Okay, I’ll be the first to admit it: I DO love a bold celebrity look.
Red carpets and street style are where fashion gets to be weird, experimental, and occasionally brilliant. (Occasionally being the key word.)
But every so often, a trend makes the leap from runway to real life, and… well, it doesn’t quite stick the landing.
Suddenly we’re all carrying bags too small for a house key or wearing tights in shades that belong on a highlighter.
So, with nothing but love for the people brave enough to try them first, here are the celebrity fashion trends I’m ready to lovingly retire, plus what I’d wear instead.
1. Micro Bags That Can’t Hold Anything
When Jacquemus’ Le Chiquito started showing up in the hands of Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Rihanna, the micro bag officially became a status symbol.
Then the brand went even smaller with a version that was about two inches long, and the internet collectively asked: What exactly goes in there, a single Tic Tac?
Tiny bags look adorable in photos, but in real life, most of us need somewhere to put our phone, keys, and at least one lip balm. (Celebrities, presumably, have assistants for that.)
What I’d wear instead: A bag that’s still cute but actually fits your stuff. A structured top-handle bag or one of these crochet bags gives you the same polished look, with room for the essentials.
2. Sheer Everything, All Year Round
“Naked dressing” took over red carpets, with see-through gowns and sheer layers showing up at practically every major event.
On a celebrity with a team of stylists and a heated car waiting outside, it works. On the rest of us heading to brunch in January? It’s a little chilly, shall we say.
What I’d wear instead: One sheer piece, styled with something structured. A sheer blouse under a tailored blazer or a mesh top layered under a slip dress gives you the same edge without the frostbite.
3. Neon Tights in Every Shade
Colored tights had a big run, and suddenly every It girl was walking around in violet, lime green, hot pink, or electric blue legs.
A pop of color can be fun, but neon tights have a way of taking over the entire outfit. Your shoes, your dress, and your coat all end up playing second fiddle to your shins.
What I’d wear instead: Classic sheer black tights, or a tone-on-tone pair that matches your skirt or shoes. They elongate your legs and work with almost everything, especially with balletcore outfits.
4. Underwear as Outerwear
After Miu Miu sent briefs down the runway, underwear-as-outerwear spilled onto red carpets and into street style.
High-waisted briefs over tights, bra tops under open blazers, and bloomers with heels all became a thing. It’s a bold, playful look, but it’s also a lot of commitment for a regular Tuesday.
What I’d wear instead: A slip skirt or a sleek bodysuit. You still get that lingerie-inspired feel, but with full coverage and a lot less wardrobe stress.
5. Platform Crocs With All the Charms
Balenciaga’s sky-high platform Crocs proved that fashion can make literally anything luxury.
Then came the charms, the chains, and the extra-chunky soles, and the look veered from cheeky to slightly chaotic. Some things, it turns out, are best left in our pandemic-era memories.
What I’d wear instead: A chunky platform loafer. It gives you the same height and attitude, but it looks far more polished with jeans, skirts, and tailored pants. (Here’s why loafers made my list of fall wardrobe staples.)
RELATED: Yes, Sneaker Charms Are A Thing—And They’re Surprisingly Stylish!
6. Blazers That Swallow You Whole
I love a good power blazer as much as anyone. But somewhere along the way, “oversized” turned into “borrowed from a linebacker,” with shoulders so wide and sleeves so long that the person wearing them practically disappeared.
There’s a fine line between effortlessly slouchy and playing dress-up in your dad’s closet.
What I’d wear instead: A relaxed blazer that still fits at the shoulders. You keep the cool, slightly boyish shape, but the tailoring does the work, which is one of the easiest ways to make your outfits look more expensive.
7. Head-to-Toe Chrome
Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour turned silver and chrome into a full-on dress code, and for a while, disco-ball dressing was everywhere.
Metallic pants, metallic tops, and metallic boots, sometimes all at once. It’s dazzling on stage, but in everyday life, wearing that much shine can feel a bit like walking around inside a mirror ball.
What I’d wear instead: One metallic statement piece, like a silver skirt, a pair of chrome boots, or a shiny bag, paired with neutrals. Here’s my full guide on how to wear silver without going overboard.
8. Necklines That Need an Engineering Degree
Plunging necklines have been a red carpet staple for ages, but some recent looks dipped so low they seemed to be held together by fashion tape and sheer willpower.
Honestly, I’m not here to judge anyone’s neckline; in fact, it’s undeniable how stunning Jodie Smith looks in this picture. I just think getting dressed shouldn’t require a structural engineer and a backup roll of double-sided tape in your clutch.
What I’d wear instead: A deep V-neck that stays put on its own. A wrap top, a V-neck sweater, or a slip dress with adjustable straps gives you that same flattering line with a lot more freedom to move (and dance, and eat).
9. Tiny Sunglasses
Around the same time micro bags took off, sunglasses started shrinking too.
Super-slim frames had a long run on It girls and models, but they’re not exactly known for their practicality.
They block about as much sun as a pair of contact lenses, and they look best on a very specific face shape.
What I’d wear instead: Classic oval, rectangle, or cat-eye frames in a medium size. They’re flattering on more face shapes, they actually protect your eyes, and they’ll look just as good in five years.
10. Logo Overload
Logomania first peaked in the Y2K era, when the Dior Saddle bag, Louis Vuitton’s Murakami monogram, Fendi’s Zucca print, and “Juicy” velour tracksuits were the ultimate flex.
Then logos came roaring back a few years ago, and celebrities were suddenly stacking monogrammed bags, logo belts, logo sneakers, and logo-print everything into a single outfit.
It’s a fun way to show off (and a big part of the appeal of these Y2K clothing brands), but piling on the branding can make even the most expensive pieces feel a little busy.
What I’d wear instead: Quiet luxury. Think great fabrics, simple shapes, and pieces that look expensive without spelling out the brand name. These old money brands are a great place to start, and they pair beautifully with these old money outfits.
The Bottom Line
The funny thing about fashion is that today’s “what was I thinking?” look is tomorrow’s vintage gold.
Some of these trends will almost definitely come back around (I’m keeping an eye on you, neon tights), and that’s half the fun.
Fashion is supposed to be playful, and celebrities are often the ones brave enough to try it first so the rest of us can decide what actually works in real life.
So consider this less a breakup and more a well-deserved break. Keep what you love, borrow the parts that feel like you, and save a few screenshots for the inevitable throwback.
And if you’re ready for a style refresh in the meantime, start with these fall wardrobe staples. They won’t go out of style anytime soon.