Frills and ruffles.
Shoulder pads.
Neck bling- too fussy for me.
Suz' age-related list plus-
Nothing above the knee without hose.
Swimming Costumes- I don't enjoy swimming.

MsMary

Veteran

My "don't wear" list is super short. Really the only thing I can think of that I'm not willing to even try is flat shoes. I tried flat oxfords when they first became popular, and they just weren't "me." I need a bit of a heel -- even my ballerina "flats" have a 1/2-inch wedge. (Although I will wear flat sandals -- go figure!)

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I've learned to never say never but I agree about heels, anything above 2" I just don't wear enough anymore to make it worth having many of them around. All of my skirts and dresses are to near the knee, if not at it, which can be tricky to find when somewhat tall, but again, short skirts just aren't going to get worn. Same thing for tops and dresses that require special bras, or have to be worn with a camisole, unless they are formal wear for special occasions only.

Stuff that isn't flattering on me, the short list: crewneck tops, I need an open neckline of some sort; anything that's loose through the midsection, makes me look boxy and heavier than I am; empire waist stuff that hits too high; orange, beige, and bright white near my face, and to be honest black too, but sometimes I cheat; most ruffles and bows, and cutesy prints.

Stuff I don't particularly like, personally: loafers with high vamps (I don't know why), cabbage rose prints, those knit tops where they've intentionally made the print 'skip' portions of the underlying fabric, exposed bra straps on anything but very casual wear, whiskering on the thighs of jeans, any clothes that don't stay put and have to be adjusted all the time.

Carla

Veteran

Would like to stay flexible, but....

- no skirts with zipper flys (tummy)
-no low rise anything (tummy)
-not a fan of faded, distressed, or ripped jeans (I'm a dark wash kind of girl)
-padded bras (just a personal feel thing)
- shoulder pads (I've got my own, thank you very much! Taking them out of garments sometimes makes the garment fit better, and gives me the arm length I need!)

Mander

(website)

Veteran

Let's see, I'm sure there's more but here's what comes to mind:

turtlenecks and mock necks (shudder)
ultra-flat shoes (might as well go barefoot!)
heels over 3" (and even that is pushing it for me)
platform heels (especially the weird blocks that were everywhere last year)
most pastels and earth tones
open-toed boots and cuffed sandals (they seem inherently confused to me)
truly skinny jeans (make me look like a walking carrot)
crop tops of any sort (no. just no.)

Oh, and I have an irrational aversion to pink.

Gaylene

Veteran

Ruffles, puff sleeves, and dainty flower prints: I am so not a "girly" girl.
Shoes with more than a 2" heel: I wrecked my knees wearing 3-4" heels when I was young and foolish.
Ballerina shoes: I really don't like the shuffling gait that most people seem to adopt when wearing them. And they just aren't comfortable on my feet.
Necklaces: Never could figure out the appeal of hanging stuff from my neck.
Huge Designer Handbags: I like my bags simple, functional, and on the smallish side. And don't get me started on all that hardware, tassels, and embellishments.
Hectic Print Mixing: Too much going on for my taste; I guess I get confused too easily

Otherwise, I'd be reluctant to put anything on my "Never" list; I learned my lesson by dismissing slouchy pants a year ago, only to eat my words this spring when I actually gave it a go using Angie's guidelines. Turns out I'm a big fan of the look; I lived in my slouchy pants all spring and summer!

amiable

Veteran

I actually started a list of what is *not* my style, after reading a post of Angie's in the archives.
I'm not:
romantic
girly
glam
slovenly
preppy
cutesy
costumey
prim
precious
goth
bombshell

Due to this, I've eliminated ruffles, and I'm pretty sure I also don't like lace. Most ditsy prints are out, and I'm mostly away from florals too. I don't go for pastels hardly ever. My feet don't tolerate a high heel. I don't like puffy sleeves.

I realized this fall that turtlenecks aren't flattering on me, so I'm intending to replace mine with scoop necks (and add a scarf for warmth when I need to)
I haven't worn graphic tees for years, but I'm starting to want to again.

Thanks for a fun thread - it's good to remind myself of these things!

Echo

Veteran

Empire waists, flared pants (or even most boot cuts), peep-toe boots (an oxymoron to me), low-rise anything, drop-waist dresses, most overly girly-girl looks. It should be noted that I don't like these items for or on myself; I definitely see that others can look fabulous in them.

froggiebecky

Veteran

Here's my list of "Absolutely not, thankyouverymuch":

Puffy sleeves/short sleeve with elastic at the base: they don't flatter my arm (too bad, I like peasant tops!)

Strapless anything: I'm not aerodynamic enough for that.

Skinny jeans and leggings: I feel like a sausage in them.

Empire waist (gathered under the bust)--I, too, would be in the "look pregnant" camp on this one.

Unwalkable shoes: I'm open to heel height, platforms, etc. But I don't have a car, and don't really like carrying around spare shoes. My shoes need to be able to log a mile at a time, preferably more.

