This is a clothing hack I do all the time that works all year long: You know those extra buttons that come with your garments in the little paper envelopes? I write on the outside which garment it goes to, put a safety pin through the hole at the top and slip it on the top of the hanger. That way I don’t have to go searching for the button if I need it, it identifies what goes on that hanger when it’s out for cleaning, and when I donate or sell the item later, I can pin it right to the garment.
Or sew them all onto an odd bit of fabric to keep in your sewing box. You never have to search for them after that and everything else is at hand when you need to sew them back on the garment.
You can also stretch your shoes at home using the blow dryer. You put them on with a pair of socks and then use the dryer to heat the leather up and it will loosen up. Perfect and money saving.
I have a good one Karen... I am a big thrifer myself,and I buy trench coats and have the sleeves removed and use it as a vest or as a dress with turtlenecks and boots underneath !!!
Fall Hack #1: Knowing the forecast before you head out. For example, if I see that Vancouver has a miraculous morning/afternoon/ or evening without rain, you can bet I'll try and sneak in my suede jacket! Hack #2: Carry a huge tote to collect the layers that you shed as the day warms up, then cools off, then warms up.... lol, such a drag. (Know a good bag for that?) Love you videos, Karen! :D PS. I would love to see a video on how to look stylish in the rain :)
I think most people know this one but just in case... instead of machine washing put your knitwear in the freezer overnight (in a plastic bag or something to protect it) This makes knits last longer as the negative temperature kills the bacteria without causing the pilling/ stretching/ shrinking that can happen in machines, and it's easier than handwashing!
Ah, I wish I'd known this! I had a cheap sweater that pilled up after washing it. I loved the color and fit, but had to get rid of it after a few months. :(
Favourite autumn style tip: Combining contrasting materials and styles: Leather or wool and flowing silk. Heavy boots and a delicate dress. Knitted pullover dresses with giant shawl collars with fine thighs and ankle boots. Autumn is the only time when you can really do this temperature wise. Well, spring technically too, but it doesn't feel quite right the way it does in autumn. Spring is all about wearing short sleeved shirts again and getting rid of all that heavy winter gear. Autumn is all about delighting in beautiful textures and materials for me ☺
Hello Karen, your videos have inspired me to spend a little extra time on my wardrobe, so my clothes are no longer clothes but are outfits. Each Sunday I spend 15-20 mins choosing outfits for the work week. I hang them on the wardrobe door in weekday order. This now saves the morning rush and I look more pulled together and it’s been fun. Cheers, Linda
Hi Karen great ideas for us If you don't have a laundry bag that you use for your delicates in the washing machine just use a large pillow case and close the end with a elastic band it works every time
I buy mesh tops the “see through” kind that are probably meant for someone half my age to wear out clubbing and I wear them under sleeveless dresses. Usually Zara or H&M stock them - turning my summer dresses into more transitional pieces. I tend to match the Base colour of the print with the top. It completely changes the look of the dress x
Great hacks! I will be using the elastics to keep up the sleeves! I've also been toying with the idea of cutting off my long flares to kick flare length...now you've given me the courage try it. 😉
Here's my top 11 Fall hacks that really work. Question: What is your TOP style hack for Fall? I will pin my favorite one to the top of this comments thread so everyone can read it!!
My hack that I learned from a cobbler might be well known, but - think of suede spray as hair spray for your shoes. Do you spray your hair once and then never again? Spray your suede or pony/cow hair shoes with spray, wear them, then *give them a brush after you take them off for the day* Give them a nice fresh coat of hairspray (suede spray) and they'll be ready to wear next time. Since I started doing this my ponyhair flats and suede boots keep looking brand new for season after season.
Karen, could you demo a few things sometime, like...purchasing a men's blazer from a second hand shop, or cutting off the hem of some jeans...only to give us a clearer way to do/buy it ourselves....I use to buy men's blazers at the Goodwill. With some, I changed out buttons, removed shoulder pads (dated at the time), etc...any tips, and demo's are welcome. I love the idea of having something no one else has. You've created an original just for you, at pennies on the dollar!
My favorite hack is to try layering your outerwear to make NEW outerwear! I'm doing a video on this next week... but I love trying a long vest over a bomber jacket, or a fur vest under a blazer to crest something new! Great tips per usual Karen 🙌👊 Love that you are making videos twice a week now!! ❤️
You are my all time favorite TH-camr❤. I mean it. Your aesthetic is right up my alley. You understand the difference between being on trend and only wearing what's trendy and I really appreciate that. Plus you're charismatic, funny and your excitement about fashion is what makes you more than just a TH-camr with good style. You're really great at this.
I often have books, notebooks and pens in my hands and sometimes I get the ink on my shirt or blouse. I take off the garment, spray the stain with lots of hairspray from really close (I soak it with hairspray until it is really wet) and I leave it like that for a few hours or overnight, sometimes longer. After being washed in the washing machine, the stain is for sure gone :) It works for me every time, hope someone else will find this useful as well :) Great video, Karen, thanx :) I also never hang my knits so that they don't get stretched :)
My favorite hack is to take a ruffle wrap dress bring it up to only your hips. Then take the sleeves and wrap/tie around your waist to turn it into a skirt!! Throw a chunky knit on and it is gold!
Hi Karen! I love the hacks. The jean ones are fabulous! For the sweaters, you can also fold the sweater in half lengthwise and drape it over the top of a velvet hanger first the body and then neatly fold the sleeve over. And if the sweater is wide use the lower part of the hanger. It also keeps them from wrinkling. Quick way to get rid of wrinkles in a hurry, blow dry your wrinkles out. See you Friday!
