The Reading Sunglasses Season is Reason to be Jolly!
14 February 2012The Reading Sunglasses season is almost upon us while we sweep away the snow and shake off the winter blues and dream of soaking up the rays next to the pool, or on the beach, in some exotic, tranquil location. However, there are many of us who are bored rigid by the thought of lounging on a sunbed in order to impress our friends and colleagues with our suntan when we step off the plane or back into the office.
Many of us see this as a precious opportunity to catch up on all the books we have promised ourselves to read but never seem to find the right moment and many of us want to spend as much time in the sun whilst 'doing something" such as playing backgammon or cards. Reading sunglasses are the perfect item to pack away for your holiday so that you can pursue close-up outdoor activities whilst protecting your eyes from the potential harmful rays of the sun. They are also an ideal solution to constantly having to swap between sunglasses and reading glasses.
Reading sunglasses now come in a variety of styles and colours so that you can lounge in style, perfectly colour co-ordinated with your carefully chosen swimwear and beach accessories. These glasses are simply tinted reading glasses with magnified lenses generally ranging from + 1.00 to + 3.50 so that you can choose the appropriate correction for your eyesight. There are generally two different types:
Full Reading Sunglasses - these glasses have magnification across the whole of the lens whilst being UV protected.
Bifocal Reading Sunglasses - these specs will have a specific portion of the lens (generally the lower part) magnified with the remainder of the lenses being UV protected.
It is a matter of personal choice as to which style you might choose though it is a good idea if you choose bi-focals to ensure the corrective area is large enough for the activity you wish to pursue.
Reading sunglasses are now a very popular fashion choice for both men and women but they do perform a serious role in protecting the eyes in what can prove to be a harmful environment. It goes without saying that it is important to select the correct magnification for your eyesight and that it is always best to have an eye test carried out by a qualified optician.
Jay Z’s failed attempt to profit from protest with Occupy t-shirts
28 November 2011For anyone who doesn't know, Occupy Wall Street (OWS) is a series of protests against corporate greed, with a focus on the activities of the financial services sector.
Demonstrations began on 17th September 2011 in the Zuccotti Park area of Wall Street (New York's financial district), and look set to continue into the New Year.
Similar protests have appeared across the US, with Occupy Oakland and Occupy New Orleans making the news after a number of demonstrators died in a range of different circumstances.
In the UK, the Occupy London movement has been camped outside St Paul's Cathedral since 15th October, with a hearing on the eviction of protestors set for 19th December.
So what does any of this have to do with fashion? That's where hip-hop superstar Jay-Z comes in. Founder of Roc-A-Fella Records and clothing label Rocawear, he is worth an estimated $450 million. Not the most obvious poster boy, then, for a movement that exists to highlight the evils of the pursuit of private profit.
If he had truly chosen to support the Occupy campaign, he probably would have had enough credibility to be accepted. Instead, what he chose to do was produce a line of "Occupy All Streets" t-shirts and sell them through the Rocawear website, donating precisely 0% of the proceeds to OWS.
Rocawear released this rather lame statement:
"Rocawear strongly encourages all forms of constructive expression, whether it be artistic, political or social. 'Occupy All Streets" is our way of reminding people that there is change to be made everywhere, not just on Wall Street. At this time we have not made an official commitment to monetarily support the movement."
The Occupy protestors were less than impressed with this attempt to make money out of their war on greed, and the strength of feeling against Jay-Z's latest business move led to the t-shirts being removed from the site less than a week after they went on sale.
Artist David Edwards even produced a sculpture of Jay-Z with the faces of Ritchie Rich, Scrooge McDuck and Mr Burns extending from his own blinged-out bust.
OWS may have won their battle with Jay-Z, but the Washington Post has reported that the US Patent and Trademark Office "has received a spate of applications from enterprising merchandisers, lawyers and others seeking to win exclusive commercial rights to such phrases as "We are the 99 percent," "Occupy" and "Occupy DC 2012."
Express: Bring Back Jean Curves
13 August 2011I remember when Express actually sold clothes that you could wear to work. While some of their pieces are still suitable for the offices, the company has started gearing itself more towards high school seniors and college freshmen and sophomores. To put it quite simply, Express just isn’t what it was back in the year of 2000 when it was my staple go to store.
Between 2004 to 2008, I could at least still shop there for a pair of jeans. You see, I’m not your average woman. The average woman cannot wear slim fit jeans which is what Express seems to carry in multitude today. The average woman needs jeans that can fit curves. Express controlled the market with their Eva jeans, which could be described as curvy fit with a mid rise. These jeans were probably the best creation ever. No need to shell out money on True Religion, 7 for All Mankind, Joe’s Jeans, or any of those other expensive pair of jeans. Express had the real women of America covered.
Now I am by no means old. I just turned 30 a few months ago, but it seems as though Express doesn’t want to cater to the average woman anymore. Yes, we average women may have become “older,” but that does not mean that we have lost our sense of style. Whether you go online or to a physical Express store, it is very hard to get your hands on a pair of Eva Curvy Fit Jeans. You can find those darn Zelda Slim Fit jeans in every style, every wash, and every trending way to wear jeans possible. In fact, the Express website currently has twenty variations of the Zelda. In comparison, there are only three variations of the Eva. How could this be? There are more average women in the world than slim women, even in range of 18 to 20 year olds. The Eva jeans were a staple because they actually contoured to a woman’s curves creating a more flattering jean option. In addition, these jeans gave you the perfect amount of space to fit your thigh while not being too big in the waist.
