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Recently, I was downtown in my city (my city is fairly large and quite diverse in ethnicity), I was heading towards the library on a warm summer day and in front of me was a man (I would guess his age as thirty something) and he was wearing a skirt. No, it was not a Scottish kilt or cute frilly number or anything, in fact the skirt that this guy was wearing was khaki and had a bunch of pockets with flaps like military clothing, it came to his knees and he was wearing a t shirt with it and I cannot remember what footwear he was wearing to be honest. The outfit the guy had on, kind of surprised me and well, after a second look, I got to wondering, is this normal or the sign of things to come?

Well, of course if you look back into history, you would see that men for centuries wore gown like clothing and different types of skirts (think Braveheart) and some still do so today (like Buddhist Monks for instance) and while during the last century, women have embraced pants and trousers (previously only men were allowed to wear) the average man on the street has yet to begin wearing a man skirt.

Sure you see the odd man wearing a skirt, maybe more in a larger city, but men opt to stay in their comfort zone and wear pants. Could you imagine farmer don baling hay while wearing a man skirt? Sometimes for men perhaps it is just not about how they look in a skirt; it is about practicality.

Several of the top designers have indeed designed skirts for man. Not the frilly frou frou type of skirt, but manly designs with manly fabrics (such as canvas or denim). Ashton Kutcher has been seen sporting a man skirt in and around Hollywood. Well, good for him, if he feels comfortable enough wearing it, then why not? I have heard it said recently that it takes a real man to be able to pull off the look of a man skirt. They are not afraid of what they look like nor of what others will think of them. I know that these guys are still manly, but want to wear a skirt for what ever reasoning they may have.

I wonder what the thoughts of men were when women started donning trousers. This phenomena became popular around the forties I think (I can still picture Katherine Hepburn in those front pleated trousers). While it now the accepted norm now for women to wear pants, what was it back then? Was it the same shock for the men back then when women started wearing pants as the shock that some of us feel when we see a guy wearing a man skirt today?

The footwear that guys wear with the man skirt is a different issue. They seem to wear socks and either running shoes or boots with them. Most of the skirts I have seen in my research are pleated and in a variety of colors, from navy to khaki green to grey. Kilts have been around almost as long as time itself and are still available for purchase for guys and with a little research; one can be had, even over the Internet. Sarongs seem to be a popular choice for the skirt-wearing male and can be purchased in south eastern countries such as Hong Kong. So, if a skirt is your cup of tea, a little research is all that is needed to make one your own.

Most men who wear skirts will say it is for comfort. Well, forgive me, but personally I totally think that wearing pants is way more comfortable than a skirt and I only wear skirts when I need to. Is it that men are wanting attention? Are they fighting for the rights of men world wide? I did a Google search on women wearing pants and came up with a site that shows there are verses in the Bible that show women should not wear pants. Give me a break. Why are men so concerned about women wearing male type clothing? Men have dominated women for so many centuries, it is about time that women come to their own and that should include clothing.

Frankly, I am confused what the big deal is. If guys want to wear a skirt, go for it. But about the sense of you guys being cheated? I do not agree with that sentiment. But in saying that women are the lucky ones, well I am not sure about that! So stop whining and complaining and put on your skirt!

By Brandi M. Seals

There are several urban legends that surround the fashion world and I am not just talking about ones like the killer coat. If you are not familiar with the killer coat legend, supposedly a woman shopping a coat warehouse is bitten repeatedly by poisonous tropical snake babies while trying on a coat. Most of the urban legends in the fashion industry are not that overt. They tend to be more of supposed universal truths.

The Second Go Around
My favorite fashion urban legend says that everything comes back in style. It does not matter what the trend is or how long ago it was hot. Supposedly everything gets a second time through. While this seems to be slightly true in that what was once hot has a way of resurrecting itself again later. However, this is not a universal truth.

Capris came back, so did flair pants. The giant purse is suddenly hot again as is the over sized glasses. However, the legend clearly is not true. Even if someone somewhere is sporting some tacky thing from days gone by does not mean that the trend will ever really hit again. Certain things that were big back in the day will inevitably come back, but not everything will. I think it is safe to say that hyper shirts (those that change colors as ones body temperature rises) are long gone. The big, stiff bangs from the 80s are probably gone for good unless someone someday decides that hair should be a giant teased mess that does not move is the way hair is supposed to look.

This and That Go Together
There are odd pairings out there that some people will say go together, when in fact they do not. For example, skirts and pants. Some people actually think it looks good to wear a skirt over a pair of jeans or leggings. Trust me on this one; they are wrong - very wrong. I cannot really imagine anything that could look worse together. I could maybe deal with a skirt over leggings, but over a pair of jeans? Come on. The only people that think that is hot are teenagers, clubbers, hippies or the homeless. It is not a good choice and it looks stupid.

Another bad pairing is jeans and high heels. I doubt they do this everywhere, but in some country areas it is not uncommon to see a pair of jeans worn with some high heels. This would not be bad if the jeans were dressed up with a sparkly tank top or a jacket. But, there are people that wear jeans and heels while sporting a tee shirt. That is right. I have seen people with a sports tee and heels. Needless to say that does not really go together.

I do not know how people get led so far astray on some of these parings. I guess the best thing to do is go with your gut instinct. If the first time you saw something paired together you thought the person wearing it may have escaped from the insane asylum, then perhaps that is not something you want to duplicate even if people around you think it looks good.

This is just as Good
Some people think all clothes are made equal. They see no reason to pay big money for a shirt when they can get one that looks just like it at the discount store. While each person's budget is different, it always pays to buy the best that you can afford. Discount store clothes tend to be made from blends, not natural fibers. They also tend to be poorly constructed and fade much quicker than higher priced items.

When buying something that is going to be a key piece one should always figure that it will need to be replaced within a year if it is a discount store buy. It may be cheaper in the long run just to buy something that is better constructed in the first place. Think about it. You may be able to buy more for your money at the discount store, but how long are those clothes really lasting you and how well are they actually fitting? Buy less items, spend a little bit more per piece, and come out better in the long run.

As spectators, designers, and models alike braced themselves for the main fashion events of the year and flocked to Fashion Weeks all over the world in popular cities such as New York City, Milan, and London, a larger issue was at bay that caused a tsunami-like wave in the fashion world. The issue at hand started over various individuals protesting that the underweight models were projecting an image that glorified being a size zero, and as a result, the speculation that young girls and women, were trying to achieve these small proportions and as a result, developing eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. In case you may not be familiar with either of these eating disorders, I'll give your a brief explanation. Anorexia Nervosa is a condition that is characterized by the individual having an intense fear of becoming fat. In order to prevent gaining weight and in hopes of shedding more pounds, he or she may use laxatives, excessive exercise, or just not eating to accomplish their desired weight. Despite the fact that the individual may dwindle to ridiculously low proportions, their distorted self-image constantly reinforces the fact that they must lose weight and the deeper he or she sinks into the illness the more intense the distorted self-image becomes. Friends, family, and close friends can all see that there is a problem and the individual appears malnourished and sickly, but the individual in the midst of the eating disorder only sees the distorted self-image. Karen Carpenter, a famous singer suffered from Anorexia and her losing battle with the illness opened the public's eyes to the severity of this and other eating disorders when she passed away in 1983 from cardiac complications. Individuals who suffer from Bulimia Nervosa also have the same fear of becoming fat; however, they will experience binging and purging episodes that consist of eating mass amounts of food and then once they have finished gorging themselves, they will self induce vomiting. Eating disorders are very difficult to overcome and the complications can potentially lead to death. Complications range from kidney damage, liver damage, a weakened immune system, loss of menstrual periods potentially resulting in infertility, anemia, malnutrition, destruction of teeth, rupture of the esophagus, and an irregular heartbeat which can cause the individual's body to go into cardiac arrest potentially resulting in death.

It is without at doubt that when someone says the word "supermodel", you think of an individual, either male or female, who has impeccable looks all packaged together with flawless skin, bouncy hair, fabulous smile and of course a slim and trim body. In the world of modeling, there are set expectations that one must meet in order to even have a remote chance of succeeding in the industry. One of these expectations is to have a slim or "toned" physique and eventually this expectation took an extreme and sparked a trend known as "heroin chic". Since its peak point in the nineties, the heroin chic look has been a staple in the fashion industry and is known for flaunting women with waif-like physical features, sunken in cheekbones, and dark circles under their eyes. The term "heroin chic" was given due to the fact that these models had physical features that resembled heroin addicts. While models are expected to maintain their looks and weight, they tend to be on the thinner side verses the meatier side. When I say meatier, I don't mean overweight. I mean slightly a little more curvy, probably what most of us would consider a sexy looking body with an hourglass shape. It is a well-known fact that the average American woman stands approximately 5'4 and weighs approximately 153 pounds. The average model stands approximately 5'9 and weighs approximately 110. To put this in perspective, the height difference is dramatic and the weight difference is significant therefore making the goal to duplicate the look of a model almost near impossible to do, yet alone do in a healthy fashion.

The new requirements for models started in Madrid, where organizers of the event made new requirements with the underlying goal being to not project a waif-like image (also known as heroin chic) but to display beauty while demonstrating a healthy body. Doctors were available at the shows to take measurements from the models and either declare them of a normal BMI (Body Mass Index) or declare them below the normal BMI and as a result, the model would not be allowed to walk the runways in fashion week. The models must have a BMI ratio of eighteen in proportion to the combination of their height and weight. Most models stand 5'9 and weight approximately 110 pounds. The new requirements would require a 5'9 model to weigh in at 123. That is a thirteen-pound difference and as many people would agree, thirteen pounds is quite significant on anyone, and even more so on an already thin individual.

When it comes to these new expectations that were put forth in Madrid, a lot of questions have risen to the surface challenging the fairness of these new requirements to the models, the designers, and the fashion industry as a whole. For example, since it is the designer's show, should the designer be allowed to decide whom he or she wants to serve as a model for their clothing? It is undoubtable that certain shapes accent certain styles to the maximum. So, the question at hand is does telling the designers that super thin models are unable to participate therefore thwart their attempt at maximizing the display of their clothes during fashion week? When it comes to the models, is it unfair to all of a sudden spring forth requirements that literally challenge what the expectations and standards have been for quite some time now? It is debatable whether or not that is discrimination against the models. Lastly, the fashion industry revolves around none other than fashion and they basically set the tone for fashion everywhere. The goal is to present fashions in the most complimentary way that is possible. If they are trying to maximize fashion and feel as though they are displaying individuals that are near perfection, no matter how thin they are, is it fair to blame them for the rise in eating disorders among young girls and women? All things considered, most interviews I've seen with supermodels usually consist of the typical interview question that asks, "How do you stay in such great shape". To my recollection, the usual answer promotes a healthy diet, exercise, and adequate amounts of sleep.

While it is easy to cast a stone solely at the fashion industry and blame them for the rise in eating disorders, I believe that the causes of eating disorders stem a multitude of things and if we are going to blame a particular industry, we should look at all the industries. The glorified size zero is a staple in most areas of entertainment from fashion runways to the red carpets in Hollywood. The problem is fueled by more than just the fashion industry. Everything from the pop music scene to glamorous Hollywood endorses a super-thin physique and in magazines weekly, there is always another observation that raises the question as to whether or not another actress displaying the heroin chic traits, possibly has an eating disorder. While every industry and individual may cast the blame elsewhere, it is important to recognize that the problem is influenced by various forms of entertainment and as long as actors, actresses, and singers are held responsible to display what has become classified as perfection, there will constantly be individuals striving to meet those physical measurements. So until society as a whole embraces a different mentality changing to different expectations and perceptions of physical beauty, the problem will continue to persist.

For years, there has been a rift in the thought by some African-Americas as to what is professional dress. The sixties showed African American conforming to the social norms of the workplace. Straight-laced suits and ties fell strictly in line with their white counterparts. The 70's brought about a change, where afro's and bell bottomed pants dominated the professional African American dress. This was mainly because of the radical black power movement what was the love child of the turbulent fifties and sixties. The 80's showed a return to more subdued professional dress of the African American male with the 90's doing more of the same.

With the millennium came and resurgent of everything that was culturally relevant. African Americans felt more confident with themselves and were not as ashamed to relinquish our flare for color, style and glamour on the rest of the work. The surprising thing was, the rest of the society thought the same way. Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karen New York (DKNY) and other upscale designers saw that urban street where was not just adored on the street corner, but also embraced in the office place. This also led the way for many African American designers and labels to get their foot in the door.

One of our nation's fastest rising and most visible African American fashion moguls is Sean 'P.Diddy' Combs. Combs' clothing line "Sean Jean" was founded in 1998 and has taken on the likes of Tommy, Abercrombie, and Pierre Cardin in everything from sales to window time at Macy's. This line has become one of the most famous lines in hip-hop and un-arguably, that most famous launched by a celebrity, it was only a matter of time before the his hip and urban street savvy style surpassed it's urban street personal and bombarded its way into the suits and styles of business life.

If you choose to splurge and want to add a hint of street savvy the next time you give a presentation to the rest of your department, head to Macy and pick out a metallic orange Sean John Care Sateen Long-Sleeved Button-Down Shirt. The illusion of the stripe that is landscaped across this shirt shows a bit of preppy-ness without being too outlandish. Solid with contrast stripe lining at collar and cuffs and tonal embroidered logo on back yoke is a perfect addition to a pair of Sean John "Newton" Relaxed-Fit Basic Signature Jean. Jeans are not the first choice when trying to impress your potential buyer to invest 3.5 million into your new technology, but with the right expressions the Point collar, Two-button cuffs and Rounded hem may be the added 'ummph' needed to put you client over the edge.

Russell Simons is yet another established African American mogul who has taken the street wise street wear from the curb and into the business district. Some would say that being the older brother of Rev. Joseph Simmons, better known as "Run" of Run-DMC would have given him and 'in' on discovering what was hip. That is not entirely the case. Simmons has street credibility on his own right. He began his career by promoting such famous rap act as Kurtis Blow and went on to found Def Jam Records where LL Cool J and the Beastie Boys became famous. Def Jam was not the only this that made Simmons famous. Been only one of his many companies, Simmons established Rush Communications to umbrella a movie production house, management company, advertising agency and a clothing company called Phat Farm. Thought the line is expensive it has found homage in the streets and has recently made its way into the boardroom. Speaking of the boardroom, the next time that you want to give a hint of street wise rhetoric with your presentation, make sure you dress the part. I would suggest a Phat Farm Striped Polo. This timeless style transcends the street and, Wear this pique cotton striped polo shirt under a blazer, can give you a professional look as well. Match this shirt with Phat Farm's Basic 5 Pocket Slub Denim Jean and perfect addition that will give you a head turning look weather you are on the street corner or in the office.

If your eyes have been on Fashion Magazines or Fashion Television anytime lately, you would have noticed the Romance Fashion Trend which has swept Hollywood and Designers, and has now moved into Discount and Department store. Among all of the 80's styles of skinny denims and black pants, oversized, bright colored belts, and slouchy boots, has emerged a sophisticated, romantic, throw-back to medieval times, which fits every body type, and is now accessible to the masses at discount prices. Movies like Casanova and Tristan & Isolde birthed this trend back into the mainstream, and newer movies like Marie Antoinette with Kirsten Dunst have pushed the trend even further into the limelight. There are a few distinct aspects of this fashion to look for if your unfamiliar with the style:

Fabric: Look for crushed velvet in deep, rich, jewel tones for the most authentic look. There is also synthetic velvet and velour for a less expensive alternative, and the style has branched out to include Earth-tones and black which aren't as authentic because they never would have been work in the 1300's. Also look for metallic piping, edging, and detailing, especially in bright gold for the real-deal look. The other fabric that shows up in the Romance look is Lace, in any and every color. The metallic detailing may also be done in some form of lace.

Shape and Waistline: A staple of the Romantic Fashion trend is the Empire waist. This is a waistline which sits just below the breasts and allows the fabric to "billow" out, hiding a paunchy stomach or just creating elegance and grace. This waistline can be found in shirts or dresses and looks fantastic on anyone and any body type. Shape has manifested into several types of garments - short or cropped jackets, flowing mid-hip length shirts, and long and short dresses. Cropped jackets generally have a fishbone metal closure up the front, with an Asian-themed short collar, and billowing longer sleeves, or short puffy sleeves. The flowing shirts always have a deep V-neck, and short puffy sleeves, and the dresses seem to look like an extension of the shirts.

color: As mentioned above, the colors of the clothing come in deep jewel-tones of every imagination - emerald, sapphire, amethyst, ebony, ruby, etc. Just recently, and as a sign of the times, even in a throwback to a different world, designers have infiltrated the past with Earth-tones, which have been so popular, as well.

Accessories: You can find a lot of medieval style, chunky metallic jewelry for cheap in almost any departments store. Make sure to match and not clash jewel-tones in jewelry and shoes to the Romantic color you are featuring. Matching a Jewel-toned shoe to a Jewel-toned jacket or dress looks fantastic and is a great way to pull an outfit together, and finish it off.

Now that you know hat to look for to be a part of this exciting new fashion trend, you have to know where to shop in your price range. If your filthy rich and live in California, any of the stores on Rodeo Drive will have what you are looking for. If you're a middle-class Canadian or American, department stores like, The Bay, Macy's, Bloomingdales, Sears, as well as fashion stores like Le chateau are some great options with wide selections. For the thrifty persons or students (like myself), stores like Wal-mart, Zellers, K-Mart, and Discount designer stores like Winners are always a great option, with a great range of styles and color to choose from so that you can select and add those beautiful, rich pieces to your wardrobe.

I suggest that if this designer trend is tickling your fancy, you rush out and purchase some choice pieces now before it's deemed "old" or a new trend emerges, and their impossible to find. I, for one, like to wear a style of clothing as long as I like, even after the trend has passed, so I'm stocking up on this imaginative style that fits every body so well. It may be decades before this trend circles back around, so it seems a sound investment, as long as your not a trend-junkie, in which case you'd probably only get a few month's of wear out of these delicious pieces. Go out there and enjoy the originality of this style and be one with the past.

It's an established fact that jokes about women and their shoes are so common that we hardly even notice them anymore. I have to say, this isn't a line of humor that was created entirely without reason- there are certainly some women on the planet who really do love shoes, just as there are men out there who love tools and kids who love video games. I have known some women who own more shoes than they do any other article of clothing, and that isn't considered unusual in the slightest. I've also known women who love shoe stores better than any other type of store. But I have to confess that when it comes to my own shopping excursions, the idea of choosing shoes just bewilders and frustrates me.

I'm definitely not saying that I don't have my own shopping, um, fixations. For me, it happens to be jackets and cardigan sweaters. I'm of the firm belief that you can never own too many of either, and I might already have a black cardigan but I might very well need two more because they have different buttons or they are a different length and I will need to have the option to choose which black cardigan I want to wear. I need that option! So, I do understand the theory of the shoe lovers... I just can't seem to get on board with the same topic.

I wish someone could explain shoes to me. I really want to like shoes. I think that shoes look absolutely adorable on other people, and I'm forever commenting on someone's cute shoes or noticing how the right shoe can pull together an outfit. But for some odd reason I just can't wrap my head around the entire concept when it comes to myself and my own sense of style.

I admit it, I have problems when it comes to choosing shoes, and that is probably why I don't particularly enjoy shopping for them or picking them out. Maybe I'm overly picky, or maybe I just don't have the right taste- you could call it "the shoe radar"- that so many other people have. It could, quite possibly, be because I am on the short side, so finding shoes that are the right height for me can be really difficult. Flat shoes cause my jeans to drag on the ground, but heels and platforms make me look like a little kid playing dress up. And nowadays it seems almost impossible to find a low heel that is actually attractive.

I thought I'd found my solution the other day when I ran across a pair of black kitten heeled pumps on clearance. It felt like a total score and the answer to all of my shoe problems. Here was something that wasn't a flat but that definitely wasn't a tall heel, yet it still had the appearance of a heel, and it looked grown-up and not like something a teeny bopper would wear.

But, needless to say, it didn't work out. My love for the kitten heel lasted until I actually put them on and wore them out. First of all, they are really difficult to walk in- at least I thought they were. But that isn't why I can't wear them- for the right shoe, I would be willing to learn a new way of walking. The problem was that they just didn't look good. I think the short heel makes my leg look stumpy. So I will probably never wear them again.

