Have you ever spotted a fashion victim on the street and felt it was your civic duty to alert the fashion police? It’s no secret that everyone falls for bad fashion trends, but some people take it to extremes.
Our fashion experts, professional stylist, Kami Gray; Emily Huh, editor-in-chief at the Cheezburger Network, representing Poorly Dressed; Michelle Madhok, CEO of SHEfinds Media; and Amy Gan, marketing and accounts manager at My Fashion Database, weigh in on some of the worst fashion trends of all time and offer tips to avoid becoming a fashion victim.
WORST FASHION TRENDS EVER
Our experts agree that these fashion trends represent some of the worst style choices of all time:
- Hammer pants
- dressing like your favorite singer, such as Madonna
- furry boots
- Birkenstocks
- Crocs
- shrugs
- jeans with no pockets in the back
- midi dresses that hit at the middle of the calf
- mesh, sheer, and fishnet tops
- thongs showing above pants
- SpiritHoods
- everything Ed Hardy
- overalls (only cute on kids)
- wearing all of the same color
- low riding pants
COMMON MISHAPS OF A FASHION VICTIM
Gan says that people who don’t dress for their body types are one of the main forms of fashion victims that she sees on a daily basis.
“Seeing someone in clothes that are unflattering because they don’t fit properly is unfortunate, but on the bright side, this is an easy fix,” Gan says. “I suggest finding an amazing tailor because bringing clothes in or letting them out slightly makes a world of difference, no matter how much or how little your clothes cost.”
Madhok agrees that too tight or too baggy clothing is typically very unflattering.
“Most of them lack any sort of balance, which is the key to getting dressed,” Madhok says. “For example, too-short or tight shorts with a belt and tight, tucked-in top, or wide leg pants and a baggy top.”
Madhok is also not a fan of cross trainers when you’re not at the gym, and does not believe that Capri pants, orthopedic sandals, or Birkenstocks should ever be worn.
“Capris in general, rarely look good on anyone — no one looks good cut off mid-calf,” Madhok says. “And wearing shoes that don't match the kind of occasion they're dressed for - i.e. stilettos on a Saturday morning or a formal dress with flip flops.”
Huh sites furry clothing or clothes that match your pet, latex or rubber clothing, and lots of glittery, shiny outfits among the worst fashion disasters that she commonly sees in public.
COMMON PLACES TO SPOT A FASHION VICTIM
Gray, a 2002 Apparel Design graduate of The Art Institute of Portland, believes that the best place to spot good fashion trends is fashion design schools, and the worst is suburban areas.
As for fashion in the workplace, Gray says that the technology, engineering, and accounting industries are the worst dressed.
Madhok, a New Yorker, cites Central Park and Times Square as good places to spot fashion victims. She says other places that are commonly the site of fashion disasters include the beach, water parks, national parks, Wal-Mart, and the grocery store.
Public transportation, clubs, and bars top Huh’s list places to spot bad fashion.
Gan says that bad fashion is everywhere.
“Fashion is very subjective,” Gan says. “What you think looks outstanding, others could find distasteful. Hence, why it’s important to dress for your body type first.”
Although Gan believes that bad fashion trends can be found everywhere, she does find it to be worse in some places than others.
“If you want to see bad fashion and have a good laugh in Los Angeles, then visit Hollywood Boulevard on a Saturday night,” Gan says. “You’ll find tons of girls in scantily clad outfits. Most of these ladies are not dressing for their body types, with dresses a few sizes too small and heels they can’t walk in.”
FASHION TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS
Gray’s biggest fashion tip is to get rid of items in your closet that don’t fit or simply do not look good on you.
“Trust your instincts and wear what you love,” Gray says.
Madhok agrees that a person needs to determine their body type before making their clothing choices.
“Make sure you feel comfortable before you leave the house — if you keep looking in the mirror or you're adjusting so much that it's going to make you late, re-assess and make sure you can walk in your heels and that you feel good, like you can make it through the day without a wardrobe change, in general” Madhok says.
Gray’s fashion tips also include believing that a person should not play it too safe with their daily outfits. She says that people should add a bit of personality and beauty to their attire to make them complete.
“It's all those little touches and how you put individual items together that makes an outfit interesting and stylish — what brand it is or how much you spent means next to nothing when it comes to style,” Gray says.
Gan advises people not to take fashion trends too literally, but also not to be afraid of trying something new.
“For example, stripes and tribal print are both pretty big this season, but that doesn’t mean go all out with some zany ensemble just to feel cool,” Gan says. “Instead, first warm up to each trend on a smaller scale with an accented shirt or scarf before diving into a bigger design.”
Huh believes that people might not always realize what their outfit looks like when they leave the house.
“My best advice to avoid being a fashion disaster is to look in the mirror before you go out in public,” Huh says.