FashBlog.com

When I went to the store with my son a few days ago, I was surprised to look around and notice that my personal style apparently is becoming more popular. Since the early days of college, I have been into the sort of hippie but academic look that worked for my research and writing lifestyle. My clothes never have been trendy with the mainstream, however, which is perfectly fine with me. Since I was in school and then in the beginnings of my freelance writing career, I have been relegated to purchasing most of my clothes from secondhand shops anyway.

Now, though, it looks as if the oversized sweaters and skirts are coming into style. I saw a number of outfits at a major department store that I definitely would buy were I into purchasing clothes. The best part about these clothes is that they are versatile and incredibly comfortable. I also noticed that the dressed up version of this trend was on a couple of the store displays as well. In college, I would get pinstriped pants or a suit and then dress it down with a white collared shirt and large over shirt. It still looked nice for when I needed to make class presentations, but it was not stuffy and too formal, which I hated.

The key to wearing these clothes and making them work is that you have to feel comfortable with yourself. They are not traditional dress clothes, which my mother loved to remind me constantly, and so you do not blend. The traditional, conservative black or gray suit looks great in part because it is so boring. People who wear these suits blend into corporate environments. The idea is that people see a worker and not the individual, but for people who are more individual and are not interested in being cogs in a work machine, something a little different can be a great way to make a different impression.

When I began my professional career, I worked as a reporter. One of the parts of the job that I really enjoyed was that I was not required to dress any differently. Now, technically I was not supposed to wear jeans (a rule I often broke for nighttime meetings), but I did not have to wear a suit or tailored dress. I always felt that since reporters are supposed to be a bit edgy, the attire fit.

These days I do not buy clothing in stores because of my pregnancy and weight issues. When I got pregnant with my first child, I went out and purchased a basic wardrobe. I got several button-down shirts, a few sweaters, and some pants and khakis. After my son was born, I ran into multiple health problems. My weight was fluctuating so much that I bought a bunch of oversized shirts and pants so that I could wear them whatever my weight was doing. Just when I had the medical problems under control and the weight going down, I found out I was pregnant again. At that point, I pulled out the old maternity clothes, added a few pieces, and here I remain.

After my daughter is born in January, I have every intention of losing all of this weight. The struggle will be a long one, I am sure, but I finally will be able to get into normal clothes. Plus, now I can buy them at regular stores, which will be an interesting change. My anticipation for that time is building now because I should be able to find the clothing I like in stores. I was afraid that I would be forever relegated to buying secondhand or in vintage shops because of my eclectic tastes. Now I am feeling much more excited about the weight changes I see coming.

I am sure these fashions are here for only a season or two. Then they will fade away to the next trend. Still I plan to stock up on what I can while these clothes are in fashion so that I can feel great and look trendy, too, even if it is only temporary and I keep the clothes long after they have gone out of style.

Perhaps you absolutely loved your trip to Paris, or you find that you would move to Miami in a second if you could. The only problem is that you cannot, but you are still left with the desire to share your love for this city. Many people feel bonded to certain cities for whatever reason. Their personalities often gel with the vibe of these cities. People who love Manhattan are on-the-go and always looking for something to do while people who are into San Francisco are more about enjoying their lives at a little eccentric, leisurely pace. So, what do you do about this dilemma? Well, you could make your fashion statements indicative of the city you love.

The easiest way to create city-centric fashions is to make earrings. Making earrings is one of the easier do-it-yourself fashions out there, so there is no big worry that you are not crafty enough or creative enough to make the earrings. You will need to get blank earring loops at craft stores. They are pretty inexpensive, and you may only find them in larger quantities.

Then you will need to get something that represents the city you love. Perhaps you bought some cool Eiffel tower souvenirs in Paris or you got tiny trains in Chattanooga. If all else fails, look online for something you can order or pick up something the next time you visit your favorite city. Then you will find a way to loop the souvenir pieces onto the earring loops. One of the best ways to do that is to buy matching key chains. Because the pieces already are on a loop, you can turn them into earrings easily.

Another cool idea is to create a t-shirt with something to represent your favorite city. You may have noticed that most cities have mottos. An easy way to create a cool t-shirt is to stencil the motto onto a t-shirt. You will need a t-shirt and stencils as well as fabric paint and a pencil. If you are using a darker t-shirt, you can try the chalk that tailors use as it will be easier to see and is made to come off clothes. Then you will need to sit down and do the layout, measuring to make sure you are putting the letters where they go. Transfer them from the layout you created on your floor to the t-shirt. Attach the stencils or be prepared to hold them steady. Paint inside the stencils, allow to dry, and you have a fashion statement about a city you love.

Another way to create a cool t-shirt for your city is to get one screen-printed. Now, unless you or your family happens to own a print shop, you will need to get this one done by someone else, but you will be the fashion guru in charge of the design idea. You should go through your photographs or even postcards of the place you visited. Then you will select a couple that will look great on a t-shirt and show you having fun or some of the best monuments in the city. Choose fairly close up shots (unless you are going with something very tall, such as the Washington Monument) with clear color and take the shots to a printer. You will select a matching t-shirt, and the printer will transfer the image in the photograph onto the t-shirt for you to wear.

A last option is to create a bag associated with the city. You simply purchase little craft pieces that remind you of the city or pick up tiny souvenirs while you are there. Then you will come home and craft them onto a bag with craft or fabric glue, needle and thread, or whatever you need to adhere them. When you carry the bag with you, everyone will know that you love the city represented on your bag. It is a great way to go around town running errands, or you can use the bag as a purse. The best part is that it is a one-of-a-kind design, so you know no one else will have it.

So, just because you do not live in a cool city does not mean that you cannot look like you do!

Living a socially conscious life does not have to mean living without any sense of fashion. Nor does it have to mean looking like a hippie. I mean no offense to any hippie readers out there, of course, but some people are stuck between wanting to look trendy or fashionable (or thinking they need to for work or other purposes) and wanting to make good decisions that will have a positive impact (or at least lessen the negative one). The two are not mutually exclusive if you are willing to spend some time trying to find the right clothes and accessories.

The first step is to keep an eye on groups like Sweatshop Watch. This organization, and others like it, are very interested in the working conditions in places like the South Pacific where the lack of labor laws often mean that employees can be treated harshly. These employees are paid very little (though often it stretches farther than in the Western world), and they may be in unsanitary conditions or face fire hazards on a regular basis. Sweatshop Watch can keep you informed about these activities through their newsletters and action ideas. You will be able to make your decision on major retailers by using these websites.

A second way to make a difference through your buying is to look locally instead of globally. While we are living in an increasingly global world, supporting our own small business still has major importance. We should work to make sure that Susie who lives three streets over and makes jewelry in her spare time is well compensated. You should check out craft fairs and local boutiques. Ask specifically about the people who make and sell these items. Shopping at local retailers increases the chance that your money and taxes are staying in your community.

A third option is to seek out companies that explain upfront that they are using pieces made by artisans from around the world. A number of these companies have popped up in recent years. The basic concept is to go to a nation in a poor part of the world, such as Africa. The Westerner finds a fashion that she thinks people in the United States or Great Britain would love.

Perhaps she finds a type of dress that would be interesting for many women, or she may find indigenous bracelets that you cannot get anywhere else in the world. The Westerner then sets up an agreement with the native people to produce the items for sale in the West. A good portion of the money (check to be sure how much) goes back to the people who made the items. They get food, water, medical supplies, and other needed items while you get a cool new accessory or fashionable piece of clothing.

You also should shop secondhand whenever you can. While you may not be helping an individual retailer, you will be re-using, which is vital in a global environment with fewer and fewer resources available. Many people, particularly in affluent areas, do not wear clothing until it can no longer be used. Instead they wear it until the next season of fashion arrives or until they are tired of it. By rifling through their tossed out possessions, you can find something clothing at a bargain and still be fashionable yourself. If you stick to classic pieces, then you will find that you can put together an entire wardrobe for little money.

Finally, you can work to create your own fashions. Learn to sew or to make your own accessories. You can start small by getting a lap-friendly sewing machine and working on a few pieces here and there. Then you can try out creating beaded necklaces and bracelets to match. Beading is really in this year, so you should have no problem finding something that will work for little money.

People who are socially conscious can be fashionable as well as long as they are willing to hunt for clothes and occasionally to pay a higher price for them. If you want to help do your part in the world, or at least not make it worse, then you should try out these suggestions to create a fashionable wardrobe that did not harm anyone.

Wal-Mart recently tried a new line of fashion merchandise. In a rare turn, this decision was not a success for Wal-Mart. If you shop at the mass merchandise giant (and most of you do, after all, looking at their sales figures), then you probably have noticed these new clothes. They are from designers who specialize in trendy clothing that is not very expensive.