Love your hacks and your style. My fall style hacks are: I use a pumice stone to remove the bumps that form on my cashmere sweaters, I also use an eraser to remove marks on my suede bags and shoes.
My hack for surviving the cold autumns and winters is blanket scarves :) Before I discovered huge and worm blanket scarves I was always freezing while wearing some normal-size scarves or infinity scarves. But now I have a bunch of warm and cool looking blanket scarves and I am never cold. Not to mentioned - they also function as a portable blanket.
I do the elastic band one on my sleeves but I use hair bobbles as they don’t pinch as much and you can get them in so many colours. Another hack is if you’ve shrunken some knitwear then soak it in a strong fabric conditioner/water solution for a couple of hours, rinse and pull gently back into shape. X
Love the pants trick for not having to try them on. One thing about the elastic bands, just make sure they don't end up being too tight (it can feel fine at the beginning but it can become uncomfortable after a while) or that trick will be more trouble than it's worth. I speak from experience after years of using the same trick to hold up long sports socks. You used to be able to get a coiled wire flattened into a band (with elastic threaded through the middle) in menswear but I don't think they're made anymore. It's something my grandfather had and I used them during the 80s & 90s on shirt and jacket sleeves. I loved them.
I loved these hacks especially the one where to try the trouser/jean around your neck! i am going to try that next time I go jean shopping. Thanks Karen!
For a zip that sticks - put a tiny bit of hair serum on the zip, on the inside of the garment, then do up and undo the zip a couple of times to work the serum into the zip. Also, I use shoe protector spray not just on suede shoes, good to use on this season's white boots too, even faux leather shoes, or fabric shoes, helps keep them clean.
My fav hack to instead of tying a trench coat round the waist (cos looks terrible on me) I tie the belt loops together at the back with the belt. It's much more flattering on my apple shape.
Here's another one for those with furry friends! Before walking out the door, I don a yellow rubber glove to remove fur from my clothes. Works way better than any of the tape rollers & is fast & cheap. Amazing on furniture too!
I just got a pair of over the knee boots ... trouble staying up. I went and got a toggle from the fabric store and threaded the back ties through and now they stay up and I can adjust the toggle to any tightness now🤓
Baby powder teick works for reg leather also. Did this on old (over a year) oil stained handbag. Required more than 1 week (2-3) and refreshed baby powder, but worked!
I got a pair of bootcut jeans on thred up for $7.99 and liked everything about them but the length. After watching this, I cut them and now have a great-fitting pair of raw-hem ankle flares! Thank you Karen❤️❤️❤️
Hey! Quickly wanted to say that I really enjoy your videos and how passionate you are about clothes. My best hack for all seasons not specifically for fall. This is for everyone who hates their bra peaking from a button down shirt and is sick of wearing a vest/camisole inside or even using a safety pin to avoid the gaping. Just buy some really thin double sided tape and place it on the placket , match both plackets and viola , saves you all time and stays in place all day. Also In the fall I think its really important to wipe down those boots and weather proof them or apply cream to save them and have longevity.
another trick i use to stretch leather boots , loafers and shoes is to put one pair of normal socks and on top a pair of winter socks . Then try to put your shoe on and warm it up with the hair-dryer as much heat as your foot can stand, specifically aim at those areas that are tight. Then walk in the shoes a bit till they cool down and ta-da the shoe is much more comfortable in 30-60 mins, max. P.S. loved this video Karen learned a bunch
I bought a pair of Rag and Bone booties. The insides are slick leather so I tried a couple of inserts. The toe inserts that fin in sandals work but my best fit came with odor guard liners. No more slipping and the booties fit my narrow feet like a glove
I had no idea you could put the jeans around you neck and see if they fit - I love that one. Talcum powder is the other that really is a great idea and I never knew it would work. Thank you so much. :)
My fab is ur side-look. Talc works on most fabrics to absorb oils. Hands express punctuation and that pocket thing seems to work for most people, I'll try it, too! Don't know if this is a hack... I purchase large light to medium weight woven shawls/scarves during the spring season (street vendors are cheaper, 5 pc @ $20): solid, neutral and others slightly patterned ( brocade or tapestry). They are versatile during any season. They are light enough to put in a tote or backpack and to use when the subways, buses and offices are freezing cold or when the temps drop suddenly in the evening when you're out and now it's chilly. MY HACK: During winter months I easily wrap one of the cloths around my head or ears...as a turban. Spool, warm and soft. I save lots considering the cost of buying several beanies every season to match what I'm wearing. Statement earrings on show off!
Another great video, thanks Karen. Loving your jeans hack. My favourite hack is to turn my man blazers inside out if they have fancy-pants coloured and/or striped linings, and belt them. Depending on the jacket you may want to remove visible lables, or cover with a brooch. Makes them more versatile and you can go from office to drinks etc. with a different look!
It's not a hack per see but if you subtract the number 22 from pants say a 30 jean waist it will tell you your size 8. Or if you wear a size 4 just add 22 and pants/jeans is a 26.
When suede boots or coats get those white stains from weather and salt just use a half white vinegar mixed with equal amount water they come off easy and are completely restored. Loved your hacks.
Fall hack: Long non bulky ( silk works great) oblong scarves- wear backwards UNDER a sweater, gives a hint of color under the sweater at the neck area and nice little tails showing at the bottom - can also be worn uneven for a asymmetrical look. Just fun and different. ❤️🇫🇷 for the love of style !
