Emergency Repair Kit: Office Wardrobe Malfunction Quick Fixes

So let’s say you’ve got a big presentation today.  You’ve picked out your outfit, taken extra care with your grooming, and you’re ready to step into the limelight.  But just as you’re heading to the ladies’ room to powder your nose before the big event, it happens: someone bumps into you and spills coffee all over your blouse. Aaahh!

Wardrobe malfunctions just don’t happen to celebrities; they happen every day to hard-working people all over the world.  So plan for them ahead of time with an office emergency repair kit.  Just as you keep a spare tire in your car, so should you keep a few spare wardrobe quick-fixes in your office drawer or filing cabinet.  You may not need them often, but when you do, you’ll be glad you have them.

Here’s how to stock your office wardrobe emergency repair kit:

Small Sewing Kit A small sewing kit usually contains needles, thread, buttons, and safety pins to help you make minor repairs.  Sew on a button, tack a hem back in place, or repair a gaping hole.  These are great even if you don’t sew – you can always go, kit in hand, and ask for help from someone who does.

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Packing or Masking Tape

In a pinch, you can use packing or masking tape (or even staples) to repair hems or small rips.  Packing and masking tapes have a stronger hold than regular invisible tape, so opt for the heavy-duty stuff to see you through.  You can also wrap a strip of tape sticky-side-out around your hand and use it to pull off lint and pet hair.

Stain Removal Stick

Keep a stain removal stick handy to remove coffee, pen, and makeup stains from your clothes as quickly as possible.  Remember:  the longer a stain sets, the harder it is to remove.

Hosiery

If you regularly wear hosiery to work, keep a spare pair in a neutral shade handy for a quick change.  Have a run under your clothes that’s not yet crept its way into public view?  Brush on a few strokes of (preferably clear) nail polish at the end of the run to stop it from creeping and hidden from sight.

Travel Toiletries Need to brush your teeth? Re-apply deodorant? Re-style your hair after getting caught in a downpour?  Having a ready stash of travel-size toiletries available will allow you to be” fresh as a daisy” in no time.

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Feminine Hygiene Products

ALWAYS keep a small supply of sanitary products handy, whether in your purse or desk drawer.   Stress, hormonal changes, and busy schedules can play havoc with your cycle, so be prepared or risk being embarrassed.

These are some common office emergency repair kit items to have on hand.   Other quick fixes you can make using common office items include:

Scuff Repair

Have a scuff on your shoe that wasn’t there this morning?  Wipe your shoe clean with a damp cloth and try one of these tactics:

1. If you have access to vegetable oil or olive oil (salad dressing?) in your break room, dap a small drop on your shoes and give each a quick shine.
   Or
2. Use a marker color that matches your shoe color to fill in the scuff and make it less noticeable.

Bloating

Ever suddenly find yourself with an unbearably tight waist, like after a meal or right before your cycle?  Unbutton your waist band, loop a rubber band around the button, thread the band through the button hole, and loop the loose end back around the button.  Cover with top or jacket.  This will give you a little extra room.  I used this trick in the early months of my pregnancies as well, when my regular clothes were too small and my maternity clothes were too big.  Works like a charm.

Looking professional is easy if you build an appropriate business wardrobe AND keep an office emergency repair kit handy.  If you use these items and employ these tricks, you’ll be able to maintain a professional image and handle any wardrobe function with finesse. Need some more help putting together a wardrobe for work?  Download a copy of Business Wear Magic to see how easy dressing powerfully for work can be. Have a few other tricks you’d like to share with your fellow readers?  Include them in the comments, below.

Related posts:

1. Office Wear That Oozes Power and Credibility