In many ways, this decision seemed to fit Wal-Mart well. They sell to people who do not want to spend a lot on their clothes, food, and other items but still want something decent. So Wal-Mart tried out these new clothing lines for six months. Then they discovered that their sales figures dropped in clothing. Why?

Well, for starters, Target, which is one the biggest competitors in the retail giant world, already markets these types of clothes. Wal-Mart was not offering something that could not be purchased elsewhere. Unlike in other areas, such as moving to sell groceries in the same store as non-food items, Wal-Mart was not the first to do so and thus did not capture the initial market.

The other reason, though, and the one most interesting to fashion people, is that Wal-Mart discovered its customers did not like the clothes. Wal-Mart sells mostly to moms, especially those with small children. These are women who are trying to make ends meet, often on one income, and who are trying to provide for their children. These women want clothes they can wear again next year without thinking about it. Thus, they like the basic jeans, solid tank tops, and occasional traditional suit that Wal-Mart offers. These women were not interested in purchasing clothes that grace (or emulate the ones that grace) the pages of fashion magazines. They are into practical, not trendy.

The experiment Wal-Mart has conducted with fashion and the women who shop at Wal-Mart says something very interesting about fashion, which is that not all fashion is created equal, especially for different groups of women. While moms do not have to look old-fashioned or prudish, most of them do value comfort more than trendy. As the mother of a toddler, I can tell you that while I adore some of the low-cut shirts out there, they are not practical for spending time with a child who thinks nothing of grabbing hold of my shirt to keep himself up. Those shirts just do not work for my lifestyle, and apparently many moms agree.

Wal-Mart also caters to a slightly older crowd. In many rural areas, couples still begin having children in their early 20s though the trend in other parts of the country is to wait until the mid-30s or even early 40s to begin childbearing. In those rural areas, where Wal-Mart is most prevalent, a 35-year-old woman has different priorities from a 35-year-old career woman who is just thinking about settling down. The 35-year-old mom of middle school children has soccer matches, PTO meetings, and other family-related events to attend, which makes her fashion choices very different from that urbanite woman of the same age.

The failure of the new clothing lines at Wal-Mart should not be construed as reason to believe that Wal-Mart consumers are completely unconcerned with how they look, which often is the reputation these moms get. Instead it should be a revelation that fashion is not the same for everyone. We can see this distinction everywhere, as evidenced by different fashions for men of leisure versus corporate ladder climbers. Still when it comes to women, there has been this idea that all women want to be in with the current trends. Not coincidentally, the current trends mean that women will need to buy new clothes every year. In the end, I am happy that the little experiment did not work out, not because I am concerned with how Wal-Mart stock fares but because it shows that there are groups of women who will stand up and not be taken in by the advertising arm of the fashion industry. Instead Wal-Mart shoppers, who have the reputations for being cheap and unsophisticated, have far more self-esteem (or at least esteem that is unattached to their clothing choices) than their more worldly counterparts.

The essence of fashion should be about expressing individuality although for most people it is more about dressing like everyone else. If you interested in fashion but want to stand out or you just cannot find anything that fits your style in the stores, then you should think about creating your own fashions. There are simple ways that you can make your own designs that will show that you have some individuality when it comes to the fashion world.

An easy way to start is to make a fabric bracelet. You can make these bracelets in one of two ways. You can get a scrap of fabric (check fabric stores for returned items at a great discount), or you can use an old shirt and cut off the cuffs. Be sure that the cuffs will fit your wrists fairly well. If you are using a piece of fabric, cut it a little longer than your wrist. If you are using a sleeve cuff, then you are set to go, but you will need to remove any buttons already there.

The only real piece of equipment you will need is a snapping tool, which you can get from the fabric sections of most craft stores. These fabric tools will allow you to snap beads and other items into place. You should select three to four snaps that complement the piece of fabric or cuff you have selected. Then you will want to insert the snaps into the fabric (lining up each side of the snap) on either end of the cuff to create a one-of-a-kind fabric bracelet. You can dress up the bracelet by adding fabric paint or other adornments on it.

The second piece you can create fairly easily (without a lot of crafting skill) is a belt. In stores, belts are pretty pricy items. A basic fabric belt at a boutique can run you $40 easily, but you can make one for about $5 if you are creative. First you will need to pick a fairly wide piece of fabric. Make sure that it is wide enough that it will be seen but not too wide to fit into the belt loops of most pants.

Then you will need to purchase some type of belt end. You probably will have to purchase a pack of three or more, but that is fine if you enjoy creating your own fashions. You will need anything you plan to use to decorate the belt. You may not need much if you got a pretty decorative ribbon. If you got some a little more plain, then you may want to try beads or other pieces that you can attach to the belt. Then you will be able to create a beautiful belt by adhering the decorations with craft glue or some other type of basic adhesive. (Make sure that it will be washable in case the belt needs to be tossed into the wash at some point.)

Another way to make the belt if you do not want to use a store-bought looping mechanism is simply to tie the belt when you fasten it. You will need to lay the belt flat to decorate it. Then you will want to allow all of the decorative pieces to dry before trying to put together the fastener. You will need a needle and some type of complementary thread. You can try clear thread to save money if you will make lots of belts. Then you will need to sew very small stitches into the end of the belt if you are planning to tie it together. The sewing will keep the belt ends from fraying. If you are using the loop, you will want to sew the end of the belt around the loop. Now you have a beautiful belt that will match your tastes perfectly.

Creating your own fashion statement can be fun, especially for people who want to stand out. It also is a frugal way to fit the trends if you want to buy more trendy stuff but cannot afford it. Either way you will take pride in what you have created and make sure that you are enjoying the pieces that hang in your closet.

If you have seen an increasing amount of brightly colored plastic shoes everywhere you go, you are witnessing the land invasion of Crocs. Crocs have been spotted on nurses in the hospital and mothers at the grocery store. Teenagers are often spotted with these clog like plastic shoes but this is no teen trend. Crocs can be found on all types of individuals and at all types of events. The Crocs have moved onto the land and it does not look like they are going back to the water anytime soon.

Crocs are plastic clog like shoes with a heel strap. They have openings throughout the toe of the shoe which makes them perfect for boating or other water activities. In fact Crocs shoes were first introduced at the 2002 Fort Lauderdale boat show where they were a hit. Crocs are not selling because of their style. They are in no way sleek or attractive. They bring to mind garden clogs, but in brighter colors. What makes Crocs so popular is that they are extremely comfortable and reasonably priced. Comfort, not style is once again proving to be the key element for success in the footwear industry. Hopefully the industry is paying attention.


Crocs are made from a molded foam resin, Croslite. The shoes are slip and smell resistant. They are lightweight, dry quickly and have a non-marking sole. Created by a Canadian company called Foam Creations, these shoes were marketed by a group of Boulder, Colorado men who struck a licensing agreement with the Canadian company and renamed the shoes, Crocs. By 2003, Crocs had moved beyond the boating crowd and had become popular throughout the shoe marketplace. Analysts expect over twenty million pairs of Crocs to be sold this year in the United States and foreign markets.

Comfort is the key to these shoes and it is comfort that is selling this product to men, women and children. The wide toe box does not contort the foot as many shoes do and the heel provides for a more natural step. The American Podiatric Medical Association has called them a healthy alternative to flip flops and has given its' Seal of Acceptance for two of the Crocs' models in the Croc Rx line. Yes Crocs has a line of shoes geared toward diabetics and those with foot ailments. This line of Crocs looks like the regular line of Crocs but are slightly modified to accommodate the foot problems of a Croc Rx buyer.

Doctors also approve of the holes in the shoes since they create a anti-bacterial and anti-fungal environment for the foot. In fact the Croslite does not even allow bacteria or fungus to grow due to the "closed cell " nature of the material. This clean environment is a plus for all those who wear Crocs, not just those with specific foot ailments. I have to wonder if the Doctors know of the increasing use of socks with the Crocs. See Crocs can get a little chilly in the colder regions of the world and socks make those Crocs usable all year round. I am sure if you wear the right type of socks with your Crocs, your foot will still be safe from fungus and bacteria. If not, the other medicinal pluses of Crocs make the shoes attractive to those with foot problems and those buyers seeking to prevent foot problems.

Luckily, Crocs has expanded their product line to include an ankle boot called the " all terrains" that is perfect for cold and wet weather. This is a manly boot though it does come in a variety of colors. The " endeavor" an enclosed toe Croc is also targeted to cold weather wear. A full sized boot, the " georgie" is also available though only for women and children. Made from the same material as the original Crocs, this boot is currently only available in black, red, and blue.

