Have A What Not To Wear List: 11 Things I Avoid

Do you wish to cultivate a greater sense of style but have no idea where to start? Have you considered starting with a ‘what not to wear’ list?

It can be overwhelming to curate a capsule wardrobe, confusing to identify your signature style. How many pieces do you need? Are you boho chic or rock chick – who can tell!? Upgrading your personal style can be tricky, particularly if you’ve never given it much thought. It’s easy to observe women with that certain je ne sais quoi, oozing elegance and polish, and feel intimidated.

Well, I have an idea for you. Start with something super simple – and rather fun! Instead of trying to work out what to wear, create your personal What Not To Wear List.

I love simplicity and have a minimalistic style in dress, decor, work, pretty much everything. So whenever I can put a mental line through options – that feels good!

But even if you’re less minimalistic, thinking about what you don’t like can be a great place to start – it removes variables and helps clarify what options remain.

Here… to get you started, I’ll share my What Not To Wear List.

My What Not To Wear List

These are the style-related items I’ve eliminated from my repertoire of choices – either because they don’t suit me or because I don’t find them chic.

1. Ugg boots outside the home – though I enjoy their cosiness chez moi
2. Crocs and flat sandals
3. Any item of clothing that has become worn or tatty (I won’t wear these at home either)
4. Baggy bottoms of any kind, including track pants, loose leggings, draped trousers – all look frumpy on me
5. Flowing, boho-style tops – don’t suit me
6. Hues with a yellow undertone (chartreuse, orange, mustard) – they make me look ill
7. Anything fitted and skin-revealing – if I want a sexy look I’ll choose either fitted or showing skin, not both
8. Large patterns – I prefer solid colours or small patterns such as mini polka dots or fine strips
9. Foundation – I like a natural look so prefer tinted sunscreen or BB cream
10. Scarves – somehow they always look matronly on me
11. Hats – oh, I wish! But no.

Of course, your choices will reflect what suits you and what you consider chic.

To get started on your own What Not To Wear List, here are some tips.

How To Create A What Not To Wear List

1. Start by opening your closet and taking a good look. What items do you put on, but end up taking off because they never look right? Are there colours, shapes, or patterns that form a theme? Add them to your list.
2. What do you dislike on others? How you visually react to others is a clue to what fits your definition of chic.
3. Invest time on Pinterest style boards or celebrity news sites and notice what turns you off. This isn’t about being judgmental – others can wear what’s right for them. This is about eliminating what doesn’t work for you.
4. What shapes don’t flatter you? Flowing? Structured? High-necked? Boxy?
5. What hues work against your colouring? Hold the fabric up to your face to see how your skin tone is affected.
6. Do certain accessories feel as though you’re trying too hard? Wide belts? Brooches? Chunky heels? If it doesn’t feel like ‘you’ then it probably isn’t.

Benefits of Your What Not To Wear List

Don’t overthink your What Not To Wear List. You won’t be asked to sign a contract and you can adjust it over time. The idea is simply to have a starting point for paring down limitless options, so you can gain confidence about what you do and don’t like.

Soon you’ll notice the benefits of your what not to wear list…

• It will declutter your closet – package up the ‘no’s for donation and enjoy the extra space.
• It will make dressing easier – you’ll be able to focus on clothes and ensembles you do like.
• It will reduce shopping time – no more trying on or having to return yet another pair of palazzo pants when the last 17 hang unworn in your closet.
• It will save money – no more items guiltily given to charity with tags still attached.

So, what’s on your What Not To Wear List?

Your Chic Life Assignment For Week 7

1. Review the six steps for How To Create A What Not To Wear List. Spend this week noticing what you do and don’t like, using these steps to guide you.
2. Create a list on your phone or in a notebook and start building up your own What Not To Wear List.

This post is part of my 12-Week Series: 12 Ways To Live A Chic Life.
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