Tag Archives: fashion tips for women

Corporate Fashion 101: Seven Common Office Style Faux Pas

July 11, 2017 by admin
Posted in Fashion Tips, Fashion Tips for Women

“To me, clothing is a form of self-expression—there are hints about who you are in what you wear.” -Marc Jacobs

“Dress for the job, you want and not the one you have.”

“Dress how you want to be addressed.”

These two are just a fraction of the slew of the corporate adages one would hear when it comes to the advocacy in power dressing in the office. Nowadays, corporate fashion is no longer limited to smart looking outfits and dapper suits, today it has extended its meaning well beyond that and has ventured towards quirkier and more interesting styles. After all, walking in the office day in and out then seeing it largely dominated by neutral colors such as gray, white and black can feel incredibly dull and stiff. Today, contemporary and modern fashion has incorporated the use of colors and mainstream trends into corporate style. However, this is not to say that everything you can find in casual fashion and street style wears are acceptable outfits for the office. So, do not make the novice mistake of haphazardly dressing yourself up in random retail or wholesale clothing and think it would be an appropriate outfit for work lest you commit a fatal corporate fashion faux pas.

To have a better idea of what these corporate style faux pas are, it is best if you have an idea of what the most common style errors in the office are so as to prevent to committing them yourself. Take note however that some may not resonate differently with you, but as it is in the corporate world, there are unspoken rules—even when it comes to your manner of dress.

1.) Too Casual Clothing

No matter how relaxed the dress code of your office is, there is still a business standard to what would look acceptable in a corporate setting. If your outfit looks like you might as well just be going out of your house for a brief walk, then you might as well rethink wearing it. It might be too hot to wear stockings during the summer, but that does not mean you can trade them for flip-flops instead. At the very least, wear closed shoes instead. Remember, your company (no matter its dress code) is still presenting a professional image and employees in shorts and flip flops—even on a hot summer day, shows the contrary.

2.) Inappropriate style for age

There is absolutely nothing more jarring to see than a woman in her forties garbed in a style reminiscent of today’s teenagers or youth. This does not mean to say that middle-aged women are forever constrained to wearing dull and boring styles that would seemingly age them, but they must draw the line where they would not look too mincing. After all, you would want to present a confident and powerful image so it is only expected that you would want to be taken seriously which would be a lot easier if you sported the sophisticated and professional look.

3.) Too provocative clothes

There is a reason why mini skirts, halter tops, and cleavage-baring tops are absolutely not allowed in the office. Apart from being a major visual distraction to many of your colleagues, you would make your office look like a nightclub scene instead. If your skirts hitch a little too high and if you cannot bend without showing your undies, you might want to reconsider wearing them to work (unless you plan on wearing hosiery on your legs). Similarly, if bending down gives anyone a generous view of your bosom then refrain from wearing it. All in all, if the outfit is something you would wear to the club on a Friday or Saturday night, then you might as well not wear it to work.

4.) No sense of personal hygiene

You can be as low-maintenance as you want, but that does not mean you should forego all the basics of self-care and personal hygiene altogether. More often than not, how you take care of yourself impacts your credibility, and you lose that when you do not do any personal care. Do a self-assessment and see if your hair is brushed, your nails polished (or at least clean) and your general appearance looks well groomed, and you are likely to look sharper, more professional and worthy of your position and role (whatever it might be).

5.) Strong perfume

Smelling great is nice, but sometimes when a scent becomes too overwhelming, it tends to have an overpowering effect that can be irritating to some of your co-workers—particularly those with sensitive noses. An incredibly strong perfume can be a distraction at work and can be the main source of chronic headaches in your immediate work vicinity. If you find that you are easily tracked or identified whenever you walk into a room, you might need to tone down the dosage or application of your perfume.

6.) Noisy and huge accessories

If your accessories tend to jangle whenever you do the slightest movement, they might be more in place inside a nightclub than in your office. Office etiquette dictates that you should wear minimal jewelry and probably refrain from wearing anything too flashy. When it comes to accessorizing for the office, stick to muted and more professional looking designs and save your huge and noisy ones for parties and weekend soirees.

