How to Dress Better

While there are no hard-and-fast rules of fashion , most style authorities agree on a few basic principles. These hold true, no matter how cheap and tacky your clothes are. In other words, these are the five commandments of the fashion Bible:

Always look neat and clean.

Make sure your clothes fit.

Don't overdo trends.

Keep ultra-bright colors away from the face.

Ignore lame cliches.

Always Look Neat and Clean

This just makes sense. Unless you're going for the just-rolled-out-of-bed rocker look, it's best to keep your jeans unfrayed, your shirt unstained and your shoes unscuffed. Grunge is over, so live with it. Take good care of your clothes, making sure you follow directions such as "dry clean only" and "wash with like colors." Polish your boots. De-fuzz your sweaters. Even if you can't transform yourself into the world's snappiest dresser, you can always improve your appearance by looking well-kept. Go on, make your mama proud.

Make Sure Your Clothes Fit

It's known as the "quadruple breast" syndrome, and we hear it's highly contagious. Never heard of it? It occurs when a woman chooses to wear a bra that is at least one size too small, resulting in cups that, well, runneth over. Ill-fitting clothes are a fashion no-no, whether it's pants that are too long, skirts that are too tight or jackets that are too short. Resist the temptation to forgo buying one size larger simply because it's not the size you "usually" wear. Sizes vary from designer to designer, so stick to what lays nicely on your body. Repeat it like a mantra: Smooth lines, smooth lines, smooth lines. . .

Don't Overdo Trends

Let's say leopard print is "in." In an effort to look oh-so-chic, you go out and buy a hat, blouse, skirt, bag and shoes--all in leopard print. Bad move. Experimenting with fads is fun, but head-to-toe isn't the way to go. Similarly, don't saturate your wardrobe with any single style or silhouette. Cargo pants are cool, but not if they're the only kind of pants you own. Moderation is key.

Keep Ultra-Bright Colors Away From the Face


No matter what your skin tone, you won't look good (trust us) in a neon green sweater. This doesn't mean that you have to skip the loud hues all together. Simply incorporate bright items into your look as low on the body as possible. Remember: Florescent yellow shoes, not a florescent yellow top. A hot pink clutch, not a hot pink scarf. Let your face star in its own show.

Ignore Lame Cliches


Chances are, you've heard them all: "Don't wear white after Labor Day." "Make sure your shoes match your bag." "Never pair stripes with plaid." Well, we're here to say that it's all a bunch of hogwash. In today's "anything goes" fashion arena, it's important to be creative and open to new ideas. If this means ignoring old adages and overstepping traditional bounds, so be it.

Now we're going to directly contradict ourselves: Even though we just told you to avoid cliches, some fashion mistakes are always wrong. Take our word for it.

* Never wear head-to-toe denim. (Silly, maybe, but true nonetheless. You'll look like a convict or a cowboy.)

* Never wear sneakers with hose.

* Never wear pleated jeans.

* Never match your makeup with your outfit.

* Never wear black velvet in the summertime.

* Never overdose on a single fabric (don't wear nylon bottoms with a nylon top).

* Never wear large costume jewelry.

Hot or Not?

When Fashion Trends Die

It's a fashion follower's worst nightmare -- worse than looking fat, more humiliating than wearing the same dress as another party guest -- it's the dread of looking last year.

Fashion trends, sometimes referred to as fads, are notoriously fickle. The fashion industry is always on the hunt for what's new, what's hot. For every new, must-have handbag, there's another that gets tossed aside like, well, last year's trend.


The Fashion Cycle

First, there's the emerging trend (the American Marketing Association refers to this as the "distinctiveness" part of the cycle where the trend is highly sought after. You know this as when you see that great hat/dress/shoe on the runway, red carpet or music video.
Next, comes what the AMA calls the emulation phase, where everyone wants a piece of the trend. You'll see it in fashion magazines, newspapers, internet and TV during this phase.
Finally, the trend becomes saturated in the market, usually at very low prices. With trendy items like a must-have designer handbag, the item becomes widely available as a knock-off.

Most of us will buy it somewhere between phases two and three. Only celebrities and fashion industry types have access to fashion fresh off the runway that hasn't appeared in stores yet, like in the first phase of a fashion trend.

At the second phase a look is often available in high-priced designer collections. Only in the third phase, when a look makes it to the mass market, does it become affordable for most consumers.

Twenty or 30 years ago it might have taken a few years to make it from red carpet to mass market, but today's manufacturers have put the fashion cycle into hyperspeed. Sometimes a hot trend makes it into lower priced retail outlets in as little as a few months.

In or Out?

Affordable trendy clothing (sometimes called "fast fashion") is a double-edged sword: it makes fashionable looks accessible to those of us on real-life budgets, but when the market is totally saturated with a look a trend loses its appeal. It basically helps to kill the trend quicker.

So how do you know how long a trend will last? A few general guidelines:

Generally speaking, most fashion trends stick around for at least a year. Some trends, usually the most understandable ones, last longer. For example, the personalization or initial craze started with Sarah Jessica Parker's "Carrie" necklace during season two of "Sex and the City" in 1998. The look saturated the mass market in the fall 2003 with initial handbags, sweaters -- you name it -- a full five years after it started.

One school of thought says that fashion cycles about every 20 years. Thus, the minis of the '80s have come back into favor now (as did the nameplate necklace mentioned above, which was hot then, too).

• A big part of deciding on how long a trend is viable depends on where in the fashion cycle you bought the trend. If you bought it as a knock-off or at a discount store, then you should count on it being in for just one or two seasons. Because the fashion industry often lumps together Spring and Summer, Fall and Winter, that gives you approximately six months of wear out of a look before it looks dated.
• Although there is no hard-and-fast rule about how long a fashion trend will stick around, you can bet that the more-difficult-to-pull-off looks (Uggs, large cuff jeans, trucker hats) are just fads that will fade. That doesn't mean you shouldn't have fun buying them, just know that they aren't looks that will be fresh this time next year.
• Buying power can keep a trend on life support. Sometimes consumers love a look so much they just won't let it die. Capris, crops, tank tops and flip flops are all examples of former trends which actually became wardrobe staples.
• The higher the profile -- boho chic and mod are recent examples -- the more likely it is that the trend will look dated by the same next year. Likewise, the more radical the cut, color or print -- microminis, army jackets, mod graphics -- the more certain that the trend will be long over by the same time next year.

