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If you want to be taken seriously as a professional, then you will have to look like one first. It is unfortunate, in my opinion, that we are judged so much by how we look instead of by how we act. Job interviews are a perfect example of being judged by our looks. While your looks alone will not (or should not) get you a job, they will determine the opposite. Someone may decide not to hire you immediately upon your arrival because of your appearance.

Women should be especially careful of how they dress for job interviews as male attire is fairly uniform. There are fewer choices; therefore there is less chance of making a mistake. Women, however, are faced with an endless set of choices for clothing to wear to job interviews. If you are a woman preparing for a job interview, you should begin by wearing a dress suit or pantsuit. Although certainly business skirts are still acceptable, more women are finding that they are more comfortable in a pantsuit than in a skirt.

Your pantsuit should be a fairly muted color. The traditional colors are black, navy blue, and gray. Sometimes brown and perhaps even off-white suits are acceptable under the right conditions. If you are interviewing for a job at a corporate office, the off-white may be a little suspect, and you should always go with the more traditional look if you are unsure. The place where you can make your clothing more intense is with the shirt that goes underneath the suit jacket. Instead of just wearing a plain white shirt, you can try a brighter color to give the image that there is pizzazz in your personality.

Your shoes probably are the next most important part of your ensemble. You should avoid flat shoes as they tend to give the impression of indecision or weakness. Also avoid any heels that are higher than three inches. You should get shoes that are a similar color to your suit or are a complementary color but match your blouse. Be sure that the shoes are shined and are free of any scuff or wear marks.

When you are thinking about the makeup that you want to wear, imagine that you are going to a casual event. While that may sound odd considering how you will be dressed, it is the best way to get a visual of what type of makeup is acceptable for women to wear to job interviews. Avoid any dark or bright colors. Stick with subtle makeup that accentuates your face. If people notice your makeup, then it is not subtle. You also should avoid wearing any jewelry to your job interview. You never know when someone could have an allergy, and you do not want to miss out on a job because someone was too busy blowing her nose to pay careful attention to you. If you must add a scent, try a light spritz of body spray instead of a perfume.

The final issue you have to consider is how much jewelry you should wear. It is best to play it safe here as well. Try to stick to no rings or only your wedding band. Then you can wear a small chain and a watch. Avoid big jewelry and do not wear bracelets. They can be distracting when you move your arms, and you want to avoid anything that may distract the interviewers from your abilities.

While you should not try to hide who you are when you go in for an interview, you should make every effort to appear professional. I would never advise hiding a nose ring, for example, if you plan to wear it everyday on the job. While some people believe that you should get your foot in the proverbial door first, it would be worse in many ways to get the job only to be fired during your probationary period. With that said, it is not necessary to try to be flamboyant at your interview. You want the people who are interviewing you to be impressed with you. It is best not to do anything that would distract them from seeing you as a candidate for the job. If they leave talking about your clothing, that is never a good sign.

By Julia Mercer

When are you choosing fabrics, you should take care to choose ones that you will enjoy wearing and that will look good for a long time to come. There are some simple rules to follow when choosing fabrics that will help you to be sure that you are wearing the right clothes.

The first test you should do before you even take a piece of clothing to the fitting room is the touch test. If a garment feels odd to your hand, it will not be comfortable to wear. It does not matter how wonderful a piece of clothing looks on the hanger, you need to touch the fabric to be sure that you will find it comfortable.

After the fabric has passed the touch test, then you can begin to consider whether or not it works for your lifestyle. Do not be pulled in by fashion gurus. You need to wear what works for not only your body type but your lifestyle as well. For example, cashmere is a wonderful fabric. It is incredibly soft, which is why people love it, and it is very flexible. If you take it to be dry cleaned as you should and take care to fold it and put it away after you wear it, then you will find that you can stomach the expensive price tag on this quality piece of fabric. If you live on a farm where you do chores and raise six children, skip the cashmere. That is not meant as any type of insult. There are beautiful fabrics you can and should wear, but cashmere is not for you unless it is for a special occasion. This fabric is for people without children who need to look professional regularly.

If you travel regularly, you may want to look for labels with viscose. This fabric is as close to wrinkle-free as you can get, which means that it will survive those long flights in the suitcase. It also will work well even if you need to roll it up. Care is the only concern for this fabric. You should have it dry cleaned, but if you cannot, then you can hand-wash it in cold water and allow it to air dry. You can run a warm - not hot - iron over viscose if you had to let it air dry.

Let us return to that farming lady with the six kids. What should she wear? Well, look for stretch and wrinkle-resistant cottons. Although it does not sound sexy, it has some major benefits. First, as more people go for casual looks even in the office and millions of people work from home, there have been some changes to these cotton fabrics. They now come in wonderful designs that do not look old or dated (and do not scream Mom when anyone sees you). They are easy-care cloths and the wrinkle-resistant ones work well if you are doing chores and running after little ones all day. The best part is that these fabrics are not very expensive, so you can stock up without spending a fortune.

Another good choice for moms when they need to go out (or want to dress a little more) is a denim look. Jeans are no longer just casual. A sharp pair of jeans paired with a nice shirt can look really great for running errands or hanging out at home. The fabric is flexible and moves with you so they work well for being about children as well.

Everyone, stay-at-home mom or not, should consider investing in at least one tropical blend suit. These outfits are durable. The fabrics are designed to be resistant to wear and tear, and they usually do not wrinkle much. They travel well. Although they are expensive, they are classic pieces, so you could buy one or two and keep them for years, making them fresh with a few accessories added in for something extra.

Choosing the right fabric is important if you are planning to make up a new wardrobe. If you go shopping, be sure that you feel comfortable in what you are considering buying. Whether it is chic or not, it has to fit your lifestyle and your budget to make you feel good about the purchase.

By Julia Mercer

Jeans have become a staple of the American wardrobe, especially for the younger set. Just any pair of jeans will not do, however. You must learn to match your jeans with the person you are on the inside and out. Here are some ways to make your jeans work with you, not against you.

You must choose between the classic cuts, such as boot cut or tapered leg and the trendier types of jeans out there. I personally opt for the boot cut jeans for a couple of reasons. First, the tapered leg jeans just look bad - period. There is no discussion. They draw people's attention to your feet, and they tend to bunch up. They also expose any flaws in your buttocks and legs because they tend to fit tighter. Boot cut allows you to wear any shoes you would like and still look great. The trend in jeans right now is still the low-cut back. The problem with these is that they only work on women with wide hips. Otherwise, your undies will show when you sit down, and that is just tacky.

It is very difficult to have the body shape that looks right for these jeans. You would need wide hips and a very small waist, so unless you were blessed with wonderful jeans or work out often, avoid this cut and go with a classic.

Another option you now have with jeans is to get stretch denim. These jeans have a couple of benefits. They move with you, unlike many of the more starched versions of denim. They also tend to be very flexible, which makes them good if you move around often. On the downside, they will stretch until they are too big to fit. Some are great, but I have had others that I cannot even wear for a full day. If you are getting stretch, be sure that they fit very snugly in the store and use a belt when you wear them.

