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Whether you're from Florida and you just moved up north, or you are going to Russia for a winter vacation (let me just point out that that is crazy), you may find useful a few ideas for staying warm when it gets frosty outside. Especially if you are a student and you have to walk to school in the cold, but try to stay reasonably cool in the usual tropical climate indoors in the winter, or are in some other similar paradoxical temperature situation on a daily basis, climate control can become a real issue. I have a few suggestions.

Your first options are the obvious one; coat, scarf, gloves. With coats, you have thousands of options; synthetic coats that cut the wind, wool coats that really cut the cold, down coats that heat you up like nobody's business, and any manner of sweaters, denim jackets and sweatshirt-jackets to keep you warm in the moderate cold or in a room with heat on too low. Start by wearing a sweater or something warm that will be under your coat. If you usually wear t-shirts, throw a sweater or sweatshirt over it before putting on your coat and hat. If you get hot, you can always take it off. If you like feeling warm and cozy, and especially if you live in a windy climate and have to walk or be outside regularly, invest in a nice, soft, good quality scarf. A scarf is invaluable in the wind and really helps to keep you warm. Also, if you wrap the scarf around your neck and then let the ends hang in front of your body, it will do a good job of blocking any wind trying to make its way into your coat by way of zippers, snaps, and buttons. Also, a scarf has recently become and intensely popular fashion accessory and is a way to express yourself, so if you are into fashion, this could be a plus as well. Personally, I think that scarves are fantastically versatile, since I like to wear mine indoors, during class for example, when i am a little bit chilly but not cold enough to put my coat on. Just covering your neck and parts of your shoulders can do wonders to get you cozy in a hurry without overdoing it. Last, gloves are invaluable. i keep two types; one is a pair of nice, leather gloves for when it is really really cold outside. While fashionable and universally wearable (casual or fancy), they cut wind, and protect quite well from the cold. They also have a nice grip, so if they fit well, you can do pretty much everything you can do without gloves while you are wearing them (something that is untrue for a lot of skiing gloves, for example; but these may be essential if you are in a very very cold climate, or if you are skiing, for example). The other pair of gloves I keep are those "magic" one-size fits all gloves, the kind made out of thin knitting that stretch to fit pretty much any hand, that cost about a dollar or two anywhere that sells clothes or at your favorite department store. These are nice because they don't take up a lot of room, and can keep your hands from feeling frozen when it is chilly, but not windy or extremely cold. They are also good fro wearing inside if you need a little extra protection from that air conditioner! But when it's snowy or windy out, leave these at home and wear something stronger.

The most important tip, I have already mentioned; dress in layers. I like to dress warmly but if I get too hot when I am inside, I become absolutely uncomfortable. So I always dress in a way which can be modified to make my current temperature optimal. This usual means that I wear a tank top as a bottom layer, a t-shirt, dress shirt, or other mid-range layer on top of that, and sometimes a sweater or sweatshirt on top of that. This may be a little bit overkill, especially if you could also see my scarf usage and my coat too, but I like having lots of options about how warm I will be, and also about how cozy I will be. because I work independently all the time and usually in front of a computer, being comfortable is also really important to me.

Last, I will mention a few extras; long underwear, knee high socks, and panty hose. Long underwear can be invaluable if you are in a very cold location. While we can pile on ten shirts to stay warm, it is hard to do the same with pants. One option is to get a pair of over-sized wind-cutting nylon (or similar fabric) pair of pants that you can wear over your normal pants when you have to be outside, but another option is just to put something else under. "Long underwear", also called "thermal underwear" or "long johns" can so wonders. There are options; the most common is that thermal fabric with all the little squares - this is very effective. Also effective, but thinner and more comfortable (equally more expensive though) are all-silk versions. I advise investing in these if you are going to be wearing them on a day-to-day basis, to make your life more comfortable. If you are only going ot wear them on that yearly hunting or skiing trip, go with the cheap incarnation. Another option (really more for women than for men) is knee-high socks. Clearly these are not as comprehensive a solution as long underwear (which can also be worn up top, by the way), but they can certainly be helpful. Wearing a pair of knee-high socks just adds a little bit of warmth under the pants and really helps with pesky wind that bites at your ankles and climbs its way upward to the rest of your legs. Last, if it's extremely cold, panty hose (for you women) have the same effect as thermal underwear in a pinch (for that ski trip), but I don't recommend this on a regular basis as wear and tear on hose underneath pants is pretty high.

Staying cozy and warm in a freezing climate really isn't that hard. If you bundle up well, (and don't forget to wear a hat too - we lose lots of heat from our heads!) you can almost forget about the cold, except for it rushing into your lungs. When you get back inside, as long as you are dressed in layers, you can peel them off to reach the appropriate comfort level. Best of luck and stay warm this winter!

After my daughter is born in January, I am planning to go on a weight-loss journey. During the year before I got pregnant with my son, I gained a whopping 40 pounds. Life was crazy then; I was not healthy. After my son was born, I lost the baby weight but still kept much of my regular weight. Then the weight started creeping up again. I gained another 25 pounds in the 18 months after my son was born. Then I found out I was pregnant again.

During this pregnancy, as in the last one, I have gained only about six pounds at the 32-week mark. Still my total weight is at 204, and I can say honestly that I never thought I would see that weight on the scale. There were times when I would have been shocked to know I would ever weigh more than 150 pounds.

At any rate, I have promised myself that I would lose 70 pounds after this delivery. One of the questions that brought up for me is how I will manage to create a wardrobe that fits and works with the weight loss. I do not want to spend a small fortune on clothes just to find out that I have lost enough weight in a few weeks to move down a size or two. At the same time, spending all of that effort on losing weight hardly seems worth it if you are hiding behind too big sweat clothes.

Had you asked me before this weight gain experience if I felt physical appearance was important, I would have told you no. That is because I never knew what it was like not to be able to fit into the latest trendy clothes. I had the option of wearing those clothes, and now I do not.

So, I have spent a good deal of time thinking about building a wardrobe for rapid weight loss. I think it is important to have a plan in place before I begin the regimen. For starters, I have nixed the idea of just wearing my regular clothes for a while. I went through my wardrobe and tossed anything I did not think would flatter me in my first few weeks postpartum. Those pieces are the base of my wardrobe.

I also decided, as I believe you should if you are undertaking such as journey, that I will stick to having seven outfits that I can wear comfortably at any one time. Now, if you are a bargain shopper, you can scour secondhand stores and discount retailers to find those seven outfits for little money. I have been doing a little investigating on that end. The secondhand shop near us sells most items at basic costs. Shirts are $2.50; pants are $3.00.

The problem with secondhand stores is that they, of course, require a lot more planning. You have to sift through the racks to find clothes that are flattering. Many of them are not based on size. They use a more arbitrary system, such as color coding, which makes it even more difficult to find what you need. With that said, you should plan to spend an entire morning or afternoon in these stores if you want to build even a short-term wardrobe from them.

My plan of attack is that when I need a new size, I will go to these secondhand shops by myself and spend time looking. One of the best ways to make sure you are making good choices in these stores, especially if you have not been into fashions recently, is to take pictures from magazines with you. Cut out a few photos of fashion trends you like and then use them as a guide while you are shopping.

Use accessories to build wardrobes that will work with you. Right now, large bangle-type bracelets and larger pieces of jewelry are popular. Buy a few of these pieces so that you can dress up basics at each size level. You will be able to keep the same accessory pieces so that you may be able to buy just a couple of new shirts to fit a new size instead of needing to buy clothing that will stand out.

Finding the right pair of jeans can be a real hassle, especially if you do not fit a standard mold of woman. Many women, in fact, give up on the right pair of jeans before they search enough to find one. Stacy London, the fashionista and co-host of What Not To Wear, which plays on TLC, recently went on Oprah to solve what London loving called an epidemic of bad jean-wearing by American women.

London tried to give audience members tips to help them pick out the right jean. The biggest tip was that you have to keep trying. At one point, London said that many women need to try five, 10, or 15 styles of jean before they find the perfect pair. That means that many women will want to set aside a Saturday of shopping to get the right pair of jeans.

One of the most common mistakes during the current craze with low-rise jeans has been women whose tummy fat hangs over the edge of their jeans. These women usually are pretty young and are trying to fit in with the stereotype. Instead, these women should look for jeans that fit better. Typically the waist size on the jeans are too small, so try out a bigger size. If the jean fits everywhere except the waist, then it may not be the right jean. If you are heavier in the tummy than you would like, seek out mid-rise jeans so that you can still be in style but avoid the problem of having others looking at your fat rolls instead of your pants.

Speaking of low-rise jeans, women should make sure they can move around in jeans before purchasing them. Many women are guilty of showing their world their undies or even their backsides because they do not take the time to pull their shirts down and jeans up before they bend down, which gives everyone a view of their backsides. If you are going to wear low-rise jeans, then you should be sure that you will be conscientious enough to make them look good at all times.

Another big issue with jeans is wearing taper leg jeans. Although taper legs have not been stylish since the 1980s, some women still insist on wearing them, but they are one of the least flattering styles of jeans. Because the leg gets narrower as you go down the leg, tapered leg jeans make most women look as if their legs are larger. Plus, they tend to focus attention on the ankle area. Many women wear tapered jeans because they believe the only alternative is the wide-leg flare variety. That is absolutely untrue! The legs of jeans come in all styles from boot cut to slight flares. Anything that is not tapered will look better than your current pair of jeans if you are sticking to tapered legs.

Another problem with jeans is getting a pair with an unflattering leg design. The legs of jeans should fit but should not bunch. If your jeans seem to bunch, then they are not the right size for your leg type. If, on the other hand, the thighs of your jeans are stretched taut, then you probably are drawing attention to your thighs and making them look bigger than they actually are. Neither option is appealing to others who are looking at you, so you should make sure that you find a leg fit that is snug but not too tight. Though you should avoid pleats at all costs, do try out new styles of jeans. Something that is a little out of the ordinary may be just what you need to look your best in a great pair of jeans.

Finally make sure as best you can that the behind of the jeans look right. If you have a trusted friend or a partner with you, then you should ask that person. You want pockets that fit right and are flattering instead of ones that hang to the sides or low on the buttocks.

Finding the right pair of jeans just takes time. Be sure that you give yourself plenty of looking and trying on time when you head out to get your next pair of jeans.

I would like to propose a toast, perhaps a tribute, to what is think is the fashion-wary (or not so wary) women's best friend - the fitted shirt. Fitted shirts are absolutely useful. They are easy to find, look great in any situation (except maybe a black tie event or the Emmys), are inexpensive, accentuate the body, and are easy to take care of. What else can you ask for?

I am more of a practical kind of girl when it comes to fashion. i like to look good, and I put a little bit of effort into this, though it has nothing to do with what people think of me. Obviously, I want to be wearing something "acceptable" most of the time, but I'm not the kind of person who likes anything that is not very acceptable anyway. I like to look good, but i am too lazy to spend one minute of my day putting on makeup, for instance. But the main thing for me is that I FEEL like I look good, because if I feel like I look good then I really do feel good. This is the most valuable thing about fashion to me, and it is what motivates me to dress nicely - not to please someone else. I think that this is a very reasonable, and pretty fulfilling too, attitude to have about dressing.

That said, my favorite fashion "accessory" (although it's obviously more of a main course), is the fitted shirt. I like the way they look. They look smart when you are trying to be a little dressy, and casual at the same time. For example, if you are just going to school but you want to be slightly dressy, you can wear a fitted shirt with jeans, and they don't look mismatched at all, but rather make you look a bit sharper than the usual t-shirt or even a sweater. There is something about that row of buttons in the front that makes you look (and feel) sophisticated. But that's not all. They are comfortable too. It's so easy to put on and take off these shirts (without messing up your hair!) and you can layer them over a tank top, camisole, or even t-shirt, so that if you have a climate change, you have options. Also, you have options with the way that the sleeves look. Although with some styles it looks sloppy, I like to leave the cuffs unbuttoned, so that the cuffs hang and look big; I like big cuffs. I also like to double them back, so that they are out of the way and less floppy, but still kind of stylish. You can even roll up the sleeves if you want to seem extra snazzy-casual. Also, wear the same fitted shirt with dress pants or a skirt and you look quite sophisticated

Also, the thing about a fitted shirt is that it has a bit of the shape of your body. Regular shirts and blouses have no shape and don't look as good because of this. Also, with contoured seams that match the shape of your body, you generally can leave the shirt untucked from your dress pants or shirt, making it ultra easy to look good and to stay that way throughout the day (also allowing the options for taking off the outside layer, if you want).

Fitted shirts are also easy to find. No matter what the fashion of the year is, you always have the basics, and this is one of them. You will find varying colors and patterns from year to year, but this is just an advantage. And you have incarnations in all kinds of fabrics, some more or less dressy, some with a bit of sparkle, some warmer or cooler, some softer, thicker, or smoother to the touch. There are thousands of options in this simple world. I think it is possible to have a collection of fitted shirts and wear them every day and alwys look good, and never look boring. This is the closest thing we (women) can get to the extremely simple and yet classy fashion advantage that men have in suits. The best thing is that with "modern technology", the shirts are absolutely easy to care for. Even though you can buy "easy care" fabrics and no-iron shirts, this is generally hardly necessary. Unless you have a particularly delicate fabric, you can wash the shirts with any other (similarly colored, of course) clothes that you have, and even dry them in a dryer - the only trick is to pull the shirts out right after the dryer is finished and they are still warm, and hang them up immediately - this keeps almost all modern fabrics from wrinkling and saves you time ironing.

So as you can see, as a practical issue, fitted shirts are really the way to go. Classy, simple, elegant, and casual all at the same time, you can't go wrong if you are going to a party, a friends house, or to class at university. When you buy one, check how it fits the shape of your body - it should be fashionably loose (I'm thinking cute business attire here - not "look at my chest"! but not "I think I'm unattractive, therefore I'm avoiding showing any body shape!" either...) also, check how you like the length. I generally like shorter shirts (they make you look taller) but not so short that I'm showing any belly. Longer shirts can be okay too if the fabric doesn't make weird bunches when you sit down. The best idea is to wear your favorite pair of jeans or dress slacks when you go shopping and try on the shirts. Also, it's not a bad idea to pick up some tank tops or camisoles to wear with them, and a sweater or jacket to wear over. These items can only increase the fantastic utility of the fitted shirt. And lake sure that your dress pants and jeans collection match well with your choices at the store.

So fill up your closets, ladies! What can be easier? Like I said, I am practical, and I like taking a look in my closet in the morning when I want to look good that day and finding an easy, simple solution, without a lot of thought about what matches what, what is too much or too little, too flashy or too skimpy. It only takes a couple of relaxed trips to your favorite stores to stock up, and then you'll be set for a while. I hope you find this advice useful - for me, these shirts have always been a life saver.

The name Manolo Blahnik has become synonymous with footwear that is sexy, stylish and sought after by anyone who is anyone. Women all over the globe flock to stores to buy the adored shoe designs of Manolo Blahnik. They are the shoes of choice for such big names as Madonna and actress Sarah Jessica Parker of Sex and the City fame, as well as many supermodels and movie starlets. It was during the 1970s and 1980s that the incredible shoe designs of Manolo Blahnik started to become known in the world of high fashion. In the early 1990s millions of television viewers cam to know the name of Manolo Blahnik due to a British comedy called Absolutely Fabulous. By the late 1990s the popular HBO series Sex and the City made more inroads for this up and coming shoe designer as the main character of the show, a sex columnist named Carrie Bradshaw (played by none other than the incredibly talented Sarah Jessica Parker) was also shoe obsessed with her many pairs of Manolo Blahniks. Carrie loved her Manolos like some women love chocolate.

The innovative creations of Manolo Blahnik have amazing panache and scream sex appeal like no other design of shoes does. The shoes he designs are inspired by a number of sources that range from interesting points of architecture to films that are memorable. Other strong influences to his work include Jean-Luc Goddard, Francois Tuffaut, Pedro Almodovar and the Frank Gehry Building.

Manolo Blahnik has reached international acclaim and currently lives in a stately Georgian home in Bath, England. In fitting style, Blahnik lives with a collection of 10,000 pairs of shoes that he laughingly describes as his stupid shoes. Blahnik is very much a part of every pair of shoes he designs. He still conscientiously crafts each individual shoe himself and every pair must live up to his incredibly high standards. Each shoe is designed to a European size 37 (or a British size 5) and scaled to sizes 35 to 40. Each new season 250 prototypes are created in one of four small factories on the outskirts of the city of Milan, but only an exclusive 85 styles are chosen to appear in each finished collection.

Background of Manolo Blahnik

Manolo Blahnik came into the world on November 28 in the year 1942 in Santa Cruz de la Palma in the Canary Islands. He was born to a mother who is Spanish and a Czech father. Manolo and his sister Evangelina grew up on the banana plantation where the Blahnik family lived. Their mother home schooled both of the youngsters. The Blahnik family frequently traveled to both Paris and Madrid, where his mother bought clothes from her favorite clothing designers while his father visited the tailors in those cities. Young Manolo Blahnik grew used to the sight of beautiful clothing. As well he received an early education in the art of shoemaking by observing his mother making her own footwear, using lace and ribbon. It was his mother who was his very first inspiration.

Both his mother and father hoped that their son Manolo would become a diplomat, but after only one semester at the University of Geneva studying both politics and law, Manolo transferred into literature and architecture. In 1965, Manolo relocated to Paris to study art and stage design at Lecole des Beaux-Arts and the Louvre Art School, during which time he was also employed at a vintage clothing store near Saint German des Pres.

Manolo Blahnik moved to London in the year 1970, wanting to improve upon his command of the English language. Once there he found employment in a clothing boutique and he also became a photographer for The Sunday Times, and fast became a part of the stylish and fashionable art scene.

The start of a career in shoes

Interestingly enough, despite his incredible talent for shoemaking, Manolo Blahnik was never formally trained in the craft. For the past three decades he has been designing the most sought-after line of designer footwear the world over. It was during a meeting with then editor of U.S. Vogue, Diana Vreeland in 1971 that Manolo Blahnik was persuaded to go into shoe design based solely on his creative and imaginative as well as very impressive, shoe sketches. He decided to take the advice he was given and thus began his education in the art of designing shoes.

Initially Manolo Blahnik began designing shoes for men at a Chelsea Boutique called Zapata but he did not find the world of mens shoes challenging or stimulating enough so he decided to make the switch to designing shoes for women instead, hoping it would be more his niche in fashion. It was as he took to designing shoes for women with a flare. After only one year had gone by, Blahnik was invited to collaborate with the flamboyant and talented fashion designer Ossie Clark to design shoes for his runway show.

It took only a short period of time before the creations of Manolo Blahnik became all the rage in the fashion world. Suddenly everyone wanted to own a pair of Manolo Blahnik originals, including Hollywood actress Lauren Bacall. In 1973, Manolo Blahnik got a small loan from a bank and bought out the owner of Zapata. Him and his sister then set about developing a design business of their own. Manolo Blahnik was the very first man to appear on the cover of the magazine British Vogue. He did so alongside actress Angelica Huston in 1974.

Breaking into the American market

The big break for Manolo Blahnik in the United States took place in the year 1978 when he launched his shoe collection for the well-known store Bloomingdales. In 1979 he opened his very first American shop in New York City on Madison Avenue. In 1980 Blahnik designed shoes for the designer Perry Ellis. In the United States his shoe sales began to soar after he made the decision to hire a man by the name of George Malkemus who was a copywriter working in the marketing department of Bergdorf Goodman, to be his partner. The year was 1982. While Manolo and his sister Evangelina continued to be in charge of the European side of the business, it was Malkemus who renegotiated the existing distribution agreements that Blahnik had with the United States.

Getting bigger all the time

Manolo Blahnik was invited to design shoes for Calvin Klein and his ready-to-wear collections in 1984. The experience working alongside Klein taught him a tremendous amount about designing shoes for a much wider and emerging market. He collaborated with fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi in the year 1988 and then in 1991 the very first Manolo Blahnik shoe store opened its doors in Hong Kong.

In 1992 Manolo Blahnik was invited to designed shoes for the signature label for John Galliano. Throughout the 1990s he continued to collaborate with the top fashion designers of the day including Caroline Herrara, Bill Blass and Oscar de la Renta. In the year 1994 Manolo was honored to work with all three of the aforementioned designers in the same year. In 1997 Blahnik teamed up again with John Galliano for the first couture collection for Christian Dior.

