Monday Musings on Outfit Failures
Happy Monday, ladies. This week, I’m reflecting on some recent outfit failures. I know I’m not the only one who regrets clothing combinations, and I thought you might get a kick out of seeing a few of mine.
Color
Our weekend was chock full of holiday activities that required festive attire. For my first luncheon, I chose to wear the one-and-only red sweater I own. Eileen Fisher called it Azalea, but it’s red on me.
I bought this on sale last year thinking…”it’s in my color palette, so I should be able to wear it confidently”. Not a chance! I was uncomfortable and hated every second I had it on my body. It didn’t look bad on me, but I hated how I felt in it. We did not take a photo of what I was wearing because I was in a rush to get home and change. Personal color palettes are intended to help us wear colors that flatter our complexions, but if you don’t feel great in a specific color…skip it!
It’s now folded and ready to be added to my donation bag. I considered hanging it back up and waiting until next Christmas to see if I felt differently, but I don’t think that makes sense. I’ve worn it twice in 12 months and felt uncomfortable both times, so the chances of me changing my feelings are slim. I’m grateful I got it on sale.
Color with Fabric
My next failure was when we went out to dinner and saw The Nutcracker.
I’ve been wanting a tulle skirt for years and thought wearing one to the ballet would be fun. I really, really wanted a black one, but I talked myself into this gray. It’s in my palette, and I’ve been trying to avoid wearing so much black.
I ordered three pairs of gray tights, but neither was the correct shade. Since the skirt was long, I went bare-legged with my gray ballet flats (no longer in gray). I loved the way I felt wearing this skirt, but I hated how it looked. Tulle, by its very nature, is a feminine fabric that’s a bit outside of my comfort zone. I would have preferred the seriousness that the color black would have given the tulle and I could have worn it with my black suede booties.
Accessories Overload
Mercifully, this outfit never saw the light of day other than to capture this photo. I was experimenting with how to wear my new wine red cardigan and added way too many details. I can happily wear this red, but not with all the other distractions.
A plain black sweater would have suited me better with my faux leather pants. The shine of these booties is also too much with the pants, and the color is distracting. Black suede booties would have been preferable because they lack shine and would have visually receded. I’d likey skip the black poof brooch as well.
I like to walk the line between minimalistic and accessorized so too many details feel heavy and overdone on me.
Care to share any of your latest outfit fails?
The Eileen Fisher looks beautiful on you, especially with your lip color, but I get it. It’s important to feel good in what you wear.
I love that red sweater on you. I think it looks fabulous. What top did you wear with the tulle skirt?
I wore this gray cashmere tee.
I love this post! I have also talked myself into garments or outfits. It made sense in my head or in my wardrobe plan, but when I actually wore the outfit or garment – nope. As you explained, it just didn’t feel right. I am trying to slow down and really assess if a garment is exactly right, or if something is off – fit, color, style, whatever. Ordering online and having time to try on at home a few times has really helped me decide whether something is so close to right, but still not quite right. And it reminds me that I have plenty of clothes to wear. I don’t need to add a garment to my wardrobe unless it is exactly what makes me feel confident!
“because my life is so casual and my preferred esthetic is not.”
You just stated my struggles with fashion beautifully! Thanks for being real with your readers. You’re a treasure, Jennifer.
Happy holidays!
Linda
Thanks for being here Linda! I want to explore that further in 2025.
I actually love the azalea color on you. I just think it’s a lot of color so close to your face because of the high neck and boxy shape of that particular sweater.
My favorite art teacher used to say, “ if you aren’t making mistakes, you aren’t learning “ .
The most famous artists are often only known for a few works , not their whole body of work.
Smart thought, to keep in mind..
Thank you for taking the time to discuss outfits that miss the mark. I like the gray tulle skirt, but gray is one of my favorites and looks good on me. It’s all about what looks good on you in your own eyes. I can see that outfit #3 was just a little too shiny. I think it was the plaid blouse. Leather/pleather pants are always tricky, I think. My fails are usually in items I sew for myself. Even when I have taken the time to tailor blazers, they sometimes don’t work. However, after spending the time and the money to make an item, if I don’t love it, I usually put it away for a while. It turns out that sometimes I am just a little too close to it to see that it is probably OK. One thing I have learned, bargain fabrics don’t make great clothes no matter how well they fit. I guess we all already know that, but cheap fabric can be tempting.
