Fashion & Clothing Blog

Prom Dress – Getting the Ideal Fit

fashiontrader — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 23:36:02 +0000

The truth is that most of us don’t fit the ideal of beauty that’s often set forth in magazine or television ads. We’re not super models, but each of our bodies is beautifully designed in a unique way. What does this mean when it comes to buying prom dresses? Alterations! If you need alterations for your prom dress, don’t worry. Many girls have to get alterations for various reasons. Maybe the waistline is a little too short or too long. Maybe the hemline is too long. Perhaps the bust area needs to be taken up or expanded. Alterations are a natural part of buying a prom dress, wedding dress, or any other type of formal wear, so you’re not alone.

Even if you’ve taken all the right measurements in all the right places, alterations may very well be a reality. Or, even if you’ve shopped around for the perfect material and colors for you, and even if you’ve tried on a similar dress before buying online – you might have to get alterations no matter how much you’ve tried to avoid it.

Think of eveningwear alterations as actually custom tailoring a prom dress to get the perfect fit for you. This doesn’t mean your body has an awkward size or shape. It simply means that prom dresses are often designed (or molded) to fit a certain body type, and no two persons are exactly alike.

When buying eveningwear online, take accurate measurements beforehand to reduce the number of alterations needed later. You’ll save time and money by requiring fewer alterations. This is money you can spend on prom dress accessories such as jewelry, shoes, hairpieces, make-up, gloves, etc.

Alteration Tips for Formal Dresses

Prom dresses are defined by their material, style, and ornamentation. The first thing to do if you need alterations is to find a tailor that knows how to work with the specific material of your prom dress. For instance, if your prom dress is made of silk, you’ll want an experienced tailor that knows all about working with silk material. Choose a seamstress that specializes in prom dress alterations for the best results. If your prom dress has special accents such as embroidery, beadwork, lace, floral patterns, or ruffles, be sure to ask how the alterations will affect the overall design of the dress. Some types of alterations can cause the patterns to look uneven, but an experienced prom dress tailor will know how to work around it.

Get a quote in writing before leaving your dress with the alterations person. A seamstress should be able to give a definite dollar amount before getting started. Alterations for formal dresses can be expensive, but getting a price up front will help you avoid a higher price later if complications arise.

For your alteration fitting, wear your prom shoes and the undergarments you plan to wear with your dress. This will allow the seamstress to obtain appropriate measurements without guessing. Take photos of your prom dress (front and back) before leaving it with the seamstress. This eliminates any possible accusations against you if the seamstress were to cause damage to the dress while it’s in her care.

Many online stores sell gorgeous prom dresses, homecoming dresses, gowns, formal dresses, and other types of eveningwear. Use your measurements to find a prom dress with the perfect fit – and don’t fret too much if you do happen to need alterations!

High-end Jeans for Children

fashiontrader — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:26:41 +0000

And you thought you already spent a fortune on kids’ clothes! Now, many of the hot designer denim labels have children’s jeans. Playground fashions will never be the same. Get a load of these premium jeans for lucky boys and girls.
Warning: Prepare yourself for price tag shock.

True Religion
True Religion jeans are the pinnacle of denim fashion. These super expensive jeans are hugely popular with celebrities including Jessica Simpson and Eva Longoria. And now, they come in pint-sized versions. Even the ultimate mini-fashionista, Madonna’s daughter Lourdes, has been spotted wearing her True Religion jeans all over London.

The True Religion children’s jeans feature TR’s trademark topstitched button-flap back pocket and the distressed style that they are famous for. Their unisex kids’ jeans are as well made as the adult versions and just as stylish with attention to trendy cuts such as low-rise waists and flared hems.

7 For All Mankind
If you never heard of 7 For All Mankind jeans then you probably haven’t read a magazine or watched TV in the past few years. These high-style jeans are huge! From celebrities to well-dressed soccer moms, everyone is clamoring for a pair of Sevens. Adult fans claim that Sevens make them look taller and thinner and therefore worth the $150 and up price tags.

