Tag Archives: fashion tips for women

Fashion Cheat Sheet: Six Things You Should Never Wear on a Date

 

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

With Valentine’s Day just a few days away from today, it is highly likely that most of you have already drawn up plans as to how to spend this rather quixotic holiday.

For some, it might be a date with a long-term lover while there would also be inevitably some of you who would be breaking the waters in the game of dating on this very same day. Regardless of whether this is your hundredth or third time to go on a date, it is imperative that you always dress your best. This is especially true if you are going on a first date. After all, your clothes leave a lasting impression about the kind of person you are and the type of message you are trying to convey—so it is essential that you are saying all the right words with your clothing ensemble. First impressions do matter and more often than not, you only get one shot at making them. Unfortunately, the rubrics established when it comes to sartorial style in dating can get rather muddled and sometimes, they conflict. Show some skin, but keep it mysterious or be sultry without being too aggressive—so, where does that leave you?

In any case, your date ensembles require meticulous thought and consideration. After all, you want your new suitors or potential lovers to see your best, so these outfits should be deliberately planned. Ideally, whether you are aiming at wearing wholesale clothing or retail buys, you should go for something that is both fashionable and comfortable without being too revealing. Look like yourself but the best version of you. The choices you make play a key role in communicating a variety of things to your date and as such selecting your ensemble is of critical importance. To help you narrow down the list of sartorial items you can consider wearing to your date, here are all the things that you should keep from wearing on a date:

1.) Thigh boots

Unless you are aiming for a hooker look, wearing thigh-high boots is never a good idea. Sure, they definitely look great when you are dancing at the nightclub with your squad of besties. On a date, they just look woefully out of place. Unfortunately, some women think that this is acceptable footwear on a date seeing as how Richard Gere’s character in Pretty Woman became pretty receptive to handing Julia Roberts his credit card. In reality, however, you do not want to send the wrong message that might make you seem either available or easy. Your allure should be focused on playing up your mystique rather than strutting in something that will definitely get the wrong kind of attention.

2.) Too tight clothing

Too tight clothing is never a good idea for anything. This is especially true when you are out on a date and are planning on having dinner or at least sharing a meal together. Remember, comfort is key and fit is everything. If you try to cram yourself into something that is two to three times smaller than your original size, there is a likely chance you are going to be very uncomfortable on your date. Moreover, it gives off the message that you have low self-esteem and are trying to gain attention in the wrong manner. Lastly, you will spend roughly eighty percent of your time fussing and fidgeting with your clothes which can be incredibly distracting.

3.) Too loose clothing

Quite the opposite of the preceding number, but all the same you should never wear clothes that are too loose for you on a first date. Again, the fit is everything and wearing clothes are too loose would make you seem like you are concealing your body. Moreover, it makes you seem disinterested in either the date itself, yourself or both. Sloppiness is never a good look, and there is a likely chance you will be turning off your date. Sure, loose clothing may be the epitome of comfort, but wear something that makes you feel like yourself as well without looking like the messy version of you.

4.) Brand Icons

Wearing sartorial items that scream off the brand at their emblazoned front makes you look like a walking advertisement. Moreover, it makes you look far too casual—or it might seem like you are showing off. Never wear clothing that contains noticeable brand icons or slogans as your ensembles are meant to be subtle and properly picked. With these, you can elevate your ability to communicate with your date. The brand of your clothes does not help your cause either as it would encourage your date to have preconceived notions about the kind of person you are before you even get the chance to talk to them. Let yourself do the talking instead of your clothes.

5.) Slogans

While shirt slogans look hip and trendy, they do nothing for your date apart from making you look silly or corny. Shirt slogans can be an excellent icebreaker—particularly if you have a date with a great sense of humor but remember, it might not sit well with everyone. Avoid wearing slogan shirts to avoid embodying the slogan for the duration of the date. Instead of relying on your sartorial items to do the ice breaking for you, do them yourself.

6.) Dirty attire

This one is a given. After all, you do not want your date to think you are a slob. Wear clothes that are not only clean but pressed as well. Stains on clothes leave a lasting impression on your date and would make you seem like you are incredibly disinterested about how you look and your date. Dirty and unkempt clothes would make you seem like you are messy and sloppy.

 
Ensure that you will have a memorable night to remember by choosing clothes that are not only comfortable but reflect the real you. Ensure that they convey the right message and would make you seem like the best version of yourself. You might not just know it, but your clothes play a pivotal role in potentially scoring that second date.

 

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Better Style: Seven Everyday Habits for a Better Dressed You

“Women want to look sexy. They want to look stylish, and there is no reason why you cannot be just as sexy and stylish in a size 16 as you can be in a size 2.” –Daisy Fuentes

 

Style has always been a universal aspect known to fashion.

Women who are incredibly put-together seem to possess it in abundance. While there are some of us who struggle to put a sartorial ensemble every morning, there are those who seem to breeze through their wardrobes with the best-looking clothes assembled for them. Sure, style may be a very personal thing and it is uniquely different to each individual, but there are just some women who seem to look effortlessly chic and sophisticated no matter what day it is. Most of us may have wondered where these women seemingly get their energy to dress immaculately and elegantly every day and at times it leaves us baffled as to what their secrets are. Well, you might be surprised to find out that there is no secret really—just that these women have adhered to well-formulated style habits that in effect make them dress and look better.

While there is no universal edict or code on how women should dress, there are certainly a few select habits that would assist you in refining the way you dress. After all, it is not just about choosing the ideal clothes nor doing your makeup as perfectly as you can. Little things such as maintaining a proper closure, routinely editing your closet and a myriad of others things would definitely aid you in the process of assembling a put-together outfit every day. So, if you wish to look and feel as chic and stylish as you wish to be, incorporate some of these daily habits into your routine to wake up feeling positively fresh and fashionable each day. After all, style is never about whether you wear wholesale clothing or branded retail buys, it is how you wear your clothes that matter.

