The Fashion Faux Pas I No Longer Make

You'll never catch me doing these again.

By
Published July 31, 2026
Collage featuring three adults modeling different outfits against a pink patterned background
AARP (Getty Images, 4)

Back in the early 1980s, I remember getting dressed for high school in my childhood bedroom. It was the beginning of the designer jeans era, so I pulled out a pair of Jordache or Sergio Valente. The denim is so tight and stiff that I needed to lie down on my bed and pull the zipper up with a wire hanger.

Thinking back now, I really don’t know how I managed to go to my classes and stay focused while wearing a pair of denim so skin tight and uncomfortable. I suppose my desire to be trendy and fashionable outweighed all other needs.

But that is not the case anymore. As I've gotten older, I've re-thought about what matters to me when it comes to what clothes I want to wear.

With that in mind, these are the fashion faux pas I refuse to make any more:

1. Worry About the Size

For years, size played a big role in how I bought clothing. If a brand ran large and I could wear a smaller size, I would be more inclined to buy it. But now I’m okay with a range of sizes in my wardrobe, meaning if the “shoe fits,” wear it, even if it’s bigger than my usual shoe or pant size. No one sees the number on the size tag but me and even if they did, no one cares. Better to wear clothes that are flattering and fit than to worry about what "size" the item has been labeled.

2. Wear Something Uncomfortable

My days of lying on my bed to zip up a pair of pants are long over. If they can't be zipped standing up, then the pants aren't for me. I also no longer wear turtlenecks (they make me feel like I am choking) and have traded my stilettos for a block or kitten heel (I don’t have time for blisters or to stay in my seat at a party because my feet hurt too much to dance). Blouses with elastic on the arms and jeans with no stretch at all have also been given the axe. And finally, after many years of service, I've said "no thanks" to all of my Spanx undergarments. At 60, I am comfortable in my skin and I also need to be comfortable in my clothes, period.

3. Worry That an Item is "Too Young" for Me

I have a pair of sparkly sneakers that I absolutely love. Yes, they look like something my 10-year-old niece would wear, but that is okay – she has good taste. These bright, fun and comfy sneakers literally put a pep in my step. The same is true for my tee with the funny sayings on them (even if my kids tell me these shirts are "cringe.") I believe everyone should wear what they want and that age does not dictate fashion choices. If you want to wear a mini skirt, a string bikini, or a tee shirt that says, “Buns of Cinnamon" do so without hesitation. (and yes, I do own a t-shirt that says just that.)

4. Wear Clothes That Are Ripped or Stained

It never failed that whenever I went out of the house, like I just rolled out of bed in my pajamas, I would run into someone I knew. Immediately, I'd feel embarrassed and worry that they were thinking, "Gee she really let herself go." I know I shouldn't care what other people think, but still, it bothered me. So I decided that I was no longer going to leave the house wearing clothes that made me feel anything but confident. For me, spending a few minutes putting myself together, making sure my clothes are clean and presentable, sets a positive tone for the rest of the day.

5. Keep Clutter in My Closet

For years, I would have items in my closet that I never wore. These pieces no longer fit me or work with my lifestyle. I kept the items on the off chance that “one day” I might wear them. The problem was that it made it harder for me to get dressed with confidence. I had to admit that “one day” was not coming and instead, purged my closet of the items that were just taking up space. Doing that made getting dressed easier and allowed me to set realistic goals for which items might be worth purchasing in the future.

6. Wait for Someday

Last week, the weather was very warm, so I decided to wear a new cotton skirt and sandals instead of my usual jeans and sneakers. When I came downstairs, my husband said I looked nice and then asked, “Why are you so dressed up?” My answer was simple, “Why not? ’Of course, I’m not going to pick up groceries in a ball gown, but I will wear a new skirt on a random Tuesday, even if I am just running errands. I’ve stopped waiting for someday or the perfect opportunity to debut a new purchase. If I'm in the mood to wear something, I take the tags off and put it right on.

Do you do any of the above? 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.