Metallic

How to Wear Metallic Clothing

Metallic

Metallics are unique fabrics and finishes that make for some unforgettable items of clothing. While for the most part, metallics are predominantly found in accessories like jewelry, belts, shoes and purses, they can also be found in clothing items as a part of the design or as the color of the attire. Knowing how to wear metallics will make your ensembles look great, help you stand out from the crowd and at the same time not be too over the top.

The number one rule of wearing metallics is to keep it to only one metal at a time. If you choose a bronze item, don’t try to pair it with gold or silver. If you choose to wear a metallic look in any color, stick with that one color and don’t try to put it together with other metallic finish colors. Also, avoid head to toe metallic at all costs. It is inevitably a look that will make you resemble a space alien.

Another of the most important things to remember when it comes to metallics is to keep it simple. Match one metallic wardrobe item with solid colors and simple fabrics. Resist the temptation to go overboard with accessories or prints. It will make you look too busy. Build your outfit around the metallic item, because it will inevitably draw the most attention.

Metallics are particularly good for certain occasions. Holiday wear and metallics go hand in hand as an abundance of metallic clothing items find their way onto the store racks during the holiday season. Trim for fancy dress is often done in metallic tones to add extra glitz and glamour. This type of metallic use is definitely not for everyday casual wear. When looking for special occasion wear, you will also find more metallic hues.

This is not to say that metallics cannot be found year round. In fact, some casual T-shirts can be found with metallic hues in the design. Such T-shirts are often seen as a little dressier than usual tees. In addition, metallic wardrobe additions are found amongst the more risqué items that one would wear to a nightclub. The junior section of department stores or certain boutiques that cater to college age and younger girls will tend to carry metallic items specifically for clubbing and special events.

One solid piece of advice about metallics is that if you are unsure about metallic clothing items, gravitate towards accessories that are metallic. They will add glamour to your ensemble and help pull an outfit together for a special occasion or just a night out. Metallic accessories are a safe bet that can easily be changed. You can quickly add or take them away from an outfit to completely change up the look you are trying to achieve.

Put your metallics knowledge to work for you as you put together your own style and your own outfits for everyday and for those special times. Add a little glamour to your outfits with metallic accessories or create a splash with a piece of metallic attire for that memorable event. Use metallics wisely and your wardrobe will thank you for it.

Pool party

What to Wear to a Pool Party

Pool party

If you are heading out to a pool party you will find that it is quite easy to find the right outfit. Pool parties are intended to be fun, relaxing occasions filled with unstructured activity. You are meant to just enjoy good weather, being outside and socializing. Don’t worry about finding the perfect outfit to wear to a pool party, because pretty much anything goes. Whether you opt for shorts and a tee, something dressier or simply your swimsuit and a cover up, you will fit right in, because pool parties are the ultimate in casual party atmospheres.

Be sure to bring a cover-up to wear while at the pool party. You will inevitably not want to spend all your time in the pool and it is usually more appropriate to don a cover-up while dining or if you need to go inside to a bathroom. On a personal note, you may feel more comfortable when talking with others if you are wearing a cover-up, as opposed to a leave-nothing-to-the-imagination bathing suit. In addition, if you are planning to sunbathe, a light colored cover-up that provides some sun protection is a great option for when you’ve had enough of the sun’s rays.

Depending on what you typically wear, you may want to opt for a fun, flirty sundress as the perfect outfit for a pool party. You can either wear your bathing suit beneath it or bring it along in a beach bag, so you can change when you want to go swimming or sunbathing. If you prefer a more sporty or casual look, a T-shirt and shorts is the way to go. You can choose any type of T-shirt from a simple elegant one of high quality fabric or a cotton tee with a snappy remark on it. Whatever your choice, you can’t go wrong with a T-shirt at a pool party. In fact, you can even bring an extra one along in a size larger than usual to use as a cover-up.

Footwear is an important part of what to wear to a pool party. Good advice on poolside footwear is flip flops or other easy to put on sandals which have good grips on the soles. Shoes which have smooth soles will easily cause falls when combined with a wet deck. Avoid closed shoes because your feet will get too warm and you may ruin good shoes if you get them wet from the pool. Easy to slip on shoes are good choices because you are more likely to wear them the entire time you are poolside. This will protect you from exposure to germs.

No matter how you choose to outfit yourself, there are some important things to bring to a pool party. Make sure you have your bathing suit and a change of clothing. Bring a towel or two. Wear and bring along a high-number sunscreen and clothes that will provide a barrier to the sun when you are finished sunbathing. Wear a hat or sunglasses to protect your eyes.   Regardless of what you wear to a pool party, remember to relax and have fun. It’s summertime!

Find Your Mojo with Boho – How to Dress Bohemien

Fashion has frequently embraced the Bohemian style, with its exotic and free-spirited way of thinking. This style has a lot of history behind it, but today it’s all about layering, luscious fabrics, rich colors and eye-catching accessories. The best part of the style is that it highlights your own uniqueness and creativity, allowing for a fun expression of individual style through fashion.

“Bohémien” was a term which first emerged in nineteenth century France to describe immigrants who had come to that country from Bohemia, in the Czech region of central Europe. The French Bohemians lived in the lower class gypsy neighborhoods are were known as artists and creators. In Europe, Bohemians were associated with unorthodox social and political views. In more modern times, the term  is often shortened to “Boho” and refers to those who live a non-conforming, impoverished and generally artistic lifestyle.

