You are here: Home / Archives for Apparel

4 Style Tips for Your First Date

He caught your eye across the room. The first chat went well and now you’re ready for your first date. So many questions: What to wear? Will he like the outfit? Should you choose casual or dressy? Here are a few answers to help you make your first date memorable.

Compatibility is Crucial

How did you and your date get together? Compatibility is the key to a successful relationship. That’s the problem with dating, of course. How do you ensure compatibility with someone you don’t yet know? Consider a dating website, such as parship dating, to increase the odds of a successful relationship.

Check the Weather

The most fashionable ensemble and perfect accessories won’t do anything for you if you’re drenched by a rainstorm. If you can grab a minicab and avoid inclement weather all night that’s great, but prepare yourself for what the skies will do.

Know Where You Are Going

Decide what to do in advance and let your date know. That way, you can both be dressed properly – and comfortably – to enjoy that walk in the park and picnic by the lake. If you are heading for a nice dinner and a night at the theatre, jeans and trainers aren’t the right choice. Let the location of your date drive your fashion choices. Don’t force your outfit to fit the date. There are many places online for dating tips if you need advice.

Acknowledge Your Age

Regardless of the age of your date, dress for your age. If you’re in your 40s, avoid media influenced hip hop outfits. If you’re an 18-year-old, stay away from those James Bond-inspired designer tuxedos.

Filed Under: Apparel, Celebrity Influence Tagged With: , ,

Winterizing Your Summer Wardrobe

A woman wearing a pencil skirt with lace-up bo...

Image via Wikipedia

Depending on where you live you may be used to the idea of packing up all of your shorts and skirts when the temperatures get a little cooler. You head to the closet and work on pulling down the box labeled “winter clothes”. When things heat up once again you take all of the sweaters, jackets, and hoodies and set them aside until they are needed once again. Some people let a sad sigh escape from their lips as they wave goodbye to some of their summer favorites.

This doesn’t have to be the case. There are ways to winterize your summer wardrobe. Instead of packing it all away, keep both sets of seasonal clothing out and look for ways to make small changes to those summer dresses and shorts to avoid them disappearing. For example some of your Rocawear clothes, including the dresses and tops, can be paired with a hoodie and still work well during the winter. Add opaque tights to any of the skirts and dresses to make them more functional.

Many in fashion would consider this style of dress layering. You can place warmer items under or over your summer favorites and extend your opportunity to wear them during the year. This is also a great technique for those “in between” seasons. During the spring the days may begin to warm up but at night the air is still chilly. Wear the dress and bring the jacket along to throw on when you walk out in the evening. It takes a little creativity to make these changes, but keeping out your favorite dress will make the endeavor worth it.

Filed Under: Apparel, Fashion Trends Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Costumes, Candy, and Canines

It’s a sight most unexpected: A pup is trailing her masters, following their quest for candy. She’s without the usual leash and collar, however. Instead she boasts a cape and pointed hat, mimics the bewitching styles of her owners. You’re . . . surprised.

You shouldn’t be.

An emerging trend throughout the country is to allow dogs, cats, and all animals in between to join in the celebration that is Halloween. Pet costumes are becoming common, and trick-or-treating is now a truly family affair. And the source of this can be traced (of course) to Hollywood.

Stars of the cinema and television screens have forever offered new trends to sample and new ideas to try. Pet costumes are merely the latest in an exceptionally long line. Celebrities are letting their four-legged friends embrace the season. Consider Alyssa Milano and her long-haired Chihuahua, who she dressed to resemble his name: Peter Pan. Tori Spelling (along with husband Dean McDermott and son Liam) channeled the summer by donning bumblebee costumes, with their favorite pup wearing black and yellow proudly as well. Domestic maven Martha Stewart allowed her French bulldogs Francesca and Sharkey to echo the spirit of the holiday. Mischa Barton let her dog Charlie pretend to be a dinosaur. And young starlet Sarah Hyland dressed her poodle Barkely as a sundae.

Too often are the trends of Hollywood dismissed, assumed to be impractical for the day-to-day routines of suburban families. The use of pet costumes, however, has proven instead to be applicable to all lives — if only because the styles are easy and the results are grin-worthy.

Filed Under: Apparel, Fashion Trends Tagged With: , ,

Fashion and Accessories

Accessories can be the key element in any ensemble.  Belts, hats, glasses, and jewelry can all draw attention and complete the wearer’s look.  They can used to enhance the best features of their owner, or they can simply add a level of interest and color.

