Tuesday, March 31, 2009

The AGE of Fashion

Every year major magazines like VOGUE and HARPER’s BAZAAR dedicate an issue to age, celebrating women of all decades adorned in high style. Euphemisms are born, like “30 is the new 20” and “40 is the new 30” created by beauty editors to extend our everlasting youth. As my big 3-0 draws near, I have wondered exactly how my sense of style will change as I move into the next age bracket. It’s not like I can’t still rock my stilettos in the club (although I’ve noticed the length of time I can bear them is getting shorter!) but it’s important to dress appropriate for the age that you are. Here are a few pointers to keep you, your mom, and grandma timeless in fashion.

20’s - Age of the Party Girl
Finding yourself and your style are virtually equivalent in your 20’s. You can pretty much get away with anything whether it is fashionable or not. College threads turn into club clothes and then into daywear for your evolving career. This is your decade to rock the hot pink tights, miniskirts, and garments with lycra and spandex.

30’s Age of the Professional
Being that you most likely will have discovered your career path by your 30’s, it is important to focus on your professional image. Whatever your field, you want to maintain a polished, stylish, and youthful look. Think Jennifer Garner in “13 Going on 30”.

40’s Age of the Mother
Most women who want children have them by or during their 40’s. These women need not be caught in “mom jeans” or schlepping around in sweats because their life is dedicated to the children. Mothers can still be as fashionable as ever in contemporary clothing. Even chic maternity clothes are now available by high-end designers. Be the best-dressed mom on the playground.

50’s + Age of the Socialite
From charity fundraisers to bingo, the 50+ woman is out and about in society. She is wearing clothes that are non-conforming to the body and are comfortable but completely stylish. Generally women in their 50’s don’t want to show too much skin. Wraps and shawls are perfect accessories to keep these ladies ready for the ball!

10 SUPER Secrets to Keep You Stylish

Ever wonder how the Supermodels look so effortlessly chic every time the paparazzi catch them on an ordinary day? Supermodels get inside tips from style experts to keep them flawless…consider yourself a Supermodel.

1. Layer Your Look. Try pairing a long-sleeve thermal underneath a tunic and belt it with leggings. Add a jacket and legwarmers to be extra haute.

2. Designer Accessories. Most people can’t afford to wear head-to-toe Chanel. Accessorize your ensemble with a designer purse or sunglasses. You’ll look and feel like a million bucks and no one will notice your outfit is last season Gap.

3. Denim & High Heels. Wear a dark denim wash with black or brightly-colored heels. High shoes make your legs look longer and slender, plus you’ll exude that chic factor.

4. Audrey Affect. You can never go wrong with a little black dress and layers of pearls – a quick fix to create an iconic look.

5. Red HAUTE Lip. Some people fear red lipstick...however there are hundreds of shades to choose from to compliment your skin tone. Hit up a makeup counter and ask a beauty consultant to help you find the right red.

6. Leggings are the new Tights. The trend of the moment is leggings, which is like wearing sweat pants that hug your body. You can wear leggings under tunic tops, dresses, and layered underneath denim or mini skirts.

7. Patent leather - the texture of the season. Get a pair of heels or purse to be in the NOW.

8. The Trench. This signature coat can keep you looking your best, regardless of what you’re hiding underneath.

9. No Smoking…It’s no longer chic. Quit immediately if you are still puffing away.

10. Find a Mentor. I know you want Tim Gunn, but he is really busy. Find someone at your immediate disposal who exudes style and get some hints from them!

The Mystery of Fashion Trends

This summer it is "boho" chic. Last summer, it was preppy sailor simplicity. In the late 90's it was the grunge look. Yellow is the new black. Jeans are the new business casual. And on. And on. Yes, I am writing of fashion trends. The latest look, style, and color floods the covers of magazines, the shelves of retailers from Saks to H & M, the bodies of celebrities and television characters and, undoubtedly, is able to get enough of us to buy into it (literally and figuratively) to validate the whole cycle. So, while most of us are easily able to grasp this continuously perpetuating cycle of saturating the public with the latest, greatest duds, questions remain: how does a trend start? Who makes this decision? Why does it work?


