Sean Cate

Sean Cate

January 22, 2025

15+ Fashion Mistakes Men Don’t Realize They’re Making When Getting Dressed

Dressing well is more than just wearing clothes; it’s about understanding the nuances of style and avoiding common pitfalls. Many men unknowingly make fashion mistakes that can ruin an otherwise polished look, from mismatched shirts to neglected shoe care. The good news? These errors are easy to fix with a few simple adjustments. In this guide, we’ll uncover over 15 common fashion blunders men make and show you how to elevate your wardrobe with confidence and style.

1. Mismatching Dress Shirts and Sport Shirts

two guys in different dress shirt types
Credit: Unsplash

Men often confuse dress shirts with sport shirts, wearing them inappropriately for formal or casual occasions. Dress shirts have structured collars and a longer length, making them ideal for formal settings. In contrast, sport shirts feature shorter cuts and bolder patterns suited for casual wear.

How to fix it: Always tuck in dress shirts for formal occasions and keep sport shirts untucked when dressing casually.

2. Buttoning Jacket Buttons Incorrectly

person doing up their suit button
Credit: Unsplash

Mis-buttoning jackets is a simple mistake with a big impact on fashion. For two-button jackets, only the top button should be fastened. For three-button jackets, stick to the middle button, while the top is optional.

How to fix it: Never fasten the bottom button, as it disrupts the jacket’s fit and silhouette.

3. Wearing Suspenders and a Belt

a man wearing suspenders and a belt with a woman
Credit: Unsplash

Combining suspenders and a belt sends mixed signals, as both are designed to keep pants in place.

How to fix it: Choose one or the other. A sleek belt is often the more modern and versatile option.

4. Poor Length on Your Pants

lower leg with pants on visible by the shore
Credit: Unsplash

Ill-fitting trousers that are too long or short can ruin your fashion. Excess fabric creates a sloppy look, while overly cropped pants appear awkward.

How to fix it: Tailor your trousers to achieve the right break for your height and style, from no-break for a modern look to a full break for taller men.

Read More: Model at 71, How Rosa Saito Smashes All Age and Beauty Stereotypes and Ignites the World of Fashion

5. Not Knowing How to Tie a Tie

person wearing a tie
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Not knowing how to tie a proper knot can undermine your professional appearance.

How to fix it: Master basic knots like the Half Windsor for versatile wear, ensuring the tie reaches the middle of your belt buckle.

6. Wearing Square-Toed Shoes

woman and man's dress shoes
Credit: Unsplash

Square-toed shoes are outdated and create a clunky, unpolished look.

How to fix it: Opt for classic rounded or pointed-toe styles for timeless, elegant fashion.

7. Wearing Untucked Dress Shirts

man getting ready for the day
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Leaving dress shirts untucked creates a disheveled and inappropriate look, especially in formal settings.

How to fix it: Always tuck in dress shirts, reserving untucked looks for sport shirts.

8. Forgetting About Hem Maintenance

person from the waist down
Credit: Pixabay

Frayed hems and dragging pants make you look like you really don’t care about your fashion at all.

How to fix it: Regularly inspect and maintain your hems, and tailor your trousers to suit your preferred style.

9. Oversized Logos

an Adidas gift card
Credit: Unsplash

Large, loud logos distract from your outfit and can look tacky.

How to fix it: Choose clothing with minimal or no visible branding for a cleaner, classier style.

10. Skipping Undershirts

a man wearing an undershirt ad overalls
Credit: Unsplash

Not wearing an undershirt can lead to sweat stains and reduced shirt longevity. Bad for fashion both look-wise and sustainability-wise.

How to fix it: Use V-neck undershirts to protect your dress shirts and keep them invisible under open collars.

Read More: Fashion Experts Say You Should Stop Wearing Jeans Once You Reach This Age

11. Too Many Accessories

mans arm with a watch and two bracelets on it
Credit: Unsplash

Wearing too many accessories can clutter your look and overwhelm your outfit.

How to fix it: Stick to one or two key pieces, such as a sleek watch or a subtle bracelet, for a polished style.

12. Ignoring Shoe Maintenance

old dirty shoes
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Neglected shoes, especially leather ones, can undermine an otherwise stylish fashion ensemble.

How to fix it: Use cedar shoe trees to maintain shape and polish your shoes regularly to preserve their appearance.

13. Keeping Cheap Shoes

a well worn old shoe
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Cheap shoes wear out quickly and don’t provide the polished look of high-quality footwear.

How to fix it: Invest in full-grain leather shoes with Goodyear welt construction for durability and elegance.

14. Failing to Level Up Your Style

stormtroopers all wearing the same thing
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Sticking to the same fashion routine without experimenting with patterns, textures, or bold accessories can lead to a boring look.

How to fix it: Update your wardrobe periodically, incorporating unique pieces like checked blazers or daring pocket squares.

Read More: 10+ Photos That Explain Why 70s Men’s Fashion Should Never Make a Comeback

15. Improper Layering

multiple layers of clothes worn
Credit: Pexels

Wearing layers of the same color or mismatched weights results in a dull or unbalanced look.

How to fix it: Focus on contrast and balance, pairing light undershirts with darker outer layers and coordinating fabric weights.

16. Tight-Fitting Shirts

man wearing a tight dress shirt
Credit: Unsplash

Shirts that are too tight can look awkward and highlight imperfections.

How to fix it: Choose tailored fits that skim your body without clinging, ensuring comfort and good fashion.

17. Neglecting a Signature Scent

a grey matte cologne bottle
Credit: Pexels

Many men forgo fragrance altogether, missing an opportunity to make a memorable impression.

How to fix it: Invest in a signature cologne that complements your personality and enhances your overall style.

18. Male Earrings

a man with a pair of earrings
Credit: Unsplash

While earrings can be a form of self-expression, they often clash with modern men’s fashion trends.

How to fix it: Opt for other accessories like rings or bracelets for subtle flair without compromising your style.