Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Dressing For Success
I learned about dressing for success from a buddy of mine. He is an attorney in Atlanta, Georgia. For him, attire means a great deal. Now, it's not like he has to run out and find the most expensive Versace suit currently available. This would cost anyone a fortune. Especially if you plan to update your wardrobe on a regular basis. However, he does prefer a nice designer suit. You can acquire these without going bankrupt. You simply have to do your research first. Take advantage of all the local shops and get online for some serious fashion recon work. Those ideal duds are out there. You just have to find them. Now, if you're not a big believer in dressing for success, I suggest that you do one simple thing. This one always works. Toss on your casual pair of jeans and a T-Shirt, and head over to an upper-scale car dealership like Ferrari or Porsche. Pay attention to how fast of a response you receive. Then wait a few days and do the same thing in a fine suit. I'll bet that you get two completely different reactions. Whether we like it or not, folks judge us by what we wear. They assume it relates to our income. Don't they know that billionaires walk around in T-Shirts and torn-up jeans? Well, apparently not.
One of the greatest aspects of dressing for success involves our careers. This does not only concern the work environment once we're in it, but acquiring the position as well. In fact, dressing for success has a ton to do with finding work. Of course you want to put forth your best impression, but you also have to look nice. You should know that dressing for success will equal success. Employers want to see individuals who are willing to put their very best foot forward and show some effort and respect. Can you handle that?
Dresses And Skirts
During the turn of the century dresses and skirts were long and modest. However, the Roaring Twenties offered a shocking new look that was really ahead of its time. If you consider that most dresses and skirts were typically worn down to the ankle up until the beginning of the 1920’s.
The hemlines of these garments rose to knee length in a matter of a handful of years. It seemed as if ladies suddenly woke up one morning and decided that dresses and skirts should be lifted to new heights. This new approach to dress design turned fashion on its ear and it started a whole new era for women. Not only were women entering the voting booths, they were freeing their legs of cumbersome dresses and skirts as well.
The knee-length hemline from the 1920’s stayed in place for about 30 years or so. The conservative 1950’s were followed by a great decade of revolution. This decade brought the miniskirt into the limelight and this new hemline caused quite a fashion stir during its time. Hemlines rose to unheard of heights during this decade and many of us typically think of the sixties when we think of the mini.
Some may make the connection to advocacy for women’s rights and the rising hemline. Considering what was going on in the country during the 1920’s and the 1960’s, we may look at the rising hemlines of dresses and skirts as a kind of symbolic revolutionary representation.
Hemlines have had their ups and downs. During the 1990’s the trend was to wear pretty long dresses and skirts. Many ladies even wore garments that reached the ankle, making the exit from the 20th century ironically cyclical in nature. We entered the century with ankle-long dresses and skirts and we exited with the same length hemline in fashion.
Today’s dresses and skirts offer a great variety. We have seen the Bohemian chic trend that presents garments that hover around the calf. Other dresses and skirts are dangerously short, especially in the past few years. These trends seem to coexist pretty peacefully.
Women have more fashion choices than ever before. Dresses and skirts come in a variety of lengths, colors and styles. You can find garments that will suit every occasion as well as your every mood.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Fashion Trends
A few times a year, there seems to be a shift in fashions. I really don’t know much about each trend, but I see what is going on when I look at what everyone else is wearing. You never know what to buy because the trends go so quickly. Quite often you can look back at the things you wore when you were young and wonder what you were thinking. This happens often, and it makes me want to buck the trends and dress the way I want to.
I always wonder who decides what the fashion trends will be for that year or that season. Is it some overpaid fashion guy in Paris? Why do we allow that person to tell us what will be in that year? I have watched friends cringe when looking through the new fashion trends, yet they go out and buy the stuff anyway. I’m sorry, but there is no way I’m wearing tapered leg jeans again. It may be an upcoming fashion trend but I’m not going to participate, and I am indeed going to laugh in my head at those that do. They went out of style for a reason and they should be allowed to rest in peace.
As far as I’m concerned, the latest fashion trends show me how little imagination fashion designers can have. I know it’s hard to come up with something new, but I hardly think recycling the same looks is something that should be considered genius. Why do we have to go back and revisit a decade that we gladly left behind? Come up with something new if you really want to start fashion trends that may stick around for more than five minutes.
The best way to find fashion trends is to ignore what people are wearing and buy what you think you want. Get stuff that looks good on you and your body type. I have seen far too many girls in low-rise jeans and half shirts that should never have even considered wearing them. It’s not fashion if you look ridiculous. Come up with your own fashion trends. This way you will know you look good, and you know that you are truly expressing yourself. There is nothing wrong with wearing the latest fashions as long as you truly feel good in them, and aren’t doing it just because everyone else is doing it. I don’t know about you, but for me, being everyone else is not acceptable. There is only one me and I am proud to be who I am, fashion trends be darned.