It is important when you are shopping for denim that you get the jeans that fit your body. Most stores, like the Gap or Old Navy, will have charts on the wall. Be honest about yourself. They will let you know which cuts work for which body types. Pay attention to these charts. If you are in a store without the charts, then your best bet may be to try to focus on your best features. If you have a nice bottom, get jeans that are snug with pockets that are placed appropriately.

Similarly you can go against what you would like to have. For example, if you have long legs, go for a straight-leg or slightly flared jean. It is slimming to your legs and will make them look longer. If you are high-waisted, then you want to consider a jean that sits lower.

Your final choice in jeans will be in what color of denim you want. No, all denim is not made equal. Instead you will want to pick out the denim and see what works. Stone-washes are not very popular anymore, but you may find that you can get other unique types of jean washes. As a general note, dark jeans work best with brighter colored tops while light-colored jeans are a bit more versatile. The biggest mistake you can make, however, is to mix dark jeans with a dark top. It will be too much for others when they are looking at you.

Do not be afraid to splurge on a nice pair of jeans. You will find that you will want to get jeans that are comfortable. Few people make it with only one or two pair, but I have been trying out this trick for a while. Since I work from home, I only have two pair of jeans. I have really pared down my wardrobe, but I find that it is much easier to spend more money on jeans when they are going to last a good long while. I will be wearing them often, and I know that I am getting a good deal.

You should work to get nice jeans and make them work for you. This piece of clothing can really make a drab outfit look great.

By Julia Mercer

Traveling to a foreign country can be an exciting, yet daunting, prospect. Before you head out for your journey, you should check with people who have visited the nation. In addition, the age of the Internet allows you to check online. Find out about any laws prescribing dress. Also check into the climate and local customs so that you will be prepared for your trip. Here is a continuation of the tips for women traveling abroad. I hope that you will take these tips as a starting point so that you can be prepared when you travel.

Shorts in Mexico are a bad idea. Try to stick primarily with pants although short-sleeved shirts are acceptable. Also, in many American beach communities, it is considered acceptable to wear your bathing suit into local restaurants and such. That is not the case in Mexico. Stick to wearing your bathing suit only at the pool or beach and cover up on your way there and back.

The people of Thailand are all about respect. They believe strongly in people's respect for themselves, and that respect begins with clothing. Unlike some other nations, you should always press your clothing in Thailand and approach the nation with courtesy. You should not wear sleeveless shirts or shorts although some contemporary fashion is acceptable. The Thais will not be angry or offended by your shorts, but they will be as if you are screaming to everyone that you are a tourist, which you do not want when you travel to other nations. Also no one in Thailand wear socks, which is in part because you are expected to take off your shoes anytime you are in the presence of Buddha. Stick with sandals.

If you are traveling to Malaysia, you can wear short sleeves, but you should stick to dresses that come below your knee, as close to ankle-length as possible.

The Philippines is one of the nations where women are expected to cover up, but that tradition has come into contact with Western culture. The alternative, then, is that many of the women wear polo-type shirts, which fits the cultural standards about women and makes the women feel better.

Belgium is part of the Western world in terms of fashion. You should be okay there in terms of your clothing regardless of what you choose. The one area where you should be careful, however, is that you should be prepared for the changing weather they have. Belgium can have rain one day and a perfectly sunshiny day the next. Bring clothes for cooler days as well as for inclement weather.

Indochina is one of the places where the shoes must come off at the temples although some temples will permit you to put large socks over your shoes if you are weird about walking around barefoot. Beware of thievery, however! Like in many American cities where you cannot leave your CD player in the open in your car, you should beware of leaving your shoes outside the temple door. Someone is likely to take them. Instead you should put your shoes in a handbag with you because that is considered respectful.

If you are taking a trip to Poland, never fear. Your jeans can go with you. Denim is extremely popular in Poland, and the people there are open to wearing shorts and short sleeved-shirts as well. The only major concern you should have is that the winters can get very frigid. To avoid this problem, you should bring very heavy winter socks and a good coat with you.

Turkey is not the place to break out your skirts. Instead you should stick to pants and long-sleeved shirts. Do not try to dress more liberally than the nation's residents do, or you will get unwanted attention from the locals.

If you are in Nigeria, your best bet is to make yourself look like a Muslim women. Nigerian women are very meticulous, and they always press their clothes before leaving home. (In other words, the college student, just out of bed look is not okay.) You should expect to do the same and wear a scarf over your head (not required, but a good suggestion) so that the men believe you are a fellow Muslim.
By Julia Mercer

Taking care of your clothing can really improve its lifespan, which is something that you should be concerned about if you are on a clothing budget. There are some quick ways that you can learn to take care of your clothing so that you will not have to replace it as quickly.

Knowing what you are doing to clean your clothing is one of the most important steps you can take. If something says that it should be dry cleaned, it should. There should be no getting around it. Pay attention to other admonitions on clothing, such as not putting it in the dryer or washing it in cold water. The tags are great for telling you what you want to know about how to care for a piece of clothing.

Speaking of dry cleaning, there are home kits to allow you to dry clean your clothing. If you are meticulous about following directions, then you should give them a try. They are less expensive than having someone else do it for you. On the other hand, if the clothes need to be pressed after the dry cleaning, take it to a shop. Also be sure that you have plenty of space because at-home dry cleaning clothes need to be put out flat on the floor after you have cleaned them.

Try not to mix clothing. Some people will do it, however, because they do not want to take the time to sort their clothes. If you are one of these people, then you can take a cotton ball, dip it in water, and then run it across your clothing. If the cotton ball is clean, the clothing will not fade, and you can toss it with the whites. If the cotton ball is not clean, then you should not wash it with the whites. It will fade onto your other clothes.

Take care of your swimsuits. If you are going to be going into the ocean, you need to plan to find a place where you can rinse your suit when you are done. Instead of just letting your suit dry over the rod of the bathtub, you should rinse it in cold water for 15 minutes before you wash it. Be sure that you do wash your swimsuit after every wear. If you will be in a chlorinated pool, then you should rinse your suit in the sink with cold water before you wash it. If you put your suit back in the drawer or beach bag without washing it, then you will find that it is begins to wear and fade more quickly. The salts in the ocean and the chlorine in your pool have the same effect; they are not good on swimsuits. You also should never put swimsuits in the dryer as the heat will cause the elastic to break down, and the fabric is not intended for intense heat.

Hanging your sweaters is a bad idea. You will find that even on padded hangers, your sweaters will begin to droop. That is because the fabric in them is so heavy that gravity will begin to have an effect on it. Instead, you should fold your sweater. The proper way to fold a sweater to avoid creases and other problems is to put the sweater face-down on a flat surface. Fold back the sleeves so that they meet in the center of the sweater back. Then fold back the top of the sweater, folding the garment in half. Another option for sweaters is to roll them up and store them in baskets. That choice works only if you have few sweaters as it tends to take up a great deal of space.