Well, to be perfectly honest, there is no definitive answer to the myth that is a fashion trend. But, while the exact formula is beyond the consumer, we can be sure that it takes the work of several different interdependent fashion industry professions to convince us that espadrilles, suspenders, and terry-cloth suits are worthy of our dollars and donning.


Fashion designers gather their inspiration, whether it comes from popular culture, music, politics, a celebrity muse, or something else entirely. Then, they design - usually a spring and fall collection. With a slew of inspired, perfectly crafted designs ready to hit the runway, they show their collections.


It could possibly be said that the trend begins at the fashion show. Fashion writers, buyers, photographers and celebrities line the runways, waiting to take in, criticize and praise the designer's work.


Writers go back to their offices and verbally comment on the design they have seen. If a collection is deemed great, the editor may be persuaded to feature the clothing on the cover of the month's issue. This is also influenced by fashion publicists - professionals who are paid to get the designer's duds in front of larger audiences. Thus, we read about the latest fashion trend.


Photographers snap photos as the models parade down the runway and sell them to parties interested in the designer's work. The photos show up in newspapers, industry magazines, fashion magazines and various other media outlets. Thus, we see the latest fashion trend.


Buyers, if impressed, order pieces that their clientele will be willing to pay hundreds or thousands to own. Other designers, those focused on mass production of more affordable versions of the latest trend, gather their inspiration here too. Thus, we can purchase the latest fashion trend.

How to choose perfect fitting clothing for women on a low budget

Having great looking clothes does not necessarily mean having to spend your month’s salary in order to create your personal wardrobe. The important factor to take into account is that it is not the quantity that counts, but the quality of the clothing and the variations you purchase.

Better quality clothing does not mean that it will be more expensive, try to choose fabrics that are superior, for they will hang better to flatter your figure and last longer. The ideal alternative is a well-fitting skirt in a high quality fabric such as lightweight wool, which you may use throughout several seasons; avoid filling your wardrobe with badly fitting, multicolored skirts. A dark color such as black, navy or dark gray is a perfect choice, for you may wear it with different jackets every time as well as other accessories; this will change the overall look completely.

So try build up your wardrobe on a lower budget selecting a few dark skirts and pants as well as a few jackets and tops making sure the fabric is of very good quality, in order to fit better and last longer. Choose amongst fabrics such as linen, wool gabardine or wool crepe, these always fit better, and look for alternatives such as tighter fitting clothing or looser clothing for comfort; also look for belt loops that can change the appearance of the skirt or pants.

To further enhance women’s clothing, accessories are also important, these will embellish a particular item and can change the form of the clothing completely. You may look for inspiration in fashion magazines or at fashion shows, where you can get great ideas to coordinate different accessories to your clothing. Belts are very good accessory alternatives, you should opt for a leather belt with a distinctive buckle. Silk scarves can also remarkably change the look of women’s clothing, when worn over the shoulder or over one shoulder fastened with a brooch.

Make sure you use sound judgment when shopping, this will considerably help with a low budget; choose colors that suit you for the color scheme is one of the most important factors in women’s clothing. Look out for the contrast the colors have with your complexion and figure and match the skirts, pants and jackets with the blouses or tops. Try varying the colors and abandon those neutral colors that you feel may be safer to wear; try wearing cobalt or peacock blue with a brown suit, or deep purple with a moss green colored suit; be a little more daring!


Once you have chosen the fit and styles, shop around during sales at the shops that sell better quality women’s clothing that suit your tastes; it is a waste of time searching through all the shops, choose your favorite clothing shop and visit every few weeks or so, until you find the right outfit and price to go with it.
Consignment shops are also a good solution for designer clothes at budget prices, make a list of the clothing you need and have it handy, this will avoid all unnecessary expense on items you do not really need.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Jewelry Fashion


Planning to purchase new jewelry? There are so many things you like that you do not know what to choose? If you are a fashionable person, you should as well choose fashionable jewelry. Accessory is the thing that'll make your style complete, so be patient and choosy and you won't make any mistakes.