7.) Wearing excessive or no makeup at all

Makeup is an excellent tool for upgrading our looks and making us feel beautiful as a consequence. However, in a corporate setting, it is best to apply light to moderate makeup. Never overdo your makeup as it would look hardly professional. Rather than look confident in your smokey eyes, dark red lipstick and thick foundation for your morning meeting, you would look like you are trying to score a date instead. Similarly, it is also not advisable to go to the office sans makeup—especially if you look like you were just got out of bed and went immediately to your cubicle.

 

Regardless of whether your office has a strict dress code or not, the set of mistakes illustrated above is universally regarded by most businesses as something unacceptable in their corporate offices. After all, when it comes to your manner of dress, you are not only presenting a brief impression of yourself—but your credibility and your respectability as well.

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Six Ways Your Clothing Can Affect Your Mood

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

“Without a word, your clothes tell a story of who you are. Say something interesting.” –Author Unknown

 

Every single day, we think of choosing clothes as a mindless and perfunctory activity that is almost negligible as it is a part of our routine, but this should not be the case. Unless we are incredibly fashion forward individuals who have a keen eye for fashion ensembles, there are only a handful of special days wherein we are a bit more meticulous as to what we wear. Otherwise, we think of dressing up as another essential part of our regular everyday habit we have to get on with. However, this should not be the case as your clothes—trifling as they may seem—actually play a pivotal role in affecting your mood. In fact, this is readily seen as to how you will instantly get a confident boost from loving what you are wearing—so, indeed, dressing for your mood is indeed a thing and is actually a real concept. If you are unconvinced, wear the best ensemble you have sitting in your closet among the assortment of clothes and take a gander at yourself in the mirror. If it makes you look good then it would inevitably make you feel good—regardless of whether these clothes are branded retail buys, thrifted clothes or even wholesale clothing. So, the next time you head out to the office, you might want to ponder on these points and make a more deliberate choice in selecting your office tie or work shoes:

 

  1. What you wear can make you feel powerful

One study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science took a number of volunteers to wear formal business attires and perform a series of experiments that would challenge their cognitive processing abilities. It has been shown that people who dressed up and more deliberately felt more powerful and in control of the situation than their under dressed counterparts. From this, we can readily assume that power dressing is indeed a thing as evidenced from this successful study and experiment.

 

  1. What you wear can make you fitter and healthier

While it seems like a far fetched concept, what you wear actually contributes to a fitter lifestyle by making you exercise harder sans the difficulty that entails. In a sense, what you wear can actually make arduous and strenuous exercises feel easier. This has been backed up by the observation made in the 2004 Olympic games where athletes in red clothing won more events than their competitors who wore blue. This phenomena prompted researchers to see if there was a relation between the clothing and the success in sport. It has been found in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology that people who exercised in red clothing could actually lift heavier weights and had higher average heart rates (meaning they worked harder than those in blue). It might seem like there should be no correlation between the two, but considering how this study has backed up the theory, wearing red indeed contributes to success in sports.

 

  1. What you wear helps you think better

Apart from feeling empowered and more powerful, it has also been shown that subjects who dressed in business formal clothing can come up with better and more creative ideas on their feet than their underdressed peers. It has been speculated that the way you dress plays a role in your perception of objects, events and people around you which would prompt a new point of view or fresh ideas

  1. What you wear helps you focus

Most jobs—especially those that are seen as a bit tedious and boring, require a lot of focus. Unfortunately, that is only half the battle and when it comes down right to it, focusing on something that is boring is not exactly easy. With this, a study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology has found that people who wore smart looking doctor’s labs were able to focus longer and better than those who thought they were just wearing a painter’s smock. This phenomena as explained by authors is caused by a physician’s tendency to be rigorous, careful and meticulous when it comes to detail—so it would be as if like the wearer is embodying some of those qualities. In a sense, they are trying to live up to the expectations of the outfit.

