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Stylish Pregnancy: The Dos and Don’ts of Dressing up While Expecting

May 24, 2017 by admin
Posted in Fashion Tips, Fashion Tips for Women


“I would love to design a maternity clothing line. It is so hard to find stylish clothes for pregnant people; I would say ninety-nine percent of the clothes I wore were not maternity because I could not find anything I liked.” –Kourtney Kardashian

A woman’s pregnancy is one of life’s grandest and greatest milestones—so much so that the event itself is akin to a miracle considering that you are growing a human being in your womb. However, during pregnancy, a lot of changes will inevitably occur to your body so as to accommodate the little passenger you are carrying with you for nine months. For women who are rather fashion forward, this would spell a myriad of fashion limitations, and if there is one thing that can be frustrating to this women, it is the feeling of being constrained of wearing a select few of fashion pieces and apparels. However, a true fashion-forward and stylish woman would not equate pregnant with being unfashionable, at the very least, she would see this as an opportunity to broaden her fashion options as well as her style vocabulary.

Indeed, dressing up while pregnant can be a bit of a challenge—even for the trendiest and hippest moms-to-be as your body is constantly and consistently changing every single day that you would be left confused as to which of the clothes in your closet is going to fit you today and the rest of the week. Suddenly, you might feel like you are making way too many style compromises—you could not wear your skinny jeans any longer, walking around in your wholesale Steve Madden heels is not so practical, and a whole lot more leaving you in total confusion as to how to dress this new body. However, not to worry, here are a few dos and don’ts to keep in mind when dressing your baby bump:

1.) DO know when it is time to shop for maternity wear

You might think that maternity wear is an added expense you do not necessarily need considering you would not be able to use them right after your pregnancy. In the early stages of your pregnancy, you can still wear some of your regular clothes, but the moment they start to feel a little snug in your midsection, it is time for you to invest in maternity wear. Do not make the mistake of making compromises such as fastening jeans and shorts with safety pins and continuing to sport old shirts and tank tops. When they are causing you discomfort, it is time to embrace new silhouette and dress it aptly.

2.) DO NOT make oversized clothes your go-to outfits

When it comes to dressing up while pregnant, comfort is paramount. However, this does not mean that you should slack off and dress lazily every single day. Some pregnant women are under the mistaken impression that sweatpants, sweaters and oversized clothes are the universal uniforms for any woman who is pregnant. They may fit you comfortably, but they do nothing for your style. Explore your options; there is absolutely no truth in dressing stylishly but uncomfortably while pregnant. You have a myriad of options at your disposal from feminine dresses, leggings, stretchy jeans, jersey knits and so on—the alternatives are limitless. All you would need is to pick one that works for you.

3.) DO embrace your bump

Women try to conceal their bumps by wearing clothes a size too big for them—such as a size or two up a regular dress. Unfortunately, while it may sit comfortably on your stomach, it looks in complete disarray everywhere else. The sleeves and arms will be baggy, and instead of looking merely pregnant, you will instead look bigger than you really are. If this is the case, you would be better off buying a maternity dress.

4.) DO borrow maternity clothes from friends and family whenever possible

If you are adamant about not buying maternity clothes, then at least borrow from your friends or family members who have gone through a pregnancy phase before. They would be more than willing to accommodate you and your needs. Additionally, borrowing from them would be an excellent way to incorporate some variety into your wardrobe without necessarily spending a single dime.

5.) DO NOT sacrifice style for comfort and vice versa

Some women think that style and comfort are two mutually exclusive aspects when it comes to dressing up while they are pregnant. This is a misconception, however, as there are a million of ways to stay comfortably stylish even while you are pregnant. You do not need to sacrifice one in favor of the other. With the proliferation of maternity apparel shops and stores, there is a variety of options at your disposal that there is no absolute reason you cannot look attractive in maternity clothing and stay comfortable as well. Additionally, it will help boost your confidence and lift your spirits—despite the fact that your waistband is expanding day by day.

6.) DO NOT take style too far

Although you may be living the fact that your breasts seem to have grown an extra size over the course of your pregnancy, realize that you can take things too far. In the early stages of your pregnancy, these are generally acceptable, however as you enter your third and last trimester, there are clothes that you can no longer wear. Although you can still wear them, they would not exactly be pleasing to look at. When you are pregnant, too tight and too short are things that are too much. Maternity clothes may be worn fitted, but never tight. Additionally, you should refrain from showing your bare belly—unless you are lounging by the pool or hanging out at the beach.

 

Pregnancy may cause some women to be a little conscious with their newly discovered assets—such as their bulging bellies and swelling breasts. However, this is an excellent opportunity for them to love their bodies more. Additionally, this is a great avenue to do exploration in fashion and style as there are a lot of options as to how to dress up while you are expecting. So, while you are carrying a miracle within you, make sure you do not look like a train wreck and let that miracle within shine through your outer self by dressing appropriately, sophisticatedly and beautifully.

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Summer Fashion: 7 Ways of Faking A Hot Body When You Are Not Summer-Ready!

May 3, 2017 by admin
Posted in Fashion Tips, Fashion Tips for Women

“People often say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder.” -Salma Hayek

Kate Moss was once quoted to say a highly controversial maxim when it comes to body positivity. According to her, nothing tastes as good as skinny feels—a politically charged statement in a world that has learned to embrace curves. Although she may have gotten innumerable flak for this rather skewed notion when it comes to embracing bodies of all shapes and sizes, there is no doubt that even the better of us would agree with her—particularly when the summer season rolls around. While proper diet and adequate exercise are keystones to weight loss and healthy living which inevitably results to a hotter body, it can requires diligence and strict discipline which to be honest are rather hard to commit to. In the summer however, it is an entirely different story—especially if you have not been working out as it would feel like you are pressed for time to get that summer bod just in time to strut in form-fitting clothes while traipsing in the mall.