As it relates to fashion, the Bohemian style conveys an attitude of freedom, independence and appreciation for beauty. The “hippie” look of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s included many elements of this style. The Bohemian look reflects a very relaxed and earthy feel, with flowing fabrics and multiple layers. Materials and accessories are usually made from natural materials such as cotton, linen, wood, stones and leather. Handmade items are popular, as are beads on jewelry, purses, belts and other accessories. Vintage jewelry and similar items always work well with the Bohemian look.

To find your own Bohemian style, begin by studying fashion magazines to develop your own sense of fashion. Study women who are considered fashionable, and what sets them apart from other people. While all fashion icons don’t have Bohemian style, they do follow their own fashion sense. For some examples of modern Bohemian style, check out pictures of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, Chloe Sevigny and Mischa Barton.

Be an individual. Boho style embraces individuality, not just sandals and flowing skirts. There are no guidelines to follow when dressing Bohemian, other than your own inspiration. The point is to find fashions that you love, and put them together in a way that expresses your unique personality.

Be creative. Don’t go with the obvious trends in fashion. The fun part about dressing with Bohemian style is that pieces do not have to match. They should layer well together, but there are no rules when creating your own ensembles. Don’t be afraid to mix it up as you experiment with what works (and what doesn’t). Fortunately there won’t be any paparazzi to photograph your fashion bloopers for all the world to see!

Accessories, accessories, accessories. Accessories are a vital part of the Bohemian style, from berets to shoes. Layer on necklaces of natural stone and beads, the chunkier and more unusual the better. Bags, especially those of leather or fabric, are a great addition to the boho look. Boots are another Bohemian staple, and are versatile enough to wear with skirts and jeans.

Dressing with Bohemian style is a fun way to express yourself while being fashionable and comfortable.

Kris Allen

How to Dress Like Kris Allen

Kris Allen

American Idol contestant Kris Allen has developed his own fashion style while making his way to the top of the AI finalist list. His wardrobe blends traditional college frat boy with polished professional, resulting in a hip look worthy of emulation.

Kris’ wardrobe choices certainly contrast with those of his fellow Idol rocker, Adam Lambert, making him stand out as the handsome all-American rocker. While Adam seems to channel his inspiration from a creepy combination of Boy George, Trent Reznor and Raoul from “Phantom of the Opera,” Kris Allen’s style is much more approachable. He’s the hot guy on campus with just the right touch of rebel, which is what you’d expect from a 23-year-old student at the University of Central Arkansas who has been singing and playing guitar since he was 13. He’s someone you wouldn’t mind taking home to meet the parents. Adam, on the other hand, would be best left at the rock concert.

So how do you imitate Kris Allen’s laidback yet polished style? It shouldn’t be hard for most guys who visit Gap, Abercrombie and American Eagle occasionally, as long as they’re willing to throw a little James Dean into the mix.

Tailored jackets. Tailored jackets are an essential part of the Kris Allen look, whether paired with a simple t-shirt or over a white shirt for a more dressed-up look.

Well-fitted jeans with an edge. Most guys buy their jeans too big, so they never get to show off that really great masculine shape that comes from a slimmer jean that fits in all the right places. Kris’s style is complemented perfectly by great jeans, such as the pair of Joe’s Jeans he wore on a recent episode of American Idol. The distressing on the jeans adds a bit of edge to the look, and contrasts with his cleaner wardrobe selections.

Button-up shirts. The button-up shirt in various styles and patterns adds a clean look to Kris’s style.

Fun t-shirts. No college kid can live without them, and Kris’s look includes layers using tees with interesting patterns and logos. Try different necklines under button-ups for various style combinations.

Minimal accessories. A modest necklace and maybe a bracelet or two will enough jewelry to finish off the Kris look.

Cool shoes. Sneakers, boots and anything that works for a cool college guy will coordinate with Kris’s look.

Messy hair. Kris’s tousled hair can work for any guy. Just let the hair grow out a bit and leave it all one length, with a bit of extra length on the sideburns, then add gel and mess it up. It’s a simple, foolproof look that wins over the ladies every time.

Adam Lambert

How to Dress Like Adam Lambert

Adam Lambert

Since the beginning of Season 8 of American Idol, Los Angeles native Adam Lambert has shaken things up. The 26-year-old complements his incredible vocals with a personalized style that’s part sophisticated, part punk, and all cool.

Adam began singing and performing at the age of 10, so he’s had lots of time to perfect his unique image. Recently he was hired as a cast member and understudy for the role of Fiyero in the national tour of the Broadway hit musical “Wicked.” In 2004, Adam portrayed the role of Joshua in the pop-rock version of “The Ten Commandments” which ran briefly at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. While that opera did not sit well with critics, Adam still managed to catch the eye of a reviewer who noticed that he was the production’s “most consistent crowd-wower.”
Even if you don’t have Adam Lambert’s amazing singing talent, grand stage presence and overall charm, you can still dress the part. Here are a few tips for how to knock off his polished, theatre-inspired look.

•    Mix it up with interesting layers and textures. From leather to clunky metals to silky scarves, the Adam look is all about pushing the envelope. Experiment with your own combination of clothing and accessories, such as mixing Goth-inspired jewelry with a velvet jacket and leather cowboy boots.

•    Tight jeans. They’re not 80’s spandex jeans, but they’re close. Check out your local department store to see if they have skinny styles in the men’s department. Adam even sported a more classic look, white Levi’s 501® Originals, when he performed “Mad World” on American Idol.

•    Tailored jackets. A boxy yet tailored jacket gives Adam lots of bulk on top, setting off those well-fitted jeans below. Just stick to black or neutral colors.

•    Retro suits. A tailored suit with a somewhat vintage styling is perfect when performing Adam’s smash vocals. Check out this Just Cavalli suit.

