wardrobe malfunction

[ wawr-drohb mal-fuhngk-shuhn ]

noun

, Facetious.

1. an instance of a piece of clothing slipping, ripping, etc., and causing embarrassment for the wearer:

   One of the models had an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction during the fashion show.

wardrobe malfunction

noun

1. informal.
   an embarrassing situation caused by the clothes a person is wearing

Word History and Origins

Origin of wardrobe malfunction¹

2004; coined by Justin Timberlake (born 1981), American singer and actor

Word History and Origins

Origin of wardrobe malfunction¹

C21

Example Sentences

Dean and Bychkova stepped out in sparkly fringed outfits, but Bychkova suffered a wardrobe malfunction causing her to stumble slightly.

From BBC

Yamamoto gave up his only run after a minor wardrobe malfunction — a broken shoelace that he returned to the dugout to replace — caused a delay before the start of the second inning.

From Los Angeles Times

He later defended his singing on ITV's Lorraine, saying: "I had a slight wardrobe malfunction - my mic pack fell off - and had to improvise but that's fine - it's live TV, it happens."

From BBC

It's so snug that it appears the gray shrug over her shoulders is being used to hide a wardrobe malfunction.

From Salon

Or consider that much of the discourse surrounding this year’s Super Bowl halftime performance, by Usher, had to do with the sorry fact that it took this Black superstar as long as it did to reach pop’s biggest stage while Timberlake was invited to headline six years ago — and after having taken part in the 2004 “wardrobe malfunction” that derailed Jackson’s career.

From Los Angeles Times