Ever wonder why your wife takes so long to get ready? Are you surprised how she tries on six different outfits before deciding which one to wear? Well gentlemen, the answer to these age old questions is because she is paying attention to the minor details that she knows make a difference. Before leaving the house, she makes sure all the puzzle pieces are in order to look her best. Now, I’m not saying that you need to spend hours in your closet or the mirror getting ready, but I am saying that you need to understand and correct some of the basic image errors that we are all guilty of from time to time.

Let me now take the time to summarize the top 10 problems I see on a daily basis. We’ll identify the problems and also give you easy-to-follow and easy-to-apply solutions in an attempt to prevent you from making these all-too-common fashion mistakes.

Image Killer #1
dress according to their age
One of the biggest mistakes a man can make when trying to be fashionable and cool is dressing younger than he is. There is nothing more obvious or embarrassing than a man in his 40s or 50s who dresses like he is 20. It may be true that the clothes are really cool and extremely stylish, however if they are not age appropriate you will end up looking like a big ball of cheese.

The solution:
While shopping at a particular store or store, look around you. Are the other bosses dramatically younger than you? Are the partners still in high school? If the answer to these questions is yes, it is most likely that the clothing in that store is not for you. Paying attention to these two simple rules will surely point you in the right direction.

Image Killer #2
Clothes that don’t fit
When I tell you that your clothes should fit, most of you may be thinking “Duh”. But, give me a chance to explain. Many men wear clothes that are either too big for them or too small for them. A common misconception is that if you are a larger man, you should buy larger shirts to minimize your weight. This could not be further from the truth. What happens is that in an attempt to camouflage your weight you only make yourself look heavier and bigger than you are. On the other hand, some of you buy clothes that are smaller than they really are. Just because you can button up your pants doesn’t mean they fit you. You will only look like a sausage if you leave the house.

The solution:
If you currently buy shirts that are too baggy, go down a size. You’ll be surprised how many compliments you get and questions about whether you’ve lost weight. With pants, make sure you can fit your fingers comfortably between you and your waist. This may require you to go up a size or even two. Don’t be afraid, you are not getting bigger, now you are wearing pants that fit you well.

Image Killer #3
Pleated/Cuffed Pants
Many men are guilty of these forbidden manners. Most men have a desire to look their best. If your best self means you want to look heavier than you are, then go for pleats. But, if you want to appear slimmer and taller, then it may be time to get rid of the folds. The goal is to create a nice straight line from your waist to your shoes. Anything that breaks your line of sight will detract from your best look. Pant cuffs are nothing more than extra fabric that breaks up the clean, crisp line and ultimately gives you the appearance of being shorter than you are.

The solution
Go ahead and try on a nice pair of pants without a flat front hem. You will be surprised how much slimmer and taller you will look. This simple change will dramatically improve your look and image.

Image Killer #4
Incorrect pant length
Many men wear pants that are too short or too long. Both are detrimental to your image. Pants that are too short make you look like you’re wearing high water and, quite frankly, make you look like a big ass. On the other hand, pants that are too long will only bunch up in your shoe creating the illusion of being shorter and heavier than you.

The solution
Pants must be long enough that they have a rip in them. The back of the pant leg should come to the middle or top of the waist. Remember that depending on the shoe you wear, some pants can look good with some shoes and not with others. If you wear boots, you may need slightly longer pants than you wear with dress shoes.

Image Killer #5
Old-fashioned/skinny jeans
Skinny jeans are not only out of style, but they damage your image and your style. A tapered leg does not allow your jeans to fit over the top of your shoe. Instead, it has a gathering of fabric at the top of its foot, creating a sloppy look.

The solution
If you’re not sure if your jeans are skinny or not, here’s an easy test. Take your jeans and place them on your bed face up. Take the bottom of the jeans and fold the pant leg over so that the bottom is aligned with where your knee would be. If the bottoms are less wide than the knee, then they are indeed tapered and new jeans should be on your to-do list. When looking for new jeans, you’ll notice that there are a few different cuts or styles to choose from. Look for straight-leg or even boot-cut jeans. The goal is to allow the jeans to fall over the top of your shoe creating a nice clean line from waist to toe. Piling up the fabric will only make you look short and sloppy. None of these are good for anyone.

Image Killer #6
Floral print shirts
Unless you’re in the tropics or on a cruise, these t-shirts are dumb. If you’re in the tropics or on a cruise…good for you and put on the t-shirts.

The solution
Choose shirts that are solid in color or with a small pattern. Don’t buy something you think is “cute” or “funny.” You won’t look cute, but you will look fun.

Image Killer #7
bad shoes
Shoes are, in my opinion, the most important aspect of an outfit. By choosing thick or bulky shoes, you will only look like a clown. Too square toes (pilgrims) are also an idea of ​​the style of the past. They were cool a few years ago, but now they’re taking a backseat to a sleeker, more streamlined shape and trend. We should also include shoes that are too worn or scratched.

The solution
Take care of your shoes. Once a month take the time to shine your shoes and make sure you don’t forget about curing. Spend the money on good quality shoes. If taken care of, they will last you for years. Choose shoes that are simple yet elegant. Stay away from overly ornate seams or overly drastic shapes (square or pointed). Remember, the shoes shouldn’t draw attention to themselves, but rather bring the package together. Stay away from shoes that are very fashionable because they will go out of style quickly.

Image Killer #8
Sneakers With Everything
Athletic shoes should be worn when exercising. They are not your right pair of shoes for every activity and occasion.

The solution
Most of the time, men choose to wear sneakers due to a lack of variety or depth in today’s footwear. Spend time and money shopping for a variety of shoes that are appropriate for a variety of occasions. You need a pair to wear with shorts (non-athletic), casual and professional.

Image Killer #9
Mismatch between belt and shoe
Black shoes and brown belt are the most obvious, however, you should also consider the style of the shoes and belt.

The solution
Dress shoes require a dress belt. This means that if your shoes have a shine, your belt should also have a similar finish. Black is an easy color to combine, there is only one black. Brown, however, is a bit more complicated; There are 20 different shades of brown. When trying to pick out a belt to match your shoes, wear the shoes in the store. If you try to improvise from memory, you will surely be disappointed once you get home.

Image Killer #10
inappropriate dress
Have you ever had the feeling that you are poorly dressed for a specific event or occasion? This has happened to all of us at one time or another. This is one of the most common mistakes one can make.

The solution
Before you attend any meeting or event, know what is expected. A good way is to look at your wife and what she is wearing. Is she in jeans and a t-shirt? If not, then this is a good indication that you shouldn’t be either. Remember, it’s always better to be overdressed rather than underdressed.

Remember to pay attention to those minor details, and you’ll have an amazing image…instead of killing your image! alpha m. Image Consulting was launched in 2006 by founder Aaron Marino. Aaron realized that there was a lack of resources and options for men to get real world help and advice regarding their image, style and grooming. Our goal is to help modern man look and feel his best…every day of his life.