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


“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!

“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


“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


“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!

“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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Fashion 101: Seven Must-Know Clothing Tips No Woman Should Ever Miss!


“Clothes are not going to change the world. The women who wear them will.” –Anne Klein

“Over the years, I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it.” –Yves Saint Laurent

Almost every woman of any age has gone through the quintessential scenario of sifting through piles and piles of clothing without finding a single one that would complete her style ensemble. Magazines have proffered countless pieces of fashion advice and style maxims over the years, yet women all over the world still experience this style predicament. Although this is the kind of fashion affliction most women are more familiar and can contend with, it does not necessarily have to put a damper on your enthusiasm for dressing up. All of your fashion endeavors would be a lot easier if you took to heart some of the niftiest fashion tips engendered by style pundits and authorities this article has collated. It matters not whether your clothes are bought from retail or wholesale clothing stores, these tips will allow you to look your very best for any occasion there is. These tips will work for any woman out there; just adjust according to your preference or personal style.

1.) Old things must go

If you want to commit to making a conscious fashion change, then this is where you should appropriately start. Without a doubt, over the years you would inevitably have accumulated a lot of clothes whether through one of your shopping excursions or as closet loans from your friends. Start by opening your closets and take a good hard look at it and then, ask yourself this pivotal question, “If I were in a clothing store right now, which items would I pick?” By asking yourself this question, you would effectively know which clothes you would keep and which ones to discard. Remember, if you do not want to take a long while to decide on a style ensemble, your closet needs to be smartly organized—and hoarding clothes would only aggravate your existing problem.

2.) Shop with a plan

Certain events of the year will compel us to shop for new clothes. However, this should be no reason for you to eschew good shopping strategies and plans altogether. Regardless of whether you are attending your office Christmas party, are attending a formal event or are about to get married, it is important to consider preparing for the right outfit. In order to be truly satisfied with your choice, go shopping with the hairstyle, makeup and shoes you have in mind to go with the ensemble as it would make you see the entire effect. Lastly, it pays to wear the appropriate underwear as you would not want to dismiss a dress that looks good but shows a visible panty line.

3.) Painlessly stretch your new shoes

One of the negative aspects of buying new shoes is that a new pair would always seemingly cause you to develop calluses over time. A pair of high heels is especially notorious for causing this which can be quite a hassle if your job requires you to dress in heels most of the time. There are various workarounds to address this dilemma; however one of the most effective ones that truly deliver results utilizes a freezer. Just fill a couple of bags with water, place them in your shoes and leave them in the freezer to stay overnight. By morning, you will notice a significant difference in your shoes.

4.) Dress up any outfit in seconds

More often than not, there are days when we do not have the luxury of time in dressing ourselves for a certain occasion. As this is a common occurrence, it would be apt for one to use any kind of tricks and tips or even one’s ingenious creativity to dress up a rather simple ensemble quickly. Some of the most elegant touches would only require the addition of accessories such as a bow tie which would work with almost anything, a sophisticated and elegant belt finished off with some classy jewelry. If you do not have heels, dress up your simple flats with clip on earrings.

5.) There are rules in showing skin

When it comes to baring skin, certain fashion rules must be observed. But if there is one rule you must absolutely not forget, it is to remember than in showing skin; you should bare skin only in one area at a time. This is so you do not appear as if you are trying too hard as well as not to offend the sensibilities of onlookers. As an example, whenever you are wearing a number that would show a generous amount of cleavage, make sure it leaves your legs covered. Remember, one’s degree of nakedness is never a standard of measure for attractiveness. A little bit of mystery adds drama and flair after all.

6.) Deodorant and makeup stains are a no-no

Some of your clothes will inevitably fall victim to either deodorant or make-up stains. These stains are incredibly difficult to wash and are pretty unattractive which makes it a bit of a damper when they get on our favorite clothes. No matter how meticulous we are in avoiding them, they still have the tendency to appear. To make sure that you would not have to chuck all of the clothing items you have with these stains, were the stained party with warm water or dampen the garment in water with some detergent. If a stain is particularly new, it will come off easily with baby wipes on oil base.

7.) A fun night out starts with a comfortable outfit

You may want to look alluring, sophisticated and elegant but if you are spending every half an hour trying to fix the hem of your skirt or tugging your blouse down, then chances are you are not going to have much fun at all. Even for a Friday night out, it is important to wear clothes that you are comfortable with. Sure, you may want to rock a pair of heels for the night but do make sure you have brought a backup pair of flats in case your feet gets tired. Additionally, make sure all of your clothing items fit you well so that nothing would slip out and lastly, walk around in them, dance with them and if it makes you feel great without compromising your comfort, go for it.
Selecting, shopping for and wearing clothes remain to be some of the women’s beloved hobbies. So, these tips above are sure to come in handy for the fashionista in them. Keep this in mind for a more stress and hassle-free fashion excursion.

 

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 Reasons You Have Too Many Clothes but Barely Anything to Wear

 

“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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Fashion 101: All about Leggings!

