60 Fashion Hacks Every Girl MUST Know!

60 Fashion Hacks Every Girl MUST Know!

Whether you’re a bonafide fashionista or taking baby steps in developing your personal style, these tired-and-tested fashion hacks will hold you in good stead now and well into the future. Start taking notes, girls!

1. Invest in leopard print
Leopard prints are a classic when it comes to feline accents. Whether it is via a pair of heels, a belt, or a top, it’s a glamorous statement staple that will perk up your ensemble instantly.

2. Check the rear view
Those sleek trousers might look super cute on the rack but not so much when you wear them in real life. Always check how a garment looks from ALL angles before you buy it.

3. What’s inside matters
Don’t buy garments based solely on how cute they look. At the end of the day, what matters is how long they will last. The best way to validate quality clothing is to check the garment’s lining. If it’s of good quality and has been stitched well, then it’s likely that the rest of the garment has been made with as much care.

4. Mix prints
If you’re ready to up the ante when it comes to your personal style, you should definitely try mixing printed separates. However, don’t forget to do it the right way. You will never fail if you put together pieces that have different prints but are in the same colour family (like Athiya Shetty in Dev r Nil), or mix small prints with bigger ones.

5. Wear necklaces in layers
There’s nothing more visually interesting than layered neckpieces to perk up a staid outfit. Give your plain white blouse a funked up twist by layering on necklaces of varied lengths, sizes, and textures.

6. The smaller the better
You’ve found the perfect pair of jeans but they’re not in your size. Can you try a smaller pair without breathlessly squeezing into them? If yes, always go a size smaller with jeans. They will stretch out eventually, and denims with baggy butts is not a good look on anybody.

7. Re-arrange your closet occasionally
You don’t want to miss out on wearing that beautiful scarf you bought months ago because it got lost under a pile of clothing in your closet. Undertake a ritual cleansing every few months and purge your closet of stuff you don’t need or want to wear anymore. Donate unwanted clothing to an orphanage or women’s shelter and feel good about making space for your clothes to breathe.

8. Wear D’Orsay shoes
D’Orsay flats or pumps have one side (or both) cut out, revealing the arch of your foot. This style helps slim down the overall look of thick ankles and also lengthens your legs, making them super flattering to wear especially with skinny pants.

9. Dress for your shape
It’s a myth that petite women can pull off any kind of look or that loose clothing is only suitable for larger women. Know your shape and embrace it. Understand what works for you and then stick to it. Having said that, don’t abandon experimenting with new trends. Just make sure they complement your shape.

10. Nude pumps give the illusion of length
When in doubt, wear nude heels that match your skin tone. They go with pretty much everything in your wardrobe, and will also give the illusion of longer-looking legs.

11. Special occasions call for special preparation
Whether you’re shopping for that perfect dress for your convocation ceremony or a big work event, always go prepared. You want to get a rough idea of how the ensemble will eventually look, so it’s a good idea to wear the right undergarments, wear/carry high heels, a lipstick, and accessories, to get a clear picture in your head.

12. If it’s a perfect fit, buy multiples
Ever owned a pair of jeans that fit you perfectly but you couldn’t find the exact pair ever again? To avoid such situations, it’s best to stock up on multiples of that pant, top or dress that flatters you. When something fits you well, buy the same style in different colour ways so you always have a dependable go-to in your closet.

13. Hem your pants according to your shoes
Depending on whether you wear flats or heels every day, hem your formal pants so that they graze the top of your shoes. An ideal hem should be ½-inch to ¾-inch off the floor.

14. Scarf it up!
Bored of wearing staid white or gray tops and dresses to office? Throw on a colourful printed scarf to instantly brighten up your outfit.

15. Shop smart
Think before you purchase. I know it can be difficult to walk away from that beautiful skirt, but if you know it won’t last too long it’s not worth your money. If you’re going to invest in an item, make sure it passes basic quality checks.

16. If the heart grows fonder, buy it
Liked something expensive online and almost inputted your credit card number even though you’re kinda-sorta broke? Hold it right there. Let the item sit in your cart for a day or two, and only purchase it if you still can’t get over it. (Pro-tip: Most e-stores will send you an “abandoned cart” email reminder about your product and even throw in a discount code to entice you, so it’s worth the wait.)

17. Accessorise in brights

Give your neutral outfit an interesting twist by pairing it with bold, coloured accessories. Think cobalt blue heels, or a fiery red sling bag. Keep aside your usual blacks and browns for a while and try adding bright shades to your collection.

