Fashion Don’ts for Summer 2011

July 24, 2011 by Leave a Comment
My 1 pair calf- and 2 pair sheepskin boots

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The fashion industry is filled with a laundry list of do’s and don’ts, and for the summer of 2011 is no exception. If you don’t want to find yourself committing a fashion crime by wearing something that is out of date or doesn’t go with an outfit, then you should follow some of these tips for the summer of 2011.

Don’t Wear Boots With Shorts

Women thing that wearing Ugg boots with their short shorts looks cool but it isn’t. The mixture of winter attire with summer attire looks a little off and is considered a major fashion don’t for the year 2011.

Don’t Wear Flip Flops Everywhere

When the heat rises people tend to think that they can wear flip flops everywhere. The problem is flip flops are an extremely casual pair of shoes that should only be reserved for quick trips, the pool and the beach. If you must wear something comfortable invest in a sturdy pair of sandals.

Don’t Wear the Casual Summer Dress to Work

If you work in a formal setting where business attire is the norm, don’t wear the casual summer dress to work. Not only does this make you stick out like a sore thumb, but it is way too casual for the workplace. Instead, try to wear an airy business casual outfit in cool colors like whites, beiges and yellows. This will give you the chance to cool down and still look good while doing it.

Committing these fashion don’ts to memory will make sure that you have a very fashionable 2011.

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Basic Items That Every Woman Has in Her Wardrobe

July 18, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Cover of "Women's Wardrobe (Chic Simple)&...

Cover of Women's Wardrobe (Chic Simple)

Every woman who is building her wardrobe must be certain of a few things before she gets started. There are items in the closet that are there to act as a reflection of you. There are other things in your wardrobe that act as a reflection of who you need to be, depending on the occasion, and then you’ve got the things in your closet that are the basic staples of your wardrobe.

The Black Dress

While men should always have the black suit just in case, women should have the black dress. It’s the go-to for any occasion. It can be worn for those times when you are a last minute date to an elegant affair, or a business opportunity comes up and you must look stunning but understated.

Black Pumps

Well, if you are going to have a black dress, you might want to use black pumps. It must be complete. Most women get to wear their pumps as often as they wear Halloween costumes, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have them on hand for when the moment is right.

A Sophisticated Coat

You need something that is business and fashion all in one. What you wear says a lot about you, and having a coat that is stylish is something that every woman cannot afford to leave out of the closet. It’s great in the transitional parts of the seasons.

The women’s wardrobe should be stocked with the essentials. Having a good closet means you’ll be prepared for anything life throws at you.

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Basic Items to Add to Your Wardrobe

July 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment
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Men need fashion, too. The dime store look just won’t cut it today, so here are a few fashion tips to make sure you look your best for any occasion.

For starters, buy a magazine and see what’s hot today. You’ll need a few items and accessories that indicate you are aware of the world around you. However, you don’t have to spend bundles of money to do it. There are some basics that are timeless.

Versatile Shirts

Plaid shirts with a hint of Western appeal are in, so pick up a few of those. They won’t go with everything, but they’ll be perfect for casual days and fun nights. To get the most mileage out of your shirts, add these to the inventory:

  • A solid color or neutral shirt that would look good with or without a tie
  • Basic tees without prints
  • A few shirts with long sleeves – because it’s more formal in a fast pinch

Necessary Accessories

A solid mens clothing wardrobe can be easily dressed up or down with the right accessories. This includes belts, watches and sunglasses.

  • Purchase a simple belt that allows you to change the buckle for the occasion.
  • Purchase a formal watch, a sports watch and then some fun watches for going out.
  • Purchase sunglasses for sports, style and parties. Men’s shades are much more flamboyant than they used to be.

From the Waist Down

Finally, purchase some chinos because they can go business or casual. Also, buy some good quality jeans because they’ll last longer. With these few basics, you can go a long way in revolutionizing your wardrobe.

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Your Basic Wardrobe Must Haves

June 12, 2011 by Leave a Comment
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What does every well-dressed woman have in her closet?  Whether you are Catherine Zeta-Jones, Oprah Winfrey, or Jackie Jensen from the down the street, there are some basic items that every well-dressed woman has in her wardrobe.  With these basic items you can put together a look for any occasion.