😍 I am definitely excited to cut some of my jeans. This is not really a hack but, I love layering a shirt underneath a thick woolly jumper,so the collar shows and ,then belting the jumper.😘💓
I'm cracking up! The other day, I'm walking to the office with my new 🎯 blazer (that I recall you recommended), wondering "but how does Karen keep her sleeves bunched up?" I must have pushed them up a hundred times that day. Great hack 👍. My go to for red wine spills on clothing (or furniture or rugs, drapes 🙀, etc) is to gently rub the stain with a q-tip or rag using water-diluted Resolve carpet cleaner in the red spray bottle. Not the foam. Test first in a tiny spot and dilute more if it's a dark fabric. Has saved the day many times!
Soooo good!! Can you post a picture of what elastic bands you use for blazers and shirts!!! You just solved my first world current problem. Seriously best hack ever!!
My fav style hacks in fall are... over the knee boots and LAYERS! Oh God, I can't stress enough how much it helps give the extra layer of warmth to your body to put a white shirt under a jumper and it looks fab when it peeks at the bottom of the jumper! And the boots... why should we stop wearing shorts and skirts in the fall and winter? Just pop on your over the knee boots and you're done! The boots give (again) the extra warmth to your legs but you're still wearing your fav denim shorts, right!? Brilliant. Ooh ooh and also! You can switch your regular, light fabric shorts and skirts, to heaver, warmer fabric ones! :D ...do you see a pattern here, that I want to stay warm in my clothes? XD Love you Karen!
Hi Karen, I love the high energy and fun you bring to your posts. I bought a few pairs of leather boots from vestaire recently and I loved them to bits but they were too small fitting. I read somewhere to heat the leather with a hairdryer, and wear around the house for a while...it absolutely worked and saved me from sending them back,,, happy days! Linda from Dublin
Also if your button is a bit jiggly or the thread is getting loose and you're afraid it might slip out during the day, simply secure it with some clear nail polish and it will stop the button from coming out completely
For tights, buy a size up and if they have static, spray them lightly with hairspray. Also, I usually take a thin knit scarf for changes in temperature.
As soon as I saw you wearing the blue velvet top from Anthropology, I went on line, but they were sold out for all but the really large sizes. Bummer! My favorite fall hack was the rubber band for sleeves. Awesome!
HI gorgeous!! :) My hack is to use HUGGABLE HANGERS for all your clothes and you will never get hanger bumps! I hang sweaters that I want to stretch and never get those icky bumps! :) You make me smile throughout your whole video girl! xoxoxoxoxo Carol
Hiya Karen! Frayed hems have been a part of my life for many, many years (20 or more years ago I got sick of hemming just let them fray) as I’m so tiny and extremely lazy! (I’m all leg, but they keep making jeans longer on small sizes, what’s up with that?) My style hacks in keeping with yours is using furniture polish or some kind of oil (some people use Vaseline but I find that too messy) to bring back the lustre to patent leather, just rub in well, buff and done. The other is that chalk works as well sometimes better than powder for oil stains on suede (even works well on leather), rub into stain, let it sit, use a suede brush to bring back the nap. I also use scotch guard spray on suede or fabric shoes, handbags (all my suede jackets are vintage so I’m quite careful with them). That helps to protect from stains setting in, usually only needs a soft brushing with a suede brush to bring back the nap (on fabric I just wipe clean). Baby wipes in general are fantastic for clothing or accessory stains. Try in an inconspicuous spot as sometimes you’ll get colour transfer. That’s all I can think of right now (learned the hard way with knits). Have to look out for that spray, especially handy for pointy shoes and boots, ugh if your feet hurt, it’s the worst! Thanks for another great video! 😘⚡️🎃👻🦇Jet
One of my favorite hacks for all things suede or suede like (yes, faux suede included) AND VELVET is Water proofing shoe spray. Use it for suede bags, jackets, suede or velvet shoes/boots... it helps with reducing marring and scuffs of the delicate nature of suede and velvet accessories, outerwear and shoes. Apple Brand is a good one for 7 bucks. Just spray about 10" away from the garment to avoid concentration
Great video as always! I actually find a lot of bloggers/youtubers very uninspiring in terms of style, they very rarely include vintage pieces in their styling but rather buy "vintage inspired" pieces. Why not just go and buy the real thing? (like corduroy or velvet for example?) With you it's so fresh and inspiring, you mix and match style eras in the way it's really relatable (and for some bizzare reason budget friendly) and I find myself really trying out new ways of wearing my clothes (vintage and new). I have many vintage pieces (silk scarves, belts, bags, blazers) but I like a modern look to the whole outfit too, so actually seeing a blogger mixing new and "old" is really good for my wardrobe and my style inspiration! 👍 Not to mention my wallet haha...
Some bloggers don't want to use real vintage pieces, because it means viewers can't buy it if they love it. All the pieces Karen has that I have wanted were vintage and therefore unavailable :(
eizhowa I understand that, you're right 🙂 but isn't it about the inspiration and individuality if you're a fashion/style blogger and about a style interpretation if you're a follower? I don't know, at least that's how see it 🙂
HI Elzhowa - I am very aware that i must disappoint many when wearing vintage because it's not shoppable unlike retail pieces that I wear which are. I try and strike a balance of feeding my love for vintage to inspire others and find similars to it if I can as well as mix in the usual retail stuff that can be found. I definitely understand the frustration and hopefully I'll find a common ground of mixing both and providing links to similars that are vintage.