Fashion design and merchandising
When I asked my teenage daughter what field she wanted to pursue, she started rambling on about fashion design and merchandising. Hmm, big surprise! What teenage girl isn't interested in the fashion world? As far as I can tell, they all go gaga over clothing, shoes, and accessories. Anyway, she began taking a high school course in fashion design and merchandising her senior year. Unfortunately she hated it. Now she is a bit torn regarding her future plans. She still dreams of a job in the fashion industry, but is naturally worried about whether or not she'll like it. I told her to give fashion design and merchandising another shot when she heads off to college next year. And no one said she had to delve into this particular aspect of the fashion world. There are a few choices out there.
It's certainly a tough business. If you truly want to see how things work, check out the Style network on occasion in order to see real fashion designers in their element. Or you can catch that little reality series "The Hills." Although the main character in this show has plenty of money coming in from her folks, she's getting a fine dose of the fashion design and merchandising world. You can see her work as an intern for "Teen Vogue" and get an idea of what's expected of her. It's definitely not all glitz and glam in the beginning, but I'm sure any successful fashion designer can tell you that. You have to be willing to work hard and vie with the many. The best place to start is a highly recommended fashion design school.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Timeless Womens Clothing - Todays Fashion Trends
Fortunately, there are ways women can avoid falling into the "new trendy fashion" trap. Here are some hints about women's clothing that fashion designers don't want you to know.
Timeless Colors for Women's Clothing
There are some basic colors in women's clothing that will never go out of style. They're "in fashion" year after year, season after season. These are black, khaki tan, green, and blue. Some bright colors that never seem to go out of style are red, white, and many light pastels. Though designs and styles may change, these colors are always around. The good news is women can mix and match these colors to create all sorts of stylish outfits.
Women can always wear black for a slimming effect - Hollywood stars do it all the time! Black is a great color that can be used any time of the year. In winter, they can wear black slacks or a black skirt, full-length black dresses, black jackets, and black blouses or sweaters. With any of these, women can add a splash of color with colorful jewelry, scarves, belts, shoes, or even hats.
Black can also be used with any of the colors mentioned above for those who don't want to wear all black. Women who wear plus size clothes always look great in black as well.
In summer, black garments can be worn with other colorful items. For example, women can wear a hot pink or bright green shirt with a black skirt. Shoes with a little color can match the shirt. Or, a bright-colored blouse under a black jacket can be worn with matching slacks. Summer is the season for brightness, so women can count on wearing their bright shirts, shorts, slacks, and skirts each year, no matter what the latest fashion trends.
How to Design Clothes
Fashion designers and women's fashion magazines aren't the only ones that can design women's apparel. Whether it's American apparel or express fashion design straight from Paris, France, most women could probably design their own clothes even better if they had the skills. Why? Each woman is unique in her makeup and physique. She knows better than anyone what type of women‚s clothes will complement her figure.
Women might not be able to actually design the clothes, but they can create the perfect outfits in their minds and maybe even on paper if they try. This will give them a guideline to use while shopping for clothing. For choosing an outfit, they can write down the perfect size, the length of the blouse, skirt, or dress, the type of waistline needed, and the style that looks best with their figure. They can sift through photos in women‚s magazines to get ideas. While shopping, they can look for these types of clothing specifically and save much time and energy.
Layer Clothes for Dramatic Effect
Women can layer their clothes to create a more dramatic effect as they walk and move. Some great layering methods include wearing a tank top under a sheer shawl or a partially buttoned blouse, wearing a trendy jacket over an otherwise dull outfit, covering the waist with a colorful scarf tied to the side or in the front, and so forth. Layering also allows the blending of colorful pieces with one-colored garments in a tasteful way.
Fill the Wardrobe Armoire with Versatile Clothing
Women can stretch their clothing budget by filling their wardrobe armoire or closet with more versatile clothing. This means buying pieces that can be mixed and matched with other pieces to create multiple outfits. For instance, a woman might buy a sweater or blouse that can be worn with several skirts, pants, or shorts. Also, women can accessorize certain outfits to make them look like two totally different outfits.
With so many possibilities, any woman can stay ahead of the clothing game using the tips above. Update your wardrobe today with these timeless, trendy women's clothes!
Fashion Handbags For Trendy Women
* Exotic Reptiles: If you're a fan of fashion inspired by snakes and crocodiles you're in luck. This season's exotic reptile skin purses are extremely popular. Ranging from classic snake skins to iridescent crocodile hides you should be able to find a hobo or a clutch in a bold pattern that reflects your love for the wild side.
* Bright and Bold: This spring's collection of purses have been referred to as candy. This sweet title comes from the bold and bright colors that are filling stores everywhere. Gone are the muted colors of winter, replaced by the bright hues that make spring so fun. Pick your spirits up while you brighten up your wardrobe with a flashy orange or multi-colored handbag. The bright colors turn your purse into a terrific arm accessory bring flair to simple outfits.
* Heavy Metal: While fashion as a whole has seemed to make a quick stop in the 70's, purses are taking a that approach to a new level. Rock N' Roll is a great way to describe the latest purses. This seasons handbags are into heavy metal with large gold, silver, and black chains and other loud embellishments. Look for purses made using patent leather and metallic materials.