Clothing

With a few core pieces of clothing you can put together a wide variety of fashionable outfits.  If you have the following basic items in your closet, you can supplement them with other items to finish out a look, or just mix and match and always be in style.  Because these items are the bedrock of your wardrobe, buy quality items.  This is not the place to skimp on price.

  • White button-down shirt
  • Little black dress
  • Black pencil skirt
  • Black blazer
  • Slim black trousers
  • Khaki pants
  • Dark wash blue jeans
  • White and black cardigan sweaters
  • Cute pajamas
  • Well-fitting undergarments
  • Beige trench coat

Shoes

What woman doesn’t love shoes? Most women have many pairs of shoes in their closet.  Two pairs that every woman should have are:

  • Black pumps
  • Stylish comfortable flats

Accessories

Accessories can change the look of an outfit from casual to formal.  The three classic accessories that every woman should own are:

  • Black leather bag
  • Set of pearls
  • Diamond or cubic zirconium studs

 

Keeping up-to-date is as simple has adding a new top or blazer or a cute pair of sling back shoes.  The seasonal items will come and go, but the basics will stand the test of time.

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Fashion Rules

May 24, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Branding Africa. Fashion. 50's silhouette with...

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There are many fashion dos and donts, and unfortunately for many, those rules sometimes get overlooked. For instance, plaids with polka dots is a bad idea, yet there are plenty of people out there that are more than willing to show off this daring side. Some of the best dos include clean lines, matching colors, clothes that fit a person’s physique well, and a focus to ensure that whatever is being worn is not just trendy, but perfect for the individual.

No You Did Not!

There are so many cute fashions that are available for people to buy, like Apple Bottoms jeans that fit like a dream, that it seems hard to comprehend how there could be so many fashion nightmares parading around. There are even acronyms to describe some of the worst offending fashion faux pas. Have you heard of VPL and MTA – visible panty lines and muffin top action? Some of the worst crimes against fashion are the attempts to have so many famous name brands on at one time that there is not longer a distinguishable outfit, but rather a crude consortium of textiles.

Stick to the basics when first starting out as a fledgling fashionista. If this is tough in the beginning, just remember that even the fashion elite had to start somewhere. Look at magazines, display windows, or the girl down the street that always looks cute. Then copy those looks until there is a sense of fashion developing. Taking the time to get this part right will go a long way to ensuring fashion happiness.

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What Is a Sample Sale?

May 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment
A sample sale in New York City 

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Sample sales, in their original format, are events where fashion designers sell samples from previewed collections before they are listed “by invitation only.” Over time, some of these sales have evolved into warehouse sales that have expanded to include household and overstock items. Sample sales are also increasingly conducted online.

One fashion commentator noting the changes, wrote that, “A sample sale is a lot like its lowbrow predecessor, the classic rummage sale.” The sales referred to market upscale goods targeted to savvy female shoppers in the 25 to 45 years old range who are looking for bargains. The value of items for sale is perceived to be high and the advertised price seems low – and as a rule they are. Still, discount events work to the sellers’ advantage because margins and discounts vary from product to product. Samples sales like this are also an excellent place for new designers on the rise to showcase their work.

Online sample sales are a new trend that has expanded traditional venues in major fashion market centers. Many of these sales are difficult to find, are held by invitation only and require a password to participate. Other sites like Offers.com are open to the public and feature bargains on a variety of items from major retailers at significantly below retail and discount store prices.  However, inventories at online sales sites are often limited and it is not unusual for popular items to sell out within minutes, so get to it quickly!

Regardless of the venue – showroom, in-house, or online – sample sales provide buyers with real savings opportunities on-top-of-the-line merchandise.

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Simple Tips for Mens Fashion

May 14, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Photograph of a sport shoe. The logo have been...

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Dressing your best is a necessity in a day and age where appearances matter the most. For men it seems like a simple task. There are far less accessories for the man and the clothes are not nearly as involved as a woman’s wardrobe. However, there are plenty of men who make big mistakes when it comes to the way they dress. That’s because they do not follow some simple rules of fashion that can change their appearance in an instant.

Your appearance is just like a wedding ring, you want to make sure that you are clean at all times and that your wardrobe is clean. It is not enough to wash your clothes, but make sure they are pressed and wrinkle free. No matter where you are,  you will stand out as a sharp dressed person, no matter how much your clothes cost.