Other jeans that fit a curvy woman’s thigh end up buckling in the waist because the waist is too big. In a search of trying to find a pair of jeans that could rival the Eva, Joe Jeans’ Honey Booty Fit jeans were the only comparable option; however, there is over a $100 price tag as compared to $49-59 at Express. I wish Express would see the error of their ways! And it is not just solely my opinion. Just do a google search for Express Eva Jeans and you will find that there are a lot of average women in America!
Shoes Can Either Make You or Break You!
11 August 2011Shoes are a favorite fashion item which can make a testimonial about the individual wearing them seem akin to a star in Hollywood, a nerd, or someone making a very hip statement which may result in the accessory that future “every bodies” desire to become “fashionable”. This “someone” may be creating a special fashionable accessory which may become the trend of the century!
There is no doubt that shoes are one of the key elements of impressing anyone who knows anything about the statement of fashion. It does not really matter if the impression is negative or positive! It will make news! It seems shoes have been a fashion issue for all generations! Some believe that it is the shoe which provides that special touch of elegance or that distinctive look which actors, politicians, reporters or anyone who desires to leave an impression. It really does not matter if the impression is positive or negative. It is the fact that this particular pair of shoes makes a declaration which is obvious to all who are privy to the importance of being known for something different, a statement which obviously no one else thought of. This statement can magically turn a “nobody” into an instant “someone” all over the fashion world! Are you aware of the stars who stroll on the “red carpet” with a beautifully flowing chiffon gown only to discover when the dress is lifted, a favorite pair of that particular star’s tennis shoes are adorning their feet? It does not matter why this particular foot attire was chosen.
The person on stage wearing the shoes knows it does not matter. That will be the newscast of the event! If the broadcast is good or if it comes across as strange, the reason does not matter whatsoever! This star has made news and thus becomes all the more center of attention of the normal person, the press, and other attendees and viewers! Shoes which are differently designed by a famous designer for the individual who will be wearing these shoes for individual comfort, oddity, beauty, or just as a lovely compliment to the star’s entire attire are noticed! This will be the subject of fans, reporters, fellow friends, and perhaps televises for a wide array of fans.
Yes, shoes are the accessory which makes any outfit formal or informal no matter what the occasion may be representing! Shoes are normal fashion statements which can capture that particular owner and wearer and cause publicity and statements which may enhance future careers in the haze of stardom! Maybe it is the imagination or the goal of the person wearing a particular pair of shoes to make a proclamation to the fashion world. In fact, the whole world of fans who adore a particular star will go all out to impress and gather many more fans of their favorite person!
I'm in Love With My Levi Purse
8 August 2011I spotted this patent leather purse and knew I just had to have it. I don't know what it is about this purse but it was the beginning of a fascination that I have never been able to quench. Whenever I'm out I always look for the perfect accessory that goes with my bag. I'm 21 years old. I'm young enough to carry any purse of any design, fabric, color, size, or brand. I consider myself to be in the absolute prime of my purse carrying days. I'm obsessed to see how much I can fit into my lovely purse. Every store that I walk into, I immediately look for my LEVI purse in another color or style.
Wouldn't it be grand if I could purchase the exact same bag in another style. I'd love the same exact purse in canvas, denim, even corduroy !!! I carry my purse with me everywhere. I feel naked without it. If I had to choose between a man and my purse, the purchase wins every time. Although I would probably choose a warm bath and a drink over a man as well. I wonder if I could find my wonderful purse with one strap, or detachable straps.
My purse is my soul mate. It's perfect for every occasion and will be big enough to fit my life into and small enough to hide it under the table. My purse is the perfect color, shape, and would hold a rhino. I have become personal friends with the clerk that sold it to me. We have a lot in common including our wonderful taste in purses. I would never loan my purse to a friend, it is was to valuable to me. My purse was made by Levi Strauss in the palest pink corduroy, shaped like a bucket with a big pocket on front with the cutest clasp. My heart still jumps every time I look at it. I have since learned the company doesn't carry it anymore. I have sent the company e-mails, trying to find a sibling for my purse. They claim they have no more in stock, and no plans to make any more. I may cry myself to sleep tonight.
I Feel Like a Long Legged Goddess in My Jeans!
7 August 2011I have a favorite pair of jeans that I never want to take off! Whenever I go out of the house, my boyfriend always tells me, “Wear my favorite jeans!” He always tells me he loves my fashion sense; however, ever since he saw me in my Levi’s, he doesn’t want to see anything else. It makes me feel amazing and sexy, but WOW, every day?