Taking good care of your clothes can be time-consuming, but it is effort that is well worth the time it takes. That is because increasingly the life of your clothing through quality care techniques means that you will be saving money in the long run because your clothes will last longer than if you had not cared for them. You should work on your clothing techniques often. Keep up. You can always learn something new to help you take better care of your clothes.

By Julia Mercer

There are a number of ways you can make life with your clothing easier. While some of these tips may be more than you interested in or are willing to do for your clothes, other ideas may make your life much easier. Read on to find out what you knew and what is new for you.

When you get a new piece of clothing, you can put clear fingernail polish on each of the buttons. The polish will dry to make the threads holding the button on stronger so that the buttons are less likely to come off.

If you are altering any piece of clothing, be sure that you press the clothing first. That will keep it from changing the length of the hem or altering the eye line on changes.

Use padded hangers if you purchase silk clothing. Using metal or large plastic hangers on such delicate fabric will leave crease marks where the hanger was.

Be sure that you try on clothing the day before big occasions. You want to try on the complete outfit, including accessories. Look in the mirror. Trying everything on early will give you time to be sure that everything fits and is in good condition so that you can make changes now instead of at the last minute.

Do not store leather jackets, or any other piece of leather clothing, in plastic bags, such as those that come with the dry cleaners. Instead, you should hang cloth over leather if you want to protect it because plastic will cause it to dry out and crack.

If you happen to get an injury and bleed on a piece of clothing, you need to attend to it as quickly as possible. Blood sets in quickly. Also try using cold water and a cloth to remove the stain. Avoid warm water as it will cause the stain to set.

If you have a new piece of clothing and are concerned about it fading in the wash, never fear! Some of this fading is natural depending on the type of garment. Other fading is not, however, and you can stop it. You can allow the clothing to soak for ten minutes in a tub of saltwater before you begin washing it, or you can add a couple of tablespoons of vinegar to the wash cycle. Just check it after the rinse cycle so that you can make sure that the vinegar all rinsed out.

Here is an interesting tidbit that you probably did not know. If you get clothes especially muddy, there is something that you can do. After you boil a serving of potatoes, rinse the muddy clothes in that water. The oil from the potatoes will help to get out the mud in the clothing.

Grease stains can mean the end of a piece of clothing, but they do not have to. Instead if you find yourself with a grease stain, put a bit of talcum powder, such as baby powder, over the stain. Put the clothing aside to allow the powder to soak up the grease. Then wash the clothing as normal, and the grease should be gone.

Water is a miracle maker. If you have clothes that are especially dirty, then you should soak them overnight in a tub of hot water or in the washing machine with hot water. The water will work to get most of the stains lose so that the clothing will be more likely to come clean when you wash it.

If you have a tough to use zipper, try using a bar of soap, petroleum jelly, or the wax from a candle. All of these items can help lubricate the zipper so that it will work. Then dab the zipper with a tissue to get off the excess oil or wax.

Use old shirts and other items as cloths for cleaning, washing your car, or many other household activities when you are done with them. Instead of throwing out clothing that gets holes in it, try to determine how you may be able to use it to meet other needs.

These tips are just a few that will help you make more of your clothing. Look around when you need an idea; you often can find a way to solve clothing problems.

By Julia Mercer

If you are a man who is trying to build a fashionable wardrobe, you are in luck. I have compiled a list of the fashion pieces you need for the winter months. These are the pieces of clothing or accessories that will help you to look and feel your best. Instead of trying to get by without what you need, spend a Saturday. Go to the store and pick up these items.

A herringbone blazer is one of these items. This blazer, which has small alternating diagonal lines is a wonderfully classic piece. They come and go, but they will always come back. Get a herringbone blazer for yourself, and you will have a great coat for a sort of dressed up casual (think: wanting to look casual but still impress the girl). You also will be able to wear this blazer out to some nighttime events, so it is an all-around must-have.

Every man needs a crisp white shirt. After all, what do you wear to work? What about dates? This piece of clothing is one of the essential of any man's wardrobe because you can do so much with it. You can dress it down with denim or up with a blazer. It fits at so many occasions that you should splurge. You will get your money's worth.

Do you know those v-neck sweaters that your Dad wore? Okay, maybe your dad did not wear them, but you saw Ward Cleaver with them on. Oh, those sweaters. Get one. You only need to get one, and it should be in a bright, crisp solid color, such as salmon or sparkling blue. The wonderful part about this sweater is that it can really add pizzazz to an otherwise boring outfit. You can wear it over a dress shirt or pair it with a pair of navy or black pants to make a statement. Your clothes also affect your mood, and you will want something that you can put on during the drab winter months that will make you feel better.

If you want something to keep you warm and that works for all occasions, try a black zippered cardigan. These sweaters are very snug and warm, making them great for winter days, but they also work really well if you want something more casual. You can pair them with denim if you would like or try the cardigan with a pair of wool pants for something really exciting.

No woman can resist a man in a pinstripe suit. This 1950s relic is back big-time. Pinstripe suits have never really gone away, but many men are rediscovering them. Instead of opting for the more traditional and more formal black or navy, you should try something different. Get a gray pinstriped suit because you can mix and match it with more shirts and ties and because it will help you to stand out from the crowd. To make this suit a good fashion choice, be sure that you have a couple of more exciting ties with which to pair the suit.

A cashmere sweater, especially if you get a zippered one with a hood, is a great way to make your wardrobe spicier. It is not something that you could wear everyday, but it is a good choice if you are willing to take a little fashion risk. Getting one of these sweaters in a color like orange will help to brighten up your wardrobe. You can stick with foundational pieces in more subtle colors underneath and then liven everything up with the hoodie. Pair it with a wool blazer, and you are ready to go. The best part is that you will be able to feel the soft wonderful feeling of cashmere, which will make you love the sweater even more.

These wardrobe pieces are just a few of the ones you will want to have if you are trying to put yourself together into a nicer wardrobe. Many men feel that once they leave college, they need to move beyond the jeans and t-shirts. Yes, it is great that you feel that way, but you have to know where to begin. These pieces are the place. Go out shopping and relax. You just may enjoy yourself.

By Julia Mercer

Traveling around the world can be a fun experience. One of the many concerns that people have, however, is how they can fit in when they are traveling the world. While you may be uncomfortable in some nations with the clothing you must wear, there are other places where you may be required by law to wear certain garments. There are other places where you simply will want to fit in with the native people instead of announcing that you are a tourist. Here are some interesting facts that Western women may want to know about dressing around the world.

Hong Kong is one of the places where women dress very modestly. Women do not wear shorts or short-sleeved shirts although they are open to permitting Westerners to dress as they would like. Because the women keep covered, however, the buildings often are very chilly with the air conditioning, so most Western travelers find that dressing like the natives is a better idea anyway to keep warm.