“Fashion as we used to know it, does not exist. The dress as we know it today—it is dead. The dress has become so short; it is really a tunic worn with leggings. Fashion is a fantasy; it is a child’s game. Now, I am going to be this, and then I am going to be something else.” Rudi Gernreich

There is no other apparel that is more coveted nor more controversial than the ever-prevalent leggings. Indeed, this adaptable fashion-piece has become more than just a fad and a seasonal trend. Over the years, it has reigned supreme and has cemented its rightful claim as a permanent staple in every woman’s closet. What used to be an article of clothing worn exclusively inside the confines of a gym room, or a standard yoga or Zumba session, has now evolved into a fashionable piece one can wear to the streets—or in some cases, even the office.

This form-fitting and elastic versatile piece of garment has been almost every woman’s go-to pair for whether she is in a rush or when she prioritizes comfort over style. This is not to say that leggings can never be stylish, as in innumerable ways, the potential of a pair of leggings is practically limitless. Indeed, a pair of leggings has been the epitome of stylish comfort when it comes to modern fashion and pulling off just the right look without looking a tad bit too basic, nor too deliberate, is an art. Whether your choice of leggings came from a wholesale clothing store or a brand retailer, it is paramount to come up ways to make it look fresh and exciting. So, as an ode to this incredible fashion piece, this article is solely dedicated to the ways every type of woman can dress it up.

1.) How to wear leggings when you are plus-sized?

One aspect that should be incredibly important when it comes to plus-size leggings, is to find and choose the correct size, so as not to appear as if you are bursting at the seams. Regardless of whether you are plus-sized or not, a squeezed in look is never a great look for anyone. Choose the right size and make sure they fit you just right and that they are not too snug. An excellent indicator for this is to make sure that when you have pulled them over your leg, they do not result in creating a muffin top in your midsection. True enough, leggings may give you the appearance of looking more svelte, but sporting a straining paunch will certainly give that away.

2.) How to wear leggings to look stylish?

It has been said that in no case should your leggings serve as an alternative to your pair of trousers. But, creating a look where your pair of leggings would be used as the unifying element of your ensemble or as the finishing touch certainly gives your outfit a touch of class. Leggings would reveal all the curves of your legs, making it the best supportive element for the rest of your clothes rather than as the main garment. Choose a long stylish tunic or a short dress and wear it over your favorite pair of leggings. The effect you will create is both classic and sophisticated.

3.) What should you never wear with leggings when you are over forty?

Typically, it is not a good idea to wear leggings with cropped tops or tight fitting tops unless you want to look like you are heading out for a workout session, although younger women can pull it off and tend to get away with it. But as you age, it seems a lot less likely that you still can unless you have retained the same body figure you had twenty years ago. When you are over forty, things that you should never wear with leggings are tops that are higher than mid-thigh, tops that are too tight, leggings with animal prints or disco fabrics. Consider that the classier your top is, the more sophisticated your ensemble would look.

4.) What is the ideal length of leggings?

An excellent choice of length for leggings is a full-length pair of one. This pair creates the illusion of elongated and slimmer legs. Another great style would be ankle high leggings which create a sexy and classy look when they are paired with booties or heels. Short and rotund girls should be careful when wearing mid-calf and short leggings as these can make you appear smaller or rounder is some cases. Regardless, you can create a great look with leggings by using asymmetrical tops and various tunics of different fabrics. Do not forget to appropriately finish the outfit with the right pair of shoes to create a voguish look.

5.) Which shoes go with what leggings?

Ideally, a pair of shoes that are more or less of the same color as your leggings is a perfect choice. This will achieve the effect of elongating your legs even further. Likewise, flat boots, short booties, and even ballet flats would look superb when paired with leggings. Be careful when pairing stilettos or incredibly high boots, though. You would want to achieve a tasteful and elegant look so be careful that you choose appropriate high boots or stilettos that are not trashy.

6.) What about jeggings and skinny jeans?

Generally, a pair of jeggings or skinny jeans fall in the same family as your pair of leggings, so roughly the same rules should apply. However, with skinny jeans and jeggings, you can pull off a look that incorporates a shorter top than the one you would use for your leggings. Jeggings and skinny jeans are roomier and a bit thicker than leggings, so you do not run the risk of showing any visible panty lines.

7.) Can I wear tights instead of leggings?

In no circumstance should you wear tights in lieu of leggings. Tights, no matter how close they resemble leggings, are absolutely no substitute for a pair of leggings. Tights tend to be a bit sheer, and under bright light, they would not only show your panty line but your panties itself. Make sure never to commit this cardinal fashion faux pas and wear tights only when you have a long dress over them.

 

Leggings are indeed, a versatile addition to the modern fashion world. With this staple fashion piece, a lot of looks can be achieved from classy, trendy to casual and comfortable. Experiment with different looks utilizing some of the techniques and tips stated above, and you might just be able to find your signature look.

 

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