18 Fashion Don’ts The Olsen Twins Made Doable

ArthurHoose

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.
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.
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.
T-Shirts have no place on the red carpet.
Sharon Stone pioneered the wearing of Gap shirts 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.
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.
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.