Thank you Kaja for saying this. I think some don't wear vintage because they know their followers can't buy what they are wearing and also it doesn't help with brand collaborations which are our bread and butter. Retailers on the other hand are always looking for bloggers to collaborate with and vice versa so it makes more sense to wear that plus it's shoppable for followers!! I definitely get it. I've always loved vintage because of the style and how it's made so I'll always wear it but I do try and keep my followers in mind mix it up with things that people can buy. It's a balancing act.
I feel K- does a fab job with just the right proportion of new and vintage . For us older (hoarder) ladies, she inspires with fresh ways to break out old friends AND inspires with carefully curated pieces and modern temptations. Few of us start from scratch, so vintage is just a matter of degree! 👏🏻😉Thanks Karen!
Thank YOU ! Thank you! Just revived two jeans from Seven with your DIY tip. Love your videos! I can relate as well since I used to live in the US ( Troy , NY) and now leaving in Reading , UK about 25 minutes from London. xoxo
A favorite hack of mine is to wear a button up shirt buttoned all the way up to the neck with a vintage pin at the neck or to use pins as cufflinks...pins can also be the perfect accessory for shoes and boots...
Your style here is Awesome! I love the combination of green and leather, and the shimmer adds a very glamour but subtle touch. Love it! Going to try something similar.
Fall hack for stretching leather and suede shoes/boots: tilt them forward, push freezer ziplock bags into the toes. While tilted downwards, add water from the faucet into the bag till they are 1/2 full, close the bags, leaving enough space for the water to expand. Put them in the freezer overnight (I lean the shoes against the side of the freezer with the toes downwards) and you will have stretched shoes the next day! (make sure to take out the bags once out of freezer).
I had to break In my shoes, I found putting them on over a pair of thick socks and the blasting them with a hairdryer worked really well for me. This obviously only works on leather but it does work.
Love you and your videos. You always make me laugh too! My hack....once you've cut the jeans with the blunt scissors get a hand held fine cheese grater and lay the raw hem of the jeans flat on a chopping board and literally rub the grater over the ends and it frays them! You can also do it up the legs of the jeans to distress them. X
OMG, Karen - you've inspired me!!! I literally just decluttered my closet and put several pairs of jeans into the giveaway pile. I'm pulling them out tonight and cutting them!! Thanks!!! xo
Be sure and scotch guard your leather winter boots! They are waterproof and stains are repelled!! An all the time hack-if you break or spill your fingernail polish on a hard surface floor, pour lots of sugar on it and then you can sweep it right up!!
Here is a hack I learned from my grandma. If you spill oil or wine , or basically anything that may stain your clothes immediately put salt on it but put a nice heap so that it soaks it up. You wait for it to dry and then flake it off. Wash it to remove the stain completely. I've used it when out grabbing a bite to eat. I spot clean that way as well. This works on rugs as well. I spilled beat juice on my nice white new west elm rug . It is nice as new ( lots of scrubbing and used a whole thing of salt but I saved my self hundreds of dollars ).
This is a clothing hack I do all the time that works all year long: You know those extra buttons that come with your garments in the little paper envelopes? I write on the outside which garment it goes to, put a safety pin through the hole at the top and slip it on the top of the hanger. That way I don’t have to go searching for the button if I need it, it identifies what goes on that hanger when it’s out for cleaning, and when I donate or sell the item later, I can pin it right to the garment.
Or you could just sew the button to lining of the clothing.
Or sew them all onto an odd bit of fabric to keep in your sewing box. You never have to search for them after that and everything else is at hand when you need to sew them back on the garment.
You can also stretch your shoes at home using the blow dryer. You put them on with a pair of socks and then use the dryer to heat the leather up and it will loosen up. Perfect and money saving.
I have a good one Karen... I am a big thrifer myself,and I buy trench coats and have the sleeves removed and use it as a vest or as a dress with turtlenecks and boots underneath !!!
Love this
That is genius!
Fall Hack #1: Knowing the forecast before you head out. For example, if I see that Vancouver has a miraculous morning/afternoon/ or evening without rain, you can bet I'll try and sneak in my suede jacket!
Hack #2: Carry a huge tote to collect the layers that you shed as the day warms up, then cools off, then warms up.... lol, such a drag. (Know a good bag for that?)
Love you videos, Karen! :D
PS. I would love to see a video on how to look stylish in the rain :)
I think most people know this one but just in case... instead of machine washing put your knitwear in the freezer overnight (in a plastic bag or something to protect it) This makes knits last longer as the negative temperature kills the bacteria without causing the pilling/ stretching/ shrinking that can happen in machines, and it's easier than handwashing!
It can work for denim too!
Ah, I wish I'd known this! I had a cheap sweater that pilled up after washing it. I loved the color and fit, but had to get rid of it after a few months. :(
I use a pretty pin from my grandma when something is missing a button or if my jeans are too loose in the waist. People always give me compliments!
yes! same. and a pretty broach or pin can also hide a small defect or hole or pull in a sweater :-)
Favourite autumn style tip: Combining contrasting materials and styles: Leather or wool and flowing silk. Heavy boots and a delicate dress. Knitted pullover dresses with giant shawl collars with fine thighs and ankle boots. Autumn is the only time when you can really do this temperature wise. Well, spring technically too, but it doesn't feel quite right the way it does in autumn. Spring is all about wearing short sleeved shirts again and getting rid of all that heavy winter gear. Autumn is all about delighting in beautiful textures and materials for me ☺
Years ago, in the 60s, we used to use Vaseline on our patent leather
Hello Karen, your videos have inspired me to spend a little extra time on my wardrobe, so my clothes are no longer clothes but are outfits. Each Sunday I spend 15-20 mins choosing outfits for the work week. I hang them on the wardrobe door in weekday order. This now saves the morning rush and I look more pulled together and it’s been fun. Cheers, Linda
brilliant to hear this
linda j ....Nothing beats planning and preparation👍🏽
Hi Karen great ideas for us If you don't have a laundry bag that you use for your delicates in the washing machine just use a large pillow case and close the end with a elastic band it works every time
Moving my sweaters from the closet to the drawer immediately!!! Love you xx
I absolutely love that you include your bloopers! Hilarious!!
