How to solve those fashion emergencies
16:19 04 May 2006
It happens to all of us at one time or another. You're running to a meeting and you snap a heel. Or you're at a wedding when you notice the hem of your dress has fallen.
It seems like wardrobe malfunctions always occur at the most inconvenient times. But don't fear, check out these top tips for solving your own fashion emergencies:
Make-up stains
Quick - find a baby! Okay, so you can't hold someone's baby the whole night to cover up a make-up stain. But you can use baby wipes to remove or reduce make-up stains on clothing. They also come in handy for removing lint from clothing and dirt from shoes.
Fallen hems
For a make-do hem in a hurry, use short pieces of masking tape or duct tape to fix a fallen hem. Lighting professionals and musicians usually use duct tape or gaffer's tape for their equipment, so locating some at an event shouldn't be tough to do. On a side note, toupee tape can also come in handy for this problem - but good luck finding someone who will admit to having it on them.
Falling bra straps
There's nothing more annoying than having to keep pulling up your bra straps. Double-sided tape or duct tape can fix that problem in a hurry. Use a small safety pin to fix a broken bra strap.
Tights runs
A small run in your tights can soon develop into a full-fledged tear. Use clear nail polish to stop a run in its tracks. Hair spray is another good short-term solution.
Broken heel
This is a tough situation to be in. Stay in one place the whole evening, or try to locate some crazy glue to temporarily fix your heel? It's good to have the glue on hand for other shoe emergencies, like fixing soles that come undone.
Stuck zip
Stuck zips can be a real nuisance. Try rubbing a bar of soap or a wax candle onto the problem area. With a little manipulation, the zipper should come unstuck.
Loose buttons/fraying button threads
A loose button can quickly turn into a missing button. Dab the top of the button with a little clear nail polish to prevent it from completely falling off.
Sweater snags
Step away from the snag with your hands up. However tempting it may be, do not cut or pull the snag, for it will result in an unravelled mess. Instead, take the tip of a closed pen or something similar, and push the snag back through the inside of the sweater. Knot the snag on the inside of the sweater and help secure it with a dab of clear nail polish.
Broken drawstrings
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This can prove to be extremely problematic and embarrassing if not taken care of. Replace the broken string with a long shoelace. (Bootlaces are ideal since they are longer). Tie one end of the lace around a straightened coat hanger and simply thread it through your waistband. While a safety pin is also a simple solution, it may create an unsightly bulge - if you really wanted extra bulge at the waist area, you'd just eat a few doughnuts.
Pilling sweater
Don't just stand there pulling lint of yourself like a monkey! Rub a piece of Velcro along the pilled fabric to remove those unattractive balls.