While fashion is completely subjective, once in a while a garment is produced that is such a blatant embodiment of poor quality and design that it’s hard to argue otherwise. Just like failed knock-offs of known brands, pants with tiny pockets that can’t fit anything, or dresses that are somehow too low and too long at the same time.
These and so many more fashion fails can be found below if you would just find a minute to scroll down. Courtesy of the Bored Panda team, let’s embark on a list of some of the worst garments created that people on the streets should never be caught wearing.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out a conversation with slow fashion designer and company director at Church of Sanctus, Lucinda Sinclair, and fashion stylist and writer at Elemental Spot, Luis Huber, who kindly agreed to explain how fashion mishaps come to be.
#1 The Pocket Size In Female vs. Male Levi’s Jeans
Image credits: Suspicious_Salad_864
#2 Bought Some Jammies For My Grandson
Image credits: gronk087
#3 Do What Now?
Image credits: tarsier808
“It’s almost always a case of trying to do ’too much’ and executing it poorly,” says fashion designer Lucinda Sinclair from Church of Sanctus, explaining why professionals make mistakes that are sometimes blatantly obvious to others.
“I think designers are operating in an oversaturated market where trends have such a short life span, so the temptation to release something that could be considered viral or a publicity stunt is a way for a designer’s work to be noticed.”
Meanwhile, fashion stylist and writer at Elemental Spot, Luis Huber, believes that it can be the fault of tunnel vision. “Professionals can sometimes get so immersed in their creative process that they lose perspective on practicality or audience appeal.”
#4 New Sports Bra Comes With 20+ Tags Sewn In
Image credits: CitizenVixen
#5 Found This Gem In Brixton Market
Image credits: yayrubyy
#6 Forget Nike. We Got Bike
Image credits: Thick_Nightmare_5823
Some of the most ungodly fashion crimes that Sinclair witnessed were anything inflatable or having holes that allow certain body parts to flop out. “Look, I think anything designed to somewhat embarrass the wearer is abhorrent! They’re obviously designed to humiliate the model having to wear that down the runway.”
For Huber, one of the biggest mistakes a designer can make is to overlook the basics like comfort or wearability while trying to think outside the box. “It’s a balance that can be hard to strike.”
#7 Keysmash Shoe
Image credits: FIKTOREK
#8 And Make Believe Always It Happen
Image credits: misterpants8
#9 “Inspirational” Patch On My Son’s Clothing
Image credits: GrayAreaHeritage
In order to avoid such fashion mishaps, Sinclair recommends beginner designers create fewer pieces that are beautifully made and can outlive the momentary trends. “Make your customer feel like an elevated version of themselves and they’ll keep coming back for more!”
Huber advises prioritizing function and comfort. “To beginners, I’d say always step back and ask yourself if the piece will work in real life, not just on the runway. Comfort and functionality should always be a priority.”
#10 “Tiger” Pattern On My Kid’s Onesie Is Actually Leopard
Image credits: scorpiosultan
#11 “Adida” Adidas Jacket Is Missing An “S” (Bought From The Official Website)
Image credits: MessagesFromLife
#12 The Simfsons
Image credits: Xatolos
Unfortunately, the main culprit of so many clothing design misunderstandings on this list is fast fashion. The keyword here is ‘fast’ with manufacturers being able to offer low-priced yet relatively stylish clothes to customers at speeds never seen before.
Producing garments in the blink of an eye inevitably results in a lack of quality, accountability, and sustainability. The clothes that are not made to last and, in some cases, are practically unwearable end up in landfills as swiftly as they were made. In China alone, 26 tonnes of clothing are thrown away each year, polluting the environment.
#13 Garfield
Image credits: NoidAvoid123
#14 One Of My Shoes Is Missing A Letter
Image credits: Oc7ave
#15 Wild Er Into The Ness
Image credits: SpongeGob
Besides being fashion crimes, having short lifespans, and harming the planet, such clothing is also made from toxic materials. During the production process, fast fashion manufacturers use harmful chemicals and dyes that often contain heavy metals and other substances like formaldehyde.
It doesn’t matter how many times the garments are washed—the chemicals still remain and leach out of them, which can be absorbed by our skin and potentially cause health problems. When clothes end up in landfills and start breaking down, synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon start exuding microplastics, contaminating our air and water.