The many awards of Manolo Blahnik

Manolo Blahnik and his heavenly shoe creations have won him praise and glory all over the globe as well as many illustrious awards. In the year 2000 he received the Nieman Marcus Award and then in 2001 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Royal College of Arts in London. At the same time Manolo Blahnik was also made an Honorary Royal Designer for Industry. As well in 2001 Blahnik received the Golden Needle award in Spain (also referred to as La Aguja de Oro) and in 2002, he received the prestigious Medalla de Oro en Merito en Bellas Artes. In the year 2003, Manolo Blahnik became the very first shoe designer to be honored with an exhibit of his own at the London Design Museum. This exhibit was a smashing success and ran from February until May of 2003. The wonders of his work are likely to keep Manolo Blahnik designing shoes for many years to come.

The power of smell is stronger than many people realize. That is why the choice of a fragrance is every bit as important as the choice of shoes you wear to complete an outfit or the choice of accessories you wear to set off an ensemble. Your perfume speaks volume to other people about your personality, your lifestyle and the way that your mind works. It also has the ability to make an impression on other people. Bear in mind that a fragrance is so many things and you want it to linger ever so slightly in a room after you have made your exit. A fragrance is art after all and it is also a statement about emotion. Fragrance is also romance, energy, empowerment, vitality and intimacy. A perfume tells a tale simply by its memorable scent and also by how it makes the wearer feel.

Tips for shopping for a signature scent

When it comes time to buy a signature scent, decide whether you want to indulge in a classic scent, a delicate scent or a sensual scent. Let us take a brief look at all three.

Classic Scent

If you are not sure what scent appeals to you then go for a classic scent. Classic scents are the staples of perfume, they are the tried-and-true perfumes without a trace of dullness connected to them. A classic perfume is comparable to the classic little black dress or a classic pair of pearl earrings that no wardrobe should be without. A classic fragrance coordinates with absolutely everything. It is perfect with every outfit and every pair of shoes. A classic fragrance is also suitable for every occasion whether it is business, social or casual and it suits all four seasons of the year. Two of the most timeless examples of classic fragrances are the legendary Chanel No. 5 and Oscar.

Delicate Scent

Delicate fragrances are just that- delicate, light, soft and incredibly feminine. Delicate fragrances are the perfume of choice for incurable romantics who enjoy watching sunrises and sunsets, sipping wine over a candlelit dinner and walks on the beach hand in hand at midnight. One of the most modern delicate fragrances on the market is made by Nina Ricci and is called Premier Jour. This perfume is based on a note of sugared almond and is very delectable to the senses.

Sensual Scent

The sensual group of fragrances is not for the meek and mild and certainly not for the faint at heart. Sensual scents are bold, self-confident, intense and very passionate. The two most well known sensual fragrances on the market today are Opium and Chance by Chanel. Opium has been around since 1977 and is a very sultry scent whereas Chance is spirited while at the same time, energetic, optimistic and edgy. Chance combines jasmine, pink pepper, white musk and citrus notes and would appeal to any sensuous woman.

Try it on yourself- you and only you

Keep in mind that perfume does not smell the exact same on everyone. Just as we all do not like to eat the same foods, we all do not like the same perfumes. How a perfume smells on a person has a lot to do with their body chemistry and body chemistry is a very individual thing. That is why it is essential to try a fragrance out on your own skin as opposed to that of your friend, your sister or your mother. Keep in mind as you sample different fragrances at the perfume counter that after they are applied to the skin, their smell changes slightly so make sure you are patient and give ample time to decide if the scent in question is suitable for you.

It cannot be emphasized enough, try a scent out on your own skin and do not just spray it into the air or spray it on a piece of cardboard. You have to make a determination of how the scent mixes with your body chemistry. Spray the scent on the inside of your wrist and then allow it to warm and absorb into your skin. Your own personal body oils will determine how the scent will smell on you on an individual basis.

Be patient with your perfume

Are you the queen of the snap decision? If yes then cool your heels when it comes to making a decision about a fragrance of your choice. After applying a given fragrance, give the scent 20 minutes to an hour to make a proper determination of whether or not it appeals to your sense of smell. An even better suggestion is to give your nose a whiff of the scent every couple of hours to determine for yourself if the fragrance has retained its original scent or not. Whether or not a scent has the power of longevity is very important to know. Some do, whereas many do not, and it depends on the person as well. Keep in mind that not all scents have the same effect on every person due to body chemistry. One scent may smell better on you than it does on your best friend and vice versa. Some people like to apply a scent to their inner wrist and then rub it on the other wrist hoping to transfer the scent. Do not do this because it will not have the desired result. If you rub your wrists together this can serve to alter the scent of the fragrance tremendously and that is definitely not something you want to do.

Where are the best places to apply fragrance? Think pulse points.

The best places on the human body to apply fragrances are the areas designated as pulse points, which include the sides of the neck, between the breasts, the inside of the wrists, the elbow creases, behind the knees and around the ankles. If you have already put on your watch and/or a bracelet be careful when spraying a fragrance near them. The fragrance you apply could easily react to the leather or plastic strap of the watch and/or the gold or silver that the bracelet is made up of and this could dull the material. Many women like to apply fragrance behind their ears but this is not advisable because that area of the human body contains a number of sebaceous glands, which will have an effect on how the fragrance smells both when you first apply it as well as hours later. Be aware that the area behind the ears is not a pulse point. Women who have skin that tends towards being dry will need to reapply their fragrance often but ladies with oily or combination skin will need to do it less often. The reason for this is that dry skin does not hold in scent quite as well as does skin that is higher in oil content.

When sampling new scents at a store, it is best to test them one at a time and not to overdo it. You can always plan another trip back to the perfume counter of your favorite department store or drug store in a day or two. If you sample too many fragrances at once you will likely confuse your nose and your brain and it will make it difficult for you to decide on any one fragrance.

Less is more

When it comes to applying fragrance always keep in mind the general rule that less is more. A spritz of a fragrance applied with a light hand to a pulse point (or two) is all that is really required. If you are attending a social event remember that other women and men will be wearing fragrances as well and you do not want all of that co-mingling to add up to one big smelly and intoxicating mess!

When you are preparing for a special evening on the town or are attending a social event for work, here is something you can try- spray the outside of your hand with fragrance instead of your wrist. This spraying alternative works well because it allows the scent to diffuse in an outward direction. This leaves you with a very airy and subtle scent, which is what a social occasion calls for. Another option is to spray the air (in a similar fashion as you would spray air freshener in a room) and then walk through the scent as it falls around you. This envelopes your entire body in the beautiful scent. Consider this a soft and subtle but yet effective method of perfuming yourself for a night out. If you spray the fragrance gently into the air it should not affect your clothing or your jewellery in any negative manner.

Less is more is also important to keep in mind in relation to your age when it comes to applying fragrance. Our sense of smell is not as sharp as we get older and the dulling effect means that it is not as simple to figure out if we have on enough fragrance or if we have applied too much. Often if we are unable to smell our fragrance on our own skin we assume that it has completely disappeared and others cannot smell it either. However this is not usually the case and the people around you might be able to smell it so whatever you do, do not be heavy-handed in your application!

How to make a scent last as long as possible

One of the biggest complaints that fragrance consumers have is how to make a scent last as long as possible. Be aware that the length of time that a fragrance will last on the skin is different for everyone. Perfumes are made to have more staying power than are eau de toilettes due to their higher concentration of alcohol to water. Dry skin retains fragrance for a shorter span of time than does oily or combination skin as oily skin contains more natural moisture and is capable therefore of retaining scent for a considerably longer period of time. Another factor is the PH level of any given person as it is not the same for everyone. PH stands for the amount of acidity in the skin and a personal PH level will help to determine how a scent will react once it is applied to your skin. There are other factors that play a role as well such as hormonal changes in the body including pregnancy and menopause, stress, and taking a variety of kinds of medications. There are even certain foods that can play a role in how a fragrance smells on the skin as well as how long it will linger. Two examples of these are foods that contain a great deal of garlic or spices.

Layer your scent

One of the very best ways to encourage your scent to last all day is to layer it. Layering a scent is key to coaxing it to have longevity. What this means is that you use more than one type of product of the same scent. For example you might want to first shower with a body wash or scented soap and then when your skin is still damp from the shower, slather on a generous portion of body lotion or cream. Then to conclude the fragrance layering process, dab some of your favorite scent on a pulse point or a few select pulse points or else spray some on your pulse points. Your skin will warm to the scent you have applied and then will absorb it making you smell great and helping to ensure that the scent will last as long as you need it to.

Other suggestions

But there are yet other ways to help make sure your fragrance keeps going as long as you do. Apply a fragrance immediately after taking a bath or shower due to the fact that the pores of your skin are as open as they will ever be and they will quickly and easily soak up the scent. An excellent way to make this happen is before you get dressed after your shower, while you are still naked, spray your perfume into the air and then walk through it as it falls down. Another suggestion is that since perfume has more lasting power on skin types that tend to be oily, apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the areas on your body where you will be applying perfume. The petroleum jelly will give the fragrance something to adhere to and by so doing will give it more staying power.

Start low and upward you go

When applying perfume it is always the best idea to spray from the ankles upward, because just like hot air, fragrance also rises and if you apply it lower on your body it will cling to your skin for a much longer span of time. Another tip about applying fragrance that you want to last is not to use your fingers to apply it directly to the skin but instead place the perfume on a cotton ball before you apply it or for an even better fragrance effect, consider using an atomizer.

It is generally regarded in the world of fragrance that a scent should be sprayed approximately 20 centimeters away from your body. If you decide to spray an even amount of scent over a larger area of your skin it will last a great deal longer than if you decide to instead concentrate the scent over a smaller area of the skin.

I guess that fashion is usually about what you wear in public and how you present yourself to other people. But I am here to take a look at something that is very important to me; fashion at home. I am the queen of lazy clothes--when I am at home I want to feel good, and I don't mind looking good too. I know that a lot of people don't care what they wear at home, and I think that is in the right spirit--if no one is looking at you who cares what you look like, right? I think that is true, but I also know that I feel best about myself when I think I look good. Even when I am at home, I want to feel cute and sexy in my pajamas, for example. Is this necessary? Obviously not. Do I let this compromise my comfort level? No way. The trick is, to find clothes which are absolutely cozy, and look good.

I am a student so when I am at home working a long day I want to be cozy. I think this is why I have so many comfortable clothes. I think my collection of "lazy clothes" is as big as, if not bigger, than my "outside" clothes collection. I spend long days at home at my desk, studying, drinking coffee, and curled up trying to be comfortable. It's just not the same if you, for example, go to the library and have to sit in the cold air conditioned study hall (in the winter!) on a hard wooden chair and work at an enormous table (the only really fantastic thing about working in a library or classroom--but anyway, that's another story). I like to be at home, generally wrapped in something (in the winter) or wearing almost nothing (in the summer).

There are lots of options for lazy clothes that make you feel good and still look good on you. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with a pair of flannel pajama pants that is covered in some crazy design. I have those too! But I like "cozy" cloth pants that fit me a little better, just to make me feel a little spruced up. They are also very comfy because they fit my body well. This is something I think is worth finding for the serious "lazy clotheser". I think I bought them at a drugstore, anyway, so we're not talking about something fancy here. Just something that makes me feel a little more pleasant than "I don't care who sees me" wear. I have several pairs of these pants that I trade around day to day depending on my mood. I know not everyone is into this, but when I'm at home all day I tend to change my clothes a couple of times throughout the day. Plus, I have very thin pants if I'm feeling hot (or if I feel like turning the heat up), thicker ones if I am cold, and homemade pants crafted by Native Americans that I wear if I want to feel arts-y, for example. Equally important are some cute shorts (who cares how short they are? You''re alone!) to keep you cool in the hot summer or when doing housework (ugh!).

Another fantastic lazy staple, for you girls out there, are skirts. Now I know that a skirt doesn't necessarily sound cozy - in fact, to me it sounds like something which means dressing up and going somewhere uncomfortable - but there is another side to them, really! All you have to do is find the right one. A long, full skirt, for example a broomstick skirt or layered skirt - like the ones that are so popular today - are absolutely versatile in the home. Cozy, not restricting, cool in the summer and (with long and/or fluffy ones) warm in the winter, skirts are one of my best friends in my home laziness and cozy fashion world.

But pants and skirts are not the only things we wear, are they? Shirts are another important matter. Personally, I prefer tank tops, in any weather, for any task, under any circumstances. There is nothing cooler in the summer (except nudity and bra-only, both possibilities if you are home alone but both probably a little bit on the uncomfortable side), and if you are cold, it's absolutely simple to put something over a tank top, and still look great. Tank tops are a staple for me in all cases. Barring that, I would go for an extremely soft (and extremely thin, because those are the softest) T-shirt, or maybe a long-sleeved T-shirt if I am cold. Long-sleeved T-shirts are absolutely cozy if you are chilly. They are better than sweaters, for example, which can be itchy, bothersome, or even too hot. A T-shirt material that covers your whole arms provides the perfect level of comfort.

Next on the list of extremely important requirements for comfort at home are socks and/or slippers. Naturally, we are talking about Winter in this paragraph. In the summer, I want nothing more in the world than to have my feet completely free and contacting all manner of surfaces. But in the winter, you get those pesky cold toes if you're not careful, and unless you've got your own fire to warm them in front of you'd better wrap those babies up. Socks have thousands of varieties and incarnations. One of my favorites is the knee-high sock. If you live in a cold climate, this is something you should already know about. I love them, because they just give you that little extra level of warmth, not only keeping your toes out of the cold air but cozying up half of your leg at the same time. Know how warm you feel when you layer a couple of comfy shirts (this is another master lazy clothes technique)? Imagine that feeling on your calves. Put on some knee-highs and bam, you've got it. Even pantyhose can foster the same effect, but since most of the time they are too tight, uncomfortable and falling down, I don't recommend it, unless you have to be outside for a long time in the cold and want to be sure you are warm enough. Slippers and slipper socks also provide excellent comfort. Slipper socks are usually made out of some ridiculously soft or fluffy material, and in general provide excellent warmth and make the skin of your feet feel really happy against the material. And slippers come in the same varieties. I abandon my "looking cute" regimen when it comes to slippers, but that's basically because I think that anyone looks extra cute in any kind of slippers. Go for bunnies, or bears, or snoopies. Or, go for normal, straightforward slippers that they make for "normal" people. In my opinion, slippers can be nice because they usually have a solid bottom and can be good for working in the kitchen, for example, where the floor could be wet, or for stepping out on the balcony for a few minutes, or for getting the morning paper. Some slippers even do an excellent job of supporting your feet and arches. Definitely something to consider for your at-home collection.

And of course, the most important accessory for at-home fashion - the robe. You need a robe! Your neighbor needs a robe! Everybody needs a robe! From answering the surprise doorbell ringing in the morning to getting to and from the shower, the robe is the most useful piece of lazy clothes you can have. It's acceptable to walk outside wearing a robe, for example, even if you aren't wearing anything else, and it's absolutely simple to put it on in a jiffy. I recommend one for the winter (a big fluffy one) and one for the summer (a lighter, shorter one). They can be a little pricey but be honest - how many robes will you need to buy in your lifetime?? You won't regret it.

My last suggestion for home "lazy clothes" fashion is ... blankets. Yes, I know it's not clothes, but it's a critical point! Blankets make you cozy! Blankets make you warm! Blankets bring us together with other people! (When we have to share them while watching TV) And, there ARE even blankets that you WEAR on the market. They are usually called Cuddle-Wraps, and they have zippers and buttons that allow you to surround yourself in blanket as if it were a robe, and you can even walk around comfortably without losing your blanket.

Before I go I'll mention one more important point. Could I be this crazy about being comfortable at home and just wear "normal" clothes, aching with discomfort, when I go outside of the house? Of course not! But do I look good when I leave the house? Of course! A few points I made stick outside the house...wear comfortable cloth pants (if you look around a bit, it's not hard to find dress pants that look fantastic and will be way more comfortable than jeans...especially keep an eye out for stretchy fabrics), and my advice about tank tops in all places at all times still goes...it is absolutely simple to dress up a tank top (always useful just like a camisole, unless you're into really fancy stuff) by putting a jacket, sweater, or even a nice t-shirt over it. And the best thing is, if you're hot, you can always strip down...it's wearing layers every day and always feeling the temperature you want to feel. (Personally, I am always fluctuatiing between hot and cold, so I have to have a solution - and I'm young! It's just how I am.)

So, I hope for those of you out there who spend long hours just like I do at home, and need a little comfort, I hope these ideas help. I love my lazy clothes and I love feeling and looking good. It really helps productivity, believe it or not. I don't know how I am going to survive when i have to work outside the house all the time! But I think it will just make me appreciate my comfy time at home more. Sorry to all of you who can't be at home in your pajamas all day.

Fashion is not just about clothing and accessories but about the scent you choose to envelope yourself in. Fragrance has been around for a long time and dates back to the Egyptians as early as 1000 BC. Other cultures soon followed suit in using perfume, however it was the Egyptians who were believed to have been the inventors of glass and one of the very first things glass was used for was to make bottles to hold perfume.

The Consistency of Perfume

Perfume has often been described as being the ultimate sensory experience, conjuring up emotions and many forgotten memories. Perfume consists of a combination of fragrant oils that have been diluted in high-grade alcohol. This concentration contains 90 to 95 percent pure alcohol and 15 to 25 percent oil. Perfume is often referred to as a parfum. If a mixture of scent has a lower proportion of oil than it does of alcohol then it is known as an eau (which stands for water in French).

There is more than one strength of eau and the names or initials of it are decided upon according to the strength of the scent, or else what percentage of perfume oil in its purest form was used to make the fragrant product. The smell is not affected one way or the other however what is affected is how long the scent remains on the skin.

In the most general way the terms EDC, EDT, EDP and parfum are used. EDC stands for eau de cologne and it is the least concentrated kind of fragrance on the market (2 to 5 percent perfume oil is dissolved in water and high-grade alcohol). An EDT stands for eau de toilette, which is 4 to 10 percent water and alcohol. This is followed by EDP, which is eau de parfum and is 8 to 15 percent water and alcohol and the most concentrated of all, as previously mentioned, is parfum (or perfume), which is 15 to 25 percent water and alcohol respectively. Sometimes you will see a fragrance that is called a parfum de toilette and different companies will classify this differently. Some will use that term for an eau de toilette while others might designate that the product falls somewhere between an eau de parfum and a parfum.

Be aware that an eau de toilette is meant to refresh and energize you but it will not last for the duration of the day. In fact 80 percent of eau de toilettes will lose their scent in three hours time and will need to be reapplied. Perfume on the other hand has a softer scent to it but it is possible that it can last up to 24 hours. Just make sure not to overdo it when you apply it so you do not overpower other people around you!

Categories of Fragrance

There is technically no known system of categorizing fragrance however the August French Society of Perfumers has created six fragrance families, some with subcategories to help demystify the sometimes confusing world of scent for consumers. These fragrance families are recognized by perfumers the world over. The six categories include floral, citrus, green, fougere, chypre and oriental. The floral category is the most popular of all of the categories of scents for women and it can be either subtle or sweet as it brings out the young girl in any woman, no matter how old she is. The citrus category provides a very clean fresh scent that is reminiscent of just washed linen or the refreshing quality of soap. The green category is also a very fresh, down-to-earth, no nonsense type of scent that many women enjoy. The fougere category is sexy, strong and suggestive which makes it popular among women who know exactly what they want and how to go after it. Chypre (pronounced shee-pra) is named after the Mediterranean Island of Cypress, as chypre is the French way of saying cypress. The chypre scent is a touch of the mysterious with its mixture of earthy and floral scents. The oriental fragrance family is for the confident, self-assured woman who likes to feel exotic and exude sensuality.

Let us take a closer look at each one of these fragrance families.

Floral Fragrance Family

The floral fragrance family is sometimes referred to as floral/sweet. It is the most popular category as well as the largest category of fragrances. The floral family is ruled by the scent of either one or a variety of different kinds of flowers. When one type of flower is used it is referred to as a soliflore. This perfume family ranges from sweet to subtle and everything that falls in between. This is a youthful scent and is perfectly suited for the woman who enjoys being playful and girlish whenever she wishes to be. The primary ingredients for this category of perfume come from flowers such as gardenia, carnation, jasmine, rose, orange-blossom, ylang-ylang and violet. Examples of popular brands of perfumes from the floral family include Carolina Herrara, White Diamonds and Paris.

There are also subcategories of the floral family as well. These include floral-green, floral-ambery, floral-fruity, floral-citrus and floral-woody. Examples of popular perfumes in the floral-green subcategory include Bvlgari and Chanel 19; in the floral-ambery group, Adrienne Vittadini; in the floral-fruity group, Amarige and Baby Doll; in the floral-citrus group, Curve and finally in the floral-woody subcategory, 1881 Cerruti and Romance.

