One of the major perks that comes with being a celebrity is being dressed by a stylist. By definition, stylists are people trained to keep up with the latest fashion trends and designers, know what clothing flatters each body type, and have an eye for what will look good on their clients. Who wouldn't want a hookup like that?
Over the years, working in celebrity fashion means that the stars and their stylists have picked up all kinds of helpful tricks and hints to look and feel their best, and fortunately, they've shared some of those tips along the way in social media and TikTok posts. And lucky for us, most of these ideas also will work for those of us who don't happen to be famous.
If you've ever wanted to know what happens behind the scenes that makes your favorite stars appear on the red carpet looking totally fabulous, without a single thread or hair out of place, keep reading. These are the celebrity style hacks we're definitely going to start using in our own lives.
Finding Sleeveless Tops That Flatter
According to Erin Walsh, who has dressed stars such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Kerry Washington, wearing sleeveless tops is really down to what makes you feel comfortable and confident.
"You don't have to wear something tight. There are plenty of sleeveless shirts that are billowy and don't cut into your arms," Erin told Us Weekly, adding that A-line tops are a good place to start if you're hoping to flatter your frame.
When in Doubt, Go Simple
We've seen Jennifer Aniston kill it in jeans and a T-shirt for years, so it makes sense that it's her go-to look, as she told OK! Magazine (via Her World). According to Jennifer, "simple is always good," and that means pulling on her favorite pair of jeans and an oversized tee.
Use Gaffer Tape
If you've ever wondered how the garments that look a bit … complicated stay in place on the red carpet without any wardrobe malfunctions, gaffer tape is the solution, as Kim Kardashian showed off in her Instagram post.
"Use duct tape to pull the breasts up instead of pasties," stylist Janet Mandell told Good Morning America. "Duct tape is much stronger, keeps the cleavage natural, and keeps your breasts up and tight all night long."
Sandpaper Those Shoes
The biggest problem with new shoes is that they can tend to be a bit slippery when you wear them the first few times, but fortunately, there's an easy (and cheap) way to combat that. "Walking in heels on any surface can be a recipe for disaster," Janet said to Good Morning America. "Add sandpaper to the bottom of your shoe to provide extra grip."
The Flat Iron Trick
If you're on the go and need to touch up a wrinkly part of your outfit in a hurry, all you need is a hair straightener. As celeb stylist Lindsay Albanese — who has worked with several Bachelorette stars in her career — shared in a video on TikTok, a hot straightener makes it easy to touch up outfits before putting them on.
Keep the Original Hem
In another TikTok video, Lindsay offered her best advice for those who take jeans and pants to the tailor to be hemmed: Tell the tailor to use the original hem. Otherwise, jeans can end up looking a little wonky at the bottom with a hem that doesn't belong there.
Don't Be Afraid To Wear Sweatpants to Work
If you're making the transition to the office after years of working from home, don't worry. This stylist believes that giving up your sweatpants absolutely isn't necessary.
Ebony Brown, who has styled Halsey and Camila Cabello, told Hour Detroit: "Wear some nicer sweatpants, not your laying-around-the-house sweats, and pair them with a shacket. They come in great plaids and are a little longer and thicker than just a regular plaid shirt, and those paired together can make a cool transition moment."
Get Creative With What You Have
If you're trying to mix things up with your wardrobe but are working with a budget, buying all new clothes isn't something you have to do. Stylist Janice Meredith recommends working with what you've already got. "Rediscover your wardrobe with creative pairing and layering of accessories over your core wardrobe essentials," she wrote on Instagram.
Bring an Emergency Kit for Special Events
If you're going out for a really important night and want your look to remain perfect from the time you arrive until the time you leave, consider packing a small emergency kit to bring along. "I always send a pair of extra shoes in the car for dancing and of course tape, wrinkle-free [releaser spray], and stain-remover for emergencies," Amy Schumer's stylist, Leesa Evans, told Glamour.
How To Figure Out Your Hemline
If you're not sure what hemline for skirts and dresses is most flattering on you, try this trick. As stylist Anna Berkeley told Femail (via Glamour UK), hold a towel horizontally to your feet and lift it until you get to the point where you feel comfortable showing leg, and make a mental note of that length before the next time you go shopping.
Hiding a Foot Injury
Sometimes, accidents happen before big events, and if you want to show off a new pair of shoes without drawing attention to a foot injury, America Ferrera has a hack for that: nude-colored gauze. It blends right in with your foot, as she showed off in an Instagram post in 2019 (via Hola).
Embrace Shapewear
If you're feeling a bit uncomfortable in an outfit you're set on wearing for a big night out, don't discount shapewear. A lot of celebs consider it essential for looking their best.
"Wear shapewear. Period. It doesn't matter how in-shape you are, women of all body types and sizes benefit tremendously from a little extra help underneath their clothes. It helps smooth out any problem areas or bumps and helps any material slip on in the most flattering way," Mariel Haaen and Rob Zangardi, who have worked with stars such as Jennifer Lopez, told Elle.
Create Your Own Uniform
If you're trying to cut down on the fashion drama, stylists Jill Lincoln and Jordan Johnson — who have worked with Jennifer Lawrence and Marlee Matlin, among other stars — told Elle in the same interview that people should find their "uniform."
"Figure out what styles and shapes you feel and look best in, and invest in different versions of the same pieces. If you need to be creative, do so with accessories," they said.
Make High Heels Less Painful
When talking to E! News on the red carpet at the 2019 Oscars, Melissa McCarthy noted her trick for keeping her feet pain-free in those high heels all night: CBD oil. According to the Bridesmaids star, she put it on her toes before heading out for preemptive pain relief.
How To Organize Your Closet
Before you can dress your best, you have to take stock of what you've got, according to stylist Maeve Reilly, who dresses Megan Fox.
"I make three piles as I'm cleaning out my closet. I'll do a keep pile, an upcycle pile, and a donate pile, so that I'm really organized and know which pieces I want to refresh or what I'm ready to part ways with," she told In Style.