The best defense against quickly changing trends is to have a wardrobe stocked with mostly classic looks: jeans, T-shirts, blazers, little black dresses. Use trendy items as an addition to a core wardrobe to give it some kick.

How to Dress Stylish for Women

Here's what you have to know about how to dress stylish for women:


#1: Wear something that's adapted to the occasion.

This is the worst mistake you could make. You should wear something that blends with the environment. Don't wear the same set of clothes both at a business meeting or in town with your friends. Some men tend to make this mistake quite often and you should definitely not be like them. You are a woman and women are supposed to be better dressed than men.

#2: Don't wear more than three colors.

It's quite hard to impress an audience when you wear multiple colours. Each person may come with their own conclusions. Wearing three or fewer colors is also much easier for yourself because you have fewer options at your disposal. It's much easier to get it right.

#3: Wear an interesting item.

An interesting item can be quite a conversation breaker. I know girls who don't wear anything stylish with the exception of an interesting item like a bracelet or a purse. They still receive an abundance of attention all the time.

#4: Don't hide your feminine assets.

This can be a mistake. Clothes are nothing more than extensions of your body. So, beautiful clothes will double their power if you are confident about your beauty. Realize that men and other people don't see your body the way you do.

You may be bored with it because you see it every day but they don't have your own perspective. This is why you have to behave and showcase your body by thinking from their perspective and not from your point of view.

#5: Get fit or maintain your fitness levels.

You may be physically fit already or you may need more practice. In any case, you have to realize that people who maintain their fitness levels do something for it every single day. So you should maintain a great diet and do enough physical exercises every single day.

#6: Be positive and confident.

Emotions are addictive and contagious. People respond powerfully to the emotions of other people. It doesn't matter how stylish you dress if you are bored, boring and depressed. So you have to be confident and positive. People, regardless of their confidence levels, want to hang out with positive and confident individuals.

#7: Borrow what works in the entertainment industry.

Find an actress that looks similar to you and you like how she dresses. The next time you go shopping, bring a few pictures with her and buy for yourself something similar. There are people who are paid good money to dress successful actresses. Take advantage of their hard work and dress yourself similarly.

You should know by now how to dress stylish for women. As you can notice, it's not that difficult and it's fun. It simply involves a few factors that you have to consider and improve each day.

What to Wear to Work

Getting dressed for the office doesn't mean leaving your personal style behind. Find out which looks give you a polished, professional look and which fashions can be a career killer.

Polished, Not Fashion Victim

Your goal to getting dressed for work is to project a professional, competent image, regardless of your employment level or career path.The styles, colors, lengths and fit of your fashion choices will speak volumes about your ability to do your job. If you are concerned about your career, you'll be more concerned with looking professional than looking cute or trendy.

In general, the more distracting a piece of clothing or jewelry is, the less appropriate it is for office wear.

More guidelines to looking polished:

• Color plays a big part in professional image. Traditional career colors include red (aggressive), navy (trustworthy), gray (conservative) and black (chic). Most of these colors work well in pantsuits, skirts and shoes and mix back with softer feminine colors that are appropriate like ice blue, lilac, soft pink and ivory. Loud colors like hot pink and wild prints are much riskier in the office, but some creative types can still pull them off.
• Jewelry that jangles (chandelier earrings, stacks of bangles) is distracting. Opt for stud earrings or single bracelets.
• Slouchy handbags look sloppy. Choose structured styles that project an organized image.
• Most of what constitutes a polished image is in the details: manicured nails, run-free hose, scuff-free shoes, neat hair.
• Fit is everything when you are talking about tailored work clothes. Pants should be fitted, but free of visible panty lines. Skirts, especially straight styles like pencil skirts, should be loose enough to sit down in comfortably. Jackets should be able to be buttoned. And blouses shouldn't gap between buttonholes.
• Designer labels are great, but heavily logoed clothing and accessories look cluttered and frivolous in the work place. A small designer bag is fine; a logo trench coat looks ridiculous. Choose well-made items that are free from obvious designer labels for the most professional look.

Dress Like Your (Female) Boss

Don't know where to start working on your career image? You're not alone because most companies don't have specific guidelines about what to wear to work.

One of the best clues to company dress codes is what your boss wears. Just think about the styles that the highest-level woman in your organization wears and use them in your wardrobe. Does she wear mostly skirt suits? Or does she rely on pantsuits? Does she wear hose or bare legs? Open-toed shoes or pumps?

If you don't have a reliable female executive to emulate, then trade on what the men are wearing. If they don suits and ties every day, your best bet is to use pantsuits and skirtsuits: the most formal of business looks.

Some organizations encourage employees to dress as well or better than their customers, especially for sales people and others that meet clients outside the office. For information technology professionals, this may mean corporate casual (more on this below), for pharmeceutical sales it may mean a pantsuit, for a lawyer it may mean a matched skirt suit. One way to always be prepared is to keep an extra "meet the client" outfit at the office for surprise meetings.

Career Killers

Unlike a fashion faux pas, a career killer outfit can do your professional image permanent damage.

Looks to avoid in the workplace:

• Too sexy: see-through lace, miniskirts, spaghetti straps, sheer sundresses, strappy stiletto sandals.
• Too casual: jeans, shorts, T-shirts, hats, sneakers.
• Too sloppy: wrinkled clothing, too many layers, baggy-fit clothing.

