Tried and True Fashion Hacks
Perhaps out of necessity from being raised in a family on a budget, my mom has been using and taught me “fashion hacks” for years. You know, when you use an unconventional item like a disposable razor or a shower cap to fix something unexpected? Well go figure, now this is a trend! And lucky for me, I am already pretty well practiced. These are my tried and true favorite hacks to quickly solve some pretty common fashion dilemmas:
1. Use waterproof spray on all of your leather and suede goods to protect them from rain and stains. This includes shoes, purses, hats, jackets and belts, even if it is just advertised as shoe protector. I swear by this stuff and spray everything! It helps protect against liquid stains of course, but also dirt, dye from jeans (it helps, not prevents) and salt stains in the winter months.
2. Bring an old sweater back to life by lightly running a disposable razor over it to remove pills. (Hollywood Fashion Secret’s Sweater Saver also works really well)
3. Remove those pesky deodorant stains from shirts by rubbing it with a dry sponge. (Baby wipes or a pair of jeans work as well!)
4. Turn hangers backwards after you wear something to keep track of what you wear most, make you wear the items you don’t and to help edit down your wardrobe
5. Add 1 cup of vinegar to your wash at least the first time you clean your dark rinse jeans to help prevent fading. Always Wash them inside out and only put them in the dryer for a few minutes to soften them then air dry. (If you are worried about the smell, it goes away once the jeans are washed. But you can also spray them with a water and vodka solution…yes, vodka… to get rid of odors)
6. Determine if pants fit without trying them on by wrapping the waist around your neck. If they can comfortably wrap around your neck, they will fit your waist.
7. Pack shoes in shower caps when travelling so the soles don’t get your clothes dirty
8. Wrap elastics on hanger end so wide neck tops don’t slide off
9. Recycle water bottles by inserting them in your boots to keep them standing up (or use pool noodles cut to size!)
10. Soda can tabs allow garments to be double hung- saving closet space or allowing outfit combinations to be hung together
11. If you find nylons as uncomfortable as I do, use airbrush legs instead. No fuss, no runs but still adds color to legs and helps disguise imperfections
12. But if you do opt for pantyhose or spray with hairspray to prevent runs. If a run starts, spray each end with hairspray or coat in clear nailpolish to prevent it from getting worse as the day goes on.
13. Paint scuffs on shoes with nail polish to hide them
14. Machine wash delicate items in a pillow case to protect them (confession: I sometimes do this for items that say ‘dry clean only’. Try that at your own risk!)
15. Use photoboxes to house shoes for decorative storage