I made that mistake often when making my own clothes, too. It’s doubly painful when you’ve spent the time making it!
Hi Jennifer,
Have you considered dying the grey skirt black? If you like the material, why not make it the color you like? YouTube probably can give you some suggestions on how to do it.
Enjoy the rest of your day!
Thanks Carolyn!
Red looks good on both of us with the same coloring and palette. But I have never ever liked red. I feel the same about orange and could never wear that Broncos sweatshirt even with a blue shirt underneath. We have to personally feel comfortable in our clothes, both the color and the size and style. I love tulle but would not look good in it as I am 5’1” and a little curvier than you. Skirts haven’t looked good on me since high school when I was a skinny 106 lbs. Now at 137-138 I need a larger waistband and all the sizing now is ten inch less than hips. Ugh! I’m five inches so things are baggy in the hips when they fit my waist. Like you Jennifer, I must feel comfortable in color and fit. I refuse to suffer for fashion.
Kudos to you for sharing outfit bloopers! Very amusing, humanizing, and informative!
I’m glad you liked this 🙂
Hi Jennifer! Where do you donate your clothes? Do you ever use consignment stores? Thanks! Jackie
I don’t donate to consignment stores and like to donate to the battered women’s shelter when I can.
Oh I can see the difference between the red and the berry sweaters on you. Shame about the red sweater not working. The style is so beautiful on you. I have a tulle mother-of-the-groom dress in royal blue that I love. I normally would not wear tulle but for some reason I love it. Maybe it is because I love the color so much.
Love, love, love the skirt. What size did you order? Reviews are all over the place on sizing
I’m wearing a small but could have easily worn a M
I think you look energetic and bold in red. Too bad you don’t feel comfortable in it, you look great in red.
I’m a busty petite apple (size 12 usually) and talk myself into buying things because they’re readily available, even though deep down I know they aren’t right for me. Examples: crewneck sweaters, dropped shoulders, patterns other than stripes, colors outside my palette that are “close enough,” and tops that are a size too big. I wore a chambray/denim shirt the other day that is too casual for my classic aesthetic, and I just didn’t feel good in it also because the color is wrong for my winter coloring. Yet I keep trying to wear it to make a column of color with my jeans. One would think that at age 68, I’d have this fashion thing figured out, but I’m still making occasional mistakes!
I struggle with the formality of clothes all the time because my life is so casual and my preferred esthetic is not.
That describes me perfectly!
I knew I was in great company Vyonne! Xo
Thank you for sharing something we all experience at one time or another. I have found a great line on QVC, it’s Susan Graver. She makes pants that have stretch, so if I put on an inch or two or lose an inch or two in my waistline, I’m still comfortable. I agree, that I have put together An outfit that I thought was perfect, only to look in the mirror and say O M G!😂
It’s better to catch in the mirror 🙂
I would really love the red sweater but I understand how you feel about clothes not feeling right. If it fits I think I should keep it but if you know you are not going to wear it then just donate it. I love the idea of tulle but don’t think it’s me. I agree the black with boots would look really nice. 🎄
I’m going to order a black one and try it.
No matter how many pairs of shoes and boots I have, I always seem to have failures in the footwear department. So frustrating!
That is very frustrating
Thank you for this post! The most educational for me was the faux leather pants. I knew it was wrong, but could not have sorted out what bothered me. I did not like the red sweater; I think it made you look top heavy. Maybe it has too much going on to be cropped, but you look Great with your shirts tied or tucked in.
I’m glad it was helpful. Taking selfies is so educational.
Loved this post!. It had as much value as others that present what works. I know how many times I try something on then add it remove until I’m satisfied. I’d love to see more of these.
Well, I hope I don’t have too many more in real life but I could recreate them for illustration purposes. Great idea!
I often find when I plan an outfit down to the last detail, it can look like I am in costume. Or like I am trying to look like the catalog model! It just feels too contrived. I guess that’s how to end up in a fashion rut! But what if you just think of it as your ‘signature style’! If it’s what you feel comfortable and confident in, and if it looks like you’ve made some effort, why not!
