18 Fashion Don'ts The Olsen Twins Made Doable
By Leeann Duggan
As they move into their third decade as trendsetters, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have discarded more styles than most of us will ever try — who could forget Ashley’s lady-tux phase, or Mary-Kate’s flannel-covered hipster years? But, the twins’ talent is that they have the finesse, not only to break fashion rules and pull off even the most ill-advised trend, but to make us all want to try it, too. (And yes, that includes our brief, torrid love affair with boho.)
Ahead, we pay tribute to 18 times when the Olsen twins made a fashion don’t look like a major do. What can we say? When you got it, you got it, dude.
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Photo: Matt Baron/BEimages
Maxi dresses don’t work on petite girls.
The Olsen twins have no time for narrow-minded, height-based strictures on their fashion choices. And, as Mary-Kate showed by wearing Givenchy at the 2011 Met Gala, a long dress can make a petite woman look downright stately.
Photo: Christopher Peterson/Getty Images
One big bag is okay. Two, and you’ll look like a bag lady.
Just try to keep Ashley Olsen away from her torso-sized Birkin and her jumbo Chanel.
Photo: GVK/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images
Layers overwhelm a small frame.
The Olsen twins are maximalists at heart — and, while Mary-Kate’s layering finesse has come a long way since her everything-but-the-kitchen-sink NYU days, she’s still not one to let a fashion decree keep her from a style she loves.
Related: The Olsen Twins’ Holiday Gift Guide Includes Designer Lighters & Smudge Sticks
Photo: Henry Lamb/BEimages
Don’t wear a jacket longer than your hem.
Heading to a Letterman appearance in 2008, Ashley Olsen’s embrace of this fashion don’t looks like the ultimate in business-babe chic.
Phoro: Matt Baron/BEimages
T-Shirts have no place on the red carpet.
Sharon Stone pioneered the wearing of Gapshirts on the red carpet, but Mary-Kate brought the high-low mix to a new level when she wore her deep-V tee to the premiere of Weeds in 2007. Certain fashion editors (ahem) may have spent a year emulating this outfit, giant cross and all.
Photo: Doug Meszler/Splash News
Double denim is a no-no. Birkenstocks are an even bigger no-no.
In 2011, long before the rest of the fashion world cottoned on to the ugly-shoe trend, Ashley Olsen proudly sported her Birkenstock Gizeh sandals, accessorized with a one-two punch of denim. She makes an excellent case for both.
Related: 15 Cringe-Worthy Trends We Totally Regret
Photo: Ben Tsui/Splash News
Leggings aren’t pants.
Mary-Kate clearly didn’t get the memo. Or, she read it, and doesn’t care.
Photo: PPNY/GSNY/Splash News
Kitten heels are only okay on Mad Men.
Both twins routinely opt for the kind of pointy-toed kitten heels that top many people’s lists of fashion “never would I evers.” But in the chic, all-black outfit worn here by Ashley in 2012, the shoe looks like the kind of understatedly elegant choice Audrey would approve of.
Photo: Marc Piasecki/Getty Images
Hats should be worn on one’s head.
This one’s so self-evident it’s hardly even a rule. But, in the mid-2000s, the Olsen twins were way into the super-slouchy beanie — worn so far back on the crown of their heads we wondered how they stayed on. And then we all followed suit. Many hats were lost to the wind.
Photo: Josiah Kamau/Getty Images
Take one thing off before you leave the house.
Sorry, Coco, the Olsens can’t hear you. In fact, maybe this outfit could use one more beaded bracelet, or bag.