Getting ready in the morning can be a panicked race against the clock, especially on ‘oh I’ll just snooze for ten more minutes’ days.
So it’s no wonder that many of us are walking around making rookie outfit errors and not even realising it. The good news is, there’s always a solution, and some of them are a lot easier than you think.
From jeans, right down to your undies, we’ve looked at ten of the most common, but easily preventable fashion mistakes, so that with just a few tweaks and tips, you’ll be able to walk around looking picture perfect once more.
Photo: 123rf
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We get it – finding the perfectly-sized jeans is a rarely achieved task. Unless you spend a bit more money, you’ll probably find yourself having to compromise on either the waist size or the length, and more than often we’ll go for length. Unfortunately, many of us will just accept that they’re too long and figure there’s nothing we can do about it.
Now don’t get us wrong – we’re all for elongating the leg, but if your jeans are too long, you don’t have to leave them there creeping over those killer shoes of yours.
Solution:
Fold your jeans up at the hem to make a cuff. It’s literally a 5 second fix that’ll make the world of difference, and allow you to show off every inch of pretty shoe.
Photo: dmodamia / Instagram
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On the other end of the jean scale, there’s the problem of buying pairs that are too tight. Whether you’re convinced you’re a certain size, and refuse to go up one, or just say to yourself ‘it’ll be fine, I’ll just lose a couple of pounds’, it almost never works out.
No matter how happy you may be at squeezing your pins into an XS, it’ll all quickly fade when you notice that muffin top.
Solution:
Buy the correct waistline that doesn’t dig in, then simply wear a belt! Not only will it stop jeans from falling down, but also cinches you in without leaving any unsightly, and more importantly, uncomfortable bumps.
Photo: ASOS
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Accessories can make or break an outfit, so don’t underestimate them! Small statement pieces are what can take you from a high-street to a luxe look, so try to avoid whacking on any old earrings and viewing them as an afterthought.
Solution:
Set aside 5 minutes in your morning routine to pick the correct jewellery. Jazz up a plain black outfit with a chunky metallic necklace, invest in a good hat, or add a pair of oversized hoops to up your outfit game.
You’ll be surprised how much of a difference they’ll make, and you may even find yourself buying less clothes to fill the void when you’re not happy with your outfits!
Photo: ASOS
ALSO READ: PREPARE TO TURN HEADS WITH THESE HOTTEST MUST-HAVES FROM #NYFW
It’s tempting to live in the same pair of shoes every day, but if you do, make sure that you keep them looking good. Your outfit isn’t going to look so Instagrammable if you’ve got sticky marks from last week’s night out all over your shoes, so keep on top of the maintenance to do your look justice!
Solution:
It’s easy to think your shoes are worn out just because your heels are down to the metal, but if the rest of the shoe is fine, why waste them? If the heels wear down, go and get them replaced – it doesn’t cost much or take much time, and will increase their overall life.
Also, keep some shoe polish to buff out any scuffs, and give flats or trainers a wipe down every month or so to keep them looking good.
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ALSO READ: PREPARE TO TURN HEADS WITH THESE HOTTEST MUST-HAVES FROM #NYFW
It’s all well and good owning a great statement waist belt to cinch in a shift dress, but if you don’t wear it in the right position, it isn’t going to be as flattering as you first imagined.
Solution:
Wearing a belt too high will make you look pregnant, so if it’s too near your breast line, move it down to sit on your natural waistline. Also, make sure it doesn’t sit too low, as this will give the appearance of a longer torso, which also may not be too flattering.
Lastly, make sure you get the correctly sized belt. One size definitely doesn’t fit all, so if a belt you like isn’t in your size, don’t compromise! Keep shopping until you find one that’s just right.
Photo: ASOS
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This is SUCH an important one. With a 2008 study by Triumph revealing that 80% of us wear the wrong size, there’s a lot of baps out there that need better support, and having the right size will not only feel better, but also look better under tight clothing.
Solution:
Make sure you go for a professional fitting every time you buy a new bra. Sizes vary between retailers, and our bodies are constantly changing so it’s important to keep checking.
We wear our bras every single day, so naturally they’re going to wear out more quickly than our other clothes. Aim to replace them twice a year – telltale signs include being on the last hook, as the band stretches the older the bra is. Also invest in different styles such as multi-way and strapless to avoid showing your straps if you’re wearing a strappy or off-the-shoulder top.
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If you find yourself buying the same style of cheap tee or skirt, or anything else over and over, it’s time to start making some changes.
If you weren’t happy with the first 3 stripey tees you bought, there’s little chance you’ll be happy with the fourth or fifth, so stop saying ‘but it’s so me’ and just make sure you’ve got one great style that you love.
Solution:
Why not sell or donate all of the cheap items and just invest in one good staple instead? Whilst it may seem pricey in the short term, it’s better to have few items that you’ll wear a lot, rather than lots that you’ll wear a little. It’ll also make choosing an outfit a lot easier in the morning!
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Just because you’ve got a big bag, it doesn’t mean you have to use it as a second wardrobe. You don’t need your entire make-up kit with you 24/7 – the same goes for those 100 loyalty cards you only use once a year.
An overfilled bag is never a good look, not to mention a pain when you’re in a crowd or on busy public transport, so try and avoid it where possible.
Solution:
Make a point to sort through your things once a week. Be brutal and try not to carry things ‘just in case’. Those little things will build up quickly, and when put together, they’ll be heavier than you think. Start a routine to remove everything you don’t need and try not to let items sneak back in there!
Photo: 123rf
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It’s inevitable; at some point in our lives, we’ll all try and rock a dress or skirt that’s a little too see-through. It may look fine in the dim light of your bedroom mirror, but step out into the natural light and things may not be so err, modest.
But there’s no need to reach for an uncomfortable thong if you’re worried about people being able to see your underwear – there is another way.
Solution:
Invest in a good satin slip skirt – you can get them in beige, black and white depending on your outfit. They’ll also make sure you don’t get any unwanted pant line creases and stop your skirt or dress from riding up. Just slip one on underneath and no one will know any better.
Photo: ASOS
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No matter how hard you try to pull and smooth, you’re always going to get that annoying crinkle or crease when you tuck your blouse into a high-waisted skirt.
This can be a nightmare at the best of times, and even more so with an unforgiving tight pencil skirt. So what can we do about it?
Solution:
Try knotting the end of your top or blouse instead of tucking it in. This will leave you with a casual and flattering look, that’ll also nip in any excess material.
The same can also be done with t-shirts as long as there’s enough material to knot. This means that you can say goodbye to those creases, plus it’s got the added bonus of looking great.
Photo: Zalora
ALSO READ: PREPARE TO TURN HEADS WITH THESE HOTTEST MUST-HAVES FROM #NYFW