Business Dress Codes

• Formal Business Attire- For women this constitutes business suits (a matched skirt and jackets)and, in most workplaces, pantsuits (matched pants and blazer). 
• Corporate Casual Looks-Working women have interpreted this to mean everything from shorts to sundresses, but in its most literal sense it means "smart business." Dressy pants and a blouse, sleek jersey knits and skirts and tops are all examples of corporate casual. Denim, T-shirts and flip-flops -- all '90s phenoms -- are only acceptable in the most casual of work environments.
• Casual Friday - Depending on the business, this can mean anything from corporate casual instead of formal looks or "Wear your company logo polo and jeans." If in doubt, ask a superior.

Fashion Trends for 2012

The fashion trends for 2012  are quite versatile. The choices range from sleek and modern to retro and romantic, so that every woman will find something they’ll like no matter what her style preference is.

Colors and prints for the coming season are wide and varied. Pastel colors are back, ranging from barely there shades, to the prettier ice cream hues in peach, lilac, mints or blues. Dresses are being created now in pretty, lady-like florals, ranging from tiny to more modern and larger retro prints. Birds, bees, sea creatures and other animals are all choices for prints on clothing this spring and summer. Beige is always a great favorite and will be found in a variety of colors from the soft fawns, to caramels and taupes on pants, skirts and dresses. Vibrant colors such as hot red, fuchsia and orange are in, as are jewel toned greens and blues, particularly for longer dresses. Monochromatic modern and retro prints are both big for blouses and dresses. Graphic print tops and blouses are recent trends that are popular this spring. Yellow is really big, from the palest lemons to hot neon, often paired with black accents to make a dramatic statement for those who have the coloring to pull this look off. Basic black, as always, is still there for traditional cocktail wear and day dresses. A return to the retro trend of pairing black and white is seen for elegant day and evening dresses. White is a popular color and is being done in lace, chiffon or a combination of the two, worn in either floaty layers or sleek and straight.

Fashion trends for 2012: The flair of hair

Trends in hair, like the color choices and fashions themselves, are a combination of modern and retro styles. Mid-length to long hair is popular, as always, falling in soft, full curls from a delineated center or side part. Side swept long hair, either loose or restrained in a deconstructed ponytail, is also trendy. Pony tails and braids are both big again, not sleek and tight; but again, deconstructed and pulled into a loose chignon at the nap or side of the head and decorated with a loose loop of hair at the top of the tail, at times braided. A variety of updos is always a good choice for work or evening, such as a single or double French twist or modified French pouf. A modified half bouffant with the back straight as worn by Brigitte Bardot or Snooki is a look that is popular now. If long hair isn’t your thing, the sculpted bob is still in and super short – little boy hair is also considered an attractive look.

Fashion trends for 2012: Let’s go retro!

The clothing this season has a distinct retro feel to it, which is a pleasant reversal from recent years. Hemlines are all over the place and can be found in micro mini, midi and maxi length, to suit all figure types. Influences from the glamour of the 1920s, 1950s and 60s are all plain to be seen in makeup and hair, but is particularly evidenced by the feminine style clothing coming out now. Great Gatsby type dresses with a dropped waist were present on the catwalk in New York and Milan, embellished with feathers, sequins and lace. The 1950s type of tailored, close-fitting, peplum suits and dresses for both the office and evening wear are definitely back. Schoolgirl suits in black and white, with pastel or white shirts, sporting Peter Pan collars are also in. Showing off your bare midriff is trendy if you’re fit, with models sporting a fancier version of a sport bra, crop top or midi blouses with their shorts, pants or skirts. Scarf and tribal print shirts, pants and dresses, particularly sundresses with a distinct bohemian hippie feel are on the agenda this season. Color block tunics, shifts and dresses borrowed from the 1960s are in fashion. Feminine shirts, tightly belted shirt waists and flowing romantic floral dresses and tops in pretty romantic floral designs done in lighter fabrics such as chiffon, are one of prettiest trends for spring.

Shoe and accessory lovers are bound to find plenty of styles that appeal to them in the spring and summer line up. Earrings are definitely larger and more visible this spring and summer. Chunky necklaces are being worn with the new larger earrings in floral or natural stone, particularly turquoise, to set off these fashions. Wearing a good quality retro piece, either vintage or faux, is a great way to accent your outfit. Metallic gold is in for both shoes and accessories. Pretty pumps with spiked Christian Louboutin heels or the smaller, more refined, kitten heels are two elegant choices that make any woman’s feet look good. These can be bought in regular colors, the new color block types or in bright, vibrant colors to match your outfit, making an electric fashion statement. Comfortable and attractive Audrey Hepburn type loafers are great for comfortable professional and leisure wear for this time of year. Mesh and mesh accents are in for both bags and shoes, as is clear vinyl Cinderella shoe, both reminiscent of the 1960s. Laces up shoes, particularly espadrilles, are good choices to wear. Wedges are still in, with lower and more sensible heels or mile high Lady Gaga height for the more adventurous among us. Hair is being creatively embellished with a variety of rhinestone and floral clips, pins and barrettes for accents, particularly for evening. Head bands are back, fitting in well with 50s and 60s retro chic look.

All the items from the above outline are just a few of the choices that this spring’s fashions have to offer. No matter what your particular style is, you’re sure to find something to please you in the wide variety of palettes and clothing styles available to you. With all these lovely looks to choose from the fashion trends for 2012, who wouldn’t be happy?