Just like the grown-up versions, 7 for All Mankind’s children’s jeans use the back pockets to display works of thread art; each style of sevens exhibits a different back-pocket stitching including the original line and squiggle pattern. Kids’ Sevens are available from size 4 in both girls’ and boys’ styles.

Rock and Republic Kids
Rock and Republic Jeans are a favorite of adult celebrities like Britney Spears, Tyra Banks and Jessica Alba, but these rocking hot jeans aren’t just for big people any more. Now mini-fashionistas and too-cool dudes can look as cool as their favorite pop star in a pair of Rock and Republic jeans.

Diesel
Diesel is a forerunner in the urban-rustic look. Their jeans are famous the world round for their hip yet rugged look; their collections are simply massive including not only jeans but other trousers, tops, jackets and more. You name it, they have it. All of their clothing embodies a young, urban, rustic lifestyle.

Diesel kids’ jeans are just as funky and edgy as the adult Diesels. I promise you, there are no denim-like kids’ trousers in this collection. Their children’s collection is extensive and full of excellent, hip wear for cool urban kids.

Paper Denim and Cloth
These jeans are gaining popularity and notoriety as the definitive in luxury jeans. Paper Denim and Cloth prides themselves on creating jeans by blending contemporary American styling with premium imported denims and authentic hand finishing.” The high prices of their jeans are due to the limited number of jeans they create each year, spending more effort on quality and attention to detail rather than on high production yields.

Paper Denim and Cloth children’s jeans even come in 1yr size. Jr. doesn’t know a thing about high fashion, but that doesn’t mean he can’t wear it. These kiddie jeans include the same quality features that the adult versions do, including their famed needle back pockets and j-stitch detailing.

The Fun and Funky look for Girls

fashiontrader — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:12:07 +0000

The Fun and Funky Look is for the girl who has loads of personality and loves to stand out in the crowd. The best thing about this look is that it has no rules, limits or boundaries because it’s all about expressing her true personality. Achieving this look is easy; have fun pairing up patterns, bright colors and fun accessories to come up with a look that is 100% original.

What She’ll Need for the Look

Fun Tops
Any kind of top will work so long as it’s fun, bright and interesting. A plain top works if you are pairing it up with something else that is patterned. Let her pick her favorite design and look. Choose tees that have funny sayings or graphics. Layer pieces over one another for a look that has more depth.

Pants, Skirts or Shorts
Basic denim can be jazzed up with some personalization like worn-in holes at the knee or embellishments. Denim skirts are great for this look because it gives the wearer an opportunity to show off her funky socks and footwear.

Tights or Socks
Funky tights or socks are so much fun. My favorite are striped tights in wild colors. Look around for fun patterned tights and socks in bright colors, fun patterns or interesting textures.

Whatever Else She Likes
Anything she feels helps to express her fun and funky attitude is fair game for this look.

Choosing Accessories

Just about anything goes towards accessorizing a fun and funky outfit. Accessories are key to achieving this look. Some suggestions are:

Sequined Sashes
Brightly Colored Handbags or Backpacks
Hats
Ties
Make-it Yourself Jewelery
Shoelace Nametags or Baubles
Badges and Pins

Choosing Footwear

Choose fun shoes in bright colors like traditional Chuck Taylor All-stars, funky boots, funky pair of Mary Janes are too cute. For warmer months, pick up some cool sandals and flip flops in bright colors.

Selecting Denims for Kids

fashiontrader — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:05:22 +0000

Jeans. They are a staple of the modern wardrobe. Everyone wears jeans, especially kids. Parents love them because they match just about everything, making it easier to get kids dressed. Kids love them because they are comfortable and durable. Jeans are the perfect trousers for going to school, playing outside or just hanging out.

