# Fashion that is NOT flattering **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 25, 2002, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852 "2002-05-25T23:26:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/41 "2002-05-27T06:31:05Z")
baggy pants: I used to work with a guy who wore his pants so low I just couldn’t resist the urge to sneak up behind him and yank 'em up at least once a day. He finally started wearing a belt. tee-hee. those goddamn Princess and Porn Star shirts. I actually saw a girl, no older than 12, with her MOTHER wearing a shirt that said “porn star” huh? wha? HUH??? Sorry, I used to be a big busted gal myself (36 E before breast reduction) and still would never be caught dead wearing a tank top with bra straps showing. I just never wore tank tops. I also had it drilled in my head that it was trashy looking. Thank god I can get away with wearing a strapless underneath now. Shoes with heels so high the girls wearing them can’t walk. I can’t even say how many times I’ve been walking behind some chick on campus who’s trying SO HARD to walk normally but just. can’t. seem. to. do. it…kinda funny actually… And the horrendous mustard washed jeans. It looks like you spilled your grey poupon on yourself… ---
**Author:** ![BrattiAtti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@BrattiAtti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrattiAtti)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/42 "2002-05-27T06:35:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ukulele Ike \* > \*\* > At the risk of stating the obvious, have you considered taking a pair of scissors to one of your old pairs of Levi’s? You can have shorts any length you like. > \*\* And I _told_ myself, someone’s going to tell you to cut up jeans. And the other half of my brain said, why waste the effort? OK, here’s my reason. I have never found a pair of jeans that has a decent cut for alterations I do myself. The legs either end up crooked or snug at the top of the thigh then ridiculously loose further down. I suppose I could spend money on a tailor, but I don’t want that hassle. I had a really cute pair of shorts. They were snug on my butt but loose on my legs, flared or something from the hip so I didn’t have that tight/loose issue. ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/43 "2002-05-27T06:37:40Z")
ishtara, calm down will ya? They DO make tank tops with slightly thicker straps that cover a bra strap. And there are many many people out there who don’t look like supermodels. It’s the strap showing that looks trashy, no matter what the wearers size. You could be a size 2 or a size 20, it still looks trashy. I think you’re crying discrimination where it doesn’t really exist in this case. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/44 "2002-05-27T06:58:48Z")
I’m with Istara. I don’t wear tank tops often, and if I do, I make an effort to hide my bra strap, but I’m not losing any sleep over whether it shows a little or not. My breasts are C cup and I’m _not_ going out without a bra. I’m not into looking trashy, but my first concern is always gonna be comfort, not whether someone I don’t know is tsking under their breath at my horrible breach of etiquette. ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/45 "2002-05-27T11:23:23Z")
I wear bra with tank top if I’m going to be walking around a lot (can’t stand the jiggling, y’know), but… the bra must be the same colour as the tank top, and the strap must be plain and thin. It just looks like the tank top has two straps on each side. We’re not talking wide lacy white straps under a black spaghetti strap tank here. ---
**Author:** ![istara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e79b87/32.png) [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/46 "2002-05-27T13:01:51Z")
**Kyla** - you go girl! (as Ricki Lake would say) And **Sue Duhnym** - thanks for that link. I’ve seen people here wearing transparent bra straps and they do look more subtle. These in your link are really pretty though, like jewellry/accessories even. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/47 "2002-05-27T13:46:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by istara \* > \*\* > So let’s not slag off the right of certain people to wear “normal” items that we find acceptable on “supermodel” bodies. \*\* Sheesh… I said I thought it looked bad on ANYONE. I never said anything about it looking good on the waifs and shitty on normal-sized people. For what it’s worth, I’m no waif… 36C, and tend to wear a bra all the time. I just don’t wear spaghetti strap tops because I don’t think it looks good with bra straps showing, and I don’t normally go braless. It’s my opinion, and an opinion only. You have a different opinion. Big flippin’ deal, we disagree. ---
**Author:** ![Marconi\_Schmeese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@Marconi\_Schmeese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marconi_Schmeese)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/48 "2002-05-27T13:48:25Z")
Um, how about those jeans with glitter in them? Nasty. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/49 "2002-05-27T13:50:14Z")
\*Any tight shirt with lycra. Lovely rolls. \*Boots with skirts. Annie Oakley. \*Thigh high boots. Uh, no. \*Bell bottoms, especially ones that drag the freaking ground. \*Tankinis. Either go for the bikini or go for the one piece. The tankini cuts up the torso too much and makes everyone look short and squat. \*Anything with feathers. Don’t go there. \*See through tops with no bra. Desperately seeking attention. ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/50 "2002-05-27T14:26:36Z")
I definitely second the thigh high boots. Especially the silver or red pleather-y look ones. Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![Venoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c4cdca/32.png) [@Venoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Venoma)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/51 "2002-05-27T14:36:31Z")
