We've all been there: You're dressed to impress, ready to party, and suddenly, disaster strikes. Whether it's a broken strap, a hem that's fallen out, or one of countless other mishaps, fashion emergencies are never fun. There are, however, some quick and easy ways you can fix things so that you can keep on dancing for the rest of the night.
Safety pins are the most important thing to have on hand at all times. They come in all shapes and sizes: chic little gold ones, medium-sized silver ones, and big, strong ones. Bring a few of each, and you're in an ideal position to help yourself, or a friend, out of a sticky situation.
If a strap breaks, depending on where on the strap is and how much weight the strap is holding up, go with any size of a safety pin. Make a beeline for the bathroom, and attach the safety pin on the inside part of the shirt/dress; you are good to go. For a hemline that has fallen down, a few safety pins on the inside of the hem will do the trick. Even a missing button can be cured by a safety pin.
Worst case scenario? A rip in the jeans in an unsightly place. Go for the safety pins and get home to change ASAP! The big safety pins should be reserved for more heavy-duty jobs like broken shoe straps. These should be fastened back on with a big safety pin. It may not be the most visually appealing, but we all know that guys don't notice our shoes anyway.
Let's face it: makeup can be the source of any number of fashion emergencies. Bold, red lipstick is hot for the spring, but it can also be the source of many undesired effects. Have you been nudged by a friend who subtlety attempts, rather unsuccessfully, to give you the "Yikes, you have lipstick on your teeth" sign with her index finger running across her front two teeth? Not hot. Neither is lipstick on your teeth. The best tip for this one is to act preemptively. Before applying the lipstick, first apply foundation to your lips. It acts as a great sealant. As an additional measure, gently blot your lips on a towel after application.
Also, lipstick (more so than other makeup) should be applied after dressing. However, if you happen to forget and you get makeup (or deodorant for that matter) on your clothes, it's always crucial to keep SHOUT wipes on hand. They work like magic. These days, many detergent companies make the easily transportable wipes, so make sure to grab some on your next Hannaford run.
The most dreaded of all makeup faux pas inevitably involve foundation. We love it, but we hate it. We especially hate it when it rubs off...on someone else. It's happened to everyone?you go in for the hug, he's wearing a white shirt, your face is just high enough to brush his shoulder, you step back, look down, and panic ensues. What's glaring back at you? A big, mortifying, bronze splotch.
Now, if this is your boyfriend or close friend, perhaps you can laugh it off and break out those SHOUT wipes. However, more often than not, your fight-or-flight response kicks in. If you don't really know the guy or want to make a good impression, just follow your instincts?move cautiously and quickly away from your victim. Panicked, abrupt moves will do nothing but draw attention to you. Play it cool, and hopefully in the meantime, some other girl will give him a hug, and he'll think she was the culprit of the unsightly stain.
If you're going to an extra fancy event, we recommend bringing a mini safety kit for emergencies. Any hardware store sells super glue tubes the size of a lipstick, so if you're planning on teetering on stilettos, it might be a good idea to bring that along?a broken heel can send you home pretty quick, especially if dancing is involved, but super glue can keep you standing as long as you don't try to tango. Aside from that, a bit of duct tape is handy in case the underwire comes out of your bra and is jamming in your side. Much like safety pins, duct tape can also mend a fallen hem, slippery bra straps, and just about anything else that needs help staying in place.
All in all, the perfect "night out" package includes safety pins, duct tape, SHOUT wipes, Band-Aids (for those not-so-broken-in shoes), and tissues (ladies, use your imagination) so as to be ready for anything. If all else fails, just smile, laugh, and consider what a great story the mishap will make in the morning.