•    Metallic jewelry and punk accessories. Raid the thrift store for chunky vintage necklaces, rings and interesting bracelets. Leather is a popular punk look, such as this pair of black fingerless gloves that scream Adam. Zipper details are great too.

•    Big hair. While Adam’s ironed and dyed locks may take a while to catch on among the manly man crowd, the Adam look won’t be complete without some sort of bedhead going on. Slap on some gel and tousle your hair up, and you’ll be well on your way. Just don’t try the Elvis look unless you’re headed to a Vegas lounge or a costume party.

•    Makeup. Guyliner and “man”scara in blackest black are essential to achieve the complete Adam Lambert imitation. And don’t even think about leaving home without the black nail polish.

Online dating

What to Wear on First Date with Someone I Met Through Online Dating

Online dating

As everyone knows, the object if dating is to get to know a person well. Misrepresenting yourself is a bad idea if you want your date to get to know the real you. However, the first impression that your date has of you is extremely important. For this reason, the first date is a time to make yourself look your best, even if you usually don’t put as much effort into your clothing. You want to make an effort not just to make yourself look good, but so that your date sees that you respected him or her enough to make that effort.

Women

For women, there are a great number of choices that can make you look your best for this date. One of the most important things to remember is that if the clothes aren’t flattering, they aren’t the best choice. Even if they look great on the hanger, they may not look great with your particular figure type.
Play up your best features and build up features that aren’t as good. If you have a long neck, wear a necklace that attracts attention to it, and wear a detailed collar to draw the eye upward. If you have a short neck, wear a shirt or dress that has a v-neck in order to make your neck look longer. If you’re tall, wear something short to show off your long legs. If you’re short, wear high heels to appear taller.

If your date won’t take place in a dressy place, a simple knee-length skirt in a flirty pattern paired with a simple, solid-colored shirt is always a good choice. It can be dressed up or down with accessories. If the date will be very casual, it can be worn with sneakers for a fun, casual look.

If the date is a dressy dinner date, a dress that is not too low cut is a nice way to dress for a first date. A long black dress is appropriate for just about any occasion, and it’s slimming to every figure. Pair it with your favorite jewelry and a pair of heels and you’ve got a simple but attractive first date outfit.

Men

For men, the choices are usually between jeans and slacks for a first date. Unless your date will take place outdoors, the most respectful thing to wear to show that you have put effort into your appearance for your date is a nice pair of tan or khaki pants. This can be worn with a simple t-shirt for a casual date or you can pair it with a button-up shirt for a dressier date.

Wearing shorts to a first date, unless it is an extremely casual occasion, is generally not what will make the best impression. However, for a causal date, sneakers may be appropriate footwear. If you are going to a dinner date, wear dressy shoes to match the rest of your outfit and your date will know that you made the effort to make a good impression.

Shia LaBeouf

How to Dress Like Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeouf is a casual dresser who always manages to look like he’s just thrown something on, but the results are something that has a special style that is instantly recognized as his. His primary style is one that is slightly retro, with a casual 50’s feel. Shia enjoys wearing clothing that looks vintage and that creates his own unique style.

Suits

When Shia attends a formal occasion that requires dressing up, he often wears a dark suit that is highly tailored. Like the tiny suits of the 50’s, he prefers a tight fitting jacket, skinny pants and a thin tie. He has been seen many times in a black suit with a thin black tie and a light-colored button-up shirt under the jacket. To get this look, try separates that are the same shade of black. The shirt can be white, off-white, or it can have a thin plaid pattern, as Shia has worn before.

For some occasions, Shia wears a thin tie, a button-up shirt and a vest in place of a suit jacket. This look is easy to get by pairing separates that have similar colors that don’t precisely match. For one of his vest looks, pair faded black jeans with a dressy shirt and a deep black best. Finish off this look with a skinny black tie. When dressed up, Shia almost always has his sleeves rolled up to his elbow. Even when he has a suit jacket on, he rolls up the sleeves of the jacket and shirt together for a retro 50’s look.

Another variation on this look is to wear a black sweater in place of a suit jacket. He has done this for award shows and other dressy occasions, and he rolls up the sleeves of the sweater and shirt just as he does when he wears other dressy outfits. To get this same look, find a black sweater with retro lapels, and wear it with dark pants, a dark tie and a light-colored button-up shirt.

Casual Wear

Most of the time, Shia is a casual dresser who loves to wear comfortable, fashionable clothes with a slight retro flair. One of his casual looks is to pair a brightly-colored plaid shirt over a white t-shirt. To copy this look, button up the plaid shirt, but leave one button undone to show the white t-shirt beneath it. Pair the shirts with a pair of medium blue or faded black straight-leg jeans.

Another favorite casual look for Shia LaBeouf is t-shirts that have an older, vintage look to them. The t-shirts he wears are usually crew neck style, and there’s no end to the colors and patterns that he chooses. To choose a t-shirt that looks like one that he would wear, pick one with a retro pattern or one that looks like its been worn for years. He wears many t-shirts that look like faded khaki or that have fade marks on them to simulate a vintage item.

White jeans

What to Wear with White Jeans

White jeans

While most people are afraid of white jeans (think ketchup dripping off a burger at that summer barbeque or a Starbuck’s cappuccino that attacks you in the car), this look adds infinite possibilities to your wardrobe. Nothing says spring and summer better than a great pair of white jeans paired with a breezy top. And when you pair white jeans with the right top, shoes and stylish accessories, you can even slip them on year-round.

