It's always good to get a second opinion

Between the celeb gossip chains and reality t.v., it goes without saying that we are obsessed with the dos and don'ts of what to wear. And still, the masses mess it up. The kicker is that the most common mishaps are made on a regular basis, by women in all walks of life. If you are not following me, here are a few examples to ponder.

How many girlfriends do you have that buy clothes that just do not fit? Notice that I gave you an out on this one if you do not want to own up to being one of the many. But most of us have several garments hanging in our closets that still have the tags attached. Not because it was an unwanted gift, but because that 10lbs just seems to be here to stay.

The cure for this widespread epidemic, dress for now. Better to buy a little big and make friends with a good tailor than to torture yourself. A wonderful example would be jeans. If you can find a pair that flatters your curves in all the right ways, you can always have the waist and or length taken up. How nice would that have been to think of before you spent all those dollars on denim that just doesn't work?

The next most common mistake, I will have to say, is wearing the wrong length in skirts. Just like any other clothing item, there is a cut for everyone. And equally, cuts not to be worn by every body type. Just because you have great legs does not mean that you can disregard the length of your hemline and just because you do not like your knees does not mean you cannot wear skirts. As a rule of thumb, just above or below the knee is typically most flattering on all.

The easiest way to find the best length for you is to shop with an honest friend; sometimes a guy friend is the best choice, believe it or not. When we look in the mirror we tend to be a little bias based on what we like at the time. Mid-calf is almost always a bad idea; it makes even the sexiest legs look shorter and wider. But trapped in the midst of what's hot, purchasing faux pas happen to us all. With a friend along for the ride, you have an extra pair of eyes that only see through a full length mirror.