16 Outfit Mistakes That Make You Look Messy
Updated: Jan. 06, 2023On ordinary days, you can let these clothing mishaps slide. (Maybe.) But when you want to make a good impression, avoid them at all costs.
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Easy fixes for big wardrobe problems
Warning: You can ruin even the most perfectly put-together ensemble a lot easier than you think. From pilled sweaters and chipped nail polish to improperly hemmed pants and visible panty lines, these messy mistakes can cause you to be taken less seriously and even diminish your confidence. While some of them may not seem like that big of a deal, they really do make a big impact—and not in the way that you want. While you’re giving your wardrobe a once-over, make sure you also know these 15 simple fashion upgrades that make you look expensive.
Note: Prices listed were accurate as of press time; pricing fluctuations may occur.
Wearing the wrong size
$3.99
If you think you know your size, think again. “Each brand, designer, and item fits differently,” says fashion expert Allison McNamara. “You might be a large in one pair of Zara pants, a 38 in Philip Lims, and then a size 27 in denim.” Her fix? “Shop for the fit rather than the size, and don’t freak out if you’re wearing a bigger size than usual—it’s them, not you,” she says.
For a cheap, quick hack, buy a seamstress-style measuring tape. That way, the next time you’re considering a purchase online, you can review the sizing guide, whip out the tape measure, and go by your actual measurement numbers, not the retailer’s size. No matter what your size is, these 12 sneaky fashion tricks will make you look 10 pounds thinner.
Not tailoring items for the perfect fit
$11.95
Splurging on an expensive suit or dress but not saving a few bucks to tailor it is easily one of the biggest fashion mistakes a person can make, according to fashion publicist and buyer Andrea Burman. “Everyone is built differently—petite, pear, hourglass, straight, and narrow. So how can mass-produced clothing fit us all the same way? It can’t,” she asserts. “Having an experienced tailor tweak sleeve lengths, adjust shoulders, change or add buttons, shorten hemlines, and take in wide garments can be the difference between looking just ‘OK’ and looking ravishing.” If your budget doesn’t permit frequent trips to the tailor, take things into your own hands on the easier stuff, like hems and buttons, with a sewing kit.
Steal these style secrets from women who always look put together.
Disregarding shoe or boot length
From $55.00
Playing with proportions is what professional stylists do for their celebrity clients. The easiest way to make your outfit unflattering is to pair the wrong shoe or boot with the wrong bottom, according to fashion publicist Jill Ormand. “A long pencil skirt with mid-length boots will shorten your whole stem, making you look less lean,” she says. “If your legs are already short, opt for stilettos that are cut to show the front of your foot.” Don’t miss these other outfit tricks to fake long legs.
Pants that drag
$8.99
This one can be tricky, especially when you don’t have the time or budget to hem and re-hem pants based on every heel height in your closet. (And quite honestly, who does?) “The easiest way to look disheveled is to wear pants that drag on the floor,” says Ormand. “It’s an easy mistake to fix but one that can cost your appearance a lot if left alone.” Decide which shoes you’ll wear with a certain pair of pants most often, and bring them with you to the tailor. If you’re worried you might go too short, ask your tailor to leave a bit of room on the hem. That way, you can always drop it later.
If you need to fix your hem for cheap in a pinch, using double-sided tape will do the trick. Fold up the pant leg at the necessary length and affix it with double-sided tape on the inside so it’s invisible to others.
Discolored clothing
$12.33
Faded black pants are a common culprit. Other discoloration issues include runny patterns on silk, tinted lights that got put in with a bright load of laundry, and run-of-the-mill stains. Before heading out for a big event, do a careful once-over to check for anything funky. “Our favorite dark clothes can become a fashion disaster in no time if you don’t take the correct precautions,” says Ormand. To avoid black pants from fading, wash them inside-out on a short and cold wash cycle. You can also consider re-dyeing your clothes with a product like Rit Liquid Dye so that their original color comes back.
Too many bags
$98.00
Don’t pack for work like you’re leaving on a two-week trip. Instead, pare your things down to the essentials, and find a structured bag that’s big enough to fit them. For example, if you tote your laptop back and forth to work, look for a bag that can accommodate it. If you like to carry a large makeup bag inside your purse, make sure it fits. The goal is to make your outfit look deliberate. Carrying a plastic bag with you everywhere shows that you tried to fit everything into your purse but fell a bit short. Madewell’s Canvas Transport quilted tote pulls a look together and is roomy enough to fit all of your must-haves. And here are 12 of the best laptop backpacks at every price point.
Pulling and prodding at your outfit
$38.00
If you know you’ll spend an entire day hoisting up a strapless dress or repeatedly tucking in your shirt, look into another option for now and figure out why the original piece didn’t work. Can you take it to a tailor to remedy the problem? Do that. Is it in a state of disrepair? Toss it. Shapewear can help you minimize this common problem by making you feel more supported and, in turn, more comfortable in your own skin.
“Pulling and readjusting your clothes signals that you feel uncomfortable and makes you appear less confident,” Nicole Zabal, the designer and founder of Nicole Alex, a clothing line with built-in shapewear says. She recommends investing in pieces that have built-in support and that make you feel comfortable from the first wear. For those pieces already in your closet, undergarments from brands like Spanx can work miracles. For a handy cheat sheet, this is the best shapewear for every type of dress.
