10 Style Mistakes You Make All The Time (+ How to Fix Them)

1. Buying Clothes in the Wrong Size

For years, I used my body as a weapon against myself. I thought buying clothes too big or too small would “motivate” me to change my body. My clothes became symbols of who I WASN’T, fuelling self-doubt constantly.

Then I heard this on TikTok: “You cannot hate yourself into a version that you love.” Goosebumps. I stopped buying incorrect sizes, stopped buying clothes entirely for a while, and started empowering myself with knowledge instead. When old behaviours crept back, I implemented a pattern interrupt – writing, drawing, organizing. Using my hands helped release negative emotions through a completely separate activity.

2. Buying Just Because It’s On Sale

If I had a dollar for every time I bought something on sale that I didn’t need, I’d be a billionaire. And I bet you’ve done the same. “But it looks great on the model! It’s 30% off! This brand NEVER has sales!”

This is loss aversion – we feel the pain of missing out more intensely than the pleasure of gaining something. The fix? The overnight shopping cart method. Add everything to your cart, then LEAVE. Come back the next day. That gap breaks the emotional trigger and gives you clarity. Works almost every time.

3. Focusing on the Item, Not Your Wardrobe

I know the pain of staring at a packed wardrobe thinking “I have NOTHING to wear.” Hyperfocusing on singular items meant nothing worked together.

Now I ask three questions before buying: What 1-2 items do I already own that I could pair this with? Does this fill a gap or duplicate something I have? Will this match my style goal? Can’t answer them? Back to the overnight cart it goes.

4. Buying Clothes to Hide Your Body

Similar to wrong sizing, but worse – items that were too baggy, incorrectly fitting, definitely unflattering. It fuelled the idea my body was a “problem.”

Then I learned body shape dressing. I’m an inverted triangle with narrow hips, so I create volume on my bottom half with wide-leg or flared styles, and soften my neckline with V-necks and sweetheart lines. Now I work WITH my body using cuts, shapes, and angles to enhance what I love. Takes the blame off your body AND the clothes.

5. Choosing the Wrong Fabrics

One of the sneakiest style mistakes you constantly make. I never understood why fabrics mattered until I realized two similar tops can create totally different experiences on your body.

A lighter, less elastic top might crop too high and shorten your torso. A heavier, thicker version of the same top might highlight your natural waist curve and look more luxurious. Same price, same size – completely different outcomes. Now I pay attention to weight, composition, and how the fabric sits on MY body.

6. Ignoring Styling Details

I didn’t pay attention to metal colours, whether my shoes were scuffed, or if my accessories followed the same style story. My outfits always felt… off.

Two fixes: First, pick ONE metal colour and commit. Consistent gold (or silver, or rose gold) throughout your outfit creates visual cohesion – people won’t know WHY it looks good, but it will. Second, cleanliness. Clean your white shoes, wipe down bag straps, repair small tears, remove tarnish from jewellery. Takes minutes, looks incredibly intentional.

7. Not Understanding Colour

I wore black 99% of the time and felt dull, gray, like I didn’t radiate from the inside out. Nothing wrong with black, but wearing ONLY that one colour kept me stuck.

Learning my colour season changed everything. I have warm undertones and olive complexion – warm autumn colours flatter me. Now I use colour psychology: vibrant warm colours when I want to feel bubbly, darker bolder colours for sophistication, lighter neutrals for calm. Clothes become tools for mental success.

8. Buying for Hypothetical Scenarios

The beautiful dress for my “next cocktail party”… that never happened. The heels to accompany it… that I never wore. Buying for idealized scenarios I hoped would happen created a painful gap between where I was and where I wished I was.

Now I identify the life I ACTUALLY live, the personality I want to embody daily, and buy for THOSE scenarios. Not random purchases for impractical fantasies.

9. Buying the “Essential Wardrobe”

The fitted blazer, collared shirts, classic pants – you know, what everyone TELLS you to buy. Nothing wrong with these items individually, but standardizing a set and applying it to everyone’s life? Not helpful.

These “staples” never worked for me. I now create my OWN staple wardrobe based on cuts that flatter MY body, styles I personally like, pieces that complement MY lifestyle. Break away from standardized recommendations if they don’t work for you.

10. Doing Too Much

I thought more accessories, more colours, more details = more stylish. WRONG. Too much clutters the visual area – your brain can’t scan and make sense of it. No focal point = looks messy.

Style Mistakes You Probably Make and the Quick Fixes That Actually Work

Most style mistakes come from the same root problem: you do not have a clear plan. You buy random pieces, then you try to force outfits. Fix the plan and your style improves immediately.

Common mistakes and fixes:

• You wear the wrong proportions. Fix it by balancing fitted with relaxed.

• You ignore shoes. Fix it by choosing one clean, polished shoe style you can repeat.

• You wear too many colors. Fix it by sticking to two or three per outfit.

• You wear wrinkled clothes. Fix it by steaming and choosing better fabrics.

• You buy cheap-looking basics. Fix it by upgrading tees, trousers, and layers.

A simple daily checklist:

• Does it fit well at shoulders and waist?

• Can you move comfortably?

• Do your shoes match the vibe?

• Does your outfit have one intentional detail?

If you can answer yes, you will look put together even in simple pieces.