Syria is one of the few Arab nations in the world where the Quaran and conservative dress does not dominate. If you visit Syria, you can wear the latest in fashions as that is what you will find the resident women donning.

Indonesia can be a beautiful place, and its location leads many people to think that it may be a breezy tropical paradise. Such is not the case. The country is very humid, so it is best to wear cotton and other breathable fabrics as opposed to polyester. Also, dressing modestly is incredibly important in Indonesia as the people there tend to be very conservative.

One of the issues with nations, like Egypt, where the women wear strictly prescribed dress that covers them practically from head to foot is that Western women find the men oogle and stare (and even touch) if they see women even remotely uncovered. If you are going to go against the customs in these nations, know that you will be fighting off men as you travel.

Italian men also have a reputation for being more than forthcoming with women, particularly American women. If you will be traveling to Italy, do not over pack the blue jeans as they are a more casual piece of clothing and will tend to invite more attention. Blondes also should be sure to pull back their hair and cover it if possible in Italy, or it will attract much negative attention.

Indian women are very traditional in their dress. One of the pieces Hindu women wear is the Salwar Kameez. This outfit, which most Westerners have seen, looks like a scarf draped around the body. The beauty of the design is that there are pants underneath! Wearing the Kameez will help avoid stares and the announcement that you are a tourist. It also is made of a very silky fabric that works well in the Indian climate.

Jordan is a pretty conservative Muslim state. To respect the religious customs there, you should wear only very baggy shirts that cover you completely. Also wear subtle colors as brightly colored clothing is considered too outspoken. Avoid any jewelry as you will be showing off your money, and women with longer hair should keep it tied back at the nape of their necks.

If you are visiting Taiwan, you are in luck if you are from the Southern United States. You probably are ready for the humidity you will find there! This nation is very hot and humid and is rough for some Westerners to handle. Fortunately for you, the dressing standards are very relaxed. You can wear sandals and shorts, and you should to keep yourself cool.

In the West, much sexual attention is focused on women's chests, but such is not the case in Senegal. The legs are considered more appealing, so unless you want to be viewed as you would for completely baring your breasts in America, you should keep your legs completely covered at all times.

These tips should get you started before you begin your travels. Be sure that you bring a variety of clothing and that you bring money to buy additional clothing if what you have is not suitable.

By Julia Mercer

Men and fashion rarely seem to mix. I think that more men look okay than women give them credit for, but that is another article. For now, I think that it is important to note that many men, even ones who do look great, do not feel that way. Men are trained in many ways to be self-conscious about the way they look. If you are a man and are concerned that you are making major fashion mistakes, here are a few fashion decisions you should avoid.

Too many colors is one of the mistakes that many men make. The layering look that is popular right now is something that causes problems for many men. Try to limit yourself to two to three colors. Do not go too far the other way and stick to only green on a whole outfit. You will just succeed in looking like a tree. Instead you should try to match but have only a couple of colors so that you do not provide too much for people to consider.

In the summer, you want to wear lighter fabrics, such as cotton. In the winter, stick to the heavier fabrics, like tweed and leather. Do not mix in between! Stick to this basic rule, and you will go a long way. Some fabrics, such as denim or polyester blend pants can be worn anytime throughout the year, but be sure that you keep the light and heavy fabrics away from each other.

Many men are perfectly willing to wear clothes with stains or small holes or tears. My husband is one of these men because he is convinced that no one else will notice. Honey, if you walked into the kitchen, and I noticed, people will notice. They will not tell you out of politeness, but your wife is exempt from that rule. Be sure that you spray stains when you take off clothes, or at least before you wash them, and toss clothes that have gotten any damages that you will not have repaired.

Do not dress for the wrong season. While I do not subscribe to the fashion notion that many women have that certain clothes cannot be worn at other times of the year, it is generally a good idea to wear winter clothes when it is cold and vice versa. The problem is that men's clothes often are so generic that they can get away from these rules because they can wear a short-sleeved shirt with a jacket that they take off at the office. Avoid this fashion faux pas by simply sticking to dressing as the weather outside dictates.

Men also have a tendency to have too many patterns going on. You may have on a plaid shirt with corduroy pants and a tie with light stripes. Stop. First, that outfit does not sound appealing. Second, there is too much going on. Unique pieces, such as ties with wild designs, are meant to be worn with other clothes that do not have wild designs. Have one centerpiece of each day's clothing and focus on it. Otherwise, you will have too much going on, and people cannot focus when they see you. All of the pieces lose effect when there are too many of them.

Watch the length of your pants! Most men know their measurements and grab the first pair of pants they see that seem to fit them. If you know your measurements, that is wonderful. You have an idea where to start. If you do not know your measurements, then you have to try on the pants. Either way, try them on. Walk. Sit. Stand. Try out the pants. If you are getting dress pants, the bottom of the pant leg should reach the top of your shoe's heel and no more or less. If you sit, you should barely be able to see the sock, and there should be no sock showing when you walk.

These tips can help men avoid some of the most serious fashion mistakes they make. Dressing right gives other people the right impression of you. It helps you to look and feel your best, and others will know that you care about your life.

By Julia Mercer

By Christina VanGinkel

Shopping for a man that needs king sized clothes can be difficult unless you shop a specialty store. The problem with this is most towns, save for larger metropolitan areas, rarely can support such a store, simply due to demand. With the Internet and catalogs available so widely in today's marketplace, large men can at last find clothing that fit them. A recent catalog that was delivered to my home included everything from casual clothes to suits, leather bomber jackets, to underwear, all in sizes that would fit comfortably any king sized man. For example, anyone that has shopped for a long sleeved shirt knows how frustrating it can be to find a shirt with sleeves that actually fit, and are not so short they need to be constantly tugged down, or a pair of suit pants that actually fit comfortably and are not so lacking in space that sitting through a meeting can be torture!. If you are in need of these sizes, or like me, have a growing young man in your household, and are suddenly finding yourself running out of places to shop that, carry the sizes you need, then be sure to check out the Internet. You can shop direct, or sign up to get catalogs delivered right to your mailbox to browse at your leisure.

If you opt for this second choice, still be sure to consider placing your order online. When you place an order online, most stores can tell you instantly if an item is in stock, and if not, they may even suggest alternatives. They also often offer shipping discounts for placing your order online, as it saves the time to process an order that is mailed or phoned in. Of course, if you would like to talk to a real live sales person, and email is just not going to satisfy you, then by all means pick up the phone and call. Sometimes a live person can make sense more than reading a description online or in a catalog ten times over! One popular king sized men's catalog, KingSizedDirect, even offers a percentage right off the top of their prices for ordering online or over the phone, as processing orders that are mailed in the old-fashioned way do take much more time to process. If there are any questions about the particulars of an order, they must then try to contact the person who mailed in the order before they can ship it out. With a phone order, questions can be handled right away, and online orders require an email address, so contacting the person who placed the order is as easy as writing the email and hitting send. No long times spent on the phone trying to contact you.