This is sometimes truly frustrating. Throughout the past several years, I've gotten by with a very limited selection of shoes. I was addicted to cheap flip flops for awhile, but because the soles wore out so quickly those didn't stay in my rotation for long. Nowadays, I alternate between Chuck Taylor tennis shoes or black boots with a low heel. And finding the right black boots is difficult, too- everything on the market either has a stiletto heel or a big, chunky Juniors-style sole.

Maybe I just need to be more open-minded when it comes to shoes. Maybe I need to stop worrying so much about silhouette and focus on the shoes themselves. Whatever it is, I'd really like to understand the appeal of shoes. I'd much rather have too many shoes in my closet than have to deal with the opposite problem of making two pairs work for every occasion.
-by bjp

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By Brandi M. Seals

As the temperatures drop it becomes necessary to dress warmer. There are sweaters, sweatshirts, jackets, and much more that can be used to stay warm. But, while you may want to add warmth, you probably want to avoid adding extra bulk to your frame. No one needs to look larger than they are. Use a few key tricks to staying warm and avoiding bulky pieces.

Sweatshirts
Sweatshirts may be comfortable and keep you warm but they usually make the wearer look a little larger. If you are not willing to give up sweatshirts, you can do a few things to minimize their puff. Start by buying your size. Oversized shirts are comfy but they do nothing for your body. A shirt in your size will do a lot to help out. Avoid patterns that may make you look larger. You can also buy sweatshirts in sliming colors like black and blue.

Sweaters
Sweaters are an excellent wardrobe piece. They are warm and can be layered or worn alone. The common mistake with sweaters is finding ill-fitting pieces. Men tend to be the biggest offenders when it comes to wearing the wrong size. Do not over correct the problem. A tight sweater is not the answer. Find on e that contours the body.

Wear a button-up shirt with the collar and cuffs sticking out to dress up a sweater. You could also use light layers like tank tops or thin tee shirts underneath a sweater to add warmth.

Long-sleeves
In casual wear it is possible to pair a thin long-sleeved shirt underneath a nice tee shirt. Make sure the colors of the shirts coordinate together and are not the same. A lot of people do this look with sports tee shirts and use one of the team colors as the long-sleeved shirt. You could do that or just use any tee shirt. If the shirt is long or oversized, tuck it in. If it ends at the top of your pants, it can stay out.

Any long-sleeved shirt will actually help keep you warmer than a short sleeve. You could wear a plain button up shirt with long sleeves, long sleeved tee shirts, or anything else with sleeves that you have. Find what fits your style and use it.

Jackets
Men and women can use dressy or casual jackets in any outfit to add some heat. It dresses up the overall look of the outfit and should keep you warm. Casual jackets are often made in corduroy or jean, but I am sure you will be able to find many options at stores near you.

Long Johns
Long johns are extremely warming. They are no long the as thick and scratchy as they once were. You can buy thin warm layers that are silky smooth. Brands like Cuddle Duds are popular because they are extremely comfortable and keep you warm. You can find them at just about any department store.

If you are a traditionalist and prefer those bland white long johns from your past, you can still find them in many stores.

Socks
Socks are an often overlooked part of the wardrobe. But, if you can keep your feet warm, it will do a lot to keep you warm. The thickness of the sock does play a part in how warm your feet stay, but really it is the fit that does the most. Tight socks do not leave much room for air to get around and warm your feet. Socks that are too big do not hold the air in well enough. It is the air that really insulates the feet.

Depending on what your activities for the day will be, I recommend wearing cotton socks or wool socks. Go for wool if you will be outside a lot on a cool day. Keep an extra pair on hand because wool socks will stay wet for a long time. Avoid unnecessary discomfort if your socks get soaked. Natural fibers really do work the best at keeping in the warmth.

When all is said and done most people know how to keep themselves warm. The hardest part is avoiding the added bulk. Finding pieces that truly fit your shape is the key to it all and avoiding puffy looking pieces. Always try clothes on before you buy them. Things look different on each person and they may not look as great on you as they did on the hanger.

By Brandi M. Seals

Why is it that giant, shiny bags are taking over in the world of purses? I cannot even call these bags "purses." They are too big. One could fit a medium sized dog in there; or an outfit, makeup, and other items that would have previously required a gym bag to be transported.

Why does anyone need that much space? I know I do not. My purse is already bigger than it needs to be and it is less then half the size of most the new purses out there. I always keep on hand my wallet, pepper spray, a small notebook, a few pens, feminine hygiene products, assorted chapstick and makeup. Clearly I have a lot in there and I still have extra room. I would not know what to do with the added space a bigger bag provides.

It seems that young teens are attracted to the humongous bags. I guess they just see that they are really popular with celebrities. I have seen Paris Hilton, the Olson twins and several other supposedly hot young celebrities toting these things around. Of course, their giant bags are far more pricey than the ones most of us can afford. But, our knockoffs can still cost a pretty penny. I guess all that extra fabric raises the cost.

The non-teens who are rushing out to get the bags are either really in touch with what is in style now or are reminiscent of the giant bags that were big during the 80s. There is nothing quite like a blast from the past to get everyone to dive back in to old fashion mistakes. Giant bags are not the only thing trying to sneak back in. The skinny jeans, long shirt dresses, and I have even seen an occasional leg warmer out there.

I remember only a few short years ago when the ultra-tiny bag was the hot item to have. Barely anything fit in there. One could carry around a lipstick and a wallet. Nothing else would fit. I avoided that trend, opting for a bag just a bit larger. This time I have noticed to size of my everyday purse slowly increasing. It will never be the Texas-sized bags that everyone else seems to like, but I will attempt to bridge the gap.

I guess that is all anyone can do. You either cling whole heartedly to a new trend that is so different from the everyday life, or you adopt the concept of it in a small way. By not going full force into a new trend you can maybe avoid wasting money if the trend goes out quickly.

Think back to those tacky mesh or lace gloves that Lindsey Lohan tried to resurrect a couple of months ago. Some places began selling the gloves. Other places avoided them, knowing that the public was not willing to bring back that 80s Madonna-esq fashion statement. Those that avoided the gloves were happy. They did not catch on. Anyone who sunk money into them is probably wondering what they can do with them now other then donate them to a second hand store.

I do not know about the giant bags. It seems like they might be here to stay - at least for the next couple of years. I might even break down and buy one if they manage to hold out that long. I just know that I do not want to go drop money on one only to have it be tacky within a couple of months.

This is exactly how I felt about flair pants. I was convinced no one would get into flairs. I waited, they did not go away. In fact they took over the stores (at least in the juniors department). They were around for over a year before I tried a pair on. I avoided the giant flares but pretty soon I owned mostly flair legged pants. That worked out well for me as the pants style stayed on for so long.

When trying to decide whether or not to jump on the bandwagon of a new trend you can either dive right in or sit back and watch. If you are on a budget, I highly recommend the sit back and wait method. That way you can save your money if the trend does not pick up. If it is a resurrected trend you could try to find something comparable in a good second hand store.

It's a plain fact of the fashion world that almost everything is in style at some point. Looking back at the 1980s, for example, you can see that many things that are unacceptable today were totally cool and fashion-forward back then. Things like stonewashed jeans. Admit it- we all had a pair!

But if you dismiss the idea of current fashion and what's in versus what's out, and take a look at trends in general, it's easy to see that some of them are flattering or attractive, and some of them... are just plain atrocious and awful.

In the list below, I have outlined and explained the top ten fashion trends that I absolutely hate. Regardless of whether or not they're in style now, or if they ever were, I think these trends are absolutely wrong. I think they looked bad on everybody. And I'll never quite understand why they were ever thought of as a good idea.

I'm sure that after reading this you'll have your own additions to the list, or your own arguments. And that's fine... fashion is a matter of taste. Feel free to post in the comments!

1. Stiff hair.
Sometimes short hair is in style, and sometimes long hair is all the rage. Sometimes it's big and teased and other times it's 70's straight and flowing. But a look I've always hated is the look of stiff, immobile hair. Whether it's a short pixie cut sprayed into a helmet of hair, or a big bunch of 1980s bangs covered in an entire can of Aqua Net, it just doesn't look right. Hair is a natural extension of the body. Except on rare occasions (like maybe at a punk rock concert), I think it should move.

2. Tapered jeans.
I know- please don't remind me- that the skinny jean look is coming back. But regardless of what the runways and the clothes designers say, I will continue to state that this trend is one of the worst ideas ever. It makes even the thinnest of women look like they have big bottoms and huge hips. Why on earth would you want your ankles to be the smallest part of your lower body? Tapered jeans showcase the fact that our upper legs are larger than our calves, and according to beauty standards that's the exact opposite of what we want. These are just such a colossally bad idea.

3. Pleated pants.
In their unending quest to take over the world, pleated pants can still be found at every single Goodwill store and thrift clothing shop on the planet. I wish someone would round all of these things up and burn them in a big unfashionable bonfire. Pleated pants seem specifically designed to give you a puffy waistline and to make even the flattest tummy look bulbous and a little pregnant. Plus, they look like old man's pants. Plus, they are usually tapered. Ugh.

4. Shoulder pads.
Joan Crawford might have rocked them, but that doesn't mean I have to agree with them. Shoulder pads make small people look larger and they look unnatural, and those two reasons right there are enough for me to condemn them. Why do we want to add bulk to our bodies like this? I've heard the argument that shoulder pads help balance the top of the torso with the hips, and I think that's ridiculous. Since when should our shoulders and hips be in proportion? We're not mannequins. If anything, shoulder pads make everyone look like a giant box. Or a football player. There is simply nothing flattering about this silhouette.

5. Fake collars attached to shirts.
I really don't have an explanation for why I don't like this particular look. What I'm talking about are the shirts and sweaters that have a collar and cuffs attached to them so that it looks like the person is wearing a button-down shirt beneath the sweater. I just don't like this... there is something cheesy about it that I can't quite put my finger on. I understand the concept- these pieces are designed to create the layered look without adding bulk to the figure, and that is something I totally support- but for some reason they remind me of those tee shirts with the tuxedos printed on the front. It's a ruse that is fooling no one. If you really want the layered look, pick a thin button-down shirt and wear it under a loose-fitting sweater to avoid bulk. Because really, with the fake ones? People can totally tell that it's all one piece.

6. The raver look.
OK, so nobody has done this one in at least five years, and for that I'm grateful. But I remember a time when I was in school and the raver look was extremely popular, even among people who didn't even know what a rave really was. If you're unfamiliar with this style, it involved lots of plastic jewelry, bright colors, and... the worst part... childish accessories like teddy bear-shaped backpacks and pacifier necklaces. I really, really hated this. There were even a few girls in my high school who wore pacifiers all day and sucked on them during class, resulting in some teachers who were forced to confiscate them. My personal opinion is that if your high school teacher is taking away your pacifier then you have a maturity problem on your hands, not a fashion statement.

7. Billboard clothing.
Among pre-teens, it's pretty acceptable to walk around with the name of a clothing company emblazoned on your tee shirt, and I don't really have an argument with that. But as people get older I think this blatant advertising of who you're wearing becomes cheesy and more than a little inappropriate. Whether it's ten different items that are printed with the Adidas logo in one outfit, or a scarf and bag emblazoned with designer initials, if your clothing screams who made it then chances are pretty good people are looking at all the writing, not at you. And personally I think that's in bad taste. Who wants to look like a walking Nike commercial?

8. Fake retro tee shirts.
How can I describe how much I hate this trend without going into the fact that I do, in fact, like the retro tee shirt look? Wearing an old Little League tee or a shirt for a long-defunct company can be cute and gives you a vintage touch. But the problem is that as soon as the teenage-era clothing manufacturers figured out that vintage was in, they jumped all over it. And now you can't turn a corner in a clothing store without finding tons of tee shirts emblazoned with fake logos for ski lodges with cute slogans. Ugh. Some companies use double entendres ("Come dunk it at Dolly's Donuts!") to try and be ironic with their fake logos and it is just stupid and sickening. Those of us who actually value vintage clothing for what it is are somewhat annoyed by all these imitation old-style tee shirts out there. Anyone who knows what they're looking for can tell in an instant when someone is wearing an imitation retro shirt, and there's nothing more obnoxious.

9. Big boots on little people.
Without naming any names, I'm pretty sure everyone knows what boots I'm talking about when I mention big furry boots on little female celebrities. And the fact that these boots lasted so long, spawning millions of imitators and fashion mistakes around the world, is just amazing to me. They were just so blessed ugly. The look of huge boots of any brand, pulled over skinny jeans or, even worse, worn beneath billowy summer skirts is one of the most unflattering things I have ever seen. They cut the line of the leg and made everyone look like they had rushed out of the house during a fire drill in January.

10. Decorated jeans.
I'm amazed at how many people- full-grown adult women, no less- that I still see roaming the streets in hideously over-decorated blue jeans. I'm not talking about little rhinestones on the back pockets, although even those can be overdone. I'm talking about jeans that lace up the sides with leather thongs, or those that are appliqued all over with butterflies and embroidered along the bottom, or those with bright white bleached patches and dark blue dyed patches sewn together. More often than not, these jeans have an unflattering hip-hugger low-slung style, and the whole effect just makes everyone look bigger and a little silly. These jeans make everyone look like they've been wrongfully shopping in the Juniors' department... and ironically, they don't even look that good on Juniors. Blue jeans should make a simple statement and accent the body... not look over-accessorized all by themselves!

Those are just a few of the items on my list of trends that should have never happened. The more I look around me, the more I notice that fashion nowadays has loosened up somewhat... styles aren't as firmly outlined as they once were, and more and more people are feeling some freedom to wear what they want. On the one hand, that's good because it means we don't have to wear silly trends like these. On the other hand, it also means that as long as someone still likes this stuff, it will continue to show up on the streets. Which is fine, as long as I don't have to wear it!
-by bjp

By Simon Woodhouse

In case you hadn't realized, men and women are different. They look different, and according to societies 'norms', they're supposed to behave differently too - men like cars, beer and sport, whilst women are supposed to go for clothes, dieting and emotions. It is all part of the Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus claptrap. I don't support that theory, to me, we're all the same. Women get excited about cars, just in the same way men like fashion. But there is a limit to how far the crossover will go. Women might like cars, but they'll very rarely want to get under the hood and change the air filter. Men like clothes, but they'd be reluctant to admit they have an extensive wardrobe, with one exception - sneakers. Women like shoes, but men love sneakers.

It's easy to see why blokes and sneakers go together like politics and corruption. Men are supposed to like sport, and sneakers are a sporty thing. When you wear a pair of sneakers it's like sportyness by association, and not association with a subdued sport like golf. Sneakers are the lovechild of action sports - basketball, tennis, contests that involve lots of sweating and grunting.

The history of the sneaker goes to show when a basic design is right, it's right. One of the most iconoclastic pieces of footwear today, the Converse All Star, hasn't changed much since 1917. Another giant in the sneaker world, adidas (you're not supposed to spell it with a capital A), has also been around for nearly eighty years. But it's generally reckoned sneakers came of age as a fashion statement in the mid 80s. Celebrity endorsement is the name of the game if an everyday item wants to crossover into superstardom, but it has to be the right sort of celebrity, and one who'll appeal to the right sort of audience. Rap group Run DMC were already wearing adidas Shell Toe sneakers before the footwear giant started paying them to do so. However, who wouldn't want to be paid to wear clothes you already love? Sporting unlaced sneakers in all their 80s videos, Run DMC connected adidas with street-cool and a marketing match made in heaven was born. The band even wrote a song called My adidas

At around about the same sort of time, another behemoth in the world of sporting goods, Nike, teamed up with a rookie basketball player called Michael Jordan. This combination produced the legendary Air Jordan shoe. Now the world of sneakers had aligned itself with the bad boy image of rap, and the uber-athleticism of championship basketball. This two-pronged assault propelled the sneaker to the level of 'must have' accessory. These celebrity endorsements, though costly (Jordan received $47m over five years) are well worth it in an industry with a $13 billion annual turn over. In fact Nike has become such a massive brand, it no longer needs its name on its products, just the little curvy tick thing.

Some of this colossal sum of money comes from Sneakerheads, guys who've just lost it over sports shoes. These are the people who don't own one or two pairs, but forty plus. There are even magazines like Sole Collector and Complex, that are dedicated to nothing but collecting sneakers. Not happy with merely having celebrity endorsements as a means to push the brand, manufacturers now do what is called 'quick strikes'. This involves a small number of a limited edition shoe being delivered to a store at short notice. What follows is usually a feeding frenzy, in which ravenous Sneakerheads camp outside overnight and then almost beg the store to take their money. But these people aren't as daft as they seem, because like most in-demand, hard-to-come-by products, limited edition sneakers (as long as they're unworn) have a healthy resale mark up. Point in case being the release of Nike Pigeon Dunks back in early 2005. Twenty pairs were made available to a store in New York, but seventy people turned up wanting to buy them. This led to twenty satisfied customers, fifty not so happy shoppers, and the police being deployed riot-control style in order to make sure things didn't get out of hand. Later the same day a pair of the Pigeon Dunks sold for $2000 on eBay.

Exclusivity isn't the only thing new in the world of sneakers. Nike has just teamed up with Apple to produce the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit. Buy any pair of Nike+ sneakers and you'll find a little pocket built into the sole. Now buy the Sport Kit, and you'll get a tiny electronic do-hicky to shove in the pocket. The kit also comes with a small attachment that fits into the bottom of your iPod Nano. Start running and the sneakers will transmit information to the Nano, turning it into a hi-tech pedometer. But there's more. When you get home you can plug your Nano into your compy, and upload your exercise stats to a Nike website that'll even let you challenge other runners to a virtual race. Last but not least (and this is my favorite feature), as you're jogging your Nano will be monitoring your pace, if you start to flag a pre-determined 'power tune' will kick in and give you that much needed boost of enthusiasm. So don't be surprised, if you're out walking the dog in the near future and a weary jogger goes past, only to suddenly speed up and start singing Eye of the Tiger from Rocky III.

My mom does a lot of winter sports. So, she is very intent on having the proper clothing and making sure that you are properly layered up for the elements. I always thought that layers might feel good, and they might keep you warm, but they don't do much for your fashion sense! I always balked at the idea of dressing in layers, even though I live in a state where temperatures can actually get into the minus 60 and 70 degrees in the winter. We aren't known for our beaches here in South Dakota. But at any rate, I balked because I didn't want to look silly or stupid wearing lots of layers. But something changed my mind.

When I was abroad, it was very cold. I was studying in France and I had brought along a bout a month's worth of clothing for about 5 months of living. I began my studying in January, and even though I was supposed to be in a warmer climate, it turned out to be a super cold year, unexpectedly. I didn't expect it to be so cold, and neither did the French! So, pretty much, during the winter, I was wearing a good majority of what I had in my closet each day! :) I didn't really have any heavy winter gear, so I layered up, instead. My mom was proud of me!

Normally, I'm a very fashion-oriented person, so I was frustrated with the fact that I hadn't brought along more fashionable winter clothes and therefore was forced to layer up, and look a little silly. It was exactly what I had always refused to do back home. Then again, back home, I had a car with a heater to keep me warm. Here, I was on my own and walking everywhere, so I had to layer up, even if it did make me look crazy. However, I discovered something.


Layers can be SUPER fashionable, even in today's world of wearing next to nothing to go out. I tried layering different things over my clothes, and really got some cute outfits out of it. I had gone into the trip thinking I would have to forsake fashion for warmth, and that didn't turn out to be so! I was really able to make cute outfits up that looked great and were very fashionable.

First of all, I had brought along long underwear. This is a must have for any trip that takes you into cold places, but most especially when you are walking a lot. I was walking every day to school, I didn't even have a car, so no matter how cold it got, I was out there walking. Therefore a good pair of long underwear that can be worn close to the body is a must have. It is very important to keep yourself warm so that you can concentrate on other things. Long underwear is sheer, and it can be worn all the way to your ankles and all the way up to your neck. No one has to know you have it on, and it can make all of the difference! I was wearing mine almost every single day, and I don't think anyone ever noticed.