My favorite thing about my Levi’s is the fact that I have washed them multiple, multiple times and it hasn’t shrunk a tiny bit. I have never, ever, EVER had that happen to me with any other pair of jeans. Have you?! The fact that I’m a curvy woman is always so hard to find a pair that fit just right. It’s a devastation and PRICEY when they shrink because of that reason alone. Not only am I curvy, but I’m 5’11”… finding a pair that’s long enough then you wash it and you lose an inch makes me want to scream. Additionally, they’re the perfect fit and can be worn for any occasion because of the dark wish and the skinny leg fit. I wear them during the day and then dress it up to go to the club and show off my long legs! Nothing feels better than having a pair of jeans that make you feel amazing – the next item is your heels that look all the more better when you have your favorite jeans! So, if you’re looking for great pair of jeans that make you feel like a long legged Goddess… Levi dark-wash skinny jeans. I don’t think this article did them justice to how they make me feel or how great of quality they are. Levi’s have always been my favorite brand of jeans, but, this put them over the top.
A Sterling Silver Bracelet: the Best Gift
4 August 2011Not to long ago I received a sterling silver bracelet. My boyfriend got it for me for my birthday. It is made up of separate hearts connected on a bracelet. The bracelet is my favorite fashion item, because it's not only stylish but was given to me by someone that means a lot to me. I got it two years ago as a gift. I am always wearing it and never take it off. I love the way it looks, and it goes along good with most of the things I wear. It is not big or too over accessorized. A simple small piece of fashion that is not only valued in beauty, but also in sentimental value. I also like that it hasn't degraded or changed, and still looks the exact same way as the day I took it out of the box. The bracelet was in a heart shaped box with ribbon wrapped around it. The heart charms on the bracelet can also be changed into any charms you can find at a jewelry store. I also kept the box for all the charms that I have bought for it, including some extras that friends and family have given to me over the years. I try to keep it as clean as possible, and till this day it still is very shiny and clean. The sterling silver bracelet is sturdy as well it is not a cheap piece of jewelry, so I do not have to worry about it breaking while I sleep or do other daily routines. It is very dear to my heart, and I like that I can always change the looks of the bracelet as I see fit. There are so many other charms that it gives me something to look forward to getting in the future. Not only does it have a small circumference, but also very light weight. Sometimes, I like to show it off to my friends and explain what all the different charms on the bracelet symbolize.
Belts: It's a Hold Up!
3 August 2011Many people wouldn't believe that my favorite fashion item is a...a...belt. Believe it or not. I was that one person to rarely wear a belt. Then I walkied into a cheap designer store and discovered this black 8inch thick belt. It's my best accessory in my wardrobe. If I get a dress that is too big or doesn't quite shape right, my trusty belt is there to make it look fabtabulous. That's not a typo. It's a mixture of fabulous and fantastic.
Amazingly, it gives my body new design in virtually any dress. Not to mention my belt seems to go along great with quite a few of my heels. This was by chance because when I saw the belt I never thought about if it match anything that I own. Some of my heels are black so my belt fits right in. It is absolutley amazing how that happened. Believe me that's why my belt is my best fashion item. I have said a hundred times how much of a great accessory that this has been to my wardrobe. My belt works with baby doll dresses, short dresses, and long dresses. I even took it to the limit one day. I had a risque shirt that could have went for a dress, but yes it's a shirt. The dress shirt fits right in the middle of the thighs.
However, with my belt, it goes from a shirt to a short dress. I look amazing in it all because of my belt. I don't even worry about the public looking at me like I'm wearing a shirt. Fashion accessories are vital items for a girl or a guy in touch with his feminine side. The best feature of my favorite fashion item was the price. Remember earlier when I said, "a cheap clothing store". I paid $6.99 for my belt. Wow! I have gotten my money a thousand times over. Plus, I have corrected a few fashion nightmares with this easy to use fashion item. It hasn't faded, the holes have warped, and the elastic is still great. The buckle is working as strong as ever. Go and get yourself a belt if you want to enhance your wardrobe, you keeping pulling your pants up, or you find yourself sporting the "saggy pants" look. I love my belt. Again, it's my best fashion accessory and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
About My Yellow PINK shirt
1 August 2011I purchased this yellow PINK shirt at Victoria's Secret when I used to work there, along with several other shirts of the same style but a different color. It was meant to be an oversized pajama shirt. I bought it many sizes smaller so it would be more fitted. I used to wear this yellow shirt when I went out with my friends with a trendy pair of jeans and matching bright yellow flip-flops. While my friends wore their black tank tops and flashy sequin tops, I wore my yellow PINK shirt. I was telling the people in whatever club or bar we went to, that by wearing this shirt I was casual, laid back, low maintenance, and it showed just enough cleavage to be sexy if I wanted to attract a guy. I liked that I could wear this shirt without showing too much skin. The material is breathable. I was always comfortable when I wore it. The color was a bright yellow, which made me stand out. This shirt was the ultimate going out weapon.
If truth be told, men are more attracted to women who can be casual yet subtly sexy. Not only did it get great responses with the male population, but I could even come home after I was done with my night on the town, throw my hair up in a messy bun, a pair of pajama shorts and go right to bed. The fabric was, in fact, so breathable; it was ideal to wear over a sports bra when I went to the gym to work out. All around, this shirt was the perfect shirt for any occasion, dinner date, dance party, sleep time, working out and lounging around. I’ve had it for three years and it is still in great shape. It was the most inexpensive comfort shirt I’ve ever had.