Boxy things: I am not box-shaped, and do not wish to look it.

Marley

Veteran

Wow! I'm surprised at the length of your list! I honestly cannot think of very many items that I would be able to say that I absolutely would not ever wear. Mini skirts, short-shorts, and shoes with heels higher than 2" are all I can think of just off the top of my head. I don't really look all that great in turtlenecks and boatneck tops - but I'm pretty sure that I'd wear them if I found one that looked right on me! I think that you and I live in the same geographic area - but, I see a lot of people around here over the age of 20 who wear Cons and Vans - including me. Same thing with booties and skirts/dresses. Oh, I just thought of something else that I probably would never wear - anything in the earth-tone color family near my face - makes me look sick - absolutely sick! But that has nothing to do with age or style - it just has to do with my skin/eye/hair coloring - which I think is different than a fashion choice - KWIM? (Also, no cropped tops without a longer layer underneath.)

Susie

Veteran

Things that aren't my style:
Pastels
Floral prints
Ruffles, bows, lace, puffy sleeves
Whimsical prints
Pattern mixing
Preppy
Boho
Body con fits
Oxford shirts
Ballet flats
Empire waists
Fussy and/or uncomfortable clothes

Nova

High heels
Short shorts
Very low necklines
Skinny pants/jeans (tried them and felt like a stuffed sausage)
Orange, yellow, or tans near my face

Isabel

Veteran

Fascinating post, thank you !

No shoes over 2 inches unless at a wedding or a function where I will sit a lot. But i will kick the off for dancing ! The shoes, not the clothes.

No minis or shorts that are shorter than knee length I have actually never felt comfortable in them...I just like a more conservative look for me.

No bikini, my gift to the World ! LOL

No tights or leggings as pants, never. Again, my gift to the world and to my children.

No pastels, I don't look good in them . Same with yellow and orange around the face.

No more uncomfortable shoes. Thankfully, there are so many great looking comfort brands today ! I used to 'make' due with shoes if I loved them but they didn't fit well. NO MORE.

No white sneakers. I just don't like them on me. Maybe because my feet are big and it is llike highlighting them. I just started wearing sneakers a couple of years ago directly due to YLF. I think that if they are worn deliberately, instead of a fall back comfort shoe, they can look great. I just got a pair of grey and white polka dot ones that I love. My mom, who is Portuguese and used to be very European in her style thoughts, thought sneakers should only be used for gym at school. She just always believed in wearing shoes. I think that affected me...until YLF !

Large prints or whimsical ones. I find them too conspicuous on me.

No jumpsuits. My torso is just too long. When my mom sewed and made them to fit, it wasn't bad.

I try to avoid low rise pants. Too much of a tummy right now.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Oh, so much we don't like on ourselves. It's good to know what works and not. This is a fun read!

My list, not exhaustive:
Low rise pants
Mini skirts
Short shorts of any kind
High heels (above 2-3")
(Very) distressed textiles
Fur
Unstructured unstructure I need some definition somewhere to avoid looking like a blob. That is all I can think of right now. Other things that I don't particularly like on me: Ruffles, belted cardigans, overly girly patterns, studs. I guess that means I'm not a girly girl, but not a tomboy either, but somewhere in the middle. Pretty average!

Vildy

Veteran

Cons and all athletic shoes, including those that look like mary janes
ballet flats - no support, dislike the round toes most
no logos
leggings
skin tight pants/jeans
mini skirts
shoes well under 3 inches
no wedge shoes - Frankenstein feet plus do not flex
themed, embellished sweatshirts, tops
sweatshirts in general
blousy bomber jackets that make me feel like I have to keep spinning around to prove that I'm not that burly all over

I love the remark questioning why we want necklaces hanging from our necks. Sometimes an outfit needs something and I'm conflicted. But even a scarf
appears to have a purpose.

No utility jackets
No denim jackets
nothing worn ironically
nothing to subvert the purpose of a garment: nothing to "take down" or "debombshell" or "dress up"
No faded or worn looking items.

While I like quilted leather or "leather" no faux chanel bags. I used to wear them when I was a girl in a semi-rural area. No one knew anything about Chanel but today that's not the case. I wouldn't wear a real Chanel, either, because I don't want people speculating about the cost of my clothing.

no jeans for dressy wear or going out wear of any kind

no snakeskin or snakeskin pattern in anything that is fitted. Floaty is fine. Otherwise I feel like a large python that's just eaten. Or that I'm trying to convince someone that I'm dangerous.

nothing overwhelmingly military, like I just escaped from the Civil War reenactment

no camouflage

no motorcycle jackets

no peasant blouses
no empire waists unless completely without gathering

no oversize boyfriend jackets

no low or lower rise pants. I have a few and they're a considerable nuisance.

almost no green, unless maybe a breen

I'd better stop - even I am starting to wonder how I manage ever to get dressed

12