Next comes your socks. I always wore at least two pairs at a time, one tucked under my long underwear and one over the top of it. If it was really cold, I put on a third pair. Whatever was on top would be the color that I wanted people to see with my outfit for the day, and whatever was beneath didn't matter at all! If I was wearing tights or other kinds of socks that are meant to be seen, I was careful to make the layers on the bottom thin enough to look good. Its really not about the thickness, it's about the material. If you are using polyester instead of cotton, your layers will keep you much warmer, even though they are thinner.

I usually put jeans on over my long underwear. If it was REALLY cold and I was going to be spending a lot of time outdoors, I would put a pair of polyester jammie pants over the long underwear, and under the jeans. This can be very fashionable if you have jeans that are ripped or worn, because the pattern on the jammie pants will look like it is supposed to be there. You can use wild patterns or solid colors, depending on what look you want to achieve. My best pair of jeans for this trip happened to have a rip on the knee that was meant to be there. So I was sure to showcase this by always wearing something interesting underneath.

Regardless, jeans are an important part of layering up in fashion. You can even wear your ripped and torn jeans if you have something underneath, but jeans are heavy and will keep you warmer than other types of pants. Jeans are also very acceptable in most situations, unless you are going somewhere fancy or need to be dressed up. If you have a nice pair of jeans that doesn't look worn, you can even use these for those kinds of situations, especially if they are dark colors.

Next comes your tops. I was already wearing a long sleeve long underwear shirt, so I was always sure to wear at least two tops over that. My long underwear shirt was white, so it wasn't a problem with whatever I wore on top of it. For my first layer, I would wear a long sleeve, solid colored shirt made out of polyester. This would be something that would be meant to be seen, so I would make sure it was long enough to go over my jeans. Then, I would coordinate a button down shirt over this long sleeve shirt, making sure that the cuffs of the long sleeve shirt stick out over my hands, and that you could see the bottom of the long sleeve shirt underneath the button down shirt. I would usually wear printed button down shirts, with the same color scheme as the shirt underneath. This preppy and neat look is very warm and also very cute. A third layer on top of the button down shirt would be a cute t-shirt that matched appropriately. This was a lot of fun, because I had lots of cute t-shirts that were brought along but that I couldn't wear because it was cold outside. It's okay if they are a little small, because in order for the layers to work you have to be able to see the layers beneath the t-shirt. It also is only for fashion, so it doesn't have to serve a purpose.

My last layer, and actually, the thing that kept me the warmest and also in my own unique style, was usually a skirt overtop of my jeans. This last layer could really complete the outfit because you could choose from many different patterns and colors, and along with the shirts, it was easy to make an outfit that really matched and looked good. I had brought along a lot of skirts because I had expected it to be nice outside. I couldn't wear any of them because even if I wore tights underneath it would still be too cold. So I wore them over my jeans and completed that look with a big chunky belt tied across my waist.

To complete my gypsy-traveler outfit, I would wear lots of jewelry, and usually something tied around my head or ponytail. I would be sure to have a big thick sweater along, which only added to the attire. I wanted to look like I was traveling, and also have that gypsy-hippie type look that I like so well in my normal, every day clothing.

What I came away with is a great fashion idea. It is completely functional, because you will be warm and comfortable, and if you get too hot, you can always take off a layer or two. By making sure that all of your layers coordinate with each other, you'll have a great outfit that will keep you warm and allow you to enjoy your surroundings! Oh, and you'll have plenty of suitcase room on the way home, if you are wearing all of your clothing on your back! :)

Let's face it: sometimes we all have a horror of pushing the envelope when it comes to wearing stylish clothing. Yet, at the same time, almost all of us at some point or another have a strong desire to stand out in the crowd. The problem is that most of us aren't fashion designers, and there's no accounting for taste, and it's sometimes really hard to know where to draw the line. How do you look stylish and edgy and fresh... without looking silly and wishing you could go home and start over due to a major fashion mishap?

Honestly, I'm not sure how to answer that question. My only piece of advice is that no matter how silly other people might think you look, if you get caught out in public in a less-than-wise fashion choice, you'd better work it like you love it. But anyhow, that isn't what this post is about.

What this post is about, on the other hand, are a few interesting (quirky, if you will) fashion trends and tricks that I've either spotted on the street, seen in magazines, or done myself. And while these might sound a little odd- in fact, I think I've heard both of these ideas condemned in various articles regarding fashion do's and don'ts- my opinion is that these things really do work. I'll explain why.

Pants beneath a skirt.
I will defend this one until the day I die. I'm not sure why, but I love this look, and I think if it's done right it can honestly be one of the freshest, hippest looks around. And there are so many ways to do it that it's pretty easy to do it correctly as long as you keep things like proportion in mind. The key is to make sure that the skirt isn't too long- anything below your knee and you will start to look drapey and huge- and that the patterns and colors play into each other in a way that looks "on purpose." If you don't watch the styles and colors that you're combining, you might end up looking like you were sitting at home and you got cold in your skirt so you threw some pants on. So make sure to think over the combination before you step outside the door.

When you're trying to do this look, avoid straight-legged jeans. Go for either slim skinny jeans or fitted black leggings; or go the completely opposite direction and try it with bell-bottoms or super-flared jeans or pants. Also, make sure that the skirt has some shape to it- an A-line or flared skirt is best. This will keep you from looking bunchy around the waist and bottom.

Finally, have some fun with this combination. Try layering a long tunic or fitted tee shirt over the skirt, and then throwing on a short cardigan for a punk-rock look. Pair the outfit with ballet flats or chunky boots. Consider mixing up your genres with combinations like blue jeans and lacy dresses, or denim skirts and elegant black pants. Check yourself in the mirror before you leave the house and make sure your proportions and colors are working.

Underwear as outerwear (but not that kind).
Some people are going to read that heading and instantly get the wrong idea here, but I'm not referring to what you might think I'm referring to. No, I don't think that wearing bras and panties outdoors is a good fashion idea. I also don't think that anything that shouldn't be exposed should be shown off in the name of fashion. We're not talking about sleazy or skanky or inappropriate stuff here.

What I am talking about, though, is the use of some unexpected pieces in unexpected places. Specifically, take a look at your lingerie collection. You may have a few silky camisoles or half-slips, and chances are good that they're in soft pretty colors and have lacy trim and spaghetti straps. Great. Have you ever considered using them as part of your daily fashion?

Try putting on a normal white cotton tank top, and then layering two lingerie-style camisoles over it. The boutiques and clothing stores are selling these lacy-looking camisoles for a lot of money as outerwear; there's no reason you can't wear the ones you already have, as long as you're covered- and that's what the tank top underneath is for. This also has the added bonus of creating a fresh layered look that works wonderfully with jeans or a skirt. Throw a cardigan or small sweatshirt on top and you're good to go.

You can also experiment with half-slips and even underslips as dresses and skirts. The key is to layer them- on top of regular skirts and dresses, or on top of other slips- so that they're acceptable for outdoor wear. You'll create a slinky, waif-like fashion statement that will work surprisingly well in a casual environment.

One word of caution: make sure any camisoles or lingerie pieces that you wear outdoors are clean and in good shape. And unless your pieces really do look perfect, you might not want to wear them into an office environment. There are still some people who will accuse you of showing up in your pajamas. But if you're headed out to a concert, an art show or a coffeehouse... try this look. You'll probably start a trend.

Remember- when it comes to fashion, some things work and some things don't. But just because something doesn't work in someone else's book, doesn't mean you can't totally rock it.
-by bjp

The clock strikes 5 p.m. and my mind switches gears, instantly. I characterize myself as an illustriously articulate and successful career woman by day, and a perpetually evolving fashionista by night. I grab an empty lunchpail, my Ralph Lauren tote, and a stylish London Fog automatic umbrella that has been on my coat hanger for what seems like months, and bolt for the side door. It is time to do some shopping.

But today is different. Today, my friends, I am searching for a "change" in my current repertoire. Over the weekend, I was flipping casually through the pages of the latest Hollywood gossip magazines, and I saw them - the skinny jean. An 80s flashback. A 2006 must have. And so, today, I stride boldly toward the women's clothing store at the corner, uninhibited in my demeanor and driven by this one goal: must find a skinny jean that looks good on me. Yes girls, I said "looks good on me". I will take this opportunity to digress slightly and educate all of you on the cardinal rule in my fashion doctrine: Always make sure it looks good on you according to you. Would I find my skinny prize? With a name like "skinny", one thing was for sure. This jean would either give me the long and lanky legs of an America's Top Model, or reinforce my original self-perception of direly needing to be "skinny". The moment of truth was only two blocks away and counting.....

In the store, I try on several pairs of skinny jeans. Skinny jeans in black, indigo blue, and whitewash. Skinny jeans with an ankle cut. Skinny jeans at full length. The mirror in the fitting room and I were becoming adversaries very quickly. The combination of my narrow waist and curvaceous hips made the skinny jean my nemesis. It was war, surrender, or compromise, and I was still deciding how to respond. It is at this point that I decided it was time to inform my fellow bloggers on the basics of jeans. I like to call it "Jean-wearing for Dummies". Here we go:

1) You have no waist and no hips. Congratulations! I don't ever want to meet you because I might have to hurt you. (just kidding). But seriously, you are the skinny jean candidate extraordinaire. The skinny jean Queen. these jeans will give you longer legs and a slimmer appearance ( if you aren't already 5 foot 4 and 100 pounds, at which point you could wear anything and this article is going to help you in no way shape or form). Yes, no waist, no hips, women, say it loud, "Skinny jeans are for me!".

2) You have a larger waist and ample hips. The relaxed jean is your best friend. But please, no pleats. And save the buttons on the back pockets for your toddler niece's or daughter's romper wear. These pleats and buttons only accentuate your front and back, and in a rather unflattering way, might I add.

3) You have a narrower waist and ample hips. Along with being my partner in crime, you do have many choices, and none of them have to be tailor-made jeans. The low rise jean in a boot cut yields a J-lo effect. Since our waists are thinner, revealing the waist is both sexy and more importantly, visually acceptable to others.

Now we all know that it is impossible to narrow all jeans across all stores into three categories. And the same could be said for bodies as well. In fact, with all the jean consumerism and market choices, any "jean guide" is obsolete in a matter of months, anymore. Therefore, if nothing else, it is important to take away a few bits of information on "skinny jeans".

Skinny Jeans are:
• For the skinny ( both waistless and hipless)
• Best when worn with flats, but if you want to look "Fredericks of Hollywood", then go ahead and throw on those bright red pumps
• Looks good with the Pat Benetar sweater (the one that wears well with a striped t-shirt, hits below the hips, and if it is meshed, then you can hit anyone with your best shot.
• NOT AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY. Just because Nicole Ritchie and Paris Hilton are sporting skinnies like they are going out of style (which thankfully they will soon), it doesn't mean you have to. Viva la boot cut. Viva la flare. Viva what looks good on you.
So, I left the store disheartened but not defeated. I knew that there were other options for me. I knew that the skinny was part of what was "in", but it wasn't the only thing that was "in". I also knew that half of looking good is wear what I feel confident in. Coming to this resolution was surprisingly refreshing (almost like a $1000 shopping spree on jeans would have been). The question is, what can I look for now? What is the hottest fashion must have for me now? Hey, I am just a Midwestern born and raised self-proclaimed trendy diva. I can ignore current fashions because they look bad on me....most of us can...unless we live in NYC, LA, or Paris.

In the name of Skinnies, R.I.P. Until next time......

By Brandi M. Seals

Every man, like everyone women is different. They like to wear different things and are comfortable dressing in different styles. However, there are a few basics that transverse just about any style. They are main pieces that can be used in several different settings and personalized to compliment any style.

Men's Wardrobe Must Haves Include:

Polo Shirts
It does not matter if you stick mainly to tee shirts and jeans or prefer slacks and a button up shirt. A polo shirt is great for anyone. It is slightly dressier than a tee shirt, but not so dressy that it cannot be worn with khakis or jeans. Polo shirts can be layered over a basic tee shirt or layered under a button up. They come in several colors, textures, patterns, and more. Get what fits your style and add it to your wardrobe.

Jeans
Everyone needs at least one good pair of jeans. Try to find a pair that actually fits. All too often guys seem to end up in the wrong size. The pants are way too big, too tight in the tush or will not fit around their expanding waist line. Ask for help if you do not know what fits. Take your wife, girlfriend, or any friend that will give you honest answers. You could also consult with the salesperson.

The key area to fit is the inseam. The crotch should not hang down too low. Check the rise on your jean (the space between the crotch and the top of the waist band). You do not want it too high or too low. Your jeans should sit slightly below the belly button.

Get jeans that are dark. Dark jeans are easier to dress up then lighter colored pairs. They also look better on most body types.

Slacks
Every guy needs a great pair of slacks. Get a neutral color like black, gray, or beige. Slacks are great when you need to dress up a little but do not need to wear a suit. Pair slacks with sweaters or button up shirts. Avoid slacks with pleats. They add unnecessary bulk in the crotch area. Stay looking slim by buying flat front pants. If you just cannot live without pleats, stick to one pleat pants. They add the least amount of bulk.

Button Up Shirt
Again, everyone needs to dress up once in awhile. Invest in a good button up, long sleeved shirt. It can be worn under a suit, with slacks, or worn untucked with a tee shirt underneath. This would play into what your style is. You can dress up the shirt or dress it down. It is all up to you. Try to find one in a pretty color that brings out your eyes or looks great with your skin tone.

Shoes
No one can get buy just owning a pair of sneakers. Invest in a good pair of shoes in a neutral color. If you will not need dress shoes very often, you could invest in a pair of black slip-ons that can go with dress clothes and with khakis. Avoid overly specialized shoes. Do not get pieces that can only be worn with suits or only worn with jeans. Try to bridge the gap. You will get more use out of your shoes that way.

Belt
A belt automatically adds a bit of attention to any outfit. No tucked in shirt looks right without a belt. Keep it simple. Get one in black and one in brown that way you have all of your bases covered. There are also reversible belts out there. Once side is black, the other side is brown. Simply swivel the buckle around and it is like you have a brand new belt.

Belts can be worn with jeans, slacks, and khakis. Make sure the belt is the correct length. You should not have to tuck the loose end of the belt under the first belt loop. Belts come in sizes just like your pants do. Use your waist size as a guide for buying a belt.

Tee Shirts
Everyone needs a few tee shirts. Get them in multiple colors so that they can be used for layering. Layering tee shirts will allow you to introduce new colors into an outfit and make it stand out a little bit more.

Think back to the first time that you ever fell in love. The first time his lips touched yours and made your heart melt. Remember one of your first dates. You and your new beau took in a movie at Newport on the Levee and after the movie, spent close to an hour making out in his car on an empty Newport city back-street.

Ahhh...those were the days.

Needless to say, it is also permanently engraved in your mind the day when your world came crashing down around you. The day when the one that you thought you would be with for the rest of your life no longer wanted to be in a relationship with you.

"Hoop-shirts and penny-loafers Batman! What are you going to do now?"

Despite the fact that you are going to have to find a new apartment (if you guys live together) and how much it is going to cost to pay for the deposits of the phone, internet and cable services, do not get caught up in the break-up woes. Jealousy and revenge are sweet, but it is so unbecoming of the true aficionado of class and social grace that you know that you are (or at least you think you are).

The truth is, the reason why there are so many ugly break-up stories floating around is because neither of the two people involved (or three, depending on how freaky you are) know exactly what types of emotions are going to erupt when one decides to end a relationship. Speaking from experience, there are 3 distinct phases to a break up that a jilted lover will go through before they move on with the rest of their life and correspondingly, there are three distinct outfits that initiate you in each stage of recovery. I do realize that each situation that initiates a break-up is different, but in general, these are the 3 emotional phases to look out for.
If you know what to expect and how to dress, maybe that next break-up will not end up with you spending a night in your county’s local detention center, missing your left Timberland boot and wondering where everything went wrong.

PHASE 1: Where did the love go?

The first phase is usually the most difficult to get past and the one that hits you the hardest. During this phase, your heart feels like it has just gone through a cheese greater and was plopped back into your chest, still ripped and frayed. During this phase you repeatedly try and talk to the one who used to love you about the reasons why he kicked you to the curb so readily. Because of the nature of the beast, this could end up two different ways. He will tell you the reasons or he will not. Either way, you will be jousted into the 2nd phase weather you want to or not.

Outfit: Silk pajamas and fuzzy slippers. Your depression about your current situation will definitely get the best of you. Let it get to you. You will need to feel the pain of the loss as soon and quickly as possible so that you can quickly move on to the next stage.

PHASE 2 Find ways to change yourself to get him back

After a couple of pints of ice cream and long nights of being a wall flower at the local gay dance club, you start to think about ways of changing yourself to become a better person. You look deep within yourself to find the things about you that you are ashamed of and dislike. You concoct broad and unrealistic ways of reinventing yourself so that the one that just asked for the keys to his apartment will take you back into his open arms.
Outfit: Black UTILITY buttoned down long sleeved collard shirt from Target, low rise boot cut jeans from the GAP and Kenneth Cole brown zip up-calf high boost. This look will match you new found confidence.

PHASE 3: Acceptance

Hopefully, this mantra of self delineation will bring you to the conclusion that he does not want to have you as a lover any longer and that maybe you are better off without him, for the time being. You should take this as a diving board. Weather you want to dive back into another relationship, or maybe pick up another degree at you local university or college. Whatever you want to do, this is the time to do it.
Outfit: Birthday suit. Hopefully by this time you have moved on and have found someone else to get naked with.

In the back of your mind, you are always going to hope that the man of your dreams comes back to his senses and wants you back. If that happens, make sure he knows that this fly-by-night cavalcade romance can not continue if he truly wants to revisit the relationship.
By chance, if it is the other way around, keep it in your mind to leave him be and let him find his way. If the way that he finds leads him back to you, then you two were truly meant to be.

Let him fly gurl....let him fly!

The other day I found myself watching one of those reality shows on television. This particular one involved a group of B-list celebrities who compete to lose a certain amount of weight in a certain amount of time through various fitness and diet challenges. During the weighing-in ceremony, one contestant's remark in particular caught my ear and made me think a little. This man, when asked what the biggest difference in his life was since he had lost about twenty pounds, stated that he no longer found himself "dressing defensively." As he said this, he was wearing a simple pair of khakis and a tucked-in polo shirt. He indicated his clothing and repeated the statement, then added, "I'm not trying to hide anything anymore."

Just to add to the phenomenon, earlier this evening I was watching a fashion makeover show, and the woman receiving the makeover made almost the exact same statement, just in different words. She was wearing lots of baggy tops and sweatshirts that made her look large; when she was asked why she chose clothes like that, she stated it was because she was self-conscious about her (non-existent, at least as far I was concerned) tummy.

The idea of dressing defensively, or dressing to hide what you perceive as your own body flaws, is far from a new one. In fact, the concept is one of the major "makers or breakers" when it comes to choosing clothing for many men and women in the world today. But what I realized is this: it's such a sad, and often unnecessary, thing to waste our energy on.

Now, I'm certainly not saying that everyone should wear the same types of clothing, and I do believe firmly in the idea that certain items can be cut a certain way in order to disguise any flaws that do exist. Those who really do have a tummy should avoid wearing belly shirts- heck, I think everyone should avoid wearing belly shirts, but that's beside the point. You don't have to show off what you consider your body flaws, but dressing them down is one thing. Obsessing over them and letting them completely control what you wear is another thing altogether.

I wear a small size, but women in my family are cursed with what I consider flabby upper arms. A few years ago I involved myself in a fairly rigorous program of weight training and diet and exercise, and the rest of my body was very toned... but my upper arms never seemed to quite get there. I think it's one of those things- everyone's bodies store fat in slightly different places, and this happens to be mine.

Unfortunately, for years I have let this influence my clothing choices. And frankly, that is just no fun. Everyone who knows me will attest to the fact that even today, even in the heat of summer, it is extremely rare to see me wearing short sleeves. When I'm in the stores, if I see a short-sleeved top I have to fight the urge to automatically rule it out- unless it's the type of shirt that I can throw a cardigan over. Most of my shirts are three-quarter sleeved or longer. I own the world's largest collection of cardigans and jackets for this exact reason.