The Only Jewelry I Ever Want to Wear
30 July 2011It all started with my new job. I had been unemployed and a friend of mine suggested I apply at his work. It was a dispatch position for a cable contractor in our local area. The job paid well and it was steady work so I gave it a try. I got the job. It was a single girls dream. Only two girls in the office and over thirty cable guys. I had just ended a five year relationship and was only interested in meeting new friends and having fun. One day, I invited one of the technicians out for drinks with a bunch of us.
That was the day my new life began.
We began dating shortly after that night and four years later he proposed. We were at Niagara Falls when he got down on one knee, with all of the tourists watching, I said yes. I was never one for jewelry so that ring was the only one I wore. A year later, we were married. My wedding ring became the second ring I would wear. One year later, our daughter was born. I am very happy with my life and my family and every time I put on my rings I am reminded of that. Wedding rings are so much more than jewelry. They are a reflection of happiness, love and companionship. I wear my rings proud of the wife and mother that I have become. I wear my wedding rings proud of the family I have.
I wear my wedding rings proud that I am with the best husband anyone could ever ask for. I am proud that I am deserving of this great man and that we will be together as long as we both shall live. I will forever remember the moment that first ring was placed on my finger. It was a symbol of trust, love and a commitment some never get to experience. I am lucky I have found love and although I don't like to wear jewelry, these things are the reasons my engagement and wedding rings are the only jewelry I ever wear.
My Baby's First Pair of Levi's
19 July 2011I can still picture him in my mind wearing those faded little Levi's, and tiny white T-shirt. Barely able to walk and yet all stylish in his faded jeans. They even had holes in the knees. What made these jeans so special you might ask? Well they were a pair of 502 in size 2t that had been handed down from sister to sister. Almost a rite of passage as each child out grew them in hopes of a new family member to fill them.
I, being the youngest, had waited a long time to receive the coveted pair. Back then holey jeans were not the rage they are today, but I like to think the style caught because of our little tradition and tiny pair of Levi's. Now you see children in all of the latest fashions, mimicking the adult world. For me Levi's will always be the jean of choice, a style that never goes out of fashion for any age, body type, or occasion. They are versatile in that with the right shirt, jacket and shoes you can wear them anywhere. I have even seen them worn to a wedding.
Holey, stonewashed, straight- legged, or boot-cut they make the perfect compliment to any occasion. You can see them on Movie Stars, Dignitaries, Teachers, Farmers, Cowboys, Courthouse Judges, Day workers, and everyone in between. What I like the most about them besides the fit, is that you can see them on young adults, old adults, teens, toddlers, and babies. It has been many years since my children have out grown that first pair of Levis. I recall it has been passed to fifty- five family members now, and still going strong. It is hard to find quality that last so long and still looks so good. But every pair I see will always remind me of that first pair of size 2t Levis that my grandchildren now wear.
Fave Tops: Let's Get Tanked
1 July 2011I went to the store the other day in search of a tank top to keep me cool in the summertime heat. After scrambling through racks and racks of department store knock offs, I finally asked an associate, “Hey, can you tell me where I can find the male tank tops?” The clerk put on an expression of confusion fused with bewilderment and after a few seconds of awkward silence finally said, “oh, you mean beaters, those are over by the underwear.” "NOOOO you fool", I thought, "that’s the same answer I’d been given at the previous three stores, I’m not looking for one of those white-stripped, ill-fitting, body hugging beaters."
So my hunt continued through countless piles of short-sleeve tees until finally I found what I’d been looking for: a loose fitting, blue with black trim, all-purpose sleeveless tank top; one that I could wear without being mistaken for a member of the Soprano family. My month long search had come to an end. I left the store and stepped into the blazing heat surprisingly refreshed. Since then, I have seen an immeasurable number of stores advertising there ‘fresh summer tanks;’ a fashion boom so obviously needed, yet surprising as to why it took so long to occur. The tank top is one of the most underrated pieces of clothing in menswear, but its impact in the summertime is observably beneficial. I bought my blue trimmed tank top, along with another grey trimmed top, at summer’s beginning and have managed to create a myriad of outfits by interchanging the two. I refer to the tank top as ‘all-purpose’ because it can be dressed up, dressed down, worn on the beach, worn in the water, mowing the lawn, or virtually anywhere else.
Since my tank top discovery, I’ve found my self less agitated by the heat, and much more willing to spend my summer month’s outdoors in the sunshine as nature intended.
The Fashionable Blue-Stone Earrings that Refused to be Lost
7 June 2011As a birthday present a few years back, a friend gave me a pair of earrings. The earrings had a one-inch line of blue, variable-shaped stones hanging from them. These earrings were the perfect addition to almost any outfit I put together. In summer they looked great with a bikini. In winter they hung very well next to a turtleneck sweater. Even in a t-shirt and jeans, these earrings never failed to look fashionable. They were the perfect mix of casual and elegant: they didn't look too fancy with an ordinary, day-to-day outfit, nor did they look out of place with a nice dress.
Every day I wore them, at least one person - sometimes even people I didn't know, or only briefly knew as acquaintances - would come up to me and compliment the earrings. They would ask where I got them, when I got them, and so forth, and would always comment on how uniquely beautiful they were. I never did see another pair like them, so they were definitely a unique fashion accessory. These earrings only had one downside: there was no stopper on the back of the loop to help keep the earring secure. I worried a bit about how easily they might fall out, but I always took care to keep track of them and make sure they were secure.
