after years and years of hanging zippers, running pantyhose, flapping soles and unraveling hems, i have learned to keep a fashion survival kit. and i’m never caught unprepared in the middle of a fashion emergency again. here are the things i keep on hand:

1. elastic bands

maybe it was the buffet. or maybe it’s water bloating. whatever circumstance i blame, jeans or pants that don’t button comfortably is one of the most annoying things i have to contend with in my continuous battle with ill-fitting “asian” cuts. forget about simply unbuttoning… i’ve tried it and the zipper gives way too many times. i avoid the muffin top look by threading an elastic band through the button hole and attaching the loops around the button.

2. permanent markers

we’ve all had small bleach accidents before. when a drop or two of chlorine finds its way to our coloreds. we’ve all had scratches on our dark footwear, revealing that tell-tale white layer (especially on patent leather). i have this most often on the tips of my pointed-toe shoes, especially when i stub them on stairs going up. i camouflage these small mistakes with markers. i keep a whole set so i can find a match for any color that needs help.

3. clear nail polish

i’m sure many of us know this already. when your pantyhose starts running, stop it dead on its tracks with clear nail polish.

4. strong glue

for soles that that tear themselves off your shoes (i’ve once had to drag my left shoe with a flappy sole around a department store, looking for a suitable replacement). or heels that break a la mentos commercial (happened to me outside of our office building). look for strong glue specifically made for shoes. they are more flexible and are best for sneakers (like the pair i had to endure in the pre-departure area just a few months ago).

5. safety pins

i keep at least two in my wallet. because i never know when a button decides to go missing or stitches unravel.

6. bleach pen

the strangest thing about gravy and tomato sauce is they seem to always find their way onto white tops and dresses. it’s one of the biggest ironies in life. i carry a bleach pen whenever i’m wearing white clothes on business. i got mine from a hardware store.

7. candle wax

i don’t exactly keep the candles in my fashion survival kit since i know there’s always a bunch of them around the house. candle wax is good for repairing zippers that refuse to glide. simply rub the wax on the teeth and they’re good to go.

8. double-sided adhesive

i used to walk home from work, so i am familiar with the trouble of transitioning from heels to flats. don’t ruin the hems of your pants by letting them drag on the ground. i would fold the cuffs in with double-sided adhesive. i use the same for keeping my bra straps from peeking through a wide neck top. though for more formal occasions, you are better off with hollywood fashion tape.

9. nail polish remover pads

are you as paranoid and o.c. about nail polish as i am? back when i used to apply color on my fingernails, i keep polish remover pads in my handbag. because nothing is more frustrating than chipped nail polish. besides, uneven nails was a big no-no in my previous job.

addendum:

10. pencil eraser (especially the pink kind at the end of mongol pencils!)

i can’t believe i almost forgot about this! for some reason, i am fond of suede shoes and bags. even if they are hell to keep clean. i discovered that the best way to remove dry marks is through fastidious use of a pencil eraser. try it! but for deeper-seated dirt and wet spots, a commercial suede cleaner would do the trick.

images from diy trade, nina clock, purelement, piczazz and sharpie.