Indeed, our endeavors towards having a better and sexier body are fraught with many trials and occassionally a lot of temptations (desserts, anyone?) that would often cause us to fall off the wagon. Fortunately, there are sneaky ways of presenting the illusion of a hot body and though they may be a bit deceptive, they do work and are effective. These tricks are incredibly versatile too as they work on most women and most clothes, whether they may be bought in wholesale clothing or retail. So, if you are not yet entirely committed to ending your love affair with food or are simply too busy to commit to going to the gym five times a week, here are a few ingenious hacks, tricks and tips to seemingly having a hot body.

1.) Invest in shapewear

A good shapewear is a girl’s bestfriend because it truly and effectively works. If you need something that would immediately give anyone looking at you the illusion of a svelte and curvaceous body then you need to look no further than a good shapewear. By now, you would have probably heard of the magical prowess of a sartorial item called Spanx which a significant number of women swear by. Spanx and other stretchy apparel devices promise to shave off pounds and they really do deliver. By regularly wearing them underneath your regular clothes, you are effectively distributing bulges while it smoothes you out and holds you in. If you want the illusion of a svleter body, it pays to invest in a seamless pair of slenderizing briefs, camis or full body pieces that would suck all of your bulges in. As a result, you would be able to wear bodycon dresses, tight pants and clingy skirts sans the visible body rolls.

2.) Work with your tailor

More often than not, the problem is not your body or weight per se, but rather the fact that you are constantly wearing ill-fitting clothes. When it comes to giving a thinner silhouette and svelter shape, your tailore will be your most important asset. A skilled professional tailor would be able to alter anything in your closet to fit you as it should. Though the clothes in retail stores may come in a myriad of sizes, a size 6 or 12 is not universally true for all women, so it is curcial that your clothes not only fit you, but fit you well. After all, you should know by now that when it comes to sporting a better shape, the right fit is everything.

3.) Buy a new bra

You might think that something that stays concelaed inside clothes would be a negligible factor when it comes to contributing to giving you a better shape. However, the wrong bra can make you a look significantly larger as your breasts would appear to sag. Know your proper measurements and buy a bra that is the correct size. Appearing leaner starts with the proper space between your waist and chest, so invest in a bra that not only lifts your breasts but gives it adequate and comfortable support as well.

4.) Skip the weightlifting

If you are pressed for time and are allowed only a few days to slim down before an occasion, steer clear away from weighlifting as it will only achieve the opposite of your desired results. A temporary buildup of lactic acid will cause your body to swell which is caused by lifting weights, so instead of pumping iron at the gym, stick to exercises such as yoga and pilates instead.

5.) Practice your posture

You might consider it as a hackneyed notion, but a good posture is everything when it comes to appearing svelter and leaner. Apart from making a significant difference to how you look, a good posture would elongate your body and gives you an aura of confidence and strength. So, avoid slouching and as much as you can, keep your chin high and your back straight, not only will you seem more confident, but it smoothes out any bulges that you might have caused from slouching.

6.) Cinch your midsection with skinny belts

Immediately give off the illusion of an hourglass figure or a smaller waist by cinching dresses and tunics with the use of skinny belts. Not only will they define your waist in a flattering way, but they enhance how your figure looks. Skip the chunky belts as they tend to make you look stumpy and would draw more attention to a rounded midsection. Instead, use thinner ones with a minimalistic design for a more classic approach.

7.) Look for illusion dresses

There is quite a number of apparel that are uniquely designed to give the wearer the illusion of a svelter and leaner figure. It is a stylish way to address a common woman’s problem as these dresses flatters everyone. Look for dresses and clothing that have unique prints such as black and navy panel sides. It creates the illusion of a cinched waist and would give you the illusion of a well-defined figured.

So, while your summer bikini body is still under construction, try this fashion tricks and hacks out and see immediate results.

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Fashion Through The Times: How Fashion Has Changed Since the 1920s!

April 24, 2017 by admin
Posted in Fashion Tips, Fashion Tips for Men, Fashion Tips for Women


“Fashion is an ever evolving way of expressing who you are and how you feel today.” –Civilian Style

Pierre Balmain was once quoted to say a sagacious adage about fashion. He has coined the maxim that asserts that good fashion is evolution, not a revolution and how indeed fashion has evolved throughout the times. In fact, if you viewed it from a slideshow of various fashion photos throughout a century, you would see an impressive myriad of different clothing styles, shapes, and colors. Largely influenced by the various events in history, the events of a particular time have an integral role in developing fashion the way it is today. People have dressed differently throughout the time and in much simpler and earlier times; women were not given as much free rein in their manner of dress as they are given today. Some of these fashion styles are still evident in today’s modern clothes—just given a contemporary update. However, there are also those styles that have stood the test of time and remain as stylish and fashionable today as they were two decades prior. These are the clothing staples that hardly ever go out of style, and if one is a fashion forward individual, these are the items that should always find their way into their closets.

How fashion is shaped through a particular decade or time depends on trends or particular tastes of groups, people or cliques. In other instances, social status and cultural preferences play a significant role. World events contribute to how fashion is shaped as well—especially during wartime or an economic crisis. Fashion is one of the most fundamental aspects of history that reflects the events, the mood and the cultural climate of a decade and if you are interested to see how fashion has developed throughout the years—from the 1920s to the nineties, this article showcases just how many styles—from wholesale clothing, retail ones, shoes, accessories and an individual’s manner of dress have changed throughout the times.

1.) DRESSES AND SKIRTS

Skirts and dress fashion had significant changes made between the 1920s down to the present. Apart from that, changes were not made only once every ten years as there were dramatic variations within each decade. A good example of this is in the 1920s, where only a few years after the First World War, the skirt and dress hemlines rose, and waistlines were then lowered to the hip. It was known to be the decade of celebration, fun, and decadence, so as a result some changes were made to accompany the flapper fashion that marked this decade.

In the Second World War, some fabrics were highly regulated such as wool, silk, and nylon and as a result, women’s skirts and dresses were oft made of rayon and viscose. This was the time wherein fashion was characterized by flexibility and ingenuity as almost anything found in a home (curtains, bedsheets, and nightgowns) were often made into dresses and skirts as it was illegal to use excess fabric in making an ensemble. During the economic boom, however, fashion was once again glamorous and at times opulent with A-line and pencil skirts defining the fifty’s decade. In the 1980’s however, fashion was more pronounced and featured more serious designs such as longer dresses and skirts. This was mainly owing to the fact that more women were joining the professional workforce and as a result, business suits were given a feminine update to accommodate the working woman.