#16 These Socks Have The Logo On The Sole Of Your Foot So That You Feel It With Every Step
Image credits: throwaway_185051108
#17 Good, Good, Times, Times
Image credits: TropicHorror
#18 Smart Girl
Image credits: VXXXHGXXXXI
Fast fashion already has done so much damage to our planet and now when we need it to slow down, it’s only getting faster. Called ultra-fast fashion, it’s turning the previous fast fashion’s weeks into days and dozens of styles into hundreds and thousands.
What we also don’t see behind the scenes is the new low that worker treatment is reaching. It’s estimated that there are 75 million employees worldwide who work in fast fashion factories. And less than 2% of them make a living wage, working 16-hour days, 7 days a week. The European Parliament has described their conditions as “slave labor.”
#19 Callme Kelvins
Image credits: CobaltArachnid00
#20 Ghldin Kldin
Image credits: schooqschee
#21 Caeli Keleie
Image credits: Stunnerer
Many fashion companies take their subdivisions to Vietnam, India, and Bangladesh, where they have minimal control over production and can turn a blind eye to the dreadful working conditions. Employees usually work without ventilation, inhaling various toxic substances, including fiber dust and blasted sand. Accidents are very frequent too, with fires, injuries, and diseases being a regular sight. As a cherry on top, workers face verbal and physical abuse, and if they aren’t able to reach the unreachable goals, they are denied breaks or water.
#22 Bionic, Gotta Go Phrash
Image credits: Milo_Mio
#23 Yesterday I Was In The “Turkish” Part Of The Cyprus (Northern Cyprus) And Oh My God
Image credits: Loud-Ad-4720
#24 Surprised?
Image credits: manaluuu
So behind a few hideous garments, misprinted clothes, or known brand knock-offs that might, at first glance, look absurd or funny, hides an industry that distorts fashion, pollutes the environment, and exploits people. But while it might seem that the fast fashion giants worth $106 billion are bigger than we could ever be, our collective choices can wield powerful change.
#25 My New Jeans Have More Thigh Ribbing On The Left Leg Than The Right Leg. Also, They Smell Weird
Image credits: FroggyPhevoli
#26 This Hat
Image credits: yeet-to-the-beet
#27 This Thing On My Pants Is Completely Useless Because It’s Just Glued On
Image credits: idiot7002
What can we do? The first step is taking responsibility for the clothes we already have. Don’t just dispose of them. If an urge to change up your closet arises, try hosting a clothing swap with your friends, selling them on platforms like Vinted, Depop, or Poshmark, or refreshing them by adding all sorts of fun new details (thrift flip!). When you really need to buy an item, first look for it at secondhand stores. Sometimes it can be hard to find basics at thrift stores, so when purchasing new items, invest in quality ones that would last a long time. Ideally more than 30 washes!
#28 We Is Se Words
Image credits: SkepticWolf
#29 I’m Sorry What?
Image credits: Space___Sheep
#30 Don’t Know If That’s What You Want To Have
Image credits: reddit.com
Finally, stay updated on what’s happening in the fast fashion world and our environment. And avoid brands that like to dabble in greenwashing. Our purchasing power can change the landscape of fashion and supporting smaller, slower-paced businesses can help sustainable fashion outpace the ultra-fast one.
#31 Bike
Image credits: jakezhang94
#32 Upside Down Shirt
Image credits: lyn_low
#33 Socks Usually Come In Pairs Because People Usually Have 2 Feet, But In This Case The “Usually” Comes Into Play
Image credits: saxophone_is_thebest
#34 Just Did It
Image credits: Pengentot
#35 Hope They Don’t Need New Ink Cartridges
Image credits: FellMentKE
#36 We Have Calvin Klein At Home. Calvin Klein At Home:
Image credits: Pleegsteertje
#37 Nine
Image credits: TheCoffmann
#38 The Dog Dress Shows The Front Of The Human Torso On The Dog’s Back
Image credits: ConnnieX
#39 Dress For An Outdoor Event Has A Print That Leaves Red Marks When You Sweat
Image credits: buterbetterbater
#40 These Shoes Were “On Sale”
Image credits: Qikdiv
#41 That Dipped-In-Mud Look
Image credits: ImRussell
#42 Thought I Bought A Two-Pack Of Different-Colored Socks From Nike. It Turns Out They Are Sewn Together And It’s Just One Single Pair
Image credits: GravyBaptism
#43 The Embroidery On This Hat Is Off-Center
Image credits: TheArkOfAeons
#44 My Brand New Adidas Shoes Fresh From The Store Are Essentially Different Colors
