Fashion tape is a double sided adhesive tape that is practical to keep on hand. It can prevent clothing, footwear, and accessories from malfunctioning by keeping parts of your outfit in place. It also prevents your clothes from being ruined by safety pins. Sometimes the tape is secured directly onto skin. Make sure the tape does not irritate by testing it on a small area of your skin before using it for hours at a time.

Here are ways to effectively use fashion tape:

1. Prevent Gaping

Fix button-through shirts, blouses, cardigans, skirts, and dresses that gape a little between the buttons with a piece of tape to close the gap. Works wonders. Remember to take off the tape before laundering.

2. Secure Low Necklines

Strapless styles and too-low necklines (back or front) can be held in place with strategically positioned fashion tape. Makes you feel more secure in a professional environment, or when you bend over.

3. Hold a Hem

Fashion tape temporarily fixes a fallen hem on bottoms and tops, or cuffs on sleeves when there’s no time to sew them properly. The tape is a little finicky to position on slippery fabric, but does work when it’s secure and smooth.

4. Hold Belt Straps

Sometimes the end of a belt is too long and flaps about on the midsection or hips. Apply a good amount of fashion tape to the end to hold it down. This can also work for shoe, watch and bag straps that are too long.

5. Secure Bra Straps

If you don’t want your bra straps to be visible when you’re wearing a top, attach fashion tape to the bra strap and stick it to the top so that it stays hidden. This way you can use a regular bra instead of a strapless bra or some other bra type that is less comfortable.

This list is not exhaustive so feel free to add to it in the comments section.

Currently, I’m using fashion tape to raise the neckline of my silk button-through blouses. Better than a finicky safety pin. Tape is also holding a few leather bag straps and belt ends in place so they don’t flap about.

A roll tab sleeve shirt or dress has long sleeves with tab detailing that allows you to shorten the sleeves. The idea is to roll up the sleeves to the desired length, pull the tab over the roll, and fasten it to a button that is positioned further up the sleeve. The sleeve rolls stay in place, while the tab adds visual interest. 

Here are some examples.

I was with a client who cuts the tabs off shirts and dresses with roll tab sleeve detailing because the rolling part annoys her. I laughed, and said that I don’t prefer rolled long sleeves either, but love wearing shirts and shirtdresses. I suggested that she might want to try my way of wearing sleeves with tabs.

My approach is to keep the sleeves unrolled AND use the tabs. First I un-button the sleeve at the cuff. Then I pull the tab through the sleeve slit and fasten it to the button. Then I fasten the button on the cuff. It creates a shorter, slightly scrunched sleeve that looks interesting and stays put. If you don’t like rolling up long sleeves, this is one way to go, provided the sleeve has a tab. The pics illustrate the hack with a gauzy white cotton embroidered shirt worn with a pair of floral jeans.

Waistcoats continue to be on trend in another nod ‘90s fashion. Although they are trendy right now, I think of them more as an iconic classic. Originally a waistcoat was traditional menswear garment and one of the components of a three-piece suit. These days they are a short and fairly formal tailored vest with front buttons, and usually worn over another layer like a shirt, tee, blouse, knitted top, turtleneck, or pullover. They can also be worn as a sleeveless top over a bra, camisole, or tank top. 

In Spring and Summer weight fabrics, waistcoats can be worn in warm and hot weather. Onto some outfit ideas.

1. Matching Set

Many waistcoats form part of a set, which means they have trousers, shorts or skirts that perfectly match them. The idea is to wear them together as a suit. The waistcoat can be buttoned through and worn as a top like the examples in this collection. Dress the look up or down. Add shoes and accessories that work with the outfit, and Bob’s your uncle.

This is a dressier waistcoat and pants set in a Spring tweed. The set is separated by a white blouse that picks up the white of the tweed. Chunky statement silver loafers are the chunky shoe of choice. Their black soles bookend the model’s hair. I see a silver or white bag complete the look.

2. Knitted

Waistcoats can be knitted and less fitted like the slouchier one shown here. It’s buttoned through like a top with a few left unbuttoned at the bottom to create the visual effect of a slit on the welt. The red knitted waistcoat is paired with a toffee A-line midi skirt. Jellies are the finishing touch as footwear. I see an earthy bag complete the look.

Here are more ways to wear a knitted waistcoat as a top. Some are more fitted than others.

3. Shirt

Layering a waistcoat over a shirt is a way to wear a lightweight third piece in warm weather. Here, a formal black waistcoat is worn over a relaxed and textured white shirt. It’s worn untucked to dress down the waistcoat. The cropped barrel jeans and dainty black sandals further relax the look. Add a bag to match.

4. Mismatched Set

Make the waistcoat that is part of a set work as a separate by wearing it with mismatched bottoms. Jeans, casual pants and skirts in solids and patterns are shown in the collection. Most of the waistcoats are buttoned through and worn as tops. Some are layered over tees and shirts.

5. Eclectic

Last, an outfit that incorporates a range of vibes. A casual white tee is paired with a dressy and avant-guard pair of pinstriped brown wide crops. A quilted and embroidered waistcoat with a bo-ho light vibe is worn as a third piece. Sporty silver sneakers add a casual touch. A bowling bag throws in some modern retro. Add jewellery and watch as desired.

This week’s top picks are about covered and breezy casual Summer dressing, plus some well priced sandals and a few accessories. Browse the colour and size options, and feel free to suggest your own fab finds in the comments section. 

1. Mango Patterned Cotton Co-Ords

If you enjoy wearing patterned pants sets in high Summer like I do, these options from Mango might be of interest. Items are 100% cotton, affordable, easy to wear and launder, and EXTREMELY lightweight. The cotton feels like you’re wearing nothing against your skin, and is SUPER soft and silky. It’s an excellent solution for staying ventilated, cool, and covered from the sun in high heat. Tropical, beachy, and very summery. I have the first blue set for precisely those reasons. I repositioned the buttons on the cuffs of the sleeves for a better fit. I style the top tied at the waist or semi-tucked, and scrunch the sleeves. You can wear the shirt like a jacket layered over a tank too.

If the sets are too much to commit to, items work well as separates. You might need to size down on the tops and bottoms.

2. BaubleBar Faux Pearl Necklace

This necklace from BaubleBar at Nordstrom exceeded my expectations. It’s only $48, but it looks real. The quality is nice and the pearl placement is interesting. It’s cery comfortable, and a good way to wear necklaces if you don’t like the feeling of heavy jewellery.

You can sport this necklace at three different lengths. It looks fab on bare skin AND over tops. It doesn’t come in silver.

3. Cole Haan Mirabelle Crisscross Sandals

Simple classic and comfortable sandals that are on sale and look pretty on the foot. Neat, tidy, and versatile. The metallics are effectively trimmed with white piping which adds refinement and interest. Soft leather that stretches after use. Not suited to wide feet.

4. Adjustable Notch Belt

This is a great belt, lovely quality, and good value for money. It’s fairly unique with its notched brass buckle fastening. It comes in black, cinnamon, cream, burgundy, and pink. Some belts are suede, and some leather.

A client and friend found it and suggested I try the pink. I did, and love it! I have jeans, specs, and a handbag in the same shade of pink. It works well with my wardrobe.

5. Athleta Midday Cropped Poplin Shirt

This shirt is described as poplin but made of recycled performance polyester. It has the propeties of athletic tech fabric, and looks like non-gear casual clothing. The shirt can be worn as a top or very lightweight breathable jacket. Comes in many colours, and you might need to size down.