One day, however, as I was meeting up with a friend, she exclaimed that one of my earrings was missing! Sure enough, it was, and even after retracing my steps I could not find where it had fallen. I held on to the other earring out of memory of my favorite fashion piece, and I'm glad I did, because several weeks later I found its match again! I was walking the same path I had originally lost it on, and the sun just happened to catch the metal part of the earring and drew my eye. I took the earring home, cleaned it up, got backings for both of them, and the earrings remain my favorite fashion item to this day.
Why I Love My Diet Coke T-Shirt
22 March 2011I knew it was fate when I went to the thrift-store and found an" I love diet Coke" t-shirt. I am the perfect person to own a diet Coke t-shirt and someone in the store sensed a diet Coke lover would be shopping or it was a higher power. And for only $2.99! Sure diet coke is a part of pop culture and if you ask a handful of women they are all going to say they love diet Coke. But I really love diet Coke and now I have a t-shirt to prove it. It's the perfect shade of grey, like washed stone, and the lettering curves as as seen on Coke products, all black except "diet", the "diet" is written in red. The shirt is authentic, there isn't a label inside reading "vintage" like you find on a lot of resurgent massed produced t- shirts- Sugar Pops, Frosted Flakes, Mello Yello, found in department stores. Perfect fit too, as if it was made for me- short sleeves, not too tight around the bust, down to the hips. I love my I love diet Coke t-shirt! My t-shirt is casual but new looking enough to be worn with jeans, shorts, even my vintage skirts. I have a red knee length polyester skirt, perfect with the diet Coke t- shirt, together I give off an edgy vintage look. Sometimes I wear it to bed. I love my diet coke t-shirt, I really really do.
Favourite Fashion: That One Pair Of Jeans
18 January 2011In the fitting words of The Vandals front man Dave Quackenbush, “I don’t wanna change my pants.”
These words are as true today as they were when they were written as nothing in the world can beat the perfect pair of pants. It doesn’t matter what you believe makes a pair of pants perfect; they can be ripped, stained, prim, pressed, ironed, loose, tight, red, blue, black, thin, thick, cool, sexy, or warm, but everyone has their one perfect pair of pants. That perfect pair of pants isn’t just an article of clothing once we have realized what we have.
A person's favorite pair of pants becomes a statement. It becomes a subtle way to tell the world that you don’t care what the world thinks of you right now because you know you both look good and also feel amazingly comfortable.
My personal favorite pair of pants was a pair I got from an expensive store but on sale for only ten dollars. Since the store usually sells jeans at upwards of fifty I knew this pair was going to be special. They are thin grey skinny jeans that fit the perfect way. They resist stains and keep me warm when I need it and cool when I don’t. Though as with all favorite pairs of pants, the most important part of these pants is the feeling I get when I put them on. When I am wearing my favorite pants I feel like no matter who is looking at me they can’t help but feel that I am someone worth noticing. I am someone who knows their way around fashion and they need to give me the respect that I truly deserve.
All of this is great but still I can think to myself I got these pants from a great store for ten bucks; I am a winner.
They Call it Junglist Fashion
17 December 2010Junglist is a term first referring to a person that listens to jungle mucis, called Jungle. The music is also called Drum 'n' Bass. Junglists usually gravitate towards Old school, Ragga Jungle, tech step and jump up DnB. Junglist has a unique fashion. Some people wear huge pants, entries shoes, a soul hooded jacket, and a cracked out hat. Others may wear baggy clothes, such as oversized pants, furry pants and weird bell bottom pants that are in a range of colors. The Break dancers of the Junglist may wear B-boy cloths. Adidas outfits, Nike outfits and other loose cloths that them move more freely while break dancing. Another group of Junglist is also called, Candy kids: their name for the armfuls of Candy they wear. They also tend to wear bright clothing (often featuring cartoon characters), bright hair extensions or fake dreadlocks, hair falls, and fuzzy gators, visor hats, and bright makeup. The Goth Junglist (yes, they exist!), dresses in black, not dancing, and listening to darkcore or terrorcore. Then you’ve got a graver. Gravers tend to stick to themselves. They’re very rare in the rave scene. They are likely to be found in a by looking for whoever breaks out a glow stick.
To sum-things up: Junglists love jungle and drum n bass (DnB) music and love to have a good time. A junglist dresses like a bad man, but they are very different in many ways. They wear baseball caps and jeans or camo print, however, most junglists are down to earth and just want to party. I am a junglist and a US Marine. There have been times where I wore my military gear to a Junglist party. It may sound weird, but I fit in just fine. That is why I call myself U.S.M.C Junglist. I have my own unique fashion to being a Junglist. That is why I am calling this the Junglist Fashion.
A Beaded Belt to be Admired
8 November 2010My father in law was never very good at buying me Christmas presents. Every year he would hand over a parcel which I would leave until the last minute hoping that people would forget I hadn’t opened it. Last Christmas was no different, the parcel was handed over and I dawdled opening it. But then, inevitably I had to. It was what I thought at the time, the usual weird present. A huge belt made of wooden beads with a strange ornately carved wooden clasp. I said thanks, took it home and put it in a draw.
