After 20+ Years as a Stylist, These Are Clothes I’ll Never Wear
After twenty years as a stylist, I’ve tried a lot of clothes. Some wonderful. Some questionable. A few that probably should have stayed on the rack. And after all that time dressing women for a living, I’ve gotten pretty clear on what I’ll never put on my own body again. Pull up a chair, because I’m spilling it.
The older I get, the more honest I get with myself about what actually works for my life versus what just looked good in the dressing room or I saw on some influencer. I’ve gotten much more ruthless about editing, and I’ve stopped fighting the battles that never end in my favor. Below is my personal short list. And if something on this list is your favorite thing to wear, ignore me completely.
Why I Don’t Wear Capri Pants
This is an opinion I’ve held for a long time, and I’ve only gotten more confident about it.
Capri pants are tricky because of where they hit. Most end right at the widest point of the calf, and when a pant ends at the widest point of anything, it makes the whole look read wider. That break also interrupts the line of the leg and tends to make the silhouette appear shorter. It’s a double hit, and even women with great proportions can feel like something’s off without being able to pinpoint why.
Pants, crops, and skirts are most flattering when they end where the leg narrows, not where it’s at its fullest. That’s why a cropped pant that ends just above the ankle works so much better. The leg is narrower there, the line is cleaner, and the whole silhouette looks longer. Full-length works for the same reason.
And since pedal pushers are having a moment right now, it’s worth talking about why they can still be tricky even though they do end where the leg narrows. The cut point sits just below the knee, which, by contrast, makes the thigh look wider and heavier. You’re drawing a horizontal line that the eye reads as the bottom of the thigh, and everything above it looks bigger. Shoe choice also becomes critical with pedal pushers. A flat shoe loses all the length from knee to ankle and can make the leg look short and stumpy. A heel or pointed toe helps, but that limits how versatile they actually are.
The ankle really is the sweet spot. You keep almost all of the leg’s length visible while still getting that clean, modern crop.
Why I Don’t Wear Leggings (Even to Pilates)
Leggings are everywhere, and I get it. They’re comfortable, easy, and when you’re running out the door, the appeal is obvious. But they’ve never really been my thing, and honestly, the older I get, the less I want to wear them anywhere people can see me.
Here’s the truth: leggings don’t leave much to the imagination, and I’ve reached a point in my life where I’m just not that interested in sharing quite so much with the general public. I feel better in pieces that offer a little more coverage and structure. Even at Pilates, I wear joggers. Just as easy to move in, a little more ease through the leg, and I’m not thinking about what everything looks like when I bend over.
Plenty of women feel amazing in leggings and wear them beautifully. This one is purely personal. I’ve just made my peace with the fact that they’re not for me.
Why I Wear Natural Fibers
I’ve bought plenty of cheap acrylic and polyester pieces over the years. Usually, because the style was right and I wasn’t paying close enough attention to the label. And almost every time, I regretted it. Those fabrics trap heat, cling in odd places, and lose their shape fast.
Now I default to natural fibers whenever I can. Cotton, linen, wool, cashmere. They breathe better and hang more naturally on the body. I’ll still wear blends when they make sense, but I’ve stopped talking myself into cheap fabric just because the cut is cute. It almost never works out.
Getting older has made getting dressed simpler, honestly. I’ve stopped trying to make things work that just don’t feel like me and started paying closer attention to fit, fabric, and whether something supports the actual life I’m living, not the one I thought I’d be living when I bought it.
Here’s what I want you to take from this. Every item on this list fails for me for the same reason: it works against my body instead of with it. Capris cut the leg at its widest. Leggings leave nothing to the imagination, and frankly, some things are better left to the imagination. Cheap fabric fights your shape all day. Clothes that are too tight pull attention exactly where you don’t want it.
Once you understand why something isn’t working, you stop blaming your body and start questioning the garment. That shift changes everything about how you shop. You walk into a store differently. You stop talking yourself into things that were never going to work and start leaving with pieces that actually do.
And if you take nothing else from this, take this: your clothes should work for you, not the other way around. You’ve got better things to think about than whether something shifted when you sat down.
My list is the result of a lot of observation and a fair amount of trial and error. Yours might look completely different, and that’s wonderful. I encourage you to wear what looks best on you and makes you feel confident.
I’d love to know what’s on your never-wear list.
