You're heading to an interview.
You notice a loose thread on your suit.
Naturally, you pull on it.
And the thread keeps pulling…..
5 inches & 5 seconds later your suit sleeve is falling off.
What.
Just.
Happened.
Gentleman, in today's article we're going to cover 7 small style mistakes that can lead to BIG problems.
#1 Wandering Into A Sale
Walking a straight path in a shopping mall is a challenge.
Of all the distractions competing for your attention, the four letter word that penetrates your defenses most easily is ‘sale.'
You walk into a shop that advertises massive discounts and think to yourself, “Wow, these are amazing deals.” For the most part, sales do offer tempting price cuts. That's a good thing as long as you were already planning on buying the discounted item.
Most bargains are never bargains. They end up costing you in the long run. Often, you end up with a poor quality clothing item that requires alternations, repair, and doesn't match the rest of your wardrobe.
Is there a better way to shop during sale season?
Yes. You need a list for exactly what you need to build your interchangeable wardrobe.
Find the right sale for you, hold out until the item you need goes on sale. Have a budget for it and spend only on items you get your money's worth.
#2 Not Having Your Suit Ready To Go
Your suit and tie is your go-to item for formal occasions. Once you purchase a quality suit, you need to ensure it is kept in prime condition at all times.
Any occasion that requires you to wear a suit also requires a certain attention to detail. Showing up at a wedding with a poor choice of tie, or soiled shoes is immediately going to affect your confidence and make you look sloppy.
When you need to wear a suit, you need to look good. Your suit, tie, shirt, and shoes need to be ready to go, at a moment's notice.
- Brushing and rolling a suit keeps it in top condition. Brushing the suit with a brush or using a lint roller will significantly extend its life and keep it looking fresh.
- Unpolished shoes can bring a well-put-together outfit crashing down. When you need to look like a million bucks, preparation is key.
- If you haven't worn your suit for a year, try it on in advance to see if it still fits. If adjustments are required, get it altered straight away.
- This is not the time to run around fixing a broken button. Ensure your dress shirts are in good condition and keep them pressed for those unexpected moments when you have to slip into a suit for a last-minute VIP invite.
#3 Overusing Fragrance
Fragrance has a powerful effect on how people see and remember you.
In the right proportions, a good scent makes you feel and appear more attractive, helps you feel less stressed and boosts your confidence.
It sends signals of trust and triggers powerful memories. However, if you overuse fragrance, you end up turning people off.
Never apply so much fragrance that people can smell your scent when you enter a room. Less is more, fragrance should be discovered, not announced.
The chemicals in fragrance can cause migraines. Be mindful of the following best practices to avoid negative comparisons with Pepe Le Pew:
- Apply fragrance to the warmest parts of your body. Start with one spray on 2-3 spots, either on your chest, lower jaw, forearm, neck, wrist, inner elbow, or shoulder.
- Re-apply only when required. Add more sprays to your wrists if the scent fades. This will likely be required only in the second half of the day.
- Don’t splash. If you are applying cologne from a regular bottle, take one finger and press it against the opening of your bottle and then tip it over gently. Dab onto the parts of the body described above.
#4 Not Buying Interchangeable Clothing
The contents of a wardrobe are considered interchangeable when each piece of clothing matches a large number of complementary items.
The advantages of building a basic interchangeable wardrobe are:
- You save money: When you are intentional about buying interchangeable clothing, you tend to buy less. As a result, you get your money's worth out of the clothing you buy.
- Create stylish outfits with ease: It takes less time and energy to put together outfits with an interchangeable wardrobe.
- Less clutter in your wardrobe: You have less clothing, which results in less clutter, and more outfit options.
There's nothing wrong with buying a few pieces that are not interchangeable. But if your wardrobe is completely unplanned, you have to spend more time and energy in planning what you wear.
Click Here To See The Infographic For A Full Weeks Worth Of Outfits With 13 Items
#5 Buying Cheap Clothes & Accessories
Going ‘bargain hunting' is never a good idea. If you're actively seeking low-priced items, you end up with a wardrobe stuffed with unnecessary clothing and a massive credit card bill.
It is possible to find a quality item of clothing at a reduced rate, but if you are shopping solely with price as the deciding factor, you will end up with poor quality clothing.
Take shoes for example. Cheap shoes glued together are bound to fall apart. When you pay a little extra and purchase shoes that can be resoled, they will last longer.
What do you pay extra for? Quality and workmanship.
A higher quality clothing item is bound to be more attractive and hence results in more wears. Workmanship will ensure that your clothes and accessories will last longer – saving you money (and time) in the long run.
#6 Not Taking Care Of Quality Clothing
Taking care of clothes extends their lifetime. Longer-lasting clothes is more money in your pocket.
Pay attention to laundering.
Extend life by reading labels and following the instructions on the tag found on the inside of your clothes. The garment’s laundering instructions are designed to ensure that it stays in great shape.
- Hand wash delicate clothes and use warm of cool water to ensure you don't damage the fibers. You'd be better off spending extra on sturdier items if you know you hate hand-washing and line-drying.
- Develop a system to clean your suits at home. Use a steamer at home to take care of your suits and jackets, rather than sending them to the dry cleaners frequently.
- If caught in the rain, allow your shoes to dry naturally. Ideally, you would condition them before use.
Click Here To Download My FREE 81-Page Definitive Guide To Wardrobe Maintenance e-Book
#7 Not Having A Place For Everything
Develop a system for storing your clothes and accessories.
In a rush, you might use your shoe brush to clean the dirt off your suit… resulting in dark stains on your favorite charcoal jacket.
Keep your wardrobe well-organized by:
- Investing in quality wooden hangers. Plastic and wire hangers tend to stretch out the shoulders of your garments. Consider investing in hangers with wood arms, which help garments retain their original shape.
- Resisting the urge to squish clothes in your closet. Stuffing clothes together results in wrinkling and fading. Give your clothes some breathing room. Reduce the clutter and rethink your closet arrangement.
- Ensuring your closet is cool and dry. Heat and excess moisture encourages mold growth. Never store cltohes in a humid space, especially in the bathroom or in a basement.
Have an allocated space to store all your clothing items and ensure you put them away carefully after use. This habit ensures that you easily find your clothes and accessories when you're in a rush. It also ensures you pay attention to their care.
Click Here To Watch The YouTube Video – Common Style Mistakes To Avoid
Click Here To Watch – 7 Small Mistakes That Lead To Big Problems