If you enjoy wearing denim, adding white jeans to your wardrobe is an absolute must. Any outfit will look fresh and contemporary anchored by them, which is the look you’re going for in summer wear. Don’t believe the myth that you have to be super skinny to wear white jeans either. As with any pair of jeans, the factors that will determine how you look are fit and fabric. Find a pair that fits you correctly, and you’ve added tons of versatility to your wardrobe.

Seven for All Mankind’s Ginger jean is a sophisticated pair that hugs in the right places and loosens at the leg, making it a good choice for both thin and curvy silhouettes.

AG Adriano Goldschmied Stilt Cigarette Leg Jeans are another white jean style with great versatility. The lean look balances out longer tops, and flat shoes won’t get lost underneath its narrow leg openings.

Here are few ideas for items you can pair with a great pair of white jeans to create head-turning looks.
•    A flowing, Bohemian-style top is the perfect compliment to white jeans. Add sandals for a modern summer look that can easily go from casual to evening.
•    Like the Bohemian shirt, tunics are also great to wear with white jeans. A long, loose tunic will cover the butt and help the legs look longer and leaner. Balance the longer layers with a long necklace or a few strands of beads.
•    For a stunning monochromatic look, pair a white t-shirt with white jeans. Metallic accessories and shoes will really stand out against this look.
•    With black and white gaining popularity again, wear white jeans paired with a black sweater and black shoes. This look can easily be dressed down for out-and-about wear, and strappy heels with take the look into the evening.
•    Pair a simple tee or tank with a linen blazer and white jeans for a classic summery look.
•    For a leaner look, don’t wear a belt with white jeans. A belt that’s any color other than white will divide your body horizontally and make you appear shorter.

Finally, before you leave the house, check your butt to make sure there aren’t panty lines or shadows to mar your look from behind. Denim is a heavy fabric, but the wrong pair of undies can wreak havoc with a lighter weight pair. Stick with white undergarments when you’re sporting white jeans. You might also consider buying jeans with a lining, although these are less common than those without.

Prints

How to Wear Prints

Prints

Clothing styles and designs vary from season to season, culture to culture and even from one city to another. Individuals create their own styles based on what is in style, what they like to wear, what appeals to them visually and what is appropriate for their body type and age. One of the trickier things to incorporate into any wardrobe is prints. While some people naturally gravitate towards prints, many of us are shy to wear prints for fear of drawing too much attention to ourselves, matching it incorrectly or looking outdated. However if you know how to wear prints, you will be comfortable with adding them to your wardrobe and wearing them often.

Choosing the right print is always tricky. A good way to start wearing prints is to opt for tame prints in similar tones that will make it easy to match up and will not be too flashy. This will ease you into the change in your style. This is important to do if you have stuck with solid colors only in the past.

Another technique for choosing patterns is to opt for ones that have an abundance of colors you like and wear often. If you like the look of black and white together, a black and white print may be the perfect place to start.

If you are worried about choosing an outdated print, head to stores like Banana Republic or Urban Outfitters that are on the cutting edge of fashion. You are sure to find only up-to-date prints there. You may also want to look at fashion sites online and see what is in vogue this season. Many of these sites will provide you with opportunities to buy the attire you like or link you to sites that sell it.

The other factor in wearing prints is the impact the print will have on your overall look. If you are top heavy, you may want to invest in pants and skirts with prints in order to draw the eye downwards. The opposite is true for those who are pear-shaped or have heavier legs. Wear printed tops to draw the eye away from those less-than-ideal areas of the body.

When it comes to matching prints up with other things, you will want to examine the print carefully and choose a predominant color in the print in order to pair with it. For example a print top with a lot of brown in it will look great with a brown skirt or pants. This will create a more subdued look and keep the print from overwhelming the outfit. If you have an ensemble with bold colors, choose one of the lesser used colors to match up with cardigans, jackets and accessories, as it will help to bring out the color more.

A warning about wearing prints must be given. Do not try to match up prints with other prints. If an entire outfit is purchased together and the print continues throughout the ensemble, it is fine. However, trying to mix and match prints is a bad idea. Your outfit should only have one piece of clothing that is printed. All the others should complement it. Stripes, polka dots and other geometric designs never go with prints.

Be bold. Wear prints, but keep in mind the guidelines of looking good in prints.

Audition

What to Wear to an Audition

Audition

The way you dress for an audition says a lot about you as a performer.  It’s important to create a specific plan for exactly what you want to wear in order to project yourself in the right light. You want to create a favorable first impression of you that paints you as a responsible person who will dedicate yourself to a role as well as someone who can relate well to the character.

Black

Many people choose to wear simple, black outfits to their auditions. This is a sort of blank slate that shows you as you are and how you can be molded into the character. A simple outfit that doesn’t call much attention to you can show that you are adaptable and can change to look more like a character. To do this, a simple pair of black pants and a black t-shirt is perfect. Make sure they are in very good condition, are ironed or pressed and have no stains.

Character Dressing

Another school of thought is to dress in a way that is suggestive of the character. To do this, you don’t want to put on a costume per se. What you want to do instead is to wear things that suggest that you have a lot in common with the character. For instance, if the audition was for cowboy, don’t show up in spurs and a 10 gallon hat. Instead, perhaps wear cowboy boots with jeans and a leather jacket. You might also style your hair in the way the character will. This may be particularly important if you are auditioning for. You might wear modern clothing abut style your hair as they would have during the time period.

If you believe that a costume might be in order, you might pack one and bring it with you in a duffel bag. The costume will then be there in case casting seems reluctant to consider you in the role. You can then change into the costume and perhaps have a better chance of succeeding.