Matching shoes to belt is a little trick that will make your outfit pop. Some might be wondering what to do if they are wearing gym shoes and jeans with a belt, but in that case just make sure your shoes match the style of shirt you are wearing. Additionally you always want to have a theme for your outfits. It seems funny, but making sure that button downs are worn with loafers or that t-shirts are worn with gym shoes will go a long way in making sure you present yourself in the right way.

The keys to your wardrobe are not in expensive clothes, but just having the right mentality and standards about your clothes. You can be a sharp dresser without much work so today will be the perfect day to start.

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4 Popular Car Accessories for Your Car

May 11, 2011 by Leave a Comment
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A car can say a lot about a person. Sometimes this is a good thing, sometimes it is not. One of the best ways to make sure that your car gives a good impression is not to spend a fortune on a new car, but to upgrade the ride you have now.

  • Since cars are a large part of many of our lives, from simply transporting you to and from work, to helping us get some extra money with a car refinance loan, it only makes sense to customize your car to make it more “you.” One popular car accessory is seat covers. These can be found in many styles and colors to match your car and show your unique style.
  • You certainly want to protect your car.  Another accessory you might consider is front bumper guards. These simple guards can be the difference between an accident ruining your car and simply inconveniencing you. A car is an investment that is much easier to protect than to fix.
  • If you like to exercise, or simply want to save gas by riding your bicycle, a bike rack can also be a good investment. This simple rack allows you to transport your bicycle anywhere your car can go.
  • Most people have experienced the embarrassment of losing a car in a parking lot. Luckily, now you can get an auto finder, which attaches to your key chain and points you to your car.

A car is a big investment. Taking care of your vehicle is a worthwhile thing to do to avoid future problems.

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1940′s Women and Fashion: Fashion at Work

May 11, 2011 by Leave a Comment
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During World War II, nylon was rationed so most women weren’t able to afford stockings. Instead of giving up the current fashion style of tights, they went so far as to use leg creams and eyebrow pencils to paints on fake ones!

Women of the 1940′s were both devoted to their fashion and the new jobs that were becoming available with the absence of men. While women begin to work as mechanics and do other grimy jobs, they maintained their regal fashion sense. Under their work hair scarves, they curled their hair for the evening.

Most modern day women are devoted to one or the other, when they could easily do both. Working as an accountant or a construction worker doesn’t mean you have to neglect your fashion sense – you just have to adapt it. Here are a few examples.

If you work in a job that requires that you have to dress in stiff white blouses and black slacks, you can add a touch of fashion through your makeup and jewelry. Use extra color in your make up or wear subtle jewelry that adds a sparkle to your complexion.

If you are in a job that encourages bright attire (like orange traffic coats), try using blacks, whites and grays in your makeup and jewelry. The contrast of less color will make you stand out against your loud outfit. Delicate stud earrings are also good for working women – they won’t get caught on anything!

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3 Ways Retailers Promote Sales

May 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Promoting sales is one of the most important aspects of growing the profits for retailers. There are many ways to accomplish this and three of the best ways are listed below.

The first avenue that many retailers take to promote sales is to advertise through the newspapers with weekly circulars. An additional color flyer that is inserted into the regular paper is also very advantageous for promoting more sales and gaining new customers. Grand opening sales are common with those retailers in the initial stages of business. With a new retail store that is newly opened, the glossy flyers are wonderful promotion ideas. Discounts can be listed and even printed coupons for new customers whom have never been there before are good ways to get sales.

Sometimes, a fashion retailer will send out postcards that advertise sales or include coupons for certain percentages off when shopping in their store. Retailers that have a current customer base within their computer systems can send special deals to their loyal customers whenever they need to boost sales. Buy one, get one free offers are great promotions as well. This encourages customers to come to the retailer’s business to begin with and chances are good that they will make more purchases than only the ones listed on the postcards.

Retailers that sell fashion clothing may often publish flyers or magazines that introduce the best and worst dressed celebrities, fashion dos and don’ts, as well as advice for mixing patterns and solid colors with your accessories. The magazine can have coupons throughout and can also incorporate the inserts among the specials.

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