Pish. Another one here that wears bras with tanks. Yeah, the straps show. I’d rather not wear a bra (I can get away with it if it’s warm enough that my Titanium Nipples don’t poke out) but that’s not always an option. You think it looks trashy? Good on you - I’ve always thought trash was defined by behavior, not fashion choices, but to each their own. I won’t lose any sleep over it. I also love flare jeans on me - and I love seeing them on other women as well. It seems to flaunt a good butt. What I don’t like - mixing of patterns. Picture a paisley shirt with plaid pants. Not even if the colors match. Makes my eyes hurt. Also, overly baggy jeans also make me go huh? If it’s a comfort thing, I guess they’re doing fine, but if they do it for looks, I don’t know what they see in it… ---
**Author:** ![shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shrew)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/52 "2002-05-27T14:49:38Z")
I third the thigh high or even knee high boots. A good friend of mine wears them to TEACH in, and every time I see her wearing her hooker boots and a cute skirt, I just cringe. ---
**Author:** ![Trancey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Trancey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trancey)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/53 "2002-05-27T15:23:38Z")
those freakin FADED/BLEACHED JEANS!, with different bleach designs all over them this weekend, my friend had a pair that was tan, but where the faded part was supposed to be was a dark blue, i told her how dumb she looked and if she went out with me with those on, id pretend i didnt know her and i was 100% serious those types of pants are the UGLIEST things i have ever seen. especially the gap n high name designer versions. if u wear those, ur basicially telliNg the world, “hey, i like to roll around in javex and pay over 100 dollars for these disgusting looking pants” ---
**Author:** ![Zap\_Rowsdower](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3da27b/32.png) [@Zap\_Rowsdower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zap_Rowsdower)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/54 "2002-05-27T15:42:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by racer72 \* > [B > I haven’t seen anyone mention the oversized pants young males are wearing today. A neighbor kid wears jeans about 20 sizes to large, he has to hold them up or they will fall to the ground, the crotch is below the knee and the bottom 6 inches are all chewed up from being walked on. Come on, buy a belt to hold them up at least. \*\* I see kids with these all the time at work. When they stand up from sitting, you get to see a lot more of them than you would like. If they want to wear it fine, just keep them up! ---
**Author:** ![Squish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Squish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squish)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/55 "2002-05-27T17:17:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lezlers \* > \*\*ishtara, > > calm down will ya? They DO make tank tops with slightly thicker straps that cover a bra strap. And there are many many people out there who don’t look like supermodels. It’s the strap showing that looks trashy, no matter what the wearers size. You could be a size 2 or a size 20, it still looks trashy. I think you’re crying discrimination where it doesn’t really exist in this case. \*\* I agree. I wasn’t being discriminatory–in fact, I purposefully wrote that I was a D cup to point that out. I live in Arizona, which is hot from May through September and humid in late July and early August. Yes, I wear tank tops. If I was uncomfortable going bra-less, then I would wear a sleeveless t-shirt or a light, airy gauze shirt. It’s my understanding that this discussion is an exchange of _opinions_. There are opinions posted on here that I don’t necessarily agree with either, but they’re _opinions_, that’s all. ---
**Author:** ![Squish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Squish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squish)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/56 "2002-05-27T17:19:55Z")
My favorite boots are my knee-high, 20-eyelet, steel toes with rubber soles and five-buckled straps. 🙂 I do like thigh-highs on someone with long, slender legs–especially guys. Yum! ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/57 "2002-05-27T17:28:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Blue Sky \* > \*\*Anyone who has seen Tori Amos’ (actually Y Kant Tori Read) video “The Big Picture”, will know why some women should NEVER be allowed to wear hip hugger jeans. > > The actresses in the horrendous _Josie and the Pussycats_ had to have to pairs of low riders made, one to stand in and one to sit in because when they sat down, their butts would hang out. \*\* Which isn’t really a bad thing. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/58 "2002-05-27T19:43:58Z")
[[And I sure hope JillGat doesn’t see all these negative comments about saddle shoes…]] Hey, I’m the first to admit that not just anybody can get away with them. ---
**Author:** ![Sylkyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@Sylkyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylkyn)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/59 "2002-05-27T20:39:25Z")
I don’t know if this is a regional thing, or is popular in other places or what, but one trendy thing I see all the time and can’t tolerate is this one: Flood pants. Or at least that’s what we used to call them back when I was a kid. You know what I mean. They’re not capri pants and they’re not full-length pants either. They stop right above the ankle, and have a little bit of a flare to them. I can’t abide those idiotic looking things. If you want to wear capris, wear them. If you want to wear regular jeans or pants, go for it. But don’t be so indecisive as to wear those moronic, ill-fitting water waders. If you were made fun of in school for wearing them, how come it’s cool and stylish now? Oh, and wearing sandals with them doesn’t help. Not one bit. Ack. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2002, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852/60 "2002-05-27T22:22:30Z")
Nobody mentioned the other disgusting trend-these gals wearing the low-cut bellbottoms-they pair this up with thong undies! So you get to see the whole monty-ugh!! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashion-that-is-not-flattering/110852.md?page=4)