 

Keep your closet organized

An organized closet helps you choose better outfits every single day. Moreover, keeping it organized would encourage you to edit it as much as you can and prevents you from holding on to outfits you no longer need (and are just taking up valuable space). Sure, some women (Cher Horowitz as an example) may be able to put together a highly fashionable outfit from a pile of clothes scattered on the floor. But this enviable feat is not exactly easy to do for mere mortals. So, give your closets a little TLC by folding your clothes and putting them away. Incidentally, if you are trying on things from your closet, put them back in if you are not going to wear them. A well-organized closet will definitely speed up the process of selecting your outfit and editing your look as it will help you see the pieces you are working with.

Practice good posture

Whether you are wearing a particularly good outfit or not, it always pays to have good posture—so, stand tall and erect at all times. In fact, it may even be argued that posture plays a pivotal role in making our outfits stand out. After all, you should think of yourself as the backdrop of your clothes, so do not slouch and showcase it to the world. Not only does it help you exude confidence, it makes you look better and gives you a variety of health benefits as well.

Plan your outfits ahead of time

Instead of standing in front of your closet every morning and bemoaning the fact that you have nothing to wear, why not plan your outfits ahead of time? In this way, you would not spend so much time in the morning what you would wear for that day. Sure, it is nice to inject a little spontaneity into your lives every once in a while, but planning ensures that you would be able to put together an outfit that looks great. Planning as you go tends to make you look like you just wore the first thing you have seen in your closets and rushed out of your homes.

Mix and low fashion

There is no absolute need for you to drape yourself in everything designer just to be considered fashionable. In fact, affordable trendy sartorial items can just be as stylish and chic as designer ones, but you do need to have a keen eye for when you can mix and match high and low fashion. For best results, invest in a few classic but quality fashion pieces and pair them with some of your trendier sets and come up with a surprisingly fresh and fashionable ensemble.

Wear clothes that fit you appropriately

If you are in denial about your size, maybe now is the time to accept the fact that you would no longer fit into the jeans you once wore when you were in high school. Take note, if you wish to be as fashionable and chic as you should be, you should start wearing clothes that fit you well and would have a tailor to tweak your pieces to fit you perfectly. Remember, you do not have to be a certain size to be considered fashionable and stylish, but you do need to wear clothes that fit you.

Take some time to get ready in the morning

While not all of us are gifted with the unique prowess of being chirpy in the morning, it bodes you well to wake up a little earlier than usual to get ready for the day ahead. Not all of us possess the skill of putting together an outfit in five minutes, so give yourself a little extra time to do so. Ignore that snooze button and give yourself some time to focus on your look.

Have a go-to uniform for back up

Apart from being a back-up, consider this ensemble as your signature look—one that you can always rely on to make you look and feel good. These can be various assortments of clothes—so long as when you wear it, you can feel confidently stylish and beautiful.

 

 

While style is not a thing everyone might possess, there are certain ways to help you develop or at refine it. In this regard, it would be best if you took to heart the practices stated above so that you can work your way to a more stylish you. As they say, style is not only an aspect in fashion, but a lifestyle.

 

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Fashion in the Stars: What Your Zodiac Signs Says About Your Style

 

“Fashion is what you are offered four times a year by designers. And style is what you choose.” –Lauren Hutton

 

It has been said that style is a very personal aspect in our lives. What we wear and how we wear it largely depends on our preferences. However, our characteristics and traits–mainly who we are also plays a pivotal role in our sartorial choices. After all, it has always been said that there are hints of who you are in what you wear and that has never been more evident than in your assemblage of clothes every single day. Although most will dismiss star signs as hogwash, there have been numerous studies linking astrological signs to an individual’s personality, character and even something as negligible as their style.

It matters not whether you predominantly favor wholesale clothing over retail, if you have noticed yourself picking a certain kind of clothing over time and time again, chances are it is your astrological sign at work. Regardless of whether you religiously check your horoscope daily or are seemingly skeptical of such implausibility, one cannot deny that there are certain traits and characteristics that align with our star signs and more often than not, they can be undeniably accurate. Our astrological signs often reveal what styles you find yourself most attracted to or at least gravitating to while you are out shopping. If you are a bit doubtful, take a look at this list and see for yourself:

 

Aries

Aries is characterized as being radiant, bright and confident. With this in mind, Aries individuals are known to favor bright and vibrant colors that beckon onlookers to take notice. Some notable colors an Aries loves would be bright blues, reds and greens or any other bold color that makes them shine through.

 

Taurus

Taurus individuals tend to favor quality over quantity. In fact, one might say it is paramount to their nature. More often than not, they find themselves more inclined to earth tones and neutral colors. Taurus individuals would hardly pick outfits for their brands but rather for their craftsmanship and design quality.

 

Gemini

Geminis tend to hog the attention of the room with their incredibly chipper attitude. In this regard, they tend to favor magentas, oranges and yellows which bring their ensembles to life. Unfortunately, their wardrobe might be a little hard to read considering the duality of the twins. Their best bet is to stick to classic staples and pair it with bright accessories.

 

Cancer

Cancers often love to play safe and would play only with colors such as pastels, silver or white. They often look very put-together and ladylike. Vintage and retro accessories are two things a cancer will love.

 

Leo

Leos have a penchant for dramatics—so much so that their tastes tend to be luxurious and demand only the boldest sartorial assemblages. Gold, black and red are colors they tend to favor and would help boost their already soaring confidence.

 

Virgo

Known to be perfectionists, tidy has nothing on a Virgo. In this regard, Virgos feel an incessant need to look their best at all times. For this reason, they would favor basic black and white combinations and would often mix in a bit of earthy tones just to give the look a bit of an accent. If there is anything that personifies this zodiac, it is the fact that they always seem to have a tailored look.

