THE TOP 10

FASHION

& STYLE
MISTAKES
and how to fix them!
BY COLLEEN HAMMOND
 THE TOP 10
FASHION

& STYLE
MISTAKES
1
andTHE
how to 10fix them!
TOP
FASHION & STYLE
BY COLLEEN HAMMOND

Photo credit:

http://www.blakebronstad.com/
INTRODUCTION
You don’t have to have a trained eye to see fashion and style 

mistakes. When something about a person’s outfit catches
your eye in an unfavorable way, that’s a mistake!

There’s a difference between fashion and style. Think of 


fashion as a buffet with numerous options. Style is what you
choose to put on your plate.

Everyone will have their own style!

And noticing a fashion faux pas is not about judging anyone.

Seven seconds is all it takes for others to make their lasting

first impression -- and it’s mostly based on the clothing we
wear.

Personal style is a tool to help in your life -- or hinder you --

because what we wear subconsciously tells people who we
are and how we want to be treated.

Use this list to guide yourself, and look into your full-length
mirror with a different eye to these details.

2 http://www.colleenhammond.com/
MISTAKE #1
DRESSING INCORRECTLY FOR YOUR
BODY TYPE, AGE, CAREER, ETC...
DRESSING INCORRECTLY FOR
YOUR BODY TYPE, CAREER, AGE,
FACE SHAPE, ETC...

Yes, I know some people say, “Wear whatever you want!”

And that’s true. You certainly can!
But if you’re going to spend your hard-earned money on
clothing anyway, why not look and feel like a million dollars
when you’re wearing it? Getting compliments? Getting 

promotions?

Start here with this short video on YouTube to learn

more about your body type and style personality.

Photo Credit:

4 http://www.colleenhammond.com/ http://s126.photobucket.com/user/esdrasmolina/media/snaker.jpg.html
MISTAKE #2
POORLY FITTING CLOTHING
POORLY FITTED CLOTHING
Too large or too tight – it doesn’t really matter. Either one
makes you look sloppy and insecure. And they probably
make you feel bad, too!

Don’t try to hide in big clothing -- it makes you look bigger.

Don’t squeeze into too tight clothing -- it makes you look 

bigger, too. Each outfit should have a shape and structure
that is kind to your critical spots and brings balance to your
entire look.

Find a local tailor to help fit larger garments, ditch or give

away items that are too small. And remember that 

"body-skimming" is not synonymous with "skin-tight."

http://www.colleenhammond.com/ Photo Credit:


6 http://emiliesdiary.weebly.com/10086home10086/fashion-faux-pas
MISTAKE #3
SEEING UNDERGARMENTS
SEEING UNDERGARMENTS
They’re called under garments for a reason! They’re supposed
to be unseen and under your outfit, not peeking out or seen
through your clothing.

“Letting it all hang out” may be a saying (and song), but 


revealing too much of what should be private will get you 

attention -- and not the positive kind.  

A number of companies offer options to keep bra straps

from sagging out.  And if your clothing is so tight that you
can see the outline of undergarments, it’s too tight. 

Try shapewear!

Photo credit:
http://www.colleenhammond.com/ © Raimond Spekking / CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

8 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:VPL_Visible_Panty_Line_2.jpg

MISTAKE #4
OUTDATED
STUCK IN THE PAST

Just because it worked for your body type in the 80s doesn’t
mean those large earrings, big hair, and shoulder pads like
David Byrne wore will work now. Your body, lifestyle -- and
yes, fashion! -- has progressed. What’s hanging on your
frame needs to change as well.

It’s a known fact that the more items a woman has in her
closet, the less she wears.

Make sure to develop your own unique and personal Capsule

Wardrobe. The Closet Analysis portion of that series will help
you get rid of beat-up and scuffed shoes, torn, worn, tat-
tered, and threadbare clothing, too.

If you like vintage clothing, it’s definitely fine to have as a 


signature style. But modernize it so you don’t look like you
just walked off a period-piece movie set.

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MISTAKE #5
ACCESSORY OVERLOAD
ACCESSORY OVERLOAD

Stacking your arm with arm candy, then tossing in 5 or 6

rings, a statement necklace, dangling earrings, and… Well,
you get the picture.
If it distracts from you and your entire look (including 

making noise!), then it’s a Style no-no!

The rule for accessories? No more than 7 items from this list:
Shoes, handbag, necklace, earrings, belt, ring, bracelet,
glasses, hat, scarf, hair items, and a watch.

http://www.colleenhammond.com/
12 http://theurbantwist.com/
MISTAKE #6
OVERDRESSED
OVERDRESSED
Party, club, or cocktail is meant for parties, clubs, and 

cocktail parties, not for work.

Anything tight, glitzy, or shiny isn’t office-appropriate.

