Individualize Your Look With Do-it-yourself Fashion
Fashionistas agree that sleeveless silhouettes, including tanks, halters and tube tops, are must-have styles for every woman’s wardrobe in 2007. Unfortunately, many women do not feel comfortable wearing clothing that bares their arms. A recent survey, which polled more than 2,000 women nationwide, revealed that only 8 percent of women feel beautiful when sleeveless.
There are many ways to boost sleeveless confidence, including pumping up a fitness routine and moisturizing skin for a healthy glow. Another easy way is by individualizing a look with do-it-yourself (DIY) fashion. “DIY fashion gives women the opportunity to express their own style,” says Chloe Dao, fashion designer and winner of “Project Runway.” “With a little inspiration and creativity, it is easy to create a cool look, embrace the sleeveless trend and feel confident.”
To get started, Chloe suggests the following tips:
� Find Your Canvas: Gather the materials you will need, including a T-shirt, scissors and craft materials found in your home. Choose a shirt in a bold color that complements the season.
� Pick a Pattern: Reference a DIY T-shirt pattern book or Web site for guidance. If you do not use a pattern, practice first by cutting up old shirts.
� Ditch the Sleeves: Embrace the sleeveless trend and cut off the sleeves to give an old shirt new life.
� Prepare to Bare: Go sleeveless with great-looking skin-especially underarm skin. Try a deodorant such as Dove Ultimate Clear, which provides softer, smoother, sleeveless-ready underarms in just five days. With great-looking underarms you can have the confidence to wear whatever you want, whenever you want.
Helpful DIY Hints
� Visit your closet for vintage or oversized shirts that can be easily refashioned.
� Get creative by using two patterns to create one sleeveless shirt.
� Pull the fabric tight to be precise when cutting the shirt.
� Search antique stores, craft stores and neighborhood boutiques for unique pieces. Look for ribbon, buttons or scarves to add color.…
Plus Size Fashion ? Classically Simple
Okay so we have all seen the fashion shows on TV, or the pictures from them in the magazines and thought about how unbelievably and unnaturally thin the models are. Personally I find it very depressing. I look at these beautiful clothes on these beautiful girls and know that even if I had the money to buy the clothes, they would never look like that on me. I am not a large girl and actually wear a fairly small size, but I still find the fashion industry massively depressing.
This made me wonder for a while about plus size women and their fashion. I mean they must have the same types of thoughts right? Well now they have their own plus size fashion industry. I have seen some of the shows and the models, and these are beautiful women and beautiful clothes. I mean there are beautiful larger women that make their living as models, defying all the stereotypes that society has set about that bigger women aren?t as beautiful as thin women.
Now I do have to say though, that while I admire this fashion industry that has sprung up, I am a little confused as to where the designs are being implemented. I mean for other clothes the designers prance them out and then other smaller companies start imitating the styles and soon a new trend starts and they are available in all the stores. However, I have yet to really see this in the plus size fashion world. It still seems as though there is a lack of beautiful clothes for plus size women. I would really like see more stores and boutiques built around these fashions out there for plus size women. I think it would help make people more proud of themselves and their bodies.…
Trying To Keep Up With Kids Fashion Is Not The Easiest Thing In The World To Do
Ask any parent and they will tell you, that knowing what the most up to date kids fashions today are, is almost an impossible task, since they are constantly changing. Just when you think that you have finally got it all figured out and you bring the designer kids clothes your child was desperate for last month, now they do not like them, and want something else. What does a parent have to do, not to go crazy while trying to keep their child happy?
If you think that it’s only the young girls that are so choosy, not so fast, because some young boys, can be just as picky as their sisters. After all, it is all about keeping up with what the most popular kids at school are wearing, and trying to stay in touch with the “In Crowd”.
Maybe you do not remember what it was like in elementary or middle school, always wanting to be popular and respected. Without question, one of the most important necessities to make that happen, is always wearing the most fashionable clothing possible.
Thankfully today, shopping for children fashion is much easier on the parents, than it ever was in the past. No longer do you have to go from store to store dragging the kids along just to find something that they like, and more importantly, want to be seen in. Now, all you have to do is to turn on the computer, browse a few websites with your kids at your side, let them pick out what they want, and the clothes will be on your doorstep in a few days.
What could be easier than that, no longer do you have to spend money filling up the car with gas to drive to the mall, and then ruin the entire day because your kids cannot find anything that they like. Now, all of your back to school shopping can be usually done in less than an hour online.
The best part about all of these websites is that the designer kid’s clothes for sale on them, have prices that are normally less expensive than can be found at a local retail outlet. In addition, you do not have to pay sales tax on your purchases, and in most instances, there is no charge for the shipping.
