fashion no-no

7.4

A clothing choice people think is not acceptable in style

noun
/ˈfæʃən ˈnoʊˌnoʊ/

Informal

: error de moda

Some believe that wearing black and navy together is a fashion no-no, but others disagree.

Examples

Wearing socks with sandals is considered a fashion no-no by many style experts.
Many consider it a fashion no-no to wear white after Labor Day.
Mixing too many patterns in one outfit can quickly become a fashion no-no.
Wearing socks with sandals is a real fashion no-no!
Wearing white shoes with a brown belt is definitely a fashion no-no at this event.
Many people believe that socks with sandals are a clear fashion no-no.
Combining stripes and polka dots is often seen as a fashion no-no among style experts.

Synonyms

no-no

vsfashion no-no

Informal

184 6.3

A thing or action that people say is not allowed

applies only to choices about clothing or style not all actions

Antonyms

approval

220 1.0

A sign that someone thinks a person or thing is good

How Fashionable

stylishness

1 3.6

fashion statement

11 3.7

fashion no-no

Informal

7.4

ill-dressed

5.5

Surface Forms

fashion no-no singular

fashion no-nos plural

Morphology

fashion + no-no

The compound is directly compositional: 'fashion' (style) modifies 'no-no' (an informal term for something unacceptable or forbidden), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer it means a fashion choice considered taboo or frowned upon. The pattern (domain + word for 'not allowed') is transparent and common cross-linguistically, making the overall meaning predictable from the parts.

Etymology

The phrase fashion no-no comes from the child's word no-no, used to tell someone not to do something. Imagine a parent wagging a finger at an outfit, and that picture helps explain why a fashion no-no means a clothing choice people see as 'wrong' or 'not acceptable'.