Mar

Deadly Fashion Trends

A lot of crazy fashions have come and gone (mullets, backwards clothing, anything Lady Gaga wears) but some fashions can actually have deadly consequences. This is a rundown of some of the most famous and deadly fashions through the ages.

The Crinoline

A crinoline is a steel structure designed to support a woman’s dress and give that dress a certain shape. In the mid-to-late 18^th century, crinolines became very popular across all classes, especially the middle class, and crinolines became wider and wider until they reached maximum capacity at 1.8 metres!

You’re probably wondering how these could be deadly, and the answer is- many ways. Wind was the biggest killer (not THAT kind), as gusts could swop under the crinoline and lift the wearer up and off to sea or off cliffs/ tall buildings. If you were whisked off into the sea, the sheer weight and way it was tied to the waist meant the poor wearer had no way of getting out and susquently they drowned. They were also known to knock over candles and catch light quickly and if there was any danger there was no way of getting away quickly or manoeuvring through tight doorways/ hallways etc.

The Corset

Corsets are used to pull in the waist and give the wearer an hourglass look, but there’s always someone who has to take a fashion too far.

Corsets were tight laced by servants and involved pulling the corset as tight as possible, which caused, over time, irreversible damage to the wearers insides. If you go to your bathroom and squeeze the middle of the toothpaste that simply shows you what corset wearers were doing to their body, anything in the middle would be squeezed either up or down into unnatural forms.

With breathing a major difficulty when wearing a corset, breaking a rib wasn’t uncommon and, in the 19^th century, this could prove deadly because of the poor medical treatment in those days.

Footbinding

Footbinding, also known as “lotus feet”, was very popular in China between the 10^th and 20^th centuries, especially for the upper class and it proved that the future husbands of these woman would be able to afford for the woman not to work.

When the girl was between 2-5 years old, before the arch of the foot had a chance to properly develop, her toes and arch were forcibly broken and then bandages were wrapped around the foot.

The common way people who had their feet bound could die would be from gangrene, although gangrene was seen as an attractive thing since it meant the toe might fall off and make the foot even smaller.

Dec

Felt and Fedoras: A Woman’s Fashion Guide to Winter 2012

Fall has been officially underway for quite some time, and now that temperatures are dropping and frost is settling over the wilting grass, the rapid countdown to winter is beginning. Of course, with the incoming of a new season comes the need for a whole new wardrobe, especially for women, and this winter is no different. Seasonal trends change rapidly, however, and they can get a bit confusing. To help you out, here is a full guide detailing all the trends of this season that will liven up your wardrobe and amp your self-confidence.

Fedora

There’s one accessory item that’s making a comeback this winter. First introduced for men on figures such as Indiana Jones and 1960′s businessmen, the fedora has made its way across the gender line throughout the decades. Fedoras are available for women in a variety of colours and materials, from pure white felt to trendy black satin. This winter, the classic pinch-front hat has been spotted on many female runway models and celebrities as a stylish completion to any outfit. Plus, they’re a perfect disguise for a dreadful bad hair day.

Leopard

As it has been for many years, leopard print is another big fashion trend this winter. Lately, the classic sexy pattern has been showing up on everything from pencil skirts and pants to hats and hand bags. Furthermore, less seems to be more with leopard this season. In addition to full outfit pieces sporting the pattern, jungle spots are rocking smaller positions too, such as the ribbon on a hat or a sash stripe down a dress.

Denim

A trend that began attracting positive notice at the start of fall and whose popularity has only snowballed as winter begins overtaking autumn, the fabric denim shirt is a sporty, easy fashion piece that’s lining the shelves of everywhere from Target to Miley Cyrus’s personal closet. A comfortable variation on the summer hit of classic denim jackets, fabric denim shirts are fabulous because they can be worn with anything, from a delicate dress to a bright scarf. Versatile, casual, and feminine too, fabric denim shirts are a definite must-have this winter.

Footwear

As the air grows colder, it’s important to keep your feet covered and warm. Rather than the regular fur-lined boots of winters past, this winter is amping it up and transferring the fur from the inside to the out. Adorable suede boots with fur designs lining the outside of the shoe are a huge hit this season. Flats are perfectly acceptable for this trend, but for the brave ladies out there, sky-high stilettos match fabulously with this adorable snow bunny trend.

When it comes to the colors and patterns that can be seen on every outfit element this winter, all bets are off. Like most frigid seasons, pure, snow white is a definite yes. However, classy black, cool blue, and neon orange are also trending now. As for patterns, a feminine twist on traditional camouflage and any sort of geometric design are the ones to beat.

