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.
Hi Jennifer
I’ve been following your blog for over a year. I like your style. I am 60 yrs old and recently retired. I to like to travel and I get inspiration from your common sense approach to fashion. I am looking for what pleases me now at this time of my life. I enjoy your content and appreciate your inspires. I think you look fantastic!
I don’t wear capris because they tend to make me look bigger than I am. I realized this from pictures. Instead, I wear maxi or midi dresses. or cropped pants.
I, also, don’t wear leggings for the same reason as you. Too many women wear them as pants. Save them for the gym!
I stopped wearing shorts after I had my knee replacement. Not pretty knees.
I found the wrinkles in linen bothered me so that’s a No. I do like cotton though and look for cotton sweaters. I can no longer wear wool or even cashmere as they make me itch.
I’m sorry some commenters have seen fit to critique your outfits. The world is not as kind these days.
Hurrah for you, Jennifer. Great topic and very relatable comments.
I’ve developed a love for linen, good linen. It’s really the only fabric that is still comfortable for me when it’s hot and humid outside and I need to look presentable. Eileen Fisher is my jam for linen clothing. I will confess to wearing synthetic materials in Columbia Sportswear Bahama shirts. These are the best things yet I have found for long travel and outdoors activities. Generous fit and great sun coverage.
Capris or other shorter pants are only for running to the local hardware store in summer when I’ve been gardening and it’s beastly hot outside.
I also don’t wear stuff with cutesy details, like embroidered dogs or sailboats or fish. No sparkles or sequins for daytime regular wear. Unlike others, I detest animal prints and never ever consider buying them.
That taught me a lot. In trying to cover more of my legs with capri & pedal pusher lenghts, I’ve done myself “wrong”. The best look on you, & I think for me too, were the Eileen Fisher jeans. Unfortunately they are out of sock in the petite length. I’ll check back. Thanks
I completely agree with you on each of the items you don’t wear. When I was a child, my mother would wear a button up cotton shirt, denim pants rolled to the ankle, and white tennis shoes (keds). With me, the acorn has not fallen far from the tree, except my tennis shoes have more arch support!
I love that!
Great post. The bottom line is, do what works for you and celebrate it!
I’ll never understand why someone would take the time to criticize you or anyone who does the type of work you do. If a blog doesn’t match what you are looking for, delete it.
Anyway, what you value and write about suits me just right. I really enjoy reading your posts each day.
Things I haven’t worn, capris, torn jeans, o cold shoulder tops, spaghetti strap tops, bedazzled anything, skinny jeans, logos, large floral patterns…I just didn’t find them interesting. I do like color , polka dots, vintage, and European styles. I have worn my exercise clothes to shop when I forget my regular clothes. 😂
Agree! I do like Pedal Pushers….always have but not Capri’s or Bermuda Shorts, since I am short waisted and 5’3″. They make me look like a Smurf!! I go for 5″, 7″ shorts. I don’t like Maxi dresses on me, I look like a Grandma…but I do love them on other people. Wish I could wear them. Puff sleeves, ruffles, stripes – going the wrong way. I am a lean/clean dresser.
Smurf is not a good look, lol!
Thank you for highlighting how awful Capri pants are. I live in GA, so we have a lot of hot weather. Many older ladies wear these (I guess they think they are slightly cooler than full length pants). In my opinion almost nothing clothing wise is more aging. I even see women wearing them with athletic tennis shoes and socks! Would be so much better to wear knee length shorts, or skirts.
All good points Jennifer. I wore pedal pushers as a child in the sixties. They were cute then but I don’t like the looks that are being shown today. I don’t wear long blazers or tunics because I don’t like how they look on my small frame. I have always worn shorter jackets.
My never-wear list includes things that look so great on others, but terrible on me. The top of my list is tucked-in shirts. I’m short-waisted with a large bust, and a tucked-in top does me no favors. I’m really looking forward to the pendulum swinging back from cropped tops to longer tunics, as I’m sure (hoping) it will eventually. As you said, Jennifer, what looks beautiful on one person is another person’s worst enemy.
Never have liked leggings. They just don’t feel good. I prefer full length pants or shorts. I am 83 and still feel that shorter pants are “high waters” as my mother used to say. I do like your slim ankle jeans. They look great on you. Thanks for your informative posts.
I agree with your experience of wearing capris; I feel and look awkward in them because we are the same height and have similar body contours, though your torso is a little longer than mine. Ankle-length has been the best for me overall, and I need to be careful with long pants because they can be overwhelming on my petite body, especially barrel pants, though they look good on you. I ordered both a white and a navy linen shirt from Quince. Thank you for the work you do and for leading me/us towards making good decisions. Would you be willing to take a few of your everyday casual pieces and feature a capsule wardrobe idea for easygoing, hot summer days? Jewelry, shoes, bags, and hats are included. Thank you.
That sounds like a great idea! I’ll
Work on one.
AGREED! I won’t wear anything that is too tight on top. Although I am not that large with a 36C, I don’t like the look. If a t-shirt is too tight it goes under a sweater. I am much more comfortable with anything that skims my body not hugs. I generally wear a small petite size but often go up to medium in sweaters and t-shirts. Appreciate your advice and logic.
What a great blog!
Wear what works for you – plain and simple
Yes!
I agree with your list though I do wear pedal pushers but only around the house. I will also add tunics, anything with puffy sleeves and anything with fray hems. I made the mistake of purchasing a denim jacket with a fray hem and I find I only wear it walk the dogs.
Puffy sleeves are a no go for me too. I feel silly in them.
Boy! did I need this post today! I have been going through my closet and trying on clothes that I wanted to fit, but simply don’t flatter me. I have taken your contrast session to heart and have paired outfits in my closet with much better success.
I will take your lessons when I go shopping and (hopefully) will choose clothes that will better suit my shape and coloring. I have a tendency to “impulse buy” clothes and accessories and later wonder “what was I thinking”!!
Kudos to you for sharing your list of what doesn’t work for you. It was inspiring!
I’m glad this was helpful.
I agree with all of your points wholeheartedly! I gave up capris years ago and have never worn leggings. And I’ve become more particular about fabric content in the past year or so. I also try to wear natural fabrics and have learned that a lot of spandex in tees and sweaters does nothing for my busty, apple-shaped body. I’m finally figuring out how I want/need to dress at the ripe old age of almost 70!
Spandex gets iffy in my tops too. I’m preferring flowy rather than body conforming.
Your response to the naysayers was well thought out and backed up with great reasons! Excellent post! Thank you!
Good Morning, Jennifer. I completely agree with you. Also on my list are barrel leg pants, which are a big NEVER for me. I tried them on in the dressing room, once. I couldn’t get them off fast enough. Why the fashion industry thinks these are flattering on anybody is a mystery to me.
Lol! They’re not my fav either but I will wear a subtle lantern leg.