What Not To Wear...Ever

Our All Time Worst Fashion Trends

from The Friendship Files Archive



We all have blindly bought into a bad fashion trend at least once or twice in our lives. Okay, maybe more. But it's good sense and friendly advice that has saved us from repeating these vile style mistakes. While compiling this list, I polled some of my friends, asking them to rate their worst fashion trends of all time. At the top of the list, and not surprisingly, were harem pants. It's interesting to see that what some people consider as their 'worst' fashion trend, others may regard as their 'best'. Here is what made the list:

What is The Worst Fashion Trend Ever?

*Shoulder pads and giant puffy sleeves...Dynasty was cancelled for a reason.

*MC Hammer drop-crotch pants thats sneaked its way back into fashion. Please send them back to a sealed vault in the 80's where they belong.

*Wearing sock with flops. I don't know whether it's only a South African thing, but I see way too many people wearing fuzzy socks with their flip flops and Birkenstocks. Make it Stop!!!

*Crocs, I die every time I see a pair. Your feet may deserve comfort but not the fluorescent, rubbery, Teletubby kind.

*At the age of about 12, I wore leg warmers with stockings and skirts...Yuck! I looked like a clone of my 88 year old granny. Why didn't anyone warn me?

*Wearing every piece of the jewellery you own all at once. You just need to plug yourself into a socket to light up.

*High waisted trousers...I just can't...

*Aladdin or Jasmine or Genie pants, I have no clue what it's called. Taking your fashion cues from a fictional Disney character is a Huge No-No.

*Jelly babies! My friends and I had one in every colour when we were young. I think we were responsible for that ban on plastic.

*Those mocassin shoes that's everywhere again...omg and the glitter one's! Nooo!

*Everything the Spice Girls wore in the 90's was outright trashy. But back then, we all thought those crazy high platform sneakers were so 'cool'.

*I see girls wear strappy mini dresses with furry knee high boots...in 35 degree weather. It's scorching hot outside, people are basically melting in the heat - who knows whats going on with your feet? Gross!

*Remember when everyone was wearing low rise jeans with their Swarovski thong straps showing? It still gives me nightmares.

*Denim dungarees, it's only okay if you work on a farm, someplace no one will ever see you. 

*Cropped tops that show off your belly. Where is the rest of your top? Did it get caught in the dryer?

*My biggest fashion don't is wearing a black bra under a white see-through blouse. So tacky!

*I'm seeing these peep toe boots in stores now that can't decide if it's a boot or a sandal.

*People that are not nerds and not optically challenged that wear nerd glasses. It's like they're directly poking fun at those of us who are 'forced' to wear specs.

*Balloon dresses are horrid. They make everyone look fat, so why wear it? 

*Velvet tracksuits that the glossy posse wear out absolutely everywhere. Worse were the ones written 'Juicy' on the butt. Cringe! Keep your tracksuits at the gym, not the shopping mall.

*Skants or skousers - which is a hybrid of a skirt and trousers. Yes, I owned one but I was young and misinformed.

*Three letters - VPL.

*Wearing your PJ's, slippers or hair rollers out in public. No one wants to know what you wear to bed.

*Mum jeans that sit on the waist line are ridiculous and so old fashioned. But then again, super low jeans that show butt-cracks are also off-putting.

*Ripped jeans - did a dog get to it before you did?

*Wearing oversized clothes is just as bad as wearing clothes that are three sizes too small for you.

*Scrunchies - a fashion fad so bad that we had to learn just how bad it is on an episode of Sex & the City.





Thanks to all my friends for sharing their biggest fashion don'ts with me. What have been some of your all-time worst fashion trends?

The Friendship Files

Our Life Mottos



While cleaning out my storeroom, I came across a dusty box filled with all my old books from university. Among them, I found a valuable piece of paper, handwritten by my bff, Maya. It's a collection of sayings that our clique of close friends used to constantly use on campus. Each saying had a special meaning and befittingly applied to our lives at the time. Maya compiled a list of these 'little life mottos' for each of us, so that we could read through them whenever we needed some inspiration or encouragement. I'm sharing a few of these with you today, along with their significant meanings.

* Live in the moment. (For the good times pass too quickly, and the sad times linger on.)

* Always look at the bigger picture. (Often we can only see the task or problem that's in front of us, we have to remember to remove the clouds and look at the bigger picture).

* Life is a journey, not a destination. There is no wrong direction, just a longer route.

* Everything happens for a reason.

* Whatever happens, happens... (This was said after every single exam paper ;)

* Exercise caution, for the world is full of trickery.

* You have the right to be yourself. (Don't pretend to be someone else just to fit in).

* Always take things in your stride and keep smiling while doing it.

* Sometimes it's a just matter of 'the right thing, at the wrong time'.

* Beauty is only skin deep.

* Don't judge a book by it's cover. (You may never know how meaningful it's pages could be).

* Some risks are worth taking. (Like going out on a Friday night instead of studying for Saturday morning's exam).

* You can't sleep in the middle of the bed, choose a pillow. (Meaning that you shouldn't leave anyone hanging or be two-minded about important issues. Eventually you have to make a decision, whether it's right or wrong for everyone involved.)

* Don't ever compare yourself to anyone. There will always be people out there are that better or worse off than you are.

* Rainbows come after rainstorms.

* Why settle for skim milk when you can have whipped cream? (This is my favourite one - because no should settle for less than they deserve).

* There are plenty fish in the sea. (This one was used far too often).

* Sometimes, you've got to give Fate a little push. (If you really want something, don't just sit around and longingly wait for it to happen 'someday'. Get up, go out and make it happen yourself).