Fashion – Then and Now

Fashion in the modern world is an inescapable evil, pervading every sector of life. No matter where you turn, you will be bombarded by advertisements for the latest styles, tips on how to look like celebrities, or you can even catch a glimpse of the walking fashion billboards known as teenagers. With all these fashion trends around you, it can be overwhelming, and maybe you’ll decide to back off, stop worrying about fashion for a little while, and just do your own thing. Well, the world of fashion is a fickle mistress, and that “inescapable” up above was not just

It used to be that the highlight of fashion and the knowledge of all the latest fashion trends was based solely in the really big fashion centers, the obvious ones that everyone knew; Paris, Milan, and so forth. If you really considered yourself on top of the fashion world, you kept up with what people were seeing at fashion shows in these cities, you kept up with all the fanciest dresses and nicest suits, all in the name of fashion. Ostensibly, that is still true today. If you want the newest in high fashion, you follow the same cities as always. Sure, maybe the newest in high fashion is a bit stranger than it used to be – a bit more angular, a bit more revealing, a bit less possible to wear in public (to be blunt) – but fashion changes with the times like anything else does. But notice that the above example is in high fashion, “high” being the keyword. If you want to be fancy, you wear this stuff. But fashion isn’t just runways and celebrities anymore.

More and more, fashion is starting to include teen culture. And why shouldn’t it? Teens follow the things that are cool and popular in mainstream culture, things that everyone can find something to like in. Failing that, it will appeal to the rebellious nature of teens, ensuring high sales. No matter which, it will be everywhere in culture, that can be guaranteed. Because of this, it must be considered equally important in culture. As you may know, modern teen culture is mostly what used to be/is still considered “emo” or “goth” – wear all black, act like indie band members, be considered cool. Emo and goth have been glorified: where they used to be seen in a negative light, even as signs of depression or other mental issues, the only mental issue they represent now is a severe case of attention-grabbing. But still, teens are where the money is. Whether from their own work or their parent’s paycheck, the teens are the ones spending their time and money in all these stores popping up selling whatever is in the scene.

And teens are as fickle as the fashion industry, doubling the effect of fashion’s fickle nature. See, teens don’t like to look alike unless they look like their friends or idols. So, it’s only natural that the attention seekers will fall in line with many different fashions. Aeropostale, Hot Topic, Hollister… mixing of styles is rare, and rivalries form between teens based on petty things like who’s wearing what best, or who wears what’s more popular.

Where do you Fit in the new Fashion

What does this have to do with you though? We talked about how you’re backing out of the scene, didn’t we? Not quite. You see, fashion is hard to escape. Ads, tips… wait, we went over this. In any case, it seems like the only solution to escaping the cold world of fashion is to stop conforming to the trends. Non-conformism is always a good way of expressing your opinion, usually one of distaste… right? Not so fast. Non-conformism isn’t even a safe bet any more.

It’s been mentioned that teens fall into a lot of different styles, and those styles are at war. But what of those teens that don’t want to fight this war? They fall into non-conformism. Then, all the other sides of the war team up. The non-conformists become the enemy. Those who refuse to fight are shunned, teased, antagonized. Non-conformists are ironically the biggest fashion groups of all. And those who embrace the fashion of having no fashion become hipsters, and hipsters are collectively reviled. You don’t want to become a hipster. They’re the ones that even the outcasts dislike, the butt of all the jokes, the jesters in a court of kings. Stick with non-conformism and keep reading.

So, we’ve established that you aren’t into fashion, and you are not going to become a hipster. You’re stuck then – in the fashion war. Why is this? Simple: because you’re going against the grain. And for teens, against the grain is a way of life. And since teens are the main drive of most fashion in modern times, even adults fall into this. Against the grain is a fashion, so you have absolutely no way out. This leaves you with few options but to jump back in the scene, or to ignore it completely.

Your limited options aside, you need a plan. You really don’t want to follow fashion trends, and that’s reasonable; fashion is a pretty rough world, and one accessorizing mistake can get you shunned. You should accept the fact that there is no external escape from the world of fashion… hell, even in death you get dressed up all fancy for your final sleep. You can’t leave the rat race, so you need some coping mechanisms. So stick with non-conformism, it’s best in the long run; you get to wear what you want, when you want (none of those silly spring fashions being outdated by the time summer comes around), and the best part is that you can claim you aren’t doing it. You can protest fashion, back away from trends, and just say “I’m wearing what I want to wear”. There’s nothing more freeing in the world than realizing that you can be happy even if you can’t escape a bad situation. And fashion is a better situation than most. So give a grin, put on your favorite pants, and get out in the world! You may still be in the rat race, but you’re winning without anyone realizing.

Dress Fashion Ideas

Nothing is more feminine than a nice dress. Comfortable, diverse, and pretty dresses are a wonderful choice, from bumming around the house to attending an important event. With such a variety of designs, women sometimes find themselves overwhelmed when attempting to choose a dress. As with all clothing, the dress that will look the best is one in which the wearer is most comfortable. These bits of obvious information aside, let’s look deeper into some different fashion ideas for dresses.

Women differ in shapes and sizes. Because of this, a dress which may look stunning on one woman may look horrible on another. Understanding how different dress cuts look on different body shapes will help immensely. The ideal feminine figure is medium-to-tall height, moderate build, and an hourglass shape. It is ideal because only about 2% of the female population actually has a body like this. Different cuts help achieve a visual effect allowing more women to look like ‘ideal’.

If a woman has short legs and a long torso, she will want to create the visual effect of having longer legs and a shorter torso. To achieve this, she will want to choose dresses that draw the eye upward. She can choose dresses with darker bottoms, higher waists, and narrow or a-line cuts. She will also want to accessorize these types of dresses by wearing jewelry and scarves.

For women with balanced body shapes, dresses with one color from the top to the bottom, ones which are fitted through the waist and flow outward, and thin belts are the best styles. Again, a woman would want to accessorize this type of dress using jewelry and scarves which draw the eye upward.

A woman with long legs and a short torso would, likewise, dress differently from the above-mentioned body shapes. She would want to choose dresses which draw the eye downward. She can achieve this by wearing dresses with prints or lighter colors on the bottoms, dresses with a fitted waists and flowing skirts, and simple necklines. Jewelry and scarves that are medium to long lengths help draw the eye downward. Pinstripes, empire and high waists, and wide belts should all be avoided, as they draw unwanted attention to the “wrong” places. Once a woman determines which general cuts and colors work well for her body shape, she should decide which styles and colors are appropriate for her age, skin color, and situation.

