Lightweights reflective clothing dots

Lightweights reflective clothing dots are a relatively inexpensive and very effective way of jazzing up bags, gloves, arm warmers, overshoes and old race capes straight from the packet. However, for best results plan ahead and more delicate fabrics may not take kindly to ironing and therefore adhesion will prove less permanent. That said, ours have shown little sign of this despite several weeks and repeated machine washing.

Nothing particularly earth shattering about their composition. They’re common or garden 3M stickers that adhere to pretty much any fabric/surface you’d care to mention and work brilliantly. Despite having lived in London’s East End for nigh on a decade, I’ve never aspired to joining the pearly kings and queens so took the safe lids, gloves and overshoes route.

Joking aside, this was perhaps a missed opportunity-a wet afternoon, some tailors chalk and under the tutelage of a bored but imaginative seven year old we could’ve transformed a dowdy old training jacket or two no end. The principle’s identical whichever route you choose. Tear open the packet, lay your chosen garments on the ironing board or similar flat surface-keep a set of tweezers handy too if you’re constructing something ornate. Peel the lightweight from the clear plastic backing, position and seal with a thumb’s caress. Quick reactions and an iron’s steam setting will lift the adhesive in the event of a mistake but this needs to be both localised and skilful.

It will come as little surprise to discover these are incredibly effective at the first hint of headlights and even some street lighting too. Gloves and overshoes typically employ some Scotchlite seams/similar detailing but positioning then on the fingers and across the backs really accentuates hand signals, seeing most drivers slow and wait more patiently for turns and similar manoeuvres-especially at mini/roundabouts. On a clear night, friends and family suggest I’m blindingly obvious from about three to four hundred metres- more so wearing overshoes with the lightweights congregating around the heel and toe box.

Verdict

Clever sticker set but requires forward planning for best results.