No matter your usual style, there’s something for everyone in the big book of fashion for winter 2012. Black Friday’s approaching, so hit the stores and find something that screams “trendy you.”

Nov

Trends for Fashion Jewellery in Winter 2012

They say that the only constant thing in this world in change. Significantly, same goes with fashion jewellery. As years and seasons pass, the trend for jewellery also changes. It clearly shows how people are so versatile even with the slightest detail of jewelleries.

Now that winter 2012 is about to set in, people out there are surely looking forward to the much awaited revelation of desirable fashion jewellery for winter 2012.

Winter 2012 Fashion Jewellery

Surprisingly, the fashion jewellery for this year’s winter is somehow patterned to last year’s trend. According to jewellery experts, desirable fashion jewellery for winter 2012 can be at most described as fun, exciting, and versatile.

This year’s winter season will definitely be filled with hot pieces of jewellery that will certainly bring fire to winter season’s cold feel.

Much more than 2011′s winter jewellery collection, winter 2012 will be brighter and bolder, and people should be ready to see pieces that are futuristic, exotic and bizarre that will definitely come in unexpected colour combinations.

Future Inspired Jewelleries

Among the desirable fashion jewellery for winter 2012, futuristic pieces are expected to capture the hearts of many. Pieces of jewelleries that are created and designed in accordance to the future are usually created using heavy metal, stone and plastic materials.

What makes this piece perfect for 2012 winter is the fact that it brings glamour and exotic, all in one piece. Even if you are in your thick winter clothing, you will definitely be rocking your look through these future inspired jewelleries.

Floral Jewellery

“More exotic, more fashionable.” That is the rule for spotting desirable fashion jewellery for winter 2012. Floral jewelleries are perfect examples. Floral pieces can come in the form of long necklaces, rings, bracelets or brooches. Regardless of what materials they are made of, floral jewelleries can definitely bring more life to your winter clothing by adding flirty, yet soft vibe in it.

Jewelleries out of Faux Feathers

Feather inspired jewelleries actually started to bloom in the late 2011, but started to gain popularity in the second quarter of 2012. Experts believe that feathered jewelleries will reach its climax in winter 2012.

Feather jewelleries come in striking and bold colours, and are usually made into explicit necklace or earrings, often paired with sophisticated metal chains. Winter clothes are usually made out of solid colours and by wearing long and colourful feathered necklace, you are certainly adding a punch to your winter outfit.

Amber Jewellery

Desirable fashion jewellery for winter 2012 is ideally made out of exotic materials, thus making amber jewellery a perfect piece for this year’s winter.

Amber jewelleries are precious pieces that are usually made out of an all-natural material known as Baltic amber. What makes it famous among jewellery enthusiasts is that it is believed to relieve symptoms of some diseases like arthritis, anxiety, and tooth aches for babies.

For this year’s winter, the uniqueness of handcrafted amber jewelleries that comes in bizarre geometric shapes and bold colours are definitely going to stand out. Beaded hand crafted pieces like amber necklace, earrings and rings can definitely create an exotic, yet class and sophisticated appeal that would definitely go well with your winter clothes.

Sep

How To Choose A Wedding Dress

Is your wedding date knocking at the doors? Then, you are probably the happiest person on earth. You need to be certain that you look best in this treasured event of your life. Hence, the most important thing that needs attention is the wedding dress. You must choose one that is stylish, sober and harmonizes perfectly well with your wedding theme. The key factor is that you should look like a princess and gain appreciations. So, here the tips that you must keep in mind while selecting your wedding dress:

Set your budget

Wedding dresses are available in a range of price tags. While some may appear extremely costly, others may be too cheap for you. So, the most important thing is to set your budget first. This will help you to focus on the best deals and best brands that come within your affordable range.

Prioritize upon the theme

Although the basic colour of wedding dress is white, ecru and ivory, a theme wedding will demand a specific colour scheme and style. So, before buying a bridal wear always think whether you will be tie the wedlock in a conventional way, or plan to go for a beach wedding, or it is a theme wedding. If for example you are considering castle weddings, think about the backdrop or decoration of the castle and how that ties in with your dress. You might choose to go more traditional for venues such as churches or castles, or more modern if your theme is a little left of centre! The selection of your wedding dress will depend on that.

Pay attention to the accessories

You will never look perfectly prepared for the occasion unless your bridal accessories match with your wedding dress. This applies to your jewelry, footwear, hair accessories as well as your wedding day makeup. So, keep in mind all these things when you go for purchasing your bridal wear. If you are not careful, even the prettiest and costliest bridal gown will look mismatched with your overall appeal.

