Whether it’s our first day in college or at a new job, we all want to look good and create a good impression in the eyes of our colleagues and classmates. Perhaps, that’s why we pay so much attention to our outfit on the first day. A great outfit sets the tone for the rest of the year and gives you the confidence to take on new challenges in a new environment. So, why is it that sometimes despite our best efforts, our sartorial quotient seems to lack the “wow” factor?
As they say, the devil is in the details. When it comes to giving off an impeccably put-together vibe, any minor misses can turn your outfit into a dud. Want to avoid such sartorial disasters? Read on to find out what these common mistakes are which make us look messy and shabby rather than the superstars we really are.
1. Creases And Wrinkles
Whether you get your clothes ironed from outside or you do it yourself, remember to pay special attention to your cuffs, collars, and pleats. Especially when you are prepping your outfit for an important meeting or a job interview. Since the cotton fabric is more likely to sustain wrinkles with one wrong fold, you should be very careful while ironing clothes made from it. In case there is a particularly stubborn wrinkle that refuses to go away, you can use a steamer to smooth it before ironing it.
2. Dull And Yellowing White Linens
Nothing looks as great as a crisp white shirt or a pristine white kurta. However, the pristine white clothes seldom remain white due to the dust, pollution, and grime in the air. Not just that, forgetting to separate your dirty white linen from your colored clothes before putting them in the machine for washing is also another reason for your white linens to turn colored. And nothing screams shabby as loudly as a dull, white shirt.
3. Using Hair-Ties As Bracelets
Well, I for one am quite guilty of doing this. No matter where I am going, what I am doing, the one accessory I never forget to wear is my favorite hair-tie bracelet. But if you’re going for the fashion icon look, you need to steer away from using your hair-ties as an accessory. If you think you might need one later, keep some in your purse or wallet.
4. Chipped Nail Paint
We all have missed out on those monthly mani-pedis every once in a while. And hey, with our hectic lifestyles, who could blame us, right? But if you want to look prim and proper then chipped nail paint is a big fat no. In fact, it’s better if you don’t put any nail paint at all. If you see your nail paint getting chipped, then file your nails or remove the paint. For a more fuss-free look, you can paint your nails with clear paint.
5. Ill-Fitting Clothes
Have you ever gotten dressed only to realize that even though the clothes that you’re wearing might work individually, together they aren’t looking so great? This happens especially when you are wearing ill-fitting clothes, pants that drag, blouses that are a size too big, etc. Wear clothes that fit you perfectly, don’t buy clothes which are a size too big just because you’re conscious of your body. It will only make you look frumpy.
6. Faded Or Discolored Clothing
Black pants that no longer resemble the color black, cotton kurtas which were once a bright pink but now resemble a shadow of their former color. This is one fashion faux pas that you should avoid at all costs if you don’t want to come across as a person who doesn’t pay attention to details or doesn’t care about his/her appearance. To prevent the fading in clothes avoid using bleach to clean them.
7. Carrying Too Many Bags
It’s a common sight, women walking around with a large tote bag on their shoulders and a separate paper bag in their hands. Are you wondering what’s wrong here? Well, the bag is a functional accessory; it is a part of your outfit and needs to look deliberate. So make sure it does that. If you need to carry a lot of stuff on an everyday basis then make sure you buy a bag which meets all your needs.
8. Coating Of Lint On Your Clothing
You don’t want to be caught in a situation where you are having an important conversation with someone and then suddenly you realize that your navy blazer has a visible coating of lint. Don’t worry this happens to the best of us. But to avoid this, make sure you touch up your outfit with a lint roller before heading out.
9. Poorly Fitted or Uncomfortable Shoes
You know which ones I am talking about, the ones that hang at the back of your closet because every time you wear them it literally kills your feet, but you can’t get yourself to throw them away because you spent almost half your paycheck on them.
Shoes that are too tight, or too loose or they have a lot of heels that gives you a case of vertigo shouldn’t be in your wardrobe. They make you look disheveled.
10. Frayed Cuffs And Hems
Wearing those fashionable, distressed jeans might be a trend these days. But avoid wearing them on official occasions, and yes, we are including casual Fridays under the ambit of the official. Keep those frayed hems aside for a lazy brunch with friends.
So now that you are aware of these fashion mistakes, we hope you are able to pack in a punch with your outfit and kill it with your fashion game. Do you have any tips and tricks that can help jazz up our outfits? Please share them in the comments section.