Citrus Fragrance Family

The citrus fragrance family is sometimes referred to as sporty/clean as this scent has a very clean, fresh-out-of-the-shower scent and is comparable to the clean fragrance of soap. Citrus fragrances are often described as freshening and are commonly found in eau de colognes. This is the family of fragrances that athletic women often prefer. The citrus scents are more common in fragrances made for men than women but they are becoming increasingly popular for women as well. The citrus scents are one of the oldest of all of the fragrance groups and they date back to the Egyptians in ancient times. The citrus fragrance family gets its names from the citrus fruit scents such as lemon, lime, mandarin, tangerine and bergamot (sometimes known as hesperides) that are combined together to create a fragrance that is considered to be effervescent in quality. A popular example of a citrus fragrance is the unisex CK One. There is one subcategory of the citrus fragrance family and it is citrus-floral. An example of a citrus-floral fragrance is Jess.

Green Fragrance Family

The green fragrance family is sometimes referred to as green/natural and it is a very fresh, uplifting and down-to-earth type of scent. This is the scent for the woman who likes to be as real and as natural as she possibly can be. When it comes to the green fragrances, the predominant notes are herbs, grass, pine, juniper and leaves. Two examples of green fragrances are Bvlgari, Extreme and Safari. There is no subcategory for this fragrance family.

Fougere Fragrance Family

Fougere (pronounced foozh-air) is French for the word fern. Sometimes the fougere family of fragrances is also known as the musk/oils family. This is the fragrance group that is strong, suggestive and extremely sexy while at the same time leaving little to the imagination. This is a sultry group of scents that is especially good for seductive nights for lovers. Musk gives off the most powerful scent of all of the perfume oils that are available on the market. Most musks are taken from the male musk deer from the Himalayas while some also come from the musk ox and muskrat. Some fougere scents are very herbaceous in nature and contain a base that is mossy and very much like a fern. Cool Water is an example of a popular fougere fragrance. There is no subcategory for this fragrance family.

Chypre Fragrance Family

Chypre (pronounced shee-pra) is sometimes referred to as woody or earthy. Although chypre is no longer manufactured, the word is still used to describe fragrances made in the woody style. This citrusy, woodsy and mossy group of fragrances is composed of the ingredients bergamot, oak moss, citrus, patchouli and jasmine. The chypre fragrance family got its name from Francois Coty who is believed to have named it after the Island of Cypress in the Mediterranean. Chypre stands for cypress in the French language. This fragrance family is a mixture of earth and floral scents and is very similar to the delicious flavors of apricot and custard merged together. The chypre fragrance is often worn by a woman who enjoys the beauty of nature and the outdoors in all of its splendor. Examples of popular chypre fragrances are Dalimix and Y.

There are three subcategories of the chypre fragrance and these include chypre-fruity, chypre-floral and chypre-animalic. An example of a chypre-fruity scent is Femme; examples of chypre-floral scents are Fendi and Paloma Picasso and two examples of chypre-animalic scents are Miss Dior and Ysatis.

Oriental Fragrance Family

The oriental fragrance family is sometimes referred to as the oriental/spicy family, which are also commonly referred to as ambers. This popular fragrance family, which is full-bodied, is a combination of animal scents (such as musks), as well as balsams, spices, resins and vanilla mixed with flowers. The mixture of incense resins and camphorous oils enhances the oriental fragrances even more. This family of fragrances is both spicy as well as exotic and is not for the faint at heart. This is the type of fragrance that appeals to the self-confident woman who is strong and enjoys being bold and radiant in everything she does. The oriental family of fragrances conjures up images of the Victorian era in both the Middle East as well as the Far East. Examples of the oriental family of fragrances include Contradiction, Shalimar and Royal Secret.

There are five subcategories of oriental fragrances. These subcategories include oriental-citrusy, oriental-ambery, oriental-spicy, floriental and oriental gourmand. An example of an oriental-citrusy fragrance is Candies while a classic example of an oriental-ambery scent is Obsession. An example of an oriental-spicy scent is Opium while two examples of floriental are Hugo Woman and Wings. Finally, three examples of oriental-gourmand are Angel, Cashmir and Wish.

Point of Clarification to Fragrance Lovers

It is important to point out that there is some overlapping when it comes to the fragrance families, as it is not an exact science. Some sources where you might choose to seek out information on fragrance families will have slight variations to the way I have listed perfumes but here I have laid out the general categories. For example, I noted in my own research that one website placed the fragrance Ysatis by Givenchy in the oriental fragrance family while another placed it in the chypre family. Here I have classified Ysatis as a chypre fragrance and more specifically as belonging to the subcategory of chypre known as chypre-animalic. To a certain extent, the choice of fragrance families is left up to ones own discretion. Whatever you do, just make sure that you find a fragrance (or fragrances) that appeal to you and enjoy them as fragrances are meant to be a fun way to express your personality!

Designer fashions are priced beyond the ability of most consumers to purchase, at least with any regularity. A five hundred dollar skirt matched with a four hundred dollar top quickly leaves most consumers wondering if the outfit is really worth the investment. Most of us never even consider a twenty thousand dollar ball gown, except in our dreams. An experienced shopper, who loves designer clothing, knows to look on sale racks or shop discount stores to find designer clothing at reasonable prices. The clothing may be off season and no longer on the cutting edge of fashion, but a smart shopper can build a designer wardrobe at a reasonable price. For most of us, the clothing is not worth the effort or disappointment of constantly scavenging for designer labels. We look though magazines and surf the web for the latest fashions but we only look, we do not buy.

So what are the use of runway shows or exclusive shops for most fashion followers? It is easy to completely ignore the designer market and dress according to local social norms. If everyone at church is wearing floral skirts, you wear a floral skirt. If Talbots is the ultimate in clothing at the school bazaar, Talbots becomes your shopping destination. Conforming to local social norms will allow you to fit in, but it does not allow you to stand out.

People who love fashion really want to dress beyond the local social norms. Even the most conservative fashion follower wants a little something that tells the world they still pay attention to the fashion industry and they are aware of what is "in" and what is "out". A perfect example of this is a certain woman of my acquaintance who is firmly in retirement and has been there for awhile. The last time I saw her she was conservatively dressed in a very nice cardigan sweater and pants. Her fashion statement was her necklace. Hanging around her neck was two strands of silver connected circles. The necklace was an acknowledge of the influence "Mod" was once again asserting in fashion circles. I complimented her on her " very Mod" necklace and received a knowing smile and a thank you in return. I have since seen a similar necklace on a morning television personality and my teenage niece. I must admit I also have such a necklace but mine is actually a belt from the sixties I snagged from the throw away pile of an elderly relative. I have not worn mine yet but I did see one similar to it worn as a belt on the very trim waste of a fifty something author.

The similarity between these women is not age, size or social status. The common bond is the attention they pay to fashion influences. The want to wear fashionable attire, even if it is only an accent piece with an otherwise traditional outfit. In many ways it is a message to other fashion followers, that they too keep up with the current trends beyond the confines of their local community. None of the women adopted the "Mod" style in its' entirety, ( though the fifty something author came closest) but they all noticed its' presence in fashion circles and responded to its' influence. Even I responded to the fashion trend when I grabbed an authentic "Mod" belt from the trash heap. I saw something fashionable in an old belt that no one else could see at the time. If I did not follow fashion beyond my local community,I would not have been able to see the treasure others were willing to throw away. I would have had to wait for a local store to carry their version of the original, as did my niece. In her defense, she has not been watching fashion as long as I have.

Fashion is based on man's need to adorn himself. It is also grounded on the human need to express individuality through this adornment. Fashion lovers not only want to be current in their style, they enjoy seeing current style on those who surround them. A true lover of fashion gets excited when they see in real life the clothing that they only have seen on the pages of magazines. It is also a learning experience since often the clothing looks different in real life than photographed on a model and placed on the web or in a magazine. This experience can also be had by walking in the door of exclusive shops and actually looking at the high priced designer fashions. Realty can inspire desire, an a frugal shopper will begin to watch for clearance sales to obtain the desired item. Reality can also remove desire. There is nothing like actually seeing some designer clothes to remind a shopper that illusion is sometimes better than reality.

The ugly side of fashion deals with competitiveness and money. There is no better way to establish the status quo than wearing a twenty thousand dollar dress amongst people who know its' price tag. In certain crowds the designer and the cost of certain clothing is obvious and known. Wear this same dress in most communities and only a handful of people will even suspect the price tag or the designer label you are wearing. This is why the beautiful designer clothing we see on runways really only serves as inspiration to the rest of us normal fashion followers. We look at the gold designer gown and think, maybe that gold blouse is not over the top this party season. For a more adventurous fashion follower, they may search the stores for a gold dress or search a thrift store for a gently used vintage gold gown. If you sew you may visit the fabric store and actually purchase the glittery material you have coveted but not bought. Possibly a gold wrap over a classic black dress is the best way for you to acknowledge the impact gold is having on fashion circles. Maybe just a gold ribbon in your hair.

A fashion follower may also be inspired to shun gold all together and find another fashion influence to exhibit this season. The key is , following international fashion trends , allows a fashion follower to adorn themselves with the newest trend before it shows up matched with a floral skirt. Knowledge of fashion trends gives confidence to the individual who wears something everyone else is not wearing. While fashionable people enjoy standing out, unless they live a fashionable life, the need to fit in battles with their need to stand out. Knowledge of the fashion world, which in today's world is international in nature, gives the fashion follower the courage to follow their need to stand out from the crowd. It gives an individual the courage to be different.

Sometimes something is so new you cannot find it in your local store. Ten years ago I had read about slips with built in support in a magazine. I raced to the local division of my national department store and found the garments were available only in New York. The garments are widely available today and the world has changed a lot in ten years. In today's fast paced world the turn around time between the runway and Wal-Mart is not as long as it used to be. The positive side to the quickness of our world, is it is a lot easier finding that stylish accent piece you want to add to your wardrobe. For people who need to always be the leader of the pack, to the exclusion of everyone else, it just makes life a little harder. For followers of fashion, some version of that runway outfit may be at your local department store or Wal-Mart before you know it.


Fashion followers want to stand out from the crowd. Most do not want to be completely apart from their local community, so they choose a necklace or wrap to reveal their fashion savvy. Other fashion followers will notice, while the rest of the crowd will still be comparing their floral skirts. Some individuals are willing to stand apart and express themselves through their clothing. I enjoy these people and want to stand near them, because they bring fashion to real life. I also understand I may have to be satisfied with a knowing smile and an approving nod, since I am no longer part of that courageous crowd. Standing apart takes stamina and confidence. I still have the confidence but I lack the necessary stamina.

Use magazines and fashion shows as inspiration. Imitate the styles you see and add your own style to the look while you are at it. If buying a gold scarf makes you feel fashionable, do it. Your attention to the fashion industry is the reason you know that scarf is a fashion statement this year. Look around and see who else is making similar or different statements. You may be surprised at who follows fashion.

I'm not much of a shoe person, but I've noticed something interesting when I do find myself discussing shoe shopping with other people: everyone has a very definite idea on how much you need to spend in order to get a good pair of shoes. No wonder so many people "get into trouble" financially when it comes to shoe shopping- honestly, if you are dropping fifty to a hundred dollars a pair and you own multiple pairs, you're spending an awful lot of money on shoes!

When I was a kid, my parents used to take us to the expensive shoe store once a year for new tennis shoes for gym class. We always bought outlet, discounted and used clothes, backpacks, school supplies, and everything else; but we just had to have new shoes. It wasn't our choice, as you might think it was: it was actually what our mom insisted upon. She had the idea that buying cheap or used shoes would somehow affect the growth of our feet.

Apparently she was right: I did a little research on this and found that it's true, especially for children's athletic shoes: having a shoe that doesn't support the foot properly (or is molded to someone else's foot, as is the case with used shoes) can actually negatively affect the growth of the foot. Who knew?

Ironically, now that I'm an adult I'm a staunch advocate for cheap shoes. But honestly, I think too many people hold onto the idea that you need brand new shoes for too long. I'm not saying that buying cheap shoes can't cause foot pain, and I'm certainly not talking about people with foot problems here. But for the typical man or woman, there's no harm in buying a pair of discount or fake leather shoes. Particularly if they're dress shoes that aren't worn every day. We don't need to hold onto the idea that new equals better, or that expensive equals the only good buy.

Buying discount shoes isn't a sin. In fact, those of us who like to have different shoes for each outfit could save ourselves a lot of financial stress by getting used to the idea that cheap is sometimes better. If it's a pair of high heels that you'll wear for just a few evenings- or if it's a pair of sandals that consists of basically a few straps and a sole- then there's nothing to be lost by buying discount.

Also, can anyone tell the difference? Maybe if you're talking designer labels or really badly made cheap leather, you can. But in general most people will notice if your shoes are clean, if they're well cared for, if they match your outfit, and if they're cute. I might be wrong here, but I think I'm like a big percentage of the population when I say that I wouldn't notice expensive shoes if I fell over a pair on the steps.

Of course, for some people buying nice shoes is a luxury and they enjoy spoiling themselves, and that I can understand. But there's nothing wrong with supplementing an expensive collection with a few discount pieces to get you through special occasions or lazy days. Also, I'd sooner spend my money on a fancy sweater or coat- something that makes a real statement- so consider wisely what you want when it comes to expensive clothes. There may be something rather than shoes that will give you more bang for your buck.

If you can't see yourself going into a discount shoe store, at the very least shop some sales. There are some great cheap shoes to be had, particularly at the turn of the season. You might not feel like spending your money on cute sandals when it's starting to snow outside, but the fact is that you can probably get them for fifty percent off or more at good shoe retailers and mall shops. And putting them away in your closet for the winter will mean a nice surprise come spring.

Having nice shoes doesn't necessarily mean spending a lot of money. I've never been a big shoe person, but when I do buy shoes I buy them on clearance and at discount prices. I buy fake leather and polish it up to look great. I buy flip flops for 25 cents in November and then wear them to death come July. Shoes can be a bargain; you just have to get over the old feeling that if you're not spending lots of money on them, you're doing something wrong.
-by bjp

Have you ever wondered why you are wearing a smaller or larger size all of a sudden, even though you have not gained or lost any weight at all? Or how about this - You receive a gift card from an expensive, upscale department store and find that only the smaller sizes fit you. Have you lost weight? Perhaps you are sick and do not know it, but should go in for a physical right away.

Probably not. Although a yearly health exam is a wise choice, what you are probably suffering from is really only a retail trick known as Vanity Sizing.

Decades ago, especially in the 1940s through 1960s, women used to squeeze their feet into tiny sizes of shoes, because none of them wanted to have the big feet that they thought were unattractive. So, shoe retailers changed the sizing system and made size 10s into size 7s one year. Now, in every shoe store you enter, you need to try on the sizes and see what really fits.

The same thing happened with women's clothing. Marilyn Monroe was really a size 12, you know.

The vintage styles from the 40s, 50s and 60s can be as much as 4 to 6 times smaller in size than the same sized item purchased new today anywhere. So, a size 12 from 1945 would be a size 4 today at Saks 5th Ave or anywhere in Paris or Beverly Hills 90210.

In addition, you may be a size 4 in one brand and a size 12 in another, but you probably want to buy the first item, even though the second one looks much, much better on you regarding style, cut, and fit. Clothing retailers and manufacturers want to boost their sales and your self image by convincing you that you have decreased a couple of sizes without any real weight loss as well. The more expensive brand and the store, usually the smaller will be the size number on the dress tag of the garment that fits you. Such an ego boost results in a lot of women with money or gift cards buying their clothes, instead of shopping less expensive retailers, or even WalMart. Taking your own measurements and keeping them in your purse or memory is more useful than knowing your clothing size since you will wear a 4 in one brand, an 8 in another and a 10 in another.

The Talbots Department Stores Fit Survey for 2006 found that a full 85% of all women and girls decide to buy a clothing item based on the size that is printed on the hang tag, not by the way it fits, looks, or feels. The smaller the size, the more apt they are to buy it. Further, 62% of all women consider purchasing only items in their size, even if larger items fit better. In addition, 62% of women also stated that they do not have any idea what their body measurements might be. Therefore, it is small wonder why so many women have trouble with ill fitting bra and under clothing, shoes and all other clothing items. According to Talbots again 40% of women buy clothing with plans of losing weight in order to fit into it. What are they going to wear now, though? Baggy sweatpants maybe.

This may be the reason behind the popularity of T-shirts and sweat pants or even print pajamas among high school and college aged women for street clothes. You see it all the time on the TV show What Not to Wear.

Of course, many women and girls have two stashes of clothing keep, divided into fat clothes and thin clothes. The fat clothes are for when they have bloated or gained a few pounds of weight. The thin clothes are a measurement tool for determining how much weight they have lost. If they can squeeze into the thin clothes, they feel good about themselves, just like those ladies and their too tiny shoes in the 1940s. Those women today are 80 years old and have had multiple bunion surgeries or can only wear slippers.

Sizes are not that important, so if size in an issue for you, cut all the size tags out of your clothing. It is no one's business what your sizes are, anyway. It is funny to do that in a retirement home, because there is an element even among the retired ladies that still tries to find out who wears what sizes, especially shoes and undergarments (I know, sounds like a sitcom, but it is true). Cut out the sizes and they will have to keep wondering, or find something else to do.

Back to today, if you have a boyfriend, do not clothes shop for your own clothing with him. Do not ask if something makes you look fat. Shop with friends or go alone and seek the help of a professional sales person or the alterations staff, who should be able to spare some time for their customers. You boyfriend does not need to know what sizes you wear, either, unless he is going to buy you a nice sweater, or a ring perhaps.

Do not be a fashion slave to the point that you try to squeeze into clothing items that are uncomfortable. Find things that fit correctly and ask a knowledgeable department store sales associate or alterations person for help. Some stores even have free sizing clinics twice a year for everything from undergarments to suits and dresses, to jeans and shoes, so try some of those.

Remember that size numbers will definitely change, even if you do not gain or lose an ounce, so those numbers are not important. What is extremely important is a good fit in an attractive, well-made garment that feels good as you wear it. That will make you feel good and that will make you BE more attractive just by itself.

Happy holidays with YOUR correct, comfortable, and beautiful sizes!

What to wear, what to wear? The party season is upon us and fashion hemlines are all over the place. Should we be wearing a glittery mini, or a sparkling floor length gown? Should we glitter at all this holiday season or should we pull our basic black party gown from the closet and wear the basic uniform of fashion? If you know what is "in" or "out" by New Years' Eve, give me a shout. Until then I will continue to anguish over my holiday wardrobe, since I do not want to end the year as a fashion disaster. This issue may be so big, the only solution may be to crawl into bed and stay home.

Ralph Lauren has presented the world with two spectacular gowns in his 2006 fall collection. The gowns are gold, they glitter, and if you are a princess or just live like one, these are the party dresses for you. For a mere twenty thousand dollars, a v-neck, floor length, fitted gold dream gown can be yours. You best friend can buy the strapless, floor length, gold gown with a fitted bodice and a sparkling gold overskirt over what appears to be a satin underskirt. The more romantic strapless gown is merely fifteen thousand dollars, though I think it is the more beautiful of the two gowns. The princess' crowd may even find they can wear these gowns again since Elie Saab, a Lebanese designer who draws real princesses to his Beirut store, presented only gold dresses in his spring 2007 show. Gold gowns, whether short or long, seem to be the princess trend for spring. Choosing one of Ralph Lauren's dresses for your next party will show the world you are ready for gold now, and do not want to wait for spring to be a golden girl.


But will these floor length gowns reveal I am a fashion flop? Possibly I should wear a sequined mini from Versace. Harper's Bazaar will affirm my choice since they declare sequined minis to be "in" even though floor length party gowns jump off the pages of their December 2006 issue. While the editors of Bazaar seem to want to go short during the holidays they have at least shown us a variety of gowns for the upcoming season. The recent wedding of Tom Cruise may have already set the tone for the upcoming party season. "Entertainment Tonight" showed in their fashion segment that the guests were wearing long gowns and tasteful elegance ruled the event. The celebrity guest list may have already set the tone for this holiday season or it could be that since Giorgio Armani is reputed to have done the wedding, that tasteful and elegant were the only clothing options to be considered, even by the guests.

But what if short is the way to go this party season? Well, designer Sue Stemp showed a sexy yellowish/gold mini with a glittery hem in her fall ready to wear collection and MaxMara has a red sequined mini that is sure to turn heads. I must admit I am a little confused on how to actually wear these dresses. Stemp's dress was shown on the runway as a classic mini, but MaxMara showed their mini with leggings. I think I would have to buy matching underwear if I bought a Versace, the dresses look that short on the runway models. I no longer have the legs for minis so I guess I will have to forgo being on the cutting edge of fashion and choose good taste as my guide. This means I will have to forgo short even if it is "in" this party season. A difficult decision, but one that has to be made at some point in life.