Be careful about the fit

When you intend to buy a wedding dress for yourself, it is vital that you must be aware of your body structure and size. Never get swayed by the look of a bridal trousseau as it might never fit you! Always insist upon giving a trail before making the final purchase. Go for the dress that can be easily worn and taken out. A tip of advice in this case is that the bridal wear should be smaller than your regular outfit as it is a fitted garment. Thus, if your regular ready to wear is of size 6 then you may need size 10 for wedding dress.

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/229940/how-choose-your-wedding-dress/@center/272419/youre-engaged#/98972

Think about your silhouette

After your body shape and size comes your silhouette. While some women have pear shaped body, others might have an hour glass shape, and yet other might be busty and hefty. So, you should always do extensive research on this before making the final buy. For instance, pregnant brides can hide their baby bumps with empire waist gowns. These are usually made from light weight fabrics that have flared structure right below the bust line. Hence, pregnant bellies never protrude out when women wear bridal dresses of such a fashion. Similarly, ball gowns look good on almost every bride except those brides who are very short. Women with flaws in their lower body can choose A-line wedding dresses as they hide the defects of the lower torso most wisely.

Take the season into account

The season of your wedding also determines the type of bridal gown you would choose. Things like the length of the gown, basic material and style are the major factors that are connected with the season of nuptial. Thus, if your wedding date falls on the hottest summer months then it is always wise to stick to bridal gowns that are made from natural fabrics. These fabrics are breathable and prevent discomfort even when you wear the same throughout the day. Similarly, bridal dresses with additional sheath and faux or fur trimmings can be comfortable for a winter wedding.

Have a talk with the expert

After taking into consideration all the factors for choosing the right wedding dress you might still remain bewildered! This is the case with a lot of women as they do not want to take any chance with their bridal dress. In such a case it is always wise to consult experts. You can either visit a boutique that deal with bridal wears, or take the consultations of bridal wear designers, or look for brands that are renowned for bridal wears. Hence, you can always be certain that your buy will be the perfect one.

http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/lifestyle/best/8216/8/tips-for-choosing-your-wedding-dress.html

Aug

How Much Should A Groom Spend On A Wedding Suit?

A wedding is one of the most important events in life. It marks a major transition from one status to another, and gives you the freedom to enjoy some of the privileges only preserved by the married. These privileges do not come easily, and you definitely will have to break a sweat in order to successfully achieve this goal. In an effort to celebrate with friends and family, you end up incurring huge costs on invitations, transportation, reception as well as food and drinks. Other expenditures incurred during weddings include the cost of wedding suit and dress, wedding ring, cake, flowers, DJ, photographer and gifts. The wedding planner also deserves a pay, which should be budgeted alongside other costs. The amount you spend is determined by a number of factors, and so you have the freedom to spend as much or as little as you desire.

Factors determining the cost of the wedding suit
The amount a groom spends on his wedding suit is determined by a number of factors. First, the theme of the wedding is a major factor in determining the cost of the suit. A groom should wear an appropriate tux that is consistent with the wedding theme. The design and colours of the suit is determined by the wider wedding theme, which should have been discussed thoroughly between him and his bride. The input of wedding planners cannot be overlooked, though. Different designs cost differently, and so this is one of the major factors that determine the amount that the groom spends on his suit.

Secondly, the designer, manufacturer or supplier also plays a major role in setting the price. Your preferred supplier will however have the upper arm in determining how much you should spend on the suit, and this will remain fixed unless you change suppliers. Ordering for the wedding clothes in bulk can help you save a lot of cash on trade discounts. If you feel that the price of your suit is too high, you can always carry out a price comparison to check whether there are cheaper options, but beware not to compromise on the quality. Shopping online can be quite hopeful when it comes to price. By eliminating the third parties, you are able to spend less on your wedding suit.

The fabric of the suit can also affect the cost. Some fabrics are very expensive, while others are cheaper. If you have a wedding planner, choosing the right fabric for your wedding suit is very easy. However, you need to understand that this is your great day and being smart is a must; spend a few bucks and save your face from embarrassment or even the possibility of losing the love of your life.

Your overall budget should also give an estimate on the amount you should spend on your wedding suit. For instance, if it is a huge ceremony and you have all the money, you can go for a more expensive piece and vice versa. Similarly, do not buy a cheap suit for an expensive ceremony.

The environment dictates most of the activities we engage ourselves in. a royal wedding, for instance, deserves an expensive suit that reflects the royalty therein. On the other hand, a wedding at the heart of Kalahari Desert during an African adventure safari should be celebrated n the most appropriate gown, probably a leopard patched pair of pants and short sleeved shirt; this should be cheaper than the suit worn by a prince during a royal wedding.

