Style Hacks for the Effortless Fashionista

We all know that sometimes when we want to look our best, getting dressed up comes at a price. Clothing does not fit right, stains and accidents happen, and pain and discomfort can be caused. I have quite a few style hacks that I have been using for years to combat your everyday style issues. My tips are quick and easy, while delivering an effortless flair of style. The best part is, you probably have most of the tools needed right in your own home.

Style Hacks

1) Deodorant line removal sponges

My trick in this list of style hacks is literally a wardrobe lifesaver. Years ago I came across this two pack of sponges from Sally Beauty that claim to instantly remove deodorant lines. They absolutely work like a charm! If you have ever been in a pinch, and washing is not an option, these are vital to have. You do not need to search down a sponge that specifically claims to remove deodorant lines. Any cheap, coarse sponge will work. You can probably find one at the dollar store.

2) White chalk

If you have ever gotten oil on your clothing, you know that it can be a bear to remove, even with dish soap and stain removal sprays. I have totally been there where oil, or just the removal process, has ruined my clothes. With white chalk, this will never be an issue again! You simply rub a generous amount of chalk directly on the oil stain, and let it sit for a while. I will go do something else around the house and come back later. Then, wash the piece with cold water. I recommend line drying rather than using the dryer. Heat will bake the stain into the garment, making it harder to remove.

3) Ring Snuggies

Do you ever see the Walmart jewelry counter littered with Ring Snuggies, but wonder if they actually work? I am here to tell you that they do! Oversized rings are a constant struggle for me because I am tiny. Ring Snuggies are easy to apply and remove, and they never fall off during wear. Really, they do not even move around much during wear. You get many sizes in one pack.

4) Bandaids for rubbing shoes

When I am wearing a pair of shoes that I know will rub me and cause pain, redness, and water blisters, I first put on bandaids in those areas before putting on the shoes. You do not need anything fancy here. I use cheap plastic bandaids that are similar to my skin tone. They are unnoticeable. I also carry these around in my wallet for shoes that may rub during the day. Put these on at the first signs of discomfort to stop it in its tracks.

5) Fixing a snagged sweater

Have you ever been in need of some style hacks for a snagged sweater? Snags always come at inopportune times. What I do is that I grab the snagged material and I pull it through the holes in the knitting, to the backside of the sweater. The snag is virtually invisible after doing this, and it does not come back.

6) Liner pads as ball of foot pads

The balls of my feet always like to give me trouble. I find that standard adhesive ball of foot pads actually make the space between the bottom and top of the shoe smaller. Thus, my foot does not fit well in the shoe anymore once I apply them. A fix for this is using liner pads as ball of food pads! Simply cut them to fit in your shoe, then stick them in. They stay in place all day, yet have enough squish to keep you comfortable. The best part is, they are thin enough that your feet will still fit in your shoes! I buy my pads at the dollar store. I am providing dotted lines as a reference to how I cut mine.

7) Tying knots in cami straps

I really hate when cami straps are not adjustable. Sometimes they are so long that they will hang too low and expose my chest. I combat this by tying a knot in my straps. This is a great, no-sew fix. If you are layering with the cami, then the knots will not be visible. Even if they are, they are no big deal.

See this cami in action in my Fall 2019 outfits!

8) Boot Stay for knee-high boots

I have a pair of knee-high boots that literally have no structure or support to them, so they fall all the way down to my ankles as I walk. This drives me crazy! I have a no-sew, yet permanent fix for this. There is a product called Boot Stay that uses adhesive velcro strips that you install inside the boots, and then strips that you wrap around your leg. No more falling and slouching!

9) Cuffing jeans

There are so many positive reasons to cuff your jeans! For starters, they make your jeans shorter in length, which is great for us short gals. But, some pairs of jeans do not look so hot when tucked into our boots. During the day they can start to pull up and look otherwise slouchy and messy. I simply fold the hem over itself as many times as I want until I get the cuff to the height that I want it. They never fall down.

10) Re-wearing pants with many shirts

I had no idea that a fashion rule that I created in my own brain and have been religiously practicing for years is actually in someone else’s list of style hacks! While reading an online article, I came across a paragraph that I instantly connect with:

“The golden rule for a nice wardrobe says you need to have as many top options as possible for each of your skirts and pants. It’s the top item (not the bottom one) that makes the outfit look different and new. If you wear the same top with different bottoms, people won’t notice that something changed in your outfit. But if you mix and match the same bottom with different tops, you get a whole new outfit every time you change the top. It’ll save you a lot of money too — you don’t have to buy a new skirt or a new pair of jeans to combine them with the new top.” – Bright Side

I am glad to know that I am not crazy and that this is actually a thing! I never repeat tops or jewelry, but I will repeat pants, shoes, and handbags. This helps me get more bang for my buck, while still wearing a new outfit every day.

11) Tying a maxi dress

Being a short lady means I pretty much avoid maxi dresses and skirts all together. But, when you find that piece that you must have, you will do what you need to do to make it fit. I have discovered that you can tie a knot in maxi dresses that will make the dress short enough to wear, and it even looks stylish and intentional! The dress that I am featuring is super nice to work with because it has slits cut in the bottom. What I do is that I make circle with my index finger and thumb, and I pull fabric through it from the front part of the dress. I am basically making a ‘tail.’ Then I use my other hand and do the same thing with fabric from the back of the dress. Now I have two ‘tails’ that I can tie in a knot that will stay put until I decide to untie it.

You will have to experiment with how much fabric you tie and the height of where you start pulling the fabric to thus get the dress to be short enough. This is easier to do when you are not wearing the dress.

12) Knotting a shirt

Another side effect of being a small person is that t-shirts can end up looking like dresses on me, especially screen printed t-shirts! You can make any shirt instantly shorter by tying a knot in it. The knot also adds style. This works better with loose or stretchy material. Gather the excess fabric into your hand and make a ‘tail’ with it. You should do this in the area where you want the knot to be. Twist the ‘tail’ up, then tie it into a knot.

13) The faux tuck

A super trendy look is making the illusion that you have tucked your shirt in. This is also a great way to make an oversized shirt shorter. Start to gather up fabric in the area where you want the tuck to be and form a ‘tail’ with it. Then, tie the tail into a knot. Finally, grab the knot and flip it up and underneath your shirt. It should stay in place all day without falling down. This look is fabulous when worn with a belt!

14) Tucking in a shirt

My final tip in this list of style hacks is an easy way to tuck the front part of your shirt in. This also helps you show off an awesome belt, and to make your shirt shorter. Start to gather up fabric in the area that you want to tuck it in. Create a ‘tail’ with the fabric, then twist it up. Finally, tuck the twist into your pants. I like to tuck the twist right behind the button on my pants. You can then arrange the overhanging pieces to your liking.

Conclusion

My list of 14 style hacks are tips and tricks that I use in my daily life. I love how easy they are to accomplish, and you probably have most of the necessary items already in your home. By implementing these hacks into your routine, you will look instantly more stylish, but without much added work or money spent. If you have any hacks to add, be sure to do so in the comments! Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.

What is your ultimate style hack?