I totally agree with you on never wearing capris but pedal pushers work for me. I live in a hot climate ( Austin, Texas) so a shorter pant leg is necessary and shorts are a definite no on my body. Wearing mainly natural fibers is a positive on my personal list like you. I so enjoy reading your blog. I’m 78 years old and feel better wearing bright, clear colors as I’m pale but with brown eyes and auburn hair.
I absolutely agree with you on capris pants. I got rid of mine a few years ago. They never looked right no matter how I styled them. I just wear a cropped pant and feel so much more comfortable.
I enjoy your posts!
I totally agree with you Jennifer. I’m 5’3” and after
following you I can say I dress so much better for
myself…I am so happy to get your email…
Kathy from NC
Jennifer, Thanks for sharing this. I really enjoyed your article, and it made me think about what actually works for me. A lot of the styles you mentioned look great on some women, but I’ve realized they don’t suit me. Your comments helped me see that it’s about finding what fits my own body. People are always surprised when I say I don’t wear capris or leggings. When I tell them it’s because I’m short, have heavier legs, and am not comfortable with the look on me, they usually say, “but it is the style, it is comfortable”!
Thank you for your insights today and every day!
Just because something is in style doesn’t mean we have to wear it. Good for you.
I totally agree that just because something is in style doesn’t mean that everyone should wear it.
Love this! We all need to know what doesn’t work for us. It just makes the hunt easier. Me: leggings except when doing a leg weight workout. I hate anything snug around my middle (and crotch, we need a better word!) I do like the support for squats and deadlifts. Low and mid rises. Hello muffin top! Drop sleeves, especially on sweaters. Made some expensive mistakes here, but with a large bust, no. Prefer set in sleeves. Oversized clothes in general. They just swamp me. Not my colors near my face. Wearing my palette just works for me and it really makes shopping quick and easy and everything goes together. A recently learned preference w/ wide pants is that they can’t be wide over the hips, just in the legs. Which is why I love my Wow wide legs from Old Navy while Paige Anessa etc. just hang on me. (Other Paige cuts are my jam and if you are hourglass/apple try them!) Finally, and this is controversial for this group, Talbots/Chicos/J Jill. Don’t want to yuck someone else’s yum, but not for me. On me the styles and colors are aging and matronly and not where my head banging eff you Gen X mind lives. And now I shall go listen to Nine Inch Nails!
Lol! Thanks Shari
Agree with Shari and Diane S on the Talbots/J Jill comment, at least for the last few seasons. There have been times (several years ago) that I found so many things at both stores. Recently, after much perusing of their frequent catalogs and the websites, there is NOTHING there that I would even make a trip to either store to try on. I sincerely wish there were. To be fair, I haven’t been in a Chico’s store in years, but those pedal pushers look like they could be an option! I’m going to go to the Quince website right now!
Jennifer, thanks for the wonderful AWSL website and your thoughtful, expert opinions. Ladies, thanks to you all for your helpful comments, which help me feel less frustrated with my efforts to dress well in my 70’s. I don’t want to look like the “old lady” in the room!
Shari,
100% agree on the brands you listed. Back in the day, Talbots was a goto for fabulous suits, nice structure, great fabrics, forever dresses. That has all changed. I find those brands make me look, well, dumpy. They also rarely carry size smalls (6-8). They are off my older Gen X list. Feel so much better in a pair of great 100% cotton denim with a fabulous linen, cotton or silk blouse from LL Bean, Garnett Hill, Quince, Cino. Quince has become a delightful surprise for basics, as has Uniglo.
I want to say how much I enjoy your insight. Like all things in life we can take it or leave it, whatever works best for us. I happen to often agree with your thoughts. That being said, I cannot agree with you more on capri’s. Why is it a staple for “our age”?? And I see they are coming back! They do nothing for women, always hitting at the worse possible part of the body. I happen to be tall and thin and do not like the look. Ankle pants, skirts, skorts are so much more appealing, in my opinion.
But again, style is choice.
Keep up the good work!
I totally agree with all the “never wear” items. At 5’2” and 73 years old, I don’t need to wear anything that makes me look shorter or frumpier. Thanks for explaining why these items don’t work. I very much enjoy your daily reflections!
I agree. Under 5 foot here too. Ankle or a little above works well. Enjoy these posts too!
