Career Advice

6 Workplace Wardrobe Malfunctions and How to Fix Them

Almost everyone has had a work wardrobe emergency. Here are ways to remedy the most common types.

1. Wearing Mismatched Shoes

This is a tough one since you can’t always go home to change. If you got dressed in a stupor or in the dark and find your shoes don’t match once you’re at work, stay behind your desk as much as possible. At lunch, pop out to the nearest department store and buy a new, cheap pair you can wear just for the day. If you’re in a fun workplace, just pretend you did it on purpose to be “kicky.”

2. Busted Zipper

If your zipper bursts on your trousers at work, you need to fix it fast. If your overcoat can cover that area, wear your coat all day and just tell people you’ve got a chill. Or, pull out your dress shirttails so the area is hidden.

3. Missing Button

Did your button pop off from your shirt? Use a safety pin to hold the two sides together. If you still have the button, you can loop it back into place using a bent safety pin.

4. Torn Trouser Hems

Did the hem on your trouser leg give out? You can staple the hem back into place. Use a water-based black market to cover the silver staples, so it’s less noticeable. The marker ink will come out in the wash afterward.

5. Broken Bra Strap

Older bras tend to break at the worst times. If this happens to you, you can try to tie the loose end. If you can’t do that, use a safety pin to pin the loose end into place.

6. Drink or Food Spilled on Shirt

If you come back to work with a drink stain on your shirt, you’ll need to either pick up a new shirt at a shop or wear your overcoat or buttoned-up blazer for the rest of the day.

Try to prepare for work wardrobe malfunctions. Keep safety pins, extra socks and shoes, and a mini sewing kit in your desk drawer.