I have a number of style tips and tricks that I swear by and have used all my life. I thought everyone knew them, but it seems everyone doesn’t. So, I’m going to share them with you. And the best part is, all my tricks cost nothing or practically nothing.
Ever since I started kindergarten, I have been taking out my clothes for the next day the night before. This came about originally because I wanted to choose my outfit myself, but my mother realized I was not, and still am not, a morning person. So, the night before, my mother and I would choose my outfit for the next day. I was the best-dressed kid in kindergarten.
I’ve followed that rule all my life. The night before, I get the weather report for the next day and take out my entire outfit from the skin out.
I choose my jewelry and accessories and if I’m going to wear a pin on a jacket, that gets pinned at night. Everything gets put in the purse I’ve chosen so I never forget anything.
Of course, you realize the one problem here. If there’s a sudden change in the weather, say, instead of 90 degrees, it’s only 60, then I’m in deep trouble. But I cope as best I can, making changes.
Before I get dressed I put on my makeup and arrange my hair. I don’t want to get makeup on my clothes or mess my hair, so I put a plastic bag over my head. Of course, the bag is the ultimate answer to a bad-hair day, but it works great for my purposes, too.
Speaking of hair, I wear mine in a short pixie style and I haven’t combed it in years! Really. I’ve discovered if I wet my hands and run my fingers through my hair, it’s much softer looking than using a comb which flattens the hair. Try it.
When wearing a brooch, always pin it through your bra strap to anchor it in case the clasp opens. This also keeps it from pulling on the fabric.
Those little perfume paper strips in the magazines? Tear them out, open them and keep in your dresser draws to keep things smelling nice.
Same with empty perfume bottles.
If, at the end of a season, you decide to change your shade of polish, put the old bottle in the refrigerator so it won’t thicken.
Polish will stop a run in a stocking.
Colorless polish applied to metal hardware on a shoe or purse will keep it from tarnishing. Same with jewelry.
I'll give you more tips in my next column.
Miriam Silverberg is a freelance writer and president of Miriam Silverberg Associates, Publicity in Manhattan. She can be reached at [email protected].