Another advantage to shopping online for specialty clothes, such as king sized men's wear is that they often have clearance departments that you can find big bargains. There may not be enough quantity of an item to list in a paper catalog, but they are easily listed on their website and just as quickly removed when all the clearance items are sold.

Ordering the correct size for anybody is important, but when ordering online or through a catalog for king sized men, they often offer very detailed sizes. This can be a great advantage for receiving the proper sizes, and not having to deal with returns or exchanges. For this reason, take the time to have your measurements taken, your correct height, your sleeve length, your inseam, your waist, your chest, and neck. For example, one popular catalog that we receive gives a clear description of when to order their tall sizes in comparison to their big sizes. If you are over six foot two inches, and your chest is larger than your waist, then they recommend ordering from their line of clothing for tall men. For their big men's line of clothing, they recommend exactly the opposite, to order if your waist is equal to or larger than your chest. They also have very specific size guidelines for what their line of clothing runs, specifying measurements from a large, all the way to a 10XL.

With king sized men's clothing becoming more popular with websites and catalogs finally reaching those people in need of these sizes, the demand for them has risen, and one positive reflection of this is more popular styles, and up to date details in the clothing being offered. The next time you need to shop for king sized men's clothing, try shopping online!

By Christina VanGinkel

Shopping at second hand stores can be fun, especially if you know what it is you are looking for. Vintage jackets and scarves are always on my list of those specialty items to keep an eye out for. You can often find these two items in like new condition, and if you are lucky, at prices that beat even new! Vintage jackets were often made for Sunday outings and special occasions, or of a fabric that needed tender loving care. For those reasons, they may not have been worn as often as other styles and types of clothing, so they have outlived their original owners and are awaiting some lucky new owner to take them home and continue to shower them with care and love.

N to long ago, vintage was a word that some people used to nice up the word old, but then many of those same shoppers realized that the word vintage when associated with clothing, actually means much more. Vintage refers to clothing that was made during a time when quality meant something, when care was taken with the choosing of fabric and its cut, when colors were often used for their appeal and not their shock factor. Vintage refers to clothing that lasts and lasts, especially when taken care of in a way that it was meant to be. Clothing today can be quality made, but the average person who buys it is still looking for easy care and toss in the wash items. However, these two things do not always go in hand with vintage clothing, so keep this in mind if you do decide that you just have to find an item of vintage clothing from a specific designer, or that you saw somewhere. You might find it, but if you do not take care of it in the manner it was intended, you might not have it for long. Scarves made of fabrics such as silk, and jackets of wool are two prime examples. These fabrics were made to last, and last they did, but because the fabrics were cared for.

Where to shop for vintage clothing was once limited to places such as local second hand shops and stores such as St. Vincent DePaul and Goodwill stores, and was very much luck of the draw, or should I say luck of whatever someone happened to find when they cleaned out a closet! Thanks to the Internet, shopping for vintage clothes has taken on a new life. You can now often find exactly what it is you want by checking out specialty shops and places such as Ebay. A recent search on Ebay for example for vintage scarves turned up over two thousand matches. While not all of them were actually, what I would consider vintage, many of them were. In one search, I was able to browse through more vintage scarves than I could in two years time at a local second hand shop. I found a men's art deco silk scarf with fringe from the forties, a silk covered hat box filled with an assortment of vintage scarves in a wide variety of fabrics and colors, and a vintage LOU LOU Cacharel Promo scarf from the eighties all on the first page of my search. A bit more in depth browsing also uncovered a little girls' silk scarf from the forties covered in cherubs and a sugar and spice design, and a tassled, paisley, Tootal scarf from the 1960s, along with a single lot of six silk scarves all in different floral designs. They were the long style used to wrap over a woman's head to keep her hair do in place when going out for the day. I fell in love with the lot of them the minute I saw their color picture.

Whenever shopping for a vintage item online, I do recommend not making any hasty decisions, and if you have any questions, be sure to ask the seller before agreeing to purchase or placing a bid. Ask for additional photographs if you are unclear if the item is indeed, what you think it is, and ask for close up photos of any tags or identifying marks.

Shopping for vintage jackets and scarves is a great way to make your wardrobe stand out from the crowd in a sophisticated style often lacking in today's fashions, just be prepared to take care of them in the manner they are accustomed.

By Christina VanGinkel

Small accessories such as belts and scarves can be just the thing to take an outfit from ok to a standout performance. The thing is with accessories though, is that finding the perfect ones to match each outfit can be a daunting task. They sometimes cost as much as a complete outfit, so you wish that you could mix and match them with more than just a single look. If you learn to make your own though, the cost factor can be lowered to the point that you realistically can have a set of accessories to match every outfit in need of them, and not go broke in the process. Even somebody on a rigid budget can make a dazzling or fun belt for just a few dollars worth of yarn, or even leftovers in their yarn bag from a bigger project.

If you are new to the yarn crafts of knitting or crochet, you may be looking at the cost of many of the specialty yarns, those that have the look you would want for your accessories, and think that you would not be saving anything, that the cost of a couple skeins of yarn, even a single skein, is expensive. Times that cost of the single skein by the several you figure a project would require, and there goes any cost savings that you might have imagined. Not so though, as most of these yarns are mixed with a more generic and much less expensive type of yarn to create the many looks that the fashion aficionados have come to love.

Most Fun Fur styles, for example, those that look all wispy and are so soft, are usually made with a double strand, one of a typical four-ply yarn, and one of the Fun Fur. This simple mixing of threads will take the expense of that single skein of Fun Fur and stretch it out for a complete project, bringing the cost back down to a place that fits into even the most stringent budget.

Another new on the scene craft that is hitting the homes of crafters nationwide, that is ideal for making accessories that are fun to both make and use, is felting. Actually a very old crafting technique, not new at all, it is once again making its debut in the world of arts and crafts enthusiasts who were looking for techniques to expand their creativity in the course of working with their yarns and fibers. An item is made in a relatively large size with untreated wool yarns or roving. It is then washed in hot water, which causes the fibers to shrink dramatically. The fabric can then be used as is, or even cut and sewn back together. I have seen several fun bags and scarves made in this way and the colors are rich, and the completed projects look as if the owners spent a small fortune on each of them, when in reality the costs were minimal and the time making the items not to lengthy. There is a learning curve for learning felting, but I have been told that if you are already comfortable working with yarns, and are at least an adequate handler of needle and thread, you can soon be whipping out fashion accessories that will be the talk of all your friends and family. One girl I talked to did tell me that every time she worked with felting, it brought back memories of when she shrunk her older sister's sweater in high school after borrowing it without asking. She learned the hard way that once you shrunk wool, it would never go back to its original size. Felting can be a fun way to both work with yarns and fibers though, and the accessories you make will be well worth the effort. One note to keep in mind when choosing yarns and fibers to turn into felt is to avoid any that have been labeled as treated in any manner. Some companies treat their wool so that it will not shrink. This is a good thing if you crochet or knit a sweater and you want it to keep its shape, allowing you to wash it safely, but a bad thing if shrinkage is exactly what you need to obtain the effect you are after.