2.) BLOUSES, SHIRTS AND TOPS

The twenties defined the innovation of the jumper blouse which became wildly popular. Made from fabrics such as cotton and silk, the traditional jumper blouse was marked by its addition of a sailor collar which made it the perfect match to a skirt which reached just below the hips accompanied by an accessory such as a sash or a belt. This was also the era that introduced the low-cut V-neck shirt which came with a chemisette for modesty. In the thirties, blouses, knit shirts made of satin and linen were the trend. Feminine v-neck blouses were also rather popular. During the war time, viscose and rayon for formal tops supplanted nylon and silk. Leisure shirts were often made with canvas, linen and terry cloth. After the war, a boom in fashion was again seen as evidenced by round-neck styles on sleeveless shirts, polo necks, and long sleeve shirts. The fifties and sixties introduced the Dolman sleeves which dominated the fashion industry as well as popularized the use of ethnic prints in blouses, ribbed turtleneck sweaters, and boat-neck tops. As fashion entered the eighties, it became more relaxed and casual as polo shirts and T-shirts became contemporary everyday tops that were acceptable as corporate wear and formal wear. Additionally, the eighties was the decade that introduced the over-sized tops. However, it was not until the nineties were fashion saw a big market for designer labels to promote style and status. Logos became a trendy thing in fashion and until today, you can still see modern garbs with labels boldly proclaiming its brand with an emblazoned banner at the front. Fashion also became a lot more sultry and provocative with women baring their stomachs and shoulders as with the popularity with crop tops and halter tops. This was the era where fashion became a way to express their preferences, personality, and individuality.

3.) FOOTWEAR

The twenties footwear marked the feature of a high and wide heel that was often seen in pump or loafer style shoes. Oxfords were also a significant trend with styles accessible to both men and women’s fashion. The thirties saw the surge of popularity in strapped heels and pumps while traditional styles were still worn. In the fifties, flat shoes, pumps with rounded toes and sandals were widely worn by women while saddle shoes, white lace-up shoes with color accents were both popular for both sexes. The eighties introduced the contemporary design to women’s pair of pumps with higher and thinner heels than they were with their older counterparts. Leather shoes and tennis shoes were the popular footwear for casual days.

 

 

Indeed, fashion and style have come a long way since its inception and each decade has brought something new to the industry. Today, fashion is no longer a means of dressing one’s self for comfort and what is appropriate. Today, fashion became a medium of self-expression, a way for women and men alike to showcase their individuality through their choice of clothes and ensembles.

 

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Fashion Overhaul: Types of Clothing You Should Get Rid of ASAP!

March 22, 2017 by admin
Posted in Fashion Tips, Fashion Tips for Women

“Fashion has always been a repetition of ideas, but what makes it new is the way you put it together.” -Carolina Hererra

Women are known for their love and penchant for fashion and style that more often that not, most women would feel the need to update their wardrobes at least every once a month. Though hoarding innumerable clothes and countless fashion items is not necessarily a bad thing (most especially if you have a steep budget to accommodate this fancy), running out of closet space is. Women are exceptionally notorious for staring into closets filled to the brim with clothing yet proclaiming helplessly that they have nothing to wear. But the reality is, the predicament lies not in the shortage of clothes, but rather in the shortage of clothes they actually want to wear. Unfortunately, most women think that the only way to address this fashion conundrum is to acquire even more clothes but shopping for more should be the last thing you do. What you need to do is pare down the items of your closet to a realistic number of clothing which you know you would be wearing.

Women often need a little encouragement when it comes to letting go of their clothes which is why quite a lot of fashion articles are penned to proclaim and laud the art of minimalist dressing and clothing ensembles. These articles have become rather popular and has been causing quite a stir in the fashion community. Similarly, this article would echo the same advice—that is to eradicate your closet of all the excess clothing and make room only for those that you would wear. But instead of enumerating the fashion items whether wholesale clothing or retail you should be getting rid of, this article will instead give you a set of general characteristics of the clothes you should be tossing out. Make a mental list, take stock, assess the clothes inside your closet and then begin your purging journey.

1.) Clothes that you have in multiples of

While there is nothing necessarily wrong in having at least two or three clothes of the same style (so long as they are in different colors), it is an entirely different story if your closet is overrun and dominated by clothes that are basically just clones of each other. The point of having a closet is to at have a variety of clothes inside them, and frankly if you own five bodycon dresses of different colors, it defeats the point. Take them out and lay then out in your bed. If you find yourself favoring one or two pieces above the others, then you should start thinking about what made these items so different to begin with. Identify what compelled you to buy this piece and realize what your mistake is to hopefully avoid repeating the same mistake.

2.) Clothing you have never used

We have all been guilty of buying clothes we do not necessarily need but looked pretty in the rack at least once in our lives. While we are idly milling about in the mall, sometimes a piece of clothing would just catch our eye and would seemingly beckon us to buy it. We would then wait and wait for the perfect opportunity to wear it until the piece is finally forgotten and when it is remembered, it has been long out of style. Determine why you bought them in the first place—did you think they looked pretty? Was there a sale? Did it make your chest look bigger than usual? In any case, identifying the traits that drove you to buy the piece would help you understand what sort of impulse purchases you should be steering clear from in the future.

3.) House clothes you wear for comfort on your lazy days

In general, house clothes are not a bad thing. Oversized sweaters, T-shirts riddled with holes, too loose yoga pants and the like—these are the things you would never want to wear outside the house. And although every girl should have a handful of them, if it takes too much space in your closet then that is a red flag. However, it would significantly impact your self-confidence and your overall well-being if you got rid of all of your house exclusive clothes altogether and replace them with clothes you can wear in the house as well as out of the house. In this way, you would not only be saving closet space, but are fashion ready even when you are just in the house.

