The Fashion Faux Pas I Finally Stopped Making

And now I feel so much better about myself.

By
Published December 29, 2025
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A while back, I ran into an old acquaintance at the supermarket. We hadn't seen each other in several years, so we played a quick game of catch-up before saying goodbye and continuing on with our day.

Although I can't recall exactly what I was wearing that day, it was probably along the lines of an ill-fitting pair of jeans and a well-worn sweater that may have had a slight hole in the armpit. As I walked away from this encounter, I thought to myself, “I wish I had put myself together better today.”

It wasn't the first time I'd had this nagging feeling about how I chose to leave the house in the morning. It had happened to me before, and I realized — it was time to stop making the same fashion faux pas over and over again.

Make Today the Day

My closet is filled to the brim with clothes, some of which still have the tags on because they have never been worn. So why was I wearing such a sloppy outfit that day? For some reason, I tended to think I needed to "save" new clothes for a "special occasion" rather than wear them right away. I'm not talking about really fancy stuff like gowns or stiletto heels, but rather everyday attire that was meant to be worn in my daily life.

I am not alone in this way of thinking. “A lot of us were raised believing that we needed to save nice things for a special occasion,” explains Allison Lumbatis, founder and CEO of Outfit Formulas, and author of the book, The Ultimate Book of Outfit Formulas. "When we buy something new, it's hard to wear it on a random Tuesday.”

Obviously, you don't want to wear a new suede jacket on a day you know it's going to be pouring outside or put on a pair of never-worn-before high heels when you are going to be standing most of the day. But if you have a fabulous sweater in your closet, there is no good reason to wait for the perfect occasion to wear it. "I love to tell women to wear what they love because of how it makes them feel.”

Take the Tags Off

The clothes in your closet should reflect the way you want to be perceived. That means they should fit, be clean and be in style. If your clothes don't meet these criteria, it may be time to say farewell.

As for new clothes, remember that their sole purpose is to be worn. Take the tags off and enjoy them. “You can't get a positive feeling from your clothes if they're hanging in your closet,” says Lumbatis. “Even if you're not leaving the house that day, you're still going to feel awesome in that new pair of jeans and sweater.”

Make a Plan

Sometimes we choose the same few items from our closet because it's easy. Lumbatis says, “This all goes back to decision fatigue. Getting dressed feels like one more thing you have to figure out. When we were teenagers, we had time to play in our closets. As grown women, most of us don't make the time to do that anymore.” It may seem more straightforward to throw on the pants you know are hemmed to the right height for a particular shoe. But if you take a little time to access your wardrobe and plan outfits, it can make getting dressed in the morning or for an evening out easier.

Step Out of Your Rut

If, like me, your answer to the question, “What are you wearing to dinner on Saturday night?” has been “Dark jeans and a black silk top” for the last 20 years, it may be time to take a risk. “Don’t be afraid to try new things,” says fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff, author of the book Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. “I always tell women to buy something that makes you just slightly a little uncomfortable, not physically, but like, 'can I pull this off?' And I think you'll always find that that's what you get the most compliments on.”

Instead of seeing getting dressed as a chore, look at it as an opportunity. "Give yourself permission to be bolder," says Lumbatis. “Take a mirror selfie to do a vibe check and help you gain confidence before you step out the door.”

Look Good, Feel Good

"I've seen it over and over again; when you feel good in what you have on, it changes the way you move in the world,” says Lumbastis. “It's really about alignment; what's on the outside matches what's on the inside. It helps you see everything through a more positive lens.”

Even if it's a little silly and even vapid, not feeling good about myself made me self-conscious.. It's not about wearing expensive or trendy clothes but rather choosing items that enhance your perception of your appearance.

I can't say that since that day, I've been impeccably coiffed, but I have made a more concerted effort. I've gotten rid of the clothes that don't fit or don't make me feel my best. And I've stopped waiting for the "perfect occasion” to wear something new. Instead, I've realized that the perfect occasion is any day I want it to be, by simply taking off the tags, putting the item on, and wearing it out the door.

How often do YOU clean out your closet? Let us know in the comments below.

Randi Mazzella is a freelance writer and journalist. Her work has appeared in numerous online and print publications The Washington Post, Next Avenue, Your Teen for Parents, SheKnows and New Jersey Family. She writes about a wide range of topics including parenting, mental health, wellness, pop-culture, teens, finance and midlife issues. She is a wife and mother of three children who inspire her every day. To read more of her work, go to randimazzella.com.