These mantras have gotten us through the best and worst of times. What have been some of your life mottos?

He's Just Not That Into You

Advice from The Friendship Files



We've seen the movie, read the book and had lengthy discussions about it with our friends. So on this edition of the 'Friendship Files', I asked my galpals to share their experiences and advice on how to tell when that guy is just not that into you. This is what they came up with.

Signs That He's Just Not That Into You

*He finds every excuse as to why he can't attend that party/wedding/dinner with you. And you haven't even mentioned the date yet.

*When he still makes you pay for your share at dinner even though he can totally afford to foot the full bill.

*He never introduces you to anyone he knows.

*He only calls you at the last minute to invite you out - which means you are his 'back-up' plan when his initial plans didn't work out.

*When he stops doing the 'normal' things with you.

*He doesn't take your calls if he sees your number on his screen...however he answers seconds later when you call from private number.

*You catch him checking out the waitress at the restaurant when you're on a date together.

*He always shows up late. If a guy is into you, he won't want to lose a single precious minute with you.

*When he doesn't ask you to be his date at work-related functions.

*You're together for four years and you still don't have a ring around your finger. If he can't commit after that long, will he ever?

*He takes you out to far out and obscure places on dates and constantly looks around nervously to see if there's anyone that he knows.

*He doesn't make longterm plans with you.

*When spending time with his boys takes preference over spending time with you.

*When he introduces you to his friends by your name only - not staking his claim and labeling you as his lady.

*When he buys you socks for your birthday.

*He never leaves his phone unattended and never lets you browse through it.

*When his behaviour makes you start questioning him.

*He changes his email/Facebook password when he finds out you've figured it out.

*When he makes every excuse in the book as to why he can't meet your parents.

*He always takes his calls in the next room and claims it's 'work'.

*When he names his pet female dog after you.

*He says that he's somewhere that he isn't.

*He cancels his plans with you at the last minute.

*He sends out 100 BBM's per minute while he's on a date with you.

*If you're always the one asking to meet up or calling.

*He pretends not to see you at the mall then turns and walks the other away as fast as he can.

*He waits three days after a date to call you. If a guy is really into you, he will call you immediately to let you know what a great a time he had.

*When he is not prepared to be faithful to you.

*He says he's out on a business lunch, at 8 in the evening, on a Sunday, on Valentines Day.

*He doesn't call when he says he will.

*He stands you up on your first date

*If he doesn't answer his phone, reply your messages or is always too busy to meet up, well then...he just doesn't want to.

Thanks to all my lovely galpals for contributing. Hope this list helps girls out there read in between the lines and jump out before their ship sinks.

The Friendship Files

I am truly blessed to have such a large group of amazing friends from all over the country. Our bonds have remained faithful over the years and we have grown closer, stronger and wiser together. To honour them, I have created 'The Friendship Files'. I posed the same question to each of them, and they responded with their honest opinions and truthful thoughts. I collected all of the answers and posted it below. The question I asked is : "What does being a good friend mean to you?" Most of the replies were based on the general rules of friendship, with a few interesting ones in between.

What Does Being a Good Friend Mean to You? 





*A good friend is someone who you can meet after years and pick up from where you left off like it was yesterday.

*One who pulls me off the ground when the world has their feet on me.

*A good friend is someone who doesn't judge you, who's never afraid to tell you the truth and someone who you can confide in, completely knowing your secret is safe.

*A good friend will never date your ex, even if you say you're okay about it.

*Your girls should always come before anyone else - that means guys basically.

*Only a true friend will be totally honest with you...'Like girl, maybe it's time you go on a diet! Your butt does look big in that.'

*A good friend is a shoulder and ear when you need it.

*Someone who does not mislead you.

*A good friend is someone that's always there for you, good times and bad, in person, over the phone, email, BBM, whatever. That person takes the time to connect with you. And even when life gets hectic and they don't, you know that if you call or msg they will make time for you.

*Not letting your friends go out dressed like Miley Cyrus.

*Being able to tell your best friend that the guy she's dating is a real jerk.

*Someone I can trust and who dresses a little bit...normal. You should be able to tell your friend the new jersey she bought makes her look like the sequel to 'Who let the dogs out?'

*One who is always available to listen to me at my loneliest minute.

*In need of a support group? Cocktail hour with the girls - which is always, be it 3 in the morning or 11 at night.

*Having a friend honestly tell you what she thinks about your new haircut, even if it's bad. That means someone who will bravely say to you, "Are you bringing the mullet back in fashion? Now let's get that fixed before anyone else sees."

*A good friend will stretch your vision and cherish your dreams.

*A true friend can go for long periods of time without speaking to you and never question the friendship.

*The one who will always respect my decision, guide me when I move off the part and accept me for the random person that I am and never ever split on me.

*Only a true friend will help you conspire and execute an evil revengeful plan against your loser ex.

*A true friend is someone who's there for you when the good times roll and the tough times tear you apart.

*A good friend is someone whose relationship with you is not tarnished by lack of time spent together or the vast distance of physical space between you.

*A true friend doesn't care if you're broke, when your house is a mess, about your past or if your family is filled with crazies...They love you for who you are.

*A good friend is one who will lie for me but not to me.

*The three most important qualities of a good friend is honesty, dependability and empathy.

*Your best friend will knock on your door at 2am with cartons of chocolate chip ice cream, soppy movies and a box of tissues after you've had a bad break up.

*A good friend will tell you things you don't want to hear, not because they want to hurt you, but because they care.



And finally, my personal favourite:

*Being a good friend means participating in your friends' blog questionnaire by posting your inner most thoughts.



Thanks to all my BFFs for their wonderful insight.