Well there is always the little black dress. If I feel inspired to actually buy a new one, numerous designers have their version ready to wear in a variety of hem lengths. It seems to me I can just wear the same one again and toss it in a dye bath if it begins to fade. I guess I could check the fit, I am sure I have lost weight since last I wore my fashion basic. This would be inspiration enough to buy a new dress.

Wearing a black dress has gotten depressing for me, since I see the black dress as fashions' uniform. The purpose of uniforms is to make everyone look the same; to lessen jealousy and competition. The sea of black dresses at social events tells me that the jealousy and competition amongst the attendees has gotten out of hand. Black was sexy, not too long ago, but now it merely reminds me why the movement for uniforms in our schools gains momentum every year. If I have to wear black, I really do not want to go.

The hemlines for party dresses really are all over the place. A quick review of one hundred and forty of the over four hundred party dresses that were on runways during 2006 fall fashion shows, reveals hemlines that are minis, floor length and everything in between. There are feathers, sequins, crystals and metallics. The only commonality seems to be the need to shine, unless of course you want to be understated. The clothes are glamorous, sexy, and glittery. It should be a beautiful party season, I think I want to stay home.

Now if I stay home, I can light a fire, curl up under a blanket, and wear my favorite flannels. I will not need to worry about fashion disasters or matching underwear. I can surf the web for pictures of fancy parties and get my fashion fix without leaving my home. Since the little black dress may be the best choice this year, I think I may just stay home. I still want to know if fashion disasters occur and if minis or floor length won the night. But the issue is so big I feel the correct choice for me is to curl up in front of the fire and read a book. I hear, The Devil Wears Prada is good.

Who knew that there would ever be so much opportunity to use a belt to express yourself? The belt used to be a simple gadget used to hold up pants. Obviously, for women this has long been a fashion accessory as opposed to a useful piece of equipment, and for men in formal wear (that is, suits), it is also a "fashion essential", more because it is a faux pax not to have one then as a way of expressing oneself. Of course, belts have that knack for keeping your pants at your hips, but there is a lot more to them than that. This should become obvious as soon as you see that huge variety of selection you will find at a local clothing store.

There are thousands of types of belts available today. Leather, metal, plastic, chains, even cardboard make up the around-the-waste universal articles that you find in any clothing store, on a mysterious rack that is always disordered and hidden somewhere near the "nice" clothing section or accessories. Not to mention, there are thousands of belt buckles for the traditional belt wearer. Personally I have never been brave enough to wear a fancy belt, because I have a relatively shy fashion sense, but I have drooled over enormous, loud waist-keepers to elegant chain links meant to fall drapingly over the hips instead of holding up the pants. I use the most usual leather belt, with a low-profile square buckle. My favorite is a reversible one, with black on one side and brown on the other, with an inventive buckle clasp that allows you to pull on the buckle and flip it completely over to use the other side. The only problem with this system is that the belt is made of two sides of different colored leather actually sewn together along the edges, so the belt is a bit bulky and stiff. Otherwise, it is fantastically utile. The only other belts I like to use are also small and uncommanding of attention, but wearing belts that do ask for attention is one of the easiest ways to express yourself through fashion.

The first thing I consider about a belt is how I want it to fit the profile of my body, considering the shape it is going to create along with the rest of my clothes. I don't like a buckle that sticks out, or a belt that is going to take over the shape of the top of my pants and blow them out of proportion. I prefer a slim look, for example, if my shirt is placed over the belt or buckle, I don't want it to look like a bulky buckle is my own bulk, if you know what I mean. This buckle bulk has always bothered me and often makes me not want to wear a belt, but it can be avoided if when shopping for a belt you find one that fits you perfectly and has the profile you want. Except for the bulky issue, I vastly prefer to be wearing a belt, because whether it is with jeans or a pair of dressy slacks, I somehow have the feeling that a belt makes you look classier, and more put together. It is not a matter of society not accepting you if you don't wear one, but I like how it accentuates the rest of the outfit, even if I personally want it to be a pretty low-profile accessory. Of course, not everyone is like me and wants to keep their belts on the downlow. Lots of belts are meant to attract attention, are meant to be bulky and loud. I like these, but have yet to bring myself to wear or even buy one. One primary example is this type of belt which is very European, with lots of large circles put together to make a ring, that is meant to be worn around the waste but over the pants, certainly not through any belt loop that is part of any normally sized pants. They come in leather or other materials, and are often coupled with bright colors, sequins, studs, even pieces of mirror. These belts are obviously not meant to be left by the wayside when choosing points of an outfit. When worn, they become the center of attention when someone casually glances at you.

There are plenty of other kinds of belts. For example, you have the "braided" leather belts. These were fashionable for a while but have kind of left the spotlight. They were nice because they can be tethered to any length by putting the peg in any part of the weaving. There are plain, flat belts that are decorated. These can be any color and detailed with any manner of material. For example, they may be coated with sequins and other glittery surfaces, covered with fur or beads, or just plastered with a bright-colored picture or wall-paper type pattern. There are heavy chain belts, something you might expect to add to a gothic or punk outfit, or light, thin chains that drape over the waste, especially tasteful over a simple dress or sleek, belt-loop-less dress pants for women. Then, of course, there are plain leather or plastic belts in many colors, with round or square clasps, or no clasp at all. In fact, it common to have fabric belts with some simple metal loop closer, and no actual buckle at all. The buckles have as many or more varieties than the actual belt materials. Many women's belts will have fancy colors or shiny buckles. If you have belt with no buckle, where you can put any buckle (this is very popular in country styles, just like the cowboys), you can change it with your mood, and there are thousands of buckles in the market for expressing yourself. You will find anything from harley motorcycle buckles to animals to rhinestones to names on these types of belt buckles.

Last, let's not forget that lots of things which aren't actually belts can be used as belts, especially for women. The thin chains I described earlier already fit into this category. In addition, a large or long scarf that is tied around the waist can be a belt, for example. Ribbons are often used in a similar way, with dangling ends left to fly in the wind. Even a random strip of leather or fabric can act as "belt" fashion when tied around at the waist.

So, don't forget about this something as simple as the thing you usually use just to hold up your pants that can be a valuable and interesting fashion accessory. It can be used conservatively or not so conservatively to accent, accentuate, or even spice up an outfit, and really change your look as a simple addition.

The ritual of dating can be an extremely tedious and in many cases, a sometimes frustrating process. There is the whole "getting to know each other" process that is usually the single most important part of any potential relationship. No matter who you are or how long you have known the person, there is always a first date and that single first date either makes or breaks the possibility of what's to come. It is without a doubt that first dates can be summed up as one thing: first impressions. In order to make the best first impression, it's all about how you present yourself and carry yourself. There is no doubt that what you wear is a huge factor in the type of first impression that you project. In order to ensure that you give off the best first impression possible, there are a few rules of thumb to follow.

Dress For the Occasion

In many cases, a first date usually consists of dinner and a movie or perhaps just meeting up for a drink somewhere; however, we are in a time where almost anything and everything goes in dating and it is possible that you may have to plan for an alternative activity on the first date. It isn't too out of the ordinary if you end up somewhere else such as a theme park or at a stable to do some horseback riding. If you are going to a restaurant for your first date, you will want to dress accordingly. If it's a dressy restaurant, the little black dress is almost always a sure winner and if it happens to be more of a casual location, then you can get away with either slacks or lets not forget about the endless ways one can dress jeans up. While looking adorable is always of significant importance, being comfortable takes priority over that. Make sure you know what you're wearing and more importantly, that you know it is comfortable. In other words, date night is not the occasion to try on that top that you know is adorable but it just so happens that you are still in limbo on whether or not you can actually move while wearing it. Save that top for a night out with your girls. That way, you'll get admired for wearing such an adorable top and if you're feeling uncomfortable, your girlfriends are always the ones to give you sympathy. If your first date is in a more casual atmosphere such as an amusement park, make sure to dress comfortable and in clothes that you will feel confident wearing. Always remember that it is possible to look cute and casual at the same time all while still maintaining a certain comfort level.

Don't Shower in Perfume

Everyone wants to smell good, especially on that first date, so it is no surprise that you may want to use a little perfume to kick off your look with a signature scent. While perfume can be your finishing touch and in many cases, attract people to you, it can also turn people off if it is used in excess. In other words, there is really such a thing as too much and if you just so happen to cross that line, perfume can start to serve the purpose of an overwhelmingly obnoxious guy repellent. When applying perfume there are a few tricks that will help you get just the right amount of scent without being overpowering. Layering a scented lotion with a light spritz of the perfume can give you a soft, yet lasting scent. Another option is to dab or spritz the perfume on your wrists and then proceed to dab the perfume on pulse points such as your neck. If you do this then if you feel you need more you can spritz your wrists again and repeat the process. In most cases, one spritz is plenty and more than that is extremely overpowering. Another thing you can do is spritz the perfume in front of you and then walk into the scent. This will give you a cloud of perfume to walk into and will leave you with a sheer blanket of scent.

Keep Makeup to a Minimal

If you pick up any fashion magazine or any women's magazine, there is almost always some article or tidbit that mentions that men like women who don't overdue it on the makeup. While men may be clueless about what it takes for a woman to look nice, minimal makeup is usually the way to go for a first date. Let's face it, women usually try to create makeup looks that they feel are glamorous and sophisticated. For example, the smoky eye look is an all too popular look if you're heading out to a club or a party but it can be a little too dramatic for a first date. Look at it like this. You are going to want your date to be looking at you; not looking at your makeup. It is without a doubt that some looks are so strong and dramatic that they can be slightly distracting at times. Also, depending on where you are the lighting will have an effect on how your makeup looks. If you do a smoky eye and are in a dimly lit restaurant, you can get away with it; however, if you are in a well lit restaurant it will appear that you have raccoon eyes. When it comes to what to wear on your lips, stick with something subtle and natural looking. After all, if the date goes well you might get a kiss goodnight and you don't want your date to be thinking that if he kisses you with that ultra bright lip color then both of you will resemble Bozo the clown by the end of the kiss. He might decide against a goodnight kiss based on that factor alone. In addition, lets not forget that sometimes dark lipstick can be tricky and if it migrates, you may end up with slightly colored teeth. Any woman who has ever fallen victim to the notorious lipstick on the teeth situation knows that dark lipstick is not worth the risk of that potential embarrassment.

Remember To Wear Comfy Shoes

It is no mistake that us girls love our shoes. In many cases, we'll run the risk of sore feet for a week just to have the perfect pair of shoes to polish off an outfit for a special occasion. When choosing shoes for your date, carefully consider what pair you're going to wear. While looking cute is always a factor, your comfort level takes priority. Imagine finishing up with a fabulous dinner and your date decides the night shouldn't end there and asks if you'd like to go for a stroll through the park. You decided to wear your black pointy-toed shoes that you knew would compliment your outfit; however, they tend to pinch your feet. You have two options. You can either take off your shoes and go for a stroll or you can keep your shoes on and look forward to a day and night of sore feet. Wouldn't it have been easier just wear comfy shoes? Being cute doesn't mean you have to sacrifice being comfortable.

While dating can be a strenuous process in itself, putting your best foot forward and feeling confident about how you look can make the process all the more fun. In addition, what person doesn't want to go into the dating world knowing they look fabulous? Have fun dating!

By Brandi M. Seals

The holiday season is fast approaching and I am counting the days until I see the first sight of the dreaded Christmas sweaters. You know what I am talking about - the hideous bright sweaters generally adorned with snow balls and images of Santa Claus or snow men.

I do not know how or when the Christmas sweater got its start. I remember them from my childhood. So I know they have been being produced since the early 80s. I wonder who first got the idea to make one of the tacky concoctions. It probably started in some home ec course somewhere. The kids were told to make something for the holidays and someone made it as a joke. The only problem was that some how, some where, a designer saw it and replicated the hideous sweater. That is when it started springing up everywhere.

My other theory may be a bit more plausible. Since I do not know when the ugly Christmas sweater dates from, I cannot be sure, but I think it was inspired by Bill Cosby. Stay with me on this one for a moment. I remember the sweaters being big in the 80s. Know what else was big in the 80s? Bill Cosby. The Cosby Show was going strong and Bill Cosby became known for his overwhelming bright and colorful sweaters. I think the Christmas sweater is some sort of spin off from those bright and tacky sweaters. Think about it, if people were willing to accept Bill's tacky sweaters, it is not that hard to make the jump to accepting Christmas sweaters. The problem is that not everyone liked them.

There was a while where people actually gave Christmas sweaters as gifts. I imaging it was kind of like getting a fruit cake for a present. The person doing the giving looked on expectantly, waiting for a reaction from the person giving the gift. The first thought that went through the receiver's head is something like "what am I going to do with that," but she cannot act on that. She had to grin and bare it. If the receiver was really good, she could manage to say thank you and note how beautiful the giant red nosed reindeer looks.

Now, thankfully, people do not have to do that. Or, at least I have not seen anyone give a Christmas sweater in at least 10 years. Yet, somehow there is always someone wearing one. I guess some people do like them but I am not really sure why. A few years ago, I thought it was like some sort of mystery. I had not seen the sweaters in the stores for years and years and yet people would show up wearing new ones.

I now know the truth. Stores still sell them in moderation. You can walk the aisles in your favorite store and never see one, but if you go back off the aisle in the section designed for aging women, I bet you will find at least one version of the Christmas sweater. That is how people replenish their stock. I guess they have not caught on to the fact that they are not really very popular or all that attractive.

If you own a Christmas sweater, do yourself a favor and throw it away. You will not miss it. Christmas sweaters have a way of aging people since they seem so popular with the 70 years and older crowd. If you are 70, go ahead and wear it. You get a pass from me saying it is okay. Everyone else should know better.

Anyone out there who knows someone that wears their Christmas sweater every year, you could have a little talk with them, but I have a better idea. This holiday season, why not buy them a gorgeous sweater to replace the tacky one? Find a gorgeous red sweater and give it to the person as a gift. Red sweaters are very festive and they can be worn more than once a year. Most importantly, they generally are not tacky.

In case you have missed it, the goal is the rid the world of the dreaded Christmas sweater. Do whatever you can to make it go away.

It's an item of clothing that is rarely seen in public (one hopes) but is still a staple of fashion, available in all colors of the rainbow in hundreds of patterns and a multitude of styles. They range in price from $7 to $1 million, and in size from AA to whatever those scary ladies on the cards in Spencer's wear. Ladies, it's yet another garment we love to hate...gentlemen, it stands between you and your gal...the Brassiere, more commonly known by the short version, the Bra.

I remember my first real bra...it was a white cotton non-underwire, size 34B, with a little blue flower between the cups. I ALSO remember the day it kept peeking through the V-neck of my sweater, and how my 4th grade teacher Mrs. Garman saw my distress and took me to the restroom and used a safety pin to alleviate the source of my nearly fatal embarrassment. Thank you, Mrs. Garman...I've never forgotten that after all these years. Ever after, even right up to this very day as I type this, my bra and I have had a love-hate relationship. Sometimes it seems I spend at least an hour every day futzing with it, picking up the straps, pulling it down in the back, stuffing the girls back in it...it's downright exhausting. But then again, when I imagine wandering around in public without it, I break into a cold sweat and suddenly the futzing isn't so bad.

Throughout history, women have used a wide variety of materials to restrain or uplift their breasts. Bikini like garments can be seen as early as the 7th century BC on Greek women athletes, and as most of the gals out there know if you have breasts it's nearly impossible to do anything that requires running or jumping without some kind of support, so this early use doesn't surprise me a bit. From the 16th century to the 1930's the corset was ever popular, and it pushed the breasts up for an enhanced appearance with lovely decolletage. Too bad women couldn't breath properly and kept passing out, eh? Beauty has its price, I suppose.

The design of a garment that gave the breasts equal roundness was first seen in 1859, designed by Henry S. Lesher of Brooklyn, NY...and in 1889 a French woman named Herminie Cadolle presented the first truly modern bra in a corset catalog, for the first time making the corset a reasonably comfortable, two piece affair. To this day, the company credits her with freeing all women from the horror of the corset. The description actually reads: "designed to sustain the bosom and supported by the shoulders". Fascinating!

In 1910, a woman named Mary Jacobs wanted to wear a sheer evening gown but was unable to find a bra to wear under it without it showing...she used to handkerchiefs, some ribbon and some cord to fashion the first non-wired bra. The original MacGyver, sounds like, doesn't she? In 1941, Howard Huges was filming a movie and didn't like the way Jane Russell's bust appeared, so he put his skills to work and engineered the first true underwire bra.

In the 1960's, women began to see the brassiere as a symbol of oppression and began to have bonfires to burn them in celebratory fashion. I just KNOW some of them were totally sorry after they did, too...especially those who burned that one special bra that fit JUST RIGHT. Personally, I'm not sure what's the slightest bit liberating about having my size 38DD boobs flopping around while I try to get stuff done, but to each his own, I guess.

Since then, women have not only re-embraced the bra but have turned it into a multi-billion dollar business. When Victoria's secret came onto the scene full force, women were able to have an even louder voice and extensive choice regarding styles and fabrics. In the time since I began wearing a bra way back in 1979, things have sure changed...back then, your choices were either white, black, beige and pink if you were lucky. In the mid 80's, bras became available in trendy colors and patterns, but mostly in average sizes. Thankfully, this trend continues and folks have realized that even gals with bigger breasts like to be fashionable too.

The real question is this...if no one but us sees it, why do we care what it looks like? Why is this item so 'hot' in the fashion world? Well, for me, I wear bras to suit my mood, and I can then hide my mood under the clothes that are better fit for public wear. Sometimes I wear cotton, sometimes satin...it all depends on how I feel. And nothing, NOTHING, makes me feel more sexy, confident and gorgeous than when I find the perfect bra that fits me 'just so'. What is that exactly? It's when I put it on, and I forget about it all day long until I get home and change. It lifts me up the right way, doesn't show through my clothes, and when I think of the color or pattern it makes me smile...so from a fashion standpoint, the more choices that women have the more they'll purchase; that's a win win situation for everyone involved.

Nicole Richie has brought the issue of super thinness once again to the fashion world's attention. If you missed it, everyone is concerned over how thin Nicole has gotten. The issue of whether she has an eating disorder is fodder for the tabloids and fashion magazines. I guess the death of a twenty-two year old model, Luisel Ramos, during a fashion show in Uruguay was not enough of a wake up call to the fashion industry that their obsession with ultra thin models has gone too far. Miss. Ramos died of a heart attack brought about by starvation.

Spain immediately put a ban on super thin models for the fashion shows produced during their fashion week. The rest of the world did not follow suit. While the issue was debated and the fashion world dutifully expressed their shock over the thinness of the models, fashion shows went on in London and New York and the topic fell from public attention.

During the brief debate following Miss Ramos' death , allegations of reverse discrimination were bandied about by the model industry. How could icons such as Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell be banned from runways because of their natural body types? Several of the top models in the world would not have been able to walk the Madrid runways since their weight to height ( BMI) ratio would have been too low for Spanish authorities. This means these models fall below the normal category developed by the World Health Organization ( WHO) used as the world wide standard to determine if an individual is underweight or suffering from anorexia. These models have BMI ratios that place them in the anorexic category.

It is possible, that a handful of women in the fashion industry are naturally thin and therefore exceptions to the WHO standards. I do not believe that all women in the entertainment industry have this type of body naturally. I also do not believe the fashion world is shocked at how thin the designers want their models to be. While Fashion Week in any country is in many ways an art show, it is an art show where the art is purchased, ordered and written about by the elite of the fashion world. Fashion is a business. It has an art element to it, but when push comes to shove, the designers are selling and the fashion world is buying.

When you are marketing your wares, you show them in the most attractive setting that will appeal to your buyers. Apparently the designers think super thin models are the best way to market their designs. It cannot be because the designs look good on these women, since even in photos the clothes do not look good on some of these models, it must be because super thin is what the fashion industry wants.

This is no big surprise, super thin has been in since the phrase, " you cannot be too rich or too thin" was coined by the Duchess of Windsor many years ago. What is troubling, is the fashion world has gotten so cold, so out of touch with the real world, that only Spain reacted to a young woman's death because she was starving herself to succeed in today's fashion world. London and New York expressed shock at what they themselves created, then went on their merry way.