The thing is, all of this talk about defensive dressing made me realize something: this huge amount of effort to hide what is a relatively small flaw is sad. And I missed out on a lot of fun fashion choices I could have been making along the way, simply in an effort to cover up what I didn't like about myself. The reality of the matter is that on the few occasions when I did wear short sleeves I am almost positive that nobody even noticed my upper arms.

When I think about this, I think about all the men and women all over the world who go through agonies trying to decide what to buy and what to wear because they are trying to hide something that in the eyes of everyone else most likely does not even exist. It's amazing how much we amplify our own flaws, and go out of our way to compensate for them. So much time and energy is invested in this that I'm surprised some of us can manage to leave the house at all.

I'm not really sure what the solution to all of this is. For me, one solution was this: I discovered that wearing cap sleeves was the best way to show my upper arms without feeling self conscious about them. Regular short sleeves cut my arm at the wrong place, but cap sleeves end just below the shoulder and make the entire arm look longer and leaner. This is what I'm talking about when I say that you can play down your perceived flaws without going through all the pain and effort of trying to hide them completely. It's totally possible to do. The key is having the guts to try a few different pieces of clothing until you find the one that makes you happy with how you look, and then having the guts to wear it out. You'll find that you get used to it, and that you feel a lot more comfortable... and a lot more free... than you did when you were hiding your body in defensive clothing.
-by bjp

By Brandi M. Seals

Every woman is different. We all have our own style. While I believe every person should remain loyal to her own style, there are a few key pieces that are pretty much universal to all wardrobes.

A Great Pair of Jeans
Even if you love to wear skirts and slacks all year long, you should own a great pair of jeans. They give you something to wear on your downtime and can still look quite stylish. When picking out a pair of jeans, you will probably have to try several on. Get the ones that look best on your frame. Try to avoid in-the-moment styles that will quickly fade.

Your jeans should be dark denim and fit well. Darker denim is easier to dress up than lighter pieces. Plus, it generally looks better on most. If you are having trouble finding jeans that look good on you, keep in mind that jeans that have a straight leg going down from the widest part of your bottom look good on everyone.

A Stylish Coat
Jazz up any wardrobe with a spectacular coat. You do not have to drop a lot of money, just find a coat that is well made and is special in someway. Perhaps you like lots of color. If so, by all means run out a buy a teal 3/4 length pea coat. If you're a pattern girl, find something that rocks your world. Maybe a nice hounds tooth is your style. Maybe you prefer something with pin stripping. Find a coat that fits you well and exhibits something unique. It can be big like the items discussed previously or have something simply like tasteful faux fur trimming.

A Cute Jacket
Jackets are a great accessory. They automatically dress up any outfit. Pair jackets with jeans, a skirt, or slacks. When picking a jacket, the most important component is the fit. If you cannot button it, it does not fit. Avoid pieces that are too big. Look for ones that have seaming that nips the jacket in around your waist.

Some people have a hard time finding jackets that fit their entire body due to large breast, thicker arms, or wide shoulders. If that is the case, fit the largest part of you. If you have wide shoulder, get a jacket that fits them. Then take it to a tailor so that the rest of it can be altered down. A few extra dollars spent on tailoring is better than not wearing something because it does not truly fit you.

Button Up Shirt
Button up shirts are a main stable in any wardrobe. They can go under sweaters and jackets or over camisoles. Button ups can be worn with jeans for a casual feel or paired with something a bit dressier. Stock up on button up shirts in colors that complement your skin tone.

Camisoles
Camisoles are another great piece because of their versatility. Wear them with jackets, button up shirts, jackets, suits, and much more. If you love a certain dress but it’s a little too low cut, simply pair it with a coordinating cami. It will raise the neckline and give you an opportunity to wear the dress.

Little Black Dress
For years people have raved about the little black dress. All it is, is a cut number that you can pull out any time you have somewhere important to go. When shopping for a little black dress it is important to find a piece that fits well and is not going to go out of style. Try to find pieces that have stood the test of time, like a simple wrap dress. Avoid hot-at-the-moment pieces with uneven hems or other passing fashion pieces.

The beauty of the little black dress is that you can change the feel of it by altering your accessories. Wear it will a little cardigan to bring it down the style power or glam it up with a gorgeous shawl. Always make sure that your little black dress has something special about it. Maybe it sparkles along the neckline or maybe it has a thin ribbon of color that draws attention to the waistline. Find what you like and keep it on hand for any of those evenings when you need to dress up a bit.

By: Melissa Martinez

I got my hair cut today. It was nothing major; I just got a trim with some bangs. But boy did the bangs make a difference. They have changed my entire look. People literally did not recognize me. Heck, I almost did not recognize myself! I was in complete shock. So I got to thinking about how something as ordinary as a haircut can give your look a total makeover.

It is amazing how our hair can really be our ultimate accessory. I mean, there it is, right on our head. It is practically the first thing people notice when they look at you. I mean, we have all been asked at one time or another, what was going on with our hair and we all have bad hair days right? Whether short or long, it makes an impact on your overall appearance. The old saying is true. First impressions count for a whole lot. And the last thing you want is for that impression to get stale, so changing it up every once and a while can be a very good thing.

As a nation we spend millions on new wardrobes every year. Whether it is a new coat or a new pair of jeans, we always reach for the racks to change our look. But just think of the money that can be saved by simply updating your hairstyle from season to season. Sounds crazy does it not? But if you think about it, it would really work. It would make a huge difference. The focus would be shifted from your clothes to your hair. You could trick the eye so to speak. No one is going to notice last season's linen skirt when they are looking at your new short bob right? No need to worry about updating the wardrobe in any specific way. Wouldn't that be great? Yeah, I think you follow me.

Take a moment and flip through any magazine you may have lying around the house. Look at pictures of models with different hairstyles. Try to find at least four with distinct hairdos. Now picture these same models with different outfits on. It takes a minute, but just go with it. You will start to realize how different the outfits look worn by the different models with different hairstyles. The same thing will happen to you when you change your hair. You will see how your own clothes will look completely different. It is so simple yet so few of us realize the importance of our hairstyle. It is our best accessory if you really think about it.

I know this is not rocket science or anything but the fact that a hairstyle can make such an impact just floors me. It is always the simplest thing that makes the biggest difference and it is easy to forget that sometimes. A new hairstyle can give you a whole new outlook on your day and liberate your thinking. This whole new outlook will inevitably affect your fashion choices. You might just gather up the nerve to buy those skinny jeans you have been dreading just because your new short crop looks too darn cute. Do you see where I am going here?

Ok, now that I have got you hooked you are probably thinking what the best cut for this fall would be. Well in fashion this season we have been seeing the long and short of it. Bangs are very big on the runway as is super straight hair. Curls, however, have made a decent comeback so break out those curling irons for a dramatic twist on your do. If you choose to cut your hair short consider going super short. It will be easy to maintain and will make a statement. If keeping your locks long, go for bangs and a little layering. These styles will work great with all the fashions for fall. I also have a feeling they will work right into spring as well.

So keeping up with fashion can be as simple as getting a haircut. Who knew? I certainly did not. Gosh, if I had known my hair was going to make such a splash, I just might have skipped purchasing all the shoes and tops I bought this week. Well, at least it would have paid for my haircut!

By Jennifer Lynn

We have all been faced with that dreaded and tedious task. I'm talking about the task that makes us cringe. It is that one chore that seems to be never-ending and if you are anything like me, you do it and it seems like it is no time before it is time to do it again. Talk about a thankless job. That is right ladies and gentlemen, I'm talking about cleaning out your closet. Whether it is the masses of clothes that you have stacked up in your bedroom closet or the messy pantry, we all will have to encounter closing cleaning at some point in our lives. Very few people give their closet the proper attention despite the fact that on a daily basis they have some sort of interaction with their closet (more than one if they do what they are supposed to and hang up their clothes and put away their shoes). The messy closet is an all too common epidemic that many individuals suffer from. There is a reason why many sitcoms often sport the typical scene where someone opens the closet door only to be almost buried alive by the junk that was stacked inside. So, when it comes to cleaning out your closet, what can be done to make the process slightly more bearable and how can you ensure that your closet cleaning experience is a positive one? When I say positive experience, I mean you actually get rid of stuff and clear out some space, not just re-learn about what you do have and re-learn what you don't wear all over again. I'm talking true progress; Indeed, I'm talking about the Closet Cleaning Pointers.

Closet Cleaning Pointer #1- Have a Trash Bag Ready to Receive the Rejects- As you go through your closet, it is real easy to create a pile on your bedroom floor and contribute to it as you make your way through cleaning out your closet. The purpose of this strategy is to create a pile and then once you have finished weeding through everything, you will bag it up and toss it. While this strategy may seem like a good option, having that extra step of re-bagging your items could cause you to experience a huge closet-cleaning detour. As you weed through your clothes and throw them in the pile, you have chosen to toss them; however, if you are faced with going through your clothes yet once again in order to put them in a bag, you will likely experience a change of heart or perhaps question your initial decision. In other words, you may relent and decide to keep the pair of pants that you were intending on throwing out. Sounds like back tracking, right? Instead, have a trash bag ready to receive the clothes that you will be discarding. Once that bag is filled to the rim, close the bag and either toss it to the side or if you are really on a roll, walk it outside and put it in a trashcan. While this may seem fairly insignificant, if you are trying to get rid of something the best policy is out of sight out of mind. Once it enters that garbage bag, it is gone and therefore, out of sight and out of mind.

Closet Cleaning Pointer #2- When In Doubt, Follow the Three-Step Rule (Set aside, physically try, and decide)- As you are searching through your clothes, if you come across an item that you are undecided on, set it to the side for re-evaluation later. When I say later, I mean once you have finished scanning all your clothes for the keepers and the tosses. There is no point in stopping to critically analyze an item and decide whether or not to keep it. By doing that, you bring your closet cleaning excursion to a serious halt and in most cases, it is a lot harder to get back on track once your stop. Step two of the three-step rule is to physically try that article of clothing on. This emphasizes an extra effort on your part that will aid in the decision of whether or not to keep something. If you visually just see an item, it is hard to evaluate its worth to you. If you actually try the item on, you are either reminded of how great it looks on you or you realize that there is no doubt in your mind that you need to get rid of it because clearly it is too tight, too big, or just does not fit right. Lastly, decide whether or not you are going to keep the item. If you decide to keep it, put it right back in your closet immediately and if you decide to toss it, make sure it goes straight into the garbage bag.

Closet Cleaning Pointer #3- Make an Attempt to Sever Emotional Ties to Your Clothing- Some people may not want to fess up to it but many people keep items of clothing due to the fact that the item has sentimental value. For example, you may keep that sweater because it was the sweater you wore on your first day with your boyfriend and it reminds you of him. You do not wear it but it holds a memory of your first date. While this may seem slightly extreme, sometimes it is harder to get rid of an item if there is an emotional attachment. However, if the item is just collecting dust you should not just keep it in your closet just for the sake of keeping it. Another example is the absolutely hideous fuchsia bridesmaid dress that you wore at your best friend's wedding. Surely you will not be wearing that dress anywhere or anytime soon for that matter. If you still cannot bear to part with the chosen item, make a point to store it in a box and put it in either your attic, basement, or any other location that you may use for storage. Just make sure to keep it away from your closet!

Closet Cleaning Pointer #4- Utilize the Buddy System- While this may take a dedicated friend to be willing to help your clean your closet, if the opportunity is there, utilize it. It is without a doubt that in some cases, two minds are better than one. Besides, you will have a buddy there to laugh with you about your past fashion mistakes. We have all made them. Cleaning out your closet is clearly a case in point for that. If someone is there to help you, with that also comes a second opinion and even better, an opinion that is objective and not subjective. In other words, all emotional ties will be non-existent (unless it is the best friend who gave your that hideous fuchsia dress) and you will get an unbiased opinion. As a little bit of a treat to your friend, treat him or her to either a homeade lunch or dine out once your closet cleaning mission is accomplished.

Closet Cleaning Pointer #5- Shoes, Shoes, Shoes- Shoes are probably the hardest thing to get rid of. I mean, some shoes you buy for special occasions but surely eventually you may need them again, right? When it comes to deciding which shoes are keepers and which are tossers, take into account the overall condition of the shoe. For example, is the pair of shoes in good condition or does the pair of shoes have scuffs or other imperfections that make them look like they have definitely been "used". After you have figured out the condition of the pair of shoes, ask yourself can I see myself wearing this again? If so, where? If you can visualize yourself wearing the pair of shoes on more than one occasion, then by all means keep the shoes because clearly they will be getting some use. If you can only think of one other time that you can wear them again then you will probably be on the fence as far as what to do with them. That is when you will want to utilize the three-step rule. After trying the shoes on, make a final decision to either toss 'em or keep 'em.

Closet Cleaning Pointer #6- How to Handle Trendy Apparel- With the change of the seasons, the trends roll on in and as the season closes, the trends roll on out. When it comes to deciding whether or not to keep trendy apparel, there are several things to consider. First off, while most trends have a set lifespan, you can usually continue to wear an item through the next season and possibly through the following season without it being absolutely detrimental to your image. If an item is more than two seasons old, then it is more than likely time to say your goodbyes. While most trends tend to resurface, it usually takes quite a bit of time. For example, look at bell-bottom pants. They were at their high point in the Seventies, but recently resurfaced in the Nineties. Now, here we are in 2006 and while you may see a few people here and there wearing them, their lifespan has once again expired.

Closet Cleaning Pointer #7 Stains and Snags Oh My- Most people know when to give their clothes a boot and if there are stains and snags, then that just confirms that the time to get rid of the item has arrived. However, there are a few individuals who have a hard time getting rid of their favorite items despite the fact that they are clearly no longer presentable due to the fact that they are garnished with stains and in some cases, snags. As a general rule, if a clothing item is permanently damaged and you have had no success fixing it, then it is time to give that clothing item the boot. Not only does wearing stained clothing look tacky but it also gives off the impression that you do not clean your clothes and other people will have no choice left but to question your own personal cleanliness.

Hopefully, these simple little pointers will help you to achieve success when attempting to clear out that mess of a closet. While cleaning out your closet may not be the most thrilling thing to do, it has its advantages. First off, by getting rid of clutter, you will have a more organized closet, and along with that, comes a more organized state of mind. When your surroundings have order, it is easier for your mind to be in order. On the contrary, disorganization and clutter also contribute to mental clutter and disorganization. Secondly, if you get rid of some old duds then you make some room for some new ones. Have fun closet cleaning and have even more fun refilling it with new clothes!

By Simon Woodhouse

Shopping malls are not a modern phenomena. Covered shopping areas, known as grand bazaars, have been around in the Middle East for over a thousand years. Europe saw its first shopping malls spring up in the 18th century, and America got in on the act in 1828. But these shopping areas differed from what we call a mall today; in so much as they were located in city centres. It wasn't until the 1950s, when human beings began to really fall in love with their automobiles, that the out of town mall was born.

In some ways, the presence of a shopping mall denotes how far up the modern social scale a particular location might be. For instance, when most people think of shopping malls, they think of America. Malls are as much apart of American life as corrupt politicians and MacDonald's hamburgers. But the largest mall in the world is no longer in the States - it's in China. At a whopping 7.1 million square feet, the South China Mall in Dongguan is currently the world's largest. But it's not going to keep this illustrious title for long, as there are already two more malls under construction in China that'll both be bigger.

Perhaps it's because malls are turning into such giant, all consuming monsters, that a recent trend is suggesting their reign as all-conquering shopping hubs might be coming to an end (in the West at least). Lifestyle centres, specialty retail centres or hip strips as they are variously known, are what's coming up to de-thrown the mall.

So what is a lifestyle centre, and how does it differ from a mall? To start with, size isn't important in a lifestyle centre, which means they're often located in more suburban areas. There are fewer shops, less land to occupy and so therefore less investment needed for the initial construction. What lifestyle centres lack in size they make up for in quality. Retail giant Gap are starting to move away from traditional malls, and instead eyeing lifestyle centres as the place to be. Another surprising element in lifestyle centres is weather. That's right, it rains, the wind blows and you can almost get wet. Unlike malls, where the outside world is kept outside, lifestyle centres are modeled on the old Main Street shopping experience. There's no roof, there are real trees, cars drive past (though pedestrians always have right of way). The very thing that shopping malls killed off - downtown retail, is now coming back to get its revenge, all be it in a rather sanitized version

Lifestyle centres have been called 'genuinely fake'. Another buzz term used is 'neo-village', there's none of the sky-high glass and steel that denotes a mall, but rather the buildings are two or three stories high and laid out like conventional city blocks. Street side cafes are big in lifestyle centres, as are small plazas and intimate meeting places. It's not all shops either. Small businesses, theatres, bandstands and even residential units break up what would otherwise be wall-to-wall retail outlets. But perhaps their biggest appeal to the over eighteens amongst us, is the fact they don't seem to attract hoards of slouching teenagers.

At the same time as trying to convince shoppers the buying experience is taking a step backward toward something more intimate, retailers are lining up high-tech ways to peddle their wares. Most people have a mobile phone, and mobile phones are easy to track by the signals they send and receive via the nearest transmitter. As you might expect, phone manufacturers are very aware of this, and in the near future intend to make good use of it. Imagine this, you're walking along your favorite street in the lifestyle centre, and your mobile phone bleeps to say you've got a new text message. You flip up the screen, and read about a bargain pair of shoes now on sale in the boutique you're just about to pass - welcome to the world of LBS (Location Based Services). By taking information from the store's loyalty card database, and using it in conjunction with LBS, the retailer will be able to hit you with a text style advert right at the very moment you're walking past the shop. Your phone will also be able to tell you how far away your friends are, so it you want a second opinion on the shoes, you'll know just how long you'll have to wait for your gal-pals to arrive.

Expect more of this sort of thing in the future. With the advent of online shopping, we consumers are becoming more and more discerning. Retailers know this, and they also know they're going to have to work harder to get our money.

OK, so by now most of us are probably aware of the fact that the skinny jeans are back. Also referred to as drainpipe jeans, the designers aren't going so far as to call these tapered, but those of us who are dreading a return to the 1980s see them as just that. You can't fool us: we're on eighties watch.

We've all seen the commercials of the super-skinny models who can rock these jeans with heels and make them look fantastic. Let's face it: this is not a trend for at least 60% of us to wear. Maybe when we were ten and they were called, um, tapered pants and we didn't even care how much larger our hips looked than our ankles; but not now. Seriously, don't the fashion gurus on What Not to Wear preach against this? Don't they call it the ice cream cone effect? Don't they push every single woman to buy wide or straight-legged pants... and for good reason, because they all look ten times better in them?

But enough about the skinny jeans, really. Because that isn't what I'm here to talk about. What I AM here to talk about is a whole different animal... the skinny black pant. Specifically, the skinny black pants that have made their return in a recent commercial featuring Audrey Hepburn.

Much like the old commercials of Fred Astaire dancing with a vacuum cleaner, these new skinny black pants commercials show Audrey Hepburn, in clips from the movie Funny Face, dancing away... except this time she's doing it to the tune of AC/DC. And we're focused (or supposed to be focused) on her skinny black pants.

While I think the commercial is a little cheesy (I am one of those women who believes Audrey Hepburn should forever be seen as a model of ladydom and this commercial makes her look a little ridiculous in my opinion), I have to admit it- I AM excited about the return of these pants.

Not even for myself, because I think that although black pants (no doubt with a little stretch Lycra built in) are far more forgiving than skinny jeans, I still think it's going to take a certain body type to wear them. And that body type probably isn't mine.

But what I love is the fact that instead of being a hideous 1980s throwback like skinny jeans, skinny black pants are just so... sixties. They make me think of Laura Petrie rocking them in her living room (to the dismay of the censors) when Dick Van Dyke comes home from work. They make me think of little button-down shirts tied at the waist and perky flats and girls with cute bubble hairdos. This is good vintage, people. I think going back to tapered jeans is a little like making jokes about the assassination of President Kennedy: it's just too soon, it's still painful.

The return of the skinny black pants, though, this is good vintage. Just like bell bottoms were a welcome sight when they came back for awhile in the early 2000s. Maybe the rule is that we only like the trends we weren't alive to see the first time around- I'm not sure. Regardless, I don't think there's anyone who wouldn't welcome the return of these types of unique sixties trends. There is something liberating and charming and a little kitschy about them, like a sugar-coated version of a decade I didn't experience.