Color plays a huge role in choosing a dress. Dresses come in every color and pattern imaginable. In the workplace, conservative is best. A woman who wants to be taken seriously should generally wear neutral colors—blacks, browns, ivories, greens, and so on—in her dresses, and use her jewelry and scarves to add flair and character. An outfit which most workplaces would find acceptable is a nice tailored maroon blazer worn over a khaki-colored dress, and accessorized with turquoise jewelry. She must avoid over-accessorizing her dress. Modesty in accessories and cosmetics is best. On the other hand, a young woman out for a night-out may wear any assortment of brightly colored dresses and jewelry, depending on her taste. A woman with an olive skin tone looks better in dresses with bold colors, such as magenta, whereas a lighter-skinned woman may look better in a yellow dress. Situation and skin tone both have large impacts on what color of dress will look best on each woman. In the same vein as color, women must choose dresses appropriate for their respective ages. A young woman can wear dresses with lower necklines and higher cuts but if an older woman will dress like that, it will look anything but inappropriate.

Dresses come with all types of necklines, waists, lengths, and cuts. Necklines vary from plunging, which look best on small-breasted women, to round and square necklines. The neckline of a dress has the power to make an otherwise unassuming dress look unique and stunning. It is well worth experimenting with different types of necklines and accessorizing each with different types of necklaces. A plunging neckline can be paired well with a long necklace. This breaks up the monotony of the exposed skin. A squared neckline would look best with a shorter necklace, or one with different strands of beads wrapped around the neck. Strong necklines, such as those created by a dress hanging on only one shoulder, should be worn without a necklace.

A dress’s waist creates a visual waistline for the woman. Generally, a woman accessorizes the waist of a dress with belts and scarves. A woman with a wider waist and smaller bust would want to wear a thinner belt and a fitted waist. Conversely, a woman with a naturally narrow waist would want to wear a fitted waist and thinner belt.

The skirt of a dress can dramatically affect its appropriateness for different social settings, as well as add visual interest to the piece. Skirts can be fitted, such as a pencil skirt, flow outward, such as an a-line skirt, short, long, angularly cut, fluted, and so on. The key is to remember that the more dramatic a dress, fewer accessories is needed for it. Dresses with short skirts and dramatic cuts are best served for night life, while more traditional cuts are best for the workplace. This does not mean a dress with a dramatic cut cannot be worn at work, though. It highly depends on the woman, where she works, and how sophisticated the accessories are.

Honestly, there are a lot of dress fashion ideas out there. There is an unlimited supply of cuts, colors, and accessories so the best way to know which fashion and style will work for you is simply to go out there and see for yourself!

Fashion Trends

Fashion is full of trends. From platforms to ponchos, most of us can admit to falling into the pitfalls of a mindless trend now and again. In the past, looking fashionable meant following a set of rules and definitions. In order to fit in, one was required to dress within the parameters of a certain style, or abide by the rules of fashion set forth by the media. However, I believe that the styles and designs of the future will not hold to these rigid standards. In the past, these standards have set aside something that today’s style hungry can no longer live without: Personality. I believe that contemporary design is headed into a period of unpredictable originality.


Contemporary designs are beginning to reflect the public’s desire to look original. Rather than have clones upon clones of a handful of well known styles, the clothing and accessory options available in stores has grown dramatically over the years. In the past, the most popular styles were limited to a few ‘personalities’ as far as schools of dress. Emo, preppy and skater are different terms that come to mind when I think of old designs. While the stores that cater to these various tastes still exist, they have grown and no longer cater to the very specific crowds they used to. Consumers that would limit themselves to one store or another are breaking out of their shells and trying something new. The kids with closets full of polo shirts are trying on a pair of skate shoes or a studded black tank top. As the rainbow streaks of last season fade, wardrobes look less like single store catalogues and more like a fantastic hodgepodge of fashion.

In terms of clothing itself, the demand for unique pieces can be seen in the success of stores like Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie. With designs like no other, consumers save their hard earned cash to look like no one else, owning that one-of-a-kind piece they covet. Online shopping, away from the crowds of style following shoppers, has also changed contemporary fashion. From the comfort of your own home, there is no salesperson telling you to go for one style or another. Shoppers are no longer required to bring along a friend for moral support as they navigate shelves and racks of clothing. No approval is necessary as one browses online. Browsing turns into buying and, after a few weeks shipping time, there is a new design piece waiting on the doorstep. By taking the judgmental looks of others out of the equation, modern design with a unique twist has been able to flourish.

Design of other things, such as house wares and home décor, has also taken a turn for the more unique. More than that, consumers are worried about the conditions under which their house wares and appliances have been made. Gone are the days when one could purchase goods made with devotion to domestic labor. We have gotten over the shock of a ‘Made in China’ sticker, but what chemicals could that label harbor? With lead paint being found in things like children’s toys and food, among other alleged toxins, more and more people are opting for products made in natural environments. The green movement sparked by modern day hippie Al Gore’s documentary ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ is going strong some years later. Somewhat branched off from the initial worries of global conservation, consumers are clamoring for products bearing labels like ‘organic’. Fabric is made from recycled materials, as well as design pieces like cell phone cases and mixing bowls. If it can be reused, it is being reused by today’s generation.

Another issue influencing contemporary design is the economy. The effects of the recent economic turmoil are far reaching, with a hand in the pocket of every nation. Not a single household is unaffected by the harsh economic times. Due to the fact that more and more people are losing their expendable income, once used to buy the latest, greatest design pieces, companies have to be smart with their marketing and products. Luxury has no place in this new world of frugality. Anything more than necessary is viewed as wasteful rather than special. Instead of creating a new line of luxury items, designers are rethinking their collections and making them more affordable for Jane Doe. Gone are the days of bling and Hummers. The gas conserving Prius is king of the road, for as many miles as it can squeeze out of that gallon of expensive gas. Those expensive diamonds and other gems are being swapped, or tragically sold, for inexpensive costume pieces. Business is booming for low-end stores like Forever 21. Initially trying to bring expensive contemporary design to the masses, commercially available designs in these stores are the new dictators of fashion in the best possible way. Culture is no longer fixated on the exclusive but the original.

