My Biggest Fashion Faux Pas | The Incident That Changed Everything

This fashion faux pas was the catalyst for me to change how I dress and prompted the realization that what we wear (and how we wear it) matters.

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[TheDailyConnoisseur]

Please hit the thumbs up button on your favorite comments down below. I plan to film a reaction video and will likely choose the most liked stories. Thanks for sharing your fashion faux pas, everyone! I don't feel so alone now :) ~Jennifer

[gratituderanch]

One of the reasons why it’s wonderful to dress for yourself… I was at home yesterday it had been a long day homeschooling working on the Homestead, yes I wear skirts while I Homestead, and I was just making supper when the doorbell went off. I was actually on the phone with my best friend while I cooked and I told her I had to go because I saw my father-in-law from out of town. He accidentally had the wrong phone number for me and so he just showed up at my house. Thank goodness I was presentable!!!! Because I was absolutely shocked that he was there! 😂

[saturdayschild]

I once was walking across a parking lot full of church goers when my short winter corduroy skirt that was made in a wrap around style flew open in the wind and I could not hold it together gracefully. My 5 yr old son saw my struggle and very discreetly wrapped his arms around my thighs and whispered "I will save you Momma". We then walked carefully into the building as if everything was fine and I was dying inside but so pleased with my little man for recognizing I needed rescuing from myself. I agree with you 100%. I have had more of these incidents than I care to mention, it's life I suppose but we must live especially in public very deliberately considering these things to avoid embarrassing ourselves or others. My Husband gets annoyed with knee length or shorter skirts at church because if you are seated on the stage ( like choir members or speakers) a skirt that short offers a glimpse of mystery that respectable people do not want to be distracted with at church.

[ladonnamills]

I am a pastor’s wife. One Sunday morning I wore my favorite skirt. which should have been discarded long before this day.. when we stood up to pray, my skirt fell straight to the ground. I was on the front row... THANKFULLY, I wore a slip that day which I seldom wore, but will never be without one on now!!!

[karensetchfield]

Here’s a tip.. Don’t attempt to step onto a boat whilst you are wearing a narrow pencil skirt ish garment. You would either risk falling in the water or a huge great rip up the back seam.. I should know.

[suzanthrasher]

I was doing sound check for a solo in my church, which had a live telecast, and realized I had on a sheer skirt and NO SLIP!! I ran off stage with no time to run home, and found a choir member who was about my size, and while my face burned bright red, I asked her if she was wearing a slip that I could borrow. She laughed as we ran into the ladies room, slipping it off her hips and saying she was happy to help, and handing it to me with a big loving smile. Every time I see her, our eyes meet and twinkle with merriment.💫✨

[HRHQueenMimitheStylish]

I frankly feel that the “midriff complaint” came from a very petty place. It is not entirely out of the ordinary for a little midriff to show when one lifts the arms whilst wearing an untucked shirt. A quiet polite word directly from the observer would have gone a long way and saved you the mortification.

I had a similar experience with a lacy top as an undergrad. I had a black lacy top which I always wore over a black camisole, then layered with a blazer. Sounds modest, right? Not so fast, lady! A male colleague was was kind enough to point out that the lace was sheer enough in certain light to show considerable skin. He could not have been any kinder or tactful and I was equal parts embarrassed and grateful for the heads-up. That top left my wardrobe tout de suite!

[imogenethomas]

Shortly before my retirement, I showed up at work with my shirt on inside out AND backwards. I still don’t know how I did it, but I knew it was time to retire!

[connieseward]

Here’s a story about feeling awkward in an outfit. A few years ago, I went running one day with my brand new Reebok sneakers and a running outfit whose top was low cut enough that I felt it necessary to constantly pull it up. As I was running I saw two boys approach from the opposite direction on their bikes. They were about 10 or 11 years old, and I felt very conscious of my cleavage -showing top. As they passed by me, one boy said to the other....”Did you see that?” The other boy replied, “no, what?” To which the first rider replied “ AWESOME REEBOKS!” Lololol! And I thought they were looking at my chest! Ha Ha!

[katiestevenson]

Ohhh my goodness. This video brought me back to my mid twenties fashion faux pas days. I actually had a really kind hearted man take me aside and give me a pep talk about appropriate dress for business. I was fresh out of college and I had no idea what I was doing! His kind advice, though embarrassing at the time, was really helpful throughout my career.