These days, however, jeans come in a multitude of washes, rises, cuts and fits. Reading the labels on jeans can get confusing. What does it all mean?

Wash

Wash refers to the color and finish of a pair of jeans.

Dark Wash
Dark washed jeans are the original denim; they are a deep indigo color and are often a bit stiff.
Stone Washed
These jeans are pre-washed and weathered to create a softer look and feel. The color is faded and the cotton in the jeans has a worn appearance.
Dirty Wash
Dirty washed jeans are like stone washed jeans in that they have been pre-washed to make them softer and to give them that worn-in look, but they have also been treated in a way that makes them appear dirty, or tinged beige, brown or khaki.
Distressed
Distressed jeans are highly faded and are finished off with holes, rips, tears and often fraying hems.

Rise

The rise on a pair of jeans determines how high or low the jeans will sit on the waist.

Classic Rise
This traditional denim look is quickly coming back in fashion. A classic rise comes right below or at the belly button.
High Waist
High waist jeans have a rise that comes above the belly button. For 2008-2009 we are seeing a few trouser style jeans with a high rise and wide pant leg.
Low Rise
Low rise jeans sit well below the belly button, above or just at the hip bones.
Ultra-Low Rise
These jeans sit even lower than low rise jeans, usually below the hip bones.

Cut

The cut of a pair of jeans refers to how the garment is shaped; this usually refers to the legs of the jeans.

Straight Leg
Straight leg jeans have a uniform fit from the top of the pant leg to the bottom. The bottom does not flare out, nor does it come in at the ankle.
Boot Cut
Boot cut jeans are slim in the thigh area and begin to angle out below the knee to make a moderately wide hem at the bottom.
Skinny
The skinny jean is tight throughout. These jeans usually have a higher percentage of elastic in the denim to keep them slim yet comfortable.
Flare Leg
Like boot cut jeans, flare leg jeans angle out below the knee, but much more so, creating a bell-like shape at the hem.

Length

The length of a jean determines where on the leg the hem will hit.

Classic Length
The hem on a classic length pair of jeans should come below the ankle and stop at the heel.
Ankle Length
Ankle length jeans should fit with the hem coming down to above the ankle bone.
Capri Length
Capris are short jeans, with the hem stopping at mid-calf level.

Fit

The fit of a pair of jeans refers to how the garment sits on the body; it especially refers to the seat and thigh area.

Slim Fit
Slim Fit jeans are tight in the seat and thigh area.
Regular Fit
Regular fit jeans are slim in the seat and thigh area, but are roomy enough to be comfortable.
Relaxed Fit
These jeans are roomy in the seat and thigh area, but not baggy.
Loose Fit
Loose fit jeans are very roomy and often baggy throughout.

The High Priced Shoes – Manolo Blahnik

fashiontrader — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 05:59:44 +0000

Who in their right mind would pay $500 for a pair of shoes? Apparently, a lot of women are willing. I am as crazy about shoes as the next woman, but how can something made of wood and leather cost so much? Isn’t a shoe just a shoe? But that doesn’t seem to be the case when one is discussing or wearing a pair of Manolo Blahniks. In the beginning when Manolo was just an upstart designer with Ossie Clark, only the most upper-class ladies wore them, but then a little show called Sex and the City and a nicely-heeled character named Carrie Bradshaw came along and opened the floodgates about expensive foot apparel. Carrie was happily obsessed with Manolo Blahniks and now so are we.

As it seems to happen to a lot of famous people, Monolo Blahnik wasn’t thinking about shoes as a career when he first started out. He had wanted to be a set designer for the theater. When he had a chance meeting with Diana Vreeland it gave him the opportunity to show her some of his theater sketches – and one of the sketches was a whimsical shoe design of his own making. “Go with the shoes,” Diana advised. “And forget the rest.” Manolo took her advice and by 1972 he had his first shoe collection. By the mid-seventies everyone knew about his shoes. Everyone in high fashion that is. Bianca Jagger, Princess Diana, Jackie Onassis and many other celebrities would all become faithful followers, but he was little known to the ordinary shoe-wearing American woman. It wasn’t until a certain quirky character named Carrie Bradshaw walked into television history in a pair of very high-heeled Manolo Blahniks that anyone West of Manhattan even knew what these shoes were. And once Carrie got mugged on the street by a thug who snarled, “Give me your purse…and your Manolo Blahniks!” audiences knew something must be special about those shoes.