And now that I think about it, maybe the skinny black pants are more accessible to the average woman than I thought. For one thing, they can be layered with tunic tops or other things that will help camoflauge the problem areas and still create the cute kicky look. For another, they could even be worn beneath a dress with a few strands of long necklaces and some beaded flats for a really unique fashion statement.

So, yeah. I'm not sure if I'll buy any. But I'm happy that the skinny black pants are back. And as long as they don't start cutting them to above the knees, turning them into biker shorts, and adding black lace to the cuffs a la 1988, I'll continue to think that this particular retro trend is a good thing.
-by bjp

This past Saturday, our family went to downtown Toronto in order to pay a visit to China town (my daughter is decorating her bedroom with a Chinese theme and of course, the best place to get decorations would be there.) Anyways, on the edge of China town is the fashion district (on Spadina Avenue and Queen Street). This is a fashionistas paradise! You can get everything from material to make your own garments to the latest in cutting edge fashion and accessories. We went into some bead stores that feature not your average glass beads, but a plethora of beads made out of any type of material to choose from (such as wood, shell and even crocheted beads!). The other cool thing about downtown Toronto (while being the money capital of Canada, it also is home to several universities and many artsy sites) is pretty much no matter what you wear, you are in style. Trendy stores likes Roots and Le Chateau make their home on Queen at Spadina.

Roots, if you are aware or not, is a Canadian company that features outdoors wear. Founded by Michael Budman and Don Green in 1973, the store was based on the summers the pair spent in a rugged Ontario provincial park (named Algonquin Provincial Park). The company originally sold footwear from its lone store in downtown Toronto. They now boast a product line of clothing (Roots Athletics); kids and baby clothes; leathers (purses, bags, luggage, and shoes) and Roots Home (linens, furniture etc.). Though not cheap, (expect to pay upwards of $40 for a sweatshirt) the stuff they sell is quality.

Roots is probably best known for the role it has played in past Olympics. Roots has been the official outfitter of clothing for countries such as Canada, The United States, Great Brittan and Barbados and made their name during the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, were Roots introduced their poor boy hat, which in turn sold millions.

Toronto, like any city has trendy shopping areas (which Spadina and Queen tend to be) and more upscale areas for the noveau riche. That part of town is called Hazelton Lanes. Located in the Yonge, Bloor and Avenue Road area of Toronto, it is here you can spot stars that while in Hollywood North, they like to drop some serious cash and buy clothes and trinkets while working in Canada.

Hazelton Lanes is the serious shopping destination for people with money. Stores here include such ones as TNT Woman; Nex Bags; Browns Shoes; Whole Food Market; Urban Voyager (sports wear) and the Running Room (sports as well). It is fun to walk through the mall and the surrounding area and though nice, be prepared to pay upwards of $200 for designer jeans, $100 for a pair of earrings, well you get the picture. This is not the place for the average joe to be able to spend some time and some cash, but is still quite the shopping experience and who knows who you will run into!

Vaughan Mills, which is just north of the city is also a great place to shop. While not as large as the Mall of America (located just outside of Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN), it is still a mall to contend with. Vaughan Mills boasts the size of two football fields and features many outlet stores to boot. It features stores like a Tommy Hilfiger outlet; La Coste; Laura and Liz Claiborne, among many other stores. It is truly worth the drive to see and experience the mall just once.

Vancouver is also a destination that those on the cutting edge of style will want to visit. West Vancouver has some interesting shops and stops that will interest just about anyone. Downtown Vancouver is also the place to shop and be seen. Robson Street (right in the heart of Vancouver) is the hip and happening place that you would expect to see in any downtown.

Montreal, too, is not without its own fashionable districts. On Ste-Catherine Street (right downtown) one of a kind shops can be found which are worth paying a visit to. These stores are where all the trendy and fashion conscious people spend their time and their money. If you dislike Canadian winters, not to worry, there is a concourse of underground shops that you will want to check out. Malls such as the Centre Eaton de Montreal(University and Ste Catherine); Complex Les Ailes (right downtown) and of course China town is an experience in itself.

So no matter where you find yourself in Canada, it will not take much doing to find some wonderful fashion shopping experiences that will you truly enjoy and remember.

By Brandi M. Seals

Temperatures have begun to cool. It is time to beat the rush and stock up on all those great winter clothes.

There are a few musts in every winter wardrobe and if you opt for classic looks, chances are you can be wearing them for years. Winter wardrobe must haves include:

1.) Sweaters
Sweaters are an excellent choice. They come in different colors, different thicknesses, and different collars. There are cardigans that can be layered over camisoles, thick zippy sweaters that can be used in place of a coat on cool days and solid sweaters that can be worn alone or layered with a button up shirt for a little added oomph.

Try to avoid any patterned sweaters that will quickly go out of style. The same hold true for any brightly colored sweaters that might be too shocking to wear next year. Stick with classics like red, ivory, brilliant blue. Go with what looks good with your skin tone. And, if you want to throw in a pattern, how about choosing a nice argyle sweater?

2.) Winter Coat
The weight of the winter coat you will need will vary greatly by location. Even if you are in a cold climate, you don't have to settle on some overwhelmingly puffy yet warm jacket. Find something that fits your style but that still offers enough warmth. You would be surprised at how warm a good sweater and a pea coat can keep you even in freezing temperatures.

For coats, try to get something you like that has a classic style, but offers a punch of color. Perhaps an ivory pea coat would look great on you. Maybe choose a red trench coat. A coat is a great way to add a pop of color without going crazy.

3.) Socks
People rarely really think about their socks. They just find what they like and wear them year round. But, if you live where temperatures drop a lot, you should have a set of socks reserved for cold days and winter time. Keep them as plain or as decorative as you like, just make sure they are of a heavy weight. Wool socks work well but they can cause your feet to sweat and do little to remove the moisture. Next time you are in the sock section, look for socks that say they "wick away moisture". That means they are warm and will help draw moisture away from the feet, thereby keeping them even warm.

As a side note, always keep a spare pair of socks on hand. You never know when your foot might accidentally slam all the way through the snow resulting in a cold wet foot.

4.) Hats
Hats muss hair, but they are a necessary evil if you will be outdoors for more than a couple of seconds. Be sure to pick one that covers your ears and keeps your head warm. There's nothing worse than having to tug down your hat every couple of seconds because for some reason it simply refuses to cover you left earlobe.

I have yet to see a truly stylish hat that will keep a person warm, so I guess you are on your own with this one. My suggestion is to avoid ones with a big ball on the top or ones that come in strange shapes.

5.) Jackets
I'm not talking about pieces worn to protect you from the outdoor elements, but rather about cute pieces that can add a little warmth and dress up any outfit. Try to find a jacket in jean, corduroy or other material that you love. Jackets can be paired with skirts and tanks to really add a little extra star power. Or, stick with slacks and a jacket. You will still look great.

When selecting a jacket, keep to those that sit near the top of the hips. You don't want to cover the rump; it will only make it look bigger. Also look for seaming that draws the jacket in around your waist. It will have a slimming affect on any body type. Keep in mind, jackets go a long way to disguise arms that you are displeased with or a tummy pouch that just won't seem to go away.

By Jennifer Lynn

Have you ever seen a woman with a fabulous looking outfit but there is just something that is off. You think for a brief moment and then say to yourself, "I know the perfect necklace that would accent that neckline" or "Yikes, those earrings are overkill". When it comes to accessorizing, is it a skill that one must master in order to maximize his or her wardrobe or is it just a subjective standard that varies from person to person? In all actuality, it is both skill and personal taste; however, while accessorizing can be difficult, having a few basics will take you quite a long way. As the world of fashions turns, there are the accessory trends that come into style that many people embrace and before you know it, everyone has jumped on the bandwagon. Then, with the blink of an eye, the accessory's short-lived limelight fades leaving you with yet another extra accessory. While there are tons of accessories out there to choose from, having a standard stash will help you to accessorize just about any look from the most casual to the most elegant, and the best part about this is you'll get more than one use out of it! I don't know about you but if I buy something and just use it once then I feel like I have wasted my money; however, if I buy something and use it over and over again, I feel like I made such a good investment and have to sum it up by thinking I am such a good shopper. I've come up with the ten must have accessories for every woman's wardrobe that will help you take your outfit from "not quite there" to "totally put together".

#1 A Pair of Simple Stud Diamond Earrings- A little bit of frost (also known as ice or bling-bling) can give your outfit that final sparking touch. From personal experience, I can say that I feel naked without any earrings; however, there are just some outfits where the earrings can be a little difficult to figure out and you can't figure out what to wear. While you're thinking something has to be better than nothing, overkill certainly can ruin any outfit. That is where the simple diamond studs come in. They go with everything and polish off your look with little sparkle. Now, real diamond earrings come with a slightly huge price tag so if you are a part of the financially challenged, go ahead and pick up a set of cubic zirconium studs. I promise you that no one will be able to know the difference but you. While there are a variety of styles, choose the one that looks practical. In other words, three-carat studs scream fake!

#2 A Pearl Necklace and Accenting Pearl Earrings- When it comes to taking an outfit to a classier and an ultimately more classic level, the pearl necklace never fails to deliver. When you think of pearls, you may think of your mother or perhaps your grandmother, and for a moment may think that perhaps the pearl trend is slightly dated; however, another way to look at the pearl trend is to sum it up as a classic style. As the times have changed, accessories have become more abundant and everywhere you go there are accessories galore. In the past, women had fewer choices when it came to picking accessories. Ultimately, a pearl necklace was one of those few choices that seem to have withstood the test of time and still remains a favorite among women of all ages. If you are an earring girl, then having a pair of pearl earrings is an essential. You can wear your pearl necklace and pearl earrings together to have the ultimate classic and polished off look that women for generations have adored.

#3 A Standard Handbag- When it comes to handbags, some women may have a ton to choose from (those women are also known as the handbag connoisseurs), while others may be slightly more conservative and only have a select few (these women are also known as the more selective few). Regardless of whether you are a handbag connoisseur or one of the more selective few, it is essential to have a standard handbag in either your vast collection or your chosen few. A standard handbag will serve as your go-to bag when you are in need of a handbag and aren't quite sure what to choose. When you are choosing a standard handbag, it is best to stick with neutral and fairly simple colors such as black, brown, or tan, because these colors have the ability to be paired with most other colors. Whenever you can't figure out which handbag to use or if you are at a total standstill on what to choose, this standard handbag will serve as your go-to bag.

#4 A Pair of Sunglasses- Long gone are the days of sunglasses just being a simplistic form of eye protection. In this day and age, sunglasses have become much more than mere eye protection; It is without a doubt that they are now notable fashion accessories and with such a variety of options, they have the ability to reflect a little bit of your own personal style as well. Depending on your face shape and your own personal style preferences, different options are available. In fact, there are even affordable options that give Hollywood a run for its money. Many of the styles that you see worn in Hollywood can be purchased for a fraction of the cost. Usually these little sunglass fashion huts can be found at kiosks in your local mall. Regardless of where you live, sunglasses are useful for protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays and in addition, they give you that final touch of sophistication to your daily look. Besides, if you ever are in a hurry to run out of the house and do not have time for eye makeup, just slip on your sunglasses and no one will know any different. With an added perk like that who would not want to own a pair of sunglasses?

#5 Your Own Scent (also known as Perfume)- Out of all the accessories I will list, finding your own perfume has to be the most difficult to accomplish. With so many scents out there, how do you know which one is right for you? The best advice I can give you is to shop around and try to get as many samples as you possibly can. Perfume is not a very cheap thing to buy and depending on the designer who makes it, you could be looking at quite a pretty penny. Many fragrance counters are more than willing to give out samples for you to try. One of the best places to go is Sephora where they have a whole wall of perfumes by a variety of designers. Once you have obtained a sample, try it on for a few days and see what you think. It is literally impossible to decide if a scent is for you after just one spray or a short walk around the mall. You need to give it some time to adapt to your own body's natural oils and then you can tell if the scent is right or not. In addition, it is important to keep in mind that while one scent may smell absolutely heavenly on someone you know, that does not mean that it will be the right scent for you. Perhaps you have already found your own perfume and if so, you are well ahead of the game. For most women it takes quite a bit of time, effort, and tons of sniffing, but once you find that perfect perfume, it is well worth all the effort!

#6 A Pair of Hoop Earrings- While hoop earrings may seem like a flash back to the early nineties, they are still in style and no matter where you go, they can always be spotted garnishing some women's (or man's) earlobes. When it comes to choosing hoop earrings, there are two things that you must consider. The things that must be considered are size and metal. There are a variety of sizes and depending on your personal preference you may choose tiny hoops or large hoops. I do not recommend getting the extra large hoops because that particular style tends to be over the top for most individuals and tends to overshadow, not accent, your face shape and hairstyle. As far as the type of metal, that too depends on your own personal preference. While there are some places that still carry colored hoops, the best decision is to either choose gold, silver, or if you got the dough to spare, platinum hoops. The beauty of hoops is that they are versatile and can accent any outfit.

#7 A Cocktail Ring- If you have a fancy event to go to and don't wanted to be under frosted (also known as not enough bling), a cocktail ring gives you that final sparkling touch. Cocktail rings come in a variety of metals and can be found with virtually just about every stone imaginable. Depending on your preference, you may choose a three-carat rock or perhaps a simple one-carat yellow diamond looking ring. The best option is to get a ring that is a cubic zirconium because a cubic zirconium closely resembles a diamond ring, which makes it very versatile. This means you can either wear it to a cocktail party or on any day you want to add a little bit of frost to your outfit.

#8 A Hat- While you may wonder, why would she consider a hat a must have accessory? There are several reasons. First, we all have those bad hair days where we just can't get our hair to cooperate. Wearing a hat can help conceal your uncooperative locks while giving you a cute little finishing touch. Secondly, hats are accessories that can distinct you from the rest of the crowd. Many people are scared to wear hats mostly because they do not feel they look good in hats or perhaps they just do not know which styles work for them. Berets tend to look really cute on women and with a pair of hoop earrings the look can be polished off. If your style is a little bit on the sporty side then you can get a baseball cap or a truckers hat and accent those with either hoop earrings or a pair of studs.

#9 An Everyday Necklace- Depending on the top you choose to wear and its neckline, you may feel you need to wear a necklace. When choosing a necklace it is best to go with a simple necklace. One of the most versatile styles is a thin chain necklace (either silver or gold) with a little diamond pendant. This style necklace can be found just about anywhere and as it is with most of the styles, if you are on a budget you can opt for the cubic zirconium or if you feel like splurging, go for a diamond pendant.

#10 A Pair of Chandelier Earrings- While it is debatable whether or not the chandelier earrings are somewhat passe; any pair definitely has the ability to spruce up a simple outfit. There are a variety of styles and colors to choose from and depending on what size earrings you are comfortable with, you can either opt for small chandeliers or really large chandeliers. The chandelier earring can either be worn with hair down or with hair up in an up do. Regardless of how you choose to wear them, chandelier earrings can spruce any old outfit up.

While fashion is always a matter of personal preference, it should always remain fun. Despite the fact that many of these accessories may seem more along the simple side, they are also very versatile, and along with versatility come multiple uses. As we all know the more use we get out of a buy, the better the buy was. So, when it comes to finding accessories shop around and do not always feel compelled to roll with the trends. Always buy what is best for you, not what everyone else seems to think is best. In other words, always stay true to yourself and your own personal style. Happy accessorizing!

When heroin chic and the seventies came in, I went out. I donned my sweats and allowed the fashion industry to exist without me. I knew I was not alone since our local newspaper ran an article revealing the dominant attire of our local high school students was either sweats or pajama pants. I even spotted more than one adult at the grocery store in what I would characterize as pajama pants. This pleasant course of events continued until my daughters reached their teens, then fashion forced its way back through my door. I managed to ignore its presence for at least a year until I picked up my daughter's copy of Seventeen Magazine under the guise of responsible parenting. Little did I know what a can of worms I was opening.
My first discovery was that they have fat girls in Seventeen. I realize this is a politically incorrect way to characterize the plus models that have been added to the teen magazines in a positive step to address all aspects of the teen population. The residual teen that exists in my Id, however, cannot get over the fact there are fat girls in Seventeen. In my day there were never fat girls in Seventeen unless they were part of a before and after article. I was a fat girl, at least by model standards, which we all knew were the only standards that mattered. If your thighs touched, you were fat. If you were fat, you were not pretty, boys wouldn't like you, you had no value in the social world. In my teenage world perfection was more important than self-esteem. In fact I was raised in the days before self-esteem was important. You were either good enough to make the team or you were out. I was out.
My daughters, of course, were not raised with this expectation of perfection. They were assured of their beauty since infancy and my efforts have paid off. I learned in college that a large part of beauty is the self confidence to project beauty. A woman who believes in her physical beauty is often perceived as beautiful by those surrounding her, even if she is not picture perfect. I have also met enough models to know the media illusion of beauty is just that, an illusion. I used to see a college acquaintance of mine every time I went to the airport; she was the face of a major car rental company. I knew what she looked like in real life, pretty, but not as pretty as the girl whose pictures I saw at the airport. I also knew the bitterness she had at the industry that provided her with the means to pay for her own college education. This bitterness was present in almost every intelligent girl I had met who had spent time in the modeling industry. So I kept my girls away from dreams of modeling and the idolization of media illusions. Their self confidence was built at home and if I had perceptions as to how they could be more perfect, I kept them to myself. Intellectually I knew the girls in Seventeen were not perfect. I worked to beak the cycle of insecurity that the fashion industry perpetuates.
Intellectual realization does not stop a woman whose parents had to throw away seven years of Seventeen magazines, from ordering Seventeen once her daughters came of age. I did not read it myself, recognizing my time for that magazine had passed. When I finally picked it up I did so as a parent, reviewing what was influencing my children. My adult reaction came straight from my Id, I yelled "there are fat girls in Seventeen". My daughters were not surprised by the existence of plus models in their magazine. In fact one of my daughters inferred she finds their inclusion reaffirming. Even girls who are not a size 2, as is her older sister, can be fashionable and are in Seventeen. It's not my kids who are having problems with the inclusion of plus models, it is me. I am finally being forced to emotionally deal with fashions demand for perfection, a demand fashion still makes from me but I would not allow fashion to make from my daughters.
A wider range of beauty is being presented to our daughters. While we intellectually demand and applaud this movement by magazine editors, we can not always stop the emotional response when the impossible standards of beauty we were raised with are challenged. Sometimes we need to let our hidden teen self read Seventeen, so she can learn she always was beautiful, she just did not know it. Maybe then we can teach our daughters with our actions, not just our words

By Simon Woodhouse

Few items of clothing seem to have as much universal appeal as the baseball cap. Weekend Dad wears one when he's taking the kids on their annual trip to the zoo. Sporty Mum wears one when she's out power walking with her friends. Boy Racers wear them when they're racing other boys. Rappers, truckers, golfers - they all wear baseball caps. But where did it all begin?

The first official baseball team to start wearing a uniform were the New York Knickerbockers, back in 1849. But they didn't wear caps as we know them today; instead they covered their heads with straw hats. It wasn't until a few years later they switched to the sort of headgear we'd recognise as a cap, i.e. something with a crown and a visor (called a bill back then). In 1903 Spalding released a hat with a stitched visor, and a crown made up of triangular panels, a cap very reminiscent of what's on millions of heads all over the world today. Then in the 1940s latex rubber was used to stiffen the visor, and hey-presto, the modern baseball cap came into being.

Away from the sports field, baseball caps were primarily seen as the domain of diehard fans who wanted to display their team loyalty, and thus show the rest of the world which sporting tribe they belonged to. Then in the late 80s rappers started to wear baseball caps, and what had been primarily sportswear took on a whole new life.

Since the end of the 1950s, when modern youth culture first started to take hold, young rebels have wanted something to make them look cool by association. The classic black leather biker's jacket did it for a while, then it was long hair, then it was spikey hair (preferably multi-coloured), then it was the turn of the baseball cap. Even in the era of bling, how you wear your baseball cap says a lot about you. Most of us just put the thing on in such away as to keep the sun out of our eyes, but that's not good enough if you're going for maximum-cool. Visor to the back is sort of old school, and ok as a temporary pose, or if there's a bandana underneath. Visor inline with either shoulder is also the mark of someone who's trying a bit too hard. Visor slightly off centre but also tilted at an angle, seems to be the weapon of choice for the ultra-cool of today. Or better still - off centre, at an angle, but also worn high off the top of the head and perching on a bandana.