Three months later I bought a white dress which was lovely but needed some sort of accessory. I got the belt out and had another look – still weird; but I put it on all the same. I spent the rest of the day receiving compliments, not about my dress, but about my belt. My husband noticed it (amazing!) my very fussy little sister liked it, my friends at work liked it and even a total stranger stopped me while I was getting petrol to ask where I had got it from.
I now look at this belt in a total new light. The beads are dark brown and straw coloured and interwoven together on stretchy cord to form waves of dark and brown. It is about 10 inches wide and sits on my waist and the clasp is carved in dark wood and clips together to form a half moon shape. I like it because it can liven up a boring outfit and is a good focal point. It also does a great job of nipping in my waist and giving me the coveted hour glass figure that us women crave. And most importantly I like it because every time I wear it I get someone asking where it is from, or how nice they think it is. Which, obviously, makes me feel good!
My Unforgettable Experience in Brown Thomas, Dublin
30 October 2010I was in Brown Thomas. For those of you not familiar with this shop, it is one of the oldest in Dublin and in recent years has become the main store in Ireland for buying high end fashion items. I only ever go in to this particular shop when the sales are on because the prices are astronomical. However, when the sales are on it is nice to bag yourself a bargain on a quality item of clothing that others have paid double and sometimes even triple the amount for.
On this day, I was browsing as usual, deflecting any shop assistants who came my way asking their usual questions such as 'do you need any help with size' or 'can I help you with anything' when I noticed this leather jacket in the Dolce and Gabbana section. It was the perfect leather jacket. It was jet black and had all the things I looked for in a leather jacket. The collar was just right and it stopped at the hip (I don't like the ones that go to knee length). I had to try it on so I took it off the rack and went in search of a mirror. As I went to put it on me I noticed this jacket did not have any run of the mill security tag on it but rather a long bar-type thing protruding from the middle of it. I wondered briefly how they would remove that thing, it looked like it might be a complicated procedure. Despite the minor annoyance of the tag, I managed to get the jacket on. It looked amazing, definitely the nicest item of fashion I had ever laid my eyes on. I quickly checked the price and when I did I thought for a second that my eyes must be deceiving me. It said E3000. It could not be right. After a comical double-take I looked at the tag again and it was true. This jacket would cost about eight weeks worth of my wages. If I had been in the kind of position where I had that sort of money to spare, I would have bought it in an instant. However, I simply wasn't and had to resign myself to putting the jacket back and leaving the store empty handed.
Fashion: Handmade and Made Again
12 October 2010As a trimester student, I had a full month off from college during December with little to do and no friends home to hang out with. So, crafter that I am, I bought a stock of yarn and a pattern that looked appealing and set to work. About three-fourths of the way done with my long cable and lace knit jumper, I took a good look at it and was mortified to see that there was something decidedly wrong with it.
Reviewing the pattern again several times, first in confusion and then disbelief, I realized I'd made a vital mistake in treating one side of the jumper as the whole jumper, making the piece half of the intended width. Obviously that wouldn't do, so I took a good 15 minutes to unravel more than 20 hours of hard work and sore fingers, starting from scratch, in tears and clouds of hopelessness. On the bright side, I knew the pattern well enough to work faster the second time around - though that was counter balanced by knitting twice as much material as before – and I had plenty of movies to watch and books to listen to. I finally finished the jumper on Christmas day, triumphantly knitting the neck and strap borders on Christmas morning, in time for the annual family get together. I was rewarded with much praise for my work, but moreover much pride for my success. I think I hardly need to say why this homemade fashion piece is so important to me.
Not only did I slave over it for hours; not only is it visually attractive; not only is it a difficult pattern and a recommendation to my knitting ability – it was also a challenge to my patience that I was able to overcome. While there are much more expensive and lovely items in my closet, this is rich in time and effort and beautiful in memory and victory.
What Keeps My Wardrobe Fabulously Golden
17 September 2010I've been watching "The Golden Girls" since it first aired in the 1980s. I was probably about four or five years old then and I'd watch it with my grandma on Saturday nights. Since then I have seen every episode at least three times in re-runs. It's one of my favorite shows, which is why I was so excited to find a "Golden Girls" t-shirt for sale at Delia's a few years ago. I snatched that thing up without a second thought. It's a blue t-shirt that bears a picture of all four "Golden Girls": Blanche, Dorothy, Sophia and Rose. Underneath the picture is a caption that reads "Stay Golden". For some reason I find that uplifting. I most enjoy wearing my t-shirt with jeans, but I will wear it with skirts, pants or shorts at times. I can throw a cardigan, jacket or hooded sweatshirt over it when it gets chilly. I have not yet tried wearing it with palazzo pants and boots a la Dorothy Zbornak from the show, but I might do it someday just for laughs.
Lately I've been wearing the shirt sparingly as I don't want it to wear out. I'm not sure I'd ever be able to find a shirt to replace it. My t-shirt is such a conversation starter and everyone loves it. It's special to me not only because I am such a big fan of "The Golden Girls" but this shirt helped me connect with my boyfriend. When I went on an online dating site I needed a quick picture to upload so I just took one in what I happened to be wearing. When this gentleman messaged me he happened to notice the top of Blanche Devereaux's head on my "Golden Girls" t-shirt. How could I resist a man who not only knew about "The Golden Girls' but could recognize and name a character from a t-shirt? I think I'll be keeping that shirt for a long time to come.