Finally, your preferences also determine the amount you spend on the suit. If you choose to rent a suit, you will part with approximately 180 dollars on average. However, a new tux may cost 1000-2000 dollars depending on the factors discussed above. If you are lucky, you can find good discounts on new suits. Some people have confessed to have bought new wedding suits for as little as 300 dollars during a special sale.

In conclusion, a groom can spend as much as he wants on his wedding suit. Many factors will have to be considered before buying the suit, and these factors may either increase or reduce the wedding suit cost. The amount you spend on your suit affect the entire wedding budget, and so it is advisable to evaluate all the options available before making the purchase decision.

Jul

Wearing Top Designer Sunglasses is Cheap

So, you are looking to buy designer sunglasses that do not make you part with £300. We know the story. Read on.

Apart from celebrities who have money to burn, most of us are looking to get the best at lowest prices. But the truth is that designer wear does not come cheap. It is a catch, just like our headline. But we will be true to you and list the top 5 designer sunglasses brands that are expensive and make you look hotter than you already are. If you have £300, better make sure you get value for it. As an added bonus, we will also tell you what the brand will say about you. Lucky you.

Ray-Ban (You are stylish and economical)

This is the most popular designer brand among people who love to save a little on every buy. Ray-Ban speaks of style, comfort and affordability. Their sunglasses come in such a vast variety of shapes and sizes that you might not need to try twice to get the perfect fit. If you wear glasses, they have prescription sunglasses that shield your eyes from sunrays and give you that extra oomph.

Gucci (Fashionistas, take note)

Gucci, a name synonymous with innovation and sophistication, offers shades that are trendy and sleek. They go well for an eclectic and varied wardrobe. Gucci sunglasses offer high-quality and serious style. They give you a different yet classy look. If you feel like a superstar, add a Gucci shade to your collection. Remember that superstars do not look at the price tag.

Roberto Cavalli (You are bold and rich)

If you are looking for something dramatic and different, you can look through the collection of Roberto Cavalli. These Italian made sunglasses come in diverse patterns and styles. Widely popular, Roberto Cavalli is for those who wear bold designs that are sophisticated and elegant.

These sunglasses are so unique that it will make people look twice at them and you. In three words, Roberto Cavalli is bold, sophisticated and modern.

Burberry (Ultra-modern, living life celebrity style)

Burberry’s signature check will always stay in fashion. The brand is reincorporating its iconic check pattern with bold colours and more detailing, and coming up with colourful versions of its signature sunglasses. If you are a Facebook addict, know that Burberry has over one million followers on Facebook. It ranks as seventh most popular brand on Facebook!

Apart from its signature check pattern, you can go for other chic designs of Burberry that spell style.

Oakley (You are hot!)

Men will kill for Oakley sunglasses. Maybe that is because Oakley sunglasses have been seen in movies such as Blade II, Spider-Man, X-Men series, The Rise of Cobra and Wanted. If you see a man with Oakley, you know he is rich and hot.

Accept it. Designer Sunglasses Do Not Come Cheap

Usually, you will think about the money you will spend and save on designer sunglasses only till you enter the store and see them. Once you are in, you cannot get out without a pair. That is true not only for women. Designer sunglasses are designed to be bought and worn and enjoyed, and bought once more. Give in to your temptation; that is the only way to cure it.

Because designer glasses are not only about style, but also protection to the eyes and comfort, consider them a good buy. They will serve you till you get bored of them. If your £300 buy can make you feel hot and high on more than one occasion, can we call it economy?

Jul

Ray-Ban 75th Anniversary

Without a doubt, Ray-Ban is one of the most celebrated designer sunglasses in the world. This year, the iconic brand celebrates its 75^th anniversary and in honour of this monumental event, two of its most popular models have been redesigned. The Shooter and the Outdoorsman will be produced with photo-chromatic yellow lenses. The magic of these lenses is that they will become darker as the light it is exposed to gets brighter.

These sunglasses will be limited in their production as celebratory pieces to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the brand. The first pair of Ray-Bans debuted in 1937 and it has only managed to become more popular since then. This can be attributed to the signature design of the brand that never seems to go out of style. It is popular amongst people from all walks of life; from the famous to the faceless, from the middle class to the elite.

The limited collection of aviators carries the campaign slogan “Legends Never Hide”. Curved temple tips are the trademark of the Shooter and the Outdoorsman. Again, as mentioned earlier, the sunglasses will darken with the brightening of light. Temperature also affects the darkening of the amber lenses. In 1978, Ray-Ban introduced this technology to the world of sunglasses.