Contemporary design has gone through many transformations over the years. From finding its appeal to more sensual tastes, shortening skirts in the 20s to preparing for years of economic difficulty, contemporary design reflects the personalities of the times. In a world of unique individuals, style is more one-of-a-kind than ever before.

Cat collections

Cat Collection

Cat counseling for career in fashion

Fashion designers help create the billions of dresses, suits, shoes, and other clothing and accessories purchased every year by consumers. Designers study fashion trends, sketch designs of clothing and accessories, select colors and fabrics, and oversee the final production of their designs. Clothing designers create and help produce men's, women's, and children's apparel, including casual wear, suits, sportswear, formalwear, outerwear, maternity, and intimate apparel. Footwear designers help create and produce different styles of shoes and boots. Accessory designers help create and produce items such as handbags, belts, scarves, hats, hosiery, and eyewear, which add the finishing touches to an outfit. Some fashion designers specialize in clothing, footwear, or accessory design, but others create designs in all three fashion categories.

The design process from initial design concept to final production takes between 18 and 24 months. The first step in creating a design is researching current fashion and making predictions of future trends. Some designers conduct their own research, while others rely on trend reports published by fashion industry trade groups. Trend reports indicate what styles, colors, and fabrics will be popular for a particular season in the future. Textile manufacturers use these trend reports to begin designing fabrics and patterns while fashion designers begin to sketch preliminary designs. Designers then visit manufacturers or trade shows to procure samples of fabrics and decide which fabrics to use with which designs.

Once designs and fabrics are chosen, a prototype of the article using cheaper materials is created and then tried on a model to see what adjustments to the design need to be made. This also helps designers to narrow their choices of designs to offer for sale. After the final adjustments and selections have been made, samples of the article using the actual materials are sewn and then marketed to clothing retailers. Many designs are shown at fashion and trade shows a few times a year. Retailers at the shows place orders for certain items, which are then manufactured and distributed to stores.

Computer-aided design (CAD) is increasingly being used in the fashion design industry. Although most designers initially sketch designs by hand, a growing number also translate these hand sketches to the computer. CAD allows designers to view designs of clothing on virtual models and in various colors and shapes, thus saving time by requiring fewer adjustments of prototypes and samples later.

Depending on the size of their design firm and their experience, fashion designers may have varying levels of involvement in different aspects of design and production. In large design firms, fashion designers often are the lead designers who are responsible for creating the designs, choosing the colors and fabrics, and overseeing technical designers who turn the designs into a final product. They are responsible for creating the prototypes and patterns and work with the manufacturers and suppliers during the production stages. Large design houses also employ their own patternmakers, tailors, and sewers who create the master patterns for the design and sew the prototypes and samples. Designers working in small firms, or those new to the job, usually perform most of the technical, patternmaking, and sewing tasks, in addition to designing the clothing.

Fashion designers working for apparel wholesalers or manufacturers create designs for the mass market. These designs are manufactured in various sizes and colors. A small number of high-fashion (haute couture) designers are self-employed and create custom designs for individual clients, usually at very high prices. Other high-fashion designers sell their designs in their own retail stores or cater to specialty stores or high-fashion department stores. These designers create a mixture of original garments and those that follow established fashion trends.

Some fashion designers specialize in costume design for performing arts, motion picture, and television productions. The work of costume designers is similar to other fashion designers. Costume designers, however, perform extensive research on the styles worn during the period in which the performance takes place, or they work with directors to select and create appropriate attire. They make sketches of designs, select fabric and other materials, and oversee the production of the costumes. They also must stay within the costume budget for the particular production item.

Work environment. Fashion designers employed by manufacturing establishments, wholesalers, or design firms generally work regular hours in well-lighted and comfortable settings. Designers who freelance generally work on a contract, or by the job. They frequently adjust their workday to suit their clients' schedules and deadlines, meeting with the clients during evenings or weekends when necessary. Freelance designers tend to work longer hours and in smaller, more congested, environments, and are under pressure to please clients and to find new ones in order to maintain a steady income. Regardless of their work setting, all fashion designers occasionally work long hours to meet production deadlines or prepare for fashion shows.

The global nature of the fashion business requires constant communication with suppliers, manufacturers, and customers all over the United States and the world. Most fashion designers travel several times a year to trade and fashion shows to learn about the latest fashion trends. Designers also may travel frequently to meet with fabric and materials suppliers and with manufacturers who produce the final apparel products.

Training, Qualifications, and Advancement

In fashion design, employers usually seek individuals with a 2-year or 4-year degree who are knowledgeable about textiles, fabrics, ornamentation, and fashion trends.

Education and training. Fashion designers typically need an associate or a bachelor's degree in fashion design. Some fashion designers also combine a fashion design degree with a business, marketing, or fashion merchandising degree, especially those who want to run their own business or retail store. Basic coursework includes color, textiles, sewing and tailoring, pattern making, fashion history, computer-aided design (CAD), and design of different types of clothing such as menswear or footwear. Coursework in human anatomy, mathematics, and psychology also is useful.

The National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredits approximately 300 postsecondary institutions with programs in art and design. Most of these schools award degrees in fashion design. Many schools do not allow formal entry into a program until a student has successfully completed basic art and design courses. Applicants usually have to submit sketches and other examples of their artistic ability.

Aspiring fashion designers can learn these necessary skills through internships with design or manufacturing firms. Some designers also gain valuable experience working in retail stores, as personal stylists, or as custom tailors. Such experience can help designers gain sales and marketing skills while learning what styles and fabrics look good on different people.