As the Crocs continue to invade, more styles and imitations become available. A visit to Croc.com will allow you to view the different styles and other products available from the company that has put Crocs on the feet of millions around the world. Crocs are carried at a variety of retail outlets including sporting good stores, shoe stores and department stores. For many, these shoes may need to be tried on to be believed. The style alone will not sell many shoe buyers unless you revel in unattractive shoes. It is the comfort level of these shoes that have resulted in the explosion of sales. Comfort is the new buzz word in shoes and these shoes are gaining new converts every day.

It is an interesting fashion phenomena that comfort is winning over beauty. This is particularly interesting in the female shoe market where shoes are coveted for their beauty and style, not comfort. While I appreciate a well crafted stylish pair of shoes, I look at them as an art form, not a foot covering. I have come to this viewpoint because I physically cannot wear high heels or anything but extremely soft, flat shoes. I read about women who wear heels in spite of pain and I marvel at their devotion to fashion. I personally know of a woman who has had foot surgery due to her devotion to heels, yet she continues to wear them inspite of the continuing damage she is causing her feet. I love looking at her shoes but I am certainly not going to follow her lead. I have heard the saying, beauty is pain, but I have to wonder if beautiful footwear is worth the long lasting permanent pain it causes.

We know women have disfigured themselves for the sake of fashion. Chinese women used to bind their feet because small feet were beautiful. These women lost the ability to walk. I wonder if the modern woman is not pulling away from the pain of beauty and trading style for mobility. It may not even be that conscious of a decision. It may be an increasing number of women can no longer physically withstand the pain that beauty demands we endure to wear stylish shoes. The modern woman cannot spend her life in a chair, displaying her perfect small feet. She needs to be able to walk and in today's fast paced world, even run. Running in strappy high heels can get a little difficult.

Crocs allow today's women to live in today's busy world. Crocs, along with several other brands, are selling comfort not style. It could be the increasing consumer demand for comfort in footwear is evidence of a large scale movement of women rejecting the pain that most experience when wearing beautiful shoes. It may just be a short lived trend. Whatever the cause and effect, more and more comfortable shoes are on the market. I for one, am excited about the shopping possibilities

Drying wet hair into desired styles needs bit of attention. Properly using a hair dryer with a brush and hands is simple to learn and important as well since the time your hair start losing the moisture, they show greater flexibility to be styled into your choice look. After washing your hair, or taking a shower, follow these simple methods of drying hair well for shaping into styles with greater ease.

Drying Until Damp

Dry the hair with a towel to remove the excess moisture. If you are using hair cream or gel, work a dime-size amount (use more if you have got curly or thick hair) into the roots of hair. Comb through the hair to the ends. Now hold a dryer, with its nozzle attached, angled down so that the heated air is concentrated at the roots. Keep the dryer's nozzle some three to four inches from the scalp. Comb through our hair with fingers while using the dryer until most of it, say 80 %, becomes dry.

Dividing the Hair

Comb your hair into place. Then divide it into sections. First, separate the top layer from the bottom one, pulling hair back on the sides, and then up and away from the hair underneath. This will help the dryer getting to the roots, where volume is created. Separate hair just above the ear, lifting the top layer off the bottom one.

Sectioning the Hair

Making separate sections of hair facilitates it to dry well. Divide the upper half of hair into as many sections as needed. This depends on the thickness of hair or on the volume of the hair a clip can hold. You should divide the hair into at least four sections. Thicker hair will need more sections. After making sections, take each section, twist it, and secure in place with a clip. Repeat the same with the bottom layer until just one section of about 2 inches thick at the nape of the neck is left to work on.

Drying the Bottom of the Hair

With a medium to large barrel round brush, wrap the free section at the neck, and dry from the root along the length of the hair. For long hair, bring hair round to the face (in the manner of making C motion), moving the brush towards the end. Work on one section of 2 inches thickness at a time until the bottom layer becomes dry.

Tip: To save time, dry the bottom quickly, and then concentrate on more visible top sections.

Starting at the Roots

Wrap a round brush under a section of hair that is 2 inches thick so that the bristles are at the scalp. Heat the brush while it is at the root. Hold the dryer at roots for a few seconds. Then lift the hair up and away from the root and stroke down to the end.

Tip: For volume, spritz roots with a volumizer or hair spray, position brush, then blast with hot air.

Move to the Ends

For getting the hair sleek and straight, pull it taut while drying. Keep the dryer pointed down the hair shaft so that the dryer and the brush move together. Take the brush past the ends for a perfectly straight hair style. To give the hair extra shine, go back over sections with the dryer and a flat boar-bristle brush (round or flat).

Styling Tips

The ease of choice hair styling depends mainly on a good haircut. If you let a lot of time pass between cuts i.e. six to eight weeks, your hair is likely to get unruly and difficult to style well.

Using too much conditioner or a heavy conditioner will weigh down fine hair. Rinse the conditioner out well. Women with very thick hair, especially curly hair, may leave a little conditioner in to help straighten the hair.

Do not overdo styling products. It is enough to apply a little gel, spray, or lotion for quite some time. Overdoing the product will flatten the hair.

For attaining a sleek look, the hair cuticle must lie flat. If you aim the dryer up the hair shaft (from end toward the root), the hair is likely to look frayed and frizzy.

Body shape is for all intents and purposes not something that anyone has control over. It is determined according to what area of the body fat is stored and this is not the same for every person. The human body can be broken down into two basis types of shapes for women. These have come to be compared to fruits- there are apple shaped people and pear shaped people. What this refers to is the different ways that fat distributes itself on a body frame. For example women who are apple shaped have a tendency to develop body fat in their midsections, which is predominantly the abdominal area and the waist whereas pear shaped women develop fat lower on their bodies which includes their buttocks, hips and thigh areas. This also has an effect on the way fat is metabolized and therefore the overall health of a person. Some women are not strictly apple or pear shaped but fall somewhere in between. These women are sometimes referred to as being avocado shaped.

Genetics plays a role in which body shape a person will develop but so do other factors such as age and gender. To use an example, plenty of females put on fat in their buttocks and hips which give them a pear shaped figure. After a woman has gone through menopause her body has less of the hormone estrogen and therefore it is common for her to put fat on around her middle, which would cause her to become more apple shaped in form.

Researchers have long wondered if there is a difference in apple shaped versus pear shaped when it comes to a risk of heart problems. More and more studies are ongoing but it has been discovered that those with apple shapes due to the fat accumulated around their middle section are more likely to become obese than pear-shaped people who put on weight lower on their bodies. Heart disease, diabetes and breast cancer are also more common in apple shaped women whereas pear shaped females are more likely to develop varicose veins, cellulite, osteoporosis and a variety of eating disorders. Apple shaped women are also more inclined to develop depression and anxiety disorders, irregularities in their menstrual cycles and problems conceiving. Pear shaped women tend to have lower levels of self-esteem and view their bodies in a more negative manner than do apple shaped women. Menopause tends to affect pear shaped women worse than their apple counterparts.

To determine your waist-to-hip ratio and decide if you are an apple or a pear in shape, simply take your waist measurement and divide it by your hip measurement. Women who have waist-to-hip ratios of 0.8 or higher are apple shaped and those lower are pear shaped. The waist-to-hip ratio (or hip-waist ratio) is sometimes also called trunk fatness.

The fat stored in the abdomen and waist area of an apple shaped woman is known as visceral fat or intra-abdominal fat (IAF) and this fat is stored deep in the body and it surrounds many organs. Fat in this area contributes to such problems as an increase in the level of blood sugar as well as inflammation. Pear shaped women on the other hand have what is known as subcutaneous fat which is more passive fat and this fat is immediately stored as energy that is released only in the case of childbearing or breastfeeding. Be aware that no one can alter their body shape but they can strive to be as healthy as possible. In other words, an apple shape cannot become a pear shape and vice versa.

Women who are apple shaped should reach for skirts and pants that are straight cut and should steer clear of any clothing that is extremely fitted or tailored. In particular this means staying away from anything that draws attention to the midsection of the body such as very wide and/or well defined waist bands.

Monochromatic outfits are best which means all one color, as opposed to mixing and matching a variety of colors. Monochromatic helps to decrease the look of width and emphasizes the length of the body instead. Apple shaped women should always wear tops that serve to cover their hips and their tops should be worn over pants that are tapered and that flatter the look of slimmer legs which is common in apple shaped women. Shorter skirts are more appealing on apple shapes than are longer skirts as they draw attention to the lower body and the slimmer parts of the body. Opt for light colored pantyhose such as the color nude which will help to keep the focus on your legs. Apple shaped women should not wear clothing with pockets, especially when it comes to their tops because pockets can have an unflattering look that draws attention to the top heavy portion of a female body. Two famous apple shaped bodies are Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones and the lovely Elizabeth Hurley.

