JAMO magazine August issue | Page 37

When it comes to fashion and style, it sometimes seems that everyone and their mother (literally!) have tried-and-true tips and tricks they absolutely swear by. Some are useful, while others … well, not so much. With that in mind, we've culled 101 of the best from the best: designers, lifestyle experts and, of course, our staff. Trust us: With these gems, you’ll be well on your way to living your most stylish life.

1. There’s nothing cooler than sticking to a signature style you know looks good on you. Slaves to fashion are never chic!

2. To coax a loose thread back into place, gently tug at the stitches to the sides of the pull as well as above and below.

3. A good shoemaker can fully rebuild your favourite pair, even if the arch is cracked.

4. Have a sequin garment you don’t wear any-more? Remove the sequins and sprinkle them into a vase of flowers. Gorgeous!

5. If you’re unsure about an impulse or sale purchase, leave it at the store. If you’re still thinking about it when you wake up the next day, buy it.

6. Invest in silk or satin pillowcases to keep your hair from breaking during the night. (They also keep your skin looking smoother than rough cotton cases!

7. Track lighting is possible even for the tiniest closet: Buy a track kit, screw it into the ceiling, run the wire down the wall and plug it into the nearest outlet. Not only will you see all your clothes better, but you’ll feel like you have a more luxurious closet.

8. Use a lemon wedge to remove excess or streaky self-tanner.

9. Who has the time to hand wash bras? Machine wash them in cold

water in a mesh zipper bag and drape them over a hanger to air dry.

10. Wear your new real leather jacket in the rain to break it in. Water will soften up the leather and allow it to stretch and crease at specific points on your body.

11. Looking for uses for all the single socks you've amassed while doing laundry? When you've got aches or pains, fill a sock with dry beans or rice and pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Viola, an instant (and free) heating pad.

12. It might sound “budget,” but a hot glue gun works amazingly well to hem skirts, pants and even jeans in a pinch.

13. A good tip when cleaning out your closet: Ask a friend whose style you admire to come over and help. She/he might offer new insight on how to wear certain items before you toss them.

14. After a shower, use your hair-dryer to de-mist bathroom mirrors in seconds.

15. A structured hat should rest about 1/8 to a 1/2-inch above the ears.

16. Confused about laundry settings? Remember this: The hotter the water, the cleaner the clothing will be. While warm water is fine for most clothes, linens and dirty white clothing are best washed in hot water to remove germs and heavy soil. Cold water is usually used for delicates.

17. Pile on good accessories—scarves, sunglasses, hats, statement jewelry—to instantly transform even the most basic outfit.