Peer pressure is one thing when you are an adult, always trying to keep up with the “Jones”. But, when you are a kid, peer pressure is an entirely new ball game all together. As sad as this is to say, if a child does not wear the very best clothes to school, they are often picked on and ostracized.
If you remember what it was like being a child and having to deal with peer pressure, then you fully understand why wearing the most popular designer girl’s clothes is so important for any young lady. After all, it was important to you when you were a child, so why would it be any different for one of your daughters?…
Fall 2007 Fashion Accessory Trends!
As the sizzling hot and stylish summer 2007 is unwinding, it’s time to start thinking about some of the wonderful accessories to add to your collection for fall 2007. As is the case with each season, I’m again playing trend watcher and would like to share some of my favorites with you to help you adorn your unique essence and ensuring that your personal style is a reflection of your individuality. So, here are the trends I’m seeing:
Fashion Jewelry
Metallics, sculpted resins in smooth and bold designs, semi-precious gemstones, Murano-style glass, shell and crystal glass are all still setting the glamorous trends in fashion jewelry this fall. Bracelets will remain the “it” fashion accessory and non-traditional hearts, lock and keys, crowns and other girlie motifs guide brooch and pendant designs.
Let’s look at how these materials are being used to create artistic beauty:
? Boldly colored necklaces
? Cuff bracelets
? Chokers and shorter necklaces
? Large pendants
? Earrings and bracelets using concentric circles and bold loops
? Link bracelets
? Bangles
? Brooches
? Chunky rhinestone or Swarovski-crystal cocktail rings
Handbags
Naturally, we can’t forget one of our favorite accessories. Handbags! A handbag is the ultimate accessory to complete your outfit and adorn your uniqueness. The big themes for fall 2007 are:
? Oversized bags in patent leather, pebble-grain leather, clear plastic or patterned
? Medium doctor bags
? Metallic bags in silver, gold and bronze
? The medium-size envelope bag or a clutch in metallics or shiny satin
? Faux crocodile or snake-skin handle bags You’re a style trendsetter with any of these handbags.
Shoes
The toes will now need a hiding place since the weather is becoming crisper. So, what are the key styles this season?
? Pointed-toe pumps
? Ballerina flats
? Thick masculine boots with laces at ankle
? Below-knee boots
? Two-toned thick pumps
? Oxford heels
Fall fashion shows show the models again wearing extreme heel heights from flats to spectator pumps and other more generous heels. (Please remember that tennis whites are still not vogue when pounding the pavement to work. Stick with the cute flats and loafers!)
And what are the key colors dominating fashion jewelry, handbags and shoes?
? Black
? Dark brown
? Gray
? White
? Cream
? Burnt orange
? Merlot
? Burgundy
? Maroon
? Chili pepper
? Scarlet red
? Fuchsia
? Magenta
? Royal purple
? Dark olive
? Apple green
? Chartreuse
? Dark turquoise
? Peacock blue
? Dull gold
? Polished silver
? Jewel tones
Collections for fall 2007 are simple, chic, elegant and truly glamorous. This fall, black is back in a variety of shapes and textures. However, what ensures that clothing is not boring and drab are the powerful colors appearing in fashion accessories, as outlined above.
Keep in mind that you should only purchase a fashion accessory, which you can easily afford or you haven’t seen anything else like it anywhere. Don’t buy it if you won’t get multiple uses from it, it won’t match anything in your wardrobe and most importantly, you really can’t afford it. Playing with integrating some of the fall 2007 fashion accessory trends into your wardrobe is meant to be fun. So, keep it light!
Copyright (c) 2007 MMC Lifestyles, LLC, dba MMC Style…
Couture Fabrics For Meeting The Creative Urges of Fashion Conscious People
Food and clothing are the two basic needs of a human being. In ancient periods, clothes are used by mankind for getting protection from extreme weather conditions. But now people consider clothing as style element. We use different types of clothing Fabrics and Couture Fabric one of the important type. Many of the world famous designers use couture fabrics for satisfying the desires of fashion conscious people.
Extraordinary quality is the main feature of Couture Fabric. The quality of this fabric is considered as excellent since it is created from perfect hand stitching fabric. So long lasting life is offered by this fabric. Some of this custom fitted and high fashion clothing is available in affordable price. Most of the people prefer a dress that fit perfectly with their body size and shape. A dress with improper fitting will cause wear and tear to the fabric. Those who need custom fitting clothing can choose Couture Fabrics. After wearing this fabric, you will feel that this dress is made only for you.
Comfortable type of cloth material is always needed for kids. Low quality fabrics will cause skin allergies in kids. A couture infant fabric is the best choice because it not only provides comfort to the kids, but also increases their style. Couture is also a star in wedding fabrics. Right dress style is needed for great occasions, especially wedding. Couture wedding fabrics are able to enhance your appearance to a great extent. Some of the qualities found in Couture Fabrics are finest fibers, unique surface designs, excellent printmaking and so on.