Pear shaped women should choose both pants and skirts that feature flat fronts or are softly pleated as these kind of garments place emphasis on waist areas that are well defined and this is what you want. Hipster trousers are an excellent choice as these types of pants will do away with the problem of a gaping waist that is very common to women who have the pear shape. The most flattering styles for pear shaped women are A-line skirts and A-line wraps as these type of clothing call attention to a small waist while also slimming the hip area. Skirts that are short or tight are not recommended for pear shaped women as they will bring focus to the top portion of the thighs and will also divert attention to the area you do not want, which is below the waist.

Pear shaped women should avoid pants or skirts that are light in color and instead stick with the color black, as well as darker shades of browns and blues that will help to adequately absorb the light. Make an effort to accentuate the top half of your body by wearing tops that draw the eye upward such as fitted garments that have nice colors and patterns. As well choose tops with beautiful and very becoming necklines. Do not opt for baggy tops that fall well below the waist and hips but choose tops that at the top parts of the hip area so the waist will stand out.

Pear shaped women can do a lot with accessories. They should choose both scarves and jewellery that keep the attention away from their buttocks, hips and thighs and bring the attention upward. Two famous pear shaped women are English actress Kate Winslet and Emma Bunton (better known as Baby Spice, the youngest member of the band the Spice Girls).

The ever popular buzz of Chanel Jackets keeps reverberating in the fashionable circles. You can have a chance to brag about your way of beautifying your Chanel Jacket by different ways of creating decorative trims. While it is common for many women to think of decorative braids as the only or most commonly used Chanel trims, a variety of other trims are also used for decorating Chanel suits. These include bindings, top stitching, ribbons, pipings, selvedges, linings, contrast fabric, and self-fabric bands. All these go into making a classic Chanel suit. More interesting is the fact that many decorative braids are actually several different trims that are sewn together. Braids and ribbons are used to construct some of the most elegant trims for Chanel Jackets. The following tips will tell you how to catch the eyes with decorative trims on your Chanel Jacket.

Selecting and Experimenting

While you start selecting trims, do consider those that were originally designed for home furnishing. In creating the trims, do not suppress your adventurous spirit from experimenting. Try different color combinations to come up with the best one. You will see that more often your favorites will turn out some of the unusual color combinations.

Pinning

When you are thinking of trying several combinations, pin a piece of the jacket fabric to a bulletin board. This will allow you to view the trims as they will be worn. Also, pin several different combinations; stand back and cast a glance from a distance for comparison. Now start removing the combinations that you like the least. Leave the right ones for making the final choice. In case you do not have a bulletin board, use a coat-hanger for pinning the fabrics.

Ribbons and Braids

It is more convenient to apply a combination of several ribbons and braids rather than using one wide trim. Use a base of a ribbon or solid fabric for showcasing a narrow braid and making a wider trim. You can center braids on a ribbon base, set off-center to one side, or just set on each side to frame the ribbon in the center.

Trimming the Edges

Many women of style dote on creating an illusion of height and slimness. The simplest way to do this is by not trimming the lower edge of the jacket. For the other edge, decide on the braid/ribbon trim combination. Measure the edges and sleeve vents. Add about 30 cm (12 inches) to determine the total length required. Now you can apply trims in three ways: (1) aligning the finished trim with the edge, (2) lapping the edge a greater amount, or (3) setting back from the edge. In case you lap the edge, the trim can extend 2 mm to 1 cm (up to 3/8 inches). Shape the ribbon to fit curved edges before sewing it in place.

Pinning and Basting

When you come to pin and baste the trim to the jacket, lay the jacket flat on the table. Take care that the trim taken for pinning and basting is exactly the same length as the jacket's edge.

Handling the Folds

You can make the folds of pleats and miters less noticeable when the garment is worn. For this, turn folds on the neckline toward the center back. At the corners of the neckline, turn the folds so that the visible edges are folded downward.

Avoiding Miters at Corners

To avoid miters at corners, round the corners at the neckline. Trace around the rim of a glass so that all curves are the same.

Thread and Stitch

When you baste the trims in place, it is best to use matching thread and a short running stitch. By doing this you will not need to remove it.

Folding for Miters

When both the braid and ribbon have miters, try to fold them in opposite directions.

Pressing

For pressing the trimmed jacket, place it, lining side up, on a softly padded pressing board. Now press lightly.

Pinning Darts

If you pinned small darts at the neck edge, machine-stitch them permanently and press well. If the darts are bulky, slash them open and overcast the edges.

Braids that Flare

If you are working with a braid that flares after trimming, machine-stitch across the end edge cutting it so it will maintain the desired width. It is recommended to stitch two rows about 6 mm (1/4 inch) apart and then cut between the rows.

Patterning the Ribbon

Press and shape the ribbon with steam and it will follow the neckline pattern.

Well the dreaded ugly boots finally came to my attention. These are the Australian sheepskin boots that have been wildly popular for several years but have only hit my radar screen this year when they made my teenagers' Christmas list. I am not using their common name because there is a really nasty copyright lawsuit going on concerning the right to sell Australian sheepskin boots using their ugly name and who really wants anything to do with icky lawyers anyways. So we will just call them ugly and go on.

I have been wearing unattractive shoes for years but I thought it was because those were the only type of shoes I could wear without pain. I did not know I could spend at least a hundred dollars ( on sale around ninety) on unattractive boots and shoes and be on the cutting edge of fashion. I'm thrilled. I no longer need to shop garage sales for unattractive shoes that have been worn in by someone else to cover my feet from the elements. Now I can buy soft slipper like shoes and boots, I can even wear outside, at a real department store. I can even spend a lot of money on them. My super secret plot against shoe companies seems to be working even if I did nothing to further its' goals. Finally those of us that have worn unattractive shoes and clogs because our feet, back and knees could tolerate nothing else are having our revenge as young and old alike join the unattractive shoe craze. Teach those shoe companies to use hard leather and uncomfortable heels that cause lasting damage to a woman's feet and knees.

Well these ugly boots have been around in Australia for over two hundred years or since the early nineteen hundreds, depending on who you talk to. The identifying elements of this type of footwear is that they are made from Australian Merino Sheepskin with fleece lining. The boots are described as "sock like" in terms of comfort yet they have a sole that is durable enough to wear outdoors. The fleece lining insulates the foot against cold and cools in warm weather.

In the 1970's the surfer crowd on the west coast of Australia discovered these boots and adopted them as "must have" surfer apparel. The popularity of sheepskin boots moved through Australia's surfer communities and were eventually introduced to American surfers. The American surfer community also found these boots perfect for their lifestyle and began asking their Australian surf buddies to send them a pair. This low key import/ export of uglies continued until a young Australian surfer decided to make his fortune and tried to sell uglies in New York. Brian Smith of Australia tried to sell uglies in New York City and failed miserably. In a town that condemned women for wearing tennis shoes when walking blocks and blocks to work, ugly boots did not cut it.

Being a surfer, Brian went to California where he found a group of fellow surfers already wearing uglies. He had found his market and started his company, Ugg Australia, which he later sold to Deckers Outdoor Corporation. The ugly invasion had begun. In early 2000, several celebrities began being spotted wearing uglies. Several celebrities have been credited with causing the increased popularity of sheepskin boots in the U.S. Whether it was Pamela Anderson, Gwyneth Paltrow or Oprah Winfrey who made them fashionable, there is no debating Australian sheepskin boots began sweeping the American market. If Nordstrom's policy of refusing to hold any ugly product, and the difficulty of finding certain sizes, is any indication, the popularity of this product has not waned.

The product lines of several companies selling uglies,( which the Australian people claim is a generic term for sheepskin boots , not a term suitable for trademarks), have expanded to include slippers, shoes and a wider variety of boots. Deckers is aggressively protecting their right to use the term we will call uglies, so if you are interested in products made by other companies you need to search for sheepskin boots. The key for the authentic boot is to insure they are made from sheepskin and merino wool fleece. This particular type of wool is the material that creates the exceptional comfort and allows this product to " breath" thus making it comfortable year round.

If you want to find footwear still made in Australia, you need to search a little harder. The company Brian Smith founded and sold now produces most of their products in China, though New Zealand still is a source for some manufacturing. One company that still manufactures and sells sheepskin boots from Australia is Koolaburra. Their products are still grown and manufactured in Australia and can be found on line. Ozbootz also claims its' ugly boots are still made in Australia as does Aussiesheepskinboots.com. and Emu Australia.

Imitations of ugly boots and shoes abound in discount stores. Target, Payless and others all sell imitations of ugly footwear. The style can be easily imitated but the comfort and versatility of real sheepskin boots is not as easy to duplicate. If you are looking to imitate the style, by all means buy the discount imitations and enjoy. If you are looking for an all year boot, it may be worth the effort to buy an authentic sheepskin boot with merino fleece. It has been reported that the imitation footwear does not " breath" well and as long as you never remove the boots it should not be a problem. If this is just hype from the upscale sheepskin crowd, I would love to know. If not, consider whether these boots or shoes are to be an everyday item you will wear or a seasonal purchase. The more you wear them, the better shoe or boot you should buy.

