Ever had the feeling something’s not quite right? You’ve got everything in its place, but for some reason there’s an element missing; a piece of the jigsaw that won’t quite fit.

The world of fashion and style is no exception. There are times when, despite our best intentions, we hit a snag or encounter a snafu. We assume all’s well, when in reality we’ve messed up something pretty important.

Let’s take a quick look at just a few of those common faux pas and how we can best sidestep them:

Dull, lifeless shoes
Just because you purchase a pair of top-quality, custom-fit, hand-crafted wingtips don’t assume you can simply leave them to their own devices.

You need to constantly keep on top of your care routine if you’re going to enjoy ‘box freshness’ for weeks and months to come. Regularly clean and polish your shoes, especially during the winter months when they undergo some serious punishment. Always store your shoes correctly; this means investing in some good quality cedar shoe-trees in order to avoid cracks and creases forming.

Dirty Fingernails
The mistake men make here is assuming that hand care is just about washing their muddy fingers in soapy water.

Don’t forget to clip your nails regularly and keep your cuticles in check. Invest in a good quality nail clipping kit; although you might think it goes without saying, you’d be surprised at the number of men who have chewed up fingertips and hang-nails.

Unkempt Hair
Get it washed, get it cut and keep it under control.

You should be checking your hair regularly throughout the day to ensure your bouffant is as clean and neat as the moment you left home. Nobody wants to be distracted by the solitary strand of hair jutting out from behind the back of your neck.

Also, make it part of your weekly maintenance routine to pluck stray eyebrows and snip away any nasal/ear growth. This goes double if your hair is naturally thick, dark or coarse.

Body Odor
Part of a woman’s genetic advantage is a heightened sense of smell; it’s more finely honed to detect odors (such as bacteria colonies) that may be harmful to their off-spring. This means that while you’re thinking you’re not too ‘whiffy’ today your female co-workers are secretly holding their breath as you pass. Make sure you’re washing daily, or twice daily if necessary.

Don’t drown yourself in cologne or deodorant to assuage the problem either; you’ll only exacerbate the issue, stinking like a mix of stale sweat and body spray.

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