Comfort

In most cases, you want to project an air of confidence in your own abilities to play the character. To do this, it’s important to stay comfortable. If you’re wear clothing that is very uncomfortable, it may be distracting to you and they make you nervous. Instead, find clothing that will work but that will still be comfortable. This may take planning for a week ahead of time, but it’s worth it to look calm, assured and dressed well during your audition.

You also want to feel attractive during your audition. If you feel attractive, you will make others believe you are. Most of being attractive is just projecting your own confidence in yourself. Try on your chosen outfit to make sure that you feel attractive than it. If not, choose something else. You will be in and audition to advertise yourself. If you don’t feel attractive and confident, you will not advertising yourself in your best light. You must believe in what you are advertising to be able to sell it to someone else.

Cigar odor

How To Remove Cigar Odor From T-Shirts And Clothing

Cigar odor

The smell of cigars is usually something that people either love or hate. Even nonsmokers often revel in the smell of a good cigar. It is a much more alluring scent than that of cigarettes. However, that interesting aroma that you can enjoy when someone is smoking a cigar around you is not the same when it is on an item of clothing. The stale, funky odor of cigar smoke on a T-shirt or other item of clothing is less than enjoyable. In fact, even if you are wearing perfectly clean clothes, the smell can make it seem as if your clothes are dirty. So what do you do about clothes that have picked up the rank odor of old cigar smoke?

If the odor is very faint it can still be significant enough to bother a non-smoker or someone who is very sensitive to odors. In the case of very mild odors, simply washing the item as you normally would tends to take care of the smell. Be sure to use a laundry detergent and fabric softener with a scent in it in order to completely eradicate the cigar odor. Adding vinegar or baking soda to your detergent also helps to intensify the odor-erasing power of it.

For stronger odors you can pretreat your clothes liberally with Febreeze fabric spray or some other similar product designed to eliminate odors. This is best done outside. Wash the item in a mixture of laundry soap, 1 cup of baking soda and fabric softener for the rinse cycle. Drying it outside or on high heat in the dryer will make sure that any lingering odor is completely gone.

If you don’t have time to wash your clothes out and want the smell of cigars gone now, you can again turn to a fabric odor eliminator like Febreeze and spray your clothes generously with it. Let the item dry or dry it according to care instructions before wearing it. The only drawback with this method is that Febreeze tends to have a rather perfume-like odor that can be overwhelming.

Disco

What to Wear to a Disco

Disco

When going to the disco, the styles of the 70’s were memorable for their unique looks. There are several different looks that were suitable for wearing to a disco. Most of them involve polyester and spandex in some fashion.

Leisure Suits

Leisure suits are the ultimate way to dress to go to a disco. The iconic image of John Travolta wearing his white leisure suit in Saturday Night Fever led to years of white leisure suit in discos around the world. Wear a white leisure suit and you will be the best-dressed person at the disco. These suits are usually made from polyester, and they come in plenty of colors other than white. Pastel colors are a particularly 70s look. A light coral orange, powder blue, black and white or a green leisure suit is suitable to wear to any disco.

Hot Pants

Hot pants were extremely short shorts that covered very little of the leg. They generally were worn by women, that there were men who wore them as well. Hot pants were worn in any color and they were generally worn with halter tops or with sequined tops. Hot pants in leopard spots, stripes or in metallic fabric are perfect for disco. Many women wore bright pink hot pants along with a brightly colored top. Hot pants that are made from spandex are usually the most authentic-looking.

Dresses

For women, disco dresses were ones that moved and fit well. They should be tight enough to show off the figure but should be flowing enough to move when the woman dances. The dresses were often in white, beige or in a pastel color. Dresses that are silver or that have glitter or sequins on them are also great for wearing to a disco because of the way the light from the disco ball will reflect off them.

Disco dresses should have a defined waistline. This can be done with a disco belt if the dress doesn’t already have the right tailoring. A disco belt is any thin belt in metallic colors. Common belts were springy gold or silver-colored metal that fastened with a tiny metal buckle.

Shoes

Platform shoes are the ultimate shoes to wear to a disco. Platforms couldn’t be too high or too elaborate. Some of the most elaborate of these has water in the heels with goldfish swimming in them. For women, very high platforms with straps at the top that went several inches above the ankle were not unusual. Both men and women can wear platform shoes to a disco. Women can also wear strappy high heels that are in bright or metallic colors.

Jewelry

For a disco, men should wear gold medallions on gold chains. If you have two or three of these chains and medallions to wear, the look will be even more authentic. For women, too much jewelry would not be appropriate to the look, but small gold details are perfect. Round gold earrings with a small gold charm bracelet are good accessories to wear with a disco outfit.

Undershirt

How to Keep Your Undershirt From Showing

Undershirt

An undershirt is a great, versatile item to wear with just about anything. There are many people, however, who don’t wish for their undershirt to show. Having an undershirt that shows is a matter of personal preference, but if you don’t want to show it, there are many ways to avoid it.

Choosing Your Colors

If you want to make sure that your undershirt doesn’t show through your over shirt, make sure your undershirt is not a darker color than what you wear over it. When the color is darker, it will generally show through even if you have a thick over shirt. Believing that their over shirt is thick enough that the undershirt won’t show through it is a mistake that people often make. Colors do make a big difference in what is visible.

Another way to do this is to choose to shirts that are roughly the same color. If you only have a dark colored shirt that can be worn as an undershirt, wearing a matching shirt as an over shirt will ensure that the undershirt doesn’t get noticed. Even if the color of your undershirt is visible for a moment above your outer shirt, the matching colors mean that it will not be noticed.