 

Libra

Beauty and style are two things Libras love. With this in mind, they tend to find themselves gravitating towards the colors pink, blue and white. As a consequence of their more extravagant tastes, they would often indulge in luxurious fabrics such as silk and cashmere. Cool, classic and feminine are three things that would characterize a Libra and are known to have a dress for just about any occasion there is.

 

Scorpio

Bold, daring and confident, Scorpios are known to feel their very best in deep plums, black, reds and blues. Making rich and bold colors look their very best is something Scorpios are known to be good at. They also have a knack for playing up their sex appeal as well as enshrouding themselves in mystery which makes them all the more alluring. In fact, one of their go-to outfits would be a pencil skirt with a slit at the side finished off with a knee high boots.

 

Sagittarius

Saggitarians are known for favoring comfort above anything else. Of course, this is not to say that they would compromise style over comfort either. Individuals of these star sign tend to favor colors such as beige, white and peach and pair it with a good pair of jeans for an everyday look. Unrestrictive flowy dresses and simple throw-on blouses are two of their go-to sartorial items that have never failed them.

 

Capricorns

Known to be the most sophisticated and elegant of the zodiac, a Capricorn’s style is often mistaken to be something incredibly austere and somber. However, this is not always the case. Although they favor sophistication above all, they can make it look incredibly effortless. Tailored pieces such as trousers and blazers are their forte and luxurious fabrics in colors such as green, black and indigo will always have a special place in a Capricorn woman’s heart.

 

Aquarius

Aquarians love to experiment and it shows in their sartorial ensembles. In fact, some of the things that they do love are sheer maxi skirts or clothes with eccentric designs. In fact, out-of-this-world designs are excellent for playing up their up for anything nature and their flair for experimentation. Staple colors that should always have a place in their closets are violets, electric blues, turquoise or anything that is vibrant and bright such as red—the boldest known color.

 

Pisces

Lovers of romance, individuals ruled by the Pisces star signs would look best when their romantic personality is shown through their clothes. They should showcase their feminine silhouettes with shimmering and soft fabrics that would complement their inner quixotic personalities. Softer colors such as pale blue, sea foam green, lavender and pinks are colors that would match a Pisces’s personality.

 

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Five Compelling Reasons Why Women Love to Shop

“I have been shopping all of my life and yet, I still have nothing to wear” –Every Woman Ever

 

It has been said and widely believed that when it comes to shopping, men go to malls and shops to buy what they want while women do the same to find out what they want. From this perspective, it can be readily seen that shopping is largely a woman thing, and you would be quite hard-pressed to find a woman who does not have at least the slightest inclination for indulging her purchasing desires. Indeed, nothing ensnares and entices a woman’s senses more than a shopping mall blatantly proclaiming that they are on a mall-wide sale. Much like a trained bargain hunter, females would descend to malls in droves and would be immediately ready to sniff out the best deals in a matter of minutes.

While some males cannot even begin to fathom the fascination of sifting through items, looking for deals and discounts for hours at a time, most women thrive on them. And malls did quite well to exploit on that fact which is why for this reason, mall sales would profit most from the fairer sex. However, what is it about shopping that drives most women wild and encourages them to go on a frenetic spree of acquiring things of all sorts? Where does this innate proclivity come from? Regardless of whether they are purchasing wholesale clothing or retail, it is no question that women would be there—especially during sales and with their wallets and credit cards at the ready. So, if you have been wondering what inspires this intrinsic behavior from the most of us, here are some of the reasons we have unveiled below:

 

1.) Jealousy or Peer Pressure

While jealousy or peer pressure is not two reasons for shopping prevalent among women, it can play a significant role in influencing their decision of whether to shop or not. The truth is when a well-dressed and attractive woman walks down the alley; it is not only the men that take notice but women as well. In fact, you can probably bet that the woman has already dissected every inch of her outfit and is dying to know where she got them. One of the initial things a woman takes note and observes in another woman is her outfit and then her footwear. All the rest such as her hairstyle, makeup and the rest would come second. In this regard, a woman would feel compelled (or encouraged) to dress better and if a woman has better-dressed friends, it is safe to assume that she would want to be even more impeccably dressed than them.

2.) To impress men

Although most women largely dress for themselves (and none of them would ever care to admit this next fact), some women dress to impress men. They are not proud of it, but making a lasting impact on the opposite sex would also motivate a woman to dress her best. With this in consideration, women would be impelled to shop for better-looking clothes. Although it is not something that they would ever probably admit, women do love getting compliments—especially when it comes from men. Being noticed and flattered because of your style would go a long way to boost a woman’s self-confidence after all.

3.) To invigorate herself

If a woman has gone through a rather harrowing ordeal or a traumatic event such as a breakup, loss of a job or pet, she would need to take her mind off the stressor. In doing so, she would need to distract herself from what is currently ailing her and one excellent avenue for distraction is shopping. In fact, some women would even swear by the adage that shopping is much cheaper than seeing their therapists. Plus, they get a dress out of it too! Picking out things they love and trying out clothes that look great on them is a way of indulging themselves. In a sense, it gives them a rush of excitement and euphoria. And at least for that moment, they can forget anything that might have caused them despondence and suffering. After all, to most women, even the tiniest trinket can serve as a balm to their pain.

4.) Always confused about her clothing

More often than not, you would hear a woman protest that she has nothing to wear while possessing a closet filled to the brim with clothes. It might be something of a paradox and to most, a woman’s thirst for more sartorial items despite having a complete arsenal of one would be an enigma, but it is a reality. The truth is, some women are just confused about her clothing and may not exactly be happy with what she is wearing. At times, she would be dissatisfied with her ensemble and would feel prompted to make better sartorial choices. She may have a myriad of clothes and shoes of every variety possible, but as she would always want to dress her best, she would do more shopping whenever she can.

