25 Clothing Care Mistakes That Quietly Ruin Good Clothes

“Big things have small beginnings.”

Sounds familiar?

It was originally heard in Lawrence Of Arabia (and more recently in Prometheus).

This quote is a fact of life…

Especially when it comes to making mistakes.

Think about it. Isn’t it a bummer when…

• A button comes off your favorite dress shirt?
• Some cracks form on your leather shoes?
• Your suit gets stained with shiny iron marks?

None of those happen overnight. They’re the result of small clothing care mistakes – habits most men don’t even know they have. A wire hanger here, a hot dryer there, and a $600 suit or a $300 pair of shoes is finished years before it should be.

And you’ll want those little things – like all other pests or troublemakers – exterminated right away.

Good clothes are an investment. Here are 25 small mistakes that quietly ruin them – and the simple fix for each one. If you’re still building the wardrobe itself, read the most expensive wardrobe mistakes men make first. And for the everyday style slip-ups, see my list of common men’s fashion mistakes.

Mistake #1 – Pulling On Loose Threads

Once you spot a loose thread, don’t even think about pulling on it. It’s not like a weed or gray strand of hair you can pluck off. Either cut it with scissors, tie it off yourself, or take it to a seamster or tailor.

Mistake #2 – Not Repairing Loose Buttons Right Away

When you notice a loose button on your shirt or jacket, it’s a disaster waiting to happen – similar to when part of the sole is no longer sticking to your shoe.

Repair those buttons immediately because once they fall off, it’ll be too late (and there’s the hassle of finding an exact replacement for missing buttons). When sending your clothes to a cleaner, you can also request them to check for loose buttons and fix them up accordingly.

Mistake #3 – Not Hemming Your Trousers

Perfect-fitting trousers rarely come in their original size, so it’s good to hem a new pair you purchase. But when it comes to pants you’ve had for a while – which show signs of tearing or fraying – get them adjusted immediately. No trousers can look good without the right fit.

You’ll notice those first 3 all involve a bit of tailoring. But I know not everybody can take time off to visit a quality tailor, or there isn’t one available in some areas.

So let me tell about this great company called Air Tailor. They have solved that kind of inconvenience with this amazing tailoring service. These guys can handle different repairs or adjustments – whether it’s to fix the zipper on your favorite jacket or to make your shirt more slim-fit.

Mistake #4 – Not Checking Pockets Before Washing Clothes

Maybe spare change or receipts are harmless – but you don’t want to risk leaving pens or markers inside. They can ruin an entire load of laundry!

Mistake #5 – Not Reading The Care Label On Your Clothing

There’s a reason for instructions like “Do not wash in the washing machine” or “Do not wash in hot or warm water” – to keep your delicate clothing safe! So be kind to yourself. Follow those care labels to avoid losing awesome clothes… and spending more money on new ones.

Mistake #6 – Drying Your Clothes For Too Long

Would you reheat some leftover pizza in the microwave for half an hour? Nope. You could end up with an ugly mess inside – and nothing to eat.

It’s the same deal for clothes you put in the dryer. What you should do is use your dryer’s sensor-dry or low-heat setting so the machine shuts off before your clothes get baked – and pull shirts and trousers out while they’re still slightly damp.

Mistake #7 – Leaving Clothes In The Dryer After Drying

This one only makes life harder and costs you precious time the next morning. So once the dryer shuts off and your clothes are ready, take them out immediately.

The longer you let them settle and cool inside, the more wrinkles start to form. Make it a point to remove, fold and hang them properly right away.

Mistake #8 – Using The Dryer For Clothes That Don’t Need It

It’s important to know which types of clothing – certain pants, chinos, dress shirts, etc. – don’t require machine drying (since natural drying is always less risky). Just take them out of the washer damp and iron normally. The remaining moisture will make them easier to iron. This will make them last much longer.

Mistake #9 – Wearing A Shirt With A Weak Placket

The placket is those 2 overlapping sections of a dress shirt which join the buttons and holes together. So why should it concern you?

Well if you’re a guy who often wears shirts without a tie, you’ll notice with a jacket on – the collar tends to get tucked underneath. And that makes for a sloppier, less attractive look.

A weak placket also causes Placketitis – a term for the wrinkly appearance of the top center of your shirt (plus the collar). It’s something that can ruin a good wedding photo or make you look unprofessional.

Your collar needs to have straight edges and frame your face well. So that’s why I love this fantastic product by Million Dollar Collar® – placket stays that can be installed permanently in your shirts. They keep the collar sharp and well-structured.

Once the product is installed, you’ll never have to think about it again. You can stick to the usual washing, ironing, and dry cleaning. And since MDC stays are thin and hidden from view, the only thing visible will be a dashing shirt!

Mistake #10 – Wearing A Billowing Shirt

The danger here is you’ll end up with the dreaded look of a muffin top – which is highlighted even more when your shirt-trousers combination has contrasting colors. So beware of any fit that’s less than ideal. Choose your shirts wisely.

Mistake #11 – Buying A Shirt Without Enough Length

Watch out for dress shirts which – even if they match your body type – are a loose cannon tucking-wise. Whenever you try a shirt on, raise your hands to check for 1-2 inches of length below the belt line. That’s how you’ll see whether it’s long enough to stay tucked in all day – even when you sit, stand and move around often.

Mistake #12 – Tucking In Your Shirt All The Time

No good comes out of tucking your shirt 15-20 times a day. It’s uncomfortable to do… awkward to watch.

It’s either you might need to lose weight, or you need a better way to keep your shirt tucked. And I know a great company with the best solution to those incessant tucking problems – shirt stays.

KK & Jay makes these fantastic shirttail garters. They have perfected this genius system that’s been around for decades – also used by military and police officers to maintain a clean uniform look.