Maybe it is time to tell London and New York that real women are not skeletal. If you are a healthy woman, all of a size 4, your thighs may touch. This is normal. Most of us perceive a size four as a thin woman. In pictures she may look like a size 6 or 8, but in real life she looks like a model. When young teens go and see their idols, such as Hillary Duff or Lindsay Lohan, they think these women look scary. It is the first thing talked about after the concert. Healthy young girls are revolted when they see what these singers look like in real life. These women still looked good in pictures when they scared the kids ; think how bad they look when photos show them to be too thin.

I think the answer is to have the fashion people leave the rarefied artificial world they live in and come see what women really look like. First they should check out the Dove, real beauty ads. Those are real women. Next sit quietly at a high school football game and look at the girls. You may finally see that long and lanky exists in the real world, but it is not a size 0. After immersion in the real world, go back to the artificial world of fashion and look around. Do you like what you see?

I think market forces and constant bitching by those of us that watch fashion is how this super thin trend will be stopped. I do not mind a Kate Moss. I just do not want to see only Kate Moss or her clone on a runway or in a magazine. Since most women, except those in countries with starvation problems, are not built like super thin models, most of the clothes shown on these women will not look good nor fit the fashion buying public. Eventually the buyers and the magazine editors will figure out something is wrong when sales go down. Hopefully, they will then put pressure on the designer/artists to produce something that sells. Hopefully no more young women need to die during fashion shows before the fashion world realizes starving people do not have money for clothes.

Until then, all the rest of us can do is complain. We can also raise our daughters to look beyond the facade of fashion photos, and be repulsed when an anorexic singer takes the stage. We can exercise our economic power and refuse to follow the dictates of the fashion world, until we like what they sell.

Walking into a business meeting, one thing that you want to exude is confidence, power and intelligence. When you are the one conducting the meeting, these become ever more so prevalent. This could be hard for us gay men because that some of us accentuate our finer assets are not the same way that others do so. A neutral way to tell the others that you are here for business, (but not opposed to having a bit of fun) would be wear your heart, in this case, confidence, on your sleeve.

The Shirts Have It
A power shirt can make or break an entire outfit. This is more so true now that business dress is becoming less formal and more casual. The three piece business suit is a thing of the past, with the arena moving towards jeans and a tee shirt. Though tees may be nice to wear on casual Fridays, it is no place for a high-powered business meeting. Select a shirt that accentuates your body, coupled with a bold, un orthodox color should bring a confident first impression. I would choose a dark purple, long sleeve buttoned down collard dress shirt to pull this off.

Gap It Out
Here in the United States, it is very difficult to find well fitting jeans, especially if you live in some conservative mid-western city like Cincinnati, Ohio. The average over sized butt of a mid-western male coupled with a heterosexual male’s low self-esteem both add to this fact. One way to get around this is to take a weekend vacation to some of the larger, more metropolitan cities such as Chicago, Austin, Los Angeles or dare I even say it, Columbus Ohio. If the size of your wallet does not warrant such an extravagant weekend trip head to the Gap and pick up a nice pair of boot cut jeans.

Shoes Off To You
Usually the last thing that you put on when you are getting ready to head out the door is the covering for your feet. Though these are the last thing that you put on, they are at the forefront of most peoples minds when it comes to accessorizing for the day’s jaunt. According to Mens Health, all a man needs is four pairs of shoes. As most of us gay men already know, we could go through four pairs of shoes in just one day so this bit of advice is lost on the likes of us. However, one pair of shoes that you should always have is a pair of killer boots. I would suggest picking up a pair of Kenneth Cole's Men's Mix Match Boot.

Watch Out
Exuding confidence and intelligence in a business meeting also warrants knowing how much time you have to get your point across. So having a stylish timepiece affixed to your body can give you a leg up on the people that you are trying to impress. Pick up a means Movado watch to accentuate your bold purple top.

Tie One On
Not being a staunch supporter of wearing a tie, I am not usually the one to suggest wearing one. Saying that, for some reason, wring your neck with a piece of fabric brings another since of power and prowess to your stature. Here is another way to be successful in you business meeting. I would choose a tie that has a hint of the same color as your shirt, but is mostly a very different color. A great place to find neat and colorful ties is at Target.

Brown Bag It
In the ever-elusive world of computer and information science, the need for stacks and stacks of paper is almost obsolete. We can place information that we used to save on 10 CD's all on one flash drive and still have room to spare. The need to carry all of those paper and pens have somewhat gone out the window, but as with wearing a tie, carrying some sort of 'case' or 'bag' could also go along way with exuding power. I would suggest heading to Urban Outfitters and picking up a Washed Leather Messenger in brown or tan. The light color will be a welcomed change from the office black and blue.

I hope that this insight into gay men's business attire will give you the flare that you need to knock them dead at your next company business meeting.

The holidays are just around the corner and with the holidays come a selection of parties that include the ones that you simply must attend because you have no choice in the matter (such as work parties) and others that you probably will want to attend (such as friend parties). With these holiday parties come certain rules on how you should dress.

No matter what type of party it is, there are definite does and when it comes to dressing for these holiday parties and some things that you might want to avoid such as:

1) Too much holiday glitz. Too much of a good thing is not always good. This type of dressing can make you look like you are competing with the Christmas tree, but beading, metallic glimmer and other things that shimmer is fine, just make sure you do them in moderation. If your top is shiny, make sure you wear a plain skirt or plain pants and visa versa. Also, you might want to remember that glitzy stuff draws attention to you where you might not welcome it such as in the chest area, so if you happen to have a large chest area, you might want to rethink wearing a sparkly shirt. You should make sure that the embellishment is used on a part of your body that you want to draw attention to, like your shoulders perhaps. Or maybe you can start off with some small scale jewellery, purse and shoes for maximum impact and go from there. Remember, in this situation, less is more.

2) Showing too much skin or wearing skin tight clothing. This is just asking for trouble that you probably do not want (especially if there is alcohol involved) and definitely if it is at a work party. Sexy is one thing, but sleazy is another. The trick is to show a suggestion of sexy by wearing a lacy camisole under a jacket or a slit in a skirt just allows others to take a peak at your legs. It is best to leave your sexiness up to the imagination of others. Too tight of clothes or too much skin will not further your career, but on the other hand, might hamper it. H

3) Last minute parties, whether they be for fun or not can leave you racing around your house while you try to get ready. Have you ever been invited to a holiday party at the last minute and had absolutely nothing to wear? Almost nothing is as bad as that. The best thing to do is to make sure you have a few of the following on hand and always clean and pressed. Items of clothing to keep on hand for these occasions such as a little black dress, a beaded top, dressy shoes, great looking pants, a velvet jacket and a lacy camisole can be used for a put together look in a hurry. This actually happened to me, we got an invite for a do that was happening that night. I went into my closet, pulled my great looking pants and a dressy white shirt and I was ready to go.

4) Being over or under dressed. You show up in jeans and everyone is else is dressed in business attire. Sometimes, the invitation does not offer any help with their dress codes. Black tie is very formal; semi formal is tricky, but if you wear a little black dress, you should be fine; cocktail is somewhat dressy; dressy causual is like business casual; etc. If you are in doubt, call the hostess ahead of time (better to look silly to one person that a room full of people!)

5) Ah, the office Christmas party. These parties seems to come with their own set of Rules that need to be enforced. So just what is acceptable to wear to your office Holiday party? You might want to look at the party as an extension of your work day, so you will want to keep up your guard when you are deciding what to wear. If the party is immediately after work, the clothing you wore through the day is fine (you can glitz it up a bit by changing your shirt and earrings). However, if the party is later in the evening or on a weekend, your choices may vary depending on what type of party it is. If you are not sure what you should wear, ask the people who are organizing the party or ask a co worker, whose judgement you trust, but no matter what you wear, remember that you need to keep in mind that the clothes you are wearing now, will reflect on your professional life now and later. Now might not be the time to show up in your most revealing outfit.


The keys to the holiday function that you are attending are to hang with people that you a) do not always get to talk to or b) have not seen in a long time and to have FUN and you should not let your dressing get in the way. If you need a new outfit, take a trusted friend with you. This time of year is not for stressing over clothes, its for the spirit of the season and those are love, joy and peace. Happy Holidays!

by RC Rougeux

Beautiful silk scarves are the height of fashion this season, and look to continue through the spring and early summer. Because silk is so smooth and silky, it makes the perfect year-round fashion accessory. Do you have one in your wardrobe? You should. In fact, you should consider owning half a dozen!

The silk scarf is to women's wardrobes what the tie is to men's wardrobes: it's a great looking accessory that can be used to really make an outfit "pop". Your scarf should be paired with an outfit carefully. But it may surprise you to learn that the way you wear your silk scarf also matters!

Silk scarves are also so good because they are so versatile. You can use them as a head wrap, as a bandana (formed in a triangle around the neck... almost like you're about to pull it up over your face to rob a bank in the wild west), folded into a strip and tied around your neck, or, tied at your collar and hanging down (like the feminine version of a tie). Some women even choose to tie their scarf around on wrist, like a piece of flash (If you talk with your hands, though, this could be more distracting than outfit improving).

Which way is best for you? When should you choose one style over another?

Use it as a head wrap: A subdued color that coordinates well with your coat is a good choice when looking for a scarf to use as a head wrap. This style is a great classy style that hints at an era gone by when men and women always dressed very well. Today, this style works well especially during inclement weather. If it's windy or slightly rainy, a head wrap is perfect. One very appropriate time to use it is if you have very bright hair and you are going to a funeral. Although style may not be at the top of your mind, a black silk scarf tied around your head as a head wrap looks good, keeps your hair in place, and looks appropriate for the circumstances.

Use it as a bandana: This can look good on a casual weekend when paired with jeans and a jean jacket. It's a look that combines cowgirl with the catwalk of Paris. This might be an appropriate time to use a color that matches with the shirt you're wearing under your jean jacket or (if your shirt is white) choose a bold blue or red.

Fold it into a strip and tie it around your neck: This is a great look if you are trying to dress up your jeans. Also, women who have longer necks or are self conscious about a very skinny neck or a larger adam's apple can wear this very appropriately. Don't choose a color that is too bright, pick a subdued color that coordinates with the main color that you're wearing. This will help your scarf to appear as part of your outfit and will seem like it blends in.

Tied like a tie around your neck: This great look is very appropriate for the office or for semi-formal occasions. A great looking scarf to get for this use is one that has its main color as your shirt and a second color in the design that goes well with your entire outfit.

by Gordon Petten

If you are looking for a classy jacket that will protect you from the elements and doesn't weigh you down, you may want to consider women's trench coats. Women's trench coats can be made of many different materials and there are many to choose from.

Women's trench coats are great because they can be fashionable and functional at the same time. They can also range in size and price, so if you are in the market for women's trench coats, you should have no problem finding one to agree with your taste and checkbook.

When it comes to the world of women's trench coats, there is a lot to consider. If you don't want to feel overwhelmed when you are looking for one, make a list of the features that are most important to you.

Will a woman's trench coat be for you, or is it going to be a gift? What material would you most feel comfortable with? Is there a price range that you would like to stay within when purchasing women's trench coats? Do you have a particular color that you just can't live without?

Once you have narrowed down the types of women's trench coats that you would like to compare, the rest will not be quite so difficult. There are many different coat manufacturers that produce women's trench coats, including: Bonnie Place, Bill Blass, Eileen Fisher, Patagonia, J. Percy, Futai and many more.

In the world of women's trench coats, you will find them available in many different materials, including: cotton, leather, nylon, polyester, spandex and wool. There are also common features to expect, including: back slit, vented back, inside and outside pockets, detailed collar/belt/cuffs, waterproof fabric and more.

If you are looking at women's trench coats, you should not worry about whether or not you will find one in a particular size. With the Internet available, you literally can search the world over for the perfect fitting women's trench coats!

As far as style and colors available with women's trench coats, you should have no problems there, either. (Except maybe choosing between them all!) Women's trench coats can be found in a multitude of colors, including: blue, black, khaki, white, brown, purple, gray and many more.

Women's trench coats can be cared for many different ways. Once you find one you like, make sure you review cleaning instructions before you make a decision. Some women's trench coats can be washed at home and others need to be professionally cleaned. If you don't want to hassle with a professionally cleaned style of women's trench coats, make sure you don't get one that requires it!

Does your wardrobe need some work ladies? When you are shopping for clothing essentials to build a winning wardrobe keep these general tips in mind. They will go a long way in making your wardrobe outstanding! And while you are at it, learn to relax in, polish, accessorize and finally put your look together with these timeless fashion ideas that easily take you from daytime work or casual mode to nighttime glamour in no time at all! So without delay, let us get started.

Building a Winning Wardrobe

So how do you build a winning wardrobe exactly? First you need to know what to look for when you are shopping. The key is to always choose well-fitting garments that you feel good in and that suit your body type. Aim for clothing in classic in timeless styles and stay away from trendy clothes, as they likely will not be trendy for very long. To get the most from your money, consider investing more in fashions that you get the most wear from, for example the ones that will take you through the long seasons of the coldest weather, such as autumn through winter. This means in particular spending more on outer wear such as coats, jackets and boots as opposed to shorts, tee shirts and bathing suits for the summer months.

Three or four tops are really all you need to get your wardrobe off to a winning start. Go for sweaters (pullovers or cardigans or both) and/or blouses, depending on what your taste gravitates towards. Or maybe you could buy a bit of both. You also might want to invest in one or two basis short sleeve tops to wear under a blazer to work or to wear under a sweater for casual wear.

For the bottom half of your body, suit up with three bottoms such as two pairs of pants and one skirt to get off to a smashing wardrobe start. If you are not fond of wearing skirts then stick with pants. It is advisable that at least one of the pairs of pants should be black because black is a staple in the world of fashion. Black also goes with everything, is a conservative color that can also be sophisticated and black flatters practically every figure. Navy or grey would be good choices for your other pairs of pants. As far as the skirt goes, you cannot go wrong with a black skirt either. The same principles that apply to black pants also apply to skirts.

No wardrobe would be complete without at least one suit. Every woman needs at least one suit for those occasions, whether they be social or work oriented when nothing else will do. Suits are classic but they are also professional and can be charming and graceful when you fancy them up with just the right kind of jewelry and shoes. Choose a suit that is a blazer and pants or even better, a suit that is a blazer and pants. But whatever you do, do not make a habit of splitting a suit by wearing the pants alone for example. This is a fashion no no! Most likely if you do this then that will mean that the pieces are dry-cleaned separately and that is bad news for the life of the suit. When one piece of clothing gets more wear than another you lose the suit look that you wanted in the first place when you bought it. It will then become very obvious to other people that one piece of your suit is worn more other than the other! Do not let this happen to you!

Every woman needs a flair of creativity in her wardrobe so when you go shopping look for a fun or novelty blazer or jacket to jazz things up a little just do not buy anything that is trendy or is too loud (in other words is ghastly in color or design). It is recommended that you look for a novelty blazer in either a texture or a tweed material. Try investing in one that will give you a burst of color but will not blind people. Look for a jacket or blazer that you can wear with any of your pants, including your casual ones and your jeans.

Accessories are so essential to the building of any wardrobe and be aware that accessories of all descriptions including jewelry of every kind, shoes, belts, brooches, handbags, scarves and shawls tend to be the hottest items every new fashion season. Have fun with the variety of accessories that are out there and realize that accessories are the key to adding more personality to your outfits as well as affording you the opportunity to modify how an outfit looks.

So with these basic tips for shopping for clothes in mind, what do you need for the casual and the polished look? Read on for some ideas for the smart fashionista in all of us women!

Casual Attire

What does casual mean to you? Casual means, comfortable and relaxed and it signals clothing with a lived in feel. But this does not have to mean messy or untidy by any means. Get with it girlfriend! Casual is where it is at!

Must-Have Sweaters- Five Stylish Options

1. Cozy cable-knit turtleneck
2. Polished short-sleeve crewneck
3. Colorful cardigan (excellent to wear in place of a jacket in either spring or fall)
4. Classic V-neck sweater
5. Black turtleneck (it is the everyday cannot go wrong sweater)

Shirts

-Crisp white shirt
-Flowing black button-front shirt (I know you will reach fro this one time and time again!)
-Pinstripe shirt (invest in one with thin stripes)

Pants- A casual staple in any wardrobe

-Jeans (any cut, however boot cut does not flatter most ladies figures)
-Straight-leg check pants
-White or off white pants (they are not just for summer anymore ladies, wear with confidence any time for casual flair! Have you never heard of winter white?)

Tee shirts- excellent for layering purposes

-Long-sleeve tee shirts (the sky is the limit when it comes to colors, use your vivid imagination and buy many)
-Short-sleeve tee shirts (especially for the warmer months, of course!)
Tees are a must for everyone just make sure you buy one in black and one in white as they will look great worn together but also worn separately. Mix and match girlfriend!

The Polished Look is Classic and Sexy!

Are you out the door and on your way to work or a business meeting? Or perhaps is it time for a much-deserved night on the town with your man or your best gal pals? Whatever the case may be, you will look your most polished and put together with these fine pieces of apparel.

-Classic shift dress (nothing works better)
This dress is stream lined and black and is always a winner!

Skirts

There are three that make top marks:

1. Tailored pencil skirt
2. Dressy A-line skirt
3. Flirty tweed skirt

It is important to note that the most flattering skirt length is considered to be just above the knee, or just brushing the middle of the knee.

Evening Dress

Always think elegant when it comes to your choice of evening dress.

Floor length dresses are back in style again. Some say they should never have gone out of style at all. A floor length dress that is simple in design is the way to go. As far as color is concerned, a color such as metallic gold is a classic and timeless and also suits most skin tones.

Undergarments

A discussion of wardrobe basics would not be complete without a look at undergarments. Let us face it, sometimes undergarments are the clothing we love to hate and at other times they are our saving grace.

Seamless bra and panty set (this is a must for any woman)
Panty styles- choose brief, bikini, thong or a combination thereof

Cami- Sexy camisoles are such wardrobe essentials. Whatever you do own more than one in a variety of colors. Be mindful of the fact that neutrals such as beige, white and the fashion staple black are the best colors to start with. Once you have these you can build toward more vibrant colors such as red, plum, green and so on.)

Chic pantyhose colors- Hosiery is mega important ladies and you know it. Staple colors to keep on hand for both day and nighttime wear include black opaque, black fishnet, black sheer, nude fishnet and nude sheer. Be aware that sheer pantyhose are the absolute best for showing off your legs for a night out. For cold winter wear to work you might want to invest in a pair or a couple of pairs of tights (which are very much like the leotards we wore as young girls).

Footwear

-Sleek pointed toe pump (if your feet are not too pained by the point)
-Tailored low heel (pump shoe)
-Flexible suede loafer
-Metallic strappy heel

-Dressy walking boots (riding style is both practical and attractive)
-Knee-high high heel boots

Tip-Wear neutral metallic shoes with both dressy and casual styles.

Accessories

Practical and Stylish Bags

-A structured leather tote is a must for daytime (black or brown are the absolute best color choices)
-Classic metallic clutch (for evening glamour)

Sunglasses

-Classy tortoise shell frames
-Sporty metal shades (the frameless kind are excellent for afternoon fun)

Watches

-Polished black leather band watch (suitable for daytime, work, etc.)
-Two-tone metal band watch (excellent for nighttime wear)

Belts

-Thin textured belt
-Black and brown reversible belt (for an assortment of different looks)

And the Style Continues!

What you wear on the outside is just as important as what you wear on the inside so when it comes to jackets, coats and the like, here are some suggestions that you do not want to miss!

Outerwear Ideas

-Statement- making jacket (a classic is a duffel style)
-Tailored three-button coat
-Classic trench (full or three quarter length, both are good choices)
-Corduroy (brown or black, however not all women can pull off this look!)

Pair your coat with a sleek pair of gloves (the color is up to you)

Finishing Touches

-Stylish wrap (coordinate the color with your outerwear)
-Printed scarf (red is always vibrant and so alive looking and it sets off a neutral colored coat beautifully)

Mary Jane shoes are among the most popular styles of shoes for girls and women. They're traditionally viewed as shoes for children, but modern buyers know better.

Mary Jane shoes are an American invention. Actually, it's more accurate to say that the label "Mary Jane" is an American one applied to a style of shoe which had already been around for quite some time. This style of shoe has a low heel, closed rounded toe, a strap, and a buckle. The name Mary Jane comes from the name of a character invented by Brown Shoe Company in the early 20th century to accompany their boys brand, Buster Brown. The original Mary Jane was Buster Brown's friend, and the type of shoes she wore came to be known as Mary Janes. Because of this origin in America, Mary Janes came to be identified with children, though there is nothing inherently childish about their design.

Mary Janes are a terrific, youthful shoe. They make a great choice for young girls. They can be worn with dresses and pants. Parents will appreciate their versatile nature.