5.) Best way to kill time

While killing time in this manner does not exactly bode well for your credit card as well as your finances, there is no denying that some women would do it out of boredom. However, do know that women do not necessarily have to buy anything just to have a good time and she would hardly need the company of another person. She can simply walk into a retail shop, stroll around, try on stuff and simply just do window shopping. If she sees anything that she likes, she may either buy it or make a mental note of it to buy soon.

 

 

Indeed, while a woman’s penchant for shopping remains as an enigmatic wonder, perhaps the reasons given above would give you an insight as to why they love it so much. After all, women are not called the fairer sex for anything, they have to live up to that fact and earn that title each and every day of their lives. In order to do so, they must continue to refine and edit their wardrobes and acquire those that would put them in the best light possible. And because of that, shopping is not only an activity or hobby to them but a lifestyle.

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Five Factors That Affect Your Style (That Are Not Clothes)


“Fashion is a language. Some know it, some learn it, and some never will — like an instinct.”-Edith Head

There is no doubt about the fact that clothes play a significant role in everyone’s lives. While some people may regard it as another thing to do in their daily routine, it is a reality that everyone has to choose clothes every single day before heading out to work. In this regard, some individuals may exercise a rather blasé and apathetic attitude towards their sartorial choices while fashion-forward, and style enthusiasts take a little extra care in ensuring that what they choose passes their standards. With this in mind, the latter people would be the meticulous set–ones with a little more concern as to how they present themselves to the world. The former, however, would be the kind of people who think that their lives do not revolve around clothes–that they have other more important things to think about other than the ideal color of sweater they should wear for that morning. But if there is one thing in common about the two sets of people despite their contrasting outlooks on clothes, it is that both do value style to a certain degree. Stylish people value it more, but while those who have an indifferent attitude towards clothes would not place as much importance on it, there are certain types of clothing they would feel themselves gravitating to.

It is a known fact that style is more than just your clothing selection. It is how you wear them and what you are trying to convey by wearing them. In this regard, you can easily spot those individuals who took the extra effort in refining their look from the bunch of individuals who just donned an assortment of clothing because they cannot be in the nude. So, what influences style? What makes one prefer streetwear clothing over more polished and formal designs? How does one choose what kind of clothes they purchase? Well, you might be surprised, but plenty of what influences someone’s personal style has little to do with the fashion industry. Although social media, favorite designers and various forms of media have a pivotal role in covering trends, there are other things that would factor into someone’s aesthetic. Here are some of the things that influence your style that are surprisingly not clothes:

1.) Climate

Of course, this one is a no-brainer. After all, you cannot actually expect one to wear a fur coat during a scorching day, or a flimsy blouse when it is freezing outside. In fact, one of the initial things you do before you get dressed is checked the weather outside. After all, you would not want to be wearing too thick clothes that would leave you stewing on a hot day or filmy ones that would not give you so much insulation on a cold day. Climate plays a significant role in influencing what you wear, and if you are lucky enough to live in a tropical climate, you can get away with wearing shorts and tees all your life. However, if you experience harsh winters, you would be better off having a go-to winter coat.

2.) Your Job

While most contemporary companies have a very modern view on dressing for a corporate environment, there is still a semblance of a dress code which they expect employees to adhere to. Today, most employees can get away with wearing jeans and casual sneakers—something that might have been preposterous two decades ago. However, this does not mean that employees can just get away with anything. If no uniform is imposed, there is a likely chance that a dress code would be enforced.

3.) Other People

While you might not be ready to admit such fact, it is an established reality that humans have an innate craving to be accepted and a desire for approval. Most of the time, this is evident enough in the way we dress. In fact, it is for this very reason that most of our clothing choices are subconsciously affected by our desire not to stand out. While considered stylish and fashionable, outrageous trends that beckon attention tend to look weird or crazy. Furthermore, some of us would want to wear clothing to make us seem more attractive to the opposite sex or to be accepted by our peers. While we might not care enough to admit it, the type of people we surround ourselves with tend to play a considerably significant role in influencing our clothing choices and style.

4.) Hobbies

Do you have a penchant for skating? Or perhaps, do you listen to heavy rock music? Well, you might not have noticed it, but your hobbies tend to show themselves in your clothing choices. Of course, you would want to choose clothing that would make it easier for you to perform the activities you find yourself most interested in. In fact, just take a gander at your closet, and you would notice that some of the things inside are inspired by the activities you do and hobbies that you have. It is precisely for this reason that trends such as the urban lumberjack and the skater chic have come to life.

5.) Sports

Varsity jackets, cheerleader skirts, basketball jerseys—these are just a few things of the slew of sports-inspired fashion you can get today. All these trends stem from the world of sports, and what their athletes wear and they have a huge impact on your clothing choices and style. More often than not, if you wish to support a specific sports team, you would be wearing your team jersey or if you are gearing up for a big game, whatever sport you might be into would play a critical role in what you wear to the field. For this reason, you would find many men and women wearing coordinating colors that would inspire team spirit and complement each other as well.

 

Indeed, whether we like it or not, our current environment plays an integral role as to how we dress ourselves and how we select our clothing. It plays a significant role in developing and shaping personal styles—so much so that no two people entirely dress in the same way. It is in this manner that we can truly express who we are as individuals and what makes us unique and different from one another.

 

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Fashion Hacks: Six Styling and Clothing Tips to Instantly Elevate Your Outfits

 

“Fashion is just another accessory for someone with great style” –Author Unknown

 

For some, wearing clothes might be a negligible aspect of their daily routine, but to fashion-forward individuals, dressing impeccably is not only a form of courtesy and manners, but a lifestyle. With this in mind, the latter individuals would give their best endeavors in ensuring that they are dressed appropriately (and stylishly, if I might add) in every single day in their lives. However, no matter what kind of affinity we have with fashion and clothes, there are just some days where our sartorial ensembles would work for us and other days wherein they seemingly work against us. Considering the latter, it would only be understandable for men and women alike to consult online fashion and style articles as to how to make their clothes work for them best.