I’ve had my own KK & Jay shirt stays for 4 years, and they still continue to work like a charm. The reason is their high-quality build – handmade in the US. They use flexible fabric tabs and elastics that don’t itch or press hard against the skin. There’s no hassle whatsoever. You can put them on in the morning and you’ll forget they exist after 30 minutes!

The best part? Your shirt will look tailor-fit throughout the day – regardless of how active you are. KK & Jay offers a sure-fire way to lock those shirttails in place. No other product or method does it better.

Mistake #13 – Not Getting Your Wool Sweaters Cleaned

As the cold season ends, don’t go thinking about your summer gear just yet. There’s still cleaning required with your wool sweaters.

The reason? Moth damage – it’s a serious issue you want to prevent. So simply take them to the dry cleaner’s, where the chemicals will kill any moth eggs that are present.

Mistake #14 – Not Storing Your Wool Sweaters Properly

After getting your sweaters cleaned, you’re probably not going to need them until autumn. So make sure to keep them sealed well – not just placed together with your jackets and dress shirts. Add cedar blocks or lavender sachets for protection. If you use mothballs, follow the label – they’re meant for tightly sealed containers, and the smell clings to wool.

Mistake #15 – Hot Ironing Your Suit

You’re likely to do this if you’re not aware of the difference between steaming, pressing, and ironing. The fact is it’s better to steam your suit (but be careful not to blow the seams) or press it (but you should know the technique). Putting a hot iron against your wool suit will permanently damage the wool.

You have to super careful ironing a suit. You shouldn’t turn up the heat even if there’s a Wool setting. There’s always the chance of a hot iron ruining the fabric or staining it with shiny marks.

Mistake #16 – Drying Wet Leather Shoes With Heat

You might’ve heard of putting wet leather shoes next to a heater to dry them more quickly. Do NOT attempt this (or use any form of concentrated heat) because it can cause the leather to crack.

Let your footwear dry naturally, and yes – this takes more time. Use a leather conditioner to keep it in good shape. That’s also why I suggest having an extra pair around at all times.

Mistake #17 – Hanging Your Suit On A Wire Hanger

The problem with a wire hanger is it’s simply not made for suits. The frame is thin and bendable. This causes the suit to slightly conform to it… and end up with indentions or creases. So always make sure to use a proper suit hanger.

Mistake #18 – Applying Cologne Directly On Your Clothing

Let’s make this clear: cologne isn’t supposed to make your clothes smell nice (that’s the job of fabric conditioners) – but make YOU smell nice. So once you’ve dried yourself up after showering, apply cologne naturally on your body.

Start with a small amount on your chest. If you’re more experienced, you should know the other spots to apply it onto. The goal is for the substance to mix with the chemicals in your body, not your clothes.

Mistake #19 – Leaving Your Necktie With A Knot Tied

As lazy as you might feel after a long day in the office, do NOT take a shortcut to removing your tie. Don’t just loosen it enough so it can pass through your head with the knot intact. This damages the tie in the long run.

Have the discipline to always untie and then retie it. You’ll be glad about this habit when you see that your necktie continues to look stylish for many years.

Mistake #20 – Ripping The Tags Off Your Clothes

It’s the same reason why you shouldn’t pull on loose threads. Ripping off the tag creates a hole that’s bound to get bigger over time. This can cause problems in the fabric or become a real eyesore. So use scissors to cut them off all the time. The same goes for any tags on the outside of your jacket.

Mistake #21 – Cramming Your Closet Full

Stuffing clothes shoulder to shoulder crushes collars, presses creases into jackets, and traps moisture. And when you can’t see what you own, you end up buying duplicates.

Give every hanger about a finger’s width of space. If the rail is packed, that’s your sign to purge – pull anything you haven’t worn in a year and donate it. Here’s how to purge your closet the right way.

Mistake #22 – Storing Clothes In A Damp Space

Heat and humidity breed mold and mildew, and they invite moths. The worst spots are the bathroom, a basement, or a closet against a cold outside wall.

Keep your clothes somewhere cool, dry, and ventilated. If you live somewhere humid, a cheap moisture absorber on the closet floor helps. And never put clothes away damp – not even a gym shirt.

Mistake #23 – Dry Cleaning Your Suit After Every Wear

Dry cleaning uses harsh solvents and heat, and every trip wears the fabric down a little. A good wool suit doesn’t need it more than a few times a year unless it’s stained.

Between cleanings, brush the suit after each wear with a clothes brush, let it rest a day on a wide wooden hanger, and steam out wrinkles at home. Spot-clean small stains right away, before they set.

Mistake #24 – Checking Your Suit The Morning Of The Event

You’ve got a wedding at noon. At 9 a.m. you pull the suit out and find the trousers are tight, the shirt is wrinkled, and your shoes still have mud on them from the last wedding. Now you’re scrambling.

Keep your formal outfit ready to go. Try the suit on a week before any big event – if it needs adjusting, your tailor needs time. Keep one dress shirt pressed and hanging, your dress shoes polished, and a tie you trust right next to them. Ten minutes of prep saves you a panicked morning.

Mistake #25 – Washing Everything Hot With Too Much Detergent

Hot water fades color, shrinks cotton, and breaks down elastic. And extra detergent doesn’t get clothes cleaner – it leaves residue that stiffens fabric and dulls dark colors.

Wash most clothes in cold water, use the amount of detergent the bottle actually calls for, and don’t overload the machine. Turn jeans, dark tees, and printed shirts inside out, and zip up zippers so they don’t snag everything else in the load.

Clothing Care Mistakes Cheat Sheet: Do This, Not That

Read next:

Common style myths debunked

Things Guys Should Never Apologize For

Click below to watch the video – 20 Small Style Mistakes That Lead To Big Problems

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