Why haute couture is so expensive?
Designer always show due importance to create high quality hot (haute) couture clothing that is generally made from luxurious materials and fabrics. This type of clothing is created by giving huge importance to each and every minute detail. The efforts of excellent designers are there in these clothing. Extreme attention is provided for sewing each piece of clothing. Since hand executed techniques are used for the creation of hot Couture Fabrics, it will take much time to manufacture a single piece of dress. The overall cost is little bit high due to the expensive type of fabric used for their production. Haute couture clothing is generally preferred by those who have a grand fashion sense. People consider this clothing as a symbol of prestige.
Each Haute couture garment is designed in such a way that is able to meet the specific needs of the individual customers. The clothing is created after analyzing the body measurements and styles of the customers. Before finalizing the design, the designer will interact with the customer and understand her lifestyle and choice. After hand stitching the clothing, embellishments and embroideries are made with excellent craftsmanship. Beads, stones and the thread used for embroidery are expensive. Most of the embroidery woks are done with silk, silver or gold threads by excellent professionals. So the cost of haute couture is very high and normal people may not be able to afford it.…
The Modern Influence Of Art On Fashion
Fashion has enjoyed, and often later lamented, it’s synergistic bond with the art world over the last century. From the Cubist motifs of Art Deco era dress to the Minimalist expression that exposed itself in clothing two decades after the movement ended, art and fashion have proven themselves to be less strange bedfellows and more passionate lovers who occasionally don’t get along. Whether art or fashion serves as the catalyst is of note, as fashion driven by art is almost always inspired while the alternative brings to mind the late 70’s/early 80’s Patrick Nagel atrocities which still somehow manage to find wall space in the instant time warp of style deprived neighborhood hair salons everywhere.
Enter the modern era, where art defies the conventions of labeling and boundaries have been distorted to the brink of extinction. What fashion borrows from art today is anything but derivative and often direct. As the art world has expanded, so has the fashion industry. The inclusion of avant garde art into the realm of acceptability as a fashion influence has nothing to do with consumerism and everything to do with the demand for personalization of the elements that the art itself is comprised of. From social commentary to the current political landscape, passions expressed in art are finding their way into the wardrobes of the disenfranchised. What was once born in the back of the mind and realized in an artistic medium can now be worn on the back of a shirt. Never before have options for self expression been so poignant, piercing and available.
Fashion itself has served as a canvas of purpose for thousands of years. From the finely gilded armor of crusaders long deceased to the red or blue handkerchiefs that indicate gang affiliation today, fashion has expressed every sentiment known to man, yet none so convincingly as conflict. Perhaps the expressions against complacency that are evident in art are making their way into the world of fashion in preparation for another conflict of sorts, one in which individuals are railing against the societal injustices and political malfeasance of the day.…
Choosing A Fashion Designer Career
If you are interested in color combinations, putting together attractive outfits and have an eye for fabrics, a fashion designer career may just be the thing for you. It is a world of excitement when you are creating something that has never been seen before. The exhilaration of a runway presentation, of your very own designs, is a way to show talent, imagination and a flair for the unusual.
To become a designer it will be necessary for you to attend a Fashion Design School. Employers in this field are usually looking for someone with a 2-year or a 4-year degree in clothing design. To be successful in this field it is necessary for you to know fabrics, textiles, ornamentation and current clothing trends.
The institutions with these programs must be accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and many have certain entry requirements. In most schools, to obtain formal entry into the program, basic art and design courses must be completed. Sketches, showing your artistic ability must also be submitted.
The classes in the schools include a study of past fashions and a hands-on experience in things such as creating patterns and designing an outfit. Color, textiles, computer design and various types of clothing design are included. All of these will be very useful if you decide to run your own business or a retail store.
Many schools have at least one runway presentation where you can show your own creation for everyone to see. This is where sewing and pattern making skills come to the fore, even though, as a designer you would probably not be involved in this part of a project. Employers, seeking to add to their staff, often attend these presentations.
The various jobs that are available, with this degree, include entry level positions as Assistant Buyer, Pattern Maker, Assistant Designer, Clothing Stylist, Wardrobe Assistant, Visual Merchandise Manager, Sales Representative, or Marketing Assistant. Once you are working, at one of these entry level positions, there are many opportunities to reveal your talent in clothing design.
Completion of the classes, and a degree, will prepare you to officially enter a fashion designer career. At the beginning you will continue learning the tricks of the trade while acquiring experience and enjoying the excitement of new fabrics and designs. If your interest is in this field it will be the fulfillment of a dream come true. Salaries in this industry vary from state to state and depend on one’s position. A beginning salary would be approximately $40,000 per year with a top designer over $100,000.…