After all, fashion can be rather confusing at times—especially when you see a myriad of outfits that look great and yet when you try them on, they do not seem to complement and flatter your curves the way they did on the mannequin. Fashion, albeit easy on the eyes, can be a bit difficult to work out and it is in this regard that fashion hacks; tips and tricks can become rather indispensable. You might be surprised at how fairly easy and straightforward some of these tips are, but once you try them, you will immediately see a significant difference—regardless of whether you favor wholesale clothing over retail. So, if you want to elevate your sartorial game and make your clothes seem more stylish, here are some tips you might want to keep in mind:

1.) Knot a button-down shirt to show off your waist

Take a simple outfit to the next level by tying a knot at the waist. Your button-down plaid polo blouses would look so much better when you tie them into a knot at the waist instead of having them simply laying flat. While there is nothing wrong with having them hang by your waist, the knot at your waist tends to show off your shape rather than conceal it. Furthermore, the look is more sophisticated and polished compared to the rather dull and conventional way of wearing it. To make the perfect knot, undo the last three buttons of the blouse and tie those shirt tails into a knot. Make them tight and straighten the ends for a more refined look.

2.) Belt Layers

Layering clothes is an excellent avenue for giving your outfit more dimension and your fashion taste more definition. However, when you tend to pile too many clothes at once, the end result can easily look sloppy and bulky and would do no favors to flattering your silhouette. However, this does not mean you should put off layering altogether but for a more polished and less bulky look, let a belt pull the whole look together. Moreover, the belt carves your figure out from underneath all those clothes so the layers would not overwhelm you.

3.) Cuff your jeans

Although there is nothing wrong with donning your jeans as it is, cuffing it at the ankles is the simplest way to give it a more sophisticated and polished look. This easy upgrade is an easy style trick that would immediately make your entire ensemble more depth and elegance. Moreover, it gives a unique look to an outfit that you have probably worn a lot of times before and it gives you the opportunity to show off whatever footwear you have on. Choose the right technique based on the style of jeans you are wearing. It looks best when it is smaller as it keeps in touch with the streamlined look of the fitted pants. Roll them twice over each other and make sure they are only about half an inch wide. Bigger jeans present a bit of a challenge as the technique is to roll them instead of cuffing them. Should you be wearing baggier styles such as boyfriend jeans, keep the casual vibe of the pair of pants intact by rolling the jeans about three times with just an inch cuffs. For the final touch, mess it up so it does not look too perfect which would be in complete contrast to the rest of pants’ look.

4.) Stack your rings

Accessories are great for amplifying your style and rings are an excellent source for this. However, how do you execute the technique without looking like a prepubescent girl who is overly fond of showing off her jewelry collection? Make it look cool and edgy by strategically placing the rings on your fingers and stacking the different styles appropriately. The biggest and boldest ring should go on your index finger while the smaller styles on your ring finger. For a layered look, mix regular rings and midi styles and finish it off by stacking a couple or three midi rings for contrast. Be careful not to overdo it and stack your fingers with so many rings lest your hands look like a horror show.

5.) Cinch a simple dress

Boxy shift dresses are great fashion statements but they can easily hide your shape and more often than not, it would make you look a size bigger than you originally are. Make a knot in the middle and gather the extra fabric so that you can transform a shapeless dress into a form-fitting one that would complement your physique. Simply turn the dress inside out and gather two inches of the section in the middle. Twist the first later and tie it into a knot, flip the dress right side out and you are done.

6.) Add a scarf

Let us face it, some of the items in our wardrobes are far too basic that they could use a little touch me up to be considered stylish. In this regard, accessories such as statement necklaces would come in handy. However, if you are sick of wearing all your necklaces or simply want another alternative, a handkerchief scarf and bandana can easily be utilized to take a boring outfit up a notch. The great thing about handkerchiefs and scarves is that it is incredibly versatile that the ways of styling it are practically limitless.

 

Whether we like or not, we have a daily relationship with our clothes seeing it as we wear it every single day. With this in mind, it makes perfect sense to have a few clothing tips and tricks up our sleeves to ensure that we look our polished best no matter the occasion. Upgrade your everyday casual ensembles with the tips and techniques above and see your outfits transform from fine to fabulous.

 

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Fashion 101: Six Sloppy Fashion Mistakes that Make You Look Messy

“Fashion is what you are offered four times a year by designers. And style is what you choose.” –Lauren Hutton

It is well-known and an accepted fact that how you dress yourself is how you wish to present yourself to others or in a sense, how you wish to convey how you are feeling on a particular day. You may have a very devil-may-care attitude when it comes to your assemblage of clothes and could not care less about what ensemble you are wearing, but this in no way means that it is an acceptable excuse for being sloppy. We all have our lazy days wherein we cannot be bothered in pulling together a decent outfit, but this should not be taken to mean that we can get away with wearing clothing that is beyond simply just distressed, dirty or unwashed for days. Remember, you have an image to present as well and aside from being a good indicator of the kind of hygiene you maintain, how you dress up says a lot about your professionalism. It matters not whether or not if what you have in your closet are simple collections of wholesale clothing or the most expensive haute couture if you are committing any of these sloppy style errors, it can truly ruin your overall appearance.

