Wearing a garment inside out by mistake brings good luck, but reversing it to the correct side brings bad fortune.

Wearing Clothes Inside Out for Unexpected Good Luck

Details

This superstition holds that if a person unknowingly puts on a garment inside out, it is a sign of impending good fortune or that luck will favor them that day. Crucially, the luck is only retained if the garment is left as it is—inside out. Turning it right-side out once the mistake is discovered is believed to ‘undo’ the good fortune and instead attract bad luck or misfortune. The belief may apply specifically to smaller garments like shirts, socks, or underclothing. The effect is nullified if the act was intentional from the beginning. Some cultures teach children and young adults to avoid correcting inside-out clothing when rushing out in the morning, tying the belief to a spontaneous blessing or divine oversight.

Historical Context

This superstition has documented roots in 19th-century rural English and Scottish folklore, where omens and chance occurrences were often interpreted as messages from divine forces or spiritual energies. Clothing, being a daily and intimate part of life, became symbolic in various folk rituals. Accidentally wearing something inside out was thought to be a cosmic mistake—possibly an intervention—meant to shield the wearer from misfortune or delay. The act of reversing the garment was considered to be symbolically rejecting the divine favor. It parallels other European superstitions where actions done unintentionally are imbued with fate. It also aligns with the folk notion that mistaken appearances carry hidden truths or blessings.

Modern Relevance

This superstition still exists in various mild forms in parts of Western Europe, the southern United States, and portions of the Caribbean, particularly among older generations and those engaged in folk tradition. On social media platforms, such as TikTok and Twitter, users have revived the superstition in humor-driven content, often linking inside-out clothes to good luck before important events like job interviews. Some contemporary fashion influencers also refer to the belief in a lighthearted way. While no longer widely practiced as a strict belief, it surfaces occasionally in lifestyle blogs or among practitioners of folk magic and new-age spiritualism, where omens and signs are still interpreted symbolically.

Sources

Briggs, Katharine M. The Encyclopedia of Superstitions. Penguin Books, 1970.

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