How to Use Fashion Tape

Co-authored by Elle Monus and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: December 11, 2022 References

Securing Clothing

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Attaching Accessories

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Attaching the Tape

Fashion tape is a double-sided adhesive that helps you prevent any spontaneous wardrobe malfunctions. When placed correctly, fashion tape can keep both your clothing and accessories secure without any risk of embarrassment or discomfort. All you need to do is stick a strip of tape to the desired spot on your clothes, like the bra or skirt area, then press the strip into place. Enjoy the freedom of making stress-free fashion statements!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Securing Clothing

1
Keep your bra or top in place with strategically placed tape. Apply a medium-sized strip of tape to your bra, or to the edge of a plunging top. Press down on the material to keep the bra or shirt in place and to prevent any unwanted slips around your chest area. If your shirt and bra have a tendency to shift around, try using more than 1 piece of tape.^{[1]
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- Fashion tape is most commonly used around the bra area.
- Try keeping fashion tape in your purse for emergencies!
2
Conceal bra straps with small sections of tape. Twist the straps or fabric of your top inside out. Place a 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) section of fashion tape onto the upturned fabric, then flip it back over. Press the tape into place over the bra strap, then remove your hand. Check in the mirror to ensure that your bra straps are no longer visible!^{[2]
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- If your strap is only sticking out on 1 side of your shirt, just fix the 1 side.
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3
Add a small strip of tape in the spaces between your buttons. Rip away small, 1 in (2.5 cm) long strips of fashion tape and align them between 2 buttons on a button-down shirt. Keep the piece of tape concealed between the layers of fabric in the shirt, then rub your finger over the shirt to apply pressure. Continue adding more adhesive strips until your whole dress shirt is secure.^{[3]
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- The tape is most useful when applied between the upper buttons on the shirt.
4
Flatten your jean pockets with a strip of tape. Take a small, 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) section of tape and apply it to the material inside of your jeans pockets. Arrange the piece of tape horizontally, placing it on the bottom of the inner pocket. Next, apply pressure to the outside of the pocket with your hand, pressing the outer denim into a flat layer. Feel free to use more than 1 strip of fashion tape if your pockets are especially stubborn.^{[4]
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5
Attach rolled shirt sleeves to your upper arm for a smoother look. Tuck and roll the fabric of your long sleeve shirts as you normally would, keeping the rolled material along the center of your upper arm. Don’t let the fabric unroll itself; instead, place a small, 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) strip of fabric between the rolled material and the rest of the sleeve.^{[5]
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- If needed, use additional pieces of tape to keep the sleeve roll in place.
6
Keep your shirt collar in place with strategic pieces of tape. Rip away a section of fashion tape that’s about 2 in (5.1 cm) long, depending on the length of your collar. Place this strip beneath the collar, which helps add dimension to your formal look. Press down on the collar with your fingers to secure the fabric into place.
7
Prevent accidental slips by taping down skirt slits. Protect yourself from any fashion misfortunes by cutting away a long section of tape that’s at least 6 in (15 cm) long, or slightly shorter than the length of your skirt slit. Secure the tape between your leg and the fabric, which keeps your dress safe and secure.^{[6]
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- Feel free to add tape to both sides of the slitted skirt. This can provide a lot of extra security.
8
Stick your slip to your skirt or dress with fashion tape. To prevent your slip from showing, cut a small or medium-sized section of fashion tape and place it along the edge of your slip. Press or pinch the tape into place by aligning it with the edge of your skirt.^{[7]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Attaching Accessories

1
Secure your bow tie into place with pieces of fashion tape. Rip away 2 tiny pieces of tape and arrange them along the sides of the bow tie. Next, press along the edges of the material to anchor to bow tie in place. If needed, try using more small pieces of fashion to further guide your tie into place.^{[8]
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2
Arrange a piece of tape on your neck to keep your necklace secure. Look at yourself in the mirror while you put on your favorite necklace. If the jewelry naturally sinks into your chest, pull on the back of the necklace to lift it up. Place a 1 in (2.5 cm) piece of tape somewhere between your shoulder blades, then press the necklace chain onto the fashion tape. Use this piece of adhesive to keep your necklace lifted and visible.
- To align your tape properly, continue pulling on the back of the necklace to lift it.
3
Place fashion tape on your shoe soles to prevent your feet from shifting. Take a 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) and arrange it lengthwise on the sole of your shoe. Place your foot into the shoe as you normally would, allowing the tape to stick to your skin. Use tape to secure all of your new shoes, or the ones that are difficult to walk in.
- Fashion tape is especially useful for high-heeled shoes and sandals.
4
Hold the end of your belt in place with a long strip of tape. Keep a fashionable belt in place by ripping off a long strip of fashion tape. Check that the strip is a little bit shorter than the tail of your belt, then secure the tape to the back of the accessory. Press along the length of the belt tail to keep it in place.
- The length of this tape will also depend on the length of your belt tail.
- This works best on belts made of thinner, more pliable fabrics. Leather belts might need more tape for support.
5
Use a strip of tape to keep your bracelet from sliding. Cut off a small, 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) piece of tape. Stick this adhesive along the curve of your bracelet. Next, arrange the jewelry to the exact place that you’d like it to be on your arm. Press your bracelet into place, then go about the rest of your day as usual!
- This works best with thicker, chunkier bracelets. If you use fashion tape with a thin bracelet, the adhesive will probably be visible.^{[9]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Attaching the Tape

1
Cut a length of fashion tape that will support a problem area. Unwind a small amount of tape from your roll. Unroll enough of this tape to cover the section of clothing or accessory that you’d like to secure into place. For small fixes, use a piece of tape that’s 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) long. If you’re securing a larger portion of clothing, use a strip of tape that’s at least 4 to 5 in (10 to 13 cm).^{[10]
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- For instance, you only need a small piece of tape to secure the gaps between the buttons on your shirt.
2
Peel off the papers covering the adhesive.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Elle Monus
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 7 September 2021.} Use your fingers to remove the outer sections of paper from the strip of tape. While these papers help keep the double-sided tape sticky, you’ll need to pull it off in order to use your fashion tape successfully.^{[12]
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- If you’d prefer, you can remove the paper from 1 side of the tape while placing it on your clothing or accessory, then remove the other section of paper once the tape is attached.
3
Stick the piece of tape onto your clothing or accessories.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Elle Monus
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 7 September 2021.} Arrange the strip of tape on a problem area of your clothing, like your bra area. Try aligning the tape before securing it into place, and check that it’s centered along the piece of clothing or accessory. Press along 1 side of the tape to ensure that it’s securely attached.^{[14]
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- It might help to do this in front of a mirror.
4
Press the tape onto the opposite surface.^{[15]
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Elle Monus
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 7 September 2021.} Secure the tape by attaching the other adhesive side to your skin, or the other section of fabric you’re trying to hold in place. Run your finger along the tape to apply some extra pressure. Feel free to go about the rest of your day as usual!^{[16]
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