Every Fall, I end up googling all the different ways I can tie a scarf. I finally found a Youtube video I can save and go back to when needed. Warning: it’s kind of hypnotic. — CD
I’m my own boss, so I set the work dress code and it is: t-shirts. But I live on the Pacific coast in the fog where it is cool year round, so I only wear long-sleeved t-shirts. And I don’t wear logos. For many years long-sleeved t-shirts in color without logos were hard to find, but I recently got my newest batch from Amazon of all places. The Amazon Essentials long-sleeved t-shirt is heavy duty, inexpensive, and prime delivery. Perfect for my office. — KK
My mother has a garment steamer (The PurSteam Elite, $70) and everyone in my family used it to get rid of the wrinkles in the clothes we packed into suitcases for my nephew’s wedding. The steam from the handheld wand made the wrinkles melt away. We immediately bought one for our house. — MF
If I’m wearing a low-cut dress or a finicky blouse, this little tin of double-sided apparel tape (Hollywood Fashion Secrets Fashion Tape Tin, $8) always saves the day. I make sure I pack this in my luggage when I travel and in my purse if I dress up or go to weddings. — CD
My favorite sneakers are both Vans and have white soles that get really dirty. I want them to last a long time, so once a month I clean them using this ShoeAnew Shoe Cleaner Kit ($17). It’s comes with a brush and a microfiber cloth and it only takes a few minutes to spray and scrub all the dirt off. — CD
Sanuk Yoga Slings are made from recycled yoga mats and are unbelievably comfortable to walk around in. The thong sandals have stretchy fabric straps that you can pull around your ankle so that they never fall off. I gave a pair to my mother-in-law, who was born and raised in Hawaii and maybe the ultimate authority on flip-flops, and she loves them. — CD
I’m always looking for ways to reduce the hassle of going through airport security. A couple of months ago I bought this $10 belt with a plastic buckle. It won’t trigger the metal detector, which means I can keep it on. — MF
Ever since I took a sewing class I’m obsessed with how clothes are made, and now avoid buying “fast fashion” if I can. This article by BuzzFeed shows you 14 easy ways to figure out if clothing is made cheaply or not. It’s illuminating. — CD
I’ve tried a few different brands of low-cut “no show” socks and these are the lowest and best. They are super stretchy and they don’t slip off. Seven pairs cost $15. — MF
In my never-ending quest to wear clothes without logos, I found a great source of logo-less baseball caps (better than the discontinued Daiso hats). These hefty Falari caps are $9 and come in a refreshing variety of 34 solid colors. Mine are canary yellow. — KK
Daiso has folding bag hooks for $1.50 each which is the cheapest price I’ve ever come across. These are great for when you’re at a bar or restaurant and have no where to hang your bag. I bought a few to keep in different purses so I’m never without one. If you don’t have a Daiso in your city, you can order them in bulk on their website. I also recommend this giant clip that can hold up to 30 pounds which is better for backpacks. — CD
I keep my makeup, charger, and other loose belongings in zippered pouches because it makes it easier to move from purse to purse without misplacing or leaving something behind. These mesh bags work well, because you can see what’s inside. — CD
I’m rough on my reading glasses. I roll on them in bed, snap them in carrying bags, and leave them at airports. So I buy them cheaply and in quantity. I like these retro horn rim readers, which are less than $10 for a six-pack. — MF
If you happen to live in the Bay Area or in Southern California, I highly recommend getting your next pair of prescription glasses from JINS. At first I was overwhelmed by their huge selection, but lucky for me my best friend was there to help me pick out frames — and that was the most difficult part! Then I just showed them my prescription, checked out and came back in 30 minutes to pick them up. I was out the door with a new pair for just $80 including lenses. Faster than Warby Parker and much cheaper than LensCrafters. — CD
I just got back from JoCo Cruise 2018, a week-long cruise around Baja Mexico. This was JoCo’s eighth annual cruise. It was started by musician Jonathan Coulton, who has a delightfully nerdy fan base of board-game loving, scifi reading, cosplaying, ukulele strumming folks of all ages. Over 1,600 “SeaMonkeys” took over Holland America’s ms Oosterdam and we had a terrific time playing games and music, and attending panels, workshops, concerts, readings, and performances. I bought a pair of kimono pajamas ($24) for the cruise (one day was pajama day, where everyone was encouraged to wear pajamas all day) and I got a lot of compliments on them. I like them enough that I’m going to start wearing them at home, too. — MF
My husband bought me an UGG robe for Christmas and it is so soft and comfortable that I actually sleep in it from time to time. It’s lined with lightweight fleece, so it’s very warming but not bulky. — CD
One of my favorite pairs of sandals recently cut my heel open. These foot petals now prevent that from happening. They also keep my shoes in place and make them much more comfortable to wear. — CD
My friend Cory Doctorow gave me a pair of Native Jefferson Slip-On Sneakers about 4 years ago, and I haven’t worn any other kind of shoe since. They are made from the same rubber as Crocs, but they look better. I don’t wear socks with them. They are very easy to slip on and off at airport security, too. — MF
These elastic silicone shoelaces look like regular shoelaces and eliminate the tucked-in hidden knot, which is always uncomfortable. It turns my Keds into slip-ons. — CD
I have replaced all my regular shoelaces with these no-tie elastic laces. Ultra thin bungee cords snap the shoe closed without having to tie or untie. Instant on and off. Easy to slip your foot out, yet snug when needed. Not too dorky even for dress shoes; in fact, they look cool. — KK