So uglies are in and at least in this market, still hot. I am not sure if an unattractive footwear movement has really begun or if this is merely another long lasting trend. I do know I am going to check out sheepskin boots for myself and purchase if their comfort level is as advertised. They are a" must have" in the teen group in which my daughter runs. It may be only a matter of time before they are a" must have" in my world also. I am not sure if the celebrities are still wearing sheepskin boots and shoes, but normal people have finally discovered them and if they are as comfortable as advertised, healthy sales for sheepskin boots should occur for years to come. Oh, and buy the way, the Decker brand of sheepskin boots apparently got its' name as a shortening of ugly. So no matter what you call your sheepskin boots, they have been ugly for years.

Dress boots have their place in fashion and so do casual boots and you can never have too many pairs of boots. Let us take a quick minute to compare dress boots to casual boots and then figure out if you have enough pairs of both!

A boot is defined as a form of footwear that covers at least the foot and usually the ankle, and sometimes extends up to the knee or even the hip. A great many boot styles have a heel whether it be low or high and modern boots come in every color, material, height and style that a person could imagine. Boots started out being meant to wear in rough working conditions, such as in the wilderness or in hazardous or industrial environments but have evolved into more mainstream wear. Today boots are not only practical but also stylish and downright fun to wear and pair with a variety of outfits. To give an example, many types of work boots (such as the well known Doc Martens) became the boot of choice in the 1960s for the extremist group, the skinheads, as well as those participating in the pink culture in the 1970s but have since made their way into the mainstream of fashion and are worn by both men and women in our society today. Doc Martens first made their stunning appearance on the boot scene in the United Kingdom on April 1, 1960.

There are many kinds of boots on the market today to choose from and women have so many options when it comes to both casual as well as dress boots. Among the variety of casual boots for women there are Doc Martens, western (in other words, cowboy) boots, hiking boots, and motorcycle boots. As far as dress boots for women are concerned, there are the ever popular Go-Go boots and knee-high boots.

Doc Martens (also known as Dr. Martens, Docs, or sometimes even abbreviated to DMs) were first developed by a doctor in the German army during World War II by the name of Dr. Klaus Maertens. Black leather Doc Martens are easily identified by their characteristic yellow stitching around the sole. Doc Martens first appeared on the market in April 1960 and were the boot of choice for the working class. People employed as policemen, postmen and factory workers enjoyed the comfort and look of these boots that contained an air-cushioned sole, which was especially good when a worker spent many hours on their feet. Skinheads and street gangs caught onto the appeal of Doc Martens in the late 1960s and in the early 1970s punks in Britain, beginning with Sid Vicious, began sporting them. Today however they are an acceptable casual boot for both men and women alike.

Cowboy (or western) boots are a casual fun boot that was originally designed for cowboys, ranchers and cattlemen. Western boots have been around for a long time and were first worn in the early 1860s. Cowboy boots feature a high heel, and a high shaft. These type of casual boots are sturdy and durable and they are pull on, not lace up and have a rounded to pointed toe. The majority of cowboy boots are made from leather but some are made from more exotic animals such as the sting ray, elk, buffalo, alligator, ostrich, elephant and snake. Today cowboy boots can be as colorful and decorative as one desires them to be.

Many women favor the style, versatility and comfort of a pair of hiking boots. Hiking boots, as the name implies, were originally created for those who enjoyed hiking. They are geared for walking many miles at a time and treading over difficult terrain, such as rocks, mud, water and any other kinds of wilderness.

Motorcycle boots (also called bikers) are tall boots made of heavy leather that have a shorter heel in the majority of cases. There are two types of motorcycle boots and they are the engineer boots and the motocross (or racing) boot. The women version of the motocross boot is favored by lots of females for casual enjoyment. These are good boots to wear on a relaxing day off.

Go-Go boots are dressy boots that burst onto the fashion scene in the 1960s and were very popular from the beginning. Many versions of these boots are still worn today and many believe that Go-Go boots are a form of female empowerment. The term was created by Andre Courreges who designed a white, low-heeled boot that rose slightly above the ankle. The original intent of these boots was for dancing. The term Go-Go boots is often used loosely in our modern day society to encompass a variety of dress boots worn by women, only today they are usually knee high boots worn with a dress or miniskirt. It was singer Nancy Sinatra who is believed to have popularized the term Go-Go boots through both her lifestyle and her music with the song, These Boots Are Made for Walkin.

Knee-high boots are dress boots for women that have become a staple for the fashion conscious and in some cases have a sexual connation attached to them. Knee-high boots first appeared in one form or another as far back as the 1950s. These dress boots are generally made of leather and are most frequently to be found in the color black. Most knee-high boots have a zipper closure, are tight as opposed to loose boots and have a heel that is at least three inches and higher. Check out the boots Julia Roberts is wearing in the first few scenes of the movie Pretty Woman (1990) in which she starred opposite Richard Gere, to get an idea of what knee-high boots look like and how sexy they can be.

A new accessory store on the shopping scene may make putting the finishing touches on any outfit just a little bit easier. Diva London, a new offering from Limited Brands, has opened six stores to test the adult accessory market. Targeted to women eighteen to thirty-four, Diva London offers inexpensive yet high style, jewelry and accessories. Diva London is still in the testing stages of development, but if the newly opened stores in the Columbus, Ohio and Washington D.C. area thrive, shoppers will have a high style, low cost place to go to add an international "wow" factor to any outfit.

Diva London is a venture between Columbus, Ohio retailer, Limited Brands and DCK Concessions, an international jewelry and accessory retailer. If you are not familiar with the name Limited Brands, you probably will recognize the names of two of its' divisions ; Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works. Limited Brands also owns; The Limited, Express, Henri Bendel and apparel maker Mast Industries. More interesting are some of the stores Limited Brands has had under its umbrella during its' forty plus year history. Lane Bryant, Gaylan's Sporting Goods, Limited Too ( now Tween Brands), Structure and Abrocrombie and Fitch have all at one time been owned by Limited Brands. Some have been sold off to other retailers and some have flown solo. Abrocrombie and Fitch is an example of one of Limited Brands' prodigy that has not only flown solo but is soaring, though under the watchful eye of its' one time owner; Abrocrombie is headquartered down the street from Limited Brands. If you have been in a mall in the United States you have most likely seen, if not shopped at, a Limited Brands store.

This is why Diva London may have a very bright future. Not only is it being launched by a United States retail giant, it is a venture with one of the largest international accessory retailers, DCK Concessions. DCK is one of the leading fashion jewelry retailers in the world. Headquartered in the U.K., DCK Concessions has over three thousand Concessions outlets throughout the world. They market several brand names, including Freedom and Diva. A new line, Destiny, was recently introduced in Matalan in September of 2006. DCK Concessions does not sell its' products directly, they are located within a host retailers' store. DCK Concessions sells its' products in over twenty -two countries and on line.

So two retailing entities venture together and what results is a shopping opportunity for the accessory lover in all of us. The accessories really do pull together the look, and give the fashion conscious consumer the " wow" factor that produces a head turning result from fellow fashion followers. We all know the cost of decent fashion accessories can bust the budget of any outfit. Rummaging through discount or thrift stores can result in interesting pieces, but that takes time and effort. If anyone has shopped for the perfect bracelet or necklace to finish a fashionable look, or merely give a conservative look a fashionable flair, you will not be surprised to find costume jewelry can easily cost you the same dollars as a real piece of jewelry can run you at your local jewelers. This is if you can find cutting edge accessories at all. Large markets have a variety of retail outlets, including those in ethnic or artsy neighborhoods that provide a buyer with stores in which to find interesting but inexpensive accessories. If you do not live in a diverse neighborhood, high fashion accessories are either unavailable or expensive. Even a well funded fashion follower may think twice before spending hundreds of dollars on costume jewelry to give their outfit that " wow" factor we all crave. This is where Diva London comes in, and if it succeeds it will make internationally fashionable accessories a cost effective addition to any woman's outfit.

Diva London has declared its' target market to be women, ages eighteen to thirty-four. While the Diva line of accessories is targeted to teenagers in the rest of the world, Limited Brands is positioning it to a more adult market here in the United States. This dove tails with the target markets of most of Limited Brands' retail stores. It also covers a market that the hugely successful accessory store Claire's and Icing by Claire do not focus on. Claire's is primarily targeted to the tween market. I know I have entered a Claire's store with my tween daughter, and while the price of the earrings appeals to my pocketbook, I feel I would be robbing the grave buying any of their products for myself. While Claire's target market does include young women, it does not focus on adult women. Diva London states it will be selling to an older crowd, filling in that retailing nitch that Claire's does not currently serve. So why is Diva London selling teen items to American adults? I can make a guess, though I must admit I do not have the definitive data to support my theories.

