8 Business & Formal Fashion Faux Pas To Avoid

When it comes to faux pas, as much as we fashionistas think we know it all, we end up making fashion mistakes, passing them off as our own style. While that’s entirely ok and valid, there are certain settings and outfit elements that cannot be ignored when it comes to their rules.

Fashion Faux Pas You Don’t Need

Here are 8 fashion faux pas you should avoid. This is advice on when you can indulge a fashion desire without committing an offence.

Too Much Neon

With the bright summer sun, wearing neon is very tempting, especially with the return of the 90s styles. Yes, you can wear a flash of neon here or there. Perhaps you could wear an outfit with touches of neon, such as a neon stripe on your shirt or shoes. You might be able to wear a neon hairpiece. However, too much neon is tacky.

You can also attempt to add them in the colder months, but it would be recommended to keep it to an accessories as it may be too bold with warmer clothes.

Too Revealing

Clothes may technically cover you up but still reveal too much. Try to avoid tops that reveal too much cleavage, in summer just like in winter. While in each season revealing may look different, it is best to appear classy and show off certain parts without making everything pop out, especially in business settings.

For example, leggings are fine, as long as they don’t reveal your panty lines. Long tops over short-shorts aren’t a good alternative in the summer since it makes you look like you aren’t wearing bottoms at all.

Also, take care to pick clothing that keeps you covered while flattering your best features.

Too Casual

While this may not regularly occur in the colder months, a common mistake with summer wardrobes is wearing clothing that is too casual for formal environments.

Sleeveless tops are probably acceptable at work as long as your bra isn’t showing and the strap is of a decent size. Tube tops with cover-ups may be acceptable, such as a cardigan or blazer. This of course depends on your employer’s dress code, especially when it comes to meetings with clients and management.

In general, for the warmer months, it is safer to bare your shoulders than your cleavage. Opt for the nape of your neck or your upper back over showing off your midriff.

Too Torn

Another common mistake people make is wearing worn and tattered clothes. Yes, it’s perfectly ok to wear ripped jeans to a concert or a casual event. Wearing them to work or formal events, though, is not a good idea.

Try looking for something that’s professional enough to wear to work but still looks good at a casual affair.

Don’t forget your feet. While you don’t always have to done your heavy Sorels, in winter, it may not be advisable to wear peep toe shoes as it isn’t the season for it. In summer, avoid switching to socks and sandals in formal. Instead, switch to elegant sandals, stilettos or tennis shoes.

Too Big or Too Small

The wrong size outfit hurts you regardless of which way you go. Clothing that is too big doesn’t hide your curves; it makes it seem worse.

Clothing that is too small can leave you with a visible muffin top or bingo wings.

When buying clothes, the number on the label shouldn’t matter. You’re beautiful regardless of your size, but knowing and wearing what fits you is far more attractive than trying to squeeze into a size or 2 smaller or hiding it under huge clothes.

Too Many Logos

Wearing clothes with a company logo on it makes you look like a walking billboard. While logos used to be the thing back in the 90s, trends have changed lately, and people are steering away from gaudy logos and are looking for something more demure.

If you still want to make a statement without any overbearing logos, check out Ssense’s Off-White collection. You could try something like an off-white hoodie or an off-white t-shirt that will stand out without being too show-offish. For example, the off-white blank flowers t-shirt and the black arrow cropped hoodie are two of their more subtly logo pieces.

Too Many Animal Prints

Now I’m not saying you should stay away from animal prints altogether, it’s just that it difficult to pull it off without looking too tacky or aging yourself. A nice animal print accessory can complement any style, but something like a pair of animal print leggings might be too much for the office and a major faux pas.

However, if you’re feeling adventurous, a nice animal print blouse can look great with a pair of black pants. You could go with something more tasteful and skip the golden tones like tigers, leopards, and giraffes and go for black and white zebra or Dalmatian prints instead.

Why not even go for aquatic inspirations like croc-grain or tortoiseshell for a great summer feel? Animals prints can work, as long as you know how to work them and only go for quality pieces.

Too Many Layers

Over-layering is a mistake on several counts, in any season if I might add. Trying to hide unattractive areas with extra layers can actually make things worse.

For example, a ruffled skirt over leggings or a mini dress worn with jeans don’t hide your bottom; it could actually make things worse. If you wear a scarf with a structured jacket, it makes you look neckless.

Then there’s the fact that wearing too many layers can cause you to overheat in the summer.

The Gist of it

Avoiding these business and formal fashion faux pas is essential to your style’s success. With today’s almost anything goes in the office, there as certain pieces that should be discounted at all cost. It doesn’t mean you can’t express yourself, but just like you wear clothes that accommodate the weather, dressing according to the your setting goes a long way in showing off your fashion sense.

What fashion faux pas do you avoid?

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