If you want to be cool and a bit sinister too, then the baseball cap/hoodie combo is the thing for you. This look, however, can lead to the wearer being labelled unfit to be a part of normal society. Point in case being the Blue Water Shopping Centre just outside of London, where in May 2005 entry was refused to anyone wearing the baseball cap/hoodie combination. Another blow to the caps image (or boost to its street kudos depending on how you look at it) came when Burberry, traditionally makers of up-market clothing, announced they were going to stop making chequered baseball caps, as the design had become too closely associated with violent youth culture in the UK. You can still get chequered Burberry caps, but they're usually fakes.

But as a clothing icon, the baseball cap is far stronger than any attempt to marginalize it. And it's going hi-tech too. A Finnish company has several patents pending for a baseball cap with white LEDs built into the visor. These little lights are powerful enough to act as a short-range torch, making this a product bound to thrill any gadget mad dad. If you want something a little more pricey, how about the most expensive baseball cap ever made. Zerino International, a headwear company based in San Diego, has the Elita, a baseball cap with a 22 karat gold button on top and a price tag of $2000. But if you don't want to wear this cap, that's ok, it comes in a mahogany display case and so can also double as an unusual coffee table ornament.

So whether you're Bill Clinton jogging in your Air Force One cap, Tiger Woods being paid b-zillions for sporting a Nike model, or just a weary trucker trying to keep the sun out your eyes, the baseball cap is for you. And like most other fashion accessories, its popularity may ebb and flow, but I'm sure it'll always be with us in one form or another.

By Brandi M. Seals

For anyone who has been on a college campus in the past several years, I'm sure you would agree that college students seem to lack any real fashion sense. Maybe it is the hurried schedules, the lack of adequate funds or something else that keeps college students looking so unkempt. Whatever it is, I can honestly say that most students dress the same. They seem to follow some sort of code in which oversized sweatshirts and pajama pants are all the rage. The following is a list of trends that one can observe on just about any college campus.

1.) Tight Pants
Blame it on the freshmen 15 (the additional 15 pounds that each college freshmen is rumored to gain) or something else. For some reason, the jeans are ultra-tight on college campuses.

Maybe it is that these women do not realize they no longer fit in the juniors department. At 18 they age out of the demographic that junior's clothes are suppose to target, but as you and I know, many people have a hard time saying goodbye to the tiny clothes in the juniors department. Another idea is that many clothing manufacturers have been obsessed with spandex the past couple of years. I honestly have to look high and low to find a pair of jeans without spandex. Those of us with plenty of curves on the bottom do not need any help showcasing them.

Who knows why they do it, they just do. If a female college student bothers to get dressed, chances are she is sporting a pair of seriously tight, often low-rider jeans.

2.) Pea coats
While there are pea coats for men and women, it seems that women stockpile these jackets. Next time it is chilly out, check out your local college. I bet at least 50% of the women wearing coats will have a pea coat on.

They are great. They look stylish, they are easy to care for, and they automatically dress up the pajama pants students are sporting on the bottom. Truth be told, they still look good even if they have been waded up in the back of the closet for over a month.

3.) Oversized Sweatshirt
Men and women alike seem to forget what size shirt they wear when it comes to sweatshirts - especially among college students. Maybe they are preparing for added weight gain, maybe they just like the layered look, or maybe they ended up with the sweatshirt after it had been lent out time and again and no one really knows who owns it anymore.

Think what you want about the oversized sweatshirt phenomenon. I just know that it can often seem that the only size sweatshirt sold is an XL.

4.) College Gear
It is a college campus. You are going to see some college-related clothing but it can be overwhelming. Usually freshmen haven't had a chance to really build up their college wardrobe, but upperclassmen are something to be reckoned with. I actually know someone that picked up over 30 college-related shirts and sweatshirts while attending Michigan State. Sometimes, if you catch the timing just right, you can walk into a room somewhere and find the people there to only be wearing two colors. They will be whatever the school colors are.

5.) Short Skirts and Shorts
Again, short skirts and shorts go back to my complaint about people shopping in the junior's department after they really should have stopped. It may be okay for a 15-year-old to sport skirts that barely cover their tushes, but a college student that wants to be taken seriously really out to have their back sides completely covered.

6.) Pajama Pants
I do not know how this trend got started, but it seems that pj pants are completely acceptable bottoms for college students. I personally do not have a problem with people wearing them all day provided the pants are not worn out. Where them to class if you must or while lounging around your home. Once you take them off campus you are going to get some looks.

The only time pj pants are acceptable off campus is when you make a midnight run to your favorite fast food restaurant or do a little grocery shopping around 3am.

By Jennifer Lynn

As I was cleaning my closet the other day, I was putting forth my best effort to get rid of as many things as I could in order to make room for some new clothing items and shoes. I went through the ritual of eyeing the item, making a quick decision to keep it or get rid of it, and if my decision was to get rid of it, proceeding to the finale, which was trying it on for one last time just to make sure I was making the right decision and of course to say goodbye. As I was eyeing my clothing, I noticed a pair of black pants that I've had for what seems like an eternity. As I eyed the seemingly ancient black pants and contemplated whether or not to part with them, a flurry of memories ran through my mind and it suddenly occurred to me. I've worn these pants more than any other item of clothing I own and despite the fact that they are one of my older pieces of clothing (as far as how long I've owned them), they never have gone out of style and as far as a I remember, they look as fabulous on me now as they did the first day I bought them. It was then that I realized that I had just experienced an epiphany. When it comes to fashion, there are the considerably "trendy" trends that change with the turn of the seasons and then there are the classics, the staples that are needed to make any wardrobe (no matter how big or small) totally fabulous. I've come up with ten items that are essential to any woman's wardrobe.

#1 A Pair of Mind-Blowing Denim Jeans- Jeans are a staple in just about every individual's wardrobe but a pair of mind-blowing jeans are hard to find. As all of us know, shopping for jeans can be pretty difficult sometimes. There is so much to think about. You have to find a pair of jeans that flatters all the assets and by all the assets, I mean none other than the hips, the booty and the legs. To make matters more complicated, the length needs to be just right or they have to be hemmed. In addition, there are different types of denim: stretchy denim vs. classic denim, stone washed vs. dark denim, and the list goes on and on. With so many choices and so many styles, finding your mind-blowing jeans can be tough but when you do finally find them it will be a fabulous moment and voila, a staple clothing piece that you will get much use out of!

#2 A Pair of Black Pants- If you take a look around you, whether it be a look around the office at your job studying fellow employees or a look a look around at the crowd at your favorite nightclub, you'll notice that many of the individuals have a certain similarity when it comes to their attire. Many of them are wearing black pants, yet they all have their own individual look that is polished off by and made unique by their blouse and their chosen accenting accessories. That is the beauty of black pants. They are extremely versatile. You can take them from day to night by changing the blouse or adding a sparkly accessory such as earrings or a necklace.

#3 A Pair of Heels- Heels are an item that can dress any outfit up. They can be paired with a pair of jeans for day at the mall or as the accenting footwear for the suit you wear to the office. Regardless of what your chosen type of footwear is, heels are an item that always come in handy and as a rule of experience, it is better to have them at your disposal as opposed to trying to search from them right before an event. There is no doubt that when you need something right away, it is always harder to find. That holds steady for many things, especially shoes!

#4 A Leather Jacket- Finding a decent jacket can be difficult because so many jackets are either too bulky or can only be worn with dress clothes. The majority of jackets have their limits. The leather jacket has no limits. It can be paired with a pair of denim jeans, a skirt, or a pair of dress pants and despite the different circumstances in all those scenarios the leather jacket always looks fabulous. When it comes to purchasing a leather jacket, shop around. Most of the time, you can find really good sales at department stores.

#5 The Little Black Dress- In 1954, Audrey Hepburn made the debut appearance of the little black dress famous when she wore it in the movie "Sabrina". According to the Style Network, Coco Chanel created the first little black dress in 1927 and individuals at Vogue predicted it would be a classic for all women alike. Now, here we are in 2006, and those predictions have held true. In this day and age, it is highly unlikely that any woman doesn't know of the little black dress. The little black dress expresses our femininity on all occasions, whether it be attending a charity benefit or strolling down Fifth Ave. doing some serious shopping therapy. What makes the little black dress so special is that it is feminine, classy, and everything about it screams glamour. When in doubt of what to wear to a function, the little black dress can always be depended on to make a spectacular appearance.

#6 A Pair of Capris- Many people may be surprised that capris have lasted as long as they have but it is clear that this style, often referred to as "clam diggers" or "high waters", will not be going out of style anytime soon. One of the things that make capris so popular is that they can be worn just about anywhere and on many different occasions. They come in a variety of different fabrics including twill, knit, nylon, and denim. In addition, capris look flattering on just about everyone because they elongate and slim the leg. They can easily be dressed up with strappy sandals or dressed down with some simple slides.

#7 A Pair of Boots- Boots can add a little bit of flair and funk or a touch of sophistication and class to an array of outfits. For example, they can be paired up with a skirt or worn under jeans or pants. When it comes to choosing a color for boots, black or dark brown is the best choice because those colors have the ability to mesh with most colors. If you are on a limited budget, you can get either of those colors and be set in the boot department; however, if you have a more flexible budget, you can experiment with other different colors and styles. There are a wide variety of styles of boots that vary depending on color, heel height, and boot height. If you are on a limited budget, getting a pair of boots that are higher and go just below the knee is the decision that offers you the most flexibility.

#8 A Pair of Strappy Sandals- Sandals in general are an essential to most women, especially in the warmer months of the spring and the summer. They allow your feet to breathe in the hot and humid weather and at the same time give you the chance to show off those pretty painted toenails. One of the things that make the strappy sandals different from your standard day-to-day sandals is that they are a little more detailed and give every woman the ability to add a touch of sexiness and femininity to her outfit. Strappy sandals can be easily paired with a dress, skirt, slacks, jeans, and capris.

#9 A Cardigan- When the weather isn't quite cold enough for a jacket but there is still a slight chill in the air perhaps in the wee morning hours or once the sun sets, the cardigan saves the day. It is simple and can be worn over a cute camisole or blouse. It is also easily removable which means it is easy to get on and off, which makes it very convenient. The cardigan is a clothing item that allows a woman to look cute without looking bulky, with the added feature of being able to keep warm at the same time.

#10 The Pencil Skirt- When it comes to choosing a skirt that flatters your assets, the pencil skirt is an all around winner for just about everybody. Not only does the pencil skirt elongate your legs and give the illusion that you are taller, but it also shows off your curves resulting in the appearance of that enviable hourglass shape. The pencil skirt can be accented with strappy sandals or a set of heels, and a blouse with a scarf. There is no doubt that the pencil skirt accentuates a woman's sexiness, yet allows her to still remain demure and classy, while hugging all the right curves to show off her shape.

The thing that makes these clothing items staples in every woman's wardrobe is the fact that they are versatile and flattering to every shape and size. If you notice, you can mix and match many of the items with other items on the list or many items within your own wardrobe. While every woman can't pull off a mini-skirt (or more so can't do so with the utmost of confidence), any woman can pull of capris or a pencil skirt and maintain her sexiness and femininity while flattering her figure and showing off her own assets. It is important to understand and accept that all individuals are unique and rather than be sad because we can't pull off that mini-skirt like the other girl, embrace our uniqueness and individuality. Fashions that always look flattering and allow us to maximize our own individual traits are fashions that are worth hanging on to. While fashion will continue to evolve and change, these simple clothing pieces will help you to always stay in fashion and maximize your wardrobe's potential. No matter how many trends come and go, these styles have held tight and will continue to be seen in all avenues of life, from the red carpet to the local mall and from the East coast to the West coast.

By Brandi M. Seals

Some fall fashion trends will hit and stay; others we can all hope will disappear shortly after arriving and never be heard from again. While you or I may not be fashion mavens, we can at least determine what has the potential to look absolutely awful on 90% of women's bodies.

I am all for new looks and styles, but I do not dare spend money on something that I know will go out as quickly as it came in. While there are several new trends for this fall season, most of them will probably slide back into the murk from which they came. I am sure most of us will be counting down the days until skinny jeans, leggings, and mondo-sized shirts disappear again from the fashion scene.

However, I think there are a few new trends that should stick around. The following four trends have a pretty good chance of holding their own this fall season. And hopefully, they might even stick around for awhile.

1.) Muted Colors
Say goodbye to tons of color. Gray is the new hot color. It is everywhere, in every collection. There is charcoal gray, heather gray, and any gray you can think of. People have long had a hard time adding color to their wardrobes. Some feel they do not look good in many different colors; others love the slimming affect that basic colors had. Now everyone can sit back and relax. Muted colors are back.

No one has to feel guilty that they already own trousers in only black, gray, and brown. You are now styling it up right. Basic colors or neutrals are hot right now. If you are looking to lighten things up, do not worry. There are plenty of oatmeal, gray, and muted brown tones to choose from.

2.) Punch it up with a Splash of Color
Since the muted tones have taken over and everyone seems to be the same shade of gray or brown, the way to stand out from the crowd is to liven up your ensemble with a splash of color. Make it something intense, like red or orange to really spice things up.

It is always good to have some bright and intense clothes in reserve. If you don't like too much color, opt for a brightly colored cami to punch up your business suit. Whatever color looks great on you will do nicely. Just try to keep the color up by your face. Muted tones have a tendency to washout the complexion on many people. By adding the color near the face you will combat that problem and be pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

3.) Men's Ware
That is right; it is now cool to dress like a man. I don't mean for you to run over to the men's department and start stocking up on shirts and trousers. I mean that many designers have incorporated many men's inspired pieces. There are the simple button up shirts (though much more fitted then they would be in the men's department). There are men's inspired trousers. Think light plaid patterns, herringbone and much more in a slightly heavier trouser. Do not be afraid. Try a pair on, I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprised.

4.) Short Skirts
We had finally gotten away from all those micro minis brought about since the days of Ally McBeal's race to achieve the shortest skirt that would still cover her business. Women were actually starting to wear skirts that were at appropriate lengths. Now things have changed. Above the knee is hot. At the knee is not. No one need go as short as the micro mini, but showing a little extra skin never hurt anybody.

Skirts just above the knee to an actual mini are hot this season. When buying for yourself, try things on. Always keep in mind that if you are not comfortable in the skirt and are constantly tugging it down, you will never wear it. That might mean you are not able to go as short as you want, but that is okay. Trust me; no one wants to relive the race to the shortest skirt possible. Keep your tush covered but show off the knees.

By Brandi M. Seals

It is here once again - fall. There are beautifully colored trees and finally some cooler air on the horizon, but the real news comes from the fashion industry. It is once again time to introduce fall and winter lines that lets everyone else know what will be in style. If you loved the 80s, you will love the fall 2006 fashion scene. Many vintage-inspired looks are back with a new kick.

Ladies, before you go stock up on your cooler-weather clothing, take a look at these new fashion trends.

1.) Oversized and too long
People were finally getting the hang of wearing clothes that fit, but that all goes out the window this fall. Oversized shirts that hang almost to the knees, add puff, and really anything that looks too big is in. However, if opting for an oversized blazer that looks like it belongs to your husband, pair it with something that will give you a little shape. A pencil skirt would work well or some well-fitted trousers could do the trick.

To avoid making people look like they are swimming in the clothes, designers seem to want only one piece to be way too big. Stick with an oversized top, there is hardly ever a need to balloon up a woman's bottom half.

2.) Large bags
Get ready to be able to stuff a small child in your purse. Oversized bags are back in style this season. Choose any print or shape, just make sure it is enormous. And with all that added room in the bag, you should be able to carry along everything you need. Stuff books, makeup, and much more in your large bag.

To draw attention to your huge bag, try to find something that not everyone has. Go with gold, blue, red or other bright color that you absolutely love. The bag will shout "look at me!" to anyone passing by. You will be the envy of all your friends.

3.) Skinny pants
The skinny pant has finally made its way back into mainstream fashion. They can be seen in jeans, trousers, and even plaid. If the skinny jean looks good on you, get ready to jump for joy because you will have a great fall and winter. Everyone else with an ounce of fat on their bodies can try to suck in their chub and shimmy into a pair or just hold out wearing the straight legged pants that will never go out of style because they are flattering on most body shapes. Face it, this skinny pant fad is bound to get booted.

4.) Leggings for layering
No longer are leggings reserved for the gym. A la 1980s style, they are a forerunner in fashion. Slap them on for a night on the town. Perhaps pair them with one of those oversized shirts that are so hot right now. Be sure to layer them up to help hide those less than perfect areas. Heck, layer them up so good that no one sees you own a pair. Leggings are an atrocity from the 80s that should have stayed buried.

5.) Plaid
Plaid is in. Don't hide your plaid for days when you think no one will see you. That plaid shirt doesn't make you look like farmer Ted. You are in style baby. Go out and show off your plaid collection. Just do not think you can get away with wearing overalls. Save those for another year. If you do not own any plaid, you are missing out. Go out a pick up a plaid skirt, pants, or shirt. Now you are styling.

6.) Short Boots
Get ready ladies, the short boot is back. Boots that end at the ankle are all the rage. They are more comfortable than their longer counterparts and are easily found in most shoe sections. Be sure to get a pointy toe on your boot. The pointy look is still very in and it will help us short girls look like we have longer legs. Keep in mind while doing a short boot; you should still keep a high heel. Go with whatever you are comfortable with, just make sure it's raised off the ground and is free of chunky heels.

By Simon Woodhouse

Mother Nature likes her men to look good. In the animal kingdom, nine times out of ten it's the male of the species who preens, poses and parades his stuff in front of the female. Take the male lion for instance - he looks good and he knows it. But besides being pretty hot, he's not much use for anything else. So if it's the ladies who do all the hunting, parenting and protecting of the territory, why is it the male who's such a poster-boy? It's all about perception. He's got the mane, the body, the air of dignity, so who cares if he's fat, lazy, violent, totally promiscuous and prone to bouts of infanticide. As long as he looks the part, that's all that matters.

As if taking their cue almost directly from the lion, powerful men throughout history have sort to preen, pose and parade their stuff in one form or another. The word cosmetic has its origins in "cosmetae", a Roman term for slaves whose job it was to bathe men in perfume. The ancient Egyptians, the Greeks, the Vikings, and even blokes in the Middle Ages, all used makeup, skin care and elaborate grooming techniques in one form or another. It wasn't until the Victorian era (when fun in general was frowned upon), that male grooming came to be thought of as the devil's work and promptly stigmatized.

Are we now swinging back toward more enlightened times? Possibly, but is that a good thing? When I get up in the morning my daily grooming routine involves shaving, and that's about it. If I grew a beard I wouldn't even have to do that. There's hair in plenty of other places on my body, but for the most part it's hidden, and so can grow wild and rampant safe from the light of day. Perhaps I'll wear shorts in the summer, or take my shirt off at the beach, and then the follicles will see the sun. However, I'm not a gorilla, so what hair I have got isn't going to offend anyone. I've recently become aware of the fact that new urban man, or metrosexual, occasionally has some of his body hair removed in a procedure known as back, sack and crack. I won't go into whereabouts the hair is removed from (the name says it all), but it sounds pretty humiliating. Humiliating and painful, as I also understand waxing involves gluing the hair to strips of paper, and then ripping it out at the root. Women are probably used to this sort of pain; after all they give birth to babies and suffer PMT each month. The worst that happens to me in the name of looking good is occasionally cutting myself whilst shaving. And that's fine by me.

I also believe that these days I'm supposed to moisturize my skin, which means understanding shea butter isn't something you spread on toast, and green tea isn't necessarily for drinking. Then there's exfoliating, which to me sounds like chopping something down in the garden, but is in fact scraping away the dead skin on my face. I can imagine doing this sort of thing does make your skin feel nice, but where will it end? Every now and then I see reports about make-up for men. It's nothing too outlandish, just little bits of very subtle color here and there. And I must admit that on some men it doesn't look too bad, but they're normally good looking, male-model types who don't need it anyway, or who live in the kind of world where it wouldn't be ridiculed.

