Essential Style Hacks to Save You Time and Money

Essential Style Hacks
to Save You Time and Money

October 18, 2016

Looking your best often costs you both time and money. But not always. In an effort to save you a bit of both, we've put together a list of helpful ways you can cut a few corners when you're pressed for time or cash. Utilizing a few household items, you can look sharp and get yourself out of nearly any sartorial jam.

Get Tailored in a Snap
When you don't have time to get a new garment tailored, a rubber band can make for a quick and effective fix. Shirt sleeves too long? Pull them up to where you want them and then use a rubber band like a garter to hold them up. (Just remember you won't be able to remove your jacket while wearing them.) Pants too big? Bring two back belt loops in the back together and knot the rubber band around them for a cinched waistband.

Get the right fit without a fitting room. Maybe you're vintage shopping and there isn't a fitting room. Maybe you just don't want to bother with trying something on. You can still ensure that you find the right fit with your pants using this trick. Make a fist and slide your forearm into the buttoned waistband. For most average sized men, the length of an arm from your fist to the elbow roughly correlates to your waist circumference.

Steam Wrinkles

(Without a Steamer)

If you want to remove wrinkles from a garment, or even multiple pieces, without having to stand over it with a steamer, simply toss your creased clothes into a medium heat dryer with a few ice cubes. The dryer's heat releases moisture from the ice cubes, which then helps loosen up wrinkles, while the tumbling dries things up and ensures everything comes out smooth.

Restore Suede (No Kit Needed)

There's plenty you can do to protect and maintain your suede. But say you didn't do any of that, or maybe you did and still ended up with some smudges or you simply notice wear around the edges of your favorite pair of shoes. Use a fine-grit sandpaper to buff out dirt and stains without damaging the suede. Use a light touch and sand until the offending mark is gone.

Sweater Snags

Got a snag or loose thread on your sweater? Turn it inside out and use a safety pin to pull the yarn back into the inside of the sweater.

Unshrink Your Clothes
Laundry casualties can happen to the best of us. So you accidentally dried something a little too long (or with a little too much heat) and now it no longer fits. Before you curse yourself and donate it to Goodwill, try this solution that will restore it to the original size nine times out of ten. Start by soaking it in very warm water with a touch of hair conditioner for five minutes. Wring it out, then pull and stretch it back carefully. The garment should revert back to its original shape and bonus, smell nice and fresh too. If the garment is just a little snug (and you don't have time to get it wet), try steaming it with a handheld steamer and stretching it while it's slightly damp.

Sweater Snags

Got a snag or loose thread on your sweater? Turn it inside out and use a safety pin to pull the yarn back into the inside of the sweater.

Essential Style Hacks to Save You Time and Money

Essential Style Hacksto Save You Time and Money

Sweater Snags

Sweater Snags

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Essential Style Hacks
to Save You Time and Money