THE BIGGEST FASHION MISTAKES & HOW TO AVOID THEM
A practical guide to cleaner, more intentional style
Good style isn’t only about what you wear, it’s also about what you don’t do. Many menswear mistakes aren’t dramatic or obvious. They’re small details that quietly undermine an otherwise solid outfit. The good news: once you know them, they’re easy to fix. Here are some of the most common menswear mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Forgetting to open your vents
This is one of the most overlooked details in menswear. Coats and blazers often come with the vents stitched shut, and surprisingly many people never remove those stitches. The reason vents are closed at the store is purely practical. Keeping them stitched helps the garment hold its shape and prevents creasing during transport after production. Once the piece is yours, those stitches are meant to be opened. Wearing a blazer or coat with closed vents restricts movement and ruins the drape. Before wearing any tailored outerwear for the first time, always check and open the vents.
2. Wearing the belt in the wrong position
Most people instinctively center their belt buckle and while that’s not wrong in every situation, it can be improved. If you’re wearing a classic belt with a frame-style buckle, it’s worth paying attention to what’s known as the gig line. Rooted in military dress, the gig line refers to the straight vertical line created by the trouser fly, the front edge of the belt buckle and the shirt placket. When these elements align, the outfit instantly looks sharper and more intentional. If you’re wearing a T-shirt or sweater, the principle still applies, just focus on aligning the trouser fly and the belt buckle. It’s a subtle adjustment, but it makes a visible difference.
3. Closing a double-breasted blazer the wrong way
This one is tricky, because technically a double-breasted blazer can be closed in more than one way. But classic menswear has a clear rule and it’s worth sticking to. A double-breasted blazer should always be closed from left to right. This closure is what the garment is designed for and ensures the lapels sit correctly, the proportions look balanced and the silhouette stays elegant. Closing it the other way disrupts the line of the jacket and immediately reads as incorrect to anyone familiar with tailoring.
Final thought
Menswear mistakes are rarely about taste. They’re about details, tradition and understanding how garments are meant to work. Fixing these small issues won’t just improve individual outfits, it will raise your entire style game without buying a single new piece.