So, if you see yourself getting the side-eye at work or out in the streets, give your outfits a thorough check and see if you are committing any of the messy blunders below that may be sabotaging your entire look:

1.) Leaving bits of lint and animal fur on your clothes

It is understandable to give our little pooches a little love and affection in the form of hugging and cuddling them. However, if they leave pieces of their fur on your clothing that is an entirely different story. Take note: people notice the little details and something that does not match your clothing is bound to stand out—which means lint is invariably included. Before heading out of the house, check your outfits for lint and fur then use a lint roller in getting rid of them. Always have them handy and always keep one with you at all times—you may never know when you might need it.

2.) See-through fabrics

While there is absolutely nothing wrong with wearing a few gauzy and mesh-like sartorial garments, it is another thing entirely if they become translucent and horribly see through when you do end up backlit. Sheer fabrics might be all the rage, but at times they will do their best to trick you. They might appear opaque in the dim light, but by the time you head out for lunch, you will be giving your colleagues and any passerby a full view of what is underneath your drawers. Maintain a bit of privacy as well as a hint of mystery by always wearing something underneath that is more than just your underwear.

3.) Wearing clothes with observable damage

Little rips and tiny fraying might be something you overlook, but they can immediately ruin the overall look of a particular outfit. Your favorite jeans might be starting to fray, and you may ignore the missing embellishments of a blouse because you have worn it so frequently, but this is not something you should ignore. Nothing lasts forever, and that includes your clothes, and those small rips, holes and other signs of damage that look inconsequential now can go from a minor flaw to a deal breaker. If you cannot absolutely let go of a particular clothing that has minor damages, have a tailor fix it up for you and make it wearable again. But if the damage is beyond repair, consider tossing them out.

4.) Not ironing your clothes

Ironing your clothes might seem just like another thing for you to do in the morning. When you are operating on a perpetually busy schedule, it can be easy to forego this and just grab something from the hamper. But you and your wardrobe will never be taken seriously if visible wrinkles can be seen, it also conveys the message that you do not care enough about your professional image. Just think of the time you had your job interview, did you not ensure your clothes to be wrinkle-free because you want to be considered for the job? You should maintain the same attitude when it comes to your regular work clothes. Preventing wrinkles requires minimal effort that all you would need to do is read the care tag of a particular clothing item as to how to wash it best—even without you having to press and iron them.

5.) Rolling your sleeves incorrectly

As the temperature fluctuates throughout the day, you might need to keep yourself cool so as not to get sweaty and overheat. One fashionable way of doing this is to roll up your sleeves. However, this must be done carefully lest you end up with a slovenly look. Take the time to do a double-roll which means you have to use two simple folds and leave your cuffs looking clean and precise. Simply rolling them up just to get them out of the way indicates an utter disinterest with your appearance and looks incredibly sloppy.

6.) Too many accessories

Accessories are pivotal to making your look a bit more distinct and personalized. For this reason, necklaces, a cute pair of earrings can be a great statement piece and can pull an entire outfit together. However, it is important to consider which accessory would be appropriate for the occasion you are wearing it for. Wearing too many accessories at one time creates visual noise and will do your outfit no favors. Instead, tastefully wear them and try not to cover yourself in too many gaudy trinkets that you would end up looking like an over adorned Christmas tree.
When it comes to sartorial ensembles, it is always the little things and not the drastic changes that count. They really do make a difference no matter your preference, body type or personal taste. With that being said, it is vital that no matter how you dress yourself up, it is imperative to avoid having the sneaky saboteurs above ruin your outfit. After all, looking presentable and clean are two of the initial steps of pulling off an incredibly stylish look.

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Fashion in Focus: Six Reasons Why You Should Improve Your Style


“Putting on a beautifully designed suit elevates my spirit, extols my sense of self, and helps me define me as a man to whom details matter.”-Gay Talese (Author)

Dressing forms part of our daily routine regardless of where we might be going. At times, it might be something that we do several times a day—depending on the occasion and the venue. However, how much consideration really goes into dressing up? Do you dress with deliberate thought and care? Or have you seen this part of your everyday routine as something negligible? After all, how hard can it be just to choose an ensemble of clothes and be on your merry way? For some individuals with a devil-may-care attitude as regards fashion, this may be the case. But for people who have a penchant for all things stylish and a flair for looking sophisticatedly fashion-forward, assembling a collection of clothes to wear might just be the most significant highlight of their everyday routine.

Some individuals relish the idea of taking hours just to find the perfect outfit while there are some who wish to do just the minimum requirement it takes to look presentable. You might think there is no other merit to contemplating so much about what to wear and working on your appearance other than a sense of personal satisfaction. But, you might just be surprised at how advantageous this can turn out to be. If you steered some of your endeavors into looking good and being fashionably stylish, you would immediately see how it can impact your life significantly. It improves your life and would even go as far as help you boost your career. You might be skeptical, but before you dismiss the idea and favor your existing clothing over more stylish and urban clothing, here are reasons that might convince you otherwise:

1.) Feel more confident

This one is a no-brainer and needs no further elaboration but to illustrate here is a brief example: Deliberately choosing what you wear means you like the choices you come up with. In a sense, it would mean that the clothing you have selected makes you feel good about yourself. From that aspect alone, a boost in your confidence ensues. Taking a positive approach to fashion and style can encourage you to discover what looks good on you as well. You might be surprised, but sometimes, fashion is all you need for a better and brighter day ahead.

2.) Improve self-care

An often overlooked but pivotal aspect in fashion is personal care and grooming. While a myriad of clothes might be the solitary focus for some, how you care for yourself actually plays a role on how good clothes will look on you. In this regard, taking deliberate care in dressing up would consequently make you care about yourself and your appearance better.

