Whether it’s a hat that’s too loose, a scarf that won’t stay in place, or a purse strap that’s too long…there are always those small fashion challenges in need of a quick fix. Over the years, I’ve accumulated a list of style hacks to help alleviate some of these fashion frustrations, and wanted to share the ones I find the most useful!
1. How to make a hat smaller
Fashion Frustration: When your hat is too loose and at risk of blowing away.
The Fix: Hat size reducer strips. Adjust the fit of your hat by sticking on these lightweight foam pieces. These are available in different thicknesses based on how loose your hat is, and you can stick on either more or less for the perfect fit. I own both options below and don’t have a major preference!
- Entire roll (not cut) – This is 3mm thick.
- Individual 4″ strips – Comes in both black & white. You can choose from 2 different thicknesses: either 0.2 inch / 5mm thick, or 0.12 inch / 3mm thick
2. How to secure a scarf or shawl
Fashion Frustration: When you want to keep a scarf secured stylishly in place without having to tie it.
The Fix: Scarf magnet. These are strong magnetic buttons that keep your scarf, shawl, or wrap in place on a windy day and won’t damage the fabric like a brooch might.
- MagneButton – Was introduced to this brand a while back by my mother in law! I have the low dome pearl version which I’ve found to be very versatile, but it also comes in a variety of other designs and sizes.
3. How to Temporarily shorten a chain strap
Fashion Frustration: When the chain strap on your purse is too long for your frame, or, if you want to wear your chain strap purse multiple ways (for example, I like to carry my Chanel flap bag with the straps extra short – see style # 2 in this blog post).
The Fix: Metal buckle hooks. See two ways that I’ve used this on my Chanel handbag: 1) hook both sides together underneath the flap to significantly shorten the shoulder strap; or 2) hook just one side to slightly shorten the overall strap. Note the buckle I have is a little too thick to hook through my older wallet on chain strap.
- Metal Buckles available in multiple metal tones.
4. How to temporarily make a necklace longer
Fashion Frustration: When your necklace isn’t quite the right length for the neckline on your OOTD.
The Fix: Necklace Extender. I love how this makes my necklaces more versatile, especially for layering jewelry of different lengths.
- Kendra Scott Option – comes in several metal finishes including, gold, silver and rose gold to closely match necklaces.
5. How to secure a long belt without loops
Fashion Frustration: When your belt or bag strap tail hangs too long and either sticks out or flaps around.
The Fix: Tiny elastics in clear, black, or brown to match your strap or Belt Loopy strips. Refer to my previous blog post on this topic for more info and before & after photos!
These small tools have made a big difference with a few of my fashion frustrations over the years. Hope you guys find them helpful, and please share any style solutions or hacks of your own!
Please disregard my prior question, I found your post on belt fixes and see a bunch of belts linked there. Learning so many tips from these great posts, thanks again!
Thank you so much for these helpful tips! Never heard of the magnebutton but sounds like exactly what I need for my scarves when running after my kids.
On another note, do you have a post on recommendations for petite belts?
nice stuff. I like this hat!!
I just ordered a Magnebutton! Thank you once again for offering a fix to a problem that I didn’t realize had an easy solution!
I love these tips! Simple fixes that sometimes we just struggle with and don’t bother to find a solution. I shared on Pinned, Posted and Tweeted!
Ruth
Thanks for all your tips. Any quick fix idea to lengthen pants from the top?
I am sick of wearing my low waist pants (culprit for muffin top) , but they fit perfectly otherwise. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi Jean, I have a pair of the same strap up Soludos sandals that you have, and I always have trouble keeping the straps up. Any tips on how to stop the straps falling down?
Your fashion hacks are always the best! <3 Thank you so much for sharing so many great tips!
XO, Elizabeth T.
These are such great tips! Thanks, Jean!
Thank you – now I just need a tip for keeping thigh high boots from falling down!
LOVE these hacks!
You are the best! I love your advice. Thank you for sharing.
Fabulous tips! I am always frustrated by long straps!
These are so simple yet so helpful!! I can’t wait to try the scarf one.
Great tips. I can see the hat tip also being helpful to keep makeup off the inside brim or hat marks off your forehead.
Good point re: makeup!
Thanks Jean! Awesome and super useful tips.
This is so great! Thank you for the tips !!
These are really useful tips!
Mireia from TGL
What an amazing post!! These tips are actually so helpful, I have never ever heard of scarf magnets but oh boy do these sound like a life saver!
Thanks so much for sharing
Xx Janine
So helpful, thank you!!! The others were interesting to learn, but the one that most intrigued me was the magnebutton!! It’ll help with scarves I’ve given up on because wrangling a toddler made me resort to only infinity scarves. Also didn’t know these buttons can help with cardigans too – so versatile!!! Looki bt forward for getting that and referring my friends to this!
Yes, it’s great! Just make sure you take it off with both hands on each half otherwise you might go chasing after a rogue piece rolling around on the floor. I didn’t find magnet buttons to work as well on blouses or light cardigans (I ordered some options on Amazon to try) because they were more visible and sometimes too heavy for the fabric, but others might have better luck!
I adored this tip so much, especially the one about the hat!
Miki x
So fab!! Very useful and practical tips, Jean. Thank you so very much.
I normally use simple safety pins to shorten my chain straps, as necklace extenders (they are hidden under my hair, anyway), or even for a belt loop.
Well, just share my tips in case someone needs a quick fix.
Safety pins work wonders! I will admit I’ve used them for all of those purposes as well before as a quick fix ; )
Thank for these helpful tips! One thing I always struggle with is my skirt bunching up between my legs when I wear tights. How do you keep your skirts nice and flowy with it without tights?
hi! honest question: you don’t use slips or half-slips? that’s literally 90% of what they’re for… if you’ve never used them before: give it a shot! it works!
Hi Jean!
Can you show us how to style the scarf with the magnet you show in this posting?
Would love another way to showcase the scarf.
Thanks!
Agreed – slips are great for that purpose! Sharing an older post of mine where I included the half slip that I gave in both nude and black: https://www.extrapetite.com/2016/08/undergarment-guide-my-must-have-bras.html
One of my favorite posts of all time! I like this one a lot, too. The scarf magnet is a great gift!