Choosing Your Shape

Another way to make sure that your undershirt is hidden is to wear the right shape. A V-neck undershirt has a lower-cut front than a standard crew neck undershirt. This makes it possible to have a looser neck line with your over shirt and to still keep your undershirt from showing. The V-neck undershirt means you can even keep your collar unbuttoned a little and you will still have an undershirt that is out of sight. If you wear a crew neck T-shirt as an undershirt, make sure you keep your over shirt buttoned up all the way to avoid revealing the undershirt.

Choosing Your Layers

If you choose an extra layer, you can be sure that your undershirt will be far harder to see. A popular look is to wear an undershirt with a T-shirt over it and then to wear a button-up shirt over that. The button-up shirt can be left unbuttoned for a casual look that keeps your undershirt well out of sight. For people who are hiding figure flaws, this is a great bit of layering that gives the body a leaner look. It also provides extra warmth as well as hiding the undershirt.

Choosing Your Fabrics

If you want to make sure that your undershirt doesn’t show, choose the thinnest undershirt that you can. This still provides you with some coverage while making it harder to see the undershirt. T-shirts come in a variety of weights, and a thinner weight shirt worn as an undershirt will be easier to hide with an over shirt. Choosing a thicker weight button-up shirt to wear over a thinner weight undershirt is a great way to hide it. Button up shirts tend to be thicker than jersey knit shirts overall, and are great for covering an undershirt of any kind.

Style

How to Find Your Own Fashion Style

Style

Fashion is a constantly changing and evolving. The fashion industry and the media have a great amount of influence in determining what is considered fashion and what is not. It changes from season to season, place to place and age group to age group. In fact you can spend your whole life being told what is fashionable and what is not. However, following fashion advice can be time consuming and very expensive. For these reasons it is important to develop your own fashion style and use it as the basis of what you wear.

For anyone who is looking to find their own fashion style, there are many things to take into consideration and many things that can help you pinpoint a style that works for you. Ask yourself the following questions in order to get started.
•    What are your favorite colors and which colors look best on you? These will work well in your fashion style, because if you love the color you are more likely to wear it.
•    What types of patterns are you most attracted to? Do you like stripes, polka dots, plaids, modern prints or solids?
•    Do you prefer ultra feminine clothes, masculine styles or something in between?
•    Do you enjoy following fashion and love to be on the cutting edge of it or do you tend to lean towards items that are considered classic?
•    Can you go through your wardrobe and find items you bought 5 years ago that you wear still or do you invest in almost all-new stuff every season?
•    What are your favorite clothes? Is there one thing in your wardrobe that you have a predominance of?
•    When you look at fashion around you, is there one person’s style or one particular look that most appeals to you? Why don’t you emulate it?
•    Are your clothes divided into work clothes and casual clothes? Are there some things that carry over?
•    Is price were no object which designers would you wear or whose look would you copy?

By analyzing what you like and what you don’t and the things that attract you most in fashion, you can get a great basis for finding your own fashion style. Choosing to opt for the latest trends is one option. Only classic looks is another. However, in reality most people wear a mixture of both. Select classic things that you know you can get years of wear from and use them as the foundation for your wardrobe. They should be in your favorite colors and styles that you will look forward to wearing and that you know you look good in. Use fun additions from the season’s hottest items and accessories to personalize your own style.

Soften fabrics

How to Soften Fabrics Naturally

Soften fabrics

It’s only natural to want your clothes to be as soft as they can, in particular your sheets and towels. This is especially true if you’re hanging your clothes on a clothesline to dry. While this method of drying clothes is the most eco-friendly, it’s not very pleasant when your clothes come off the line stiff as a board. But using a fabric softener can ensure that your clothes are nice and soft, no matter what method you use to dry them. If you’re concerned about the chemicals in commercial fabric softeners, don’t worry, because there are many natural options for you. Let’s look at a few of these that will be safer for the environment, and will also save you money.

Vinegar is one of the most useful natural substances for all kinds of household cleaning jobs. As well as being an excellent all-purpose cleaner, did you know that it also makes a great fabric softener? Just add ½ cup of white vinegar to your final rinse. Another plus is that vinegar removes the soap residue from your clothes. You can also use a mix of equal parts baking soda and vinegar to two parts water to use in your wash.

There are many other recipes using all-natural ingredients for fabric softeners. For instance, you can add ¼ cup of Borax to the rinse water. Another trick is to use any store brand of hair conditioner, and dilute it with one part conditioner to three parts water.  You can also use one cup of glycerin diluted with one gallon of water and add ½ cup to your wash or final rinse.

If you still want to use a commercial fabric softener, you can try these tricks to dilute it. Put an old washcloth cut into four pieces in the bottle of fabric softener. Wring out the washcloth well, and toss it in the washing machine. You can also try diluting fabric softener with water. Try four parts water to one part fabric softener, and play around with the proportions to find a blend that still softens your fabric. Another trick is to use a mixture of one part fabric softener to three parts water in a spray bottle, and spray the inside of your dryer before putting in your laundry. Any way you choose to dilute your fabric softener, you’ll reduce the amount of chemicals that are being released into the environment, and save money at the same time.

If you hang your clothes on the line to dry, and still want them to be soft, try this trick. Keep your clothes on the line until they’re almost dry, then pop them in the dryer for a few minutes. Your clothes will be softer without using any chemicals, and you’ll save electricity by not having to run the dryer as long.

As you can see, there are so many options for natural fabric softeners. You can rest assured that if you want to start living more “green,” you don’t have to give up nice soft clothes!

