Tips And Tricks: The Miracles of Fashion Tape

Fashion tape is basically double-sided tape that is safe for skin and fabrics, and is used to keep garments where you want them. An offshoot of toupee tape, it has been used by stylists on photo shoots and celebrity red carpets for years. I’ve seen fashion tape mentioned as a useful product several times, and picked up a box at a beauty supply store. It’s been a staple in my handbag ever since.

I use it primarily to keep necklines in place, but I’ve also used it to keep cardigans perfectly draped, and it even kept a co-worker’s over-the-knee boots up during a very crucial after-work happy hour. It won’t work for everything, as it sticks better to some fabrics than others, but I’ve found it very useful in making garments more wearable.

There are lots of uses for petite women. Tack a neckline that comes down a little low so it doesn’t slip and expose anything. If you wear a lot of wrap tops and dresses like I do, tape the neckline down so nothing opens accidentally. Tack up extra length on a pair of trousers or skirt (probably not strong enough to hold jeans folded under, but will work on thinner material well enough) that you haven’t hemmed yet, or just don’t want to spend the money on.  Tape extra length of a belt down so it doesn’t flap around. These are just some of the uses I’ve found for it, and I’m sure there are a ton more.

I’ve been buying Hollywood Tape and have been very happy with it (I snip a few strips in halves and quarters for smaller jobs, and one tin lasts a long time). Another popular brand is Braza. They are especially handy if they come in a “purse pack”, because then they’re always on hand if something goes awry.

Anyone else use fashion tape? Any other uses I didn’t mention?

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11 Comments

  1. says: Coco Petite

    Totally agree…can't live with out item. I've gone through so many packs and have even shared with my mom and tons of work friends as well. Like you, I mostly use it for wrap tops/dresses to keep the neckline in place. I also use it on the bottom of wrap dresses to keep it from flapping open and exposing the goods, which is why I use so many, I can use like 3-4 on one wrap dress! I've also used it to keep spaghetti straps in place. Alot of people also use it to keep button up tops from gaping in the chest area, sadly, I don't have that problem!

  2. says: PetiteAsianGirl

    Interesting…I like 2 of the ideas mentioned above – keeping button-up holes from gaping and keeping the end of belts from flapping (always happens). I've never bought or used this, but am now intrigued!

  3. says: Alterations Needed

    Closing the bottom of a wrap dress! What a great idea! I never thought of that. Thanks Coco Petite. =)

  4. says: Alterations Needed

    TravelMama – That's one of the uses labeled on the package. I've never tried it for that, but they claim it can be done.

  5. says: Liane

    I used the Hollywood tape to keep my wedding dress neckline in place.. It worked but also left some red marks on my skin… So I didn't think it was good for daily or routine use… May be my skin is just sensitive to that kind of tape. But I do like the belt idea! No more flapping ends!

  6. says: deborah

    I've always used just regular 3M double side stick tape. Much cheaper than fashion tape, although it's really uncomfortable if you stick the tape directly on your skin so I keep its use to cloth-on-cloth contact like closing gaps, and bra straps.

  7. says: Alterations Needed

    Hi deborah!

    I think that's why stylists started using toupee tape. It can be stuck to the skin with less discomfort. 3M double stick tape is an awesome cheaper alternative!

  8. says: Angie

    this is awesome! i've never really thought about using fashion tape and didn't know it was so sturdy. i'll have to look for some to hold up off the shoulder tops and boots

  9. says: Michelle

    I have used fashion tape on the bottom of mole skin. In some heels at the toe cleavage pinches when I walk. I cut a strip of moles skin to fit the area in the shoe, helps a great deal.

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