I buy mesh tops the “see through” kind that are probably meant for someone half my age to wear out clubbing and I wear them under sleeveless dresses. Usually Zara or H&M stock them - turning my summer dresses into more transitional pieces. I tend to match the Base colour of the print with the top. It completely changes the look of the dress x
If you buy any shoes boots etc that have a slippery sole rub a clear candle wax or crayon on the bottom to take the slippery away ❤
mssid708 you can do the same thing with hair spray as well but I'm not sure if it as effective
Great hacks! I will be using the elastics to keep up the sleeves! I've also been toying with the idea of cutting off my long flares to kick flare length...now you've given me the courage try it. 😉
A knit over velvet - genius! I will try as soon as our weather turns.
Here's my top 11 Fall hacks that really work. Question: What is your TOP style hack for Fall? I will pin my favorite one to the top of this comments thread so everyone can read it!!
Love it!!
I love that you bring us all together in a way, asking for our hacks. I am learning so much from the women commenting here! :)
A piece of scotch tape to lift lipstick and other stains before further treatments. Lightly press on stain, lift, repeat if needed.
My hack that I learned from a cobbler might be well known, but - think of suede spray as hair spray for your shoes. Do you spray your hair once and then never again? Spray your suede or pony/cow hair shoes with spray, wear them, then *give them a brush after you take them off for the day* Give them a nice fresh coat of hairspray (suede spray) and they'll be ready to wear next time. Since I started doing this my ponyhair flats and suede boots keep looking brand new for season after season.
Kathleen West i do this to every new suede shoe I buy, before wearing them!
The trick is to do it every wear. It doesn't have to saturate, just coat the suede. I always thought it was a once a season thing.
wow didn't know this
Karen, could you demo a few things sometime, like...purchasing a men's blazer from a second hand shop, or cutting off the hem of some jeans...only to give us a clearer way to do/buy it ourselves....I use to buy men's blazers at the Goodwill. With some, I changed out buttons, removed shoulder pads (dated at the time), etc...any tips, and demo's are welcome. I love the idea of having something no one else has. You've created an original just for you, at pennies on the dollar!
My favorite hack is to try layering your outerwear to make NEW outerwear! I'm doing a video on this next week... but I love trying a long vest over a bomber jacket, or a fur vest under a blazer to crest something new! Great tips per usual Karen 🙌👊 Love that you are making videos twice a week now!! ❤️
You are my all time favorite TH-camr❤. I mean it. Your aesthetic is right up my alley. You understand the difference between being on trend and only wearing what's trendy and I really appreciate that. Plus you're charismatic, funny and your excitement about fashion is what makes you more than just a TH-camr with good style. You're really great at this.
I often have books, notebooks and pens in my hands and sometimes I get the ink on my shirt or blouse. I take off the garment, spray the stain with lots of hairspray from really close (I soak it with hairspray until it is really wet) and I leave it like that for a few hours or overnight, sometimes longer. After being washed in the washing machine, the stain is for sure gone :) It works for me every time, hope someone else will find this useful as well :) Great video, Karen, thanx :) I also never hang my knits so that they don't get stretched :)
Thank you! I needed this solution!
My favorite hack is to take a ruffle wrap dress bring it up to only your hips. Then take the sleeves and wrap/tie around your waist to turn it into a skirt!! Throw a chunky knit on and it is gold!
I wear my cardigans and shirts like that too.
Hi Karen! I love the hacks. The jean ones are fabulous! For the sweaters, you can also fold the sweater in half lengthwise and drape it over the top of a velvet hanger first the body and then neatly fold the sleeve over. And if the sweater is wide use the lower part of the hanger. It also keeps them from wrinkling. Quick way to get rid of wrinkles in a hurry, blow dry your wrinkles out. See you Friday!
Love your hacks and your style. My fall style hacks are: I use a pumice stone to remove the bumps that form on my cashmere sweaters, I also use an eraser to remove marks on my suede bags and shoes.
My hack for surviving the cold autumns and winters is blanket scarves :) Before I discovered huge and worm blanket scarves I was always freezing while wearing some normal-size scarves or infinity scarves. But now I have a bunch of warm and cool looking blanket scarves and I am never cold. Not to mentioned - they also function as a portable blanket.
Love the elastic band on the sleeve hack.
Red wine on anything. Saturate with table salt leave overnight and brush off. This even worked on a friends carpet.
Revamp black suede with the coffee liquid. Use a soft toothbrush and let it dry.
I LOVED the rubber band hack!
I always cut my denim to short and than never wear them! Great video!
The talcum powder hack...my dad taught me this back in my teens!