 

  1. What you wear can make you smarter

Although the correlation is hardly evident, dressing in clothing that is associated with intelligence can not only make you look smarter but act smarter as well. In the same study conducted above, subjects were given doctor’s lab coats though none of them were physicians. They were then asked to perform a series of complex tasks. It has then been shown that people in white clothes made fewer mistakes than those who worked sans a physician’s lab coats. The same experiment was again performed but this time everyone was given lab coats. However. They told half of the participants they were given paint smocks while they told the rest that they were wearing doctor’s coats. Similarly, those who were told they were donning doctor’s coats performed better in the tests. This experiment shows that it is not just what you wear, but rather what you think of what you wear that matters more.

 

  1. What you wear can make you lose weight

While clothing can make you appear slimmer and svelte with ingenious slimming illusions, it can also provide an avenue for losing weight. An example would be wearing snug pants for example or tightening your belt more than usual which would give you a subconscious signal to stop eating the moment you are full. For this reason, a lot of French women have been known to tie a ribbon around their waist underneath their clothes whenever they are going out for a meal. It keeps them conscious of their waist—especially as the ribbon starts to feel a bit tighter in their midsection as the meal goes on.
And the last but not the least is that what you wear can cheer you up. If what you wear makes you look good, you will inevitably feel good as a result. In fatc, it has been show that more often than not, we dress how we would like to feel or how we want others to perceive how we are feeling. As a result, clothing can cheer us up wheneverwe are particularly feeling under the weather. So, the next time you assemble an assortment of clothes from your closet, remember that you are not only dressing to look good, but to feel good as well.

 

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Fashion Hacks 101: Eight Failsafe Tips to Look Great in Clothes

May 30, 2017 by admin
Posted in Fashion Tips, Fashion Tips for Women


“Beware the old man in young guy’s clothes. If he is over 35 and comes to pick you up looking as though he is headed for a skateboarding competition while you are dressed to go to a nice restaurant, this is not a good sign.” –Merrill Markoe

Fashion has always been a hit or miss thing when it comes to looking great and spectacular. More often than not, it seems as if the clothes we have our tailored for our old bodies—when we were at least ten pounds lighter and had more curves in places where they were needed. Unfortunately, as it is in life, it is hard to maintain the kind of body that would serve as an appropriate foundation for fashion and look best in most clothes. However, what most people are not aware of is that looking great in clothes would depend less on your body type and more of your choice in clothing and how you go about mixing and matching it.

Clothing brands, designer labels—all these are extraneous factors that would do little to contribute how great you would look in clothes and wearing generic branded clothing or wholesale clothing is a testament to that. When it comes to dressing well, it all comes down to choosing the right clothes and combining them with other clothing elements that make them look great. It matters not if you have a sizable budget, are using your existing wardrobe or are looking for a change of fashion taste; all you need is a keen eye for what looks great on you and what does not. Here are some of the failsafe tricks that would make you look like you overhauled your existing wardrobe:

1.) When it comes to skirts, opt for A-line

If you have a penchant for wearing skirts more than any other clothing, show your fashion flair by opting for A-line skirts which have been long thought to be one of the most flattering cuts for skirts. This is because unlike any other skirt, the A-lines nipped waist and full bottom creates the illusion of a smaller waist. Additionally, it cinches the waist with its boxy upper area and would make your legs look great with its billowing bottom.

2.) Do not overdo fashion. Stay simple

The fashion adage of simplicity is beauty does ring true as simplicity is key in sophistication and elegance. Keep this in mind whenever you are shopping for new clothes. Steer clear from affordable clothing items that have gaudy embellishments on them. Chances are they will fall off after consistent use and washing. Instead, look for items that are simpler but require a bit more skill to make such as pleated tops, embroidered pieces, tapered pants and the like.

3.) Wear your clothes in rotation and do less laundry

A true mark of an individual who dresses well is one who knows how to plan his fashion options in rotation. This is because planning what you wear for the week in advance means you would have to wash your clothes less making them preserve their natural color. If it is not particularly hot or if your clothes are not especially dirty, there is no need to wash your clothes every single time you wear them. Just sponge it with water and a bit of soap, cleanse and then air dry it.

4.) Go for stretch materials

Looking for clothes that fit can be a bit hard if you pack a bit of extra weight. This is particularly the case for women who carry their weight in their hips and thighs. Finding a pair of jeans that would flatter their body would often be a challenge, so instead of conventional fabrics, go for stretch instead. Jeans that are made of a combination of spandex, polyester, and Lycra would allow the fabric to hug every part of your body—which would flatter it from any angle. However, a word of caution as the material is meant to be worn snug, not tight.