In my experience, It takes awhile for European fashions to infiltrate the American market. Americans feel they rule the world, but in terms of cutting edge fashions, most trends have floated around Europe awhile before they catch the fancy of the American female. Often the first group to adopt European fashions are those exposed to Europe; college age individuals. In my day the crowd who studied, or merely traveled, overseas were the first to wear asymmetrical hair styles and were the only other students I met who were aware of " lite" new wave dance music. Having come from the home of one of the largest college campuses in the country, I was always a little advanced in the music department. Even my fellow students who lived in major metropolitan areas were not aware of certain music trends until at least a year following my exposure to the same trends. The only students who knew what I was talking about were those who had traveled overseas. I must admit they brought fashion trends I had not seen, because my Midwestern town may have been advanced in music, but with fashion they were still conservative, even a little backward.

This was twenty something years ago, but while the internet has shortened the time it takes for trends to travel around the world, the time lag has not been completely eliminated. It still takes American women time to adopt the trends of their British and European cousins. What appeals to the U.K. teen this year may very well appeal to the twenty to thirty year old American woman, while the U.S. teen will walk on by. Luckily for Diva London, DCK just introduced a new line this fall. If the Diva line doesn't work, DCK may have one or two other items that they can offer to the American female. Given today's computer technology, Limited Brands probably already knows exactly which products are selling and which are not. Twenty years ago, it may have taken a week or two to make that assessment and institute change.

You may have guessed, I have been in a Diva London store. It was me and a bunch of tweens. I think the sales clerk was happy to see someone in the store who was older than she was. The headband and other non jewelry accessories were inexpensive, uninspired and comparable to the merchandise found at Target. The jewelry was something else. First, it was inexpensive, I mean cheap. The price tags I looked at were all under twenty dollars, some even breaking the ten dollar mark. And it was cool. Yes, I said cool. There were thick silvery bracelets and interesting necklaces. If they last through a night, you get your monies worth. This is not to say they look cheap, they look great. I'm just sure nothing could be this good, so I am sure there is a problem somewhere. I have not purchased yet, but when I do, I'll tell you what the problem is.

I have seen Diva London recommended on wedding sites as a great place to buy bridemaids jewelry. The only other hipe I have seen is in retail articles. Luckily I could actually check this experiment in retailing myself, and not just look at pictures. I can personally tell you this is a store you should check out when shopping for that perfect necklace or bracelet to put a "wow" factor in your outfit. The cost really is low and you may be able to put a little glamour in more then one outfit and still have money left for dinner. I know I will go back, just do not tell them my age, I am a little out of their target market but it is nothing a little makeup and a hat won't solve.

By Brandi M. Seals

It seems like every year the stores fill with the requisite Christmas gear, clothes that reflect the holiday season. That way everyone can wear there Christmas cheer on December 25th. Instead of simply wearing red and green, people can get their hands on socks that sport Santa's face, a sweater covered if gift boxes, and underwear with ribbons and bows. There is something for everyone.

Socks
Socks are a major exception to my rule of wear non-theme clothes. I think if you really want to throw some cheer into an outfit, you might as well sport some Christmas socks. You can find them at just about any store that sells clothes during the winter time.

These little guys pack a series punch. They generally come in bright colors and feature over the top designs. I like images of Rudolph or candy canes. Santa gets too much time on everything else, so I like to do a little something different with the socks.

The best time to buy Christmas socks (or any other Christmas inspired gear) is after the holiday season. Whatever has not been sold at the height of the season suddenly gets a major discount as stores try to rid their inventory of seasonal items. Pick up a pair of Christmas socks around this time and you will generally save at least 50% off the cost.

Underwear
I think Christmas underwear is usually given as a gift. I do not know of anyone who buys them for themselves. I take that back, I know some that buy the clearanced out prints after the holiday season. But for the most part, I would say this cheery intimate apparel is given as a gift. If you have gotten a pair, you might as well wear them. Generally I am opposed to themed garments, but underwear is an exception. No one (except maybe your significant other) is ever going to see them so I say why not wear them.

Pajama Pants
Maybe you want to show a little Christmas cheer but do not want everyone and their brother to see it. Then, Christmas inspired pajama pants are for you. You can get the decorated PJ pants in flannel, cotton or even a silky material. The decision is up to you. You can go with traditional icons like Santa or wreathes. You could also opt for a less traditional look. I have seen pajama pants decorated with polar bears with red and white scarves and many other designs.

Sweaters
Christmas sweaters are the loudest I would say. You can overlook other items like socks, or miss out on someone's pajamas and underwear, but it is very hard to miss the loud, over the top Christmas sweater. It is no secret that I despise Christmas sweaters. I think they are generally horribly tacky and should never be worn. However, there are those out there that love them. I suppose I will never understand why but I am okay with that.

If you want everyone to know you are in the Christmas spirit, feel free to dig out that monstrosity from the back of the closet. The week before Christmas is the only time of year when it is appropriate to wear such a thing, so I suppose you should put it on if you have one.

If you are looking to buy a Christmas sweater and you refuse to take my advice about just wearing a red sweater, then I have a few tips for you. Look for a pattern that is not too loud. Stare at the sweater for a few minutes. If it makes you woozy, choose another design. Avoid all sweaters that have protrusions. Snowballs, gifts, or whatever design element being utilized should remain flat.

While writing this I came to the realization that these items are probably the only things that get a Christmas design. Think about it for a minute. Have you ever seen Christmas pants? I have not. How about a Christmas blouse? I have not seen one of those either. I guess there are tee shirts with Christmas designs but that is it. It is kind of strange how nothing else gets branded Christmas designs. I guess there are only a few things people like to have decorated up for the season.

By Brandi M. Seals

I have never tried this before for a whole year, but I seem to have a knack for pegging what trends from the past will soon make a comeback. I have to admit, I am much better with the bad trends (for example, I foresaw that high-waisted skirts would make a comeback and I think it is one of the worst trends ever).

My predictions for 2007 are not based on any information read in magazines or even things I have witnessed. I am basing my predictions on the fact that really ugly, tacky trends from the 80s resurfaced this past year. Therefore I think this coming year's trends will be from the late 80s and will be trends that were less than gorgeous the first time around.

1st Prediction: Hyper Color Will Resurface
Remember those shirts that would change color when people would touch them or when body heat went up? I think the technology that made that happen will resurface in the fashion world. Only, I doubt the shirts will come back. The shirts were too much of a passing fad, but the concept of something changing based on heat seems kind of cool. I am thinking that someone might come out with hyper color purses, hyper color watches, or some other hyper color accessory.

2nd Prediction: Neon Clothing Will Make a Comeback
I cannot think of the 80s without remembering neon clothing. Think back to your favorite episode of Saved by the Bell or The Fresh Prince of Bell Air. Notice a trend of brightly colored items? I think they will come back. Bright pink, neon yellow and florescent orange will come back someday. If it is not in 2007, look for it soon thereafter.

I do not imagine that the neon colors will be as prevalent as before. I think we are actually safe from fluorescent pants and shirts. But, I think the colors will come back as bright accents, perhaps as a snippet of color on a pair of swim trunks or as shoe laces.

3rd Prediction: Everyone Will Try to Wear Biker Shorts Again
Face it, spandex has not been to nice to us. It is hideous and looks bad on 90% of the population. However, it was hot once before and I think it will reappear again. In case you do not know what biker shorts are, they are the skin tight, spandex shorts that bike riders wear. The stuff does not leave anything to the imagination and will hug anything that is not smooth.

Currently leggings are supposed to be trendy. While I refuse to slip one leg into a pair of leggings, I know several people that love them. It is only a matter of time before leggings under skirts and dresses switch to biker shorts under these garments. Just think how gorgeous (yuck) that will look considering we as a society have gotten fatter since they were cool the first time around. Let's hear a cheer for visible panty-lines and cottage cheese butts.

4th Prediction: Bibs, Overalls or Whatever You Want to Call Them Will Return
It is about that time for everyone to look like they just got done painting. I do not know why I associate overalls with painters but I do. Regardless, I think they will be resurrected. I am not sure yet if they will be the shorts version or the long pants version, but I think it is safe to say that people will start wearing bottoms with straps that hook over the shoulders.

Maybe if people get crazy with it they will start wearing one strap up and one strap down. For a more country look, people can wear both straps hooked. There are just so many options when it comes to tacky bottoms.