18. Don’t ruin your delicate lingerie

Machine wash your bras in cold water in a mesh zipper bag to avoid ruining your expensive lingerie. Nobody has the time to hand wash them often, so collect them in this bag and wash them along with other clothes to save both time and water.

19. Know your laundry settings

The hotter the water, the cleaner the clothes. But remember, always use colder water for your delicates. No more confusion.

20. Use silk or satin pillow cases

Silk or satin pillow cases work really well in preventing hair breakage, unlike cotton cases that cause friction and tend to break your hair. Another boon is that it does not absorb the natural moisture from your hair. It’s not just your hair that it does wonders for though, but also your skin. Read more about this here.

21. Get help when you need it

Every person has a different sense of style. How you choose to wear a simple white shirt might not be the same as someone else. If you have a friend whose style you admire, call her over the next time you’re cleaning out your closet. Get her help in suggesting ideas about how to style certain items in your wardrobe that you would otherwise toss out.

22. Hot glue gun to the rescue

You’ve been delaying your visit to the tailor and it’s the weekend already — i.e. the day you thought of wearing that maxi skirt that’s a tad too long. No worries, here’s an easy and cheap solution: a hot glue gun. It works perfectly in hemming skirts, pants, and jeans.

23. Lycra for stretch

Always remember: an ideal pair of jeans will have 95% cotton and 5% lycra. Denims need at least 2% lycra to hold the shape of the garment.

24. Make use of that single sock

I have a handful of socks in my drawer that have lost the other pair and had no idea what to do with them until now. Use them as a heating pad! All you have to do is fill the sock with dry beans or rice, microwave it for around 30 seconds and place it on areas where you have aches and pains.

25. The right time to wear a new leather jacket

Wear your real leather jacket in the rain to break it in. Water will soften up the leather and allow it to stretch and crease at specific points on your body.

26. Accessories make all the difference

Transform your basic tank top or a simple shirt by adding on accessories like sunglasses, a scarf, jewellery or a hat.

27. Let your wet shoes air-dry

Never use heat (like a hair dryer) to dry wet shoes. You will end up damaging the quality. And if they are leather shoes, you will dry them out and shrink them to a size that’s too tight. It’s always best to let them dry naturally.

28. Party hands-free

You don’t want to restrict your killer dance moves because you have to hold on to your clutch. Get yourself a dressy bag with a chain strap and wear it either on one shoulder or as a cross-body and party hands-free!

29. Make your wardrobe look organised

If you want to make your wardrobe look like it came out of a furniture catalogue, then your first step should be to get the same hangers for everything. This not only helps to keep it looking good visually, but will also help you control the chaos by hanging stuff that doesn’t need folding.

30.  Clean gym shoes with baking soda

If you haven’t read how then you need to check out our story on the various baking soda hacks.

31. Dry cleaning bags for wrinkly clothes

You don’t want holiday pictures of yourself in a sloppy-looking dress, now do you? Stop your clothes from getting wrinkly in your suitcase by folding them in plastic dry cleaning bags.

32. Know your bra size

Your bra is probably too tight if you can’t fit two fingers underneath the band easily. Get yourself a bigger size stat.

33. V-necks make you look taller

It’s too late to exercise and grow taller, so try this trick instead. Make your torso look longer by wearing v-neck sweaters and tees.

34. Lemon juice for sweat stains

Before washing your shirts and tees that are prone to sweat stains, spray them with lemon juice. The alkaline sweat residue will be dissolved by its natural acids and prevent discoloration.

35. Shaving cream for makeup stains

Foundation stains on the collars of shirts and tops are a very real problem. Get rid of it by using shaving cream and a washcloth to wipe it off properly.

36. Faint scent for your clothes

Want to smell like a goddess inside-out? Wrap an empty bottle of your favourite perfume with a handkerchief and leave it inside your underwear drawers for a faint scent.

37. Care for your leather shoes

If you tend to wear your leather shoes without socks, then stuff them with a soft cloth when you’re done wearing them for the day. The cloth will absorb all the moisture and help maintain the shoe’s shape.

38. Freeze your jeans

If you’re looking for a way to get rid of odour from your jeans without having to use the washing machine, put your jeans inside a plastic bag inside the freezer for two days. It works!

39. Makeup remover to remove excess perfume

You don’t want to nauseate people with an overdose of your perfume. Remove the excess by wiping the area with unscented, oil-based makeup remover.