4.) Old clothes that you used to love but now hate

Is there really any point to keeping these items? They may have a tinge of nostalgic feel about them, but other than that, they are really just occupying valuable space in your closet. If you want a closet full of clothes that you know you will love wearing, then perhaps it is time to make peace with your old style habits and learn from them. Additionally, do some reflection as to why you bought these items in the first place—you once loved them, what happened? Were these just passing trends? Did you celebrity idol rock the very same outfit? See if anything clouded your judgment when you bought it before and avoid it from happening again.

5.) Clothes that used to fit

We are all notorious for clinging on to pieces that no longer fit us in the dire hopes that when we finally lose enough weight (or gain enough), we would be able to rock them again. It can be a particular piece that you may have splurged on or as once an integral component of an excellent and stylish clothing ensemble. But all these would be for naught if the clothing piece no longer fits you anyhow. If you are having a hard time letting go of pieces such as these, perhaps selling them or loaning them to a friend would make it much easier.

 

 

You might be overwhelmed at how many clothes you have to get rid off when it comes to paring down your closet, and you might feel that you have nothing to wear, but on the contrarty, you actually have more to wear. By paring down your closet, you would not have to needlessly cycle the same outfit every two weeks or so. This is because your clothes are now within sight and you can now easily mix and match them. So, adopt a minimalist strategy—not only as a means of lifetyle, but as a means of organizing your closet as well.

 

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Fashion 101: Seven Ways You Are Ruining a Good Outfit

February 27, 2017 by admin
Posted in Fashion Tips, Fashion Tips for Women


“Fashion has always been a repetition of ideas…but what makes it new is the way you put it together.” –Author Unknown

STYLE: Because your personality is not the first thing people can see.

Facing the day with a stylish ensemble is more of less a hit or miss thing. You may be sporting the latest style, but are inadvertently doing something to your clothes that could potentially ruin its wow factor. More often than not, great style is not always about the clothes nor its brand; it is in the way a woman combines fashion pieces together and pull off an outfit. Some people are also under the mistaken impression that having a perfect, neat and elegant style is leveraged in your monthly salary on clothes. This is hardly the case as there are a lot of affordable pieces that would look incredibly stylish when complemented with the right accessories and shoe wear.

However, this does not mean you should discount the importance of having a few expensive but quality and impressive investment sartorial pieces in your closet that is actually worth spending the extra savings for. But, make no mistake; just because you have put down a lot of money on a particular kind of clothing, it does not mean that you are always guaranteed to look chic and stylish whenever you are wearing it. You might be ruining the entire outfit by committing any of the fashion faux pas and mistakes below. To make sure your outfit would always reach its style potential, be careful and meticulous about how you wear them. Here are some fashion mistakes you may be unconsciously committing:

1.) You think sweatshirts are strictly sport wear

Given that sweatshirts are designed for workout and athletics, it is easy to mistake them as clothing solely reserved for strenuous activities. However, they are not as they can be paired with stylish jeans, shorts and even skirts. Conquer your reluctance to wear sweatshirts as a part of a casual outfit by incorporating them into your everyday regular and routine outfits. If you are hesitant about being too casual or appearing too sporty, you have a myriad of sweatshirts to choose from in shops that are embellished and printed and made of non-sporty materials such as faux leather and chiffon. These sweatshirts would go really well with statement necklaces and skinny pants.

2.) Dirty shoes

You may be wearing a pair of the latest wholesale steve madden shoes, but all of that will be for naught if they are not even clean and presentable to look at. While dust and dirt are inevitable consequences for everyday wear, this is no excuse for you to continue sporting a pair of shoes that no longer look neat. It does not matter if they are high heels, sneakers or a pair of boots, if they are unclean, they would largely diminish the overall effect of your outfit (and they will seemingly make you look like a slob). After a day out wearing your shoes, make sure to take some time to clean them with baby wipes or a smooth cloth when you arrive home.

3.) You never get anything tailored

You have seen a cute dress and bought it off the rack at your favorite store despite it not fitting you well enough. To you, this might be a compromise on style. The dress may not exactly be tailored to fit you, but it is a small price to pay considering that it is a killer outfit after all. However, this is where you are wrong. People come in all shapes and sizes, and mass-produced clothing does not always fit us all the same way. While the clothes may fit your torso well, it might look loose on your arms and shoulders. Having a tailor fix this for you will address this sartorial predicament. Take note, taking it too-wide, too-loose or too-fitting can spell the difference between looking alright and looking impeccable all the time.

4.) You think clutches are reserved only for nighttime activities

You have a collection of cute clutches that you only use for a ladies’ night out or to fancy dinners, and you sorely wish you could take them out more often. Never fear, if you do not have to bring a lot of things with you, chances are wearing a clutch instead of a big bag would be the most reasonable choice. Even your dressy clutches would work well with a pair of skinny jeans on daytime. So, break out those clutches and let them see the light of day.

5.) You have a penchant for logos

Looking like a walking advert for a particular clothing brand is in no way stylish nor elegant. That, and there are seemingly a lot of fake ones that can imitate the original rather well. Instead of sporting tacky pieces that have brands emblazoned over the front of the shirts or dresses, go for neutral and basic pieces that look good and are versatile enough to be paired with almost anything in your wardrobe.

6.) You think sexy means showing a lot of skin

Let us be clear: There is a significant difference between wearing a sultry top that showcases a hint of cleavage and one that shows off a generous amount of cleavage and bares your stomach. You want to look elegant and sophisticated while being sexy and showing too much skin is definitely not the way to do it. Strike a balance between how much skin you want to show on top and the bottom of your outfit. A good rule of thumb is to determine what you are showing more whether it is skin or clothes. If your answer is the former, then you should definitely reconsider what you are wearing. Remember, nothing is sexier than a hint of mystery surrounding a woman.

7.) You hardly take care of your clothes

Some clothes are made of delicate material and would not stand the heavy washing of a washing machine. If you do not want to end up with clothes that would cotton up after a few sessions in the laundromat, read the care tag and do the appropriate type of washing your clothes would need.

Dressing up does not have to be an arduous task, especially if you are committing sartorial flubs that are easy to rectify such as the ones enumerated above. The next time you are dressing up, make a mental assessment of what you are wearing before heading out and see if you are committing any of these mistakes. Remember, a stylish outfit almost has nothing to do with what you wear, but rather how you are wearing it.

