By Rebecca Hughes


If you have been invited to your friend's birthday party, you are probably already wondering about as to what you should wear. Sometimes a birthday party can be in the form of a formal dinner, sometimes it can be a barbecue, and sometimes it is celebrated as a night at the clubs. Therefore, dressing appropriately can be very challenging.

One of the most difficult things to decipher nowadays is the dress code that is mentioned in invitations. While it is pretty easy to understand what casual and formal mean, sometimes the new kinds of dress code like dressy formal or casual formal can be very difficult to understand. However, all is not lost. You can make an educated guess about what you should wear for your friend's birthday by observing some things.

Firstly, you need to look at the time. If the birthday party is at night, then you need to be a little more dressed up than a sundress. However, if the party is during the day, like at lunch or in the early afternoon, then you should probably not wear a black shiny mini dress, and instead opt for something more pastel in colours or slightly bright but not too overdressed.

Secondly, you should look at the location. If your friend is throwing the party at her house, then it could be a very formal dinner and for this you should wear something very classy. However, if it is being thrown in a club, then you know that you need to dress up to the nines, like you would if you were going for clubbing.

Thirdly, you should think about your friend's age. Someone who is turning fifty is less likely to throw a dance party as compared to someone who is turning twenty three or even thirty. You can Make an educated guess about what you should wear based on your friend's age.

Finally, you need to think about your friend's personality. If you friend is very bubbly and likes going to clubs, then she must have probably arranged a party that will be fun for her. If your friend is more interested in staying at home, then you are probably going to a party that is more serious.

One of the simplest things you can do when you can't decide is to dress in something very timeless. A little black dress is the perfect thing to wear when you don't know what you should wear. If you have one that fits you perfectly, and looks great on you, then you should wear it in case you aren't sure about the dress code.

Even after looking at all the factors you are still confused; ask any other friends who are also invited, for advice. If they are all dressing up, it means you should dress up as well since you would never want to feel like the odd one out.

Deciding what to wear at a birthday party is not that difficult, and you can definitely make the right choice if you look at all the factors stated above and make an educated decision.

By Rebecca Hughes


Children's birthday parties are usually a much larger event than any adult's birthday party, and obviously this means that a lot more effort has to be put in to make it a perfect event. Girls specially love having a fantasy setting with lots of other things such as games, beautiful cake, fancy dresses and lot of decoration.

One of the most popular themes at children's birthday parties is fancy dress. Since all children like dressing up as their favourite superhero or fairy story character, a birthday allows them to dress up and really show off in front of their peers and enjoy a night as someone else.

A favourite costume for girls is dressing up as a princess. Princess themes are really popular not just because of the many cartoons that feature beautiful princesses, but also because this allows the little girls to get their wish of dressing up like their mothers and look grown up.

If your daughter wants a princess costume, don't worry. It isn't as complicated as it sounds. While you can definitely buy the entire costume at a children's store, you can also save some money and conjure one up by yourself with the things you have in your home.

To start with, you will need to figure out the main dress. For this, you should look for a fancy dress that your daughter already has. If you don't have a dress in the house that you could use, ask friends who have daughters that are older than yours and see if they have an old one lying around which they can give to you. It's a plus point If the dress is in pastel colours, or is white. If it's in some dark colour, then you can either consider bleaching and dying it (with the owner's permission of course), or ask your daughter if she is ok with the darker colour.

Now that the dress is here, you need to change it (again, with the owner's permission). Feel free to add as many ruffles, feathers, beads, or any other fancy embellishments onto it as you think your daughter will like. Make sure, you don't make it too heavy or awkward to wear, and that it doesn't end up looking funny.

Moving on, you will need to make a tiara and wand, and other accessories. You can get your little tot to help you with this. Give her some tin foil and ask her to bend it into bracelets, rings, or other jewellery she wants to wear. While she does this, you can take plastic tubing and cut-out a star shape from some cardboard. Join these two into a wand shape, and then put some pink (or any colour that looks good with the dress) ribbon all around it and glue it together. If you want, you can make a tiara or a pointy hat with some cardboard too. Just make sure that the tiara is silver in colour and fits your daughter's head comfortably.

That's it. That's all it takes to make a perfect fancy dress costume for a birthday party at almost no cost.

By Sheila Dicks


When choosing a flattering dress shirt you will want to consider the shape and size of the collar, the quality of the cotton and the color. Fabric is important but not as important as the collar and the color. Since the shirt color and the collar are close to your face, you will want those aspects to be perfect because when people talk to you it is the first thing they will see.

The shape and size of the collar you choose is important because it should flatter the shape of your face and the length of your neck to create balance. If you have a long face and neck for example, you will want to balance the length of your face by choosing a wide spread collar with shorter points.

Button-Down

This is the most casual of all collar styles because of its relaxed appearance and collar buttons. Button-down shirts are worn with sporty jackets and can be worn without a tie.

Straight

This collar is the most versatile collar because it can be worn with suits, sports jackets and can be worn without a tie.

Spread

The collar is considered dressier because the points of the collar are a little wider apart. This collar must be worn with a tie to fill in the gap.

Tab

It gets its name from the tab that connects the collar points behind the knot of the tie. This type of collar should be worn with a tie.