For grown-ups, the versatility of Mary Janes also makes them an excellent addition to your shoe collection. Because they can be worn with a variety of a fashions, they make a great all-around shoe. Mary Janes made specially for adults often feature taller, clunkier heels. Some are as big as 3". That's quite a change from the low heels you remember from your childhood.

Another contemporary update of the old classic are Mary Jane mules. Yes, now you can get the style of the Mary Jane without that irritating back. The mule adds a more squarish toe which may be more suitable for the professional environment. If you're looking for a Mary Jane with an even more contemporary look, you have to check out Josef Seibel's "Maddie". This unique take on the Mary Jane fuses the classic style with a look reminiscent of casual athletic shoes.

It's hard to do these shoes justice with mere words. You have to check them out online or at your favorite Josef Seibel retailer. I guarantee you'll get all sorts of comments on them if you decide to get a pair.

One of the scenes encouraging the popularity of Mary Janes is the rockabilly music scene. Some other fashion subcultures are perpetuating their popularity as well. They're popular with punk fans and people in the Lolita fashion underground.

Mary Jane shoes are not just for little girls anymore. While Brown Shoe Company may have popularized them for girls in the early 20th century, modern adult female shoe buyers(and some guys, too) have claimed them as their own. As with so many other popular fashion trends, the resurgence of the Mary Jane was catalyzed by lesser known fashion subcultures.

Celebrities are the modern day gods and heroes, and their fashion styles are carefully scrutinised and copied by millions all over the world. If it looks good on them, then the hope is that we will look as good as they do, if we copy their hair, their make-up, and their clothes. Of course, we can't look so good without their team of professional make-up artists, stylists and photographers but even if just a little bit rubs off on us, we'll be happy!

And there are some good reasons to copy the celebrity hairstyles. For a start, they can afford some of the best beauty professionals in the industry. This means they are usually at the front of the fashion trends.

Do you know whose hairstyle of the 70's has been the most emulated celebrity hairstyle? Farrah Fawcett Major, the American actress who starred in the series 'Charlie's Angels'. Her blond, rough cut, layered and feathered, flicked style was copied by young women everywhere.

And do you know whose celebrity hairstyle of the 80's was the most popular? Meg Ryan, whose tousled, layered hair that accentuated her natural wave made hairstylists wonder if there were any other requests for a style than 'the Meg Ryan Cut'.

And whose celebrity hairstyles have been the most popular during the last couple of years? Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Lopez would have to be up there, although some say that Jessica Simpson locks could be added to the list.

What about the men? The male celebrity hairstyles are also carefully watched by the hairstyle experts. Ashton Kutcher's tousled textured hair is quickly gaining in popularity with Matthew Fox, Adrien Brody, and Johnny Depp styles getting a look- in.

It just goes to show that fashion is always changing, even month by month. To really be on the cutting edge, so to speak, you need to be constantly checking web-sites dedicated to celebrity hairstyles to get a clear idea of who is wearing the 'in' thing. And they don't all agree with each other, so do some research and compare notes.

If you look at the changing 'in' styles over just the last year, you'll get some idea of how quickly fashion changes. Take color for instance: During winter the soft, rich brown tones were popular with platinum white/blonde color tones not 'in'. This all changed during summer to ash and platinum blondes being 'in' with dark brown and red on the outer. And style; the old school glamour styles of summer were replaced with flicked back curls during autumn, and solid bangs and headbands for winter. Yes, you certainly need to keep an eye on hairstyle fashion if you want to look like a celebrity!

However, remember that you don't have a celebrity hairstyle team on hand so make sure you choose a hairstyle that you can keep looking good all day. Not only should you like the look of it, it should suit you too. Some styles may look great on a celebrity but be totally wrong for your shaped face and hair type. It's best to make a collection of celebrity hairstyles you like and then ask your hairstylist which one would be the best for you.

By Christina VanGinkel

You might wish you could shop for your teenager's clothes without them with, and everything you buy would be a perfect match both in size and style, but your chances of that happening are narrow at best, or about as impossible as them never looking at you like you have lost your mind when you suggest a new clothing style!

As to fit, most teenagers, both boys and girls, often have a different sense of what constitutes fitting and what the average parent would consider fitting. Because of this, even if you took your teen's measurements every time you went to the store, you probably would still not buy what they would consider their correct size.

A personal example that I could use would be the last time I took my fourteen-year-old son to buy a couple pairs of pants. After pouring through the racks in JC Penney's, he found three pair of jeans he thought he might like. To my eye, all three of the pairs were almost identical in cut and appearance, save for a slight variation of color from pair to pair. My son headed to the dressing room and after trying on all three pair, he picked out two, but said he was putting the one pair back because they did not fit right. I asked how they could fit any different from the other two pair, and he replied that the pair he was putting back was too tight around the ankle. To clarify, each of the three pair of jeans were what one would consider a loose fitting style, with a somewhat wide leg, and not a single pair were what I would call a narrow or even a boot cut.

To my eye, they looked the same. He casually laid the leg opening of the pair he said was too narrow over the leg opening of one of the pair he was buying, and believe it or not, there was about a half an inch difference. Not much to the naked eye, but it might as well have been a mile to my discerning son's sense of style.

Teens seem to have a built in sense of what equals comfort, and what is fashionable, even between two seemingly alike pieces of clothing. Because of this, it can be difficult to buy them anything unless they are with you. I have found a few quick tips I keep in mind for those rare opportunities that I might come across a deal that is too good to pass up and my son is not with me. They include never buying anything unless I can return it. If the sale is so big that no returns are permitted, I ask myself if he does not like it, can it be passed to his older brother or my husband. This only works with shirts though, not pants, as he is so much bigger than both of them. (My fourteen-year-old towers over both his father and older brother). As to shopping with him, I have learned even more.

Never enter a store without a budget in mind that has been discussed with the teenager beforehand. Unless you have an unlimited wallet, which few parents do, this is essential.

If you absolutely forbid certain styles of clothing, again, discuss this with your child before you get in to a store. If you have a good dialogue with your child, this should not be an issue, but saving it until you are in the middle of a department with others about, is not the place to be discussing why you will not allow your thirteen year old to wear see through lace without a bra on!

Do shop boutiques and even second hand stores if your teen is willing. Teenagers often love to create their own unique style and second hand shops and small boutiques that offer limited amounts of the same styles are ideal for this purpose.

If you live rurally or in an area that ahs a limited supply of clothing stores offering fashions suitable for a teenager, shop online. The Internet has made it possible for even the most isolated teens to be fashionable. Just be sure to double check each stores sizing guidelines, shipping charges, and return policy before you place an order.

Ladies, you know how this goes...you're out shopping, you take a glance at the shoe department, and some man (usually the one you're with) rolls his eyes and says 'Sheese, you women and your SHOES'. I don't know WHY they don't love shoes...some would rather have tons of tools, others tons of video games...of course there ARE men who love shoes, and if you are lucky enough to have one of such persuasion around you take advantage and bring him everywhere. My own husband, who is a very forward thinking, non-traditional, doesn't even get the shoe thing. He is, however, courteous enough to nod and smile when I go gaga over a pair.

I'm a fat girl, as I mention frequently in my posts...this means that for most of my life, truly fashionable, trendy styles were never available for me. My feet are excluded from the fatness, though, and I'm a dead on size 7-1/2. Thusly, my connection with current fashions has always been expressed by my shoes. When I was younger, I once counted upwards of 50 pairs in my closet. I know that isn't much by some standards, but for me it was insanity. And the real kooky part is my unwillingness to part with them. Until four years ago, I still had nearly all the shoes I had in high school. (Pssst...I'm 36!) Dear hubby helped me cull the herd, and all that are left and boxed up in the attic are a pair of moccasins, knee high leather motorcycle boots, my Doc Martens (standard issue) and a pair of silver lame ankle boots, which I KNOW will be back in style very soon.

As soon as I have any extra cash (which is hardly ever), I find myself looking at shoes. I don't know WHY, I just DO. This made me wonder...how many shoes does a girl need in a realistic, practical sense? The answer...six. Ouch. That actually hurt to write. Sad, but it's true.

Here's what I have in my closet: One pair of Merrell waterproof polar mocs, one pair of Merrell lined clogs (both of those are for sportier tasks when a hardy, bouncy sole is needed), two pairs of Birkenstock clogs, one of birkiflor for summer (lavender with a big daisy on them) and one wool for fall (black fuzzy texture), one pair of Birkenstock techno sandals (with a heel strap for all summer wear...I hate socks), two pairs of Birkenstock shoes (one brown leather for work and one dark grey suede for dress up) and one pair of hiking boots by Tecnica for serious winter conditions. Oh, and a pair of Merrell Eweropa boots that I never wear. So, if my math is right, that makes nine. So I have three too many. Which, I suppose, is better than 50.

What a gal really needs as the cornerstone of her shoe wardrobe is: one pair of athletic shoes for fun and workouts, a pair of sandals for the summer, a pair of boots for the winter, a dressy pair for evenings and occasions, and a pair for work. What??? One pair for work? Hey, we're being practical here, remember? Right then. If you're lucky you can combine either dressy or athletic for the job. Yes, I know...people may look at you in the office. But it's a good opportunity to ask for a raise, isn't it? It sure is.

I'd suggest buying your six pairs in a style that isn't the least bit trendy, and purchase a name brand that's known for quality. I normally spend at least $60 and often upwards of $100 on my shoes, but they LAST. I had one pair of Birkenstock boots that I wore for seven years. And I don't think anyone really noticed, either. Choose colors that are neutral and will blend with everything you own now and things you'll be buying in the future...blacks, browns, greys and whites. Unless you're totally quirky, in which case people expect you to have purple shoes with flowers on them, so go ahead and have fun. But only if you're actually going to WEAR THEM more than once. Stay far, far away from styles of the moment...Uggs, Crocs, the usual yada yada. Unless you find a really, really good sale and don't mind people looking at you and snickering about how behind the times you are.

Depressed? Don't be...there's an out. Once you have your basic shoe wardrobe, it is perfectly acceptable to add in trendy items as you go...but only if deeply discounted or from Payless. I've always found that if I want to match a pair of shoes to a specific outfit I head to Payless and buy a knockoff of the pricey fashion I need and wind up getting two for a tenth of the cost of the 'genuine' version. Simply put, if you want silver lame boots, go pay $20 for them, not $200. And then you won't feel bad tossing them when the trend is dead. One thing to factor in, though...cheap often means uncomfortable, so keep in mind how long you'll be standing in the darn things. Unhappy feet create unhappy people!

The makeup you put on your face is every bit as important as the clothes you put on your body. Do you have fashion sense as far as your makeup is concerned? Let us take some time to brush up on some basic makeup tips before you get dressed in your fashion finest and head out the door!

Eye Makeup Know How

Have fun with your eye makeup regardless of the color of your eyes and regardless of whether you decide to use a powder eye shadow, a cream eye shadow or a dusting of glitter for extra pizzazz when you are going out for a night on the town. You can choose to go with one shade of eye shadow or else you can go the dimensional route and blend two different colors of powdered eye shadow or maybe you can use a powdered eye shadow over top of a cream eye shadow. Powder-based eye shadows are best for those with oily or combination skin who tend to have oily eyelids as well. However cream-based eye shadows are better suited for ladies with dry skin. But never be heavy handed with cream-based eye shadows. Cream-based eye shadows usually come in small tubes that can be squeezed out.

When it comes to applying cream-based eye shadow, do so with your finger and gently spread it across the eyelid and extend it up to the brow line if you so desire that look. If you are new at wearing eye shadow and are not sure about what colors are suitable for your eyes, then err on the side of caution by starting out with a neutral shade in the beginning such as a light brown hue or the like until you become more confident with experimenting with other colors. To provide just a hint of subtle color, apply a gentle dusting of tan or bronze or go with a color that is transparent and shimmery.

When it comes to mascara, two coats should be enough to make the eyes stand out. Always give the first coat time to dry before you apply the second coat. This helps to avoid clumping. It is so easy to smudge mascara underneath your eyes or on your eyelids. If this happens then use a Q-tip dipped in eye makeup remover, Vaseline or just a dab of soap and water to promptly remove it. This may make it necessary to touch up your eyeliner and/or eye shadow but this is simply a minor inconvenience.

Eyeliner is a fantastic way to define the eyes and make them stand out. Always remember that a thin, light application on the top and bottom of the eyelids is best for daytime but for nighttime flair go for a more dramatic look by going darker and thicker and maybe even smudge it a bit (just do not overdo it and end up looking like a raccoon).

The best colors for eyeliners to go with any eye color are black and brown but gray, khaki, navy and plum are good choices as well. Most women favor charcoal black and basic brown. Use either an eyeliner pencil or a liquid liner. An eyeliner pencil is best for those with oilier complexions. When applying eyeliner, it is advisable to do so with a gentle hand. What you can do is pull the corner of your eye in an outward direction as this forms a line as straight as possible along your eyelashes. Eyeliner should begin at the inside corner of the eye and should extend towards the outside of the eye. Gently trace the line and make sure to keep the pencil angled in the direction of your eyelashes.

It is smart to place a dab of foundation on your eyelid to start and then dust some loose translucent powder over it to give your eye makeup staying power for the day (or night) ahead. There is no diehard rule about whether eyeliner or eye shadow should be put on first. I personally prefer to draw my eyeliner on first before putting eye shadow on but just for fun, try it both ways and then see which way works best for you. Eye shadow works best to make eyes stand out if you apply it in three tones as in the medium shade (the main shade); the darker shade which contours and the lighter shade, which highlights. Before putting on mascara take the time to use an eyelash curler for that curly wide-eyed look that is so sexy. Next comes the mascara stage. The majority of women look great in brown mascara, black-brown mascara, or simply black.

Foundation Know How

In order to know which foundation is right for your skin, you must first know for sure whether your skin is oily, dry or combination. If you have oily skin then look for foundations that state on the label that they are oil-control or oil-free. On the other hand if you have dry skin, you will need a more moisturizing and creamier type of foundation to suit your skin type. It is more difficult to find foundation for combination skin since it is partly oily and partly dry. Try to decide which your skin is more of and remember that the T zone of the face determines combination skin. Cream-to-powder bases are an excellent choice for combination skin.

Once you know what type of foundation you are looking for as far as consistency goes, you then need to determine which shade is appropriate for your skin. At the makeup counter of a department store or pharmacy choose a few colors that seem complementary to your skin type and then apply a few small dots of each to your jaw line and blend it in carefully with a makeup sponge. The goal of foundation is to even out skin tone and improve imperfections of the skin therefore the best color choice is one that replicates your natural color. Never test foundation on your hand because the skin on your hand is not the exact same shade as the skin on your face. Keep in mind that foundations that are yellow-based are warm shades and those that are pink-based are cool shades. Most women find that their skin looks good when they choose a yellow-based foundation but if you tend to be more on the fair side, opt for a pink-based foundation instead. Always choose a concealer (or cover stick) that is one shade lighter than your foundation for covering up blemishes and flaws in your skin. Foundation always goes on first and concealer is applied second.

Blusher Know How

When it comes to blush (or blusher as it is sometimes referred to) take a careful inventory of the dimensions of your cheeks and use a lighter shade to make your cheekbones stand out as best as they can and then use a darker shade (which is called a contour color) for the bottom part of your cheekbones (or the underside) for a receding look. Plenty of blushers come with two colors in one for this purpose. When it comes to applying blusher, you want to achieve balance from side to side and it is imperative that you blend it well so you do not end up looking like you are wearing Indian war paint! Blush is not meant to be too dark, too obvious or streaky whatsoever. The goal is to make your cheekbones stand out and to enhance your face shape as well as your fine bone structure. If you were blessed with high cheekbones then good for you but realize that there are ways to make your cheeks look even more appealing with the right amount of blush!

It is important to choose the right shade of blush for your skin tone. The four complexion types for all women include fair, medium, olive and dark. Fair skinned women should look for shades in peach or pink that have an undertone of beige-brown. Those women with a medium complexion means that there is an undertone of yellow to the skin and for that reason this complexion type needs to look for a blush in a pink shade (which can range anywhere from pale pink to a more vibrant and brighter pink). Olive skinned women with pink undertones should opt for a peach shade while women who fall under the dark complexion category have the most variety of choices for blush colors and can choose anything from a pink shade to a plum or even a deep burgundy shade.

Lipstick Know How

Lip liner (if you choose to use it) must be applied before lipstick. Always use a neutral lip liner or one that closely matches your lipstick shade. Never use a lip liner that is a darker shade than your lipstick as it will look uneven and if your lipstick fades first, you will be left with an outline around your lips, which it not terribly appealing!

To apply lip liner, begin at the center of your top lip and draw the line to the outer corner of each side of your lips. Always be careful to follow the natural line of your lips. In order to make it easy to sharpen your lip pencil, place it in the refrigerator for a few minutes before using.

Lipsticks come in creme and frost shades and both have their place when it comes to the wardrobe of any woman. In order to help your lipstick last as long as possible, apply a bit of foundation on your lips or a light dusting of face powder before you apply lipstick. Begin to apply lipstick at the center of your upper and lower lips and glide the color smoothly to the corners. Blot the lipstick if need be and then reapply it and carefully blot it again. Make sure it has not pooled in the corners of your lips or has not bled. Lipstick can be applied directly out of the tube or it can be applied with a lip brush. Professional makeup artists often prefer the lip brushes for a smoother and more precise application and it also means less lipstick will be used at once.

How do you know what lipstick shades are suitable for you? Be aware that if your lips are small you should wear light colors and avoid dark, dramatic shades. If your lips are on the big size then you can manage to wear shades that are in the brown, bronze and purple families. Brunette women are best suited to wearing earth toned lipstick shades such as brown tinted reds, cinnamon and terracotta. Redheads also should stick with earth tones for lipstick shades such as peachy shades of brown, warm terracotta and cinnamon. Blonde hair color comes in a variety of different shades and therefore the lipstick choices are different according to the different hair colors. Golden blondes should stick with apricot tinted colors as well as peach and coral shades. Light, cooler blondes look good in cappuccino hues as well as berry colors, mauves and wines. Blonde women with darker more olive skinned complexions should stick with earthy tones for lipstick shades such as browns, terracotta and warm peachy colors.

Interestingly enough, I was thinking of this topic last night while trying to fall asleep...imagine my delight when I saw that a fellow blogger had posted her thoughts on the matter. Perhaps we're all connected somehow in the blogosphere? Weird, wild stuff.

I saw a young girl walking down the street yesterday, too young to be pregnant in my opinion but that's a whole 'nother story...she was wearing a pair of low cut, tight jeans and a belly shirt with a winter jacket over it, worn open. The belly shirt wasn't a maternity shirt...it was just a regular, straight up belly shirt, and the girl appeared to be seven months along or so. I had a full view of her entire baby bump, hanging out in its full glory, popped belly button and all. I shuddered.

Now, I'm a mom. I did the pregnancy thing, and I think that pregnant women ARE beautiful. They should be proud of their temporary bodies, and are entitled to have trendy clothing so they don't look ridiculously fashion challenged for six months. But, I DO think that pregnant women also need to main some degree of propriety, and that it is NOT acceptable to be walking around in public with your belly hanging out unless it's 100 degrees in August. Ever.

This all made me wonder if I was a throwback, or if I was showing my age...so as always I did some research. I mean, how did women centuries ago manage to accommodate their pregnancy with such strict fashion guidelines? It appears that is was quite simple up until the middle ages...women wore the same dresses they always wore, which were not at all form fitting so it was easy to hide a baby bump. Once dresses became more form fitting, women let out the seams and added fabric if need be as their pregnancy progressed. During the Baroque period, it became common for women to once again wear loose, flowing gowns and men's waistcoats that laced. Aprons were also a way to hide any gaps in clothing that was front closing, and there are many notations of folks commenting about a woman wearing an apron that she must be having another child. Shortly after, and until the 19th century, dresses that were specifically designed for gestation and lactation became the norm and included nursing flaps. Women remained comfortable, and appropriately covered. Very nice. I would have LOVED to wear nothing but mumus, thank you very much.

During the 19th century, and nearly up to the 1950's, it became socially unacceptable for a woman to parade around in public while pregnant. Clothing was designed to be worn around the house, and designs didn't evolve much. Most women spent the last four to eight weeks in bed, a horror I simply cannot imagine. Lucy was the first gal to show herself in a family way on TV, and soon after with the onset of the sexual revolution women began to celebrate their pregnancies instead of hiding them. Pants for pregnant women with stretch fabric on the front face became the norm, allowing them to use the same clothing throughout every trimester if they wished. Tops with empire waists and trendy prints were also popular, right straight through the late 1980's...and then working women began to demand business maternity attire so they could continue to appear professional until they went on leave. Cotton button front shirts and dressy slacks became available, and this ripple expanded into everyday wear. Suddenly, you couldn't pick a pregnant woman out of a line simply because she had on a pink frou frou empire waist shirt with 'Baby On Board' emblazoned across it...a closer look was required because the woman's clothes looked JUST LIKE YOURS. Jeans. Cute tops. Sweatshirts. Evening wear. Having a giant belly was TRENDY and the fashion world took the opportunity to make some serious sales.