Only 18,000 pairs will be produced all around the world. These sunglasses are now on sale at select Ray-Ban stores globally. Some A-list celebrities that have been to known rock Ray-Ban aviators include:

Megan Fox
Kate Moss
Tom Cruise
Jessica Alba
Angelina Jolie
Johnny Depp

Who knows, they may just pick up a pair of these limited-edition Ray-Bans to commemorate the brand’s 75 years of existence.

The ad campaign for Ray-Ban features two men holding hands in a 1940’s setting. This ad has likely raised its fair share of controversy as most gay-related ads do but it is in line with Ray-Ban’s headline, “Never Hide”.

The ad featuring the two gay men is only one of many set to be launched by Ray-Ban in commemoration of their 75^th anniversary. Some of the featured unconventional icons include Mark Seliger, Raymond Swalley, Taylor Mead, and Norman Blagman.

History of Ray-Ban

Ray-Ban was originally owned by eye health supplier Bausch & Lomb. The original pairs produced by the brand were meant for the United States Army Air Corps. In 1999, Ray-Ban was sold by Bausch & Lomb to Luxottica. It was allegedly sold for $640 million.

Ray-Bans began to grow in popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. This was when actors like Kim Novak and Marilyn Monroe would don Wayferers in the public eye. Soon, icons like James Dean, John F. Kennedy, Roy Orbison, and Bob Dylan also followed suit. Ray-Bans also began to appear in movies.

Over half a century later, the brand continues to emerge as one of the most cutting-edge yet classic names in the industry. Its “Never Hide” campaign kicked off in March 2007. Its slogan encourages its clientele to “Never pretend. Never be afraid. Never give up. Never Hide”. The goal of the campaign was to inspire people to be authentic and to live without fearing what other people might think. The campaign garnered the participation of renowned bands like Guns N’ Roses and Two Door Cinema Club.

Ray-Ban offers a variety of lenses for its diverse customers. These include:

advanced polycarbonate lenses
B-15 XLT lenses
G-15 XLT lenses
polarised lenses
photo chromic lenses

One of the reasons Ray-Ban is so popular probably has to do with the wide range of frames, colours, styles and shapes that it offers. There is something for everyone to choose from: http://www.selectspecs.com/Sunglasses/Designer/Ray-Ban/d43/

May

How to be a Successful Photographer

If you plan on doing any photo shoots for your latest clothing line then you might think about hiring a photographer. But wait, photographers aren’t cheap, why don’t you have a go at it yourself? Read on to see how you can turn into a successful photographer yourself.

Just what is photography? Through photos, we preserve some of the best memories such as our childhood days, our beautiful moments and so forth. We use photography during the inaugurations of incoming presidents or small and big occasions. Photographs give an overview of places we have never been. Photographing come through making decisions and fascinating photos come through making major decisions.

Maybe you are amused and passionate about pictures and images and want to be part of some of the best photographer’s around. Whether for fun or profession you need to have quality and fascinating images. Pursuing the activity of your dream is only for you and no one else’s. If you are enthusiastic about photo taking, let no one stand in your way. Letting your ambition dampened by some people who are not quickly responsive to your photography clearly to me means giving in. choosing an early exit on what you want to specialize in simply because its easy to be sucked from well paying jobs and those that are easy to acquire. You could end up finding yourself in not so compelling photography or one that you don’t want. Be certain and focused about what you want to do.

Getting into photography depends whether you want to work for someone or not. You can take an online course that could help with some of the basics. You can even attend events that requires photo taking and make some friends with one or two well skilled photo men and women. If you are looking to take some college courses, you can speak to a few universities and get some knowledge about their entry requirements. You could also call some of the professional bodies or call local photographer and find out what helped them. Other convenient places are clubs. There are local photo clubs where you can go and find some help on how to sharpen your photo skills. Be aggressive enough; go for books or magazines that offer some helpful skills and techniques.

There are dozens of good and easy to use cameras for new inexperienced photographers to begin with. Many digital manufactures do have simple and easy to use cameras that you can easily begin with. Nikon, cannon among others have different models of cameras. An example is Nikon D5000. This photo camera allows you to frame your photo when holding your camera right above your head and down at your waist. Others include Canon EOS rebel T3i, Pentax K-x and Sony digital cameras like the alpha X-5 among others.

Perhaps you are asking yourself now that I have a camera with me, what should I do? Well you can start by rehearsing with easy to photograph pictures of your family members, your beautiful pet, the landscape of your place and so forth before picking up big tasks. You will slowly pick up and in a matter of weeks you will be making great progress. Remember Rome was not build in a day. Everything beautiful you see around is as a result of hard work and determination.