Image includes everything that is in your appearance – not simply how well you put your makeup on and style your hair, and not just how expensive is your bag, but also how well you put all these things together. Sometimes a tiny flaw can ruin the carefully concocted look. Don’t let that happen to you.

Fashion Mistake #1. Skirt too skimpy.

The skirt should not rise up to mid-thigh when you sit down. If you have to pull it down constantly then maybe it is too short or too tight. Make it a rule of thumb to keep the skirt for daytime attires maximum an inch above the knee.

Fashion Mistake #2. Silly, not cute.

Avoid frilly blouses when you don’t party. It’s a popular belief that a frilly blouse will make you look feminine and romantic; instead it makes you look unprofessional and frivolous. Choose a blouse in ivory or white – it goes well with everything.

Fashion Mistake #3. Bare legs in winter.

Leave it to chic Mahnattanites in Sex And The City to show off bare legs with manolos when it’s about to snow. Sheer tights will look stylish enough and keep your assets warm and healthy. Splurge on Wolford tights for a special occasion.

Fashion Mistake #4. Too many accessories.

Keep accessories to a minimum. Button or hoop earrings are acceptable for a daytime look. For an evening, make one piece, e.g. chandelier earrings or embellished purse, a key element and keep the rest of accessories neutral. Hang on to simplicity with your watch: no cartoon characters or day-glo details are appropriate, unless it’s a Swatch.

Fashion Mistake #5. Neon, not neutral makeup.

Be clean and look polished. Make-up is a must in professional world, even if you never wear it. Blusher, mascara and clear powder are minimum. Use the foundation to conceal blemishes. The no-makeup look is fine for college, not for grown-up life. Avoid bright shimmery glosses or eye shadows unless you go out.

Fashion Mistake #6. Showing too much skin.

Especially between the low-rise jeans and top. If you absolutely need to show a bit of your belly make sure it’s tan, slender and depilated. No love handles with those sevens,

Fashion Mistake #7. Showing dark roots.

Be honest to yourself: you are no Carrie Bradshaw to look chic with black roots and blonde tips; besides, there was a team of hi-end stylists working on the set of SATC for hours to make those outgrown roots look appropriate. In real life, dark roots send a clear signal that you are either out of money or out of style.

Fashion Mistake #8. Revealing plain white (or black) bra straps and thongs

Some underwear just looks better inside. No matter how expensive your plain white sports bra is, keep it concealed. Unless, of course, it’s $150 pink Lejaby bra with straps of Belgian lace or bejewelled triangle at the crossing of the thong. Same applies to transparency level of your clothes: wear white or nude bra with white shirts and black/colored bras with black ones, and not vice versa.

Fashion Mistake #9. Wearing trousers too short.

It makes sense to have several pairs of jeans and pants of different length, ones for low heels and ones for higher heels. Wearing too long jeans with casual flat shoes or uggs result in stained and worn-out hems, and that’s another huge no-no!

Fashion Mistake #10. Looking too casual.

The inventors of Ugg boots could never imagine that the comfiness and anti-stylishness of these lovely shearling creations will inspire millions of girls to wear them with out-of-shape stained track pants, oversized sweatshirts and messy ponytails. Uggs and ugg-alikes stand out much better if worn with pristine designer jeans, and track pants are just meant to be worn with equally chic running shoes. You can slouch up to a certain degree, and then you’ll look plain ridiculous.

About The Author

Julie Gabriel is an editor and publisher of Toronto Fashion Monitor (http://toronto.fashion-monitor.com), Canada's largest online publication about fashion, beauty, lifestyle and shopping. Check Toronto Fashion Monitor for daily fashion and beauty news, uncensored reader's product reviews, shopping reviews, Canadian designer directory, and many more, including FREE weekly newsletter.