Of late, thanks to some former pop-stars and other icons who've gone the mommy route, pregnant women think nothing of wearing bikinis, tube tops, low cut shirts, mini skirts and more...which I think is just...wrong. Personally, I spent my entire pregnancy in maternity jeans and men's shirts...or sweatpants (thought not in public). I'm a big gal, so finding plus maternity clothing was difficult and expensive...I still wear the shirts I bought, but the maternity jeans are the first things that went in the garbage when I got home from the hospital.

I can't help but feel that by dressing like a teenager or exposing too much skin just shows a lack of respect for your unborn child...I know that sounds extreme, but it's my opinion. It's fine to look trendy, cute, and fashionable. That's a wonderful thing and makes being pregnant less horrible. But to wear a mini skirt and a low cut peasant blouse when you're eight months along...yuck. No one wants to see that...not me, anyway...and what is your CHILD going to think when he sees your picture 20 years down the road? I don't think it's going to be 'my mom was HOT!'.

I remember when it was a fashion faux pas that no self-respecting girl would dare break. Shirts, blouses, tee shirts, sweaters and all tops for that matter were supposed to, by virtue of the laws of fashion and common decency, meet the tops of pants, skirts and shorts. If they did not then uh oh you were wearing a piece of clothing that was more befitting of your younger sister or a younger friend. In this case it appeared that the girl in question was guilty of a serious fashion crime and the girl was wearing a size too small (or two sizes too small) if this staunch requirement was not met. This just would not have been okay in the eyes of the fashion critics back in the 1970s and 1980s and even in the 1990s.

But today in the 2000s it is a different story. Things have changed in the world of fashion and are we ladies pleased to be reaping the benefits or not? The rules regarding fashion conduct have relaxed and today fashion is more comfortable and more individual. Belly baring styles are so in, in, in and I love it! We are now free to bare our midriff area and wear low-rise casual pants and jeans that fit snugly and comfortably around the hips, regardless of the size of the body of the woman. If you are teensy tinny girlfriend you can wear belly-baring styles but so can women who are of more of a medium to larger build. Use your own discretion but remember that too much skin is never in. Do not go in for a downright naked look but instead a suggestive, sexy look. Tight fitting pants were very in back in the 1980s but keep in mind that you can wear pants that are low cut but they do not have to be skintight. Skintight clothing does not allow the skin to breathe and this can breed plenty of health problems, everything from disrupting circulation to promoting yeast infections.

The same works for the top half of our bodies ladies. Those cute little tight fitting tops we adore wearing no longer have to be a certain length to keep the fashion critics away but there again you do not want to look as if you left part of your wardrobe behind either. Tight is one thing but busting out of tops (no pun intended) is not terribly appealing. Fitted is nice but when shopping do not buy one, two or three sizes too small for you or you are likely to wish you had not when you put on the clothing. And remember you still need to move about comfortably in your clothing not to mention what happens after you eat a meal. Let us not even go there.

All in all this fashion tidbit is incredible news for us ladies and so liberating and progressive. Go ahead and be bold, if you dare. Let your fashion sense show in whatever way you desire it to. Do not let feelings of shyness and timidity prevent you from wearing that red tank top that looks strikingly like a camisole and those oh so sexy low-rise jeans with that denim or satin jacket and those killer black boots for a night out on the town with the girls filled with fun, excitement and drama, drama, drama! It is all good! Paint the town red ladies and enjoy it in style!

We can easily and simply look put together without having to cave into rigid fashion rules. The new millennium brought us a new way of looking at how we view fashion and the old ways are out and new ways have been ushered in. Why not? Have fun with your wardrobe because that is what fashion is all about after all. Find creative ways to liven it up a bit.

Do not by all means, be afraid to show a little skin! (Note that I said a little skin). If you have got it then show it off is my own personal fashion motto. Remember not to go overboard of course. Your aim is to be stylish, and comfortable while still looking like a class act. Never lose your ladylike appeal and decide to go for a trashy look with your chosen ensemble.

Once you have dressed for an event ask yourself the all important question which is- do you feel good about what you are wearing? I mean, really good or not? If you can answer yes to this question then you are definitely on the right track fashion wise. I congratulate you girlfriend. Just think about it if you will. If you look good then this will contribute to feeling good, and looking great. Am I right or am I right? I am sure that you can agree with this logic.

To sum up, there is exciting news on the fashion front ladies. Rigid, outdated codes of the proper way for women to dress are out of style. Totally out of the door. Today there is a trend towards the more relaxed and liberated look for women- femininely appealing but with an edge that is all about style and doing your own thing, expressing your true self through the way you dress is what I like to call it.

Looking great and feeling great is very in fashion and so are relaxed, easygoing clothes for the girl who has ten million other things on her mind. I cannot stress it enough girlfriend- do not worry yourself about your wardrobe. Seriously do not. I have just given you the heads up to enjoy how you dress. You are on the right track all ready. Trust me. Now get out there and do some shopping because I know after reading this that you are just dying to make a trip to the mall! Go forth and enjoy your shopping experience!

By Brandi M. Seals

Has anyone else noticed that everyone is trying to look pregnant now days? I cannot go out or flip through a magazine without seeing some empire-waisted number that undoubtedly creates the appearance of a bump. The bump gets bigger depending on the material used and the shape of the dress. Maybe I am the only one who sees it like this. I do not know. What I do know is that I doubt few women would opt to look pregnant when they are not.

Everyone knows I hate high waisted styles. I do not think my skirt needs to be pulled up to my breast and I think my pants should sit below my belly button. Trends are changing back to the way things were in the 80s. As much as I hate it, the only thing I can really do is complain. However, these high waisted styles do not really create the baby on board look that I have seen.

The sole cause seems to be high waisted dresses that are fitted at the top and then flow outwardly like a tent underneath. Think of the baby doll dresses that were popular in the early 90s. These new dresses seem to be a combination of the baby doll dress and those skimpy, butt-showing styles from the 60s.

I understand that America recently went through a baby boom. All but two of us still of childbearing age on my dad's side of the family gave birth this summer. In fact, our family has gotten 4 new babies in the past 2 years. Three of which were just born. It seemed like I could not turn around without seeing a pregnant woman. I have no problem with children or pregnant women, I am merely commenting on how everyone seemed to be reproducing this past year. I often wondered if this was what it was like when the baby boomers were born. But now things seem to have cooled off.

Maybe manufacturers did not know what to do with all the extra maternity wear they had produced so now they are marketing it as regular clothes. Maybe seeing all the pregnant women made some designers want to have children and they did not realize that the new dresses they were designing made everyone who wore one look like she was expecting a new little one.

I honestly do not know what is going on with this, but the dresses definitely make women look pregnant. Perhaps it was some sort of inadvertent quirk that popped up when the baby doll dress met the short, skimpy dresses of the 60s. What really adds to the problem is the fact that the bottom of a lot of these dress are humongous. It is almost like they took the bottom half of a dress sized 14 and sewed in on the size 4 top.

Anyone is going to look enormous if their clothes are too big. Think about your favorite oversized sweatshirt. When you wear it, I bet you look between 15 and 30 pounds heavier simply because the bulk of the garment. I personally will not be opting to look pregnant when I am not. I guess I will just have to wait and see what everyone else is going to do.

I suppose it is a good thing that the line between maternity wear and regular clothes has begun to blur. For years, pregnant women have been relegated to wearing ugly, high-waisted pants that must be hidden beneath an oversized shirt. Dresses and cute outfits were far to find if not nonexistent for anyone expecting a baby. Now all of that has changed.

Modern looking shirts, skirts, and pants can be found over in the maternity section. Sometimes it is even hard to tell where the maternity section starts. The clothes are beginning to blend flawlessly with regular clothes.

I actually love that maternity wear is becoming much trendier. I have actually found myself inadvertently looking at maternity clothes. I just thought it was just a cute shirt. As I was picking it up, I noticed the label which had some sort of name like Baby on Board or something else that made it obvious that the top was part of a maternity collection. I have since paid closer attention to what I pick up.

I finally bought a new pair of shoes. This may not seem like a momentous occurrence for most women, but buying shoes has become a necessary evil in my life. Winter weather demands some form of footwear aside from sandals and I have a couple of upcoming events where garden clogs with socks would be inappropriate. Most women would not go into deep depression after buying shoes; but for me, shoe shopping is a painful reminder of the girl I used to be, the heels I used to wear, the shoe collection I used to have. Shoe shopping reminds me of the joy in life that I can no longer partake in, wearing fashionable shoes.

My recent shoe purchase was at a PayLess shoe store and I even went "bongo" and bought a second pair for half off the original price. PayLess is one of the only shoe stores where I can purchase shoes that do not immediately cause my feet to bleed. They sell a line of ultra conservative shoes that most importantly, are created from an extremely soft material ( I am not sure and do not care if it is leather) enabling me to wear the shoes immediately after purchase. If I cannot easily bend the back of a shoe when it is brand new, I cannot wear it without severe discomfort. This limits my ability to buy any shoes so I am grateful when I find any brand that I can wear.

I used to love shoes. Even if fashion called for a figure I had no hope of ever having, I knew I could always buy shoes. So I bought interesting shoes. Even if I had the usual uniform of blue jeans on, you can bet my shoes were interesting. I would even buy ugly shoes, if they were fun and different. Most of my shoes were flats but I even had several pairs of Candies "bleep me" shoes back before they were considered "vintage". This was before I realized five foot eight is considered a giant in the teenage world.

I am a reasonably tall woman, so heels were not an option after I realized most men were not as tall as my brothers. In my family I could wear three inch heels and still be shorter than all my male relatives, so it was a huge shock to find most men are not over six feet tall. When I finally made this horrible realization, I did what any insecure young woman does, I wore flats most of the time.

Luckily, Earth shoes were in vogue during my teen years, hideous I know, but they were comfortable. In college I must of had tougher feet than I do now or I felt no pain. I used to buy a lot of flat shoes. I will admit some of the shoes were not comfortable for years, but I wore them anyways. I would alternate shoes so they would not injure the same part of my foot day after day, but I would wear them. Plus,I always had my Tretorn tennis shoes , so when my feet could not take it anymore, I tossed on my Tretorns and walked away. Those were the days.

I cannot find Tretorns in my part of the country anymore, though I have tried. I have even bought them online but did not have a good buying experience. Quite frankly,I need to try them on to get a good fit. I am not sure what changes more quickly, my feet or industry shoe sizes. Over the years I have tried numerous other brands of tennis shoes but the super special support systems that every other woman in the world loves, hurt my feet. I always went back to Tretorns until I could not find them any longer.

To make things worse, wide sizes are too wide and the regular sizes are often too narrow. I tried a pair of Keds canvas shoes but the memory of the cuts they made in my heels still makes me nauseous. So I've been without a decent pair of tennis shoes for years, and understandably I am afraid to invest too much in purchasing a new brand. Whatever I buy will most likely end up with all the other brands I have tried; tossed in the waste can. Tennis shoes are supposed to be the most comfortable shoes around, but for me they only conjure up feelings of pain.

I went through a short romance with heels in my thirties. My husband did not mind being shorter than his wife, and Enzo put out a line of pumps that I could carry groceries in. I loved it. I wore heels with minis and jeans. I even bought myself a pair of three inch heels that to this day I remember with fondness. Then came the knee injuries. Teach me to listen to the club pro on how to use the stairmaster. I kept those three inch heels for years, in hope of a full recovery, but I finally gave them away though I wanted to enshrine them. I returned to flats.

Now even the flats are hard to find because the leather used by shoe manufactures is too hard for my feet. Enzo used to carry a line of super soft loafers but the Enzo line of shoes moved closer to the Nine West line of shoes ( their corporate parent) and the leather became harder. I was willing to spend seventy dollars on a pair of shoes I could wear, but I was not willing to spend seventy dollars on a pair of Enzo loafers I could buy with a different label at the Nine West store for forty dollars and still not be able to wear. I wore out my stock of old Enzo shoes, then wore duck boots ,even with skirts, for awhile.

As a lark I bought used shoes at a charity bargain sale. Surprisingly, these shoes were wearable and did not hurt my feet. Someone else had broken in the leather and I reaped the benefit. Sure they were a little scruffy, but I could wear them without pain and that made them beautiful to me. I have a real problem buying used shoes. I still do it now and then when I am desperate, but it truly is an act of desperation. I have even bought men's clogs, at a garage sale, in an attempt to find shoes that do not cause me pain. I still wear these shoes but I never really feel like they are mine. I guess I know what it is like to walk in another man's shoes. Normally more comfortable than walking in my own shoes.

Flip Flops? Hah! Hah! I have never, even as a child, been able to wear anything between my toes. Clogs are wearable, if they have no heels. I have several pairs of clogs but I bought them when I was still "shoe stupid" and they have about two inches of platform bottom on them. I can only wear them on good days, for a short time, before my knees or back begin to act up. Even though platform shoes shouldn't cause the same results as pumps, there is something about the weight distribution in these shoes that I can feel in my knees and back. I can at least wear them for a little while, where pumps, no matter how low, are a big no no. Garden clogs, bought a size too big, work just fine especially with socks.


I miss shoes. I miss shopping for them, wearing them, and having fun with new styles. I miss it so much, I do not even shoe shop anymore. I am sure there are some styles out there I can wear, but the image of the deep cuts caused by the Keds flashes before my eyes when I get close to the shoe aisle. I do need a new pair of snow boots, so maybe it is time for the duck boot and skirt look to return. Now I just need to find some that fit. That thought is enough to make me want to stay in all winter. I have large calves also, so boot shopping is always a image building experience for me. If the boots fit they are normally hundreds of dollars. Do you think I could wear them through spring?

I am grateful for the shoes I can wear, and hope next year PayLess carries them in a new color, this is the second year they have only come in black. I think I'll go this weekend and buy multiple pairs, you never know when they are going to " improve" them and I will not be able to wear them any longer. Buying shoes is so depressing.

Being a gay African American man, the way that I dress says a lot about who I am (more like the way that I am feeling at that very moment). It would be a bit brazen for me to say that all African American gay men show their feelings by the color scarf that they are wearing, but the most I can tell if it is the right time to bring up the fact that his boyfriend is cheating on him by the type of sun glasses that he is rockin'. Though I can not predict the mood of all gay African American men, I do have an insight as to what looks good on them so here are my 2007 winter picks for stepping out in style.

I Take My Hat Off To You
There is nothing like a good old fashioned accessory to accentuate the perfect outfit. Bracelets, rings, belts and spectacles can all add just the right amount of spice to liven up a mundane outfit, but there is nothing like a hat to brighten your outlook. Though I have several dome topping sentiments, you will only need one mo-jah (Korean for hat) to get you through the winter months. For those cold days, I would suggest picking up a Distressed Canvas Casket from Urban Outfitters.

Wring Around The Neck
Another accessory that can change the look of a down home, ordinary outfit is a scarf. This, sometimes, simply piece of material has come a long way from being the non-descript piece of textile that has been just worn on or near the head, or around the neck for warmth, fashion, cleanliness, or religious purposes. Scarves have been known to be worn as such things as belts and straps for bags. I suggest the more traditional use of the material buy picking up a two toned, Reversible Camo Scarf from The Gap.

Pink Not Just For Girls
When we are newborns, it has been traditional here in the United States to clad a giggling baby girl in the color pink and wrap a bouncing baby boy in the color blue. As one gets older, these stereotypical hold some weight, but tend to fall by the waist side as we age. Good thing for men of color, pastels work well with the darker skin tone. Though heterosexual men may feel a bit effeminate if they wore a pink shirt, the homosexual male should fall right in line with doing so. For a top, I would suggest heading to your local Good Will or vintage clothing store and picking out a button down, short sleeved shirt circa 1975. The flared collar should do well by you.

Jeans for Gene
Here in the United States, it is very difficult to find well fitting jeans, especially if you live in some conservative mid-western city like Cincinnati, Ohio. The average over sized butt of a mid-western male coupled with a heterosexual male's low self-esteem both add to this fact. One way to get around this is to take a weekend vacation to some of the larger, more metropolitan cities such as Chicago, Austin, Los Angeles or dare I even say it, Columbus Ohio. If the size of your wallet does not warrant such an extravagant weekend trip try looking in the women's jeans for your next pair. I would suggest Meltin' Pot as the first place to look.

Shoes Off To You
Usually the last thing that you put on when you are getting ready to head out the door is the covering for your feet. Though these are the last thing that you put on, they are at the forefront of most peoples minds when it comes to accessorizing for the day's jaunt. According to Mens Health, all a man needs is four pairs of shoes. As most of us gay men already know, we could go through four pairs of shoes in just one day so this bit of advice is lost on the likes of us. However, one pair of shoes that you should always have is a pair of killer boots. I would suggest picking up a pair of Kenneth Cole's Men's Mix Match Boot.

Ships Ahoy
The age-old adage that we used for buying shoes should go for buying a winter over coat. But on a smaller scale. Instead of having 10 or 15 coats, you can get through the cold winter months with just a few coats. One coat looks sexy is an old sailor's pea coat.

Hopefully I have given you something to think about when dressing for the winter months or buying guide for that homo-sexual in your life.

When we moved to Maine, we found ourselves arriving on the brink of winter, and in the middle of the night. Having made a long journey from southern California with our three small children and four pets, we had not considered the lack of our winter wardrobe. For our family, winter had meant putting on a light rain slicker on those rare occasions of precipitation, and owning two or three sweaters for the few days that the temperature dropped below fifty degrees. We did not own boots, long underwear, fleeces, gloves, hats, or any of the other necessities required to survive a winter in Maine.

Driving into the state late that night with a frosty October temperature of 35 degrees, we knew it was only going to get worse. Our drive in and through the state was to take us through the town of Freeport, so we decided to make a stop at the world famous L.L. Bean. L.L. Bean has been producing high quality outdoor and recreational clothing and equipment for nearly a century, and we were about to embark upon the flagship store. Thankfully for us, the flagship store in Freeport is open twenty-four hours a day of every single day of the year. Legend has it that in 1951, Leon Leonwood Bean removed the locks from the front doors and threw away the keys to the store. We showed up at about 11:00 p.m. and practically had the place to ourselves. We found out later that late night shopping excursions at L.L. Bean are popular for celebrities who do not want to be seen, locals who want to avoid the long lines created by tourists and visitors, and others who find night shopping easier.

We enjoyed looking at all the beautiful winter fashions, most of which were completely foreign to us. There were countless varieties of sweaters, jackets, coats, pants, boots, and everything in between. There was a women's section, a men's section, a children's section, a camping section, a hunting section, and many more smaller sections that sold everything from canoes to bicycles to luggage. In the middle of the store, just under the main staircase was a huge fish pond full of trophy rainbow trout. We spent hours at the store that evening, much of the time just looking at everything, and the rest of the time trying on clothing. We found colorful fleece sweaters for everyone in the family, and we were told by the helpful sales person that fleece is the best item for layering during a Maine winter. We found waterproof and water-resistant boots, and we learned all about Gore-Tex and what it does.

After trying on various items, we made our purchases. We were stocked up with winter coats for each of us, as well as boots, gloves, hats, scarves, and a variety of fleece outerwear. We also bought several pairs of thermal underwear, for layering. We went to our hotel and put all our newly bought items in our suitcases.

As we got to know people in the area, we found that L.L. Bean provided not only winter clothing for the locals, but fashion as well. It seemed that L.L. Bean was also famous for warm weather clothing, and that the popular fashion statement around the state of Maine was to wear anything from L.L. Bean. We discovered that L.L. Bean sold swimsuits, shorts, and a wide variety of summer hiking equipment. Who knew?

Within a couple of months of our arrival and our big shopping excursion, winter arrived with a vengeance. While our bodies were shocked at the cold weather, we were clothed properly, thanks to the helpful folks at L.L. Bean. Each morning before venturing out into the snowy cold, we donned our turtleneck shirts, put the fleece sweatshirts over those, pulled on our thermal underwear and covered them with flannel-lined blue jeans. Then we pulled on our smart-wool socks before we put our feet into the warm, waterproof snow boots. We finished the job by wrapping ourselves in our colorful winter parkas, and then topped it all off with hats, gloves, and scarves. Our noses might have still gotten cold, but we were fashionably warm as we went sledding, shoveled snow, and built snowmen. Winter had nothing on us, and we were colorful to boot.