I do the elastic band one on my sleeves but I use hair bobbles as they don’t pinch as much and you can get them in so many colours. Another hack is if you’ve shrunken some knitwear then soak it in a strong fabric conditioner/water solution for a couple of hours, rinse and pull gently back into shape. X
Hannah Roberts Will be trying that one for sure😜
Love the pants trick for not having to try them on. One thing about the elastic bands, just make sure they don't end up being too tight (it can feel fine at the beginning but it can become uncomfortable after a while) or that trick will be more trouble than it's worth. I speak from experience after years of using the same trick to hold up long sports socks. You used to be able to get a coiled wire flattened into a band (with elastic threaded through the middle) in menswear but I don't think they're made anymore. It's something my grandfather had and I used them during the 80s & 90s on shirt and jacket sleeves. I loved them.
Hi Karen, another thing that works to stretch shoes is alcohol in spray...It really works!
I loved these hacks especially the one where to try the trouser/jean around your neck! i am going to try that next time I go jean shopping. Thanks Karen!
For a zip that sticks - put a tiny bit of hair serum on the zip, on the inside of the garment, then do up and undo the zip a couple of times to work the serum into the zip. Also, I use shoe protector spray not just on suede shoes, good to use on this season's white boots too, even faux leather shoes, or fabric shoes, helps keep them clean.
Karen, girl!!! Thank you for the blazer sleeve hack. Just tried it here and it works like magic!! Loved it!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓
I've never thought of the rubber band to keep the sleeves up. Thank you!!
My fav hack to instead of tying a trench coat round the waist (cos looks terrible on me) I tie the belt loops together at the back with the belt. It's much more flattering on my apple shape.
Here's another one for those with furry friends! Before walking out the door, I don a yellow rubber glove to remove fur from my clothes. Works way better than any of the tape rollers & is fast & cheap. Amazing on furniture too!
Great tips. I’ve used powder on suede in the past and it works every time! When I am missing a button I use a brooch instead!
good idea of a brooch or swap out my belt idea with a brooch
I just got a pair of over the knee boots ... trouble staying up. I went and got a toggle from the fabric store and threaded the back ties through and now they stay up and I can adjust the toggle to any tightness now🤓
Baby powder teick works for reg leather also. Did this on old (over a year) oil stained handbag. Required more than 1 week (2-3) and refreshed baby powder, but worked!
Thanks for the video! Especially the Windex for patent leather.
This green velvet button down you're wearing is gorgeous!
I got a pair of bootcut jeans on thred up for $7.99 and liked everything about them but the length. After watching this, I cut them and now have a great-fitting pair of raw-hem ankle flares! Thank you Karen❤️❤️❤️
*** high five ****
I always use my summer Capri Jeans with tall boots to wear all year
That vintage velvet blouse is everything 🙌🏼 I would love a video about your favorite velvet fall fashion finds!
Hey! Quickly wanted to say that I really enjoy your videos and how passionate you are about clothes. My best hack for all seasons not specifically for fall. This is for everyone who hates their bra peaking from a button down shirt and is sick of wearing a vest/camisole inside or even using a safety pin to avoid the gaping. Just buy some really thin double sided tape and place it on the placket , match both plackets and viola , saves you all time and stays in place all day.
Also In the fall I think its really important to wipe down those boots and weather proof them or apply cream to save them and have longevity.
another trick i use to stretch leather boots , loafers and shoes is to put one pair of normal socks and on top a pair of winter socks . Then try to put your shoe on and warm it up with the hair-dryer as much heat as your foot can stand, specifically aim at those areas that are tight. Then walk in the shoes a bit till they cool down and ta-da the shoe is much more comfortable in 30-60 mins, max. P.S. loved this video Karen learned a bunch
Great velvet shirt, would love to find this. Thanks!
I bought a pair of Rag and Bone booties. The insides are slick leather so I tried a couple of inserts. The toe inserts that fin in sandals work but my best fit came with odor guard liners. No more slipping and the booties fit my narrow feet like a glove
Karenbritchick, I purchased the cherry bucket bag from topshop and it just arrived! I adore it! Thank you for the tip!!
awwww I LOVE THAT BAG!!!!
I had no idea you could put the jeans around you neck and see if they fit - I love that one. Talcum powder is the other that really is a great idea and I never knew it would work. Thank you so much. :)
My fab is ur side-look. Talc works on most fabrics to absorb oils. Hands express punctuation and that pocket thing seems to work for most people, I'll try it, too!
Don't know if this is a hack...
I purchase large light to medium weight woven shawls/scarves during the spring season (street vendors are cheaper, 5 pc @ $20): solid, neutral and others slightly patterned ( brocade or tapestry). They are versatile during any season. They are light enough to put in a tote or backpack and to use when the subways, buses and offices are freezing cold or when the temps drop suddenly in the evening when you're out and now it's chilly.
MY HACK: During winter months I easily wrap one of the cloths around my head or ears...as a turban. Spool, warm and soft. I save lots considering the cost of buying several beanies every season to match what I'm wearing. Statement earrings on show off!
I enjoy your bloopers!😀 thanks for your hacks and everybody else who shared theirs!🤗
Another great video, thanks Karen. Loving your jeans hack. My favourite hack is to turn my man blazers inside out if they have fancy-pants coloured and/or striped linings, and belt them. Depending on the jacket you may want to remove visible lables, or cover with a brooch. Makes them more versatile and you can go from office to drinks etc. with a different look!
omg this sounds amazing.
It's not a hack per see but if you subtract the number 22 from pants say a 30 jean waist it will tell you your size 8. Or if you wear a size 4 just add 22 and pants/jeans is a 26.