Yes! I’m 5’4.5 and 73, and I agree with your response to Jennifer’s post. At this age and stage of life, I want to purchase good-quality, classic yet modern pieces that look right and will last for years, a challenge in the fast fashion environment. Jennifer checks all the boxes for us!
Thanks Christine. I am not a fan of fast fashion.
I totally agree with you and I’m tall! Peddle pushers have never worked for me— who wants to make their legs look stumpy?! And even in my model days I wouldn’t wear leggings in public. As for acrylic and polyester kinds of fibers— they never feel good and they look cheap. A cashmere or wool sweater can last for decades and even cotton if you care for it right. Linen is the only natural fiber that I try to wear but just can’t because I hate how it wrinkles! I have a couple pieces but they are hardly worn. If I’m honest with myself about these things, I don’t waste my money on them!
I don’t wear shorts – haven’t since I was a teen. I consider it a public service. My default was capri pants. A few years ago I read a blog you wrote about the way Capris can make you look. So I pulled out some photos. I’m 5’2 and boy were you right. I looked so dumpy. Now I wear ankle length and they look so much better on me. I know many can pull off capris but I’m not one of them. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Public service…thanks for the chuckle. I’ll steal your expression if you don’t mind.
Capris have been off my list for a long, long time. I’m 5’2″ and an ankle or cropped length pant works so much better for me. Plus, just my opinion, but capris say “old lady” to me. I do wear bermuda length shorts and skorts, however, when it’s vrey hot out.
My no list is wide leg pants
Agree wholeheartedly……..but jeans as you get older sure are a challenge. Body type, short waist, long waist, mid rise, high rise….pant leg width and then short legs, long legs……oh my. We’re not built like we used to be…….just saying.
Thanks for this! You always look great! My weight fluctuates a lot, so that also adds some fun to the process.
My never wears: shorts, leggings, skinny or tapered jeans/pants.
Same!
I totally agree with your thoughts. I hate leggings , show all the cellulite & flaws.
I love natural fabrics, they lay nice & look so much chicer
Capris are ok but prefer ankle length, much sexier
Completely agree with you on these items. I look like a dumpy sack of potatoes in capris. And I never really liked how tightly leggings fit against my skin. Prefer a bit of air. Same for skinny jeans.
Happy Friday, I’m 75 and remember the capri as a stable for summer, never felt comfortable wearing them but, I did because everyone around me did. I’m happy you talked about your dislike for them, Thank You, very happy capris are no longer a staple in my closet. BTW, my 3 daughters (ages 47-52) have never had capris in their closet!
Exactly! Brands made them for older women and tried to convince us they were flattering and chic. They’re not.
Good morning, Jennifer. I agree with your “will not wear” list. Leggings are the absolute worst! To your list, I would add torn jeans, fringe on the bottom of pants, and pointy toe shoes.
I won’t wear torn jeans either. Lucky that trend is fading.
I love pointy toe shoes!!
I appreciate the honesty! I’m 70 and have followed you for years!
I always feel with capris that if I can’t wear a cute shoe with them, I need to not buy them. I end up looking frumpy.
I prefer skorts to shorts because my thighs are thicker so, more flattering. And you’re right, choosing the right fabrics makes a big difference in the skort area. They can make you so sweaty so, choose wisely.
My big “what not to wear” (and this is just on me and my body) is ruffles and gathers around the neckline. There are so many peasant type tops out there and they look great on some. But I’m self conscious already about a bigger chest and those things, for me, accentuate it! I look much better in a tailored shirt or a simple tee, no frills.
Thanks for the tips!
I totally agree about natural fibers. When I see something interesting, the first thing I do is check the fabric content.
I totally agree with you. The only non-natural fibers that I wear are athletic clothing. Also, I am really on the fence about no-iron clothes b/c who knows what chemicals are used.
I don’t like tunics or really long shirts much: sitting on my shirts doesn’t appeal to me.
I love this so much! What you said about getting older and not doing things that don’t work for you is so good. We can apply that to things besides dressing. Right there with you on capris! Love ankle pants!
They’re my favorite. I’m not much of a fan of crops either.
I agree. Crops on me look as if my pants shrank in the dryer or something. Very awkward!
Lol, so true
Crops can work but I think you have to be super picky about where the pant hits and shoe choice is very key.
Agreed. I just think brands got lazy and decided crops were an easy way to please the majority.