Fashions for women have become such a part of each society's culture, that it is often fun to take a look back to see how fashions have changed, not only over the centuries, but over the decades. History shows that the more things change, the more they stay the same; in fact, fashions often seem to be cyclical. Either way, fashions do change as the times change and as people move into different mind sets and beliefs. One time in history where women's fashions changed considerably was the 1920s. Known as the "flapper" era, the 1920s were that and so much more.

The 1920s found the United States at the end of World War I. Life had changed in ways no one could have imagined, and suddenly our world had become much smaller. Women had been petitioning for ages to earn the right to vote, and the nineteenth amendment had just been ratified. Suddenly, women were finding that their voices were being heard that their opinions respected. What they had to say mattered and counted. Perhaps for the first time, women felt they could relate better to men, or that they were seen as more man-like. This might account for the new fashion trend of the 1920s, which focused on a more masculine or boyish look for women. Most of us associate flappers with the 1920s, even though the flapper image was not popular until half way through that decade. Still, the flapper look was modern and boyish. Women who adopted the flapper image had their hair cropped into a short bob and wore shapeless shift dresses that toned down their feminine figures. In France, the flapper was known as a "garconne," which is a variation of the French word for "boy."

In many ways, the flapper fashion was a welcome relief to women who could now make their own dresses in a much quicker and easier way. With few tucks and trims, the flapper dress was a simple one to make, but not all women embraced the short flapper skirt. The wide, shapeless shift dress was popular with everyone, though only the very racy few wore their dresses cut above their knees. Everyone else had hemlines well below their knees, usually at about mid-calf length.

One of the problems of the 1920s fashions was the thin, flat-chested boyish body that many women wanted. While women could not change their body type, they worked hard to thin out their rounded figures. Lanky figures with small chests and thin arms were the rage of the day. Traditional bras were abandoned, and many young women began bandaging their breasts to flatten out their chests. Corsets were abandoned, but girdles, which kept figures looking slim, became very popular.

Not only was boyishness and slimness the order of the day in 1920s America, youth was also the latest desire. While many of us associate the obsession with youth to have come out of the 1950s and 1960s, the 1920s found women all wanting to look like a teenager in face and in body.

The short hair of the 1920s was a shock to nearly everyone who was older than twenty-five. For centuries, women had been encouraged to keep their hair long and then wear it in a variety of ways. Long hair was associated with femininity, beauty, and hair was considered a woman's crowning glory. When women began bobbing their hair in the 1920s, older women were appalled. Many of the bobs were very straight lined and severe, often looking just like the hair cut of a man; but near the end of the decade, more women began introducing waves back into their hair, and allowing it to grow below their ears. Cloche hats, which were also popular during the 20s, closing covered a woman's bob and was another form of fashion statement.

Lastly, excessive make up was a clear sign of a 1920s woman who was fashionable. Most women used heavy eye make up and dark lipstick, with light face powder and very little, if any, blush or rouge. The popular thing to do was to apply make up in public, rather than retreating to a powder room.

Many of the styles of the 1920s have followed us into the 21st century. Perhaps the 1920s era, with women earning the right to vote and suddenly being allowed to adopt fashions which before would have been illegal, were the first step to us becoming the women we are today.

Decorum in dress for the spring and summer season is the way to go if you are a true romantic at heart. Ladylike in this case is the name of the game. For you the days of the bare midriff are dead and gone as showing too much skin has gone by the way side and viewed by you as both trashy and vulgar. What is in instead is chic and refined, dignified and polished, graceful and oh so groomed. Modesty and classiness in fashion is what you yearn for so read on to find out how you can achieve that look.

What is a Fashion Trend?

A true trend is a change, a movement towards a new idea or a different way of doing things. What is very obvious is that a new silhouette is emerging which is neat and small at the top, but much fuller in the lower half. One fashion fact that all designers know is that the main look of any given season always revolves around four or five key pieces. The key fashion pieces that revolve around the spring and summer season for an incurable romantic include the fuller, bigger, longer gypsy skirt (pencil skirts just will not do for the romantic frame of mind), the shrunken cropped jacket, the empire line top or empire lined dress, cropped trousers or overlong trousers that get rolled or turned up, flat or wedge shoes and lots of tribal style exotic jewelry to complete the look.

Key Themes for the Romantic Spring and Summer Season

Ladylike
Present a feminine look by indulging in the ladylike theme of the 1950s. What goes around comes around, remember? Pastels such as pink, peach, lemon and lilac are the dominant romantic colors and they all look fantastic when teamed with delicate floral prints or anything polka dot. Or if you are brave and daring, go bright and bold.

The color white
What would romantic be without the color white? Incomplete that is what! White is so in for spring and summer, whether it be romantic white, modern white or a bit of both. Bear in mind that a romantic white dress is not just suitable for weddings anymore. For the spring and summer season think old-time innocence. Think petticoats from days gone by, skirts, embroidered smock tops and pretty bow sashes. Modern white on the other hand is clean and cool and ultra feminine elegance. Could you ask for anything more?

Dresses and gowns
For fancy events think volume when it comes to gowns. Sumptuous gathering and clever layering serve to create playful new shapes that contain an air of ladylike refinement for the romantic in all of us. For those steamy summer nights look for evening dresses that are basic and oh so effortless, such as ones that are high waisted, full-length and flowing. Remember that it is all in the details so buy dresses that include bows, ribbons and ruffles.

Satin as romantic material
Satin is all the rage for the romantic spring and summer season and the good news is that it is not just nighttime wear anymore. Wear this luxurious material anytime. Satin pieces that are hot include satin bombers, evening tops and cargo pants. Satin cargoes look best when paired with a mesh singlet and funky jacket.

Shoes are the best
What can be said about shoes? Shoes are wonderful. Carrie Bradshaw, the shoe obsessed writer from Sex and the City would be most impressed with the spring and summer lineup of shoe styles. Go from one extreme shoe style to another and still fit in. Wear super flat or super stiletto. Alternate between the two for both a sense of variety and fun. The best shoes for spring and summer daytime wear are ballet style flats in pinks, whites and beige while stilettos are the acclaimed shoes for hot summer outings and nights on the town. The peep toe stiletto looks totally amazing with the 1950s inspired polka dot look, while the closed toe stilettos look incredibly sexy when paired with your 1980s inspired micro mini dress (if you dare that is). So many options to choose from in footwear this season. Go for feminine bejeweled flats or towering wedges (yes wedges are still very hot), but most importantly, go for whatever your heart desires in footwear.

Another must have for the spring and summer season in footwear is gold and silver metallic shoes. These shoes look stunning in strappy or peep toe stiletto styles. Now wearing your fabulous shoes, go dance the night away girlfriend!

Hair is where it is at
The biggest hair trend for the spring and summer season is a very simple and surprisingly obvious one- it is the look of freshly washed hair. It is the sleekness and the shine of the just washed look that is most desirable, especially with the sun shining down on it and giving it even more of a beautiful glow. Spring and summer hair should not only be freshly washed but it should also be full of volume and body. If your hair does not naturally have lots of volume (plenty of women have this hair problem) then do not despair, as there are plenty of volumizing products on the market to choose from. Cat from Redken is a winner as is Aussie Mega with the Real Volume shampoo, conditioner and assorted styling products. Sunsilks Anti-Flat products are new but are making the grade as well.

A little bit of unruly curls is okay (some people like to refer to them as wayward curls) but if you do not have naturally curly or wavy hair, straight locks are still in style as well. For those romantic ladies who have long, flowing manes the old standby is still, well the old standby, which means the ponytail. For days when you do not know what to do with your hair, go for a ponytail but set it high on the crown and if you are so inclined, for an extra bit of drama tease the front ever so slightly.

Bags are bigger and better than ever
Never underestimate the importance of accessories, especially the most essential one which is the handbag. This spring and summer season you do not need to try to fit all of your necessities into a teeny tinny bag because big bags are in. Put away the micro style bags and look to big bags that come in plenty of varieties with the world-trotting trend leaning towards safari, bohemian luxe and holiday related themes. Hobo bags are fashionable and in for spring and summer as well. For example Chloe makes an impressive looking bag. The Chloe leather Paddington bag is considered to be the it handbag for the steamy season. The Burberry Prorsum bag gives a more casual bohemian luxe feel as it features two pockets and extra long straps for comfort and convenience.

Three other big name companies that specialize in hobo bags this season are Anthropologie, Coach and Urban Outfitters. Of course do not discount the tote bag by any means. The tote bag is still around and is still as hot as ever for all casual occasions. This spring and summer season look for tote bags that feature floral patterns which is a trend worth watching for. The company American Eagle makes a fantastic tote bag.

Protect your head with a fashionable summer hat
Shield your eyes from harmful rays with a floppy hat, and go as wide-brimmed as you care to. Or perhaps you will prefer a hat that is neat and short. Both styles are fashionable and are fitting for the spring and summer season ahead. Some patterns to seriously consider investing in include tropical floral, or cloche styles. In case you are not aware of what a cloche style hat is, it is a soft style of hat from the 1920s that was made from a hood of chiffon or handkerchief felt and was small and close fitting and featured a deep rounded crown on it and a very narrow brim. Other excellent hat choices include pop art floral, printed cotton, optic prints (swirls, shapes or geometric curves) and molded knits.

Other fashion points to consider for the spring and summer season
-The nautical look is an excellent one for spring and summer casual wear. For this look think braiding, buttons and sailor inspired stripes.
-Knitwear is an in look for the warmer months. Knits take on a strong presence in crayon-like zigzags and regatta stripes. Twin sets are a modern approach to knits and provide a breezy not to mention sexy look.
-If you are of the bolder more daring kind of personality and you like to stand out in a crowd instead of blend in, think abstract in the form of clashing colors, geometric graphics and batiq prints. In this instance, bolder is most definitely better. Wear this look with confidence and vitality because if you cannot then skip it all together.
-Neutrals are always winners and this spring and summer season they are the answer to sexy, grown up chic. Get acquainted with the new neutrals which includes anything from soft taupe to the palest shade of pink and of course the color shades classified as nudes.
-What can be said about jewelry for the seasons of spring and summer? Jewelry is wild, unruly and untamed. For the hotter months of the year jewelry is ethnic inspired as well as crafty and native. It is also so much fun to wear. The pieces to look for include such items as chunky wooden charms, raffia curios and juicy-hued enamels. Spring and season take you back to nature and back to the forest as jewelry is all about wood this season.

Fashion trends change so rapidly that it is not always an easy task to keep up with them. The secret to understanding fashion is in finding a look that suits you and your body type best. Dress for yourself and not for others and seek to be comfortable and confident with what you are wearing. Pick out pieces that you like instead of going overboard on an entire look. Choose the appropriate key pieces for you and your body while at the same time covering up your imperfections. Always keep in mind that less is more. And whatever you do, do not take yourself or fashion too seriously, as it really is supposed to be about having fun and enjoying life to the fullest. If you are watching your budget closely then realize you can still be in fashion no matter what season of the year it is. Simply buy a few items that you can easily afford and mix and match them well. The outfits of last season for example can get a tremendous boost from adding a stylish pair of shoes from the new season and a piece of jewelry and then you are done! Fashion is about being savvy about how things look and not about who has the most money at their disposal.

Now without further ado, gather your best pals together and go do some shopping and then get out and enjoy the spring and summer sunshine with your new wardrobe in place. You have to love that girlfriend!

By Brandi M. Seals

I think I need to just stop going to stores. Each time I go, I see something new and hideous. I really thought I would need to be older than 24 to feel such a disconnect from what is popular. I thought that happened around age 35 or older. I guess I was wrong. It crept up on me slowly. First music went to hell in a hand basket. Who really want to hear lyrics like "my humps, my humps, my lovely lady lumps"? I know I do not. It is not that they offend me; the lyrics are just too stupid.

Now I am noticing a disconnect with the fashion industry. Trust me; I will not be busting out any high waisted mom jeans and a hugely over-sized sweatshirt to wear the rest of my life. Nor will I become frozen in time, like those that wear clothes from another generation. It is like time stood still and all they own are big shoulder pad jackets from the 80s. I refuse to do that. But, am I the only one that sees how hideous some things are?

I cannot bear to venture into the junior's department. It is not that I shop in that section because clearly I am too old for it, plus I do not think my hips could squeeze into any of those thin-legged pants they keep over there. The reason I will not even walk through the area is that there is always some hideous outfit on display. About a month ago I was looking at some purses that were near the junior's department. I looked up only to be horrified by the sight of furry legwarmers. That is right ladies and gentlemen, apparently teens are suppose to look like sasquatch. I just do not get it. How is that stylish? Who decided this would be a good look?

The same goes for all those morons who ran out and bought gauchos. Is it cool to look like your pants are too short and really wide? They do not look good. They are like capris on steroids, only they are supposed to be a tad dressier.

Sometimes I like living in Arkansas. While some people would say that people here are slow, sometimes that is a good thing. They are slow on picking up bad trends. I have only seen about 5 women sporting gauchos here. The rest are hanging on racks in every department store with a clearance tag that reads about $10. Back home in Michigan, people actually bought the gauchos. Do not get me wrong, Arkansas people are not immune to bad trends, after all a shocking number of them own those horrible croc shoes. Talk about tacky. Anyway, what I am saying is people tend to be a little more conservative here and when something really questionable comes into style; they do not tend to run out and buy it quickly. It seems they sit back and wait to see if it catches on.

My latest find that I cannot believe made its way into stores is a dog purse. Let me clarify, that is a purse that looks like a dog. They have legs, a tail, and a head. They also have room to put your wallet and keys away. How did this get into a store? I could understand finding them in a dollar store, but come on people. Do you really expect someone to carry this thing around? Maybe it will catch on with the preteens, but for the most part I think the doggy purse will not even make a dent into the fashion industry. Especially since it took me awhile to determine which end the head was on when it came to a furry mini yorkie purse. I did not stick around long enough to see all the different kinds of pooch purses, but there is definitely a mini yorkie and a pug style out there.

I wonder what the next crappy trend will be. I foresaw those high waisted skirts and pants coming. Oh, I know what it will be. Since so much attention has been paid to bangs lately, I am going to guess that big bangs will try to make a come back within the next year.

No one knows or can even predict what fashion trend we already have today. Knowing different stylists and cultures have come together giving us diverse fashion. Decades of fashion had already come to this age wherein fashion from your grandmother to your own mother had come to offer you blends of fashion. The things you seem to laugh on before, are the trends now with a little of innovation. It does not bother you at all to open their own cabinets. What is cool about it, it can even save you a lot of money instead spending it to gadgets. As long as you doesn't look like a fashion victim, then its good to mixed it up.

Another revolutionary about fashion now, is the techie fashion. Fashionista elite cannot be considered as a goddess of fashion without those cool gadgets. These include cell phones, ipod, mp3 player and other accessories that are technology based. That is why most cell phones are accessorized with diamonds or gold bling bling.

Fake accessories do not matter now, if you have that fake pearls all over your neck as long as it fits your style then it is okay. Nobody cares if it is pure silver or gold as long as it is an accessory, what is far more important is the techie fashion you have.

Fashion is exciting now because you become the stylist yourself. Now here is something you can use for that girly flash of fashion from your mother's cabinet. We usually see them in floral skirts. Most of them can be fashionably trendy and those amazingly intricate designs make a youthful flair. Moreover, floral laces are already in style so you can use them together with jeans or shirts. Fashionistas usually call it as flirty skirts and they make a very good mix-up in plain shirts or blouses and high heels. You can flaunt those long legged legs or settle to flat sandals for comfy walking.

Other thing with laced cover-ups, it is very good using a spaghetti strapped blouse inside of whatever color you chose it to be. They call it whimsical cover-ups creating one fashion that were predominantly stylish during 60's and 70's. Just remember not to over do it with other designs and try to make it sophisticated but fun at the same time.

I also remember that my grandmother or mother perhaps used to wear those large buckled belts that looked like cowboy accessories. It never really out of style since right now, those long blouses or shirts can make these accessories work for them. Vibrant colors are everything and the more you have it the more enthusiasm it creates. The ambiance becomes joyful and especially to the person who is wears it.
Another fashion tip we have are those short loud tops that really are amazing with printed shirts. For some girls who just wear shirts and does not know what to do with this simple outfit. One flirty loud top can simply add flavor to your fashion. Top it up with accessories, sometimes one big accessory can does it all. You don't have to place so much ornaments around your wrist or your neck.

Fashion yesterday does not really fade only it did not last that much. We like to try new things and that is what it is all about. Recycle and get some creativity since fashion did not come from heaven ordered to earth. It just came from those creative people we know in the fashion industry.

Now, whenever you have that favorite blouse that you doubt does not work for the trend today, try saving it when the fashion trend says go. Recycle your clothes and start using your creativity, you can really save a lot from doing that. I myself can approve to that. My mother's blouse that she used to wear back her younger years are already hip and trendy today. I even thought of throwing it since it is out of fashion. I remember my mother used to wear high heels during the time I wear sneakers, I never thought of myself wearing them right now. Look at Beyonce and Christina Aguillera, they are burned out by the fashion of today and just seeking those classical look. It is in the craftsmanship that matters. We must consider the details of the design and the effort it took for it to stand out.

When I was growing up, I paid very little attention to the weather. All I wanted to do was to run and play outside no matter the temperature. As I grew older, I bitterly came to realize that African American men and cold weather go together as readily as Babe the Pig and a plate of chitterlings. One way to combat Ol' Man Winter is to dress as fly as one can, while losing the least amount of body heat. Here are my coveted suggestions to African American men for the upcoming winter season dress.

Here is What's Hat
It is a scientific fact that we lose most of their body heat through the expansive surface of the head. For African American males, this is more so do to the little hair that most of us keep atop of our dome. As for me, since I keep my head shaved every season of the year, my head's covering is essential, especially during the winter season. I would suggest purchasing a Kangol Acrylic Skull Cap. The simple, smooth style goes well with any attire.

The Glare is Where
Historically, when the cold weather comes, summer gears such as flip-flops, bikinis, swim shorts, sunscreen, inner tubes and sun hats go into storage. Despite what some people may think there is one summer item that could be just as useful in the cold winter months as in the hot and steamy summer ones. There have been several instances where the sun's glare from a newly fallen snow has hindered some people's eyesight. I would suggest picking up a pair of Metal Shield Sunglasses. Thier rounded metallic frames trim the lens causing a smooth, polished effect to win the women.

A Long One For A Cold One
As stated in the aforementioned paragraphs, African American men are not too comfortable in the cold weather. Or at least it has been my experience of this. Therefore, long sleeves, multi-layered outfits and turtlenecks shirts and sweatshirts are necessary have when trying to navigate your Navigator through a bitter mid-western winter. As a top, I would suggest combining a light colored Sean John SJ Lion Lightweight Thermal Tee with a dark colored Sean John Cable-Knit Quarter-Zip Sweater. The contrast in color will complement considerably to most African American skin tones.

Sizing It Up For The Outdoors
Because living in the mid-west can be so frigid during the cold season, a simple undershirt and sweater may not be enough when you are heading out to work or to grab a bite to eat. Just think if you tried to walk on Lakeshore Drive during the middle of December in Chicago, Illinois, simply wearing jeans, an undershirt and a sweater. You would freeze faster than Chilly Willy on a cold day. Before you let the bitter cold get the best of you this winter season, I would suggest purchasing RocaWear's Winners Crest Denim Jacket.

The Bottum Is What's Up
Needless to say, that on your pants may be one of the most versatile article of clothing that one could own. Saying this, the more outfits that you can get out of one pair of pants, the less it will hit you in the wallet. Since jeans are one of the most versatile pair of pants that one could get, I would suggest sticking with the traditional color, but with a bit of a flare. The best way to show off your assets is with Phat Farm's Omicrom Denim Pant.

Last But Not Least
Did we forget anything? The last thing that I put on my body when getting dressed or the last thing that I try to accessorize during my morning race to get out of the door in time to make it to work at a reasonable time, are my shoes. In this month's Men's Health magazine, they want you to believe that there are only four types of shoes that you have to have and they will suffice for every occasion. This may be try for everyone BUT a B-Boy who know how to rock a Kangol Hat and Sean Jean pant. For a style that has the most acceptability, I would choose Timberland's Men's Waterproof 6in Premium Expedition Boot Green Nubuck.

I hope that this gives you some insight as to what African American men think about when they choose what they wear before they step out the door this winter. If not, at least it would give you some idea of some killer Christmas presents for the B-Boy in your life.