Belts can be very basic or very extraordinary.  Traditionally, belts were used to tighten the waistline of pants, but today, they are needed for decoration purposes as well.  Mostly worn in a fashionable sense by women, belts are available in any color.  Design styles vary greatly.  They can be constructed of purely fabric, metal, or combinations of other materials.  Sequins, sparkles, pins, and hardware are added to enhance outfits and draw attention to smaller waists.  They can also give illusions of smaller midsections when they are worn higher or near the ribcage.  For men, belts can clean up a look or add a layer of depth to everyday apparel.

Glasses are seen on many fashion icons now.  They are used in a decorative sense as well, and many men and women purchase glasses without prescriptions.  They can draw attention to the eyes, portray a sense of responsibility or intelligence, or simply give a little pop of color to the face.  Sunglasses are also desirable in a fashion sense because aside from their functionality, frame styles can be a fun addition to any outfit.  Particularly used in summer months, men and women enjoy the chic appearance of sunglasses.

Jewelry, clearly, is used to enhance outfits.  Color coordination and unexpected combinations create interest and unusual conversation topics.  Jewelry has always been a point of interest for many people, and size and style of such pieces can vary greatly.

Filed Under: Apparel, Fashion Trends Tagged With: , ,

Seasonal Fashion Staples

Some items never seem to go out of style.  Spring, summer, winter, and fall all have their classic fashion statements.  Shoppers can be sure to have a great sense of seasonal style when they consider just a few things:

A good pair of blue jeans is a fashion staple in any wardrobe.  By trying on several types, customers can get an idea of which style looks best on them.  Straight legs may work best for larger individuals because they appear to balance the legs with the torso.  Skinny jeans look best on thinner, taller people because they accentuate the legs.  Jeans can be useful in every season, and many people wear them throughout the year.

Fitted tops are best no matter the season.  Sweaters, t-shirts, and tank tops should all flatter the figure and not try to hide it.  Buying tops with strong structure and fabric can help ensure a good fit for years to come.  In summer, straps that are thicker may help minimize broader shoulders, while strapless options portray a sense of playfulness.  No matter the details, shirts should never be terribly loose because the individual’s shape will be lost in the fabric.

Shoe styles come and go, but seasonal fashion will always have a few staples.  Sandals for summertime continue to be popular with both men and women.  Instead of simple flip flops, women should consider a strappy sandal with added support for the foot.  Details and colors can be tricky for men, but classic leather sandals may be the best choice because of their ability to be worn with many styles.

Filed Under: Apparel, Fashion Trends Tagged With: , ,

The Key Points of a Diamond Cut

When it comes to diamond engagement rings, the cut of the diamond is often the most important of all characteristics. This is because the diamond’s cut has the greatest influence overall on the beauty of the diamond, and it determines the amount of sparkle that the diamond offers.

• The diamond’s cut grade measures its light performance. When the proper proportions are achieved in cutting the diamond, then light will return from the table or diamond top.

• If the diamond’s cut is too shallow, then light will return from the bottom rather than the top.

• If the diamond’s cut is too deep, then the light escapes from the sides instead.

• The perfect cut for a diamond engagement ring is known as the ideal cut— the most brilliant of all diamond cuts.

• If you are unsure of the difference between cuts, then ask a jeweler to show you an example of two different cuts, or even three different cuts. You will see noticeable differences between shallow cut, deep cut and ideal cut, and the amount of sparkle that each of these cuts provides.

When it comes to looking at the cuts of different diamond engagement rings, the more you know about the topic, the more you will be able to find the perfect diamond to purchase for the purpose of your engagement

Filed Under: Apparel, Fashion Trends Tagged With: , ,

What Wardrobe Colors Say About You

What does it mean to wear red?  How about blue?  Different colors can portray emotions and messages in the fashion world.  Choosing colors carefully can help in job situations, during after-business get-togethers, or for simple, everyday activities.  Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding on an outfit for the day:

• Green is considered one of the most “natural” colors to wear because it is similar to colors in nature.  No matter the shade, green can have a therapeutic affect on not only the wearer, but others that come into contact with him/her.  Green may also take on connotations of new growth, and it may symbolize a fresh start.
• The most well-known color for calming one’s mood is blue.  For many years, blue has been a favorite because of its water-like qualities.  Blue is also a very unisex color, meaning that it is worn equally by both men and women.  Adding blue items to a wardrobe may enhance its comfort level.
• Black and gray items are typically basic pieces in every wardrobe.  Worn primarily by working individuals, they can portray a feeling of depression, darkness, or indifference.  Black is the “universal matching color” and may be worn with any other hue.  Found often in the corporate world, wearing black can also give one a boost of confidence, leadership, or insinuate high stature.
• Wearing orange can assist with energy.  It is a playful color and may help a person feel more at ease with his/her situation.  Often, orange is worn by children and other high-energy individuals.  It does say something about the wearer’s personality:  that he/she can be approachable and fun-loving.
• Pink is more often worn by women, but it can be used by either sex to give others a feeling of warmth and approachability.  Many people associate pink with heart-felt connection and sensitivity to others’ needs.  Donning pink shirts or accessories may help one feel more at ease and loving.

