The question
In the fall and winter, I find the static cling gets so bad that I can't wear half my wardrobe (especially the lighter fabrics). Do you have any tips for beating it?
The answer
There are many techniques to help reduce static cling; among the most widely known is taking a dryer sheet and rubbing it gently on the inside of a garment. Spritzing the fabric lightly with hairspray is another popular trick. Alternatively, rubbing your hosiery with damp hands works, albeit temporarily; some people also suggest making sure your legs are well moisturized.
Other common fixes include fastening a safety pin inside a hem to discreetly minimize any electrical charge that accumulates, adding half a cup of vinegar (a natural softener) to your machine wash or simply removing your clothes from the dryer before the cycle is complete. Any bit of moisture helps.
To solve my own my sporadic static woes, I have always used Static Guard, a fabric-friendly aerosol product available at most drugstores in a handy purse-sized format. But if you have tried everything and the cling still persists, there's one remaining solution: Leave those garments in the closet – at least until April.
Amy Verner is The Globe and Mail's Paris-based style reporter. Have a fashion question? E-mail style@globeandmail.com. Follow her on Twitter: @amyverner.