Five style blunders...

..and how to fix them

You would never dream of making an obvious fashion faux pas (Seamed hose with sandals? Never!)

But even dedicated fashionistas sometimes run the risk of making style snafus.

Here are fashion traps to avoid, with the fixes listed at the end of each:

1. Relying too heavily on the fashion media. You buy all the fashion magazines religiously, watch awards shows, read the paper and keep up with all the online sources. How could that be a mistake?

By relying too heavily on the media to rule your wardrobe, you run the risk of being a fashion victim.

Remember: most magazines and TV programs about fashion produce an "aspirational" effect. They present you with fabulous clothes you'll want to buy on fabulous models you'll want to look like.

The problem is that (a) you probably can't afford any of the clothes they show and (b) you're never going to look like a supermodel or a celebrity.

Better ways to develop style -- read it and thumb your nose at the next "must-have" list.

2. Buying clothes that don't fit. You probably already know that you should NEVER buy something too small, thinking you'll lose weight -- even if it is a $10 Pucci dress you picked up off eBay.

But did you know that little details like the length of your jacket sleeves or the place your pants hem rest can make or break an outfit?

The best way to get perfect fit is to have a tailor alter the garment. Find a few pointers: A quick guide to how your clothes should really fit.

3. Creating a mish-mash wardrobe by buying odds and ends. Buying up odds and ends on sale may seem to make sense. After all, the easy availability of off-price merchandise has lulled us into thinking that minor purchases won't blow our wardrobe concept or budget.

Actually, it's the little things that kill your wardrobe. Without a plan, you can end up with tons of clothes and nothing to wear. But it's never to late to change your habits: How to always have something to wear.

4. Getting stuck in a style rut. The exact opposite of the No. 1 style buster is not staying caught up on the latest trends. Sticking with classics has been conventional style wisdom for ages, and for women with full lives and limited resources this is still a sure way to investment dressing.

The problem is that as we grow older, we sometimes become a little too comfortable wearing our old standbys (or just doing "replenishment" shopping each season).

Sometimes all it takes is tweaking the basics that you already own to look fabulous. How to keep your look up-to-date.

5. Choosing the wrong undergarments. Even Maria Shriver (NBC news correspondent and Arnold Schwarzenegger's wife) commented on "Oprah" how she relied on heavy-duty foundation garments to look smashing in her Valentino Oscar dress a few years ago.

Just think what the right bra or support-top pantyhose could do for us mere mortals.

In addition to gravity-defying bras and body slimmers that eliminate lumps and bumps, there are other tricks of the trade: Getting it right underneath

Cynthia Nellis

How your garments should fit

• Long sleeved garments should hit just below the wrist bone with just a little ease (shouldn't be too tight or loose)
• A button-front blouse should never gap open at the bust line. If the garment seems to fit, the problem may just be wide-spaced buttons. Attach a snap.
• A slim or pencil skirt should fit without bunching or wrinkling up. Do the sit-down test.
• Hemline correction -- skirts should be completely straight all the way around. If that's not the case (because of hips or tummy) have it re-hemmed.
• Tailored pants should fall to the top of your instep.
• Long, formal gowns should fall to about an inch off the ground.

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How to Always Have Something to Wear

Always buying clothes but never have anything to wear? Step by step instructions on how to develop a wardrobe.

Here's How:

1. Stop impulse buying. Every $10 mistake you would have picked up in the bargain bin goes to a really great wardrobe.
2. In the first step of cleaning out your closet, eliminate everything that doesn't fit or that you haven't worn in a year.
3. A few weeks later, go back and get rid of all the stuff you fudged on the first time around.
4. With what's left, begin identifying a theme to your wardrobe, relying on favorite looks, colors and lifestyle pieces..
5. Decide on three colors that either match or will coordinate with what you own and buy only those three colors for apparel.
6. Establish a workable budget.
7. Make a list of all the items you need in your wardrobe. (For example: solid blazer, wool pants, white shirt)
8. Set aside an hour of time each week to shop -- online or off.
9. Avoid trendy items.
10. Buy clothing that will span two to three seasons -- like wool crepe or matte jersey.
11. Purchase only clothes that work with something that you already own.
12. Pass on anything that doesn't fit -- no matter how great a buy.
13. Try to add only one or two well-thought out items per month.
14. Add punchy color and trendiness with accessories, shoes and handbags.
15. Continually eliminate and replace essential wardrobe pieces once it is built up so that you are never caught without a necessary item.

Tips:

1. Ignore that advice about buying "the best" of everything. Regardless of how well-made a garment is, moths, coffee spills and kids take their toll. Never choose between a mortgage payment and a cashmere sweater.
2. Try to plan your wardrobe around three neutral colors like black, white, khaki, navy or brown.
3. Buy more solids than prints - you won't get tired of them as quickly.

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Keeping your look up-to-date

• Pick up a women's magazine you normally wouldn't buy (hint: should have more fashion than recipes on the cover). Elle, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and W are good starters.
• Go to a different store (online or physical) and try on new labels, even if the style is similar to what you already own. You may be surprised what you're missing if you rely on certain set merchants and brands.
• Slip in some punchy color. Every season there's a trendy color palette, and it's usually not too hard to figure out what it is. Use color as accent pieces -- a bright scarf, a camisole under a suit.
• Accessories are the easiest ways to update a look. Choose a new handbag, sexy sandals or a new necklace. If you're not sure what's modern, ask a sales associate to point you to what's hot -- they usually know what others are asking for.
• Don't try to radically change your look -- no one in real life ever emerges looking like the "After" picture in a fashion makeover Make subtle changes over a period of time.

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Related Articles:

• How to find your size - Women
• How to find your size - Men
• Simple style rules