* Super Sized: Tired of trying to balance between a clutch and bags resembling luggage all the while staying fashionable? This season over sized is in especially when it comes to the hobo. The trend in purses this season make it possible to bring everything you need without carrying a duffel bag on your shoulder or worrying about whether your zipper is going to break under pressure. For an added bonus look for a over sized handbag inspired by 60's and 70's vintage wear.
* Simple Sophistication: While a large majority of the purses out there this season will leave your head spinning there are a few that use simplicity as their claim fame. If sophistication is a must for your purse of choice, then you will definitely be able to find one that fits your requirements. Spring is full of simple yet stylish purses in timeless color combinations like black and white or brown and tan. Details are kept to a minimum and there is a return to feminine chic that hasn't been seen in awhile.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Elegant Womens Fashion World
Women's fashion these days is much like the store windows. Both are decked out in silver sparkles.
For women getting ready for holiday parties, glitter rules. Here are some shining examples of what's in this holiday season.
Crystal embellishment: The crystal neckline is in, possibly the result of Swarovski's endless promotions of its stone. Of course most of the crystals are plastic, but you can find these stones adorning many necklines, from smock dresses to scooped necklines. An embellished neck is just the ticket for simple, elegant dressing. It will take you from the pool at holiday resorts, to an evening out on the town.
Purple is a big color for jeweled halter necklines. You'll find ruffles mixed in as well, for a real party look.
The sequined mini-dress: Sequined tunics are everywhere, in gold, silver, floral, black, and in fitted, sleeveless and sexy shapes, or casually chic in short sleeves.
You can also find mini-dresses with spaghetti straps, and with beads for added oomph. Look for tunics in horizontal or vertical stripes, often embellished with sequins and crystals.
Sequins everywhere: you can pair sequined tube tops with a great pair of black pants or a shimmery skirt for a festive holiday look. But keep the attention on the top. If you have too many shiny items, they will compete for attention and make you look like a Christmas tree!
Lamé: Remember the silver screen goddesses? The shiny fabric they wore was material woven from flat metallic yarn. Well, now it's ready for another close up. A subtle lamé is just the thing to do Marilyn Monroe Proud.
Lurex: A party perennial for years, this metallic yarn adds a twinkle to twinsets, from copper to silver to black. From halter dresses to cover ups, lame makes you wow-worthy!
Vintage chic: If you are hunting for glitter, don't forget to step back in time. Check out second-hand shops for chic ensembles, like a gold brocade dress, or a lame sweater to top a strapless gown.
Celebrations are all about sparkle. Turn up the glitz this holiday season, and you'll have all heads turning your way.
You are invited to use these tips to look party-worthy this holiday season, with beautiful women's fashions.
20th Century Fashion For Women
If we were to take an unscripted took throughout history – looking at pictures that were not identified by year or event – we could still more than likely place the period of time by the fashion worn in the pictures. Fashion is a visual timeline, distinguishing one generation from the next and, yet, having the uncanny ability of finding its way back around again from time to time.
Nothing influences American society more than fashion. It’s a trend seen over and over again as designs find their way from the designers to the masses. As a culture, we are pre-disposed to be “in style;” and those who set the benchmark of style have changed throughout the generations. But no time period saw greater changes in fashion than the twentieth century.
The fashion of the early 1900s was influenced by the advent of the automobile – as women’s dresses began to include the dustcoat which protected clothing from the dirt coming off the road. Then as quickly as the 1920s, women’s fashion shifted completely as the Jazz Age produced the “flapper” style – complete with short, simple fringed dresses and long pearls.
Not even a decade later, the Depression greatly changed the style of fashion – no longer was material a luxury item; women wore what they could find and afford. The 1930s began a trend towards following movie star fashion. And in the war-torn 1940s, a uniform-like sophistication including padded shoulders, short skirts, and a close tailored look became popular.
The 1950s were a return to the full skirt and cinched in waists. Hollywood greatly influenced the fashion of the 50s with women looking to the styles of stars such as Marilyn Monroe after which to pattern their clothing choices. The 60s brought a more colorful period of fashion and no one was more influential than First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy. Women everywhere began wearing the pill box hat that Mrs. Kennedy made popular and emulating her sophisticated style.
Nineteen-seventy fashion was all about loose and comfortable – bell bottom pants and tie dye. Disco was hot in the early seventies and didn’t fade until the end of the decade. But the disco fashionistas of the day influenced an entire generation of clothing choices.
When Madonna hit the scene in the 1980s she changed the music world as well as the world of fashion. Young girls emulated her look of leggings, skirt, off-the-shoulder sweatshirt, headband, and bracelets.
The 90s had their own look; completely different at the end of the decade - with sleek and sophisticated - as it was from the beginning of the decade - with acid wash jeans.
Fashion will always change. But the one thing we can always count on is the influence that fashion will have on an entire culture.