So is make-up on men a step too far for male grooming? Perhaps Mother Nature will provide the answer. In the same way having a big mane helps the male lion gather his harem; maybe the super-groomed guy will have similar success with the ladies. If that turns out to be the case, I expect waxing, exfoliating and all the rest of it will really take off. More likely though, is the metrosexual will have his moment in the sun, and then the fickle world of fashion will move onto something else. But there will be a residue left behind. Something from the current grooming trend will remain, and even if only to a small degree, your everyday bloke will appear just that little bit more presentable. And that's got to be a good thing.

Let's face it: making fashion choices can be tricky. Not only do we have to juggle the ideas of trends, classics and personal style; oftentimes we also have to dress according to the situation. Your job might require business casual, while an evening out requires formal wear. And the weekends are a whole different story.

Everyone wants to look nice, but frankly sometimes it seems as though the effort required just isn't worth the results that we get. It's no wonder that many, many people simply throw up their hands and stop trying to pick the right clothes.

But the world of fashion doesn't have to be so complicated! The key to dressing well (or, at least, dressing better) is to remember a few simple rules. Whether you're shopping for a whole new wardrobe or just trying to pick an outfit out of your existing closet, the basic guidelines listed below will help point you in the right direction. Once you learn these key rules, you'll feel more inclined to branch out and add some personal touches to your look, thus developing a personal style built on effective basics that can take you anywhere.

Rule Number One: Buy Clothes That Fit.
The most major basic rule that people break when it comes to choosing the right clothes is buying (and wearing!) things that are too small or too large for their bodies. Some of us refuse to recognize the fact that we're no longer a size we used to be, and we squeeze ourselves into things that aren't designed to hold us. What people don't realize (or won't admit) when they do this is that the general public doesn't see the number on the size tag inside the clothing... all they see is your body over spilling its clothes and looking much larger than it really is. Not to mention how uncomfortable it can be to wear things that are too small- you don't want to forever be hitching down your shirt or wiggling into your pants.

Similarly, wearing clothes that are too large can also create an optical illusion that is the opposite of what the wearer is trying to achieve. Most people who choose to wear clothes that are too baggy are trying to disguise something about their bodies that they don't like. They dread the thought of someone seeing their tummy or their backside, so they choose large shirts and drapey pants that hang over the area and "disguise" it. Ironically, all that loose extra fabric creates the opposite effect- it makes for a large silhouette and gives the look of someone who is sloppy all over.

The key is to dress in clothes that hug your shape without restricting it. It's really that simple. Keep in mind that someone "seeing" your flaws is better than hiding your entire body in a piece of clothing that is too large for you. Also remember that it's not worth fretting about the number on the size tag. Considering how different every manufacturer of clothing is nowadays, the numbers really don't have much meaning anyhow. And it's far better to be a well-dressed, flattered size twelve than it is to be an uncomfortable and under-dressed size eight.

Rule Number Two: Accentuate the Positive.
This one is really simple, but it's amazing how many people get so caught up in the negative aspects of their bodies that this rule slips right by them. Everyone has a part of their body that can be considered an asset. Maybe you have great curves, or a tiny waist, or fantastic calf muscles. Maybe you feel like your best asset is your face. Whatever it is, dress in such a way that those positive areas are accentuated and become the focal points of your outfit.

This doesn't mean that you should neglect the rest of your look, and it certainly doesn't mean that if you have a great stomach you should wear a crop top! But if you have great legs, wear a flared skirt and eye-popping high heels; if your smile is fantastic, wear a bright scarf around your neck to draw the eye upwards. Slim-fitting tops with pockets and seams in the right places can bring attention to a narrow waist or an hourglass figure. This rule goes hand-in-hand with the one about not wearing things that are too big for you; you want to find certain areas of your body and dress them to show them off a little. No matter how many negatives you think your figure has, there is part of it that deserves a little attention. And dressing to accentuate your assets is a surefire way of creating a confident, pulled-together fashion statement.

Rule Number Three: Quality Matters.
I'm not going to be a clothing snob and suggest that the most expensive clothing is required in order to create a nice wardrobe. In fact, quite the opposite- you can build a great look with discount and used pieces just as easily as you can with a gold card at Von Maur. What I do mean is this: you can buy your clothing cheap, as long as it doesn't look that way.

Acrylic and rayon clothing, which can usually be found in the Juniors' department, has a way of looking a little cheesy when it's used to build an adult woman's wardrobe. Avoid pieces that are made of too much artificial fabric, or those that have poor craftsmanship such as loose or crooked seams. Remember that it's better to buy a used piece of good quality clothing than it is to spend the same amount on a brand new, cheaper version of the same item. Personally, I'd much rather have a J. Crew sweater from a thrift store than an imitation sweater from a discount store, one that would fall apart the first time I laundered it.

You should also remember to take good care of your clothing. Even inexpensive items can work if they are properly taken care of, but you can quickly make good clothing into bad if you wash it wrong or let it get damaged. Invest in a few quality pieces, or scour the used markets for a few high quality scores, and then take care of the items in such a way that they keep their looks and functionality for a long time to come. When your clothing looks good and well cared for, your entire look gains a level of polish not otherwise possible.

The world of fashion can be overwhelming, even for those of us who don't want miracles but just want to look nice walking into work every morning. With a few key rules in mind, you'll find that dressing well is easy- and choosing the right clothes for your body and lifestyle will make you feel more confident and self-assured in no time. After all, knowing you look good is the real key to looking great.

In today's rapidly changing world of fashion, it's not so easy to keep up with all the new trends coming out in stores and on runways. It's even more difficult to sort the various trends into categories of what works and what doesn't. Although you might see something you like in the stores once in awhile, there are also plenty of "bad trends" to balance it out. Some people get so frustrated by this trend overkill that they avoid shopping altogether.

It would take hours to make an all-inclusive list, but the following are three basic fashion trends that have been around for a long time and are just now returning to the mainstream public eye. If you see these trends in stores (or if you happen to have the required pieces already in your closet), my advice is to use them to their full advantage. These three trends look fresh and up to date this fall, and they have the added advantage of looking good on basically anyone.

1. The denim jacket.
A denim jacket is one of the most important and versatile wardrobe staples you can own. They work great for men and women, and can be dressed up or down as the occasion requires. To get today's modern look with a denim jacket, choose one in a dark uniform color, preferably navy blue- faded, stone washed and black denim jackets are way too 1980s!- and make sure it has a close-fitting slim cut. Pair a denim jacket with skirts and trousers in neutral colors, and add brightly-colored scarves near your face for a clean contemporary look.

There is one major caveat when it comes to wearing the denim jacket. Don't pair it with jeans. Trust me on this. If your jacket and jeans are made of two different colors or washes of denim, you'll look unmatched; on the other hand, if they're made of coordinating material you'll take on the look of Denim Barbie.

2. The jeans and heels combo.
I've heard so many people bemoan this particular trend, and frankly I don't understand why, unless they think it's a comfort thing. Really, wearing the right jeans with a pair of heeled shoes or boots is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your figure. Make sure your jeans are long enough (you may need slightly longer-than-usual jeans if you're wearing very high heels) and choose jeans with a bootcut for the best look. Wear pantyhose with your heels, or go barefoot- make sure you're not wearing white socks!

Jeans and heels will elongate your legs while allowing you to dress up your favorite jeans in an instant and take them from weekend to dinner. Add a structured jacket and a few accessories and you'll have the most up-to-date look imaginable.

3. The blazer.
Not just for the corporate boardroom anymore, blazers and closely-cropped jackets are the ideal pieces for just about everyone. Available in a wide range of cuts and styles to suit various figure types, blazers can create an instant waistline and dress up the most casual of outfits to create a polished look. If you're heavy in the bust, choose a blazer that buttons right beneath your bra to give yourself a pulled-together look. The right blazer will create a curve at the ribs that can give any woman an hourglass figure.

Best of all, blazers are available in so many fabrics and colors that you can use them however you want. A light blazer can be casual with jeans or business-appropriate with a skirt and heels. A dark blazer thrown over a tee shirt has a unique vintage look that works great on weekends. No woman should be without a few classic blazers in her closet!


These are just a few examples of recent trends that really do work. While it's great to dress in style, trying to keep up with every trend that becomes available is not only expensive- it's unrealistic and unflattering for most women. The trick is to pick and choose the trends that work best for you and that have the staying power to last a few years in the public eye. Trends like those listed above are sure to expand your wardrobe possibilities while keeping your look up-to-date and stylish.
-by bjp

It's easy for fashion trends to go "too far," and I'm the first to admit that I get really sick of seeing a trend once it's become mainstream and everyone is doing it to the point of overkill. For example, a few years ago clothes became slightly more form-fitting, as flared jeans gave way to bootcut jeans and straight legged looks, and this was a good thing. But now the pendulum has swung too far and we're seeing the return of skinny jeans and leggings, and unless you're a model this is a very bad thing. So it's definitely possible for a look to get too much exposure- and it seems as though as soon as the public starts wearing something, the designers just go crazy and push the envelope way too far.

With that said, in spite of the overexposure it's receiving in malls and high schools all over the nation, I'm still in support of what is commonly known as the "emo look." For those who aren't familiar with the term, "emo" refers to a type of music and the clothing styles emulated by those who perform the music as well as those who listen to it. Think tight vintage tee shirts, peacoats, Converse tennis shoes and black-rimmed glasses. That's the emo look.

While I agree with the point that this look has gotten slightly too common- when every store from Hot Topic to Wal Mart is carrying striped tunic tops, it might be time to back off- I still like the look and prefer it to many other trends that have come across the fashion field. Why? Because the emo look is much more flexible than many other styles that are out there.

I think I'm reverting to high school when I say this, and if I sound a little bitter that would be why. But the mid to late 1990s were a time of clones. I still remember very strongly that everyone in my age gruop was wearing the same uniform style: light-washed bootcut jeans, preferably from a store like the Gap or American Eagle; pastel polos or baby tees; and Birkenstock sandals or Doc Marten boots or shoes. Also, it helped if you were blond and wore a matching scrunchie on your wrist.

I got so tired of that look that even today I refuse to buy those particular items of clothing. That time was depressing to me because of the fact that there was no variance allowed. Never mind if you couldn't afford the jeans, or if you looked terrible in pastels, or if you thought Doc Martens were uncomfortable. If you didn't wear the preppie look and wear it well, you just weren't in style.

That's why the emo look scores points with me, and high schoolers and college kids today could have it much worse. The point of the emo look is in the variety. Although it's true that I listed a few typical characteristics of the look above, the world of emo fashion is actually much more varied than that of many other styles. If you don't like tunic tops, you can wear a little tee shirt. If you don't look good in a little tee shirt, throw an embroidered cardigan over it. If you hate skinny jeans, choose dark-colored dress pants instead. Or wear a skirt, and pair it with tennis shoes or flip flop sandals. Part of the fun of the emo look- although it is a "look"- is that creating your own version of it is half the point.

That brings me to my next reason for supporting emo fashion. If you talk to emo kids today, ninety-nine percent of them are going to tell you that they shop in thrift stores. They scour the Goodwill for deals. They make their own clothing, or alter old pieces to create new looks. Emo is not an expensive look. It's not about pricey labels (Converse tennis shoes, which are popular, run about twenty-five dollars a pair) and it's not about everyone looking the same. It may seem that way to those who are unfamiliar with the style, but the truth is that with emo, almost anything goes. Doing it your own way is highly encouraged. And when you're talking about a fashion trend for the youth of today, that's a pretty positive statement to make.
-by bjp

By Brandi M. Seals

It is amazing the things people come up with. No longer do celebrities simply write checks to support good causes and attend social events made simply to bring awareness to someone's plight. Instead it seems that everyone wants to be creative and different while raising awareness.

When it comes to the world of fashion, typically it is fashion shows that are used to raise money. Each year there are several benefit fashion shows that are used to help raise money for children, cancer research, or other deserving cause. However, sometimes it is the sale of a product that helps generate renewed interest and money for a worthy cause.

The latest attempt to raise money for a cause through the sale of its products comes to us by Kenneth Cole New York. The people at Kenneth Cole New York announced today that Kenneth Cole and rock star legend Jon Bon Jovi will work together to design a limited-edition outwear collection. Proceeds from the sale of the outerwear will benefit HELP USA, a not-for-profit group whose mission is to empower the homeless. They help the homeless and others in need become self reliant. The organization offers housing with on-site support services and excellent resources that can help propel their residents into productive lives.

Be stylish and give some money to a worthy cause. Pick up your jacket this November as they will be available at Kenneth Cole New York stores and Saks Fifth Avenue.

If you want to get a sneak peak at the new line of coats, tune in to the Fashion Rocks event which will air on the CBS Network on September 8th at 9 pm Eastern Standard Time. Jon Bon Jovi will wear one of the jackets on the red carpet at this year's event and will perform later in the evening.

For more information on the group being benefit, check with HELP USA (www.helpusa.org) and of course you can see all the Kenneth Cole styles at Kenneth Cole New York stores (www.KennethCole.com) and Saks Fifth Avenue.

There have been several previous examples of products being sold to raise money. For example, a few years ago it was the sale of lip gloss and lipstick that raised money for AIDS. All the proceeds raised by the sale of M.A.C. cosmetics Viva Glam V lipstick and Viva Glam V lip gloss went to the M.A.C. AIDS Fund.

The cosmetic industry has long been a supporter of a number of causes.

Bobbi Brown, among others, decided to use the sale of her cosmetics to give back. Bobbi created a special limited-edition Ribbon Pink Shimmer Lip Gloss for Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October).

Outside of the fashion and cosmetics world comes KitchenAid. They seem to have cornered the market on giving the proceeds from the sale of designated appliances to charity.

KitchenAid got involved with raising money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation which is well known for their breast cancer work. The Komen Foundation is the beneficiary of "Cook for the Cure, Presented by KitchenAid," which raises funds for the cause each time someone purchase one of the select KitchenAid products. KitchenAid also sponsors special fundraising events, auctions, and a grass roots program that helps supporters host their own Cook for the Cure fundraising dinner parties.

Since 2001, Cook for the Cure has raised over $3 million for the Komen Foundation. For more information, visit www.cookforthecure.com.

Next time you are in the market for a kitchen appliance, consider getting one of the following KitchenAid products. The proceeds from their sale go directly to the Komen Foundation.

Pink Artisan Stand Mixer
Pink Model A-9 Coffee Mill Grinder
Pink Ultra Power Blender
Pink Inspired Tea KettleCook for the Cure
4-Piece Gift Set
Pink Toaster
Pink Food Processor
Pink Hand Mixer
Pink Everything Pan
Pink Bakeware
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Pink Gadgets

The program has been going strong for 6 years and last year-long. In 2005, the Komen Foundation received $500,000 due to KitchenAid's efforts.

If at some time you feel like you want to help a charity out but also need a new coat, wardrobe piece, makeup or appliance check to see if you can kill two birds with one stone. I am sure you will be amazed at the number of opportunities available.

By: Melissa Martinez

I've recently noticed a very disturbing trend in fashion. The "emo" style seems to have made a comeback. Emo refers to the style associated with hard-core punk rock bands of the 80's. Specifically, the one's that were based in the Washington, DC area. This style is usually associated with dark clothing and skinny pants; a lot like what rockers would wear. It has evolved slightly since the early 90's and now can be seen in some form or fashion in every mall in America. The recent skinny jean craze and the re-emergence of the legging are all offshoots of this trend. Also, the color scheme for this fall is most certainly inspired from the emo style. All of the colors are muted and are variations of black, plum and grey. It's quite depressing really, and I don't understand the allure. One thing is to incorporate a current underground trend into mainstream fashion, but it's a whole other ballgame when the trend completely invades the fashion scene. I walk around the department stores and I can't seem to escape the sea of emo inspired clothing. The heavy constructed military jackets, the suspender pants, and the jumper dress are all examples of the current deluge of styles that are emo-esque.

As I try to piece together the evolution of this development in fashion, I am taken back to my high school days. The kids that used to dress in this manner were usually the ones that could be found writing poetry and carting their guitars around to every single class. They didn't talk much and usually kept to themselves. It was like a secret club that us "non-enlightened" regular Abercrombie and Fitch wearing teenagers were not invited to be a part of. So how did this odd little faction of high school society manage to imprint their style onto the fashion runways? Was it really much more widespread than we thought? My answer to this has to be no. The vast majority of people, obviously, do not subscribe to this manner of dressing. So how did it happen? Why has it become "the look of the moment"?

The answer once again lies with the high school crowd. Once again they have influenced fashion, and may I add, not for the better. I blame the fashion industries' obsession with youth. I guess they think everyone has to dress like they are fifteen forever. I know you've seen them, the ladies that are obviously "of a certain age" still trotting around in the revealing tops and animal print shoes. It just isn't right. Fashion should be available for everyone, not just teenagers.

I often long for the days of high fashion. Why can't we emulate the fashion icons of our time instead of our fashion challenged youth? How nice it would be to be able to walk into a mall and see well-dressed people for a change.

This brings me to my next point. This recent emo influx is doing nothing to improve the way people dress. The last thing we need is to give people an excuse to dress even worse than they dress now.

There needs to be a return to class. We need to think Audrey Hepburn not Avril Lavigne. There is no point to fashion unless it makes us look good.

For now, however, we are going to have to deal with the emos. The look will be with us at least through fall. I for one refuse to invest in any of it. I just can't see myself in suspenders. I can only pray that a whole lot of other people feel the same way. If they don't, emo chic could become, dare I say it, a mainstay. I know, not a pretty thought, but nonetheless a very real possibility.

So my best advice to my fellow fashion rebels is to try to make the best of it. Keep your classic style alive and ignore the trends. Invoke Hollywood glam and you can't go wrong, because I believe that even the most hard-core grunge rocker chick secretly wants to be Cinderella at the ball. It goes back to our most basic girly desire to look pretty, no matter how tough an image we want to portray.

How people perceive you has a lot to do with the way you dress and the clothes you wear. People form opinions on you in the first 3 minutes after they meet you or see you (even at the transit stop). And since you are often what you wear, people will form opinions about you by the way you are dressed.

What about your working hours? What do you wear to work every day? Most companies have some sort of rule (even if it is an unwritten one) on what you can wear and cannot wear at work. Some companies that deal with the public on a daily basis, dress wear are a must (such as a suit and a tie for men; a suit and skirt for women). Business suits for both women and men are a necessity and with the choice of business attire available, there are many avenues to find a suit that looks best on you. But, business casual is the generally accepted form of wear to work for most companies these days. What defines business casual? And what about when you are not at work? What do you wear then?

Business casual is more of a classic look, rather than a trendy one and although a grey area for some, business casual (also known as smart wear) can be defined as neat and crisp and should look appropriate for a chance meeting with the powers that be or a day with no one else around. What is the trick to attaining this look?

Business casual should not beach wear, it much more put together than that or evening wear, it is much less forma. Business casual should not be tight fitting, or on the other hand, baggy either. Business casual should consist of Khaki pants with long sleeved button down or golf shirts for both men and women (depending on the weather). Women have more choice when it comes to business casual than men do. More often than not, men are stuck wearing pants and a long sleeved or golf shirt (with a sweater thrown in here and there) While women have much more options available to them. They can wear a casual skirt (khaki), a flowered cotton skirt, jean skirts or the hot look for autumn, corduroy. These can be topped with a nice shirt or sweater or even a casual corduroy blazer. The key is to look neat and freshly pressed; after all you do not want to look like you just hopped out of bed wearing the clothes you are currently wearing to work, do you?

Business casual also goes beyond your clothes. It also deals with your general appearance. If you wear a really nice shirt and a great pair of khakis, but old tattered and ripped shoes, how will that make you look? Shoes that are sandals may be inappropriate for your work as are running shoes and as for make up and jewellery, less is definitely more

What about after work and over the weekends? Are sweatshirts, jeans and sneakers your uniform of the weekend? Even if it just running to the store, you never know who you will run into while out doing errands, so it best to look somewhat put together. How about a denim jacket or blazer with a t shirt underneath instead of a sweatshirt? Layers are always a good way to go when you want to look put together. And instead of wearing running shoes, how about putting on some loafers or some sort of shoe or boot with a small heel? There are plenty of comfortable yet fashionable clothing and footwear that can be put together for the weekend, no matter what your plans are.