5th Prediction: Scrunch Socks Will be Hot
I cannot remember exactly what these things were called - they were popular before I realized what popular was. Anyway, they are the socks that you can scrunch down and they peak out from the skinny (tapered) legged jeans. The socks came in bright colors and were often layered to create a more dramatic look. Everyone seems to be craving accessories lately. Why not turn to brightly colored socks that are meant to be seen? It seems logical to me.

By Brandi M. Seals

I cannot remember a year where I was at such odds with the fashion trends as I was in 2006. It seemed like everything new and hot came straight back from the 80s and quite frankly the 80s should be forgotten completely (at least in terms of fashion). While I am glad that big bangs have not reappeared, there were a number of hideous trends that came back this past year. There are too many to list, however, the 5 worst trends were:

Crocs
Never have I seen such an ugly shoe. I am actually amazed that Crocs have caught on with people. Everyone swears they are comfortable but I do not understand how any discovered they are comfy. Quite frankly there is no way I would go near a pair for fear that its ugliness might somehow infect me.

If you are not familiar with Crocs, consider yourself lucky. They are brightly colored plastic shoes that look like something that should only be worn in the garden. If you have seen Mario Batali's odd orange shoes, you have seen a pair of Crocs.

High-Waisted Skirts
I knew these ghastly things would come back as soon as I saw all the other 80s gear coming back into style. Lace gloves and leg warmers made a splash before heading back out of style, but the high-waisted gear seems to have a little more staying power. I am not quite sure how a skirt up to someone's breasts is supposed to look good. It just looks like they lack a waist or like their boobs are growing out of their abdomines. I guess grannies around the world that their pants are close to being in style for the first time in a long time.

Skinny Jeans
Society as a whole as worked very hard to eradicate tapered leg jeans and now thanks to designers they have made a come back this past year. Next to no one looks good in these jeans that play up the butt and thighs. They make people look like they have little toothpick ankles and giant rear ends. Not exactly the look I want to be sporting out there. Regardless, it seems that several people have jumped on the skinny-jean band wagon. Sure when girls that wear a size 0 have them on they look cute, but for anyone with some meat on their bones (and by meat I mean a size 6 or up) skinny jeans are the antichrist.

Anyone, especially those with the pear body shape should run screaming from the skinny jeans. In fact, unless you are the size of a twig, you should avoid these horrible things.

Leggings
Leggings remind me of one thing and one thing only - Stephanie Tanner from Full House. All of her rompers had leggings and now it is the only thing I think of when I see someone with leggings. Skirts or dresses with little black shorts under them are not cute. It just looks stupid. I cannot quite put it into words, but the look is just bad. There is no need to wear leggings. If your legs are cold, wear some pantyhose and leave the leggings at home.

Dresses over Pants
I am not sure if they were really dresses over pants or really just super duper long shirts worn with pants but regardless, it looks bad. This is what I call homeless chic. Prior to this look being fashionable, you could find your local female bum sporting this number in order to stay warm. I am all for layering, but this is just ridiculous. The point of a dress is that your legs are supposed to show and the point of pants is to cover the legs. Clearly those two goals are at odds with one another. That means they should not be paired together.

In the case that these are just really long shirts (not the ones that end at the hips, but ones that end around the knees); no one needs a shirt that long. Save the material and make something else with it - like more shirts that are not so darn long.

What do you think was the worst trend this past year? Leave a comment and let all the readers know.

By Christina VanGinkel

I just read an article in a print magazine that talked about how high end boutiques play music that they feel gets their customers in the mood to shop. Well, actually the music is supposed to get the shopper in the mood for whatever the activity that the clothing in the store would normally be worn to do. For example, if the store sells a lot of clothing styles that are designed to be worn out and about in dance clubs, then playing music that customers might normally hear at a dance club, supposedly motivates them to spend more on that particular type and style of clothing. The article went on to discuss how such music has been being played at fashion shows for a long time, to get big buyers in the mood to spend, spend, spend. In addition, the cross over to playing the music in the stores themselves was not all that big of a leap, yet no one seemed to think of it before just a few years ago. When they did, sales actually increased noticeably and right away. Music as a motivator is surely not new; yet using it to motivate people to spend money on clothes shopping is not yet so popular that you will find it wherever you happen to live, especially if you do not live in a large metropolitan area.

The last time I shopped for clothing at my local mall, this theory had yet to reach the managers of the local clothing stores. What was playing in the background was some cross between what I and I am sure many others refer to as elevator music, with a slight mix tossed in of holiday tunes. I was trying to find a top to wear with a pair of jeans to a casual affair holiday party, and some livelier tunes would definitely have been appreciated. Whether they would have coerced me into spending my money more freely, that I am not sure about, but it sure would not have hurt.

When I think about all of the places I listen to music, from the comfort of my own home, to my vehicle, restaurants, and yes, shopping malls, I am all for changing the average set of tunes most stores play over their speaker system. Whether I can honestly speculate that, I would like the fact that the music might lead me to part with my money more freely; I would definitely hesitate to bring it forward to discuss.

Shopping to music that fits the mood might be fun though. Right now, when I go shopping, I am more apt to listen to the salesperson whine on about her lousy hours, low pay, and a discount that is not worth having to put up with what she does (this was an actual vent that I did listen to while shopping not that long ago), or possibly to some screaming kids running up and down between the racks of clothes. For the record, I have kids of my own, and they have done just that. Actually, when I think of it, the livelier music would probably have made them even wilder than normal! Well, if I knew I was in for such a fun treat shopping, I might have been more inclined to leave the kids at home!

Music has many places in life. Whether shopping for clothing while listening to tunes that fit the style of clothing is one of them, I personally am all for it the more I think about it. While hanging on to my money might need some tightening, I am sure that having it help put me in the mood to find the perfect outfit for whatever occasion I am heading to would far outweigh the spending aspect. As it is, until music fitting the bill hits a mall near me, I guess I will continue to wear whatever old thing I find in my closet, because I am just not finding any clothing fitting my current needs. Not unless you call almost making the grievous error of purchasing a sweater with a glowing red nose front and center while listening to Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer blasting loud on the store's speaker system to wear to this year's annual holiday party counts!

Ah, the moment has finally arrived. You've lost those extra pounds and you're rejoicing because the clothes that once fit you are hanging in piles at your feet. You have enough cash saved to buy yourself some nice new wardrobe enhancers, and the Dumpster is already eagerly awaiting its next meal; your old clothes. Before you throw out every single thing in your closet, remember that some items can be recycled.

Have pants that no longer fit? There are a few options here. You can hem in the waist, but the legs will still look baggy. If you absolutely can't find any way that they can still be worn, don't throw them away; see if anyone in your family can use them. If not, thrift stores and places such as the Salvation Army will gladly welcome new donations. If you love the look of your old pants and can't bear to let them go, consider cutting them apart and resewing to make shorts or a skirt. Even if you don't sew, you will probably be able to find someone among friends or family who will help you out in this department.

If you just bought a new pair of jeans but have now lost a lot of weight and can no longer fit in them, try to get as much use out of them as possible. I purchased jeans when I was between sizes; the size was too big, but a smaller size would not have fit. Now they are ridiculously floppy but I pull them in with a tight belt until I allow myself a shopping spree. Don't waste new pants just because they're big; make sure to get lots of use out of them until you buy a new pair. See if you can hem in the waist; often, jeans will be too big around the waist but fit just comfortably around the legs.

Perhaps the neck of what was once your favorite shirt has now stretched too low to wear in public. You can sew insets into the shirt by adding lace or other material. By simply turning the shirt inside out and applying the proper stitches, you can add modesty and a touch of color to your blouse and it will still look great. This doesn't work for every shirt, so you might want to hold the chosen material behind the blouse to see how it will look before you actually start sewing. Before tossing shirts you'll never touch again, consider cutting out squares for quilts, craft projects, or anything else you may be able to think of.

Sweaters can look good even if they would normally be too big for you; many find it fashionable to wear a long sweater that isn't tight and fitted. Personally I have a beautiful black sweater that I just didn't want to get rid of. It was two sizes too big, and even though shrinking helped a tiny bit, it still looked bulky. I solved this problem by wearing a gold belt over the waist of the sweater; it helped pull it in and give me of a fitted appearance. Belts over shirts are very popular currently and this is definitely something you could try.

Remember that it may not be a horrible thing if pajamas or a bit too large or even much too large; you'll want them loose and comfortable for lounging around at home. Trying to shrink pajamas might work somewhat, but it probably won't shrink enough to be a perfect fit. Since pajamas and other sleepwear items are often already floppy and loose-fitting, you shouldn't need to worry about replacing this part of your wardrobe right away. Casual at-home sweaters and cardigans that are too large for your now-thinner frame might be more comfortable because of it.