 

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Fashion 101: Elements of a Good Wardrobe

February 21, 2017 by admin
Posted in Fashion Tips, Fashion Tips for Women


“Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” -Coco Chanel

When it comes to anything and everything life, it is crucial to have bits of variation. In fashion, this becomes somewhat more complicated as the rules do not apply solely to variation. Much like the food pyramid in your nutrition class, the contents of your closet should apply the same principles when it comes to moderation, diversity as well as portion control. If you diligently applied these three principles to what you put in your closet, you would necessarily end up with a well-balanced wardrobe. This well-balanced wardrobe is pivotal in ensuring you would come up with a stylish ensemble without going through the struggle of mixing and matching clothes. Simply put, a well-balanced wardrobe would make dressing up for work, for the mall or basically anywhere much easier. A workable formula on how to build a balanced wardrobe is to stock up on the basics first, minimize investing on trends, go easy on patterns and spend on one drop dead gorgeous showstopper saved for special occasions.

To know which pieces to have, you have to be discerning as to whether these pieces can be worn in multiple ways on various occasions–a crucial aspect when it comes to streamlining your wardrobe. It does not matter whether these pieces are taken from your local wholesale clothing store or elsewhere, it needs to contribute to the overall quality of your manner of dress. To have a better picture of what these pieces are, this article has listed them below:

1.) A classic black blazer

No self-respecting fashionista should ever possess a closet sans a classic black blazer. This classic staple offers women an infinite number of ways to wear it. Whether you are dressing for a job interview, looking to give your summer dress an elegant upgrade or are attending a casual business meeting, this classic staple can do wonders in improving a simple ensemble. Make sure to have one that is tailored to fit you and find a classic look without any prints or flashy details, and you can be assured you have an excellent ensemble that would transition well throughout the seasons.

2.) A pair of ankle boots in brown and in black

They say if you love a pair of shoes, you should buy it in every color. When it comes to ankle boots, however, one pair in black and another in brown will do you just fine. Let these two pairs be the perfect complement to your daytime outfits and pair them with your favorite skinny jeans, dresses or skirts. Black gives your sleeker dresses more edge and would tie a grungier outfit together such as motorcycle jackets paired with jeans. Brown is reserved for softer and more feminine dresses to give it a preppy vibe. It works well with flirty dresses, plaid shirts or gray blazers.

3.) Two pairs of black tights (Sheer and opaque)

Though tights come in a myriad of colors, you would only need one color which is black but makes sure to get it in sheer and opaque. You would be amazed how sophisticated an outfit looks just by the addition of tights as it adds a certain elegance to just about any ensemble. Use sheer tights under your cocktail dresses and use your opaque pair under your wool skirts and sweater dresses.

4.) A small bag or evening clutch

You probably have your favorite tote bag that would carry all of your essentials, and that is well and good, however, this would look incredibly out of place when paired with your party and cocktail dresses. On your evenings out and crowded restaurants and bars, opt to have a small bag or an evening clutch. Lugging around your large bag can be rather inconvenient. But if you cannot live without your large bag, at least have a small clutch with you when you are

considering on hitting the town at night. In this way, you can leave your large bag in your car or at the office and just stuff your small bag with the essentials.

5.) A classic structured bag to use every day

Apart from the evening go-to clutch bag, you would need a bag that would function well in just about any situation from your business meetings, conferences to shopping with your friends. Choose a structured and classic bag that would be big enough to carry everything you need daily. Select one with a perfect touch and structured shape so that it would look stylish with your outfit.

6.) A pair of jeans in a classic wash

No woman should ever miss having a great pair of jeans inside her closet. This one article of clothing is indispensable as it works as your go-to piece of clothing whenever you are too lazy to assemble an outfit together. It goes with practically everything and would give you a crisp look with the right blouse or shirt. Stay away from trends and avoid jeans that have cuts, rips or dyes unless you already have at least a few classic pairs as these tend to go out of style after just a season. Instead, look for a pair with clean wash, minimalist style and lean fit which would function well as an everyday staple.

7.) A black leather jacket

Apart from giving the wearer that edgy biker chick vibe, a black leather jacket never goes out of style, and it looks great with just about anything. If you are looking to toughen up a flirty and feminine outfit, then simply throwing a black leather jacket over it would accomplish that. If you want an edgy and tomboyish vibe, it will work well over a t-shirt and a pair of skinny jeans. In any case, it is a great addition whether you want to tone down the feminine aspect of your ensembles, or are looking to amplify the modern edge of your casual outfits.

 

With the choice and staple outfits above, create a well-balanced wardrobe to make everyday dressing not only easier, but faster as well.

 

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Five Questions You Need To Ask Yourself Before Purging Your Closet

February 13, 2017 by admin
Posted in Fashion Tips, Fashion Tips for Women

“Playing dress up starts at age five and never really ends” -Kate Spade

One memorable line from the hit series of HBO was uttered by Carrie Bradshaw, a self-confessed fashionista and clothing hoarder. In the series, her unsurpassed love was evidenced by her perpetually full closet and her sentiments as regards clothes stating that she wants her money where she sees them, hanging in her closet. In the real world, fashion forward women are pretty much the same. Their love for clothes and penchant for anything stylish are both unmatched. In fact, fashionable women would say that their love for clothes is anything but a penchant. Instead, they would say it is something akin to passion. With their great love for sartorial items, it would come as no surprise to find their closets and wardrobes filled to the brim with the latest finds, classic staples and the like coming in varied colors and styles. Unfortunately, one ugly reality you need to content with is that you cannot hold on to these things forever and at some point in the future, you need to purge your closet from sartorial items that are taking up too much space.

Not only would you be clearing up that much-needed space to make way for new clothes, but you would be getting rid of items which have not even seen the light of day in the past years. While letting go of clothes you once loved may be hard, you can think of it as an opportunity for a fashion catharsis. Get rid of all the items that would serve you no purpose in your closets, and you will be surprised that it might just be the perfect precursor to redefining or enhancing your style. Once you have come to terms with the need for a closet purging, how do you know which ones to donate, toss or keep? Well, to make your wardrobe purging endeavor easier, here is a checklist of questions you need to ask yourself while going through each item in your closet. It is highly recommended that you pick and ponder every item as a quick a scan would not yield the same effective results and would not help you at arriving at a decision.

