I learned a lot from watching Saved by the Bell. I learned not to take over-the-counter caffeine pills, that’s it’s okay for everyone in your friend group to kiss at least once and that if you and your principle are close, it’s fine for him to follow you from middle school through college. And thanks to a twitter convo with the lovely Charm Shoppe, I now remember that I can add earthquake survival to that list. Slater taught me to stand in doorways wearing nothing but a towel so that lockers won’t fall on me, Tori taught me to wear my motorcycle helmet in doors…but where was my fashion survival advice? Why didn’t Lisa have a scene where she showed us just how to make it through high school looking great in acid washed denim? The tremors we felt in Pittsburgh today got me thinking about survival kits. And since not much of my thoughts can exist without fashion being involved, I started to think about style survival kits. What things are essential to make it through a rough day looking as great as when you first stepped out? Well I’ll give you my list of must haves so you won’t need to any bell saving from fashion disasters.

I carry a pretty large bag during the work week. I like to be sure that I have just what I may need to fix a style mishap or be ready for whatever the work day throws my way. Here is what you can always find in my bag:

1. Flat shoes. I wear heels, a lot. So I always make sure to throw a pair of flat sandals or flats in my purse just in case my feet decide to rebel against all of the work I make them do. I found these sandals at Target for $14, and they are usually a great choice to throw in the bag before heading out. When it gets a little colder, I like to throw my vintage 70s Ferragamo sport loafers in my bag to switch out with my more casual outfits. Neither of these shoes take up much room, and still complement my outfit. So find a pair of flats that go well with most of your ensembles and throw them in your bag on days that you’re wearing heels. You’ll be so thankful you did when your feet call it quits.

2. Cardigan. Even on the warmest of days, I have a light sweater in my bag. This is for many reasons. You never know when they’ll kick the AC (no Slater) up in your office, or when you’ll spill something down the front of your shirt, or when you’ll be caught in a torrential downpour that will soak through your not so thick top. The lightweight cardigan is perfect for all of these mishaps. My favorite to throw on is a 3/4 length sleeve, bright red scoop necked NY&Co cardi that I found at Gabriel Brothers for $5. Besides red being one of my favorite shades, this cardi just fits perfectly and falls right at my hip bones. It brightens up any outfit. But I addictively have 35 other cardigans to choose from in case this one doesn’t go. It’s smart to give yourself an outfit option, rather than having to present at a meeting with a coffee stain right on your boob. Not cute.

3. Bobby and Safety pins. Taking care of our hair is a full-time job in itself. I have huge hair, and when it’s not getting caught in tree branches or being grabbed by old ladies who think it’s adorable, it’s going awry from the elements. Bobby pins are crucial to keeping it under control. Toss a couple in your wallet pocket where you keep the change. It helps when you want to tuck back stray hairs or if your hair ties breaks and you need to re-do the do. Kohl’s has these very cute designed pins for $4 that add a nice touch. Safety pins are also clutch for keeping a look together. They wrap dresses together on a windy day, discreetly keep that button down from gaping open as it loses the battle with the bosoms. And heaven forbid you wear to tear or snag on something, safety pins can usually help make things bearable until you can get home. The Girls Scouts of America motto is “be prepared”. So be like a girl scout, and save me some thin mints while you’re at it.

4. Earring backs. Or the hood equivalent, a pencil with an eraser. There have been many times that my earring has fallen out and I have been able to retrieve the earring but not the back. For awhile I tried to keep earring backs in my wallet, but then after I wore them I never remembered to put them back for the next clumsy day. Then one day I found a pencil in my bag. I cut the eraser off and used a chunk of it to hold on my earring during the day. Just call me MacGyver. It’s not an ideal earring holder but it will certainly do until you can get home to right this wrong.

Ladies, What’s in your style survival kits? Fellas, what about you – is there anything that you have to bring along to keep fresh and fly during the day?

I hope that everyone who was affected by the earthquake today is safe and sound and no large damages occurred. Enjoy your Wednesday and meet you back here on Friday!

S.O.S (Save Our Style),

Fashionably Tardy