Developing your personal style requires a lot of experimentation. Unfortunately, not all of your fashion adventures will lead to your desired outcomes, looks-wise. It can be frightening to deal with fashion failure, especially if you’re the type who’s afraid of drawing attention to themselves or if you care about the kind of impression you make on others. But remember that fashion mishaps actually happen to everyone—even the most stylish people you know.
The good news is that being aware of these common pitfalls and knowing how to solve them can greatly improve your overall fashion sense. Being familiar with typical fashion issues can also help you avoid them the next time you try out a similar kind of garment, or know how to make a fast save with whatever you already have in your closet.
Here’s a list of common fashion failures and how you can use them as a base and inspiration for awesome outfits in the near future:
Unfortunate Designs
Some clothes feature more thoughtful design elements than others. On the other end of the spectrum, however, there are bottoms with weird designs on the crotch area and tops that look like someone spilled soup on them.
Unfortunately, a lot of these quirks are not immediately apparent to many consumers. If you have a piece of clothing that you never wear because of its awkward appearance, don’t worry because you’re not alone. In addition, remember that it’s still possible to salvage these clothes and incorporate them into stylish outfits.
Let’s say you have a pair of running leggings that features a butterfly print or a splotch of red in the gusset. You can hide these designs by putting on solid-colored running shorts on top of the leggings and making the latter visible only from the thighs down.
If a weird message or graphic mires an otherwise perfectly usable shirt, how about using a vest or dungarees to cover it? Depending on the design’s placement on the shirt, it’s also an option to cut it out completely and turn the shirt into a crop top.
Ill-Fitting Clothes
Ill-fitting clothes can instantly detract from your overall appearance, no matter how trendy or expensive they may be. In addition to affecting your look, these clothes can also restrict your movement and make you feel uncomfortable.
But you can balance out clothes with awkward hem lengths, for example, with other garments that can help you control how much skin you show. Wear leggings for women under a dress that hangs a little high from the skirt area, and you won’t worry as much about fashion accidents.
If you have time, you can also have a skilled tailor adjust your clothes to your body measurements. Tailoring can make a significant difference in how your clothes fit and flatter your figure, ensuring a polished and put-together look from what originally seemed to be an unwearable garment.
Visible Underwear Lines
Visible panty lines or bra straps can undermine an otherwise stylish outfit. But it can be difficult to spot this issue, especially if you’re in a hurry.
To quickly address this rather common fashion fail, try putting on a jacket or tying a jacket around your waist to keep the lines out of sight. Layering your clothes in this way can help you feel less exposed and more protected against the elements.
In the long run, it’s a practical option to invest in seamless undergarments or shapewear that minimizes visible lines. Look for undergarments made from thicker or textured fabrics that are less likely to show panty lines. You can also consider alternative undergarment options, such as strapless bandeau-type bras or adhesive bras, to avoid any visible straps or lines. Though they won’t be visible to the rest of the world, they’ll definitely add a neat and unified quality to your succeeding outfits.
Wrinkled or Unkempt Clothing
Wrinkled, creased, or unironed clothes can make even the most stylish outfit look unbecoming. But you can save your look and make it appear like it’s brand new by using a hairdryer to iron out the wrinkles in your clothing or keeping a travel-sized iron with you for quick touch-ups. Such a tool will come in handy if you’re traveling to attend formal professional or personal events.
To avoid the same issues in the future, choose fabrics that are less prone to wrinkling or opt for wrinkle-resistant clothing options when shopping.
Over-Accessorizing
While accessories can enhance your look, going overboard with too many accessories can result in a cluttered and overwhelming appearance. If it feels as if your accessories are overpowering your outfit, chances are that it’s time to pare them down.
One quick fix that will likely solve this problem is to stick to one or two statement pieces and to keep the rest of your getup minimal. For your next outfits, you’ll know how to highlight the aspects of your style that you really want to showcase.
Inappropriate Footwear
Wearing the wrong shoes for a particular occasion or pairing them with an outfit that doesn’t match their style can result in a fashion fail. You can learn and recover from this situation by investing in versatile shoes that can be dressed up or down for various events.
Having a backup pair of foldable flats or more comfortable shoes in your bag or stowed away in your car can also offer you a quick reprieve from foot pain. It’s also an option to adjust your clothes—for example, by tucking in your shirt or rolling up your pant legs—to ensure that the ensemble matches a little better with your shoes.
Inappropriate Clothing for the Weather
Dressing inappropriately for the weather not only affects your comfort, but also makes you appear impractical. If the clothes you’re wearing don’t offer appropriate protection against the weather, then it’s best to change something up about them.
To immediately solve the issue and enjoy higher levels of comfort, layer or remove clothing accordingly to adapt to changing temperatures. Having versatile pieces in your wardrobe that can be styled and layered for different weather conditions will also help you look good throughout the seasons, no matter what Mother Nature throws your way.
Final Words
Again, fashion fails can happen to just about anyone, and you shouldn’t worry about being the only one to deal with these problems. With a little awareness and know-how, most fashion fails are also easily fixable. Use the list above to recognize the signs of a fashion faux pas, and you’ll be able to salvage your look and ensure you always present your best self to the world.
Lastly, remember to keep your head high. A little fashion gaffe is not the end of the world. Respond with grace and composure, and chances are, you’ll appear poised and put-together to everyone else around you.
