Fashion is supposed to be personal, right? We should all express ourselves and our individuality. But, come on, there are some style choices that make you want to roll your eyes or scream internally. We’ve all been there—walking down the street, seeing someone wear something so off-putting that it makes you wonder, “Why?”
Here’s a rundown of some of those clothing icks and appearance styles that the SENS fashion police neither finds demure, mindful nor cutesy!!
Socks with Sandals
Let’s just start here. Sandals are made for the sole purpose of letting your feet breathe, yet some people feel the need to sabotage this by slapping on a pair of socks. It’s especially unforgivable when they wear thick, white, tube socks with strappy sandals. It’s like trying to eat soup with a fork—completely against the point. If you’re wearing sandals, do us all a favor and let your toes enjoy the fresh air. Anything else is a visual tragedy.
Overly Distressed Jeans
We get it, ripped jeans are cool… but when done right. There’s a difference between a few tasteful rips and looking like you’ve been mauled by a wild animal. When I see jeans that are more rip than fabric, I can’t help but wonder, “Did you pay full price for this?” It’s hard to take someone seriously when half of their leg is hanging out through an unintentional hole.
Pants Too Long or Too Short
Remember Goldilocks and the Three Bears? When it comes to pants, it’s the same principle—length matters. Pants that are too long dragging across the floor, picking up all the dirt, are just a hazard. On the other hand, pants that are too short, especially on men, give off a strong “my laundry shrunk” vibe. There’s nothing wrong with cropped pants, but when they hit awkwardly mid-shin or show too much ankle, it just looks like an unfortunate mistake.
Excessive Logos
Wearing a logo can be fine, even stylish sometimes. But there’s a thin line between showing brand loyalty and being a walking billboard. Head-to-toe designer logos, especially when the logos are plastered in bold, bright letters, scream desperation for validation. It doesn’t matter how much it cost; you don’t need to advertise for a brand that hard. Less is more.
Wearing Sunglasses Indoors
We’ve all seen them—the person wearing sunglasses indoors, usually in a dimly lit restaurant or mall. Unless you’re a celebrity hiding from the paparazzi (spoiler: you’re not), there’s absolutely no reason to block out non-existent UV rays. Not only is it impractical, but it also gives off a vibe of trying too hard to be cool. Take them off, enjoy the room for what it is, and stop being so extra.
The Belt and Suspenders Combo
This one’s more rare, but when you do see it, it’s baffling. Wearing both a belt and suspenders is like using a parachute while wearing a life jacket—redundant and confusing. One is supposed to hold your pants up, the other is also supposed to hold your pants up. Are you that worried about gravity? Pick one, please.
Excessive Animal Prints
Animal prints can look fierce in small doses—a leopard-print scarf or some zebra-striped shoes. But when someone goes full-on head-to-toe animal print, it’s an eyesore. It starts to look less like fashion and more like an audition for a nature documentary. A little goes a long way, but too much makes you look like you’re about to prowl through the jungle.
Visible Bra Straps
It’s 2024, and we’ve all moved past the visible thong trend (thankfully), but visible bra straps still persist. There’s nothing inherently wrong with bras—everyone wears them—but there’s something off-putting about seeing mismatched, old, or dingy bra straps poking out from underneath a tank top or dress. The worst offenders are neon bra straps with a pastel shirt. No. Just no. If you’re going strapless, commit fully to the look.
Super Low-Rise Jeans
I thought we left low-rise jeans in the early 2000s, along with flip phones and crimped hair, but somehow they’ve made a comeback. And with them comes the same problem—every time someone bends down, you’re exposed to more than you ever wanted to see. High-waisted jeans are a blessing. Let’s not regress into a time when everyone’s underwear was a public spectacle.
Ill-Fitting Clothes
Oversized clothes are trendy now, and I get that. But there’s a big difference between an intentionally baggy, stylish jacket and something that looks like it’s five sizes too big. The same goes for clothes that are too tight. Squeezing into something two sizes too small does nobody any favors. Fashion is about balance, and ill-fitting clothes—whether too big or too small—just make you look like you don’t know what you’re doing.
Visible Panty Lines
Ah, panty lines—every fashionista’s worst nightmare. They’re unavoidable in some situations, but when wearing a tight dress or pants, visible panty lines are a huge no-no. They ruin the sleek look of an outfit and make you look unpolished. Invest in some seamless underwear or shapewear if you want to avoid the dreaded VPL (visible panty line).
Overdoing the Fragrance
Okay, this one isn’t about clothes per se, but it’s so common that it deserves a mention. We all love a good scent, but dousing yourself in cologne or perfume is a fast track to an “urrgghhh” reaction. No one wants to choke on your overpowering fragrance cloud in an elevator. Less is more. A subtle, lingering scent is much more attractive than one that hits people like a brick wall.
What’s your biggest clothing pet peeve? Feel free to share—you’re definitely not alone!
