Since a lot of my life is about styling clothing and accessories for photo shoots, I thought I would share some of my “quick fix” tips for sprucing up items in your closet on the go, or things that you might find while out shopping at Goodwill.  I always have at my disposal the following things in my “touch up” kit at home and on the set of photo shoots and videos. They can transform a minor disaster into a fashion masterpiece!

Duct tape is so great for a lot of things. Let’s say you have a hem that’s coming undone, but don’t have time to sew it. A small piece of duct tape will hold it all together until you can make a more permanent fix. This sticky tape is always a good way to remove lint and pet hair from clothing and sweaters. Simply wrap a long piece around your hand and pat over the areas on the garment that have issues.

Goo Gone is a product that I can’t live without. Since I do so much shopping at thrift stores (and other retailers) there is always an issue with sticky residue from tags that is hard to get off. This fantastic product removes it all cleanly!  This is for use on non-porous items only. This is also a great way to remove scuffs, and marks from patent leather shoes, purses, and backpacks. Makes them look like new!  Tip: If your black patent leather has a tear or wear mark, touch it up with black nail polish!

Magic Eraser or brands like that are a Godsend for people that like to wear tennis shoes and other items with light-colored soles. Simply dampen and rub along the soles of the shoes and the dirt and scuff marks come right off, even the toes of Chuck Taylor’s will come clean with this awesome product. It is also great for cleaning gently used backpacks, and other hard to launder items. Great for spot cleaning outerwear and other sporting gear, too.

Staplers come in handy when you don’t have any pins around. Seam coming undone? Staple along where the stitches have come out from the inside, turn right side out and you’re good to go until you can get it sewn properly. Also great for marking where jeans, slacks and skirts should be hemmed. 

Fray Check is a great product that you use to stop thread from unraveling on a garment. Put a drop where the thread comes out of the fabric on the inside of the garment. Cut off excess thread. This works very well for sequined or beaded items that have started to come apart a little. It also comes in handy for fraying sweater seams.

Safety pins are hands down the best invention ever! I hate to sew on buttons on outerwear, and this is perfect for securing those types of buttons that have one hole in the back, just simply pin through the hole and through the fabric from inside the coat. I actually did this with a jacket that had military-style buttons on it, and I never actually sewed them on, because this worked so well and didn’t show!

Clothing brushes aren’t a new idea; in fact they’re a hold out from the days when most clothing was made from wool and other natural fibers. I often see them at Goodwill when I’m out shopping.  The bristles are softer than a hairbrush, and most likely they are decorative as well. Some are square and others more of a traditional brush shape. These are a great way to revive the nap on a sweater, and spiff up a sport coat, blazer, or winter coat. Brush down the garment in question from shoulder to hem for best results. This technique will also work well on velvet and corduroy.

A few different companies make wrinkle release sprays and it really helps to smooth things out!  Simply spray lightly on the wrinkled area of the fabric, pull it gently taught, and that’s it! Wrinkles go away in no time! This is not meant to replace an iron or a steamer, but works great in a pinch.

Now that you know my secrets, you should be able to keep all your clothing and accessories looking like you spent a million bucks (even though you saved a bunch by shopping at Goodwill)!