I agree!
I love that sweater and would gladly pay you full price🤣
I’m petite small and brunette
lol!
Great post! I can’t think of a specific outfit. But, I recently bought a pair of UGGS boots. My first pair. I bought them because everyone has them, so I should too. Well…..I hate them. I’ve done this before, bought something because I think I should like it or have it! Not my smartest move!
LOL, funny you should say this…I just bought some Uggs and am wondering if I made a mistake:)
Red is not my jam. I don’t wear it, even the orange-red that suits me. It’s hard to stay away from black completely, even though it’s not my color, so I try to keep it away from my face. Trust your color instincts.
Our instincts are really important and usually pretty smart.
Hi Jennifer,
When I saw you in the “red” sweater, my first thought was, “what’s she talking about! She looks great.” Then I saw you in the berry colored sweater and I saw the difference!! You and I have similar coloring, so that was very helpful for me. You looked cute in the tulle skirt. Keep on trying so I can keep getting aa better perspective of what might suit me!
Will do! I love the berry color so much more.
I agree with your assessments on these outfits.
I like the tulle skirt, and I probably would have worn it with a very simple fitted top and silvery high heels to add balance and sophistication, instead of the more child like ballet flats.
I would like your lovely plaid shirt with jeans.
Leather pants with black cashmere sweater?
Cranberry with white?
I agree the red makes you looked ruddy. But the neckline is flattering.
LOVE ❤️ you in the red sweater. Too bad you do not feel good in it. Brighter color gives you such sparkle!
As for the other 2 outfits, totally agree with you.
The Queens Jewels glasses are a great gift idea. ? Next year?
Merry Christmas 🎄!
Those glasses are so cute.
I agree with the red sweater. I really don’t lie to wear red either. I can see why you want to donate just for how you feel wearing it. I bought a red t-shirt last year and decide in pictures it looked too big. Donated. This year I bought a different one in a smaller size. I don’t feel like my best wearing it. I’ll keep it but only wear for red events.
Great point! Proportion is important here too. If the sweater had a lower neckline I could experiment with more options than this high neck.
I feel about orange the way you feel about red. I look like I’m seriously ill in bright orange. Unfortunately I was given a quality Denver Broncos sweatshirt to wear during games and I CANNOT WAIT to get out of it! If only it were dark blue…
LOL! Maybe a blouse collar popping over the neckline of the sweatshirt?
Chambray would be nice with it and would tone down the orange.
Good idea. I’ll try Shawn’s chambray shirt suggestion next game day!
I do love the sweater on you. It is beautiful and gives you a lovely glow. But I understand! I have an issue with orange. I have several orange items and I just don’t feel comfortable in them. I think it is time to let them go. I have a turquoise sweater I don’t ever wear. Every time I put it on I decide another color would look better. I still can’t figure out why I don’t like it. These clothing avoidance problems are real! I’d like to figure out the reasons so I can avoid making the mistake again. Have a great week! Merry Christmas and happy holidays!
Take some selfies of you wearing the turquoise sweater and see if looking at the photo’s helps. Merry Christmas!
I disagree about the red sweater. That color looks fabulous on you!
I remember when you purchased the red sweater last year, and I wrote you at the time that you look GREAT in it—your skin and hair especially. Too bad you are not comfortable in it.
I did try! I could feel differently in 10 years but I doubt it.
Good morning, Jennifer, and thanks for a great post. This is so true, and so frustrating. You assemble what you think will be such a cute look, but once you put it on the results are not at all what you were expecting. It happened to me on Thanksgiving; when I packed I thought I had put together such a perfect outfit. It was too bad to go through with. My daughter-in-law and I shared a good laugh about how things look in your head compared to actually being worn. Happy Holidays to you and to your family! Jo
How wonderful that you and your daughter-in-law have that relationship!
Love the red sweater on you, the skirt would have rocked with high boots. Oh well, but I get your point, I have coveted things until I got them and wished I hadn’t.
I’m going to try that skirt again because it frustrated me. I think it deserves another try before I toss in the towel.
Dye it black.
Lol!! We are all so different because I love the red sweater and am actually looking for another one. I do agree with you that we need to wear what makes us comfortable and happy. I have changed outfits before because they were all neutral and I felt blah!! Thank goodness we all have different tastes or this would be a boring world!! Happy Holidays to you and all of your readers!!
