21 Common Style Problems You Can Fix With Double-Stick Tape
If you’ve ever heard a clotheshorse friend talk about the glory of double-stick tape and rolled your eyes just a little, please call them up and apologize pronto. The stuff can work miracles. The basic variety at your local drugstore is good in a pinch, but actual versions marketed for wardrobe use have a bit more sticky power, and have become an essential for celebrity stylists who need to keep everything right, tight, and in place.
“Double-stick tape is the best resource—I love to use it for all sorts of things, like keeping a revealing neckline or a men’s tie in place,” says Cat Pope, who works with Anna Chlumsky. “It really adds that extra level of polish to a look. It’s my go-to for keeping bra straps and low cut tops in place. It’s reliable for when my clients are on TV and moving their arms or gesticulating.”
Most fabrics work well with double-stick tape. But there are some that can be tricky. “I would say velvet or embellished fabrics don’t work well,” says Pope. Nicolas Bru, who styles Sofia Carson and Fergie, wouldn’t recommend using it on wooly or rough fabrics, either. Another factor that might affect how effective your double-stick tape is? Your skin, according to Pope: “Things like lotion or sweat can make it tricky to hold.”
You don’t have to stay within the realm of designated wardrobe tape, either: Pope calls Topstick, which is technically grooming tape meant for hairpieces, the “most sticky and my personal fave.” Chloe Hartstein, who styles Kate McKinnon, Diana Silvers, and Antoni Porowski, agrees: “It comes in different widths, the adhesive is strong but not aggressive on skin, and it’s easily removable. You can stock up on it on Amazon!”
In case you’re still skeptical, we devoted some time to brainstorming every super-use we could think of—plus, asked some of our favorite Hollywood stylists for their best double-stick tape hacks. Check ’em out and then cross your fingers they never actually happen to you.
1. Fake a hem. If you’re in a rush to wear something before you’ve carved out the time to take it to the tailor, use a strip of tape to shorten the length to where you want it.
2. Keep bra straps hidden. Banish peekaboo bra straps by sticking them to your shirt. Apply a piece of tape to the top of your bra strap and then push it into the interior of your shirt’s shoulder or strap.