5.) Buy more black

Black may seem like a somber color, but it flatters everyone and would look excellent on almost everybody. Not only is it slimming, but the neutral shade makes it easier for you to pair it with anything you might have sitting in your closet. Black is a classic color that would always look great, and it conceals any of your imperfections and problem areas easily. So, invest in a few choice pieces as well as some staples and basics in this dark hue to add to your wardrobe.

6.) Your hair matters as much as your outfit

Going to a big event extends beyond investing in the proper and best dress for the occasion—it also means doing your hair appropriately to look great with your outfit. Remember, when it comes to formal events, it is always best to treat your tresses and have it look different than on an ordinary day. Have it professionally styled or get a blowout to complement your outfit and make it look put together.

7.) Focus on fit

No matter what you wear, how the clothes fit you will always be paramount. Do not wear ill-fitting clothes—even if they do fit you (once you have managed to squeeze yourself into it). You may think you look thinner and more svelte by cramming yourself to a smaller size. But that does not mean you should. Remember, in forcing yourself to a smaller size, you will be creating more bulges that are an unflattering sight, so it is best to stick with clothes that fit you comfortably.

8.) Buy basic pieces in bulk

You can never go wrong with basic pieces. These are the clothing staples your wardrobe truly needs. Its versatility would make it ideal for everyday casual wear and would even make excellent complements to dressy clothes. With this in mind, do not invest in pieces that you know would easily get disintegrated. Take note, these are clothes you are going to be wearing quite a lot so do not bother investing in items that are easily worn out.

 

When it comes to dressing well, there is no absolute need to drain your monthly finances, just have a good eye for knowing what works well for you and your body type. Additionally, try not to constrain yourself into one fashion style—venture out and try new pieces, you might not know it, but the style you try on next might flatter your better than your existing one.

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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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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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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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 Reasons You Have Too Many Clothes but Barely Anything to Wear

December 12, 2016 by admin
Posted in Fashion Tips, Fashion Tips for Women

 

“Buy less. Choose well. Make it last. Quality, not quantity. Everybody is buying far too many clothes” Vivienne Westwood

They say a girl can never have too many clothes, but while this is true, it is not necessarily advantageous for assembling a stylish or even just a presentable ensemble. Your wardrobe might look enviable from another woman’s standpoint seeing as it is packed with clothes of almost every style and brand—whether they are retail or, wholesale clothing bought. But this is not necessarily a good thing. In most cases, women would often find their closets filled to the brim with various clothes and diverse styles, and yet for the life of them, they could not find a single piece to wear. Quite the fashion paradox women find themselves in wherein the biggest irony lies in possessing too many clothes yet stuck in a style affliction of having barely anything to wear. This scenario may sound grossly absurd, but at one point in your life, you are sure to have experienced this fashion predicament.

There may be a lot of factors contributing to this fashion dilemma, and the reasons may range from hoarding too many of the same styles of clothes to purely just loving clothes shopping for the heck of it. This article explores the various explanations as to why you may have a lot of clothes yet none to wear, and if you find yourself in the same situation, you might want to take a gander at the reasons offered below.

 

1.)    You love to shop

Though shopping for clothes is not exactly a bad thing, it is certainly one way to occupy the limited space you have in your closet. Although you might love diverse outfits and creating various beautiful outfits, the biggest problem you might have is not having enough days of the week (or in some cases, the month) to wear them in rotation. While this may be advantageous for so many women (just think of the variety!), it is inevitable that there will be select pieces that you would favor above the rest. And when this happens, you would inadvertently wear them more often than the rest leaving some of your clothes lying in your closet until a certain time that they would no longer be trendy anymore. Pare the clothes in your closet, and you may find that you would not only be freeing up a lot of space, but you would actually get to see and wear most of the clothes you have bought.

