I know it seems hard to believe, but I’ve made a fashion faux pas or two (million) in my time!
Fortunately, very little photographic evidence exists 😉 .
However, I did stumble across this little treasure … sneakers with a skirt. Lovely! Unintentional grunge dressing long before it became a “thing”.
Growing up in a single parent household, money was always tight. Although I first became fashion aware at about age 12 or 13, there wasn’t much I could do about it. I hated wearing sneakers (the shoes I wore to school) with a skirt – but there wasn’t much choice as I didn’t own any other shoes.
When Power Dressing Goes Wrong
Lack of money also caused a bit of a crisis several years later, when I had an all-important job interview for a teaching position as I was finishing college.
I had a lovely dress that I’d bought on sale the previous summer; but when I went to zip up the dress that morning, I was horrified to realise that it no longer fit – and I literally had nothing else to wear. So I pulled together my next most dressy outfit (not much call for smart clothes when you’re a student), which just happened to be a dark denim skirt and white polo shirt with big belt (it was the 80’s after all).
Was it because I didn’t look dressed up enough, that I didn’t get offered a teaching position for nearly 18 months? Still, I have no regrets, because it was during that 18 months that I worked in an office and met my beloved hubster 🙂 .
My Worst Ever Fashion Faux Pas?
I Must Confess: I think my worst ever fashion faux pas was on my wedding day.
Don’t get me wrong – I loved my dress and felt like a princess in it.
It had a high neckline BUT the sheer parts dipped rather low in the front and back. Back in those days I had very little to write home about, so decided to go without a bra. I’ve since heard an unconfirmed report, that when I bent over to talk to people at their tables at the reception, they copped a bit of an eyeful … ooops …
Where is the Fashion Faux Pas in this Pic?
Now you might look at this next pic and wonder what is wrong. Nice combo of jumper, jeans and boots. So what is the problem?
Well, it turns out it just wasn’t appropriate for two reasons. I was attending the launch of a fashion blogger’s book – a great opportunity to dress up! So while my outfit would be fine for everyday occasions, I really wished I had chosen something a bit more glamourous or even with a bit of bling.
The other thing I didn’t realise is that with menopause upon me, I overheat quickly. Over the past couple of years I have learned the hard way that I need to build outfits carefully – so that they look just as good when I remove a layer.
In this case, the jumper was the star piece so there was no way I was going to take it off even if I was in the middle of a hot flush! Oh dear …
What is the worst fashion faux pas that you have ever made?!
Linking up with My Home Truths.
Oh no! I was unaware of this hot flush fashion tip!! You should write a post on that!! yikes.
As for the wedding day – it was intentional to let everyone know what they were missing out on, now that you were off the market 😉
Haha I like your thinking Lydia 😉
I like your ombré pink jumper and it did colour coordinate nicely with Nikki’s book cover.
It did, didn’t it? Completely unplanned!!!
I feel you with the hot flushes. I can’t remember the last event I attended where I haven’t felt like a melting mess. I generally try and stand under the air conditioning vent but it still doesn’t help.
Yes it’s hard to feel confident and that you’re looking good when you’re a melting mess! I’m attending a gala on Saturday night and have chosen a sleeveless dress for that reasons. Will take a jacket but knowing me I’ll quickly ditch it!
I’ve made too many to mention! But what a laugh to read that your wedding guests got a little more than they planned at your wedding, lol!
Michelle, I’m still not sure if it’s truth or not! The hubster thought I looked gorgeous and that’s all that mattered to me 🙂
Oh you are hard on yourself but your circumstances were pretty dire and I admire the way in which you can discuss your life’ back when’ as you do. In terms of layering. I have always, always been someone who gets ‘hot’ menopause or not, so have been a layer dresser for ever for functions, work and so on. The wedding dress story is a good one!!
Only one person said something and I’m still not sure I believe them, they were the sort that if it was AT ALL possible to see anything they would have been angling for a better view!
I love that first photo on the slippery dip – it look like you were having so much fun, even if you were wearing sneakers with a skirt!!!!
What can I say – I’ve always been a big kid at heart 🙂
You always look stylish. I love seeing your everyday style and fashion posts. Especially because I can relate to your style and know most of it is in my price range and age group. I mean that in the nicest possible way.
As for your bra less faux pas, I’m sure nobody was complaining!
Ness, you have just made my day. I guess I post what *I* would like to see in fashion blogs and magazines. Keeping it real baby!!!
My whole life is a series of fashion ‘faux pas’ since I have no sense of style. As a kid I thought coordinating clothes meant wearing all the same colour. Blue top, blue skirt/ red shorts, red shirt. But I am a great fan of patterns and will buy paisley, stripes, swirls and intricately designed skirts or tops then wonder at home what on earth I can match it with.
Most recently I had to lead the singing in church and wore knee-high stockings since my legs were a bit hairy. As I got up there I realised my skirt wasn’t long enough to cover the top of the knee-highs. Not the look I was going for. What can you do??