1.) Is it still in style?

Your wholesale Steve Madden boots may be your favorite pair, and it certainly has a way of elongating your legs when you are wearing minis. But your favorites may not exactly be in trend or even in season today. While you might not have any fashion items from the seventies hanging in your closet, you might not be aware of the subtle shifts in fashion that would cause you to throw out some trendy wardrobe pieces that may potentially become fashionable once more in the future. It is no secret that fashion is cyclical, so a good workaround to determining which items you should chuck out and which ones you can keep for storage is to see if these items still work well with your current wardrobe. If they do, stash them away until such time that they become fashionable again.

2.) Does it still fit you well?

Keeping an article of clothing in the hopes that it would fit you one day when you finally lose weight is only going to succeed in clogging up your clothes. If you have gained or lost a few pounds over the months or have stopped working out altogether, some of your clothes may still fit you but are not going to look quite the same as they did when you first purchased them. Be honest yourself when it comes to this matter, and if you feel that it would take some time before you would finally fit into that blouse, it is best to toss or give it away. Besides, it might not even be in style by the time it would finally fit you.

3.) Does it still have a place in your life?

Admit it, at some point in your life; you may have bought sartorial pieces that were appropriate to wear in your profession. But if black ties, suits, high heels, pencil skirts and the like no longer have a place in your current life (unless you like wearing them to work), then there is absolutely no reason for you to be holding on to them. Whether it may be a career shift or a simple matter of wanting to change the tune of your style, if your clothes no longer serve you its purpose, then either toss them or donate them. Whatever the case might be, there will always be a time in a woman’s life where you need to make a sartorial shift—and throwing away tacky clothes is just one step in the process. Decide if you want to go through this transition, and purge accordingly.

4.) Can you flip it?

Under any under circumstance, it would be hard to part with an item that once held an exorbitant price tag. While this might be true, you have to take into account that you need the extra space in your closet. And if having that space would require you to get rid of an expensive piece that is no longer trendy or ill-fitting, then, by all means, you should. If you are afraid of underselling it considering the premium you paid when you first bought it, then sell it at a local designer consignment work who might pay you more. You can then use that money to buy something that is in season and would fit you well.

5.) Do you have a lot of them?

There is a saying that goes that if you want a pair of shoes, you should buy it in every color. Unfortunately, this SHOULD NOT be the case when you are looking to trim a little extra fat in your closet. Look for styles that you have a tendency to buy in repetition and look for those in bad shape. Say for example you own eight plain colored tees, look for the ones that are in the worst shape or the ones you have worn the least. Look for those items that you would not lose sleep over losing and donate them to charity.
Parting with some of our clothes may present itself as a challenge—especially if you are a fashionista with a taste for variety. However, if your clothes are sitting ducks in your closets, then they are not really doing anything to help your style. On the contrary, keeping so many of these stocked in your closet can even preclude you from reaching your true style potential. So, ask yourself the questions stated above and start paring down the items in your closet.

 

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Fashion 101: Five Common Fashion Errors You Need to Correct This Year!

January 23, 2017 by admin
Posted in Fashion Tips, Fashion Tips for Women

“The three biggest fashion mistakes are cheap suits, shoes and shirts. Spend your money on something good.” -Donatella Versace

“One person’s fashion is another person’s disaster” -Hillary Clinton

Without a doubt, fashion is a complicated and fickle thing. Some sartorial items are considered trendy and fashionable, while some are tacky and garish. From the myriad of style and fashion items we can choose from, it can be rather hard to discern which items go together and which do not. However, let us make one thing clear, this article does not mean to define which erroneous fashion habits you have which could land you it the worst-dressed list, but rather this article aims to tell you which mistakes are often overlooked, neglected and often accepted while in reality, they are the farthest thing from fashionable. As we usher in another year, let us make new style resolutions and break those long-held flawed fashion habits that we have adopted and accepted as correct over the years. This year, learn to distinguish the fashion wins from the fashion flubs and form habits that will enable you to develop a better fashion sense. As fashion forward individuals, you deserve to be better dressed and it is imperative to be on the lookout for fashion mistakes that fall under the radar. Nip them in the bud while you can before they get out of hand for the sake of a more stylish and fashionable you. Below is a list of some of the most overlooked fashion mistakes which you can finally correct this year.

1.) Showing a little too much skin

Where do you draw the line between sexy and sultry? Well, that seems to be the question on every woman’s mind when it comes to baring a bit of skin. While you do not want to be all covered up, you would not want to look like you are auditioning for your first Playboy Magazine cover either. You want to add a little mystery and intrigue to your ensembles and not show everything in just one outfit. A good rule of thumb for this is that if you are baring skin in one area of your body, then needless to say the rest should be covered up. An example would be if you are donning a revealing top that exposes a generous cleavage, then leave your stomach and your legs covered and if possible, your arms as well. Take note: There is a fine line between sexy and trashy, make sure that the way you dress is veering towards the former than the latter. In lieu of a daringly low-cut dress, opt for a body-hugging dress that accentuates and shows off your curves. It shows minimal skin, but the effect it achieves is stunning and elegant.

2.) Wearing pants that are not tailored correctly for you

Though not exactly haute couture, the advent of boyfriend jeans and track pants has still been widely considered as du jour not only by fashion enthusiasts and pundits but by regular women as well. There is just something so comfortable about slipping into a non-traditional pair of jeans that does not constrict the blood vessels of your legs. It makes you appear relaxed and stylish while being comfortable. However, while a good and well-fitting pair of boyfriend jeans would look excellent on you, the same cannot be said for a pair of jeans that were meant to snugly fit you. Wearing pants several sizes too loose when they were meant to hug your legs would make you appear frumpy and disheveled. Do not let this style affliction become a habit of yours and instead, go for a pair of trousers that would enhance your legs in all the right places. Do not settle for inferior alternatives—especially if they were meant to be worn by someone of a different size.

