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Quick fix for the fashionista

By SHARON FINK
Published March 18, 2006

We've heard plenty about fashion emergencies - picking out the right outfit for the right occasion and getting it to fit correctly.

Fashion panic attacks are an entirely different thing.

A heel falls off a shoe. A pizza slice at lunch drips onto a white shirt. A button pops off without warning.

They make us flip out. Curse the fates. Force paper clips and antibacterial soap into doing things they were never meant to do. And swear we will be prepared in the future.

Then calm returns. We get complacent. Inevitably, the cycle repeats.

But these calamities are easy to prepare for. So channel your inner Scout and put together a first-aid kit of some basic, easy-to-store items that will have you ready to cope with these fashion fumbles with minimal panic.

STAINS: This common problem usually leads to scrambling for soap and water or trying to spit discreetly on a napkin, and hoping for the best. The people who make Tide detergent changed that last year with the introduction of the Tide to Go instant stain removal stick. It's one of those inventions that sounds too good to be true - rub the tip of the stick on the stain and it's gone instantly! But it does work; it just takes a few minutes. (Tide to Go stick three-pack, $6.99 at Target.)

Two things not to try on stains: antibacterial soap and premoistened towelettes. The soap doesn't work, and the towelettes include ingredients that just make things worse.

WARDROBE MALFUNCTIONS: The popped-off button, the ripped hem, the broken bra strap, the blouse you suddenly notice is gaping - rescue yourself with double-sided sticky tape. It sticks to fabric and to skin, and if you ever doubt that it works, look at any female celebrity wearing a skimpy top. Odds are it's held in place by double-sided sticky tape. Stein Mart carries two kinds of the Hollywood Fashion Tape brand. Get a box of 36 precut strips 3¹/₂ inches long and ¹/₂ inch wide ($4.99) or one with five shapes: trapezoid, curve and strips in three widths ($6.99).

BIG SHOE TROUBLE: A broken heel or a flapping sole can be reattached for the short term by strong glue. Zap-A-Gap, which is made for arts and crafts projects, works well. Slather it on, but be careful. It's strong enough that you could end up in a small struggle to pry apart stuck fingers. (Zap-A-Gap, $3.99 for 0.5-ounce bottle, Michaels arts and crafts stores.)

LITTLE SHOE TROUBLE: Wearing new shoes for the first time has two inherent dangers: After five minutes, they won't be as comfortable as they were during the one minute you had them on in the store, and after 10 minutes, they're rubbing parts of your feet raw. Do damage control by putting adhesive strips on the trouble spots as soon as you feel pain. The small square and circle ones are especially good for sandals and other open shoes. The size makes them less noticeable, and the clear variety is even better. (Band-Aid Clear Spots Comfort-Flex, box of 50, $3.29, Walgreens.)

For women, mules have a specific inherent problem: that sound of foot bottom slapping against shoe when walking. Muffle the sound with Dr. Scholl's open-shoe insoles ($9.99, Walgreens).

LINT, CRUMBS, STRAY HAIRS: No, they're not the biggest of deals, but few things can be as unnerving as rushing out of the house, combing your hair or getting up from your cat's favorite chair and realizing you look like a lint trap was sprinkled on you. Make your own lint catcher with the sticky side of cellophane tape (Scotch tape, ³/₄ inch wide, 23.6 yards, $2.39, Target).

Sharon Fink can be reached at (727) 893-8525 or fink@sptimes.com.

[Last modified March 17, 2006, 12:35:02]