One thing most people notice first about you is your style. We all want to look good, of course. But let’s face it. We don’t always get it together. Every guy has had one or two fashion slip-ups. Whether you’re on a journey of finding your personal style or wanting to upgrade your personal appearance, these tips will make you feel confident and help you avoid fashion missteps that will sabotage your look.
Wearing the Wrong Jacket Length
There are times when you open your closet, you just grab whatever jacket you can grab and call it a day. What you don’t know is that choosing the right jacket length can elevate your look. Picking a jacket length that’s not right for you can make you look shorter or bulkier. The ideal length of your casual jacket or suit jacket for most men should be around the mid-zipper area of your pants. This is where the bottom of the jacket should fall.
Forgetting Accessories
You may want to get simple and skip the accessories, but some outfits look flat without them. They’re not extras. Accessories can elevate even your most basic look. It’s the easiest way to add depth and make your style more interesting. If you’re getting overwhelmed choosing accessories, one quick fix is to choose a timeless piece for a watch to instantly elevate your look.
Over Accessorizing
On the contrary, over-accessorizing can also ruin your whole outfit. When done right, it can elevate your look, but when overdone, it signals indecisiveness and also breaks visual harmony. The key is to not show off every accessory you own, but to choose a focal point. If you want your classic watch to be the main focal point, skip other accessories that steal the attention away from the focal point.
Wearing The Same Hat Every Day
We get it. If it’s your favorite hat, you might want to wear it every single day, but sometimes it doesn’t suit your whole outfit. It also makes your outfit feel lazy. Over-relying on the same accessory keeps you from discovering styles that suit you better. Switch things up and rotate your hats based on your outfits and the season.
Neglecting Grooming
Even the best outfit can make you look disheveled with poor grooming. Untrimmed nails, overgrown facial hair, and body odor can ruin your style. You might also come off as careless or lazy. You should treat grooming as self-care. It’s best to make a grooming ritual for skincare and trimming. Schedule haircuts every 3-5 weeks and do your skincare routine every day.
Not Choosing The Right Size
Size does matter. Choosing the right size for you can make you look sharp and more put-together. Wearing ill-fitting clothes can throw off your proportions. Poor-fitting outfits make even the most expensive outfits look sloppy. The fix? Get professionally measured. If you’re buying ready-to-wear pieces, try them on before you buy.
Not Following The Dress Code
Dress codes are tricky, but we don’t want to show up overly dressed on a casual event or underdressed on a formal event. It can come off as disrespectful. The good thing is, it’s easy to search dress codes on Google and find inspiration. It’s best to read the invite, so you don’t make a mistake. Also, consider the location. If it’s a beach venue, linen and loafers would best suit the vibe.
Wearing Wrinkled Clothes
Your clothes, no matter how expensive they can be, can look cheap and sloppy if they’re wrinkled. A wrinkled piece of clothing makes you look disheveled. Not only does it undermine your outfit, but it also kills the first impression as it suggests laziness. It’s best to always iron or steam your clothes. You can steam your suits and delicate fabrics. On the other hand, Iron crisp shirts and trousers. You can also use wrinkle-release spray for an easy fix.
Sagging Pants
Sagging pants are a thing of the past now. While it has been a rebellious streetwear statement, it doesn’t belong in the modern man’s fashion. Sagging pants give off a careless vibe that makes you look sloppy. It can also throw off your proportion and your entire outfit’s balance. It’s best to know your waistline. The pants should sit just above your hips and below your belly button. You can also choose belts that match your outfit.
Jeans That Pool At the Ankles
Jeans are wardrobe staples. A pooled denim is one of the most common fashion missteps men make. Choosing the right length can make your style look more polished and put-together. Pooled jeans can make your legs look shorter. Visit a tailor to get your jeans hemmed. The key to looking modern and sleek is that the hem should touch just the top of your shoes.
Dirty or Scuffed Shoes
You can be dressed to the nines, but if your shoes look scuffed or dirty, your whole style will be sabotaged. Shoes are one of the things people notice about your looks, and they get remembered. Wipe your leather shoes with a damp cloth. Use quality polish to maintain the condition of your shoes. If your shoelaces are worn out, replace them with new ones.
Button Blunders
Buttons are small, but they shouldn’t be overlooked because they make an obvious difference. A missing or mismatched button can throw off your look. You don’t want a shirt gaping as it creates awkward gaps, downgrading your outfit. To address gaping shirt buttons, use hidden snaps for better coverage. It’s also best to choose a better-fitting shirt to avoid this fashion fail. It’s also best to know how to button correctly. For dress shirts, leave the top one undone and button everything.
Overusing Cologne
Cologne gives you an identity. When used correctly, it adds to the impact of your whole style. Some choose overpowering scents that are off-putting. To avoid this, find a fragrance that suits your personality and the occasion. Apply on pulse points – wrist, neck, chest. Also, maintain proper hygiene. Use cologne after a shower, not to hide body odor.
Pattern Overload
Patterns add personality and depth to your style. While they add identity to your style, they need balance. To master the mix, stick to one statement pattern. If you’re choosing to wear a plaid blazer, keep everything else in neutrals. Pairing patterns with neutrals can ground your outfit as they give the eyes a place to rest.
Overdoing Designer Labels
Wearing designer pieces can elevate your look, but when overdone, you might look like a walking billboard. It makes you look like you’re trying too hard and screams insecurity. Wearing too many brands can also be a distraction, as people notice the brands, not the man wearing them. Real style isn’t about showing off, it’s about knowing how to use quality pieces with quiet confidence. Focus on choosing high-quality shirts with the right fit, not the logos.
Ignoring the Stain
Maybe once or twice, you spilled something on your shirt, and you endured a whole afternoon wearing a stained shirt. You just hoped that someone wouldn’t notice the coffee splash on your shirt. You might come off as careless, and it will affect your confidence. It doesn’t matter if you’re dressed to the nines; if your shirt has a stain, the stain will steal the spotlight. Blot a fresh stain with a clean cloth. Avoid rubbing it. You can also keep a stain-removal pen with you for instances like this.
Ask Me Anything