3.) Confusing oversized with ill-fitting

Oversized clothes have recently become trendy and more and more women are buying into the style by sporting clothing that are several sizes too big for them. However, while oversize looks excellent, ill-fitting is another thing entirely. There is nothing attractive about a woman who is dwarfed by her clothes which would be the likely mistake most women make in substituting oversized clothes for ill-fitting ones. Wearing oversized clothing can be a bit tricky, if you end up doing it wrong, you could look sloppy and lose your shape. Before deciding on a final ensemble, take a look at the mirror and make sure you have blended elements well and not look like your outfit has eaten you up.

4.) Choosing heels that are too high or are not high enough

A choice pair of heels would make any ensemble instantly look ten times more stylish. This is why every woman needs her own go-to pair for whenever the occasion calls it. From wholesale Steve Madden heels to Christian Louboutin pumps, women do not have a shortage when it comes to a wide selection of heels. However, wearing heels can be a tricky ground to navigate (literally and figuratively). If you wear them too high, you run the risk of looking trashy and cheap, wear them too low and you might as well just be wearing flats. Find the perfect height for you which is appropriate for the occasion as well as your ensemble—that one pair that hits the in-between spot. Invest in a good pair of pumps with a mid-height heel that would make your outfit look gorgeous and give you that erect posture without compromising your balance as well as your comfort.

5.) Wearing too many accessories

Accessorizing with jewelry and other different fashion knick-knacks is one way to amplify and augment your sense of style. They have a way of making your ensemble look more put-together and in effect, make you look more polished and elegant. However, you need to strike a balance between appearing sophisticated and looking like you are an overadored Christmas tree which would likely be the case if you decked yourself out in too many diamonds and pearls. When it comes to accessories, always remember Coco Chanel’s sagely advice: Always remove once accessory before you leave. Instead of decking on a lot of bling, try rings and bracelets which may have less sparkle, but whose glimmer are less ostentatious and more elegant.
Now that you have read and understood what fashion errors and cliches you have been possibly been doing in the past, it is high time to correct it. Take matters into your own hands and ditch these style flubs and leave them in the past where they rightly belong.

 

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Style Review: The Biggest Trends of 2016!

January 18, 2017 by admin
Posted in Fashion Tips for Women

“Do not be into trends. Do not make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way you live.” –Gianni Versace

“Fashion is a language that creates itself in clothes to interpret reality.” –Karl Lagerfeld

Without a doubt, fashion is one of the most fickle things in the world imaginable. What is trendy today may not be so in the next year but might have the potential to be stylish again in five years or so. It is an unpredictable and cyclical phenomenon that keeps an individual’s manner and state of dress perpetually riveting and interesting. Because fashion changes every year, it means that as we usher in 2017, we all have a lot of new trends and styles to look forward to. In the same vein, this gives you a chance to give your wardrobe that much needed overhaul and update with this year’s predicted potential styles and trends.

But before going into that, let us review some of 2016’s biggest and most fashionable trends that have dominated almost every nook and cranny in the fashion world. After all, these are the trends that would help engender 2017’s biggest styles and potential fashion ensembles, so it is only right that they be given their appropriate recognition. From the ever omnipresent perfected eyebrows which women of every age sported down to off-shoulder everything trend (tops, cropped tops, dresses, etc.)—whether bought from retail or wholesale clothing, here are some of 2016’s definitive contributions to fashion:

  1. Chokers

In mid to late 2016, chokers made waves in the fashion industry and almost every style icon and celebrity was seen wearing it—from the likes of Kendall Jenner to Ariana Grande, this was one trend that was imperceptibly creeping on to everyone’s fashion ensembles. There was a wide range of styles as well from velvet, classic black, lace, diamonds and even nameplates and DIY shoelace chokers. Though almost everyone seemed to be sporting this accessory, there were innumerable ways of personalizing it which made it the most “lit” fashion accessory of 2016 that came in almost every fabric, width and color last year.

 

  1. Off-shoulder apparel

Off-shouldered apparels may have looked more at home in music festivals, boho and beach themed parties, but in 2016, almost every top possible was reimagined as an off-shouldered top and a myriad of styles were then conceived. From blousy boho tops to stomach-baring cropped tops, the variety of off-shouldered tops made it possible for women of every age to find one that was appropriate to their personal style. Bare shoulders feel sexy and flirty yet they do not give too much away which explains why this trend continues to be a dominant part of a woman’s ensemble this year.

 

  1. Vintage Band Tees

Although some of them were no longer relevant or even remotely popular or have disbanded, vintage band tees were a huge thing in 2016. It seemed that sporting one was the ticket to being considered cool and was considered the height of casual yet hip fashion. It was the ultimate streetwear and suddenly everyone was having a bit of rock and roll touch to their clothes last year—even if they do not necessarily recognize the band emblazoned on their shirts or jackets. As long as Nirvana, Guns N Roses, Slayer or Metallica was emblazoned conspicuously in any part of your clothing—nothing else mattered. Hopefully, this trend will die with the year. Though the appeal of rock and roll is undeniably palpable, it does not bode well for the wearer to be wearing the tees of a band he or she knows nothing about just to be considered hip and cool.

 

  1. Velvet

Although it was hardly practical to wear anything velvet during the hotter and more humid seasons, that fact did not stop people from buying into the velvet-anything trend. It seemed like the love for velvet has transcended that of any fabric as in 2016, it seemed like everything was made out of velvet. It did not matter whether they were booties, a one-piece suit, a dress or a top—velvet rarely goes unnoticed and the lush fabric which is the very definition of luxurious elegance can be found anywhere and everywhere.

 

  1. Tour Merchandise

Beyond the significant rise of vintage band tees was also the rise of tour merchandise. What was once a clothing item you can buy exclusively on concert venues became a more expansive clothing line in 2016 all thanks to Kanye West and Justin Bieber. Last year, celebrities and some of the biggest names in rap and pop business have leveraged their personal brands to create concern merchandise that seemed to be more of full-fledged labels than one-time souvenirs. Many celebrities soon exploited this trend with celebrities like Gigi and Bella Hadid, Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian creating their own merchandise despite not actually going on tour.