40. Store jewellery in zip-lock bags

I always end up piling up all my jewellery in a box on the corner of my dresser. However, they often turn black and lose their shine in a few months. I’ve recently found a trick to avoid this. Store them in zip-lock bags. This will prevent them from losing their shine and reduce tarnishing and scratches.

41. If you can’t maintain it, don’t get it

Just like getting a pet or plants, if you can’t take care of something, don’t buy it. So if you know you’re not going to handwash that white shirt every single time you wear it, then let it go.

42. Replace your bras

Replace your everyday bras every 3 to 6 months as that is when they usually lose their elasticity and support.

43. Easily stretch out tight pants

Have your squats sessions at the gym been paying off? Even though that’s an awesome achievement, you might not fit into your favourite pair of jeans anymore. Don’t panic, all you need to do is let them air-dry and stretch the waistband by hand, or use a hairdryer when they are still damp.

44. Show appropriate amount of skin

The key is to focus on one area. If you choose to show off your shoulders or your back, then cover your legs; if it is your legs that you want to flaunt, then cover up on top.

45. Own a pair of classic hoop earrings

Even my grandmother sports hoop earrings. Of course, I’m not talking about the big ones you find today but more like the delicate antique ones. That is how classic this trend is. To do hoop earrings right, choose a pair according to the shape of your face. Go for larger, round or embellished ones if you have a thin face, or opt for elongated or drop styles if you have a round face.

46. Maintain patent leather’s shine

Any kind of glass cleaner can be used to restore patent leather’s glossy sheen without causing any damage.

47. Fold your jeans like a pro

Lay jeans on a flat surface, fold in half from left to right. Grab the stacked legs and fold them in half so the hem of the jeans lines up with the waist. Fold the jeans in half one more time.

48. Correct jeans measurement

Jeans that are a perfect fit will always have the right distance between the crotch and the waistband. So when you buy a pair, make sure this area is not close-fitting or droopy as it’s not easy to alter this part.

49. Classic studs for every occasion

There is nobody in this world who can go wrong with stud earrings. You can wear it with any outfit you want and it will still look appropriate. So when in doubt, put on studs.

50. Personal lookbook

If you’ve always been appreciated for your style, then document a great outfit by clicking a picture. The next time you think you have nothing to wear, all you have to do is check your gallery.

51. There’s no age in fashion

If you think you;re confident enough and can totally rock that outfit you saw on an 18-year-old, you should totally go for it. The key is to know what suits your shape and go for clothes that flatter you.

52. Travel like a diva

Imagine you meet an old friend at the airport and you look like you’re heading to the gym. If you consider yourself a fashionista, make the extra effort to look glamorous even mid-air. The classic jet setter uniform is a sharp blazer, a cashmere wrap, or a scarf.

53. Always carry a stylist emergency kit

You never know when you might have a wine spill or a bra peekaboo situation. So always have a kit with safety pins, a lint brush, double-stick tape, etc. in your bag.

54. Pair loose with tight

Wearing top-to-bottom baggy clothes or close-fitting styles all at once doesn’t work well for everybody. The trick is to balance the two smartly. For example, wear an oversized blazer with a tank top and leggings or skinny jeans to balance the proportions, and vice versa.

55. Add an element of surprise

Turn ordinary looks into chic ones by adding a fun element. Wear chunky chokers with your basic tee, a motorcycle jacket over a formal gown, or a bright, coloured belt over a plain dress.

56. Spice up your LBD

Your plain LBDs are a perfect canvas to work with. Try on coloured shoes and bags, jewellery, dressy jackets, etc. to jazz it up.

57. Recast your jewellery

Your jewellery could be used in multiple ways. Loop a chain through the clasp of a brooch and wear it as a necklace. You could also add extra hooks to your bracelets and wear them as an anklet.

58. The ideal pencil skirt

Whatever trend you try, make sure it flatters you. In the case of a pencil skirt, the perfect one will hit just at the top of your knee. The longer the skirt, the shorter your legs will look.

59. Invest in accessories

Nobody will know you wore the same clothes from yesterday if you tweak the accessories you choose to wear it with. Invest in bags, jewellery, and shoes to create multiple looks.

60. Get yourself an expert tailor

A tailor who understands what you need exactly is always a bonus. You can always buy fabric from local markets and get an outfit stitched similar to the one that you found in a boutique which was too expensive.

 

Caroline Padayatty

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