Designers also can gain exposure to potential employers by entering their designs in student or amateur contests. Because of the global nature of the fashion industry, experience in one of the international fashion centers, such as Milan or Paris, can be useful.

Other qualifications. Designers must have a strong sense of the esthetic—an eye for color and detail, a sense of balance and proportion, and an appreciation for beauty. Fashion designers also need excellent communication and problem-solving skills. Despite the advancement of computer-aided design, sketching ability remains an important advantage in fashion design. A good portfolio—a collection of a person's best work—often is the deciding factor in getting a job.

In addition to creativity, fashion designers also need to have sewing and patternmaking skills, even if they do not perform these tasks themselves. Designers need to be able to understand these skills so they can give proper instruction in how the garment should be constructed. Fashion designers also need strong sales and presentation skills to persuade clients to purchase their designs. Good teamwork and communication skills also are necessary because increasingly the business requires constant contact with suppliers, manufacturers, and buyers around the world.

Advancement. Beginning fashion designers usually start out as pattern makers or sketching assistants for more experienced designers before advancing to higher level positions. Experienced designers may advance to chief designer, design department head, or another supervisory position. Some designers may start their own design company, or sell their designs in their own retail stores. A few of the most successful designers can work for high-fashion design houses that offer personalized design services to wealthy clients.

Employment

Fashion designers held about 22,700 jobs in 2008. About 31 percent of fashion designers worked for apparel, piece goods, and notions merchant wholesalers; and 13 percent worked for apparel manufacturers. Many others were self employed.

Employment of fashion designers tends to be concentrated in regional fashion centers. In 2008, the highest numbers of fashion designers were employed in New York and California.

Job Outlook

Little or no change in employment is projected. Competition for jobs is expected to be keen as many applicants are attracted to the creativity and glamour associated with the occupation.

Employment change. Employment of fashion designers is projected to grow by 1 percent between 2008 and 2018. Some new jobs will arise from an increasing population demanding more clothing, footwear, and accessories. Demand is increasing for stylish clothing that is affordable, especially among middle-income consumers which will increase the need for fashion designers among apparel wholesalers. However, job opportunities in cut and sew manufacturing will continue to decline as apparel is increasingly manufactured overseas. Employment of fashion designers in this industry will not decline as fast as other occupations because firms are more likely to keep design work in house.

Job prospects. Job competition is expected be keen as many applicants are attracted to the creativity and glamour associated with the occupation. The best job opportunities will be in design firms that design mass-market clothing sold in department stores and retail chain stores, such as apparel wholesale firms. Few employment opportunities are expected in design firms that cater to high-end department stores and specialty boutiques as demand for expensive, high-fashion design declines relative to other luxury goods and services.

Earnings

  

Earnings in fashion design can vary widely based on the employer and years of experience. Starting salaries in fashion design tend to be very low until designers are established in this occupation. Salaried fashion designers usually earn higher and more stable incomes than self-employed or freelance designers. However, a few of the most successful self-employed fashion designers may earn many times the salary of the highest paid salaried designers. Self-employed fashion designers must provide their own benefits and retirement.

Fashion and Health

Food and your Skin

It is said that your skin is a mirror to your health on the inside, that what you put into your body is reflected in the wellbeing and youthfulness of your skin. As a model, it is especially important to watch exactly what goes into your body, because it directly affects your earning potential!

An important function of your skin is to sweat out your body's waste products. If you're sweating out toxic chemicals, this will affect not only the color of your skin, but your complexion too. So its important not just to eat foods that can improve your skin, but also to avoid those toxic foods that can cause a break-out


Foods to Improve your Skin

Antioxidants
Antioxidants are very smart chemicals that protect our cells from both external threats, such as the sun, wind and temperature, and internal threats, such as excess oxygen and hormonal imbalances.

So what are antioxidants? They include Vitamins A, C and E and beta carotene. Their specific role is to combat free radicals, unstable cells that become loose and wreak havoc with your skin and cellular structure.

Good sources of antioxidants include cereals, fruits and vegetables. There are, however, certain foods that are particularly rich in these life-saving chemicals. These include berries (blueberry, blackcurrant, cherry), walnuts, sunflower seeds, pomegranate and ginger.

Protein
Protein is a hugely important substance for the body, but not one that we are usually short of. Today's diets, heavy on meat, tend to provide all that we need. One group who have to be careful though is vegetarians, who should supplement their diet with nuts, beans and other sources of protein.

A protein deficiency can reduce the elasticity of your skin. An important protein named Collagen plays a key role in cellular structure, giving it its strength and elasticity. Without it, our skin becomes saggy, wrinkled and aged.

Probiotics
As so often happens, what goes on inside your body is reflected on the outside. Probiotics are a great way to correct the chemical imbalances that can sometimes occur in your gut after events like stress or a course of antibiotics.

One source of antibiotics, a cultured milk named Kefir, has been in the news recently as a 'superfood'. It contains more probiotics than yogurt, as well as having a healthy dose of calcium. Its a great option for those of you who may be lactose-intolerant, as it contains lactase, the enzyme that you are missing.

That's not all though. The latest word is that probiotics applied directly to your skin can reduce sun damage and slow the effects of aging. Although this would certainly not be harmful, we think probiotics are far for effective taken internally.

Omega 3
You may have heard of "good fats" and "bad fats" - well Omega 3 fatty acids are the "good fats". As well as a host of other health benefits, Omega 3 oils strengthen the cell membrane and enable the healthy passage of nutrients and waste products through your skin. It also influences the skin's ability to hold water.

There are some great supplements containing Omega 3 fish oil, you can find them in any health store. The best natural sources include walnuts, canola oil and flax seed.

Water

 Water is a natural body cleanser and can do wonders for your complexion, but it is also an important element in keeping your skin young and beautiful. Be one of the few people to drink the recommended 8 glasses of water per day and you will notice your skin looking rejuvenated and younger.