Sure, you can glam up an outfit. But don’t come to work
looking like you are going clubbing right afterwards. It
doesn’t matter if you read somewhere that it was trendy or
stylish right now.
Don’t do it.

You can, however, spark up your wardrobe to be chic 


without being over-embellished.

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MISTAKE #7
GROOMING
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cididunt ut labore et dolore magna.

GROOMING
Let’s face it: Good hygiene enhances well-being in more ways Is it past time for your hair to be colored? Many companies
than one!   have root touch-up kits or root concealers.
Make sure you hair is clean, and use a dry shampoo if you Stained or dirty clothing needs to be left in the hamper.
don’t have time for a full shower, blow-dry, and style.
And don’t forget a quick spritz of deodorant or body spray 

Nails should be clean. And if you’re wearing polish, it should for body odor. 

be even and well maintained -- no chipped nails!

Brushing your teeth before heading out the door takes seconds
(don’t tell your dentist!) -- and for breath freshening, make sure
to brush your tongue.
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MISTAKE #8
MAKEUP
 https://youtu.be/tCi3M0eRa-Q

MAKEUP
First, makeup is meant to discreetly disguise flaws, subtly 
 Seek out makeup artists on YouTube for free advice.
enhance your natural beauty, and draw attention to your eyes.
And by all means, avoid heavily outlined lips, caked on 

Frankly, your face is your communication center, and as I tell foundation, and too long and/or too funky nails, which send
my clients -- if they’re looking at your eyes they’re not looking the wrong message. 

at your thighs!

Start with a great skincare routine for healthy skin.

This may be the time to get a professional makeup consultation

done. Ask around, head to the makeup counter, ask to see their
before & after portfolio, and experiment.
http://www.colleenhammond.com/
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MISTAKE #9
SNEAKERS
 https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com
/736x/30/28/49/3028492376daef
52ecf5101d137a452c.jpg

SNEAKERS
Activewear should not be day wear! NOTE: Even those of us with medical issues (foot surgery, back
issues, etc…) can find fashionable orthotic shoes. I wear 

Unless you’re doing something fitness oriented, keep the white
Danskos. I’ve also heard great things about Drew, Clarks,
sneakers for the workout. (Unless, of course, they are a pair of
Sanita, Alegria, Born, Orthaheel, and Keen.
Chuck Taylor’s!)
There’s also Birkenstock, Teva, Papillio, Birkis, Chaco, 

For a comfortable alternative, you can find sneakers in fashion-
able colors and styles. (Skechers or Keds immediately come to and Frye. 

mind).

Better yet, opt for a ballet flat.

http://www.colleenhammond.com/
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MISTAKE #10
STOCKINGS
 http://www.sydnestyle.com/2015/12/ho
w-to-wear-the-tights-trend/

STOCKINGS
Does anyone think they’re really fooling anyone that their legs And that’s the exact purpose of stockings -- like a foundation
are tan, even though the rest of them is pale? for your face, stockings will even your skin tone and make your
legs look amazing!
Here’s a great rule of thumb: you should look like you’re 

wearing stockings (hose, nylons, pantyhose, or called tights in Stockings should match shoes, too.
the UK) or you should look like you’re not. A great shade of
stocking matches your leg color, just like a great foundation
matches your skin tone.

http://www.colleenhammond.com/
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BONUS!
BONUS!
The key to looking like a million dollars is balance and 

symmetry. Your hips, waist, and bust are to balance with the
rest of your body.
“Leggings as pants” throw the balance off. Leggings are not
pants. If they were, they’d be called pants.

If you’re going to wear leggings, make sure wear them 
 http://www.nydailynews.com/

appropriately, and your bottom is covered, as Clinton Kelly entertainment/tv-movies/cona
n-o-brien-struts-stuff-pair-jeg
says in this video, here.
gings-article-1.469294

http://www.colleenhammond.com/
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DRESS HOW YOU WANT TO BE ADDRESSED!
Figuring out what message you want your clothing to send 
 How we dress ourselves and how we present ourselves tells the
is a process that goes well beyond, “Does this make my 
 world how we want to be treated. Don’t ever dress to get 

butt look fat?” attention -- from men or from anyone. On the flip side of that,
you should never totally forget about what you’re wearing and
Your clothes should always feel like the authentic “you”, and
fall into frumpiness. There is positive attention and negative 

not a costume you wear. Your outside should match your inside!
attention.
Will everyone who sees you today immediately get a sense of
Dress how you want to be addressed!
who you are and what you’re all about?
Start here for free tips on building the type of wardrobe that fits
Will they take in “all of you” and not notice one particular
your message, style, personality, and state in life!
thing about you -- your makeup or your outfit?  
http://www.colleenhammond.com/
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