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.
It has taken me awhile to accept that what looks good on the bloggers I follow (including you 🙂 may not be right for me. Everyone seems to love joggers, but I hate the way they look on me. I kept clicking on links in posts and trying them, but I never reached for them to wear. I now accept that, but I am envious of those who can wear them. I live in workout clothes since I get myself ready to workout every day, and I now am spending my days with our new granddaughter. Workout clothes are best for getting on the ground (and trying to get back up) with a 4 month old. And everything washes easily. On the 2 days a week I am not with her, I am at home, cleaning, cooking, laundry, gardening, so still workout clothes. That means leggings (different lengths according to the weather), sports bra, tank top, and maybe a light sweatshirt (at least for the mornings.) As soon as it gets warmer, I will switch to workout shorts. At least I don’t have to think about what I am going to wear haha!
We have to each accept what we will wear, what looks good on our own bodies. Thank you for this post.
Thanks for that, Arna. We do need to embrace what works for us.
I agree wholeheartedly but I love leggings for around the cottage and car travel as well as playing with grandkids! I wear with long button down shirt or sweatshirt so cover certain areas definitely. Even young shapely bodies should be “tastefully “ covered IMO.
I also would add shorts, not a fan as most older knees need to stay in the dark!
Thanks for all your timely advice! Well done, women supporting women!💕
I’m a big supporter of women and our need to embrace our individuality
Love this post! “To thine own self be true!” As for my own self, I stay away from capris, pedal pushers, “fake” fibers and … satin slip dresses! Oh my gosh! Talk about showing the world every single bite of cake I’ve ever eaten! (That’s just the start of my list!)
Lol, bias slip dresses…not for me.
Something to think about and I’ll be more careful. Thanks for the advice!
I agree with everything you said you do reach a point where comfort and polished work for casual or a night out. I love linen but would like to know if you have any ironing tips to get most wrinkles out? Thank you for always saying what a lot of us our thinking.
Some people love to use spray wrinkle release. I just iron it then accept the wrinkles that come. Some linens are okay just smoothed out and left to dry. It depends on the thickness.
Good morning, Jennifer! Totally agree with your list of “never to wear” items. As a thin woman of 80 years, I would never walk out of the house in a pair of leggings. Often, I wonder about why many women do wear them out. Leggings, in my humble opinion, are just not becoming to anyone. Also, don’t care for bulky clothing because I get lost in too much fabric. Makes it difficult to balance dressing and shopping these days! As always, your insight appreciated!
I no longer wear tops with peplum on the bottom. Makes me look pregnant and my hips look wider.
Love this! They do for many women.
Hi Jennifer!
Your posts this week were spot on for me! I’m 74, happily retired for 4 years and finally think I figured out my lifestyle and clothing style thanks to you.
I focus on comfort, pieces that flatter and colors that make me happy!
Thanks for everything you do!
When I was younger I felt ‘old’ in crops. Now that I am older I just feel blah in them. I am 5’9’, but never felt comfortable in them.
Thank you for this post. I cannot do Capris either. I got rid of the last of mine back in the early 2000s and never looked back, LOL! Your style is so classic and timeless.
Sorry women can be so ruthless with their comments. I don’t think they feel good about themselves and what to do with those feelings. SAD. I enjoy your wit and creative comments; also your honesty. I agree with you on aging and dressing for our life. Thanks
You would not believe some of the emails that bloggers receive! My friends get them too.
On my ”do not buy” list is anything with ruffles, flounces, or flutter sleeves. I’m petite and those enhancements make me look like a Tiny Tears doll. Not a good presentation. Loving tailored (not flowy) linen garments for summer.
Lol, I wouldn’t go for that look either.
Agree 100%!!! With all of it!
You couldn’t bury me in pants that don’t reach all the way to at least my ankle. The corpse would rebel. I have a long torso and short legs so anything above the ankle just looks awful. Ditto “mid-rise”. Unflattering and uncomfortable. Unless you are in the 90th percentile of tall, slender and/or long legs, just say no. I’m 5’6” and wear size 8 jeans (Talbots) and I don’t qualify. A maxi isn’t my best choice for the same reason. Midi is much better. It can be hard to shop when what doesn’t work on you fills the stores (mid-rise), but one just must dig deeper to get what you know works.
Totally agree. Some seasons it’s best to stay away from the shops.
Good morning,
1) Top no for me is Capris! I’ve always disliked the way they hit and even look, just too “stubby “ and r something.
2) All of the 100% unnatural fabrics. By this I mean 100% acrylic, or spandex, or plastic-y feel. As you mentioned, too hot, fall apart easily, a waste of my money. I will wear a good blend.
3) Just about anything from Amazon anymore….just such poor quality. I look to you bloggers to try to seek out quality pieces there, but so far it’s all been terrible.
Amy
I don’t love Amazon made fashion either. Most is fast fashion which I find offensive.
A great summation of reasons for what you wear, and I agree with all. At 85 years of age, I still like to look “current,” not in a fad way. Pants shorter than ankle length are now in my past.
I don’t have a lot in common with your picks as I am 5’10” and live in South Florida so I rarely wear a jacket or sweater. That said I am over 65 and love your wisdom for a mature body. Especially liked today’s picks regarding natural fibers. (However I do like capris as they are cooler than pants and my shorts days are limited to tennis)
Great post, Jennifer! I keep a short list on my notes app to remind myself not to buy:
* Tops, t-shirts or sweaters that are boxy – they make me feel sloppy
* Dolman sleeves – on me, set-in sleeves look much better
Great list, Jennifer, and I agree with every one of them. I would add long tunic tops. At 5’2″ they don’t work for me. Those should be saved for taller ladies.
I agree with you, particularly about the leggings. I have never worn them except under casual dresses that were too short. As for capris – loose ones are perfect for me when gardening, house cleaning, or long walks in summer heat as I hate shorts. And I keep vowing to avoid polyester but it sneaks into my wardrobe when I’m not paying attention. When you show us your outfits you usually look fantastic. At the worst you look just plain good. So your rules are working for you!
Thanks Barbara. It’s weird how those lousy fibers sneak in.