My Cheap Vest Can Spice Up Any Old Shirt
27 August 2010Years ago, I bought a cheap dress vest from Hot Topic. At the time, these vests were all the rage in the emo scene and fashionable metal acts. You couldn't flip through a copy of Pitchfork without seeing at least thirty skinny white guys in disinterested poses wearing one of these black, sleek vests over their white V-neck t-shirts. I wore it just the same way for a long time. My girlfriend at the time absolutely loved it, and insisted I wear it with every t-shirt I owned.
My favorite outfit quickly became a simple white t-shirt with the vest draped over my shoulders and worn open. However, that fad quickly passed and the look was no longer in vogue. The vest began to collect dust for many months until I was asked to go out for a night in Vegas with my friends and I wanted something casual yet classy to wear. I combined the vest with a black and white pinstriped dress shirt, and realized that it was an even better look before. I got so many compliments that night that I began to combine the vest with the dress shirt every time i wanted to spice up my evening attire. The best part is that it's black so I never have to clean it.
Truth be told, it is probably incredibly dirty and has probably had more alcohol soak into it's fibers than Lindsey Lohan's car mats. But all I have to do is add a spritz of my favorite Axe body spray before I go out for the evening and it becomes good as new as long as the shirt underneath is nice and crisp. Of course, with a look like this I always make it a point to accessorize well. I have a loarge collection of nice bright skinny ties and I wear the sleeves rolled up with a nice watch or leather wristband. I'm pretty proud that I've adapted a look that was once meant for angsty rockers and made it an edgy look for a young professional such as myself.
Odd Fashion Facts
1 August 2010Some 10% of Americans, according to a recent survey, said that they were happy to buy an outfit with the intention of returning it to the store after wearing it once only. In France more cosmetics are worn by married men than by their wives. This probably excludes lipsticks - women it seems get through about 5lbs of it in their lifetime. In the 16th century women in Italy considered considered it the height of fashion to colour their teeth. Only within the last couple of hundred years have children had their own distinct range of clothing - prior to this they would have worn smaller versions of adult garments. In the middle ages in order to show off their wares fashion designers made doll sized versions of their garments to display the latest offerings. And the height of fashion in the 18th century, amongst other things, was the wearing of false eyebrows made from small animal skins.
A Tough Material
18 July 2010Who would have thought that a tough material originally from France would, decades later, become one of the most widely worn items of clothing today. Denim - an American version of "serge de Nimes" (a town in France) is that tough material. And so came forth - jeans. Admired by all for their durability and strength. It is said that a certain Levi Strauss developed a pair of jeans to meet the needs of the extreme working conditions endured by the California gold miners in the 19th century. They were held together with rivets (the jeans, not the miners) to strengthen the pockets. Miners were not the only workers to make use of this rugged cotton material. Cowboys, railroad workers, and farmers adopted them for their use also.
The manufacturer of jeans dropped back considerably during WW2, but it seems the world was introduced to them by GI's who wore them when they were off duty. Their popularity really took off after the war when they became a symbol of teenage rebellion. Since those days improvements in material style has bought this humble item of work wear to the forefront of being forever in fashion.
Dressing To Please
14 July 2010Women often dress to please men. But do they realise just how much their choice of clothing can be very off putting from the man's point of view. According to a recent survey this included leggings, headbands, and oversized sunglasses (often worn up on the hair). Many of the men surveyed thought that leggings were generally unflattering, especially when worn by larger women. They agreed that headbands were OK when worn by sportsmen and women, but were a no no for everyday wear. And those oversized sunglasses were not appreciated as they covered up a woman's best asset - her eyes. So ladies, though some of the fashion trends may please you, bear in mind they may have quite the opposite affect on men. Other items of ladies wear which received the thumbs down as unappealing to men included dungarees and waistcoats. It seems these look better on men. Although the men wearing them may not appeal to the ladies.
Teenagers - whatever !
1 July 2010For many decades now teenagers have been rebellious about, amongst other things, what they wear. They did not, and still do not, want to be seen wearing the same items of clothing as their parents - or any other adult. Unless, of course, the other adults just happen to be trend setting film stars or pop stars. Then it's OK. Or cool. Whatever!
These days teen fashions are as recognisable as mainstream adult fashions. And today's teenagers are very much more fashion aware. Some high profile teen celebrities from the film, television, or music world are creating their own clothing 'brand'. All this has lead to a greater selection from which to choose. In the USA where the average size of teenagers has increased, the fashion houses have reacted by expanding their collections to take into account the larger sizes.
If the shoe fits
16 June 2010Today's fashions are mainly influenced by the big fashion houses and well known designers. Also playing their part are the celebrities from the worlds of cinema, television, and popular music. Centuries ago it was th European royalty setting not only the trend but also the strict rules to ensure their compliance. Apparently Charles VIII of France had six toes on one of his feet. Wishing to hide this fact he had designed and wore shoes with a square toe, thus setting the male footwear trend for that era.