[kerryrobinwatson]

One honest story deserves another, lol. One very cold morning many years ago i decided to walk my daughter to Playcentre. We dressed nice and warm and set off for our 15 minute stroll. I was wearing a long wool skirt with a petticoat and thick wool leggings and boots. We went inside and I was standing around chatting with some mothers, when I became aware of a little giggle coming from my friend sitting near me, who suggested I look down. My petticoat had slipped right down around my ankles.

[annamironova]

Hi Jennifer, I like your channel, especially videos about ten item wardrobe and about homemaking. Love when your kids get to be in the videos!
I live in Europe, and have two teenage daughters. While I agree with you on general lack of thought about how people dress, I believe that what you described in this video was not really a faux pas. I also believe that there is no harm for anyone involved to occasionally see some skin.
There is a fine line between dressing tastefully and being afraid to always offend someone or break some rules.
While I would not turn up for work in a bikini, I would hope that we dont judge someone for showsing part of their belly by lifting their arm. We need to stay open to expression through style, while also keeping it tasteful. Let's not turn to a dress police.

[TheLadyoftheHouse]

Good morning Jennifer! I really enjoyed hearing this story! I have several as well and also just dressing using bad judgment as a teenager. Things changed for me after my father saw a picture of me online showing my midriff. That was an intentional post but I learned in that moment you never know who’s looking and to treat the internet as if your own parents could see everything. I don’t like to disappoint my parents and knowing that I had really made me reflect on my actions and intentions🌹

[katytaylor]

Hi Jennifer! I can SO relate to this! I still haven’t recovered from when I worked at a bank. My boss had to talk to me about my clothes. ONE of the hideous outfits I wore was red corduroy flare leg pants (I’m cringing just writing that) and a thin skin tight turquoise tee shirt...Yikes I know! Looking back I am still so embarrassed. I was only 19 at the time, so I excuse myself but it deeply effected me, and I have always strived to do better since...in fashion...in etiquette....in work ethic etc. I love your channel. You are so real and so inspiring. Thank you!

[amandazplace]

Well...I've told this story on another video. I had to reprimand an employee once bc she bent over in a mini skirt infront of visitors to the company. No underwear!! HANDS DOWN, my worst meeting ever with an employee. I think she and I both learned a valuable lesson that day. Not just to always wear underwear. We must always "test drive" clothing before purchasing. Bend over, stretch high. Consider things like gusts of wind. Make sure there is no risk of a wardrobe malfunction. Thank you, Jennifer! Yes, we all have a few of these stories to tell.

[Nicole-yilo]

Dear Bosses: if you have feedback to give one individual, address that person individually. Jennifer’s story is a good example of how a group email didn’t work; the person receiving it didn’t even know it was about them! More than one lesson to be learned from your sweet story, Jennifer. As always, thanks!

[Olivia-xnnn]

This reminded me of a teacher I had in school who was tall and always wore low rise pants with small shirts. With her arms at her side we could always see an inch or two of her stomach. Of course it was more exposing when shed turn around and write up high on the board! But there is no shame in having these moments. After coming across your channel I have become more aware of how many faux pas moments I have had when it comes to wardrobe: shirt buttons coming undone, seeing undergarments through clothing, or recognizing people when you don't look your best. Thank you for all your insight, you're really helping people become more polished!

[lifeonhuckleberryhill]

Like you I have many fashion faux pas stories to draw from, but the first one that came to mind involves my favorite maternity outfit when I was expecting my second child. I didn't have many maternity clothes, so they were worn in heavy rotation. All of my maternity clothes were leftover from my first child and already looked a bit worn, with the exception of this one pretty top and pants outfit that I got on a clearance rack. Since it was the newest, I wore it often, particularly when I was leaving the house. I later handed down my maternity clothes to my younger sister, who made a comment about how much she particularly appreciated the maternity pajamas that I had given her. You have probably already figured out that, yes, I was wearing pajamas all over town. To church, to the grocery store, to friends' houses...everywhere. Oh, well...it makes a funny story now!

[Imhm]

Oh no! I have been trying so hard to forget my own personal horrid fashion faux pas. Now I am having flashbacks again! I only hope no one else remembers. It's only been 40 years!

[themeganburns]

One day at work I was wearing a skirt and was getting a ton of compliments on my outfit so I was feeling particularly good about myself. I remember walking confidentiality across the work room when the IT man walked up to me and whispered, miss your skirt is tucked into your under garments." I WAS MORTIFIED!!!! Still gives me a good chuckle, even after 10+ years.