Intellectual

How To Dress Like An Intellectual

Intellectual

An intellectual can cover so many different types of styles. You have your philosophers, scientists, general geniuses, computer geeks and so on. So, if you want to dress like someone who other people consider to be really stinking smart, you have to decide on which way you want to go. Here are a few options:

The Genius Look

People who are geniuses are normally too busy being smart and thinking of new ways to make, interpret, test or prove things than they have for their personal fashion. This being said, a genius should look a little disheveled at all times, even when they dress up. Because they are so busy with thinking, they ignore fashion trends all together, because of this, think ten year old fashion and go with that to a degree. Slightly messy hair and wrinkled clothing is a good call as well.

Slippers are a big win for this look as are button down sweaters with pockets. Your shoes should like as if you’ve had them for years and so should your clothes in general. A Genius is not concerned with appearance, just science! Albert Einstein is a perfect example of the archetypal genius.

The Philosopher Look

Generally a philosopher is very concerned as to how people see them because their whole existence is figuring out why things are the way they are and not how they are the way they are. They are more concerned with appearance. If you are going for a suit, then you want something tailored and a little older looking. If you are taking it easy, a sweater vest with pockets, comfortable cargo pants and some soft shoes are needed. Your overall appearance should exude a quiet air of superiority and organization.

The Computer/Tech Geek Look

Ok, this is the most confusing of them all. The typical computer geek look of fashion are high-water pants, white socks, black shoes, a white short sleeve shirt with a pocket protector, short hair and black horn rimmed glasses held together with white tape. Well, if you are doing this for a one-time gig then go for that, if this is a style change, you will need to dig a bit deeper.

Honestly, a computer/tech geek these days like wearing stuff that lets people know they are computer geeks. T-shirts with computer logos or sayings are the way to go with this. As long as you have that you are pretty much done these days. For the rest, some comfortable jeans, sneakers and an unbuttoned dress shirt over the t-shirt and you are good to go. Sometimes it’s hard to tell these apart from computer gamers but they are closely related anyway.

Overweight men

Fashion Tips for Overweight Men

Overweight men

Whether you are a chubby, portly, pudgy, or fat man, you can look good with the clothes that you wear. Of course with your shape being as it is you will have some coordinating to do. But with proper planning you can leave the house looking like a million bucks no matter how much extra weight your body carries.

First and foremost make sure that the shirts you wear are not too tight. If you are a big guy then the last thing you want to do is wear a t-shirt that is tight on your body. This will show all the lumps and bumps that make you who you are. While it is true you are who you are, you don’t need to show the world the entire package. Finding a looser fitting t-shirt will not only to help you feel more comfortable but it will make you look better as well. If possible wear a nice v-neck t-shirt. A v-neck will help create a neck line for you and make you look taller and thinner as well.

For dress shirts wear the ones with the more pointed collars. These will draw attention to your face. No matter what, never wear a turtleneck shirt. Doing so will make your neck totally disappear and give a more compact –and heavy- look.

Moving on to your pants selection, it is wise to invest in low-rise trousers and jeans. This type of pant will fit around your waist as opposed to your mid-section and therefore will not draw as much attention to your gut. Also avoid jeans that are tight fitting as they will not only be uncomfortable for you but will look terrible as well. A nice pair of loose-fit jeans with a boot cut gives you more room for your legs and helps to hide any trouble spots you may have.

When getting fancy get your suites tailored. Yes it will cost you a little more but the end result will be worth it. Remember that vertical stripes are slimming, but that being said don’t go overboard and get a suite that makes you look like an NFL referee. Go with a more subtle pin-stripping. This will give you the illusion you desire without having to call holding on the nearest group of guys you see.

For the sports jacket itself go for the three button blazers. Blazers with one or two buttons just call attention to the fact that you are a hefty man. Three buttons will help elongate your body and make you look taller and thus thinner. Also avoid blazers with heavy materials as these will be bulkier and only add to your problem.

Above all else stand up straight and be proud of who you are. It’s easy to slouch but doing so makes you look shorter and less confident. Standing up straight will make you look taller –and thinner- and lets the world know that you are not ashamed to be a little overweight.

Your ultimate goal may be to lose weight but in the mean time there is no reason you can’t dress to kill. Being aware of what goes on your body won’t make you a skinny man, but it will make you a good looking overweight man.

Symphony

What to Wear to a Symphony

Symphony

Going to the symphony used to be an occasion to dress in a formal manner. It used to be a requirement to wear extremely formal attire for all symphony performances. However, this has changed a lot over the past few decades. Nowadays, there are many different types of outfits that are perfectly acceptable for the symphony.

Pants

If you are going to be wearing a suit, simply wear a pair of suit pants and a matching jacket. Many men do go to the symphony in a suit, so you will not be out of place. If you don’t have a suit or don’t want to wear one, there are many other options. You can wear a pair of khakis, which is very common at the symphony. Khakis can be paired with just about anything and will look stylish and appropriate. You can also wear a pair of dark pants in just about any style.

If you want to wear jeans, this is not that uncommon either. The only guideline with jeans is to make sure they are in very good condition. Jeans that have holes or stains on them are not appropriate for the symphony. If you do wear jeans, they can be paired with a nice shirt for look that is acceptable for symphony wear.

Shirts

If you are wearing jeans, make sure to pair them with the nicest shirt that you can. That doesn’t mean that the shirt must be silk, only that it is in a solid color or that it has a very small pattern and that the shirt is in good condition. A t-shirt can be acceptable in some situations, but generally not with jeans. If you are wearing a nice pair of slacks or a skirt, a t-shirt in good condition and without a faded color will look fine. If you have a t-shirt that you want to wear with jeans, you can dress it up a little bit by wearing a blazer or a dressy jacket over it.