3.) Stand out more

You might not exactly be itching to get yourself in the spotlight, and that is totally okay. If you take particular joy in blending it, you might not necessarily think about how your clothing selections would make you more noticeable. However, there will be times in your life wherein your desire to get noticed would be inevitable. Regardless of whether this might stem from a professional or personal endeavor, the truth is your choices in fashion are excellent avenues of you getting noticed. In the workforce, you might want to stand out because you are competing against another individual for a promotion or the like. In this regard, a well-tailored suit or simply power dressing can be of assistance to you. Furthermore, if you are weary of getting washed out in the crowd, improving your style and changing up your fashion choices can drastically change that.

4.) Discover more about yourself

Dressing with deliberate care largely involves knowing what you want and why you want it. In this aspect alone, you are given the opportunity to explore your personal style deeper and discover more about your personality and who you truly are. Looks may not be everything, but there are various hints of your character and personality in the way you dress. After all, how you present yourself to the world in terms of clothing style, makeup and the like, forms part of how you express yourself. If you are a bit uncertain about what you like and what you do not like, try to explore different fashion choices. From here, you can determine what looks good on you and what makes you feel comfortable and confident.

5.) Connect with others over style and fashion

Having a keen interest in fashion and style is an excellent opportunity for you to make friends with individuals who have a similar interest with you. People with a proclivity for trends and the latest fashion can give you sagely advice as well. This does not mean you have to be absolutely obsessed with fashion just to talk about it with others, however. Even the simplest passing interest can already give you an opening for connecting with others who share this interest. Your social stratosphere is not limited to individuals you can physically interact with, as you can communicate and connect with people online as well. You might want to read fashion blogs and interact with people in the comments or start your very own if you so wish.

6.) Learn from mistakes

Making mistakes is inevitability—especially if you are refining your style and changing your fashion choices. If you do not see yourself committing any errors, that in itself is already a mistake as you are playing it too safe. However, do not fret, mistakes are pivotal to learning after all. You might dismiss them as just clothes, but these are lessons you can apply in other areas of your life as well. Apart from teaching you about the certain styles that look great on you, it teaches you how people would react to a particular style and would help you learn about who you are as well.

 

You might see clothes, style, and fashion as negligible aspects of life, but just give it a try, and you will be surprised at the many benefits it has attached to it. Simply improving your style or changing the way you dress can already make an impact on your daily life and you will feel much better about yourself overall as well. Dress deliberately and with care, and soon enough you would be wondering why you neglected to do it sooner.

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Fashion 101: Five Ways Owning Your Style Can Change Your Life


“Fashion you can buy, but style you can possess. The key to style is learning who you are which takes years. There is no how to road map to style. It is about self-expression and above all, attitude” -Iris Apfel.

It has been said that style is the perfection of a point of view. And in this regard, only one point of view matters yours. But how would one define style? Well, it differs depending on the individual you ask. Merriam Webster would define it as a distinctive appearance, typically determined by the principles according to which something is designed. Universally speaking, however, it is the manner by which an individual carries himself or herself in their clothes and how one feels while they are doing so–whether that selection of clothes is largely wholesale clothing or designer purchases. The operative word here is feel–in a sense that when an individual wears their selected assembly of clothes, they would and should feel a range of things and confidence is one of them. Each and every one of us has a very distinct sense of style, and although two or more individuals may share some similar aspects and elements to their style, it is never entirely the same.

As style is incredibly personal, it is imperative that one should own it. It is not recommended for the faint of heart as it requires a degree of grit and a combination of confidence and conviction. Style is an innate voice by which we express ourselves through an ensemble of clothes and failing to own it would be suppressing that same voice. Unfortunately, many of us have fallen victim to it by mindlessly following trends which fashion regularly purveys, and as a result, we lose our identity. And if you truly wish to own your style, knowing the difference between fashion and style is paramount. Style echoes your preferences and speaks your language while fashion is basically someone asking you to learn and be a follower.

Below, you will see some of the ways how acknowledging it would significantly change your life:

1.) Helps you make a statement and reveals your identity

A wise adage captured the essence of what style truly is by saying that it is what we say without having to speak. In this regard, the style would be a unique language–a language so deeply personal to us. Initially, it might feel a little daunting to show it to the world, considering how it can be significantly different from that of the others. However, the more you communicate your style with confidence, the much easier it would be to own it and show it to the world every day. Remember, style is what you say without having to speak, so make sure you say it loud and proud.

2.) Reveals discipline

Having and owning your own style requires a degree of discipline from an individual. Discipline in a sense that they should and would say no to the trends purveyed by fashion. If a person has an awareness of their body, their lifestyle and all the aspects that would impact how they express their style, they would not be easily swayed by trends. Furthermore, discipline is seen in the way they shop, with deliberation and patience. They do not indulge their whims and shop with a purpose. They are aware of what they need in their wardrobes and would take their time to find it. Quality over quantity is what these individuals inherently live by when it comes to their clothing choices, ensembles, and purchases.

3.) Separates you from the crowd

While standing out from the crowd is a necessary consequence of possessing a unique style and owning it well, it should never be your driving goal as this may cause you to deviate from your true self. However, if the way you dress consistently aligns with who you are and your lifestyle, then it would easily separate you from the crowd. In this regard, it is important to always dress well regardless how casual or formal the occasion is. Labels and tags do not necessarily matter, as you can look fabulous even in simple clothes so long as you know how to assemble an outfit that looks good and feels good.

4.) Memorable

You might think that wearing a uniform is the epitome of looking just like everyone else and in a sense, you are right. However, this is vastly different from wearing a personal and signature uniform which you garb yourself at the moment you step out of the door–a feat which makes it a lot easier for you to choose an outfit from your closet. It can be anything from the color palettes you gravitate towards to, skirt length preference, a combination of clothing you are seen regularly wearing and the like. If you found a particular style which works for you and you can own rather well, it becomes apparent in the way you dress and consequently, people will remember you better. It can start out small such as an accessory you are always seen wearing–may that be a broach or a type of scarf. In this way, you set yourself apart from the rest with a particular kind of style, and once it sticks, it becomes timeless, and people will remember you for it.

