When it comes to looking good, little things can make a big difference. If only we knew what those little things were.

Men, it appears that many of you could profit from a list of small things that every man should know -- but might not.

A recent survey by Mintel, a market research company, found that among men who have bought clothes in the past year, 25 percent overall (and 40 percent of younger men) say they would dress more stylishly if only they knew how.

So here are 10 danger areas with experts' suggestions for navigating them.

1. Pants: Ideal length? They touch the top of your shoe heel. Never should they drag on the ground. Too short (showing socks at the back) is just as bad. "Pants that are too long do not make you look taller," said men's fashion expert Joe Lupo, co-founder of the website Visual Therapy. Trousers with cuffs make you look shorter, too -- as do rolled up jeans. Pleated khakis are so over. Flat fronts are more flattering, even if you're overweight.

2. Shirts: A tailor is your best friend for sleeves that are too long or a shirt that's too big and blousy. With a jacket, show ¼-inch of shirt cuff, 1/2-inch if you're wearing cuff links. Gaps between buttons over your gut? Donate the shirt and buy bigger, "but it shouldn't be too baggy because that actually makes you look thicker," Lupo said. Button all the buttons on your button-down collar. If a button is missing or hanging by a thread on any of your clothes, fix it.

3. Jackets: The loosely stitched basting threads that hold the vent (slit) at the back of the new jacket or suit coat are meant to be removed. Pay a tailor to nip in the jacket waist slightly. "It makes a regular suit look $500 more expensive," Lupo said. Button up the jacket when entering a room; unbutton when sitting. If it's a three-button jacket, never button the bottom one, said Bloomingdale's Joyce Sobczyk, a style expert.

4. Shoes: Shine them; replace worn laces and heels. Take a hard look at your toes. If they're gross, sandals are a terrible idea. Shoes you wear to the gym or for running are not a good choice for street wear. More fashionable sporty shoes are what you need. Check men's fashion magazines to figure out current styles.

5. Jeans: Forget your old college jeans. Even if you can still squeeze into them, they're almost certainly out of style. Dark blue denim is the classic, best choice. Jeans that bag at the seat, waist or thigh do not make you look leaner. "When in doubt, not tight but straight fit; relaxed but too relaxed can look droopy. Casual does not mean schlumpy," Lupo said.

6. Underwear: Your whites should be really white. No grayish, pitted-up T-shirts. Replace them frequently. When unbuttoning your shirt's top two buttons (maximum), it's better to show a crisp, white T-shirt than nasty gorilla chest hair. Below the waist, there are many colorful options -- boxer briefs, anyone? -- in addition to the standby, tighty-whiteys.

7. Belts: If pants have belt loops, wear a belt and make sure you haven't missed a loop. Don't wear a belt with worn-out holes. They don't have to match your shoes exactly but a decorative casual one is no good with a suit. White is almost always a bad choice.

8. Accessories: Update your eyeglasses. They're the first thing people notice. A timeless pair of sunglasses, Ray-Ban aviators, for example, can upgrade your look without much effort. Jewelry should be kept to a minimum.

9. Grooming: Go easy on the fragrances. Body sprays do not cover up body odor. When shaving, make sure that you didn't miss a spot. Don't leave the house with traces of shaving cream in your ears.

10. Maintenance: The single most useful tool for dressing done right? Your mirror. Check that you're zipped, tucked, have no hairs growing where they shouldn't. Don't skip the dentist.