Fashion is a powerful form of self-expression, but sometimes our style choices can unintentionally make our outfit look less polished. Whether it’s wearing cheap fabrics or poor styling habits, small details can have a big impact on your overall appearance. These common fashion mistakes could be giving off the wrong impression, so here’s how to elevate your look to avoid looking cheap and tacky.
1. Overloading on Accessories
When they’re done right, accessories can elevate an outfit and add interesting elements. However, overdoing it with too many pieces can make your look appear cluttered and cheap. Instead, choose one or two statement pieces that complement your outfit and keep the rest of your look minimal.
2. Ill-Fitting Clothes
Wearing clothes that are either too tight or too loose draws attention to your outfit for the wrong reasons and instantly cheapens your entire look. Tailored clothing that fits well not only flatters your figure but also gives off a polished and sophisticated vibe. If you have ill-fitting clothes, be sure to get them tailored or shop for pieces that are well-defined and high-quality.
3. Wearing Faux Leather
Faux leather can be chic in small doses, but when overdone, it can look cheap and nasty. To avoid this, mix faux leather with other textures like cotton or ditch them all together in favor of real leather. This will make you look edgy and chic without giving off a cheap vibe.
4. Visible Panty Lines
You could be wearing the world’s most stylish look, but none of that matters when you have visible panty lines. Seamless underwear or shapewear can help you avoid this major fashion faux pas. It can also create a smooth silhouette, keeping your look sleek and sophisticated.
5. Cheap-Looking Jewelry
Jewelry that’s tarnished or overly shiny can look cheap and tacky. Though cheap jewelry can be fun and trendy, you’re better off investing in pieces that have a more subdued, elegant finish instead. If you prefer trendier jewelry, then try shopping for high-quality costume jewelry that mimics the real thing but won’t tarnish or go green on your skin.
6. Overly Trendy Pieces
Following every trend can make your wardrobe look inconsistent and cheap. Because trends move so fast these days, the most likely case is that when you jump on fads, they’re often badly made to keep up with ever-changing cycles. To avoid looking cheap, focus on classic pieces that never go out of style and add trendy items sparingly to keep your look current.
7. Worn-Out Handbags
A handbag that’s seen better days can drag down your entire outfit. Whether it’s distressed, fraying, or falling apart, a worse-for-wear handbag just looks plain cheap. Regularly clean and condition your bags, and consider investing in a quality staple piece that won’t wear down within a year.
8. Flexing Designer Logos
The occasional logo signifies that you like the finer things in life and that you care about fashion. However, clothing plastered with large logos can come across as trying too hard to impress. Not only this but with so many dupes and knock-offs being readily accessible these days, logo-saturated items may also appear fake. Opt for pieces with subtle branding or no logos at all to maintain an air of sophistication.
9. Scuffed Dirty Shoes
Shoes say a lot about a person, sometimes more so than the clothes they’re wearing. Scuffed, dirty, or worn-out shoes can make even the most expensive outfit look cheap. Regularly clean and polish your footwear to keep it looking fresh and polished. If you’re wearing tattered shoes, it’s time for a refresh in order to look your best self.
10. Shiny Synthetic Fabrics
Fabrics that are too shiny, like satin or polyester, can instantly look cheap, especially under harsh lighting. This doesn’t mean you can’t wear them, but use your discerning and unbiased fashionable eye to decipher whether they look cheap or not. If you can’t tell, check the label and opt for natural, organic, textured fabrics that add depth and richness to your outfit.
11. Tortoiseshell Button Detailing
Whilst tortoiseshell buttons were once a cute way to add interest to a pair of pants or a dress, now, it’s the hallmark of a fast fashion piece. Most of the time, clothing with tortoiseshell buttons is made in fast fashion plants where clothes are generally not made to look or fit well. Steer clear of this fashion faux pas.
12. Badly Tailored Pieces
Whether it’s a DIY alteration or a baggy piece of clothing, badly tailored pieces that are not done well can ruin the integrity of your clothing and make them look cheap. It’s worth investing in professional tailoring to ensure that your clothes fit perfectly. Or, try shopping for new pieces that have darts, seams, and other hallmarks of good tailoring.
13. Wrinkled Clothes
Wrinkles can make even the most expensive outfit look careless and cheap. It also sends the message that you don’t care about your appearance, even if you don’t feel that’s the truth. Always take the time to iron or steam your clothes before wearing them to maintain a crisp, clean appearance.
14. Sheer Tacky Outfits
Fabrics that are too sheer or pill, fray, or stretch out easily can look inexpensive. Though they’re often more affordable than natural fibers like cotton and wool, polyester and viscose usually don’t sit flatteringly on our bodies. When shopping, pay attention to the fabric quality and choose pieces that will stand the test of time and aren’t too revealing.
15. Dated Tryhard Patterns
A surefire way to cheapen your look is by wearing trendy, juvenile patterns. Though they seem like fun from the outset, wearing these trendy prints and patterns makes you seem unfashionable and careless. This doesn’t mean you can’t wear prints, it just means that you should shop for more timeless patterns like polka dots, stripes and cheetah prints.