 

  1. Slip Dresses

Is it bedroom wear or can I appropriately wear this when going out to buy groceries? This seems to be the dominant question in everyone’s heads when slip dresses became a thing. Women started sporting dresses that look more at home in the bedroom than out of it. Although, some women gave it an ultra 90’s vibe by layering it over a shirt which compensated for its lack of material. The slip dress came in a variety of materials and came in a range of lengths and styles which made it perfect for the daytime and nighttime scene.

 

  1. Over the knee boots

Last year, the trend of wearing over the knees pair of boots became phenomenal. What seemed to be a signature style of Ariana Grande became an apparent trend amongst celebrities with Taylor Swift riding on in the trend. It was certainly one way to compensate for short dresses and mini-skirts and though they hid much of our legs, it gave them the illusion of sexier and svelte legs.

 

After reviewing 2016’s biggest trends, it is up to you to decide which ones of these trends should stay and which ones should go. But always make room for the new trends that are about to be welcome by this year so that you can stay relevantly stylish.

 

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Style Forecast: Five Fashion Fad and Trends to Ditch This 2017

January 10, 2017 by admin
Posted in Fashion Tips for Women


“Fashion fads are always tricky because you want your child to fit in with her friends, but you also want to teach her that she does not have to follow every trend that comes along. So, when there is something new she wants to try, let her experiment, but if you think she is spending too much time or money on it, then you might want to step in.” –Mary Giles

The New Year provides a fresh new start for all individuals across the globe. It opens the road to new opportunities and possibilities for all areas of life—including something as particularly mundane and commonplace as fashion. After all, as we always say each year, “Out with the old and in with the new”.
However, your fashion sense need not tedious and monotonous. This year you can find novel and fresh ways to refine your style, amplify your ensembles or even perfect your chosen personal style. This year provides new prospects for fashion and may even be the catalyst for a better dressed you. But as it is in each year, there are some fads and trends from the previous year that are notable for their exciting facets and can be maintained in the current year while the rest did nothing to improve or even detracted your style.

These are the trends you should drop and let go of. You need to be discerning and meticulous as to which trends you can keep and which ones you should cut. After all, this 2017 offers you a fresh start, it is only right that you be appropriately and stylishly dressed for the part as well. In this article, let us take a look back and review the myriad of fashion trends that have dominated our social media feed and style magazines over the last year. Some of them may be worthy of retaining, while the same cannot be said about some other eyebrow-raising styles which would make onlookers question what fashion sense you possess. Here are some of the trends you need to ditch by the next year:

1.) The Instagram Eyebrow

In 2016, everyone instantly became an artist and rode on the perfect eyebrow game. Almost everyone gave up their unique brows and started looking just like everyone else, with dark, bold and sharp-edged brows which were painstakingly drawn like an upside down Nike Logo. This degree of brow perfection means that there is absolutely no room for error and meant that there are a lot of things that would require you to perfect this art. Powders, concealers, gels and a pot of incredibly expensive eyebrow kits were definitive of how 2016 transformed the makeup game in 2016. This year, try to change it up and ditch the perfect looking brows. You will feel much better at how you look significantly different than everyone else.

2.) Dressing for your age

One sentiment echoed by various fashion articles is how women should learn and appropriate know how to dress themselves according to their age. Graphic tees, wild hair colors, and anything your teenaged daughter would wear was basically off-limits. This effectively means that women well way into their forties were pigeonholed into a straitlaced manner of dressing up. Magazines would laud clothes that were age-appropriate which largely consists of corporate jackets, blousy insets, maybe a pair of wholesale steve madden shoes or two but nothing that seemed fun. Enter Instagram star Baddie Winkle and later on Helen Mirren—both who basically told these fashion magazines to shove off their dressing dictums and garbed themselves however they want. Both look like they are enjoying their golden years while sporting bright colors and youthful trends—a reminder for all of us that it is boring to conform to any age-determined norm and that fashion does not need to be age-appropriate in order to look good and fun. This year, take a leaf out of their books and do not dress for your age, but rather dress for yourself.

3.) Band Tees (of bands you do not listen to)

A particular shirt with a band name emblazoned or embellished on it is the definition of edgy and every girl or woman who wants to be identified as one would certainly be riding this bandwagon. Though there is nothing necessarily wrong with wearing band tees, if you happen to come across a particularly enthusiastic fan, they would ask you a series of questions regarding your shirt and it could easily get awkward. You may want to impress a specific boy who might like the band, but throwing on a shirt may score you points but not necessarily the attention you so crave. Besides, that is the line of thinking of someone in their pre-teen years and not a woman well into their adult years. Ditch the band tees and wear something you are a lot more familiar and comfortable with.

4.) See Through Boots

In 2016, there is nothing more baffling than the immediate rise of see-through boots which became almost an instantaneous hit. It seems that even wholesale steve madden boots would not make the cut when Kanye West thought it was a good idea to cover your soles in a pair of see-through boots that would not even conceal a botched pedicure job. One would not need an exhaustive list of reasons on why this fad is absolutely out for this year—even the simple fact that they can get incredibly muggy in the summer and drafty in the winter should convince anyone why it is better to wear traditional boots.

5.) Lack of body Confidence

In whatever year, body acceptance would always be in and would always be trendy regardless of the era. Women’s lack of body confidence did not only arise in the previous year, but it is worthy to note that in the last year, women who do not conform to society’s definition of beautiful and sexy rose to prominence. The world of fashion has issued various edicts telling women that we should all love ourselves regardless of what color, size or ethnicity we are—yet their spreads featured none of what they were preaching. Women on the bulkier side and women of various ethnicities were largely underrepresented. Yet all of that is about to change seeing how in the last year, models who do not quite fit into the fashion industry’s cookie-cutter image of what a model should be started making waves. This means that women were challenging beauty standards and as a result, women all over the world would come to love their own individuality.

 

Remember that for this year, it is imperative that you find your own style and ditch following the trends while dropping those trends that did not make the cut as well. This year, let it be all about you because after all, dressing for yourself and for self-confidence would never go out of style.

 

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