Ways to fix annoying wardrobe mishaps
Pants without pockets. Shoes that hurt your feet. White deodorant stains on your black shirt. You face fashion issues every day. But never fear, there are some innovative new fashion solutions to make life a little easier.
On "The Early Show" Friday, Style Contributor Katrina Szish shared a few easy and inexpensive ways to conquer those annoying fashion issues many people battle every day.
Here are her top product picks to help streamline your look - and your life:
Stay Stylish and Safe:
UNIQLO UV-PROTECTIVE FABRIC
Available at http://www.uniqlo.com/us/
Affordable clothing chain Uniqlo is offering t-shirts, khakis and more with built-in UV protection -- perfect for summer outdoor activities. This product has the ability to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, and this shirt is practical too. Perfect for the upcoming warmer weather to wear with confidence in the sun. UNIQLO's UV Cut collection helps support sun protection in the summer months with its UV-blocking capabilities. UV-blocking capabilities have been added to the fibers of the UV Cut collection to help protect the skin from ultraviolet rays. The function has even been added to stretch broadcloth shirts, despite the fact white shirts normally allow a lot of light to pass through the fabric.
UNIQLO UV CUT T-SHIRT $13
UNIQLO UV CUT KHAKIS $30
iSAFE BACKPACK ($70)
Available at http://www.isafebags.com/@home.asp
This durable, nylon backpack has a built-in alarm system. This school backpack has plenty of room and compartments for students on the move. The iSafe School Backpack can accommodate your mobile gear in secure compartments. This is a durable backpack for any student who carries a cell phone, iPod and other valuables, and wants to protect themselves from bullies, predators and criminals while going to school or the mall. It is also water and shock-resistant. It's a great product for children, teens, college students, someone traveling, hiking, and more.
THE POCKSIE ($10/pack)
Available at http://solutionsthatstick.com/pocksie-temporary-sticky-pocket-10
Clothes don't always have pockets. Now you can place a pocket anywhere with this new sticky pocket. Simply peel off a 3.5 x 4" rectangle of 100 percent super-soft cotton, stick it to the inside of your clothing (or boot, or reusable grocery bag), and go about your business. Your ID, credit card, and a few notes or a key will be secure in a pocket created by the adhesive pockets and your garment.
Perfect when: you are worried about getting pick-pocketed; carrying a purse is too cumbersome but you still need ID (like on the dance floor or while out for a run) or you are traveling.
INSTAPOCKETZ ($15)
Available at http://www.footzyrolls.com/instapocketz.html
Slip these sleek nylon pouches (in various colors and patterns) over your wrist at the gym, walking the dog, pushing the stroller to carry your phone, credit cards, cash, keys, etc. No more fumbling when you don't have pockets or a purse.
Shoe Solutions:
PERFECT POLISH ($13)
Available at http://www.footpetals.com/832135003454.html
This touch-up pen is the ultimate no worry solution for those on the go! Our Carnuba Wax formula provides an instant no buff high gloss shine. Quick-dry formula requires no buffing. Discreet, easy to carry pen. Great for the desk or purse!
Directions for Use: Apply to outside of clean, dry shoes. Allow to dry.
STRAPPY STRIPS ($7)
Available at http://www.footpetals.com/832135004475.html
Tired of having to pull up the straps of your sling backs? Pull no more, because we have the answer. Looks may be deceiving, but don't be fooled by the size of these Strappy Strips, they work miracles! These thin strips add comfort to your favorite shoes and sling backs and are a perfect fit on all your thin shoe straps. Virtually invisible in all of your shoes, they are great to use on straps of thongs and prevent blisters and ugly red marks on your feet and heels.
FOOTZY FLOPS ($20)
Available at http://www.footzyrolls.com/
Rollable Footzy flops come in great colors. Unroll them or unfold them so lightweight you will never know they are in your purse. Great for a spare pair, travel, pedicures at the spa, the beach or the pool, or a summer wedding.
Quick Fixes for Common Flaws:
GAL PAL ($10)
Available at http://www.gal-pal.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=2
Garment deodorant remover. The Original Gal Pal is the fastest simplest way to remove annoying white deodorant streaks from clothing. Now you can instantly buff away marks, DRY, no more wet washcloth or having to remove your streaked clothing only to have it happen with the next outfit. As the original maker of a dry pad that specifically removes white deodorant marks, Gal Pal solves a problem that virtually every woman has encountered. It is the specific composition; weight, density and cell structure of our product that lifts up deodorant streaks and residue perfectly without water. Gal Pal is extremely gentle, preserving the quality of the fabric. The Original Gal Pals are also reusable, giving you approximately 10 - 15 uses per side (depending on the mark). Keep one in your purse, desk drawer, and car, so you can be streak-free in seconds!
Avoid Bra Blunders:
STRAP TRAP ($8/3-pack)
Available at http://solutionsthatstick.com/strap-trap-racerback-bra-clips-3-pack-30
Racerback bra clips. Straying Straps? Lingering Lingerie? The solution: Strap Trap
BRA STRAP CUSHIONS ($10)
Available at http://www.hollywoodfashiontape.com/products-bra-strap-cushions.cfm
Non-slip bra strap cushions! Wish there were something to eliminate painful bra strap pressure, telltale red marks, and/or annoying strap drop? Well, now there is! Finally, there's Hollywood Bra Strap Cushions - relief from over-stressed load limits and an end to strap slippage, thanks to the newest addition to the Bodacious Breast Collection. This pair of no-slip, super-flexible silicone cushions rest comfortably atop your shoulders, with your bra straps handily under clothing and out of sight. These hand-washable, reusable, cushions feel like a second skin. Such a perfect solution to a universal problem, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them!
Seamless Fashion:
INVISIBELT ($20)
Available at http://www.invisibelt.com/thebelt.aspx
You know when you buy a pair of jeans that are just a little too big on the waist? Running to the tailor is a major time and money drain, and wearing an ordinary belt (ugh, that bulky buckle!) won't work either. Think about it, do you really want to put your favorite fitted top over the dreaded buckle bulge? That's where the Invisibelt -- a smooth, undetectable belt with a flat clasp - comes in. Nicknamed the "No Buckle Belt" by its fans, the Invisibelt will help you look slim, finished and fabulous all day. Great for women that might have a smaller waist and larger hips that often buy pants to fit hips making the waist inevitably too big. Also varieties for moms-to-be.
HOLLYWOOD FASHION TAPE ($9)
Available at http://www.hollywoodfashiontape.com/products_tape.cfm
Ever wonder how some clothes manage to stay on celebrities like Mad Men's January Jones? This is the stars' secret... It's what "The Early Show" wardrobe stylists use every day on our anchors for cuffs, buttons, etc. and what stylists use to get celebrities red carpet ready and stay put in daring dresses!
Stylists started using medical adhesive tape for hairpieces to keep clothing in place, and fashion tape has now evolved to hide bra straps, secure revealing necklines, hold up strapless tops, eliminate blouse gaps, fix hems fast, close wrap skirts. It even works on heavy fabric like jeans! You can wear the same pair of pants with stilettos, flats, sandals, sneakers and boots by temporary hemming with fashion tape. No sewing, no commitment. Fashion tape is perfect for jeans, jacket cuffs, dress pants, skirts, dresses and is fabric-friendly. Comes in convenient "to go" tin.