5.) Allows us to create a unique identity

Style allows us to express ourselves in various manners that enables us to establish our identity in other’s minds. As a result, we can craft and create an identity that is truly unique, memorable and is deeply personal to us. Furthermore, as we grow and evolve, so does our style expect to see changes and upgrades in how you dress–a metamorphosis if you may. Alterations to our style stem from lifestyle changes and decisions we make through the different stages of life we go through. It should reflect who you are becoming.
An ensemble of clothes may seem like an insignificant aspect of your personality, but it is deeply telling of who you are. After all, no one would look at you and see your personality immediately and for this reason, owning your style is important. Remember, style is more than just your relationship with clothes; it is the voice and the character by which you present yourself to the world.

 

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Retail Therapy: Five Failsafe Shopping Tips to Buy Clothes That Last

“Crying is for plain women. Pretty women go shopping.”-Oscar Wilde

Oniochalasia (n.): Buying or shopping as a method of stress relief or relaxation

It is without a doubt that shopping is one of the best avenues for allaying stress and it has also been known to be an effective method of lifting one’s mood whenever one is down in the dumps. Although hardly considered economic, this fact is especially so for women who have a unique affinity for sartorial items and a penchant for retail therapy. After all, a rather popular sentiment when it comes to shopping is wishing it was covered by health insurance as is it considered an excellent alternative to having a therapist. However, considering that to dispel the blues away and alleviate stress, you need to fork over some cash, you need to be extra meticulous and careful about the purchases you make. Before giving in to your shopping impulses take a look and survey your closets first? Are they filling to the brim with clothes you never wear? Or are they otherwise clothes you do wear but would wear out quickly? Regardless of whether you indulge your shopping with desires with retail buys or wholesale clothing, the fact remains that when it comes to shopping, you need to come up with a strategy in order to select only the best clothes that would last you for years and not months alone.

After all, nothing is more infuriating than seeing a brand new sartorial purchase look aged after a single wash, or having holes appear on it after several uses. While there are some clothes that are not made to last, this does not mean they should be disposable either. This fact coupled with the quality of clothes on the decline should give you a sense of urgency to be a bit more thorough in selecting the clothes you buy. Here are a few tried and trusted tips to ensure you do not make the mistake of buying easily worn-out clothes:

1.) Check the label

No, this does not mean the brand tag that your clothes come with, but rather it means the tag which indicates what the fabric content is. Regardless of where you bought your clothes, the fabric content would matter. These may come from a lot of sources such as plants and animals which would yield linen, cotton, silk, and wool. But in order not to over exhaust that limited supply, some of our clothes might be made from synthetic materials such as acrylic, spandex, rayon and the like which are spun from petrochemicals and plastics. These synthetic fabrics are made to feel a lot like natural fibers albeit, a lot less sturdy. These materials cannot withstand repeated laundering the way natural fibers can and would eventually break down in the wash or the dryer. For this reason, you need to be a bit particular about the type of fabric your clothes are made of, and consequently, it is advisable to learn what good quality feels and looks like.

2.) Use your sense of touch

There is no doubt that the singular best way to know and judge a fabric’s quality whether it is knit or woven is to touch it. In this way, you would have a better idea of whether the fabric feels soft, smooth or substantial or brittle, thin and rough. If you want a garment to last long, then you need to go for fabrics of substantial fiber as this would mean it is more likely to last longer. It does not necessarily have to be heavy, just ensure that the yarns and threads are tightly packed and observe the density. A good way to establish a sense of what fabrics will hold up well is to start with the clothes in your closet. Observe your clothes and determine which ones have stood up to the test of time and which have not. Get a feel of your own clothes in order to have a sense of what it is that made some of your garments age well.

3.) Hold it up to the light and stretch it

Sometimes, reading the label and touching a garment’s fabric just does not cut it. More often than not, if you truly want to ensure you are buying quality clothes that would last you long, you need to hold it up against the light and stretch it a bit. Touch alone would not be an excellent indicator of quality as there are some manufacturers who may add chemicals to make a cloth seem smoother and feel heftier. Holding up a particular garment against the light would give you a better sense of its weight and the density of its weave. Make sure you pay attention to the yarns as well. And remember, the more tightly spun they appear, the better.

4.) Look at the seams, inside and outside

While fabric quality is paramount to determining a piece of clothing’s quality, it is not the sole element that matters. Apart from the fabric itself, it would be wise to check what is holding your garment together. This means you have to pay particular attention the seams and see to it that the stitches should be closely spaced, even and lying flat on the fabric. Do not limit your scrutiny to the outer layer of the garment and check the insides as well. Avoid purchasing seams that look sloppy or garments that have spots where they appear loose or stitched over multiple times. Checking stitches and seams is imperative as this is what holds a garment together and ensures that it would not fall apart with movement or washing.

5.) Good quality will probably cost you

The bottom line here is: If you want your clothes to last, you need to pay a premium for it. Good quality means a lot more attention is given to detail and other aspects where manufacturers offering cheaper alternatives would overlook or even neglect. If you wish your garments and clothing to last, you must be prepared to spending money for it. However, a word of caution though: While cheap clothing can be readily dismissed as low-quality, a hefty price tag does not necessarily mean high quality. As indicated above, it recommended that you check first and know what to look for.

 

When it comes to shopping for clothes, it is always advisable that you buy those that would last you quite a long time. Hopefully, the tips written above would serve as a guide in helping you make better choices and purchases. As a result, you can have the best value for your money. Lastly, should your clothes seem to be breaking down, do not immediately resort to dispensing or giving them away, you can always choose to repair them and have them good as new. Choose your clothes well and avoid shopping on impulse, and you will have a wardrobe filled with clothes that would last you not only for months but for years to come.

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