If you have a whole closetful of socks, you shouldn't throw them out just because you've lost weight; they'll still fit, and if they're in good shape you can save yourself a lot of money (designer socks aren't cheap). If you *do* need socks, check the material; certain thin materials tear easily and you're soon running to the clothing department again. You also won't need to replace shoes right away since you won't be losing much weight off your feet. If you have good shoes, that's money you will save.

This isn't to say you won't still want to buy a new wardrobe; I'm looking forward to the time I can go out and pick out anything I like without worrying about looking for special sizes. It just means you shouldn't waste years worth of clothing without being sure there aren't some things you can revitalize first.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

As you love your hair dearly, it pays back in the stylish coins. Summer is sizzling time with extra demands on skin and hair. In holidays, when you are out on travel, you often find it hard to dedicate that precious time of leisure to professional hair styling. Here are some simple ways for transforming your loose locks into captivating styles both day and night with low maintenance tips.

Daytime Butterfly Style

Trailing tresses in your face do not look that romantic as you have may have fancied after watching romantic comedies of the early sixties. So when you are relaxing by the pool or strolling on the beach, assume a simple and yet seductive style by tying your locks back in small plaits. Loosely plait small sections of your hair from the root to the tip. Secure the ends with snag-free pony bands. The more plaits you make, the better will be your free-flowing evening look. Finally, just sweep your locks back into a low-slung ponytail. Secure it with a hairclip or bobble.

Night's Firefly Style

As the stars sparkle in the distance overhead, floating peasant hair make you glow sweet and sexy. This ideal ruffled style of night is easy to make without any shampooing and conditioning. You need to shake out the daytime plaits, creating mermaid waves automatically as you separate the hair with your fingertips. Now apply hairspray to give a long-lasting hold, finishing with a spritz of any favorite fragrance.

Daytime Breezy Style

Enjoy the sea breeze while sightseeing during the day with the breezy style of hair. You can start by shampooing and conditioning with a detox duo to help rid the locks of build-up. Next, work volumising mousse into your damp style. Scrunch dry the tresses to minimize the frizz and flyways. Sweep your fringe to the side for a textured, full bodied bend. Set the hair usi9ng an ultraviolet protective hair mist. Now you are ready to explore the charms of the foreign sights as they explore the breeziness of your hair.

Hot and Spicy Night Style

Whenever you are out on travel, take care not to overload your hair with products. It will result in a dull look and styling problems, especially in the evening. Simply stick to the bare essentials and tilt your head back, pulling your hair tightly into three ponytails on the top, middle, and bottom. Now, neatly roll each section to make a bun, securing with Kirby grips. Smooth with serum to seal down flyaway. Hold the trio of buns in place by using a firm-hold hairspray.

Daytime Kinky Style

If you have the natural gift of kink, you can easily assume the lightness of movement and sexy look as you break the ocean waves with your kinky hair. Kink offers you windswept curls that maintain a great look all day long. And how long does it take you to master this look? Only five minutes! Squeeze a golf ball size of curl-enhancing mousse into the palm of your hand and massage into damp locks. Start from the ends and scrunch upwards. Hold in place for a few seconds to form the wave and allow it to set. Now flick out and separate your locks using your fingertips.

The Bewitching Night Style

At the romantic dinner party on the beach, you need something special to stun the guys out there. So just swish and sweep your daytime style, pulling your hair back and securing with hair grips from the crown to the nape. Keep it very casual by allowing random sections to tumble out from behind. You can create extra definition by working texturising lotion into a choppy fringe. Here you go with the ultimate surf-chic style for the romance when the sun goes down.

Styling Tips

Do not color your hair just before setting out on holidays. The color will fade more quickly. Instead of coloring, infuse your hue with a temporary booster. Upon returning, visit the salon.

If you have long hair, you can add some interest to the long locks with a subtle fringe; grown out bangs work great for shaping your style and making your eyes prominent.

If you own lots of layers, create extra texture by using straightening irons on the ends and fixing with matt wax.

Canvas shoes are fantastic for the spring and summer months and if it is not too cold, on into the early days of the fall as well. Canvas is lightweight and is excellent to go with all of your casual outfits. Lets take a look at the best way to take care of canvas shoes so you do not constantly have to be buying new pairs to replace the ones you ruined the previous season!

Canvas is a coarse cloth material made of hemp that is used in a number of things including sails, tents, boards (used for painting on, i.e. painting canvasses) and shoes. The canvas shoe is a very basic form of casual shoe or sneaker. It is constructed very simply with a canvas upper and a rubber sole. Canvas shoes can be purchased in high top or low top and are available in almost any color you could ask for. Some canvas shoes, especially those made for children, have cute designs on them as well. On the other hand canvas shoes do not have much shock absorption, cushioning or support and therefore are not suitable for any type of activity that take place on pavement. If you run, jog, do aerobics, play tennis or any other sports then go in for an honest to goodness pair of sneakers and leave the canvas shoes for the beach or backyard. Canvas shoes are fun, casual, and versatile and are also not that pricey. You can buy a decent pair of them for anywhere from twenty to thirty dollars (and sometimes less).

A big advantage of canvas shoes is that they are a low maintenance type of shoe with no fuss, no muss. In other words taking care of them is a snap. First of all it is a good idea to protect your canvas shoes before wearing them (or even better, upon first purchasing them) by applying a cloth care spray or starch to them. If you have sensitive skin it is wise to wear vinyl or rubber gloves when you spray your shoes and then give your hands a good washing afterwards. If you have asthma or any other respiratory problem always wear a mask and if the spray gets into your eyes or causes your skin any irritation then rinse immediately with lots of water.

Canvas shoes can easily be thrown in the washing machine when they are dirty. Before you do so always remove any surface dirt from the sole or sides of the shoe with a slightly damp cloth. If the shoes are caked in mud then gently scrub them with a soft brush and water first. Any commercial detergent (such as Tide, Ivory Snow, Sunlight, ABC or Gain) should get them nice and clean. It is advisable to remove the laces and either wash them with the canvas shoes, hand wash them or wash them the next time you do a load of laundry. Canvas shoes can easily be hung up on a line to air dry. They generally should be ready to wear in a relatively short period of time.

If you wear a pair of canvas shoes in the wintertime (although of course this is not advisable due to the cold as well as the slippery streets) and end up with thin white wavy lines on the upper of the sole, with a concentration of them around the sole of the shoe then these are salt stains from the road and must be removed as soon as possible. If left in place, salt stains will cause the canvas to go hard and then crack and the stitching is likely to unfortunately, rot away. Avoid this by washing your canvas shoes with a special suede and fabric shampoo and then set them somewhere to air dry. This shampoo should be easy to find at any shoe store and many department stores should sell them as well. Never allow canvas shoes to dry by placing them near a radiator, fireplace or any other form of direct heat as the intensity of the heat is likely to destroy the material of the shoe.

Canvas shoes do not always retain their natural shape and sometimes it is because of the way we wear them such as how we walk in them. Some people put more weight on one side of their shoe than the other and this could potentially serve to wear down the sole or heel of a shoe and cause the upper to be stretched unnecessarily. To remedy this problem, use shoe trees (which can be purchased at most department and fine shoe stores) or pack the toes of your shoes with newspaper (or regular paper) to help them retain their original shape. And keep in mind that shoelaces need to be replaced once in awhile. Always tie up your laces and do not buy ones that are either too long (dangerous and sloppy looking, not to mention they get dirty so easily) or too short (they will draw the shoe together unnaturally to compensate for their lack of length).

If you are good to your shoes then they should in turn be good to you. Keep this basic principle in mind and you should be fine and your shoes should last until they wear out due to regular wear and not because you have not treated them well!

There is no denying that although not the best shoe style for women from a health standpoint, due to the fact that high heeled shoes put pressure on the front part of the foot by pushing it forward and down and bending the toes up in an unnatural position, high heeled shoes are stylish, elegant and can make any women feel sexier. High heeled shoes have a simple definition, as they are shoes, which raise the heel of the foot significantly higher than the toes. High heeled shoes come in a number of different styles, different materials and can be purchased in almost any color of the rainbow. Most high heels are solids, which means they are all one color but some have patterns such as leopard print. High heeled shoes come in a variety of shapes also, such as block, blade, stiletto, tapered and wedge. Fashion would not be fashion without high heeled shoes. If in doubt, look to the queen of shoes, the fictitious and fun loving Carrie Bradshaw of HBOs very successful show Sex and the City. There was a girl who knew good sex AND good shoes!

What exactly equals a high heeled shoe has been long debated. The norm for most women is a heel between two and three inches because it can be comfortably walked in while still providing some extra height. It is the minority of women who choose to wear heels that are four inches and over and those classed as extremely high heeled tend to be the domain of entertainers and/or are purchased for those harboring shoe fetishes. The higher the heel the less practical it is for wear on a more or less steady basis. Interesting to note is