By Christina VanGinkel

Shopping for a spring coat is best done when the first styles start to hit the store shelves, often a few weeks before Easter, when the cold of winter is still knocking on the door. A spring coat can be one of the most difficult outerwear items to purchase though, so shopping with a strategy in place for a new spring coat can assure you that you will still be satisfied with your purchase after you get it home to join your existing wardrobe and wear it a few times.

Two springs ago, I bought a Columbia hooded spring jacket. It was on sale, and I did not intend to buy a spring jacket that particular shopping trip, but there it was, the price was right, and after a quick try on, I bought it and brought it home, hung it in the closet, and did not take it out to wear it for several weeks. Zoom ahead those few weeks, and the first time I took it out to wear it, it felt like it was at least a full size too big. I had not lost any weight, yet the jacket that fit comfortably in the store just a few short weeks before, was now very big. I looked ridiculous in it. Then I remembered how I was dressed that day and could not believe I had not considered how the heavy sweater I was wearing that day would affect the fit of this thin styled jacket. I learned a very good lesson that day, never shop for a spring coat in a heavy winter outfit. If you try on a spring coat over layers, or a heavy sweater, you have a good chance of buying a coat that is just too large on you. Sure, it might look good when you try it on, but the first time you go to wear it with an average weight garment, it will hang and sag on you. Even the length of it will be misleading, as the thickness of a winter sweater or a couple of layers will hold up the jacket at the shoulder, and you will not have the same length at the hip when you wear it with your spring clothes. If you live where spring can mean the occasional cold day where you might want to wear your spring styled jacket with a sweater, then consider wearing one of your thinner sweaters on shopping day, something that could be worn on those colder days, but not so heavy that it will make the jacket not fit with your other spring clothes. One way to avoid the above scenario altogether is to look for a spring jacket that is layered itself, with a zip in lining for those colder days, or purchase two separate jackets, one a size up from your normal size so that it will fit comfortably over those thick sweaters.

Color is also a big choice. We are often still stuck in winter mode, and do not consider how the color choices we choose may look with our spring clothes. All of the pastels or fun colors look great on the hangars, but consider what many of the colors you will be wearing in the spring when you wear the coat. Also, consider where you will mostly be wearing the jacket. If it is to be worn mainly to work, and you work in an office, then look for a neutral color. If you are a stay at home mom, and you will be mainly wearing it to drop your kids off at play dates, then go ahead and pick something a bit more fun colored.

Fabric is another major consideration, and you should consider the climate of your average spring. Some climates call for a spring jacket that is nothing more than a thin cover up, where other places require you to shop with some warmth in the fabric a necessity. If you live in a climate where spring means week after week of rain, then be sure to look for a jacket that is water repellant, but at the same time, do not think that you have to shop for a rain slicker. With the wide variety of fabrics available, you should be able to find a suitable style that fits all of your spring needs.

By Christina VanGinkel

Watching an awards show on television, I came to one conclusion, and that was stylish fashion, representative of days past when glamour was important, is possibly having a revival. It is about time was my main reaction! The dresses that most of the women were wearing were absolutely gorgeous. Fabrics that shimmered, that moved with the bodies they were covering. Fabrics that seemed to speak the words elegant, glamour, yet understated all at once.

Fashion is a word that can mean about as many different things as there are people walking the earth. What is stylish and fashionable to one group of people may be crass and tactless to another. There have been periods though when the fashions that the average women wear seem to appeal to a wider range of people, when they evoke a sense of class and not trash. When a dress that is sexy, provocative even mainly leaves the majority of those feelings to the imagination; do you know what I mean? The material is often luxuriant, while the cut may even be a bit daring, such as a bit high on the thigh, or low on the back, but the bodice covers the bosom. Yep, I use the word bosom. There has been actual thought put into the design, to the concept of how it will fit the body, to how it will move, what it will cover, and yes, what it will expose.

I was noticing the fashions I think because of another show I recently watched on TV. It was one of those shows where the goal is to have a couple find true love. My daughter said true love is not the end goal. She said it is to go on a date where someone else picks up the tab. I guess I am old fashioned in the thinking that if someone is going to the trouble to go on national television to find a date, that they must surely be looking for love. Anyways, to get the date, they have to choose quickly from among a group of other contestants, with their decisions often based on nothing more than their first impressions, which is often nothing more than how they are dressed, and maybe a few words spoken. Well, that the girls on the show were a bit underdressed, or the word I used a few sentences back, trashy, would be an understatement, as some of them hardly seemed dressed at all. The girl's normal attire seemed to be a halter style top, think small, itty-bitty bikini, and a pair of shorts so high on the backside that I would not even answer my own door in something like that. Heck, I would not wear something like that in the privacy of my own bedroom, yet here they were wearing it to meet this fellow for the first time, and on national television.

Let me backtrack and say that I am not a prude, far from it. I just believe that a bit of allure, things left to the imagination shall we say, are more sexy than any pair of bosoms spilling out left, right, and over the top. So when I saw the fashions that many of the young, and middle aged ladies for that matter, were stepping out with on the awards show, all I could think of was I hoped a few of the girls from the other show were watching. They would be able to see first hand just how fantastic a bit of fabric on a body can be. That the idea of clothing that is more than a strap or two needing constant tugging to keep it place, lest they have a Janet Jackson type moment, can be alluring, beautiful even.

As I was watching the show, my oldest son and a few of his friends stopped by, and when they walked through the room I was watching television in, it was at the precise moment that several ladies stepped onto the runway in several of these fashions. These young people came to as top and actually commented on how beautiful several of the girls were. There was not snickering, no laughs, just honest comments on how pretty this one girl looked, and how they never noticed how pretty another one was, even though they had all just seen her in some show. Clothes can define a style, and if we are all lucky, maybe a few of the fashions from years past are once gain coming to call.

By Christina VanGinkel

My youngest son and I went up town last night to buy him a pair of shoes. We went the other day to the one store in our area that we knew carried the style of shoe that he preferred, a skate style shoe, but they had no pairs in stock in his size. We often buy his shoes and clothes online, but he has recently gone through another serious growth spurt, and we decided that having his foot sized before we bought him another pair of shoes, was the parental thing to do. We checked a few other stores that same day that we thought might carry shoes in his preferred style, but none did. We were resolved that we were going to have to spend part of this weekend driving to Green Bay, Wisconsin, or Escanaba, Michigan, two towns about two hours and one hour away from us respectively just to find him a pair. His shoes that he was wearing were becoming so small that his toes were threatening to push out, and they were only a few months old. Then a friend of his at school asked him if he had checked a small sporting goods store one town over from us. I vaguely remembered hearing the name of the store before, so we pulled out the phone book, and sure enough in the regular listings, not the yellow pages, was the listing for the store. My son called, and as they were open until 6PM, we headed right up as that only would give us about an hour after we got there to shop.

