FashBlog.com

There's nothing worse than coming back to work from your lunch break with a big salad dressing or ketchup stain on your blouse or tie -- just before your 1:00 presentation to all the managers in the office. If this has ever happened to you, don't worry. You are not alone. Most people experience some kind of minor fashion mishap at work at some point in their lives. Here are a few tips to help you get through the day the next time things get a little messy.

1. Keep extras on hand
Depending on how much space you have in your office, cubicle, or locker, try to keep a few extra pieces of clothing on hand. Women should definitely tuck a package of panty hose into a desk drawer in case they get an embarrassing run in the pair they are wearing. Men will want to have an extra tie (a basic solid print works best) available. If you have a secure area, such as a locker or an office with a door, you might want to go farther and store an extra blouse (or shirt), and perhaps even a pair of slacks, for use in a fashion emergency.

2. Be prepared to repair
Sometimes a quick fix is in order, rather than a change of wardrobe. Travel-sized items come in very handy for at-work fix ups. Keep a travel-sized sewing kit nearby in order to mend small holes or tears, even if it's just on a temporary basis until you can get to your tailor. In hot, humid summer months, a 45-minute commute in your car can wreak havoc on your outfit and make it look like you spent the whole night in your clothes. Keep a travel-sized iron (don't worry -- they are very small) on hand to freshen up your outfit when necessary. A small can of Static Guard is a must for fighting static cling in the winter months.

3. Damage control
It is important to be able to treat food or other stains on clothing immediately so that the stain doesn't have a chance to set. There are many "home remedies" for removing various types of food stains from clothes. But you probably don't want to keep an entire arsenal of cleaning supplies in your office, so just go with the most versatile: club soda. A small bottle of club soda will help combat a variety of stains, from fruit punch to chocolate to blood. First, clean up as much of the spill as possible. Then, blot the stain with a paper towel soaked in club soda. That should prevent the stain from setting, and you should then wash or dry-clean the item as usual once you leave the office.

We spend so much time at work that spills and accidents are bound to happen. Think of all the food and drink that you encounter in a typical work day: your morning cup of coffee, the jelly donuts that someone brought in because it's Friday, chocolate birthday cake for the receptionist, lunch at the burger joint down the road, etc. By keeping just a few important items on hand, you and your clothes can survive these hazards.