 

2.)    The clothes no longer fit

One consequence of having too many clothes in your closet is that some items are bound to be two sizes too small or would be ill-fitting on you after a while. Chances are some of these items are clothes you have never gotten around to wearing. Whether you have gained a bit of weight or bought it in a smaller size in hopes of finding inspiration to lose weight, the reality in clinging to these items you are wasting precious closet space and still end up having nothing to wear. If your clothes no longer fit you, either donate them or stow them away until a certain time that you have lost enough weight to wear them again.

 

3.)    You have never thrown anything out in years

Whether your reasons are sentimental (This black number was what I wore during our first date!) or something else, there is no reason for your clothes to occupy so much space in your closet when you are not even wearing them anymore. Some of these may be a bit pricey considering their brand label, but if it is not doing anything aside from being an immovable piece in your closet, you are better off selling it and buying yourself a new set of clothes—one that you would potentially wear.

 

4.)    You do not throw something because “It is a classic.”

While some styles have surpassed the test of time, you can only have so many of these items before you start to realize that you are practically piling your closet with the same types of clothes. Herve Leger bandage dresses are one thing, but even little black dresses or something as basic as denim jeans would go through style changes as time passes. And before you know it? You are stuck with five to six black dresses that are outdated or elephant denim pants no one would wear today. Diversity and variety are excellent aspects when it comes to great style, but you would not want diversity on just one particular sartorial item alone.

 

5.)    You have kept all of your favorite clothes

Everyone has a favorite piece or number in their closet—one that they would hold on to through time regardless of how dated, old and tatty they may be. Some of them may no longer even fit you, and as a consequence, you have not worn them for years. This may not pose such a big problem if you are only keeping one or a couple of your favorite clothes, but if they are overwhelming the space in your closet, it might be time to let them go. You are no longer wearing them anyhow, so might as well use the space it vacated for brand new clothes.

 

6.)    Give-Away and hand-me-downs

Free clothes—regardless of whether they were used or brand new would always find home in our closets. However, for them to deserve that precious space, they need to work for you—like truly work for you. When it comes to free clothes, we are hardly discriminating—after all, you have not spent money on it, so you cannot afford to be picky. However, before you even consider on keeping and wearing it, do ask yourself if the color complements your skin tone if it fits and looks great on you (and if not, if it could be tailored) and if you have anything in your closet to complete the outfit. If you answered in the negative in any of those questions, then perhaps it is better to decline the offer.

 

7.)    It was expensive

More often than not, the reason we keep ourselves from throwing something out is the hefty price tag that was attached to the clothes. It does not matter whether the fashion piece is outdated, ill-fitting or even garish, if we spent good money on it, we are not as receptive in letting go. Instead of hanging on to it, let it serve as a lesson to be more discreet when it comes to your purchases. Once you have a better comprehension of what a great outfit ensemble is, you would be more meticulous when it comes to your purchases and hopefully no longer spend quite a lot on something that you might never wear.

 

 

Having way too many clothes in a small closet is one of the many fashion dilemmas plaguing women who love clothes. This does not mean that nothing can be done about it, however. Keep in mind that sometimes less is more. Assess your closets and come up with a good fashion compromise. Ultimately, you would have to let some things go, but at the end of the day, you would be more than happy to know that you may have reduced the items in your wardrobe, but you definitely have widened your ensemble selections.

 

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 Six Timeless Fashion Tips Every Woman Should Know

June 27, 2016 by admin
Posted in Fashion Tips for Women

 

“True style is not about having a closet full of expensive and beautiful things—it is instead about knowing when, where, and how to utilize your collection.” –Nina Garcia

 

According to fashion pundits, fashion is something that is unique and personal to every individual—this is how style is born. However, in a modern fashion world wherein we are inundated by innumerable trends that come and go, it can be rather challenging to find our own personal style which we could stick with through and through. Yves Saint Laurent once said that fashions may fade, but style is eternal—a maxim that gained so much popularity and for good reason. It is not only true to the core, but it also echoes the real sentiment of how one should choose a manner of dress.

