Lines, Tears, and Wear, Oh My!
There are minor fashion faux pas that create some major outfit problems for women. While they aren’t limited to lines, tears, and wear, the title was just too clever not to use for this article. Some of the biggest offenders? Underwear lines, runaway bra straps, nylon tears, and extreme wear in shoes. Nothing says, “I’m not intentional about my outfit” more than minor mistakes like these. They are beyond the obvious like wearing an un-ironed shirt or pieces that don’t match. Usually, the minor mistakes are the points of an outfit that are overlooked or understood to be okay to wear.
While this may be a taboo topic, I want to dig into some of these style blunders because they can be easily fixed or avoided altogether. What kind of stylist would I be if I didn’t address the seedy underbelly of our wardrobes? It’s the small stuff that make or break an outfit after all.
Underwear Lines
With the ample undergarment options on the market today for women, there is no excuse to have underwear lines in any outfit. It simply takes a quick glance in the mirror to determine if a pair of underwear shows through the pants, skirt, or dress. Be careful - sometimes underwear is sneaky. It may camouflage itself when you’re standing, but then reveals lines when you walk.
Runaway Bra Straps
Arguably, this is worse than underwear lines because a bra will plainly show if you wear a short-sleeved top or tank. However, I feel for women and their bra situations. As a woman, I realize that education on bra size and type and what we should wear is abysmal. Not to mention, bras are expensive and the girls change in size depending on weight gain or loss, pregnancy, postpartum, sickness, or surgery. So, it’s complicated. But it’s possible to resolve this issue too. I highly recommend getting an appropriate, professional fitting (no, not at Victoria’s Secret). Even if this is not an immediate option, ensure your bra fits well so there aren’t gaps and the girls aren’t spilling out or sagging. Tighten the bra straps so that they don’t fall down your arm. That is not comfortable for you, and it’s surely not comfortable for those seeing your undergarments.
Nylon Tears
Honestly, who hasn’t struggled with this? Unfortunately, nylons are easy to rip. A broken nail, belt, zipper, or a myriad of other sharp inanimate objects could be the culprit. Regardless, having a run in our nylons screams, “no class.” This is especially true because nylons are usually worn in very professional settings. I recommend having several pairs of the same color nylons in your wardrobe. The next time your nylons run or rip, you’ll be prepared!
Extreme Wear in Shoes
We live in our shoes. It’s so easy to run them into the ground. Add commuting or seasonal changes, and our shoes are toast. What woman hasn’t had a blood curdling moment when she accidentally steps into a crack in the sidewalk with her heel, praying the heels are ruined? My recommendation is to remove tattered and torn shoes, shoes with holes, and heels that have unfixable scrapes from your closet. Scuffs can usually be buffed and worn-down heels can be replaced. Our shoes enhance or detract from the overall look of an outfit. It’s worth deciding what shoes to remove from your closet.
If you thought, “this is me,” to any of the points above, the good news is these closet mistakes are very fixable! Undergarments can be upgraded, nylons can be replaced, and shoes can be well-cared for. The next time you put on an outfit, remember it’s not just the visible clothes that matter!