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.

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.