Noticeable lint
$9.97
“Noticeable lint is a huge offender,” says McNamara. “I have a mini lint roller in my car at all times to make sure I’m lint-free before meetings.” Another tip? Take your lint brush outside: In addition to making this touch-up the last thing you do before heading out (and therefore preventing new lint from accumulating), the natural light will give you a better picture of your outfit’s lint situation.
Poorly fitted shoes
$9.99
When you fall in love with a pair of shoes at the store, it’s tempting to buy them even if they’re not your exact size. “I think it’s crazy that people buy and keep shoes that don’t fit,” says McNamara. Aside from, you know, not actually fitting, a too big or too small pair of shoes will wear out faster than ones that fit well. The result? A disheveled look.
If you went ahead and splurged on the shoes, pads may help you adjust sizing. They will also provide cushion and comfort for those long nights in heels.
A pilled shirt or sweater
$50.00
Nothing feels better than a well-worn sweater. But when fuzzy pills take over, it’s time to take action. “If you have a pilling shirt or sweater you really love and don’t want to get rid of, keep it for your comfy clothes at home,” advises McNamara. And if you do want to wear it out, use a shaving razor to remove pills from fabric. Simply stroke pills with the blade and watch them disappear.
Frayed cuffs and hems
$18.00
While this could be the result of a poorly-tailored item, it can also be the result of routine wear and tear. For a quick fix, tame tiny flyaways with a brush of clear nail polish.
If you purchase items with intentional frayed cuffs and hems, take a tip from fashion entrepreneur Amy Voloshin: “I always love a frayed edge, but even purposefully frayed edges need to be maintained. I always have to remind myself to give my frayed-edge denim and gauzy shirts a trim after a wash—it helps it look intentional and relaxed.”
Underwear lines
From $8.10
Nothing can ruin a pair of tight pants or a pencil skirt like distinct underwear lines. “If you have a bodycon look, make sure you invest in seamless underwear so you don’t fall victim to tacky underwear lines,” says McNamara. Wearing the correct garments underneath can guarantee that your outfit, not your lines, is garnering the attention. Yummie Ultralight Seamless Shapewear briefs and thongs are made out of nylon and are very lightweight, so you can comfortably wear them all day.
Chipped nail polish
$14.00
No nail polish is better than some nail polish. “A woman should never walk around with chipped nail polish,” says Philippa Brenninkmeyer, founder of Indigo Swimwear. “The best way to avoid this is to keep the color of polish on your nails nearby so that you can quickly fill in the chipped spot on the go until you’re able to completely remove or change polish.” For low-maintenance nails, try a coat of clear polish.
If you’re looking to keep your manicure fresh for more than ten days, opt for a chip-resistant nail polish like 10+ Free Chip Resistant Non-Toxic Nail Polish. Not only does it last, but it’s also vegan and cruelty-free. If you don’t have a budget for new colors, consider a long-lasting topcoat that you can use with your existing collection like Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Longwear Nail Enamel, which you can score for under four bucks.
By the way, this is what your nail color reveals about your personality.
Hair ties around your wrist
$7.00
Yes, it’s convenient, but it can really torpedo a put-together appearance. Do a quick check before you leave the house and make sure to remove hair accessories from your wrists. Stash a few in your purse in case you need hair help on the go. “The CEO of my last company would go nuts if she caught anyone on a red carpet with hair ties on their wrists,” says Ormand. “And for good reason! It’s an easily preventable offense that we often overlook.” Invisibobble’s Traceless Bracelet in crystal is an inconspicuous way to make sure you’re never caught wearing a dark rubber band around your wrist, just in case you forget it’s there. It also ensures that your hairstyle stays creaseless and in place after you put your hair down.
Haphazard ironing and wrinkles
$49.99
Pay special attention to the collars and buttons of dress shirts for job interviews and special events. These features frame your face and are generally made of cotton, a fabric that is notoriously unforgiving when it comes to wrinkles. Remove cotton shirts from the dryer while they’re still moist, and set your iron to high. Begin with the collar, and iron both the inside and outside. Add steam to make the collar extra crisp. If any wrinkles form, push them toward the base of the collar. Iron sleeves by unbuttoning the cuff and following the seam on the shirt. Remove any arm creases by steaming the shirt.
Iron and steam other items of clothing with the same amount of care, and make sure you never fall prey to this easily solvable mistake by using a product like Conair’s Turbo ExtremeSteam Handheld Fabric Steamer. Bonus: It won’t take up much space, and it’s easy to travel with. The one-piece you can be more casual with? Anything made of linen. This summer fabric was made to be worn with minimal effort.
Off-white whites
$3.69
Diligently sort your laundry by color, and remember that whites must be washed in their own load. Any other way and you’ll wind up with dingy, gray whites. Additionally, if your towels and sheets are white, wash them separately from your everyday wear. Towels are more likely to give off lint, which could stick to items made of corduroy, permanent-press clothing, and velvet. And try one of these handy tricks to eliminate underarm sweat marks—the bane of a white shirt’s existence.
If you’re afraid of using bleach to whiten your whites, Clorox Bleach Crystals will quickly become your go-to. No more splashing (and ruining!) the clothes you’re wearing while you’re trying to put your wash in. The solid crystals will make adding whitening power to your load as easy as pie.
Next, read up on the right way to do laundry.
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