Occurrence of Wardrobe Malfunctions
A wardrobe malfunction occurs when a person accidentally exposes an intimate part of their body as a result of an article of clothing slipping out of position. We also describe a wardrobe malfunction as the instance of a piece of clothing slipping, ripping or tearing, among others and causing embarassment for the wearer. It is different from indecent exposure in that it is accidental and involuntary. Indecent exposure, on the other hand, is voluntary.
Have you ever had a wardrobe malfunction? How did you react when it happened? If not, have you had any other challenges with your clothing as a whole? This could range from forgetting to put on your accessories (cuff links, earrings, necklace) to a stain in your clothing, a faulty shoe or a broken heel, among others. What measures have you taken to prevent these mishaps from reoccurring?
Saved by a Needle and Thread
I had a wardrobe malfunction some years ago as I was attending a meeting at a hotel. I got to the hotel in the morning for the meeting and asked the front desk staff where the meeting was being held. She indicated that it was being held at the conference room on the right hand side. As I turned about to go, I heard a ripping sound. Alas! The seam at the back of my trousers had ripped into two considerably. My underwear would have been visible but for my jacket which convered a portion of my backside.
I asked the front desk lady to get me a needle and thread from housekeeping. I rushed to the washroom and managed to sew it back into place, before attending the meeting. I was just grateful to God that the incident had happened at a hotel. Where else would I have gotten a needle and thread? Since then, I have religiously kept a needle and thread in my handbag till this day!
Classroom Incident
I also witnessed a lecturer have a wardrobe malfunction when I was a student. During the lecture, he went out to visit the washroom. When he returned, he had unfortunately left the zipper to his trousers open. One of the male students respectfully approached him and whispered into his ear as he was writing on the white board. The lecturer nonchalantly zipped up while facing the white board and continued the lecture gracefully.
Damage Control Measures
Regarding accessories, it is helpful to keep an extra pair of earrings in your handbag in case you forget to put on your earrings. Most women always have their make-up kits close by, which invariably contain combs, hair brushes, mirrors and make-up.
A friend of mine, for his part, always has an extra pair of cuff links in his car. He also keeps an extra long-sleeved shirt, a tie and a jacket in his car, just in case there is a spill of coffee etc. on his shirt, tie or jacket at work.
With reference to shoes, a friend had a negative experience of a broken heel at a formal event. Since then, she always keeps several pairs of shoes in her car, in case of a similar shoe emergency.
All these examples appear to lend credence to the saying, “Once bitten, twice shy.” Indeed, no one would want to go through a negative experience the second time.
Kindly provide your comments and experiences with wardrobe malfunctions. You may click on the chat icon beneath the heading to do so.
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Thank you Heidi
You’re most welcome 😄
Thanks for sharing this idea. Anita
You’re most welcome 😄
Yes, always keep an extra pair of shoes in the car, and safety pins! 😉
Yes, that’s so helpful. I will do same! 😊👍
I attended a funeral at Akosombo in January this year,and while dressing up to go to the church service, the zip on my shirt went off. My luck was that,I had a spare black shirt in my bag as a quick substitute.If the incident had occurred in the church,that would have been an embarrassing moment for me. Thanks for spreading this message,I’ve massively shared it to most groups on WhatsApp. Good morning Madam.
It’s good to hear that you had a substitute shirt 👕. You were well prepared for any eventualities. And thanks for sharing 👍
Very useful tips.l always keep extra pairs of shoes in my car.Depending on the walking distance l change heels😁
That’s a very helpful tip, too! 👍
Interesting subject. Mine happened when I was a Grooms Man for my friend and room mate. Just when we left his apartment en route the church, my trousers, which was a bit tight ripped, when I was sitting in my car. What saved me was that, the wedding was at the Anglican Church on the University of Ghana Campus and next to the Catholic Church.
My friend was the priest in charge of the Catholic Church so I stopped over at the church and had my trousers stitched quickly by a wife of one of the Grooms Men and we rushed back.
Oh goodness! What an experience! We thank God that you were able to find a quick solution 🙏
I like your consciousness of keeping thread and a needle in your handbag. My trousers zip has frequently be unzipped after visiting the washroom. On sometimes, kind people save me from further embarrassing myself. Occasionally, however, I catch myself and zip up. After reading this excellent piece, will be awake.
Hahaha 😄. Please be more wide awake concerning your trousers 👖 zip.
I had one. It was my zip. I had to send someone to have it mended whiles i locked myself in the office wrapped in my scarf.
Interesting! Someone told me she keeps safety pins 🧷 in her bag for that purpose. 😄
I had a wardrobe malfunction once. I was on protocol assignment for a visiting vice president to GH. Upon arrival at the official meeting point my colleague whispered into my ear that the back of my trousers had split into two. It was quite a dramatic moment for me because I had to rush home to change my suit. It’s good you write about such a mundane but highly relevant aspect of life. Very good article that deserves to be shared on a bigger platform
Oh dear! What an experience! It can indeed happen to anybody. I’m glad that you could go home 🏡 and change. 😀