Hey, I know you are busy on the weekend with errands and the like, but the key is not to borrow your spouses over sized clothing and you might want to give your clothes that you had in high school away (yes, it is good to be thrifty, but that is a little too much so) and to wear clothes that are appropriate for your age, size and shape and with stores galore and the Internet at well, your finger tips, there is a plethora of choice that will fit every sized body, both casual and for work too.

Remember you are going to be perceived for what you wear. If you wear sweats with writing on the butt that says ‘juicy’, what does that say about you? Even if it is the weekend, what if you run into the CEO from your company? What would their impression be of you at that point? Or what if you tend to wear low cut shirts with lots of cleavage, again what does that say about you as a person? The saying used to be you are what you eat, well, while that is still partially true, the real truth is in the knowledge that you are what you wear!

By Christina VanGinkel

Skate shoes have been popular for a while, with many adults and kids embracing the fashion trend they lend themselves too. Others seem to take no notice of the style, while others often make the pointed remark that they are not for them, some stereotyped idea about skaters in general blurring their otherwise possible good sense when it comes to picking out comfort and quality footwear. This is typical of any fashion really. Some like a style, others do not, while others might own a piece or two from a particular line but not totally embrace the trend that the pieces might represent.

My teenage son falls somewhere midstream between totally embracing the style, and not quite, when it comes to his skate shoes. He loves them, wears them exclusively for his preferred choice of footwear. He owns other footwear, such as cleats and work boots, but hand him a pair of DC shoes, Audios, Osiris, Vans, Elements, or some other brand of skate shoe, and you can see his comfort level soar. Other skate styled clothes though are not tops on his choice of dress, though I see some tendency to lean that way. He likes his jeans a bit baggy, is open to just about any t-shirt if the saying it sports is to his liking, and has been known to sport the occasional radically styled hat, but forgoes any sort of body piercing or jewelry that is common with many who both dress the style and live it.

The closest he has ever come to skateboarding is to try out his older brother's board, playing his Tony Hawk video games, or watching the skaters compete on the X Games each year. Not that he would not love to skate, but we live in the middle of the woods, without even a paved driveway to skate on. He lives to snowboard though, and just recently became the owner of a snow skate. His heart is in it, just not actively pursuing it due to demographics.

As a mother who skated her entire childhood, I actually found it hard to write that my very athletically minded youngest child is not a skateboarder! He would be ideal at the sport, daring, always pushing the edge in whatever sport he is taking part in, and I have seen his eyes light up as he checks out boards whenever we shop a certain particular store that carries them. Alas, he is destined to be a skate wanna be, at least for now.

Still, he is the proud new owner of a pair of DC Contender Skate shoes with Graffiti. The shoes are white and black with red highlights. They are a perfect example of what skate shoes are all about. What they are all about is comfort for the person lucky enough to wear them. From the thick foam padded tongue with elastic holders for added stability when the shoe is on the foot, to the highly abrasion resistant sole, (think of a skateboarder abusing a shoe on the pavement while keeping the shoe on the foot!) you can see why skate shoes are so popular. Kids and adults alike enjoy comfort, and when it comes to an athletic styled shoe, skate shoes are all about that!

If you have a child who has asked to pick out a pair of skate shoes, do not negate the idea right off just because they do not skate. Like my son, even if they do not, if they enjoy other sports, they most likely understand the attributes that this style of shoe offers. They have heard how comfortable they are, and if you ask any parent who has purchased any number of pairs of skate shoes through the years, you will hear yourself how well they hold up on the average.

You can find skate shoes, including the brands I mentioned, DC shoes, Audios, Osiris, Vans, Elements, and man y more at stores nationwide. One of our favorites is The House online. They carry a full selection of skate shoes for men, women, and kids. Do your child a favor, and your budget, and let your child pick out a pair of skate shoes. They will gain comfort, while you will know that the are buying a shoe that will last as long, or longer than an y other type of athletic shoe on the market today.

By Janie Blank

This was our 40th reunion but I think the problem of what to wear might be universal. Women especially seem to vacillate on whether or not to even go. They have an image of what they used to look like- if not in high school then at the last reunion they attended. And if they weigh more or think they have aged then they start to think of excuses not to attend.

It was on a Holiday weekend and it was held at a classmates very large and comfortable home. The theme was a barbecue and it was to be mainly on the lawn. However weather interfered, turning rainy and quite cold. I had two outfits in mind and I like one much better than the other but was originally worried it might be too hot. This was not the case and that is the one I wore. I felt really comfortable in terms of how I looked as well as the actual comfort of the outfit itself. This goes a long way in helping to enjoy the party.

Interestingly enough, we had our largest turnout in years. I thought we all seemed five or ten pounds heavier than five years ago but that might be due to changes that most women experience during their fifties. On the other hand, I thought we all looked good and dressed very appropriately. Maybe by the time you have been out of high school for forty years you have developed a fashion sense of what you look good wearing. You also might just be more comfortable in the skin you are in. You are not too outrageous- unless it flatters you and you can get away with it.

Rule #1 Wear Something Becoming

No matter your age, your shape or your taste in clothes, you need to wear something that looks good on you. By now we all have a favorite palette that reflects our taste and hopefully looks good on us. I know mine is pinks and purples and as of late some turquoise with the purple. These seem to be popular color combinations this season. About six years ago my hair turned a platinum color and different shades seem to flatter me now than when my hair was just blonde. I went through my black phase and still have a half a dozen black pants and black sweaters in my closet but I think as I age color seems to soften and flatter more than black does. Learning what is becoming on you as you age is an ongoing process.

Rule #2 Wear Something that Flatters your Figure

One thing I really noticed was the apple and the pear shapes. When we were young most of us were thin, a few were dumpy but now the shape you are is very pronounced. I am a pear so I have to worry about my hips. My midriff area is still relatively trim. The apples have the flat butts and really thin thighs but they still have the same excess weight, they just carry it all above the waist.

Some did a better job of hiding their flaws than others. Because it was so chilly outside jackets worked and this can cover up some flaws for both apples and pears. Another thing I noticed was that several girls who were what I would term dumpy in high school were thinner than those of us who were thin back then.

Although the theme was barbecue I decided to wear a skirt. Surprising about half the group also decided to go for the dressy barbecue look. I can only think of a handful of women who wore jeans and most all had the figures to pull it off.

One was tall and thin and had on a pair of jeans that was low cut and had one of those little short zippers that I cannot wear. They make my tummy bulge out above the waist. I am definitely not hip hugger material! When I commented on how thin she was she said she lives on coffee and cigarettes. I thought I had better spend some time with her because she may not be around for the forty-fifth!

Rule #3 Wear Something Age Appropriate

Make sure you do not dress too young OR too OLD. I think one is as bad as the other. Looking matronly is almost worse than trying to look a little younger or more fashionable than your age might dictate. When I was young I would go for the latest style and seemed to be able to pull it off. Now I have to figure out how to adapt it to my age.

That being said, we have one classmate who looks amazingly young. She is a vegetarian and does not smoke or drink either. Maybe there is something to that! She had a tattoo of a garland of flowers gently cascading down her back and had on a dress that was open in the back to show it off! There surely was no one else like her there but she definitely knows how to show off her assets! Because she has always been a non-conformist, I will say she got away with this somehow! However, I do not think anyone else could have and I would not recommend it.

The reunion was a great time! Fortunately, I do not have one debacle of bad taste to describe out of a crowd of over one hundred, more than half of who were women. I think we have all learned these rules long before now and applied them to our best advantage at the reunion.

By Simon Woodhouse

In recent years, the tattoo parlour seems to have moved away from being the exclusive domain of sweaty sailors, greasy bikers, and members of the armed forces. Tattoos have become chic. They're celebrity, and what's celebrity doesn't normally take long to filter down to the rest of us mere mortals. But the act of marking the skin with colored dyes is in fact an ancient art.

The word tattoo has its origin in two different sources - the Polynesian 'ta' which means to strike something, and the Tahitian 'tatau' which means 'to mark something'. Though historical records are thin on the ground, it's generally reckoned tattooing started in Ancient Egypt, and traveled around the rest of the globe from there. Nearly all ancient cultures indulged in the practice, with the Polynesians and their descendents exhibiting some of the most intricate designs. Here in New Zealand, the native Maori people still have a strong tradition of tattooing, or 'moko' as it's known.

Though designs and styles differed throughout the world, the basic method of application stayed the same. The skin was punctured or cut and ink or ash was introduced to the wound. Hand tapping the dye into the skin with non-electric, hand-held tools is still the preferred method used by traditionalists across the globe. But when the rest of us think of tattooing, we picture the buzzing needle gun that sounds a bit like a dentists drill. This apparatus was actually put together in the late 1800's by a man called O'Reilly, who modified an engraving machine invented by Thomas Edison.

So that's how it's done, but who's got one? I would say probably the most famous tattooed lady on the planet at the moment has to be Angelina Jolie. This woman likes Tattoos. She's got at least a dozen and shows no signs of stopping there. The Asian tiger design on her lower back is pretty impressive. But so as not to jeopardize any potential film roles that might require her to disrobe, she employs a full-time makeup artist whose sole job is to cover her tattoos. Few other female celebs have embraced the body art thing quite like Angelina, but Britney's got a couple, Nichole Ritchie's taken the plunge, Pamela Anderson, Christina Aguilera, Drew Barrymore, and Sarah Michelle Geller have all been drawn on to some degree.

What most people want to know when it comes to tattooing is does it hurt. Speaking from personal experience I'd have to say yes it does, it hurts a lot. I had my tattoo done about ten years ago, just before the current trend started. The guy who did it had a little booth in an underground shopping mall not far from where I lived. Perhaps business was slow on the day I went in, because he looked pretty bored, as if the whole tattooing thing was a bit of a drag. He didn't have much of a bedside manner either, not talking throughout the whole process other than to tell me to stop squirming. Maybe his usual male clients were sweaty sailors, greasy bikers, and members of the armed forces, not lightweight computer operators. Anyway, I endured the process and left the shop with a Celtic design on my right shoulder. It's discreet, and only sees the light of day if I go to the beach, which is how I wanted it. Even though I'm a guy, and most guys like to wear tattoos as some sort of a badge of honour, that's not me.

When it comes to women and tattoos, I think discretion is even more important. Depending on the woman, the tattoo, and where she's had it done, it can either look really sexy or absolutely cringe-worthy. I would say anywhere on the arms is a no-no for women. Small and hidden, or briefly glimpsed is more appealing to the male eye. A tiny one on either shoulder, something simple on the hip, a subtle bit of color in the small of the back or around the belly button. Like an over abundance of body piercing, too many tattoos can give someone a scary, obsessive vibe. And there's always the fickle nature of fashion to think about. What's hot today might not be so scorching tomorrow. In fact, I'd go so far as to say this current wave of tattoo-mania seems to be coming to an end. Even though it'll always be popular with the hardcore, it's not such a big deal to see one on a woman these days. And if it's not a big deal, is it really worth enduring the pain to get one, and then going through a similar process in a few years time to have it lasered off? Worse still is the practice of getting your partners name engraved on you somewhere. To me, that's just asking for trouble, tempting fate in such a way as fate should never be tempted.

So tattoos on women - not a bad thing (in the opinion of this average guy), but less is definitely more.

Cheap and affordable -- Thrifty fashion trends have taken full turn with the arrival of ukay-ukay. Ukay-ukay (which means "digging in"), is the latest craze for Filipino thrift shoppers. You can find the coolest bargain items here! From clothing to bags to shoes, everything is affordable for any thrift shopper.

Just like the vintage/thrift stores in the U.S., ukay-ukay is a store for anything second hand. Yet, these second hand finds are a treasure since one-of-a-kind and hard to find designs and styles are for sale. Shipped to the Philippines, most items came from the U.S.A, Europe, Taiwan, South Korea, China, Japan and Hong Kong.

One can also find some of the popular brands at the ukay-ukay. For the brand conscious yet is looking for something affordable, ukay-ukay is definitely your fashion mecca. Famed brands like Miu Miu, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Ferragamo, Burberry, Adidas, Converse, Nine West, and more are sold for unbelievably low, low prices. You can have them for less than $5. It's so cheap that an average shopper can carry these high-end brands. Although expert fashionistas would say that a lot of the items at ukay-ukay are fake or are less durable, finding a high-end brand at ukay-ukay is still a sweet indulgence. I mean, who can tell it was fake especially if they came from Japan or Europe? No one sells fake items in those countries, right?

Ukay-ukay stores are everywhere now. Before, only in Baguio (a province in the Philippines) where you can buy an ukay-ukay item. The ukay-ukay stores in Baguio are a tourist destination. Local and foreign tourists take a stop at the Baguio Public Market where ukay-ukay stores mushroomed all over. Its popularity reached Manila when Baguio locals brought the ukay-ukay business to the metro. A lot of provinces in the Philippines have ukay-ukay stores. However, it was in Baguio that ukay-ukay became a household name.

I've been to these stores very often. It was during my college days that I discovered this treasure. Thanks to my gay friend who is an ukay-ukay expert. From the nearby ukay-ukay in my school to neighboring ukay-ukay in our village, I've been there and everytime I go these stores I bring home a unique item. Wide variations of outfits you can create in finding items at ukay-ukay. Go glam, fab, and even drag with all the clothes and accessories available at ukay-ukay.

I remember, my first fabulous find was a Burberry bag that I bought at our village ukay-ukay. It only costs me Php 150 (equivalent to $3). Although I can still haggle for a much lower price, I instantly bought it because I knew that what I found was a fashion gem. Imagine?!? A Burberry bag for only $3! Normally you could buy a Burberry bag for $400 and up. But this one is really CHEAP. I know that some fashonistas would think that it was fake or a copy cat. But whether it is fake or cheap imitation of Burberry, this bag is a sure envy of everyone.

Another good find that I got from ukay-ukay was a Gap dress. For only Php 120 (or $2.50), I've got a branded dress that is affordable and still wearable. Well, it only takes accessories to add a little pizzaz on the dress. Maybe wearing a belt or knee high boots will do the trick.

The ukay-ukay is a haven of "unorthodox" shoe designs! I have never found shoes so detailed, intricate, and fashionably unique. I admit that shoes are the reason why I frequent thrift shops. I am just a fan of exquisitely designed shoes. I have bought six pairs of shoes at ukay-ukay. But my favorite pair of shoes are my mint green Otto shoes made in Milan, Italy and another pair of green shoes (I don't know the brand) made in Japan. Well, they are not my ruby red shoes. But I'm simply obsessed with those shoes! Everytime I get to wear them they become the talk of the town. People are dying to know where I bought it. I just joke them and say, I got them from Milan and Japan.

Other items that I bought at ukay-ukay were a Betty Boop top, a wrap dress from Taiwan, I.N.V.U jacket from South Korea, double breasted jacket from Japan, Diesel sneakers, and I might just go on and on about my wardrobe in my closet. Well, not everything in my closet are from ukay-ukay. I still buy the real, durable, expensive, and new stuffs okay.

I often go to the ukay-ukay if there's an emergency. Let's say, two days from now I have an event to attend and I have nothing fashionable to wear and my budget is limited. I immediately go to the nearest ukay-ukay in search for something unique and trendy. Well, that for me is a fashion emergency.

But I'll give you tips on buying and wearing items at the ukay-ukay. Everything at the ukay-ukay is really cheap. If you've got a budget of Php 500 ($10) for shopping, you'll definitely go home bag-full. But remember to always haggle. Some items will start quite expensive for a second hand item. Don't buy them! Haggle! Haggle! Haggle! Sales lady will give it to you anyway. Make them go your way and not theirs.

If you find something extraordinary at ukay-ukay, or if you know that the item is genuine Prada or Chanel, grab it! Do not wait for it to be on sale because others may buy it or the sales lady will keep it for their next sale. Believe me! I've experienced this so many times and I often regret the days I did not buy a good item. You see, some items at ukay-ukay came from rich people who disposes their items in a month. So, there really is a possibility that branded items are genuine.

Befriend the sales lady! This tip is really important. Befriending the sales lady will give you a lot of perks at ukay-ukay. Without saying anything, the lady will just give you the item at the lowest price. I've made a lot of friends at ukay-ukay, sales lady in particular, and it gave me a lot of benefits. Now this is what you call "friends with benefits".

Now, in wearing an ukay-ukay item or anything second hand you've got to have the know-how! First, never wear second hand from head to toe! Even from afar people would know you're wearing something old and borrowed. One second hand item will do and pair them with a new-looking jeans or shirt. In that way, you'll look up to date and trendy.

But of course before you wear them, make sure that it doesn't have that "very old" smell. You got to wash 'em up! In fact, what I do is when I buy second hand clothes I soak them to hot water. It is best to soak them because this will eliminate the germs.

You see... one doesn't have to buy very expensive clothes just to be fashionable or trendy. All you need is to have a good fashion sense and you'll be surprised that old clothes can still look hip at modern times. In an ukay-ukay shop, you can find items where in you can revolutionize your style. Just be patient though! Fashion is for everyone. Whether you got it from a thrift shop or from a high end boutique at Beverly Hills, your style is all that matters! So be confident and be cool! Express yourself through clothes!

By Simon Woodhouse

I don't hate clothes (how could I, I'm wearing some right now), and I quite like standing in front of the mirror and seeing a relatively well-dressed reflection looking back at me, but on the odd occasion when that happens I'm absolutely baffled as to how I might have managed it. Clothes keep me warm and hide my less than attractive body from the world at large, beyond those two things, I'm not sure what they're for.

I've often heard the old saying 'clothes make the man'. Where this comes from and who first said it, I don't know, but it sounds to me like the sort of thing marketing people get paid a lot of money to think up. This leads me to further wonder what came first - marketing or fashion? It's a chicken and egg type of thing.

Now I know I could solve my hopeless dress sense by simply opting to wear whatever's in vogue. I could buy one of the numerous men's magazines that cater for style gurus, take it to my local mall, and stock up on whatever the Adonis like models within said publications happen to be wearing this month. But this is where I hit another problem - I never seem to like any of the latest clothing trends. I'm not sure if this is a subconscious thing on my part, my inner sense of individualism rebelling against being told how to look. Or perhaps I just can't see myself in the same light as the square-jawed supermen that are male models. So, whatever the reason, going to the mall for me is usually a source of bewilderment and frustration. I'm like a little boy lost. I wander into one of the trendy clothes shops, try to browse like I know what I'm looking for, and nearly jump out my skin when an assistant (usually twenty years my junior) asks me if I'm after anything in particular. The thing is, I am after something in particular - something that I'd like to wear, something that won't make me appear to be a sad thirty-eight year old who's trying to recapture his college years. I've got another point to rise while I'm on the subject of people who work in clothes shops. Again, this might just be me, but I often get the feeling they expect me to be grateful for being allowed into their shop. And this feeling seems to increase in line with the price of the shop's merchandise, i.e. charity shops have no atmosphere of pretentiousness whatsoever, but high-end gentlemen's outfitters are tripping over their own sense of self-importance. Knowing this, however, doesn't help me deal with my terrible dress sense.

Perhaps I should look at it in a different way. Maybe I should see the hit and miss nature of my appearance as a good thing, a way to challenge myself and at the same time win my own small victory over the world of fashion. If I can manage to look halfway decent while still wearing clothes I bought five years ago, then I'm scoring a small victory for the forces of self-expression. Or perhaps I should just give up on the whole idea of dressing in any way like a normal human being, and instead go and live in a cave in Outer Mongolia and clad myself in dead reindeer skins. But what if I get to Outer Mongolia and find that reindeer skins are out, yak skins are in, and I don't like the way yak skins look - ahhh!

Ok, I think I can see the problem a bit more clearly now. I've been shaking my fist at snooty shop assistants, good looking male models and the fashion industry as a whole, when really the problem is me - I'm too fussy whilst at the same time not really having a clue as to what I want. Or I know what I want, but I don't have the patience to seek it out. So what can I do about this? Not a lot probably. I'm too long in the tooth and set in my ways to suddenly develop a love of shopping, I'm too proud to let anyone buy my clothes for me, and I'm too self-conscious to dress in the latest trends. I think I'll just be better off carrying on the way I am, dressing in a random mismatch of clothes and hoping for the best.