OMG! Oh, no she didn't...

Ok, so at least one of you got on the street and submitted this fabulous "fashion don't" over to the right.  

"What went wrong?" you ask.

Well, it's hard to know where to start.  

Let me start by sharing the comments of my fellow contributor, we'll call her "My South Bronx connection," or MSBC for short.

"...saw this sad display today.  I first noticed there was something wrong with the hood and bag - perfectly sunny and warm today, so why the fur hood?  Then the dark and dreary brown coat and bag hiding the colorful dress underneath.  But then I saw the socks!  It almost makes you forget about the above-waist problems." --MSBC

I couldn't agree more MSBC.  I can give her a pass for the coat because who knows anymore what weather the day will bring, but really, fur??  I'm not talking the PETA argument here, but it is May and I'm pretty certain we're not expecting snow this month in NYC.  Come on, let's all say it together: "Winter is over."  Loose the coat.

Now here comes the hard part.  The belt.  I really don't want to go there, because, hey, she tried, bless her heart.  But no, it doesn't work.  In general, I am a BIG fan of the belt over pretty much anything--well, maybe not your nightgown, although those dresses that are huge and billowy could double as a nightgown and they certainly benefit from belts.  Ok, getting off track.  I mean yes, the belt does keep it from looking like she is wearing a furry brown sack without shape.  No, instead she looks like she is wearing a furry brown sack with a western belt.  Yeah, not much improvement.  

So, how to wear the belt?  I really like it when this is done with clothes that have a bit too much volume and then the belt becomes this great shaping device outlining your waist and/or hips.  It also works when you have a skinny belt on a slim fitting outfit.  But this one--sigh--sorry, but it's not good.  The width is too narrow to look fashionable on top of this shapeless coat.  Plus the textured western feel to it reads all wrong with that hoodie and bag.  Too many styles competing and no one wins.

Ok, here it is, the part you've been waiting for: the platform shoes and white socks.  

Wait -- it is just too painful.  Let's just run through some potential excuses here:

-All her other brown socks that match her coat were dirty today?

-She learned to wear white socks with sandals from her dad?

-She rolled out of bed and into those wedges, white socks and all?

But here's my gut-level fear: SHE GAVE UP.

I know I'm not alone in having those days that qualify as do-overs.  I realize that we all make, sometimes horrendous, mistakes in our fashion choices, but please, DO NOT GIVE UP!  There is no reason to give up on yourself or your look.  And let's face it, if we look like a million bucks, we feel like a million bucks.  How much do you think she was feeling today?  A buck fifty, maybe?

So, remember, you are entitled to have your "off" days, but don't let it turn into off-weeks/months/years.  And if you need to get back in the game, it's not too late to salvage what's left of your wardrobe and get help.  Trust me, there are a million and a half makeover shows out there to back me up.  

Keep the pictures coming... and comment for crying out loud.  This is a dialogue (or at least it can be) rather than a 1-woman show.

xxoo Red