Undoubtedly, following trends and fads can be a bit fun and introducing your own personal touches to it can add a bit of flair but they are called fads for a reason: they are fleeting and temporary. If anything, these should only serve to help you find or refine your personal style, but never to dictate your fashion sense. Having an understanding of the style rules that stand the test of time is a far more imperative task for a true fashionista. Classic fashion icons the likes of Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn, and Marilyn Monroe are revered and lauded not for their fleeting style choices, but for their fashion options that look not only stylish but exudes their very personality—a unique, innovative and fresh breakaway from a world of fashion wherein everyone is constantly following trends. These style icons perpetuated the idea of owning your own style with confidence regardless of whether what you have on is wholesale clothing or slapped with a designer label. This article echoes the same sentiment and instead of going over the latest fad and trends, it would give you indispensable and timeless fashion tips that are guaranteed to never go out of style. None of these tips may be new to you, but since we are constantly bombarded with fashion trends, it would be nice to have a little reminder of what real style is.

 

1.)    The hourglass figure is always in

In a modern world that perpetuates the idea of beautiful being synonymous to stick thin, dare to flaunt your curves and show them what has always been timelessly beautiful. In fact, Marilyn Monroe was the style icon for sexy and alluring curves which she dared to flaunt every chance she gets. This is what made her the sexiest woman in history—it is not only because she possessed sexy curves most women were envious of, but because she knew how to own them with confidence. No matter who you are, an hourglass shape is always flattering on any woman. For this reason, look for clothes that nip in at the waist and would draw attention to that area. If you think you would need assistance as you do not possess the curves, try a great belt or a high waisted skirt and create an illusion that achieves the same effect.

 

2.)    Invest in good undergarments

Never underestimate the power of a good pair of undergarments. Though they may be concealed underneath a layer of clothes, they actually play a very important role in your overall ensemble: they provide a good foundation. If you start out with a good base, then the rest of you would just feel more comfortable. Undergarments that fit well and would keep lines under wraps would give you a more streamlined look and prevent from visible panty lines from showing through.

 

3.)    When in doubt, don on a little black dress

There are some events and functions wherein we absolutely have no idea what to wear (most especially if the host failed to indicate it in the invitation). Never fear, a little black dress is never out of place regardless of whether a function is casual or formal. Audrey Hepburn did not only don that iconic raven Givenchy for a scene, she wore it as a statement that still rings true today—that a little black dress is still an arresting sight to behold. If you do not have your very own little black dress yet, then it might be time for you to get one in the stores. These are always available regardless of where you might try to find them—solidifying the idea that indeed it is a timeless staple.

 

4.)    A scarf or a statement necklace does wonders to any outfit

Any basic outfit can look instantaneously better with the addition of a statement necklace or a colorful scarf. Never underestimate its power to elevate any outfit. In fact, in some outfits, your necklace and scarves are not simply accessories, but the main feature of an ensemble. Think of a plain outfit as your canvass and watch how it transforms with the addition of a necklace or a scarf. Be sure to consider your neckline when you are choosing an accessory, however. Remember that wearing turtlenecks or necklines cut to close to the neck would call for long necklaces to add length. Wear anything shorter than that and it will be swamped by the fabric and will hardly be noticeable at all.

 

5.)     A large pair of sunglasses will conceal anything

In any fashion emergency that involves concealing your eyes, a big and dark pair of sunglasses will be your best friend. If you do not have ample time to apply makeup on, or if you have dark circles which you cannot be bothered to hide or just simply had not enough sleep, your go-to pair of sunglasses is a quick and easy fix. They add a sprinkle of sophisticated glamour to any ensemble and what is more? They go with almost any outfit leaving you with no reason not to wear them for when you need them.

 

6.)    Dare to be different

As hackneyed as this phrase may sound, it has some teeth to it. If you truly want to make a statement and to be really unique and irreplaceable, you must strive not to fit in but rather stand out and be different. Fitting in means you lose yourself in the crowd while being different means that you would stand out. This is true not only in the area of fashion but everywhere else in life. Embrace what makes you different and let that help you find your style.

 

Every magazine may laud different kinds of style tips and may give you a different set of fashion guidelines to follow. Even fashion pundits have entirely different opinions on what can be considered fashionable and what is not. But regardless of what your particular taste in fashion may be, these are the universal style tips you can count on to be timeless and would never be considered outdated or obsolete. And with these tips, you are guaranteed to look spectacularly stylish.

 

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