What Is AFashion Faux Pas?

Remember how it used to be such a fashion no-no to wear pantyhose with open toe shoes? What about those football player like shoulder pads? But guess what? They were seen in fashion weeks all over the world this past year. What about smokey eyes and red lips? Remember how we fled the bright colored makeup started using beige lipstick (no, not nude, "beige"). Now smoky or smouldering eyes paired with bright lips are coming back full force. So I guess it begs the question are there any real fashion faux pas? (Penelope Cruz's Dress aside)

Let me tell you a true story.

My mom and I used to go to the same hairdresser until the day they gave my lovely chocolate brown hair fluorescent red highlights without my permission. I went in there specifically wanting caramel highlights. Trust me on this one, it looks as bad as it sounds. My mom however, kept going there until yesterday. She liked them because they're one of those fancy salons with shiatsu massage and all they have the big time studio thing going on. They have a really impressive setup and the place looks great. I wish I owned a salon like that. However the girls who work there are "Artiste" (allegedly), and they go into smile and nod mode when you’re telling them what you want. My mother’s hair was so bad in fact that not only did she lept off the hairdresser's chair with her hair dripping wet for the first time in her life. It was so bad in fact that when she got home I had to cut some of her hair off to try and fix it.

Why do I even bother to tell you this story when I was talking about fashion faux pas? Because the one and only forever true fashion faux pas is settling for something you’re uncomfortable with, just because you're trying to be trendy or because you're making a statement. Be it a very strange haircut or a dress that just doesn’t fit right. Even if everybody is telling you it's hot, just say no!!! Say no to the Sales Associatesl that try push that pair of jeans you didn’t like so much and happens to be quite pricey. The most definite Fashion Do is only going for what you’re comfortable with and what you like. Get the look and fit that you want. You don't want tollok back at your pictures 10 years from now and wonder "What The Heck Was I Thinking?" Let your wardrobe be something that fits you. Don't be afraid to stand up to your Hair Dresser. Don't wear something just because everyone elese is trying that look. Resist the urge to merge and you'll avoid the dreaded fashion Faux Pas.

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"

Micky-

Fashion Display of Affection

His: white shirt, black jeans, black shoes.
Hers: white blouse, black jeans, black shoes.

His: Navy blue suit, light blue shirt and tie matching her dress.
Hers: Peacock blue mini cocktail dress.

Don’t act like you’ve never seen it. They're everywhare; both in magazines and on the street. When a couple’s outfit matches, is it a form of public display of affection or is it pure and simply lack of creativity?

While some think this is just too much and that all the “showing-off” might not indicate a healthy relationship, others think it’s just too cute and signifies the bond two people share.

It's understandable that the idea was made with good intentions. A couple's worldly declaration of love and interests by attempting to show similar tastes when fashion is concerned.

So where exactly is the middle ground? Complimenting rather than matching is the way to go if you like to dress your man and want to try this “His and Hers” look.

Doing it is very simple. Wear the same kind of fabric, for instance. If he’s in a cashmere sweater such as this one from J.Crew for 64.50$ to 39.50$ (some colours are on sale!!!) why not go for a cashmere cardigan such as this one, also from J.Crew for 49.99$?

Fabric texture and consistency is a very good and fun way to communicate that you’re in the same wave length without being too matchy since it can seem a little high-school-ish.

Another way of doing this is going for complimentary colours. If he’s in a green shirt such as this sage one from Calvin Klein for 52.50$, go for a top or dress that has, say, yellow on it as, for instance, this maxi dress from XOXO which is on sale for 59.25$, as this ensures that when people see you together, they see harmony. Don’t forget that beauty is often described by philosophers and psychologists as symmetry and harmony.

Playing with silhouette can work too. If you’re going for a fitted top, he can do the same, for example. The oh-so-now boyfriend jeans are a nice and easy way to start too.

If you’re planning on going for this his and hers look, here's some key to pull it off:

1- It has to look spontaneous and not like you’ve tried too hard.
2- The easy way to make sure the look works for both of you is by staying minimal and using clean lines.
3- Be subtle. People should look at you and your man and see the whole as a pleasant image and not as if you mirror each other.
4- Complimenting rather than matching. If your dress has a pattern, he can use a shirt with a colour that matches the colour of a little detail on the pattern of your dress.
5- Having trouble finding similar styles for men and women? Try a store that sells clothes for both sexes, since it’s very likely that the styles are similar.

Fashion is foremost inspiration

Micky