Filed Under: Apparel, Fashion Trends Tagged With: , ,

How to Wear New York Fashion Week Trends

If you like black for its slimming properties, you’ll love the oversized but tastefully tailored black coats that are back in fashion again this year. If you’re a prudent shopper, you may already have one or two of these staples still in your closet that you can take out and re-use again this year. To really fit into the trends that were seen on the runways by designers like Diane Von Furstenberg and DKNY, you’ll want to look for jackets that have wider sleeves and flared lapels.

Remember, the way to insert the latest fashions into your wardrobe without breaking the bank is to pick out one or two of the trends that you enjoy (and look good on you) and build your wardrobe around it. One jacket that is the height of fashion can really pull a whole wardrobe together – during the fall, you can wear that same jacket almost everywhere and not have to worry so much about the rest of your outfit.

On the other hand, if you really love the color red, a few red accessories and maybe one really great red outfit can carry you throughout the entire season. Choose accessories that can be worn with a variety of outfits. One skinny red leather belt can be paired with both a black pair of pants or a taupe dress just as well and really adds a dash of color to your outfit without being overwhelming lighter skin tones or clashing with red hair. Don’t discount a pair of red high heels as something that’s for teenagers – a great pair of red pumps can show that you may be a professional, but you haven’t lost your sense of fashion.

Filed Under: Apparel, Fashion Trends Tagged With: , ,

Bring Out Patterns This Fall

New York Fashion Week Fall 2007: Doo Ri

Image by Art Comments via Flickr

Looking for a trend from this year’s New York Fashion Week that you can actually wear – no matter what your age, body shape or disposable income? There are two extremely wearable trends that were seen on the runways of New York Fashion Week: neutral colors and patterns.

Neutral colors like taupe, beige, grey and peach were all the rage at Fashion Week earlier this year. These colors are extremely wearable because they go well with every skin tone and regardless of hair color. If you really want to make a splash, combine your neutral color base outfit with flair from another runway favorite this year – pops of red. Go for chunky jewelry, flimsy scarves or even a great pair of red pumps. Even just a small bit of color goes a long way when it comes to red. If you’d rather make a statement in your main pieces of clothing, look into shiny fabrics – gold, bronze, silver and other shiny, neutral metals make a statement.

Another sizzling look hot enough to keep you warm this fall is patterns. The most desirable aspect about patterns is that you can find one that complements your body shape. Think of verticle lines to make you seem taller or repeated patterns across the bust to make your chest seem larger. The designers in New York had a variety of patterns this year to show off – from blue stars on white fabric to Indian-inspired geometric prints. Dots, stripes, lines, circles and squares can all work to make you seem at the height of fashion if you find them on something fabulous this year.

Filed Under: Apparel, Fashion Trends Tagged With: , ,

Summer Fashion Trends for Women

Jeans

Image via Wikipedia

Many women look upon summer as a chance to clear out their closets and look into updating their wardrobe into one that embraces the warmer temperatures. The perfect summer wardrobe can not only take advantage of the sunny weather, but it should also be able to transition to a professional appearance without too many changes. Like with so many other fashion trends, versatility is everything!

One of the freshest trends for this summer will be cropped white jeans. White is one of the most popular colors of summer because it looks brighter in the sun, gives a more spirited appearance and, like black, can be paired with almost everything. Capri pants can easily translate from the workplace to the beach with a simple change of shirt or switching out your sensible shoes for a pair of flip-flops. A matching white jacket can really make this look go farther by adding a more formal look to your white jeans.

Speaking of tops that can be dressed up or dressed down, look for flirty floral shirts for a breezy look that can make it look like you came straight from vacation in a tropical island. Floral shirts come in so many different textures and cuts that it’s easy to find one that complements your figure. Want sheer and ruffled to add dimension to a flatter chest? Or silky and vibrant to draw attention to your best assets? Or add in a floral-printed jacket to hide flabby arms. Floral printed tops make you look cheerier and are an easy way to add a boost of color into your summer wardrobe.

Summer is a time to have fun and enjoy life. Make sure your wardrobe reflects the same.

Filed Under: Apparel, Fashion Trends Tagged With: , ,
«Older Posts