When your skin dries out it becomes less elastic and more prone to wrinkles. It also makes it more susceptible to damage from the sun or from smoke. All this means that it is extremely important to keep your skin hydrated all the time, so that it can protect itself against the world.

The best way is to drink lots of water but, failing that, moisturisers are very helpful too. The night moisturisers are an excellent choice as they can work for hours without being rubbed or sweated off.

Foods that can Harm your Skin

Free Radicals

 So what exactly are Free Radicals? They are unstable cells that become loose and wreak havoc with your skin and cellular structure, aging you and causing wrinkles in the long term.

These free radicals become loose due to a number of reasons - external threats, such as the sun, wind and pollution, and internal threats, such as the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes. Foods to be be wary of are those that are high in fat and sugar.

Alcohol

 We all know that alcohol can dehydrate your skin, leaving it red or blotchy both during drinking and in the morning. But drinking also has longer term effects on your skin.

Drinking alcohol tends to permanently enlarge the blood vessels near the skin's surface, causing itchiness, uneven tone and red spots. If you've ever seen the skin of a long-term alcoholic, you'll recognise exactly this redness.

Top 10 Beauty Tips

1. Coconut Oil

Whenever I put on coconut oil, it reminds me of holidays in Thailand, but this is definitely not the only reason I use it!

This sweet-smelling, natural oil has antioxidant properties to combats premature aging, absorbs well into the skin and it doesn't leave any residue.

Coconut oil is also a great tool to keep your hair healthy, shiny and strong. The oil increases circulation on the scalp, supplying nutrients to the hair follicles. Just apply it, starting from the scalp and working it out through to the ends. Massage the head for a few minutes to work the oil well into the follicles. Leave it for 1 hour, then shampoo well and condition.

Yet another great use for coconut oil is as a delicious, gentle exfoliant - just mix it with a little sugar and rub into your body and face.

2. Eyelash and Eyebrow Tinting

Here are two tips that are great for days swimming and at the beach. No more running mascara and panda eyes when you step out of the pool!

Firstly, to really make your eyes pop, dye the lashes blue-black. Most people's eyelashes are naturally much lighter at the roots and tips, but this way you can leave the house looking like you are wearing mascara when you are not.

This procedure is a must for blondes, and its completely safe and pain free. Most beauty salons can help you with this - it takes around 20 minutes and lasts as long as 6 weeks.

Secondly, using eye brow pencil on your eyebrows will make them look thicker and more defined. Even if you're not wearing makeup, this will stop you getting that washed out look. It should only take you 5 minutes, and it lasts up to 6 weeks.

3. Blush

 This beauty trick takes less than a minute and can really give you a vibrant, healthy look.

 A quick dab of light cream blush with your fingers applied to where your cheeks naturally flush really adds some life to your face and gives a dewy, fresh look. 

4. Evian Water Spray

Here's a great pick-me-up for your skin. Its especially good when travelling by airplane in dehydrating and stagnant air, but its always a great last minute beauty tip to give you that extra edge.

A quick spray of Evian mist is very hydrating for the outer layers of your skin, and will give it an instantly youthful texture.

There are other brands of spray too so it doesn't have to be Evian. If you fly business class you'll often get a free one in your complimentary travel bag, so keep hold of it!

5. Dry Shampoo

If you want to get rid of greasy hair, but you don't have time to wash it, give dry shampoo a go. The ingredients in this product soak up the oil quickly and freshen up your hair.

Try Aveda Pure Abundance hair potion or Oscar Blandi Pronto dry shampoo. Or you can use baby powder as a cheap and easy alternative. Just sprinkle it on your roots, rub your head with a towel, and brush off.

6. De-Stress Yourself

Stress impacts your body in many negative ways, not least of which is your complexion. A few simple changes to your diet though, can do wonders for your stress levels.

Firstly, stay off the coffee as much as possible, as it can cause jitters and anxiety. Try relaxing drinks like Chamomile or Kava Kava instead.

Your lifestyle can also contribute to stress levels, so here are a few ideas to calm down when you get home. Meditation, Tai Chi and Yoga are excellent.

A hot bath, to soothing music and candlelight, will also reduce your stress levels no end. And if that doesn't work, try convincing your partner to give you a relaxing massage!

7. Neck, Chest, Hands!

Do you even notice someone with very youthful skin on their face, but then you see the aging signs on the neck, chest and hands? Most people spend lots of time on their complexion, but forget the rest of their body.

Your neck and shoulders can get almost the same amount of sun as your face, so you should give them the same protective treatment. Its particularly important to take care of your hands. When you drive they get exposed to the sun through your car windows, and activities like washing dishes can damage them too.

Make sure you pay lots of attention to these areas and you'll be thankful later. Try to apply a daily moisturizer of at least SPF 15.

8. Waxing

Waxing can be a bit uncomfortable - but it gets rid of unwanted hair. What many people don't realize is that it can be a great exfoliant too.

Waxing not only rips the hair out from the root, but also removes the very top layer of your skin, along with all the impurities that lie on the surface.

This is great before applying any self-tanning products as they will go on evenly without streaking. However, to avoid any irritation it’s best to wait 24 hours before applying these products.

9. Anti-Wrinkle Pillow

Try to sleep on your back as much as possible - sleeping on your side and stomach can cause wrinkles. Either way, think about getting yourself an anti-wrinkle pillow.

Silk and Satin are better than cotton. They are smoother and cause fewer of the sleep-lines that will eventually turn into wrinkles.

10. Lip Plumping Products

Instead of paying for expensive lip injections, why not try some lip plumping products first? Ingredients in these products cause the lips to swell, as well as decreasing the appearance of fine lines around the mouth.

The plumping effect is immediate, lasts up to 48 hours and doesn’t cause any irritation. The LipFusion, Maxolip, and Celebrity Pout brands are excellent.