How to solve common fashion blunders

Okay, we're not going to bore you with the obvious (crumbs on your decollete, wedgies, buttons in the wrong hole, cords in the summer, stilettos in the snow), but we are going to clue you in on some of the more insidious, oh-so-unattractive everyday blunders that change us from looking smart and poised to unkempt and misguided

Wearing see-through garments at the wrong time
If you're not old enough to remember Barbra Streisand in her now-infamous see-through dress picking up her Oscar for Funny Girl, take heed and check your gauzy and flowing frocks in various lighting situations. If your 'home base' is exposed, you'll be blushing all the way home! To the rescue: Wear an opaque nude-coloured slip or body stocking under flowing, gauzy apparel.

Belly bulge
We were never good in physics class, but somewhere in high school we did learn this: Just because you can squeeze into a size 6, that doesn't mean you should! Wearing trousers or skirts that are too tight at the waist will cause the flesh there to be squeezed, giving even the slimmest women a conspicuous belly bulge. To combat this dreaded phenomenon (also known as muffin top), make sure your waist area isn't tight, not even snug.

Underarm cleavage
You know what we're talking about. That soft flesh at the upper section of the torso - right where the breasts slope next to the underarms - can, if squeezed, protrude in an unwelcome way. To avoid this, make sure the arm holes of your tops are large enough and low enough in the garment, and get a bra that really fits. The key is to make sure your bra is the correct size around your back and that you adjust the straps so that the cups are low enough to settle over your breasts effortlessly.

Trousers that get caught in your shoes
Trouser hems that become wedged under the heels of your feet when you're wearing mules can make it look like you're sporting footsie pyjamas. This happens because the trousers aren't quite long enough to hang past the heel of the shoe. To prevent it, have your trousers tailored to hang far enough (approximately 2 cm) down beyond your heel when sporting open-back shoes.

Scarecrow sleeves
If you like thick jumpers - a big trend the last few seasons - keep in mind that you'll want to pair them with a jacket or top that has extra width in the upper arms. Otherwise you'll risk looking like a stuffed scarecrow. A shawl will work nicely too.

Sweat stains
We don't care how lovely (or expensive) that little T-shirt is. If it features dingy yellow sweat rings under the arms, it's a major fashion no-no. Save it for washing the dog; he'll love you no matter what you wear. Invest in a good antiperspirant, but if you sweat excessively (the medical term is axillary hyperhidrosis), New York City dermatologist Karyn Grossman, MD, says you might want to consider Botox injections in the armpits. She says the injections decrease both sweat and odour.

Underwear in a bunch
There are panty lines, and then there are panty bunches. We can't really describe how bad knicker bunches look without being indelicate. Instead, we suggest you go through your underwear drawer today and remove all knickers that are stretched out, that have elastic threads hanging from the waistband and that never fit right. Yes, just throw them away. You have our permission. Then buy some new ones, in pretty colours. Knickers of high-quality cotton with good elasticity will lie under clothing clandestinely - which is just the way you want it.

Panties on parade
And speaking of knickers, please don't think that strip of G-string sticking out from under your hipster jeans looks anything but unsightly. Really, you lose IQ points for revealing your strings in public, so unless you're a Victoria's Secret lingerie model and you're on an actual runway, it's a blunder. The solution: Try tidy low-rise boy-style briefs or simply push your waistbands down over your hips. They're elastic, after all.