Well, the young man that waited on us was very nice, and when I explained that I wanted his foot measured before we even started trying on shoes, so we would have a better idea on whether we needed to go up a half size or a full size, he immediately sat my son down and measured his foot. He proclaimed him a size ten, which seeing, as the pair he was growing out of and had worn into the store was a size 12, we begged to differ. He responded that maybe it was because my son was sitting down, so he had him stand and place his foot into the apparatus that measures the foot, and he again proclaimed him a size ten. He also replied that the measurements on it were almost exact to the sizes of shoes they carried. As several of the brands were the same that my son had been wearing for the last two years, I doubted he was correct, but humored him and told my son to choose a pair he liked to try on. He did, and the size ten, big surprise, would not even slide on my son's foot. An eleven, followed by several size twelve in different colors and mild style differences were brought out, with not a single one fitting. He was so disbelieving at this point that he had my son pull on one of the size twelve shoes, and knock his foot back into the heel to be sure that the shoe was going on the whole way. He was, alas, a size thirteen, which we had thought, but were not confident enough on to order online.

Why my son's shoe size differed from the scale so much I would have had no clear idea, until I took a good look at the item he used to measure my son's foot. The tool being used to measure was old, and upon further looking at it, the slider that should have been stationary at the heel did not go all the way back, actually looking like it had been broken off and welded back on a bit further up than its original location, two complete sizes up! While I am sure that is a once in a lifetime occurrence, it was quite the experience. I have been dealing with my son's rapid growth the past year or two, and I almost felt at the beginning of the shopping experience that I was in some sort of time tunnel and my son was miraculously shrinking his shoe size back to a size that is easily found.

It ended up the store only had one pair in a size thirteen in stock, and while they would not have been his first choice, he did like them, and we happily rang them up along with two shirts he also managed to find in the short time we had to shop. He once again has shoes that fit, and if we can get his foot to not grow for at least six to eight weeks, I will be thrilled.

By Christina VanGinkel

With the holidays now done, but several months of winter yet to come, I thought I would browse a few of my favorite yarn sites to see if there were any interesting patterns available for a child's sweater, a scarf, or some other small project to do in the evenings. I found several and just had to share. One place that I often visit for inspiration and free patterns to use when crocheting is the website put together by the Lion Brand Yarn Company. They often have unique ideas, and usable patterns, all at no cost. For you knitters out there, they have just as many patterns to satisfy your wants and needs as they do for the crochet fanatics. They did not disappoint on my most recent search of their site either.

They have their patterns separated into crochet and knit, and broken down further into patterns for the home, patterns for adults, patterns for children, patterns for toys, patterns for dogs and cats, and patterns for babies. I decided to check out the crochet patterns for adults. What I found was some totally free, and fun patterns that I could make in the evenings for friends and a few teens that I know like fashions a bit on the crazy side.

Fun Fashion Jeans

With fashion jeans costing a small fortune, they have one of the most interesting patterns I have ever seen to dress up a pair of jeans. Using their Lion Suede yarn, made to look like, you guessed it, Sued, they have a fun pattern for turning a plain old (or new) pair of jeans into a wild fashion statement.

Red Hat Boa

Looking further through their crochet pattern library, one title caught my attention; it was for a Red Hat Boa. If you know any woman who happens to be a member of the Red Hat Society, this would be a gift that she would remember for a long time to come, and it sure looks fun to make. Crafted with red and purple Chenille Thick and Quick yarn, it would be the perfect project to make in an evening or two, and absolutely fun to wear for the lucky woman you give it too. If you happen to a member yourself, a bit of warning, as once the other women see you wearing yours, they will be begging you either to share the pattern, or to make them one. So make a few copies of the pattern, it is free, to pass along when the request start to pour in, or stock up on the yarn because you will have all the projects you could possibly accomplish for those winter evenings you were looking to fill.

Chemo Caps

If you have given everyone you know a fun fashion find you have created, and yet you want a project, and a worthy one at that, they offer a pattern for a Cheery Chemo Cap, made up in Fun Fur. This good project would be small enough to even take along with you for those times on the go, and in the evenings. Make up a few in some fun colors, and donate them to your area hospitals for Chemo Patients. While a small thing indeed, they are sure to bring a smile to even the most worn out chemo patient. Patterns for these worthy caps are available in both crochet and knitted versions, so everyone can get in on the sharing.

Mittens

They have several patterns for mittens, and everyone can always use another warm and fashionable pair to wear during the cold winter months. They have several pair made up in their Homespun, Homespun Deco yarn, and their Wool-Easy Chunky yarn. The patterns would all easily accommodate adding some of their more fun yarns though, such as their Fun Fur, or their Suede yarn, so you could even make a matching pair of mittens to go with those fabulous fashion jeans! In addition, for the wildest outfit, they have a pattern for a pair of fingerless mitts and matching scarf made in red and white fun fur. Sure to bring a smile to the teen or young adult that gets this set as a gift!

Every year that goes by finds me doing more and more of my holiday shopping online. I have never in my life enjoyed shopping per se such as going to a mall or department store so when I joined the internet community about ten years ago, I was thrilled with the shopping opportunities. Suddenly I was not forced to go to a mall or department store because I needed to buy a gift. I could go when I wanted to leisurely look around and that made the whole concept a lot easier.

The online shopping trend continued to grow every year since I arrived online and I found that my own shopping habits followed the trend. Ordering Christmas gifts to be delivered to the door via the regular postal service, UPS, or Fed Ex became so easy and familiar that fighting the mall crowds in December now feels like a total no-brainer in my own case.

Shopping for clothing online is a bit different than shopping for things like books, toys, and music, however. If there's anything worse than waiting half an hour in a store line in the middle of December, it is discovering that an article of clothing you ordered online isn't the right size and needs to be returned.

Children's clothing sizes are more universal but the number one rule for shopping online is to check the sizing charts. I was very surprised this last Christmas when I found out how different the charts can be! I haven't had the nerve to buy much clothing online in the past so it came as a complete surprise. Very fortunately everything I bought was exactly the right size, so taking the time to check the charts was definitely beneficial.

If you are shopping for men's clothing, watch the charts but you will generally know a size such as 38 or 40 or 42 and that can easily be checked against the sizing chart in the particular online store at which you are shopping.

That brings us to clothing for girls and women. There is just no way around it. You simply need to check the charts. A lot of the clothing I bought this year was for my daughter. I would be doing a lot of returns if I hadn't checked the charts! One store's medium is another store's large and still another store's small. I am not making this up! For the same size young lady I bought 3 different sizes depending upon the store. Her size was small at one place and the store where I bought a raglan hoodie had the same size listed as an XL.