Image credits: VariationNo1158
#45 It’s Boardwalk Time
Image credits: UrameshiYuusuke
#46 Shrek Smash
Image credits: WielderOfTheSpear
#47 Gorillaz X Spider-Man
Image credits: renperona
#48 Bro, Got The Best Vision
Image credits: Denis0lo
#49 Internet Explorer Pajama
Image credits: Cyrusmarikit
#50 Be Careful When Ordering From Temu
Image credits: emilie.fernstrom
#51 Simultaneously Too High And Too Low – This Dress
Image credits: Tessa7
#52 This Tank Top I Found At Goodwill
Image credits: fonzalonz
#53 Happy Birthday
Image credits: memelia98
#54 Surely There Is A Better Place For This Tag
Image credits: callmecanadia
#55 I Can’t Even Relax My Hands In These Pockets
Image credits: metti-021
#56 These Socks
Image credits: -Captain_Mango-
#57 I Like The Buffalo Bvlvs
Image credits: philphan25
#58 I Am A Mad Def Man Init With A Ely Box
Image credits: sapphireswan
#59 Funny-Looking Bridge
Image credits: emilylovescats2
#60 Fly And Higher Reach The Sky You Can
Image credits: Critical-Yam-2386
#61 Sizing Discrepancies In Women’s Clothing
I tried both of these pants on in Old Navy today. The size 2 was significantly bigger than the size 16. I couldn’t get the size 16 zipped or buttoned. The size 2 fit well. I typically wear between a size 8 and size 12 in shorts/pants from Old Navy.
Image credits: Substantial_Step_975
#62 Pekónem
Image credits: MagnoliaAlba
#63 Wait, What?
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#64 Bro Is Dripping With The Air Joan’s
Image credits: baldonic_is_cool
#65 Starwars
Image credits: AuDHDqueen
#66 Well At Least They Got The Nickelodeon Name Right
Image credits: Campaign-Human
#67 Ah Yes, Maro Bros
Image credits: WorkingHorse1127
#68 We Are Hapy God Broers, Hmmm
Image credits: Zayme_
#69 Galvin
Image credits: geffsteff
#70 No Socks On Tuesdays
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#71 My New Sweatshirt
Image credits: chococookiesrgood
#72 Not Cars? Never Heard Of That
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#73 It’s Broo Never Kl Too Yn’s Late Own
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#74 Sports Bra Inserts. Why Do These Inserts Exist? Either Sew Them In, Delete Them, Or Add An Extra Layer Of Thick Cloth
Image credits: TenEyeSeeHoney
#75 Large And Medium Are The Same Size
Image credits: andreajoyq
#76 Ococ Lenahc Bag
Image credits: GlitterClown
#77 Play High
Image credits: UrameshiYuusuke
#78 Jeans
Image credits: philbilo
#79 Found This In A Gift Shop In Germany
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#80 Found A Goldmine
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#81 Demon Goose
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#82 My Favorite Superhero
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#83 I Don’t Know What To Make Of This
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#84 What Do You Mean, What Do My Slippers Say?
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#85 I Lined Up The Pattern Really Well On That Silk Gucci Dress, Boss
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#86 The Text On This Hat Is Upside Down
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#87 Saw This Singular Pair Of Socks At 5 Below, The Rest Were Normal, And I Got Some Good Chuckles Out Of It
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#88 Bye Uor Seif
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#89 Wear Work Smart Smart
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#90 Find And What Then You’d Live Die For For It
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#91 Ben Possible?
Image credits: PoteUsaLoppy
#92 This Miami South Beach T-Shirt
Image credits: Positive_Pinaple
#93 This Safe Youth Campaign T-Shirt Looks Like Children Being Abducted By Aliens
Image credits: CorrectsTitles
#94 I’m Pretty Sure The Sweatshirt I Got From A Souvenir Shop Was Originally Meant For Someone Else
Image credits: BitterlyRadiant
#95 My Girlfriend’s New Hoodie
Image credits: BigLigma6969
#96 I Hope Doing Good Your Things
Image credits: Dazzling-Yam-1151
#97 Home Of The Big Land Free
Image credits: bawrangler
#98 How My New Sandals Got These Linings That Hurt Your Toes
Image credits: RamenFighter_11
#99 They Couldn’t Have Put The Design On The Shirt Just A Little Higher
Image credits: Jugabla
#100 My T-Shirt: Bro I’m Ken Fragile
Image credits: CraftistOf
#101 District Champs 202?
Image credits: Valerie-Loves-Me
#102 Only In India
Image credits: advaigupta121
#103 Nice Shirt In The Philippines
Image credits: Pascougnou