Brand Specific: Hollywood Fashion Tape

We’ve covered fashion tape before. It’s a wardrobe essential, in my opinion (although maybe they could make clothes that actually fit the way they’re supposed to, but whatever). There’s nothing that looks worse to me than bra straps that are hanging out, and nothing more irritating to me than a piece of clothing that won’t stay put. I’ve tried many different kinds of tape, at many different price points, but I always come back to one: Hollywood Fashion Tape.

At $8.99 for a tin of 36 three-inch strips, it may not be the cheapest option out there, but I think it’s the only option. While other tapes will stick temporarily, the Hollywood tape will stick as long as you need it to. I have a linen jacket with floppy lapels that will use the same two pieces of tape for months. I take it off to wash and iron the jacket, then apply new strips and forget about them until the next washing. The other thing I love about them is the material they are made from; it’s stretchy and flexible. This is important for a couple of reasons: 1. It’s silent – other types I’ve tried crinkle when I move, like actual tape; 2. It holds better because it moves with you and the fabric.

The tape size is perfect for most uses: keeping bra straps hidden, closing gaps in button-down shirts, keeping lapels in place, etc. If you don’t need the whole three inches, you can cut it (do so before removing the backing). You can also find special packs of odd shapes at fabric stores—they will help you through almost any fashion dilemma. I see they also sell small dots that can be an excellent choice if you just need a bit of tape.

My only complaint? Every time I buy more tape, I get another tin. I don’t need another tin, and I hate throwing them in the trash. Ladies—come up with a refill pack and I’ll buy it.

P.S. – Check out some of Hollywood Fashion Secrets’ other stuff—there’s something for just about every need. So cool.

About The Author:  Megan is a professional writer, amateur photographer and an accomplished beauty product crash test dummy. She'll try anything once, especially if it's a free sample. She's still trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up, but it will probably involve travel and Colin Farrell. And maybe some writing and photography. You can visit her at onethousandwordsormore.com or follow her on Twitter: msmegan.

Professing My Love For The Hanes Bandini

OK ladies, come on in a little closer.

Who here has gone from store to store trying to find just the right bra for that new shirt or dress that happens to be strapless… or has just one sleeve… or there is something else going on with the cut that you just can not put on any old bra you have because the straps showing would look atrocious.

I am raising my hand high.

I can not tell you how many strapless bras (for mucho money) I have purchased over the years that fit when I am trying it on, but once the tags are off and I’m on my way out the door it starts to… you know… migrate on down a bit?  Who wants to spend their whole night pulling up their bra?  I’m also not that girl who can just take it off either.  Most recently I tried purchasing yet another bra with straps that could be unhooked if needed and tucked somewhere else.  Perfect for a shirt I adore that happens to have just one sleeve.

Or so I thought.  After watching it fall down at home in the trail run, I figured out how to strategically place 3 pieces of fashion tape (3 pieces!) over the bra to hold up the spot I needed (while also attaching it to my shirt).  Sure it may be stuck then, but oh my gosh it doesn’t come off that easy later.  And have you ever washed a shirt – and dried it – after forgetting to remove an errant piece of fashion tape?  Not really the same after that.

I have been a fan of Hanes for years.  At Getting Gorgeous (yes I am still talking about that, it was so fun!) I spotted a brand new bra you were not able to get in the store yet.  It was called the comfort flex fit Bandini.  FINALLY!  A comfortable cute bra with several colors available that can be adjusted eight ways.  EIGHT WAYS!  No fashion tape needed!  It can be worn with one or two straps, strapless, or racer back style by adjusting the straps with a simple twist or tuck to convert it. So easy.  And you can even layer two for yet another adorable look.

I had to try these.  I don’t know why, but I just knew this would be different.  And affordable!  I signed up to be a Hanes Comfort tester and specifically asked for the Bandini.  Just over a week ago I was on one of my weekly quests to where else but Target and for the first time I noticed them on the racks.  I grabbed a set of 2 in white and nude.

The only thing I was not sure about was the size.  Because I?  Fall in that spot just between the medium and large.  Grabbed the large to be on the safe side, got them home and I was in love!  Two days later I got a package from Hanes with 2 more Bandini’s (strawberry pink and surf blue for colors) – sized in medium.  (I had given them my exact measurements previously.)

Love love love.  They all fit actually, though I like that the medium is just a bit more snug.  The only drawback I would say is due to the thin stretchy material…um… lets just say if you are cold and wearing a thin shirt?  Yeah, someone is going to notice.  Although, if you layer two of them you might be able to avoid that.  So comfortable and stretchy I have lived in these 4 bras ever since.  Don’t even care about my others.  I want to get like 10 more of these.

The Hanes comfort flex Bandini retails at $14 for a package of two at stores where Hanes are sold, as well as online.  I did find some on Amazon as cheap as $9.40.  Still a great deal in the stores at $14 for two versatile bras.  (Shhh, I would pay even more than that!)  I have tried it all girls.  Strapless shirts, one sleeve shirts, shirts with the different cuts… it always works!  Always!  And even on those shirts that are just a little low cut?  The fun colors make it look like you are wearing a different color tank underneath – not like your bra is showing.

This is definitely my new favorite thing.

*Disclaimer: Though Hanes was kind enough to send me two Bandini bras to review, I was not compensated for this post and the opinions are all my own.

How to keep your boobs and/or bra straps from showing

I was on the phone with my mom recently while I was shopping and mentioned to her that I was looking to pick up fashion tape.

“What’s that?” she asked.  I teased her a little, but wasn’t really surprised.  Fashion tape isn’t something I learned about from my mother, who prefers barefeet to pretty shoes.

That same day, I was in a well known lingerie store and asked the sales woman if they had any fashion or lingerie tape on hand.

“Is that the stuff that holds your boobs together?” she asked.

I had no idea how few women were familiar with (or consequently use, I imagine) fashion tape.

Ladies, allow me to introduce all of you to the magic of not having your bra strap hanging out.  And never again uploading pictures from your daughter’s birthday party only to find that you are flashing the camera in 90% of the photos.  Some varieties even claim to be able to hold a hem, but I’ve never tried that myself.

Fashion tape, also known as lingerie tape or flash tape, is basically double-sided tape.  Except this tape is strong enough to hold garments in place and delicate enough to stick to your body or garments without causing any damage.

Here’s how it works: you stick a piece of the tape to your bra strap, for example.  You then remove the backing from the other side of the tape, and press your shirt to the tape, ensuring that it stays just so until you remove the tape.  No more sliding, slipping or gaping!

Fashion tape can come in pre-cut strips, but I prefer it in a tape dispenser similar to what you buy your scotch tape in.  This lets me get exactly as much as I need and no more.

Finding fashion tape in a store can be tricky.  I bought my most recent roll from the lingerie department at Macy’s.  Check the lingerie section, near where they have those odd strapless water bras and such (you know what I’m talking about, or you will when you see it).

Online, try:

• Mini Flash Tape Dispenser – $7.99 from HerRoom
• Commando Double Stick Tape Matchbooks (pre-cut kind) – $10 from BareNecessities
• Gal Pal Everything Tape – $6.50 from Drugstore.com
• Fashion Forms Dress & Lingerie Tape with Dispenser $3 + shipping via Macy’s on Amazon (this is what I have, and I love it)

Fashion Tape Gift Idea: Get Outta Town Diva Kit – $34.99

Includes fashion tape, lint removers and other fashion-fixes to take on the road with you.