I realize that some of the difference is between junior and regular sizes, but you still need to check the charts so that you know what "section of the store" you are shopping. That is one thing that's easier in a brick and mortar store . . . at least there are huge signs hanging that say "Junior," "Misses," "Plus Size," etc.

When you sit down to do some clothing shopping online, it is usually a good idea to have not just sizes in mind that you know the recipient wears, but also measurements. It takes a little longer, granted, but it has saved me a lot of time with avoiding having to return things.

Another important aspect of shopping online is to check the net for discount coupons. When I shop, I have a second browser window open that when I find something I want to buy and am ready to check out, I put the store's name into a search engine with the word "coupon" or "discount." I have been amazed at how many places offer discounts for first time shoppers, free shipping, etc. It truly adds up and makes a difference.

Don't be so fast to throw away what you consider spam mail, either. I have been guilty of that in the past, but this year I caught a 40% discount coupon in my email that could be used on any item at Lerners. I was apprehensive all throughout checkout but chose a really great crocheted duster for my daughter. She's wanted a black duster for years but they're always so expensive. I was thrilled after checkout to find that yes, the discount really did work for any item in the catalog and the 40% made a very nice difference.

By Christina VanGinkel

I never thought I would say something to the affect that I liked handbags, let alone that I have become obsessed with them, but I have to. It all came about innocently enough and had nothing whatsoever to do with clothing or accessories such as handbags in general. It all started with my fascination for anything at all to do with scrapbooking. I know, I know, you are wondering what in the world scrapbooking could possibly have to do with handbags.

Browsing a few of my favorite shopping sites for all things having to do with scrapbooks and crafts in general, I cam across a Z Becky Brown Handbag. Made of a clear resin, injection molded, it is just the coolest handbag ever. Available with different colored tops and nickel or brass hardware, which is all top quality for years of use; the possibilities with each Z Becky Brown Handbag are almost unlimited. You see, you can personalize each bag with whatever craft happens to be your specialty. There is a small space between the clear exterior and the lining of the bag for you to slide in whatever strikes your fancy. If you want to personalize one for a special outing for example, it is not only easily done, but you are sure to get rave reviews from everyone who sees it. One friend of mine transformed a Z Becky Brown Handbag for a trip to Disney Land, and got more compliments and comments on it, that she said it was one of the most memorable parts of the whole outing.

Some might complain that they only come with a handle, and not a strap, but I found that the way they are constructed makes the handle set up just more feasible than a strap ever would. In addition, keep in mind that these are handbags, not purses. These really are fashion accessories, usable fashion accessories, but fashion accessories nonetheless.

From this very unique handbag though grew a love and a want for even more handbags. The problem with many of the designer bags I encountered though was the high cost. When a bag you love ends up costing more than what I would normally spend on a month's worth of groceries for my family, I know that I can covet it, but chances are I will not ever own it. Therefore, back to the handcrafted bags I went. Besides the Z Becky Brown Handbags, which can be transformed into an unlimited number of designs, I began looking through other craft supplies to see if any others would be as suitable for something along these lines. What I came up with were the very popular Provo Craft Lunchboxes. I am referring to the metal ones with the handle on the top, not the ones that are shaped liked a child's lunchbox, but the other ones that are so popular for adding inserts to. They do make these in a circle shape too, and I could imagine that those would also have some great possibilities for personalizing into fun handbags too! I have seen the top handled ones decorated in themes that just leave me speechless. One was a beach scene complete with seashells and sand adhered right to the front of it. Another one was in a holiday theme complete with ribbons, a few tiny ornaments, even a string of lights that lit up. I had to ask, and the woman who made it said the lights were run to a little battery on the inside of the box. My favorite one though was simply covered in a satiny fabric with even more shiny baubles and bits of lace, perfect for a fun evening out at a club (Never mind that I never go clubbing, but if I had one of these, I might just take it up!).

So here I sit, contemplating making my very own handbag, but I have a feeling once I make one, it will turn into two, or three, or even more. Whoever might think handbags are not fun, need only to see a few of these, and you will surely covet them as much as I have been since discovering these fun to make and even more fun to carry accessories!

Many people have trouble finding clothes that fit their body type. Instead of getting clothes that are flattering, they are happy with clothes that are less flattering but are popular. Many people think that the fashions they have purchased are the best fit, but they would be shocked to know that they could look much better with a little work.

The first tip of shopping is to keep in mind that thinner fabrics make you look thinner. While that does not mean that you should never purchase wool or chenille, it does mean that you should focus on thinner fabrics when you can. Try pairing thick fabrics with thinner ones if you really love that pair of wool pants. Put them with a quality silk blouse, and the focus will not be on the pants.

Next remember that solid colors are thinning. If you want to look very sleek, then you need to be sure that you wear all of the same colors. Many people choose solid black for tops and pants because matching black is simpler than matching other colors, such as reds or purples. That means that you should try to get solid colors for the top and bottom if you want to look thin.

Be sure that you wear clothes that fit! While it may seem a silly tip, many people do not do it. They wear clothes that are either too small or too large. Clothes, especially pants, that are too small will make the rest of your body look fatter. Think about wearing a pair of jeans that are too small. They force the weight in your abdomen area up over the jeans which makes you look bigger. It also forces you to wear a larger shirt to cover up the fat that you only relocated with the jeans. Be sure that you are buying the right size, even if it is larger. Remember that the important point is how the clothes fit not the size on the tag.

Wearing clothes that are too large can be just as much of a problem. Many women mistakenly think that if they get long, flowing fabrics that are loose-fitting, then they will not show how large they are. Instead the fabric will fall on the largest part of the body, meaning that they make the entire body look huge.

Be careful with your use of belts. Some fashion advice will say that you should not use belts unless you are very thin. That advice is practical from one standpoint; belts point out exactly how large your waist is. On the other hand, a belt sometimes is necessary to complete an outfit. Just be sure that if you do use a belt, it fits snugly but well. If the belt pulls up over your pants when cinched, for example, then it is too tight.

Also beware of trends. Some trends, such as gauchos, are only meant for thinner people. Because of the flair on the pants and the tighter fit around the middle, they actually make people look bigger. That means that you should not wear something just because it is the fashion. If you are concerned about how you look, then you should stock your wardrobe with classic pieces of clothing. Do not worry about the fashion trends. Looking like you care for yourself and are well-put together is far better than looking trendy in clothes that do not fit. Go for some basic pieces and then spice them up as you go to fit with the trends. In the end, these looks will be much better for you.

Following these tips will not make you a fashion expert overnight, but it will help you to show off your body in more flattering ways so that you can worry about other parts of your life. So get started. These fashion tips will help you to look the thinnest you can. Being overweight is not just about fashion, as you well know. Your health is important as well, but while you are in the process of getting control of your weight, be sure that you look the best you can. That will help you to feel better about yourself. Use these tips to revamp your wardrobe today.

By Julia Mercer