But again I ask, “Is there any kind of shoe truly worth $500?” I don’t think I can answer that question. One who has the cash would say yes, but another with limited funds may ogle and fantasize about a classic pair of Mediterranean mules, but cannot and will not buy them. I believe the difference comes in workmanship. Manolo likes thing personal. He likes to look over and approve every shoe that is designed. He even has shoe lines dedicated to celebrity women. There is something quite compelling about a man who gives this much love to his art. Laugh if you want, but every detail of every shoe is given special attention. His philosophy for his shoe collections is simple, “occasional avant garde looks for the affluent few” and “good solid looks that will wear forever.” Perhaps that explains the price tag. Quality and attention rarely come cheap.

Another surprising fact is that for someone as well known as this designer it is rather amazing that he only has two shops for his shoes: one in London and the other in New York City. As you can probably guess, you will not see Manolo Blahnik with a line of shoewear at Target anytime soon. But this does not come from snobbery so much as it simply a part of Blahnik’s personality. He is not in this business for the quick fad or the shoe that will fall apart in a year’s time. He believes that it is unfair to have a woman pay for a shoe that she will not be able to wear next season. What Manolo does he does with love and true dedication. And it is that kind of quality in both the man and his shoes that makes the price tag a little easier to take.

Evolving Men’s Fashion Trends

fashiontrader — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 05:32:31 +0000

Fashion and clothing shopping has always been seen to be a women’s domain, something in which men until recently have not taken an active interest.
However for men, fashion and the pursuit of couture has always flitted in and out of favour. Think of the highly preened men of 17th century Europe with their puffed sleeves, lace collars and powdered wigs. Today men once again are interested in looking good, with roll models like David Beckham who enjoys shopping and has his own stylist – it is not ‘girly’ to want to wear cool clothes and be individual looking.
Having said that most men do not lust after fashion as obsessively as their female counterparts and this reluctance to hop aboad the fashion bandwagon has meant that large name retailers are having to reconsider their investment in their range of male clothing lines as men are simply not spendign enough money on clothes. Towards the end of 2001, ‘The Acadia Group’ in charge of some of the biggest names on the high street, including Topshop and miss selfridge, was to close the male departments of some of their biggest stores.
The managing director of Acadia claimed simply that “men are not spending enough”. Furthermore “we are unable to cater to a market that just isn’t interested” his point was fairly obvious -. If you don’t shop then we will focus on those that do.
However the Christmas holidays of 2001 was a bumper time for male fashion shopping, a stark contrast to the views expressed by Acadia as shops reported an increase in takings from their male departments
It seemed suddenly there was a rise in the number of males keen to spend their dosh. But why?
The trend can be attributed to many things including an increase in men’s style magazines and the changing patterns in the way designers are catering to male customers.
Homme and GQ are among the biggest selling magazines in the UK with FHM alone overtaking the sales of many women’s monthly magazines. As FHM et al increasingly feature fashion in their pages, they are unintentionally encouraging more men to adopt an attitude towards fashion, something they have not being previously forced to do.
Designers that originally designed for women only are beginning to introduce lines for men while high street giants such as Benetton and Gap now have extensive male sections.
Who knows how long the trend will last, but for the time being it seems we have seen an end to the time when women use to shop and their partners had no choice but to stand around. The industry’s changing attitude with the help of the media means that now while your partner shops, you can simply nip over to the male section to do some shopping of you own.