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 seriously don’t think there is anything that would look bad on you.
Everything you show always looks so classy.
Lol! Believe me there are plenty. I try to not wear them even if readers want to see them styled.
Shorts. I think they can look good on young slim bodies. But not mine. To keep cool in summer I wear a dress , a skirt or ankle length pants.
I agree with you about capris! Thank goodness, I never included them in my wardrobe because capris are now not an option. This will be my first summer in black compression hose and thick black Velcro sleeves over those. Ugh, they are hot already. I cannot wear sandals so have opted for mesh slip-ons, loafers or sneakers. No dresses either. I wear wide leg linen pants or lightweight jeans. Black pants look the best but I am weary of bookending tops with the black. These leg challenges are prescription and are a horrid flesh tone or black. I respect your style, outlook on life and advice and would be grateful for any ideas. I lead a casual life and have jackets and tanks with navy or black tailored pants if I HAVE to dress up. I am 74 and the same height as you with narrow shoulders. Thank you, Jennifer.
I’d try some colors in the linen pants with the flesh colored ones. Or look for some wide leg cotton poplin options. Maxi skirts would work too, although I know you said no dresses. A narrower maxi will also let you change up your look.
I gave up wearing capris about 10 years ago. I wear mostly ankle length and full length. I do wear leggings to the gym. If i wear them out to do errands, etc, I wear a longer tunic top. I love linen despite the wrinkles!
Loved your post today. Have not seen this mentioned yet, but my big “no” is a boat neck – or any other neck shape on tops – that exposes the top of my back. The spine compresses with age and some of us have that rounded area that needs a high back or more tailored fit to cover that bit of exposed skin. No also to drop shoulders and low or medium drop waists that do not fit my small boned, but tall frame. Like others, would never wear capris but love my wide leg crops!
Perfect timing! I have bought capris to coordinate with some matching tops repeatedly. I’ve never been comfortable in them, so I have a pile of capris waiting for some iron-on tape so I can cut them off into Bermuda shorts. It’s the only way I can ease my guilt, because I can’t bring myself to throw them away. I feel you’re cheering me on with your post!
Hi Jennifer, this was a great post! I feel like I have a long list. No capris, horizontal stripes, ruffles, embellished tops or pants/jeans, leggings, button down shirts, I’m sure I could come up more!
It’s so helpful to have a list!
Please add puff sleeves to that list! I’m 5’1”, have DD girls and don’t need to look like I play for the NFL! No ruffles and I hate pockets on my chest. No pointed toes as my feet are small and wide and painful. I do love natural fibers but wear blends of linen for less wrinkles and more comfort. I love cotton gauze as it can be miserable in the summers here in southern Colorado. I do wear Bermuda shorts but no capris and no high water pants. I do like wide leg jeans as they are very comfortable from Chicos. They fit my ever enlarging waist.
Never wear a busy pattern or design that causes the viewer to focus on the clothes and not the person.
Gosh, hard yes about capri pants and sweaty man-made fabrics! I also have a great dislike of extended shoulder tops and big puffed shoulders. It’s funny how they come in and out of fashion. Anne of Green Gables was desperate for enormous puffy shoulders on her dress, I remember, lol. I also am a bit weirded out by the return of the babydoll dress on grown women, although the recent articles I’ve read maintain that they are feminist statements!
I’m totally weirded out by the babydoll dresses for adult women! The name says it all. I wouldn’t be caught dead in them.
You coulda just said capris are ugly. ‘Nuf said😜
Lol
I agree with everything on your list. For the women who live in hot climates and choose crops, bermudas or pedal pushers, would a light weight cotton or linen pant work? That’s what I wear on the hottest days. I love gathers and ruffles but I don’t wear them. They overwhelm my petite frame. I am very careful with prints and items with “clever” sayings. So, for me, no kittens or any clever sayings having to do with wine, for example.
I’m never attracted to clever sayings on my clothes either.
Bravo. I read your blog because you are honest. My body shape is totally different from yours but I have learned so much from you. Especially being honest with who I am, what I want to wear and what looks good on me. At 70 I finally feel comfortable in my own body and with my own clothing decisions. I also agree with you completely on natural fibers if you can afford them.
I have become more selective about fabrics in my old age. The good ones often cost more, but it’s worth it to me. I am not opposed to blends, but I do pay much more attention to things like weave or knit fabric textures and ease of care. I am a huge fan of Eileen Fisher fabrics, and maybe half of my wardrobe is EF now.
I own a lot of EF too.
I totally agree with your summary of items you avoid! I think that is why I follow you is that we are on the same page and I really like how you dress! Cheers!
Jennifer – thank you for this. I love the simplicity and comfort of your style. I’ve never cared for capris or pedal pushers. They violate the “Golden Ratio” which is generally flattering for all body types. I’ve settled (in a good way!) into ankle length pants and tops that hit at high to mid hip. And natural fabrics as much as possible, especially ones that are machine washable and don’t require ironing. I’m lazy; high maintenance doesn’t work for me.
I no longer wear skirts or dresses with a tier or flounce or ruffle, because it just looks like grasping at the past to me. The older I get, the simpler I want my clothing to be.
Hi Jennifer! The one thing you will never, ever see me in is a turtleneck sweater. I’m 71, and my neck has been getting shorter over the years. In addition, the dreaded turkey neck has made an appearance. Why would I want to emphasize all that? These days, I opt for a funnel neck. The width makes my neck look slimmer and longer, and the overall look is just softer and more flattering.
Thank you for the clarification!! I kept trying on capris and wondering why everyone liked them except me. I won’t even bother looking at them anymore! My add is crop tops. (I’m not even talking about the midriff-baring kind.) Just the boxy ones that hit right at the waist. I have no need to accentuate my tummy. Where do I get reliable elbow sleeve, hip length (but not tunic) tops?
That’s a tough one but I’d check Chico’s.
I will never wear linen. It makes a person look like either a crushed paper bag or “just rolled out of bed.” As for what looks best, I find shopping alone is easier and faster than going with someone who may say “this would look great on you.” And there goes your good judgement. 🙂
You’re right! Well meaning, helpful friends make it tough to stay on track.