Sizes in my country start at 34, so that must be a regional thing :P
Najla Yasmeen Ati Very helpful! Thank you!
Najla Yasmeen Ati is this a U.K. Size 8 or a USA size 8? Thanks xx
It's for US sizes. I apologize I forgot this is an international audience so sizing differs.
wow!
Love your videos Karen!!! Absolutely love the way you speak about styling things 😃
When suede boots or coats get those white stains from weather and salt just use a half white vinegar mixed with equal amount water they come off easy and are completely restored.
Loved your hacks.
Fall hack: Long non bulky ( silk works great) oblong scarves- wear backwards UNDER a sweater, gives a hint of color under the sweater at the neck area and nice little tails showing at the bottom - can also be worn uneven for a asymmetrical look. Just fun and different. ❤️🇫🇷 for the love of style !
Your excitement is infectious.....I love it!
😍 I am definitely excited to cut some of my jeans. This is not really a hack but, I love layering a shirt underneath a thick woolly jumper,so the collar shows and ,then belting the jumper.😘💓
Wow, never knew about wrapping pants around your neck & they'll fit. I'll definitely be doing that the next time I go shopping. Great tips!
I love all your clothing. I love everything you wear. Thanks for the Windex tip.
Wow thanks for all your hacks ,but my favorite is the shoe spray. Jackie.
I'm cracking up! The other day, I'm walking to the office with my new 🎯 blazer (that I recall you recommended), wondering "but how does Karen keep her sleeves bunched up?" I must have pushed them up a hundred times that day. Great hack 👍. My go to for red wine spills on clothing (or furniture or rugs, drapes 🙀, etc) is to gently rub the stain with a q-tip or rag using water-diluted Resolve carpet cleaner in the red spray bottle. Not the foam. Test first in a tiny spot and dilute more if it's a dark fabric. Has saved the day many times!
love the tight shoe hack
Omg Karen, your outfit is a killer.
I wish you would step back so we could see your whole outfit... you look stunning.. that shirt.😍 love your channel Karen
Maybe I should show my whole outfits next time....?
Soooo good!! Can you post a picture of what elastic bands you use for blazers and shirts!!! You just solved my first world current problem. Seriously best hack ever!!
We always shined patent leather with a dab of Vaseline.
My fav style hacks in fall are... over the knee boots and LAYERS! Oh God, I can't stress enough how much it helps give the extra layer of warmth to your body to put a white shirt under a jumper and it looks fab when it peeks at the bottom of the jumper! And the boots... why should we stop wearing shorts and skirts in the fall and winter? Just pop on your over the knee boots and you're done! The boots give (again) the extra warmth to your legs but you're still wearing your fav denim shorts, right!? Brilliant.
Ooh ooh and also! You can switch your regular, light fabric shorts and skirts, to heaver, warmer fabric ones! :D
...do you see a pattern here, that I want to stay warm in my clothes? XD
Love you Karen!
Hi Karen, I love the high energy and fun you bring to your posts. I bought a few pairs of leather boots from vestaire recently and I loved them to bits but they were too small fitting. I read somewhere to heat the leather with a hairdryer, and wear around the house for a while...it absolutely worked and saved me from sending them back,,, happy days! Linda from Dublin
Also if your button is a bit jiggly or the thread is getting loose and you're afraid it might slip out during the day, simply secure it with some clear nail polish and it will stop the button from coming out completely
I enjoy the end of your videos so don't change the way you do them you have a blessed day
For tights, buy a size up and if they have static, spray them lightly with hairspray. Also, I usually take a thin knit scarf for changes in temperature.
As soon as I saw you wearing the blue velvet top from Anthropology, I went on line, but they were sold out for all but the really large sizes. Bummer! My favorite fall hack was the rubber band for sleeves. Awesome!
Patent shoe hack use vaseline on a soft cloth and buff it in !!! Works wonders !
this is good to know
Thanks Karen love you♥♥ I need some velvet ..
HI gorgeous!! :) My hack is to use HUGGABLE HANGERS for all your clothes and you will never get hanger bumps! I hang sweaters that I want to stretch and never get those icky bumps! :) You make me smile throughout your whole video girl! xoxoxoxoxo Carol
Hiya Karen! Frayed hems have been a part of my life for many, many years (20 or more years ago I got sick of hemming just let them fray) as I’m so tiny and extremely lazy! (I’m all leg, but they keep making jeans longer on small sizes, what’s up with that?) My style hacks in keeping with yours is using furniture polish or some kind of oil (some people use Vaseline but I find that too messy) to bring back the lustre to patent leather, just rub in well, buff and done. The other is that chalk works as well sometimes better than powder for oil stains on suede (even works well on leather), rub into stain, let it sit, use a suede brush to bring back the nap. I also use scotch guard spray on suede or fabric shoes, handbags (all my suede jackets are vintage so I’m quite careful with them). That helps to protect from stains setting in, usually only needs a soft brushing with a suede brush to bring back the nap (on fabric I just wipe clean). Baby wipes in general are fantastic for clothing or accessory stains. Try in an inconspicuous spot as sometimes you’ll get colour transfer. That’s all I can think of right now (learned the hard way with knits). Have to look out for that spray, especially handy for pointy shoes and boots, ugh if your feet hurt, it’s the worst! Thanks for another great video! 😘⚡️🎃👻🦇Jet
I have some of the best most helpful followers - hands down.
KarenBritChick - Law of attraction, like attracts like! 😘J.