Male footwear today seems to be split between two camps. Leather boots and shoes for everyday practical wear, and the ubiquitous trainers for just about every other occasion. Though why they are called trainers baffles me as a high proportion of their wearers do not appear to be in training for anything. Well, nothing physical anyway. But that's fashion for you.
Designer's dilemma
16 June 2010In some respects life is easier for the designers of ladies clothing compared to that of the male species. They have more freedom to mix and match items of clothing and materials, as well as access to the entire colour spectrum. With men they are somewhat limited. Less items - suits, jackets, trouser, and jeans. And fewer colours and materials are permitted or accepted. From soft pastel shades to vibrant colours and combinations, the ladies are given a far greater choice. Perhaps this is why it takes them so long to get ready for going out.
It's much easier for men as their options are rather limited. And they tend to lean more towards comfort and practicality - in their choice of outer wear and underwear. Whereas women seem to have the need for two wardrobes full, men tend to have two outfits. The suit for work and special occasions, and jeans with a favourite jacket or sweater for all other occasions. But, having said that, men do have a wider selection available to them these days compared to a few decades ago.
Pass The Hat Round
6 June 2010If you take a look at an old film or photograph of British people in the early part of the 20th century you will see that they are all wearing hats. They were the fashion of that era and were worn for going to work at the factory or office as well as on special occasions. Some of them look like they were also worn in bed . Centuries earlier, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth the First, a law was passed which required anyone over the age of seven to wear a hat on Sundays. How quaint is that.
These days hats are not worn so frequently. They are mainly worn on special occasions - garden parties, weddings, and for other social events. Teenagers however seem to deem it necessary to wear a hat, in particular an American style baseball cap, all the time. And very often worn back to front or sideways. But, as we know, fashions come and go. So perhaps there will be a revival of the flat cap, as worn so often in those earlier photographs, and the pullover?
The Number Isn't Everything: Dressing to Body Type and Ignoring the Number
27 May 2010Western Culture and the Fashion Industry has played a terrible prank on women over the course of the past 50 years with almost no end in sight. Unrealistic ideals of beauty, marketed to young girls who then grow up to raise their daughters like bonzai trees to try and let them not feel the disappointment they felt growing up and this constant battle against natural bone structure to fit into brands that just don't make clothes to look good on anyone larger than a size 4. With fashion insecurities like these, what are women to do?
Take a few simple steps to get on the path to fashion security. First, identify your body shape and your personal areas of insecurity. You need to know if you have an apple, pear, hourglass or inverted triangle shape. If you have an apple shape, your stomach is your big problem area, and that is what needs to be minimized by the clothes you wear. The apple shape can be minimized by shaping undergarments, better posture, and empire waistlines. The pear shape usually has the problem area of weight on the thighs and buttocks. By dressing up the upper half of the body with patterns, wearing a flashy necklace, and wearing a padded push-up bra the body is evened out to give a nice curvy hourglass appearance. Straight leg slacks or jeans with heels (even just a slight wedge) elongate the legs and give the body a leaner look. Pears can often utilize empire waistlines to elongate the body even more. The hourglass needs to utilize belts and high waist skirts and pants to really bring out the beautiful even curves of that body type. Empire waisted shirts and dresses often do not look right on hourglass figures, so it is better to go with a dress that falls at the natural waist. Elongating the body is still important for hour glass figures - it really brings out the curves. Using heels and a dark pant, a pencil skirt, or an a-line flared skirt that fall at the natural waist paired with a good pair of either kitten heels, or bold stilettos will make the hourglass figure pop. The inverted triangle need to tone down the shoulders and add some flare to their narrow hips. Flaring a-line skirts are the best option for this figure and can be worn at or just below the natural waist. Bold patterns should be avoided on top, and should only be worn on bottom.
Now that you know your body type and how to dress it, go into your favourite stores and ask to be measured so that you know what sizes you wear for each one. This will help you wear clothes that not only fit properly so you don't appear bigger than you are, but help you figure out what fits are comfortable on you. Remember: a size is just a number.An interesting exercise I've read to do to help with size based insecurity to cut out the size tag from your clothing after buying it. It is more important to wear clothes that fit you and look good on you, than to wear clothes that don't fit you, don't look good on you, and make you feel worse about yourself just because of the number on the tag. The clothes you wear should be fun classy expressions of who you are that can be worn on an every day basis, mixed and matched, dressed up or down, and easily maintained.
If you aren't absolutely in love with the way you look in something, don't buy it because it might sit in your closet and then you'll never wear it. Just remember that clothes are utilitarian in purpose. No woman should feel insecure in what she is wearing. That being said, whenever you are wearing a really great outfit that fits properly and looks really great on you, look in the mirror and remind yourself "Wow, I look amazing." Every woman should hear that from herself more often than from anyone else.
We're All Royalty Now
18 May 2010Over the past few years there has been an increase in the sales of designer wear. It seems more and more people today want fashion items. In the Middle Ages it was the royalty of the time who had the influence and dominated what we wore. Only the wealthy and upper element of society could dress in fashionable clothes. Ordinary people were unable to afford them. Certain materials and even colours were only allowed to be worn by the monarchs of the day.
Today there are no such restrictions regarding the cloth or the colours. Designer fashion is available to all via the shops, supermarkets, and increasingly the internet these days.
