If you’re getting ready for an important event, it couldn’t be more important to avoid making one of the most common men’s fashion mistakes. Unfortunately, all-too-often men are found making simple but noticeable clothing blunders that can unwittingly create entirely the wrong impression. Here are seven of the most common, along with some advice about how not to make them.
Wearing The Wrong Length Trousers
If your trousers are so short that they barely reach your ankles, or if they’re so long that the hems are trailing on the floor you’ll never attract the right kind of attention for your outfit. Measure your inside leg length carefully so that you can choose trousers in the correct size to suit your height, and have a good tailor in mind for adjustments. It’s always worth the small additional expense.
Pairing The Wrong Shoes With The Wrong Outfit
If you’re attending a formal event, it’s essential to choose a pair of formal shoes to go with your suit. Wearing trainers, Converse or other styles of casual footwear can come off as a bit of a faux par. Make sure, when choosing footwear, that you opt for a pair that complement your outfit to – harmonious colour pairings are a must.
Choosing Shoes And A Belt In Different Colours
If you’re wearing a belt, make sure it matches (or at least doesn’t clash with) that of your shoes. Brown shoes will never look quite right with a bright-blue belt and vice versa. When choosing a belt, consider the fact that if it matches exactly the colour of your suit, it makes the colour of your shoes more obvious if they don’t coordinate.
Over Accessorising
Although many men are keen to make the most of the great collections of accessories available, it’s vital to avoid overdoing it. Jewellery should complement your style, but if you put too many pieces together you run the risk of creating a confused look overall. If in doubt, stick to the basics – cufflinks, a ring and a watch.
Wearing An Ill-Fitting Jacket
There are times in the seasonal trend cycle when ill-fitting jackets have their moment in the spotlight, but as a general rule it’s best to avoid them. If your jacket is too big for your shoulders it can look as if you’re wearing somebody else’s suit. It’s worth putting in the time to work out what the best size and silhouette is the best for your build, and indeed the occasion in question.
Putting The Collar Of Your Shirt Over Your Jacket
Your shirt collar should always be worn inside your jacket. If you make the mistake of folding it over your lapel, you run the risk of looking like a schoolboy. Simply tucking it in will give you a sleek and streamlined look.
Wearing Colourful Socks To The Wrong Occasion
Though there’s absolutely nothing wrong with wearing a pair of bright coloured or patterned socks at home or on your down time, but if you’re heading to a meeting or formal event you may end up being a talking point for all the wrong reasons. Dark socks, preferably black or navy, are always the top choice to wear with a suit but, at all costs, make sure you don’t wear white sports socks – this is the gravest error of all.