Our variety is pretty special. Happy holidays Judy!!
….my own personal frustration… fluctuate between 8 and 10. 8s too snug. Why taunt me ? Donated. (Some with tags still ).cleaning up my diet due to high cholesterol and now wish I had those clothes back as the 10’s are too big .🙄
A bit of a love/hate relationship with clothing. I sometimes understand Steve Jobs uniform of jeans and a black turtleneck. Boring , yes… but I get it, 🤷♀️
I totally understand Steve Jobs uniform. I think we should unpack that concept in 2025. Thanks for the suggestion.
Ha I love that Azalea color, on my winter self it reads dark fuchsia which is one of my best colors. When you got that sweater I wondered if it wad too saturated for you. ;). I think focusing on how you FEEL in an outfit (vs how you look) is the way to go. My latest fail/revelation is after a lifetime of cardigans to minimize my bust and hide my gut, they now look schlumpy on me. I’m much better in the structure of a blazer. Also a lot of things swallow me up. Oversized, double breasted, long sweaters, many of the drop shoulder items All fails.
Yup, too intense. And yet, I love black. I’m loving blazers too Shari. Especially knit blazers that straddle the line.
Thank you for showing us how even a fashionista like you can make mistakes. However, yours are only half as bad as the ones I’ve made!
I’m betting it’s all in eyes of the beholder. We are often hardest on ourselves because we have an internal perception to live up to.
I would not wear that gray skirt either. Mainly because my hips are wide and it would make me look even wider. I love the burgundy colored long sweater coat, but I would ditch the plaid shirt. Just my personal taste. And I agree about the shiny burgundy boots. Have a great Holiday season!
Jennifer, I think the azalea top looks great on you, but I get it… if you’re not feeling it, then it’s wrong for you. Let it be “re-loved” by someone else.
I know someone will love it!♥️
I actually love, love the gray tulle skirt and ballet flats! Wish I could see the entire outfit. Looks like perhaps a lovely winter white “fur” vest on top.
It’s was a faux fur jacket that looked the wrong proportion for the skirt.
My fails have been to force the wrong choices. The outfits have been fine, but worn at the wrong time. On one occasion I was overdressed and felt conspicuous. On another, insisted on squeezing into faux leather pants that fit around my midsection last season. Because they are wide legged, thought I could fake it by not tucking in my sweater. Maybe I fooled others, but I was uncomfortable the entire time.
These experiences remind me that situational awareness and comfort contribute to my style.
So wise of you Susan. Those are very important considerations.Thanks for pointing that out for us.
Ironically, I saw the first picture before I read the text and was struck by how fabulous you look in that color! However, it’s very true that there’s no point in wearing something you don’t like, even if you look beautiful in it! My latest outfit fail is going up almost a full size over the past year, and still uncomfortably wedging myself into my favorite clothes. It’s fine..ish standing up, but I’ve miserably sat through a few dinners and events wishing I had just bought something bigger!
That’s one I think we’ve all made. Thanks for sharing Anne.
Hi. I can’t wear gray. It makes my skin look yellow. I’m fair like you but gray is a no! I too talked myself into a dark gray cashmere sweater. Wore it once!! Thinking maybe a pink scarf to go with it would help. Then again I think I should just donate it as well. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Lol
Pink is lovely with gray but if it destroys your complexion, it may not be worth experiementing.
Oh yes, I too have put together an outfit that needed adjustment. I am glad for second chances.
I think I’m in a rut- I live in two basics: jeans and cashmere crew neck or V-neck sweaters or, I’m in joggers and casual sweatshirt-type tops or pseudo jackets. Its freezing out and although I’ve kept up with my walking program myhair suffers from wearing wooly hats pulled down over my ears! Its so dry out my skin too suffers despite drinking loads of water ( tea) . Dry hair dry skin and clothes that cover me and are warm! How uninteresting! Every day misses!
I hear you Paulette! Maybe pull out a few accessories to upgrade your sweater and jeans?
Paulette,
For your dry skin/hair issue, make sure you are drinking lots of water (8-12 cups a day). Too many people don’t realize the importance of this for your health!