Dresses and Skirts

If you want to get very dressed up, wearing a dress is always acceptable at the symphony. For most sympathy performances, unless they are special performances, most women do not wear extremely ornate dresses or sparkly cocktail dresses. A nice dress that complements your figure and has shoes to match is always an appropriate thing to wear. Wearing a skirt and blouse that have similar characteristics is also perfect for the symphony.

A dress or skirt should not be too short for the symphony, however. Wearing a micro-miniskirt is not appropriate, though a skirt that goes to the knees is fine. Remember that you will be sitting during most of your time at the symphony. A very short skirt will ride up and they make you uncomfortable during the performance.

If you have a casual skirt, you can dress this up a little bit with a matching jacket or with a pair of high heels. If the weather is cold, consider tights under your skirt or dress as well.

Rock star

How to Dress Like a Rock Star

Rock star

The great thing about being a big rock star is the freedom you have in your wardrobe. There are no cut and dry rock star looks anymore that went out with the big hair heavy metal bands of the 80’s. Nowadays, a rock star’s fashion can be anything at all; however, there are some tried and true looks that have stood the test of time and can make anyone look like a rock star.

Rock stars don’t base their fashion on what other people think of them, they don’t have to, there’re rock stars after all. You should keep this in mind when putting your look together and don’t worry about copying the look of someone else’s style, it all overlaps at some point or another.

Here’s what you’ll need:

1)    Hairstyle – Your hairstyle must not be normal at all. Rock stars have interesting and odd-looking haircuts to express their individuality. This is a great time to look at someone else’s haircut and, more or less, copy it.
2)    Shirts – For your shirts they should fit your body and not be overly baggy at all. A black t-shirt is a good bet as that is classic for a rock star or, you can wear shirt sporting a vintage band logo because all rockers pay homage to their favorite old bands that have inspired them. When it’s cold, a leather biker jacket is a must.
3)    Sunglasses – Don’t forget your sunglasses. They must be dark so the public can’t see your blurry red eyes from all the partying you do. Make sure they are fashionable and fit your face style.
4)    Pants – There are two types of pants you can go for to complete the rock star look and those are jeans and leather pants. For the jeans you don’t so much want faded old jeans but torn knees or other areas are just perfect. They should be a proper fit and not very loose on you at all. The darker the jeans the better, you don’t see a rock star is light blue jeans do you? Leather pants are well; leather pants the ultimate in cool. Get them immediately!
5)    Shoes – Your shoes need to be sturdy and cool looking. A vintage pair of sneakers with a checkerboard look or a pair of black boots, think Doc Martens, will be a perfect pair for rocking and stomping around on and off the stage.
6)    Jewelry – You don’t want anything fancy or frilly. We are talking black leather with spikes and studs here. If your ears aren’t pierced, you will want to look into magnetic earrings.

All of these tips will have you looking like a rock star in no time but there is one thing that all the clothing in the world can’t do and that is make you act like a rock star. You have to act like a rock star if you want to look like a rock star.

Project an air of confidence and playfulness. Rock stars are very outgoing and want attention and approval from everyone they see. You have to be the center of attention and if you are at a party, then party like, well, a rock star.

Eco youth

How To Dress Like An Eco Youth

Eco youth

You may be asking yourself what exactly is an Eco Youth and how can you dress like one? Well, I can sum this up in a couple of words: hippy and bohemian. An Eco youth is someone who cares greatly about ecology and the planet. The things they wear and do are all with a saving the planet mentality.

The first thing you need to do is look online for stores that sell eco friendly clothing. This is clothing that is made with recycled materials or who use coloring and dyes that are earth friendly with a production process that does little to pollute the earth. A big part of eco fashion is not fashion really, but how these things are made.

With that said, you will need something to pull this look off so people know that you are eco friendly. You see it’s not enough that you know; everyone has to know as well. It’s a very look at me I’m better than you because I am eco friendly and you aren’t kind of lifestyle. Belligerence about it is sometimes needed as well.

Ok, to the tips!

1)    Always carry around one of those recyclable  ‘green’ grocery bags with you that have the word Green on it. This way everyone knows you are all about green stuff.
2)    Look online for clothing stores that feature green or eco clothing and articles. A great place to look as well is vintage stores and thrift stores. Recycled clothing at it’s finest.
3)    Buy your jewelry from vintage stores and don’t go buying real pearls, ever.
4)    On that note, you cannot wear anything made from animals; no leather or suede and snakeskin boots are definitely out!
5)    If you use any kind of beauty product, from shampoo to makeup you have to be sure none of it was tested on animals, has no animal proteins or whale blubber or anything like that in them. There are specific places that sell eco friendly products of this nature, search them out.
6)    Your clothing should be made of cotton, silk, bamboo or any other type of sustainable thread. Clothing and shoes made from hemp is a great way to go for this look.

The Eco Youth look is not any one particular fashion or look, it’s all about what clothing you are wearing, what it is made of and how it was made. If you are wearing something that was made by a company who is serious about being green then wear whatever you want from them.

This style is not a fashion style; it is a way of life. It is about how you try to reduce your carbon footprint in the world. How you handle electricity use, fossil fuel use and all about recycling everything you can include in your choice in clothing. Wearing vintage clothing is preferred as it is already there and your buying it will not make someone go out and say “Hey we need to make even more stuff!” Eco Fashion is all about saving the planet and looking good while you do it.