Can you do a video on how to layer leather jacket?
One of my favorite hacks for all things suede or suede like (yes, faux suede included) AND VELVET is Water proofing shoe spray. Use it for suede bags, jackets, suede or velvet shoes/boots... it helps with reducing marring and scuffs of the delicate nature of suede and velvet accessories, outerwear and shoes.
Apple Brand is a good one for 7 bucks. Just spray about 10" away from the garment to avoid concentration
indy5ivehundred ii
Great video as always! I actually find a lot of bloggers/youtubers very uninspiring in terms of style, they very rarely include vintage pieces in their styling but rather buy "vintage inspired" pieces. Why not just go and buy the real thing? (like corduroy or velvet for example?) With you it's so fresh and inspiring, you mix and match style eras in the way it's really relatable (and for some bizzare reason budget friendly) and I find myself really trying out new ways of wearing my clothes (vintage and new). I have many vintage pieces (silk scarves, belts, bags, blazers) but I like a modern look to the whole outfit too, so actually seeing a blogger mixing new and "old" is really good for my wardrobe and my style inspiration! 👍 Not to mention my wallet haha...
Some bloggers don't want to use real vintage pieces, because it means viewers can't buy it if they love it. All the pieces Karen has that I have wanted were vintage and therefore unavailable :(
eizhowa I understand that, you're right 🙂 but isn't it about the inspiration and individuality if you're a fashion/style blogger and about a style interpretation if you're a follower? I don't know, at least that's how see it 🙂
HI Elzhowa - I am very aware that i must disappoint many when wearing vintage because it's not shoppable unlike retail pieces that I wear which are. I try and strike a balance of feeding my love for vintage to inspire others and find similars to it if I can as well as mix in the usual retail stuff that can be found. I definitely understand the frustration and hopefully I'll find a common ground of mixing both and providing links to similars that are vintage.
Thank you Kaja for saying this. I think some don't wear vintage because they know their followers can't buy what they are wearing and also it doesn't help with brand collaborations which are our bread and butter. Retailers on the other hand are always looking for bloggers to collaborate with and vice versa so it makes more sense to wear that plus it's shoppable for followers!! I definitely get it. I've always loved vintage because of the style and how it's made so I'll always wear it but I do try and keep my followers in mind mix it up with things that people can buy. It's a balancing act.
I feel K- does a fab job with just the right proportion of new and vintage . For us older (hoarder) ladies, she inspires with fresh ways to break out old friends AND inspires with carefully curated pieces and modern temptations. Few of us start from scratch, so vintage is just a matter of degree! 👏🏻😉Thanks Karen!
Great tips! I did not know about the rubber bands! 👍
Thanks so much. I have learned so much.keep doing you. You are a joy.
I use wider/larger rubber bands the same way, but for cropped pants.
Sometimes I want the hem to be higher/closer to the knee for a different look
this is why I love your videos there is always one take away love the rubber band because I am a push-up girl thank you
Thank YOU ! Thank you! Just revived two jeans from Seven with your DIY tip. Love your videos! I can relate as well since I used to live in the US ( Troy , NY) and now leaving in Reading , UK about 25 minutes from London. xoxo
A favorite hack of mine is to wear a button up shirt buttoned all the way up to the neck with a vintage pin at the neck or to use pins as cufflinks...pins can also be the perfect accessory for shoes and boots...
also...50% alcohol and 50% water in a spray bottle is an excellent economical substitute for shoe stretch spray...
Your style here is Awesome! I love the combination of green and leather, and the shimmer adds a very glamour but subtle touch. Love it! Going to try something similar.
Love those colors on you today!😄
Fall hack for stretching leather and suede shoes/boots: tilt them forward, push freezer ziplock bags into the toes. While tilted downwards, add water from the faucet into the bag till they are 1/2 full, close the bags, leaving enough space for the water to expand. Put them in the freezer overnight (I lean the shoes against the side of the freezer with the toes downwards) and you will have stretched shoes the next day! (make sure to take out the bags once out of freezer).
I had to break In my shoes, I found putting them on over a pair of thick socks and the blasting them with a hairdryer worked really well for me. This obviously only works on leather but it does work.
I'm going to try this. A few on here have being saying this!
Love you and your videos. You always make me laugh too! My hack....once you've cut the jeans with the blunt scissors get a hand held fine cheese grater and lay the raw hem of the jeans flat on a chopping board and literally rub the grater over the ends and it frays them! You can also do it up the legs of the jeans to distress them. X
yes this works!!
KarenBritChick hey Karen thankyou for your reply. Made my day 💛
OMG, Karen - you've inspired me!!! I literally just decluttered my closet and put several pairs of jeans into the giveaway pile. I'm pulling them out tonight and cutting them!! Thanks!!! xo
Be sure and scotch guard your leather winter boots! They are waterproof and stains are repelled!! An all the time hack-if you break or spill your fingernail polish on a hard surface floor, pour lots of sugar on it and then you can sweep it right up!!
Here is a hack I learned from my grandma. If you spill oil or wine , or basically anything that may stain your clothes immediately put salt on it but put a nice heap so that it soaks it up. You wait for it to dry and then flake it off. Wash it to remove the stain completely. I've used it when out grabbing a bite to eat. I spot clean that way as well. This works on rugs as well. I spilled beat juice on my nice white new west elm rug . It is nice as new ( lots of scrubbing and used a whole thing of salt but I saved my self hundreds of dollars ).
wow. how long do you have to leave it on though?