Jewelry fashion industry concentrates on accessories of various styles and materials. First of all you have to choose the material, which will make it easier for you to choose the model. Only after you've decided what kind of material you want, start looking for some certain thing. Don't forget to consider your style issues before purchasing a certain thing. Although in most cases accessory is used to fulfill the style, sometimes it can be used to create a style, so be careful and decide what is creating your looks - clothing or accessory.

The most fashionable material for today is definitely silver. If you prefer gold, you should choose white gold. Silver is so popular because it goes perfectly with almost any other material. Moreover, it is less noticeable and helps to create bohemian style, which is very fashionable for this moment. If you want to be really trendy, choose bracelets and necklaces that are made of silver and gems. Such combination is on top.

It is very easy to match silver and gems with any style, for you may choose gems of various colors and types, so it would match the coloring of your wardrobe. You don't have to purchase a whole complex of jewelry (usually consist of ring, earrings, necklace and bracelet), because such peaces goes together perfectly even if they are different.

Another popular material is surely diamond. It's very elegant and creates an image of luxury, so you should prefer appropriate style if you want to wear accessory made of diamond. Diamond is used together with metal. Silver, platinum or white gold incrassated with diamond is the ultimate choice if you want to look really trendy.

Not so long ago massive jewelry was on top, however today fashion says no to huge accessory details. Yet there's a way out even if you like bigger jewelry. You may purchase any size jewelry peace if it's made of material that creates illusion of lightness. The illusion is usually achieved by using small peaces of material instead of big.

For those who don't like metal, jewelry fashion designers offer accessory made of such materials as stone, pearls, felted wool, wood or even bone. Just like with all materials you have to be very careful while choosing one of those. The benefit of such jewelry is that you'll surely look very original and fashionable.

No matter what material or color you choose, the most important thing is that jewelry must serve as a fulfillment of your style. While choosing your accessory, the first thing you should consider is whether the jewelry will serve its function and match perfectly with your clothing and its coloring. However, don't ever purchase the thing you don't like.

Wedding Dress Fashion


The day of your life is coming and you don't know what to wear? Want to be fashionable as you are in your daily life? Wedding dresses, just like all the other clothing, have their own fashion line. Make the most of your wedding and purchase the trendiest dress.

It's rather difficult to describe the wedding dress fashion, as every single bride has her own needs and tastes. Yet, there is one thing common to all - they want to be fashionable, therefore they choose dresses that designers offer.

A few years ago, dresses that there simple, straight and would expose brides' body, were very fashionable. No patchworks, no huge accessories. Simple and elegant dresses were in control of the industry. Today it's rather different. Brides are looking as princesses and queens.

The so called "cake" dress is extremely fashionable. The top of it sticks to the body, exposing brides' breasts and trunk, while the lover part is very wide. Even special rims are used in order to make it as wide as possible. Materials used for this lover part are usually soft and thick, so that many coats of it would create a very light effect. It looks perfect on any type of body.

Another type is similar to the one that was fashionable a few years ago. Dresses are straight and made of silk. The bride who is wearing it looks elegant and very feminine. Yet such dresses do not look very good on short brides and those who have some extra weight. You must be very careful while choosing this type.

The main difference in recent and today's fashion is patchworks. Every single dress must have at least some of those. If it's a "cake" type dress, you should choose the one that has simple lover part and patch worked upper part. The same while talking about straight wedding dresses, yet you may choose the one has both parts patch worked.

The most popular and trendy material is surely silk. It makes any bride look luxurious. Silk is so popular because the fall of it is very special and it is easy to achieve various effects with it. However, you should remember that this material is very sensitive. For example if you are planning to sit a lot, have in mind that it'll crumple.

As far as dresses are very luxurious, you should choose appropriate shoes. Don't pick the simplest ones they're totally out of fashion. Something with patchwork or ribbon would be perfect.

There can be no discussion about colors. White and that's it. Yet if you want something original, choose a dress (and shoes) with, for example golden patchworks. It'll make you shine and you'll surely look original.

Yet, the most important thing in choosing dress is that you have to like it. If they offer you a very fashionable dress and it looks perfect on you, but you don't like it - just forget about it. It is your day and no mater whether your dress is trendy or not, you must feel beautiful for yourself.

STYLE - FASHION WORLD   © 2009. Design by WAJI MEDIA

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