White Contrast

A white collar is named so because it is in contrast with the patterned or colored fabric of the rest of the shirt.

Band

Although this type of collar (which is really a shirt without a collar) is sometimes worn as casual and formal, it is best reserved for casual wear.

Dress shirts should be made of fine cotton because it not only looks dressier than regular cotton and other fabrics, but it also feels more comfortable against your skin. Cotton shirts mixed with synthetics breathe less and lack vividness of color.

Not all cottons are alike and the quality of the cotton determines how dressy the shirt appears - the finer the cotton, the dressier the shirt. The drawback of cotton is that it wrinkles easily; yet, for those who travel a lot, synthetic blends offer the benefit of easy care. If you do choose a synthetic blend choose a blend that has more than fifty percent cotton.

For formal and business wear the white shirt remains classic. Although shirts in solid colors are suitable for business wear, bright colors are not traditionally as dressy as blue and white. As the color and print grow bolder the shirt becomes more casual.

Shirts that fit well have sleeves that end one inch below the wrist bone, collars that fit neatly around the neck without pulling and are not too tight and a shirttail that ends at the crotch to allow enough room to sit or bend.

By Rebecca Hughes


Fancy dress parties are extremely popular and it is important to decide on a dress that is unique, one of its kind, attention-grabbing and at the same time comfortable for you to carry throughout the party. As the name indicates, the fancy dress party's main attraction is the costume.

The unique and fancy dress gives you the opportunity to let go of shyness and feeling of being absurd, and rather lets you enjoy the complete makeover of your personality. Fancy dress parties may or may not comprise of a theme or dress code. In case there is no specific dress code mentioned, you can enjoy the liberty of wearing whatsoever you want to at the party.

There can be numerous ideas on what to wear to your fancy dress party. You can decide on wearing anything in which you feel comfortable and at the same time unconventional as well. You can decide to wear straw skirts along with clothes with shells embedded on them. This costume can further be accompanied by garlands and other such interesting accessories around your neck and wrist. Likewise, men can choose to wear loose baggy clothes and short Bermudas. You can also adopt the look of cartoon or movie characters such as Hogwarts hero, Professor Snape, and the most famous Harry Potter as well.

One of the most interesting ideas for a fancy dress party is to adopt the Hollywood look. Hollywood actors and actresses are admired by all of us alike, and if you fancy any specific Hollywood actor or actresses, you can simply dress up like one of your favourites and make your entry at the fancy dress party in a unique and the most unconventional style.

The medieval style and aura for a fancy dress party is an extremely incredible idea. You can decide on wearing clothes having a medieval touch and can thus make your costume unique from others in an exciting way. Men can adopt the Mexican look as well by wearing clothes which include vibrant ponchos and sombreros. One another interesting idea or theme for a fancy dress part can be the fairy tale theme. According to this theme you can choose to wear clothes like the famous fairy tales characters such as Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, or even Cinderella. For boys, they can choose to dress up like the heroes in these fairy tale stories. The fairy tale theme is incredibly popular among children.

An interesting theme for grownups can be the Back-to-School look. According to this theme you can wear anything which gives you a look of school uniform and make you look like a school going child. You can also do up your hair styling in a way you used to do when you were in school. You can also carry small bag, lunch box, or even a water bottle to give yourself a complete Back-to-School look.

Not only children but even adults love the idea of dressing up like animals for a fancy dress party. You can simply choose to wear the costume of an animal you like and can pretend being one on the party.

No matter what you wear to your fancy dress party, one thing to remember is that you should always choose vibrant colours with unique prints. You can also make the addition of accessories like jewellery, face painting, masks, and hair styling etc to give a completely dynamic look to yourself at the fancy dress party.

By Gian Fiero


Dress for success! It's a phrase we've all heard, but does it still hold credence in workplaces that have become more casual?

Absolutely; even more so.

I've always worn ties. To me wearing a tie means business. Ties are accessories that help convey - at a glance - a brand of professionalism which aids me in an industry (entertainment) where personal and professional boundaries often get blurred. In addition to adding flair to my wardrobe, ties also serve as a reminder to not get too comfortable in my work environment (since wearing a tie can be an uncomfortable experience).

Not wearing a tie doesn't mean that you are any less of a professional; it simply means that you are not readily identified as one. Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle, is rarely seen in a tie; neither is Russell Simmons, President of Rush Communications and founder of Def Jam recordings. They are both well-known and well-respected and thus; do not need the edge that wearing a tie or a suit gives them.

They are notable exceptions.

If you are in college, a recent graduate, newly indoctrinated into the workforce, or just want a visual makeover the following tips will help you add flair to your wardrobe and give you the edge you need to stand out and get ahead.

COLORS: Most people don't know what colors they look best in. If you are unsure, just take note of the colors you are wearing when you receive compliments. Chances are, those will be the colors that complement the natural hues of your skin tone and aura. Just because you like a color doesn't mean that you should overdose on it. We all know that Prince loves purple but he seldom wears it. Women like the slenderizing effects of black and tend to favor it for that reason. Wearing all black may work for Elvira and Run D.M.C, but it doesn't portray you in the best light. From a fashion standpoint, black is a neutralizing, non-color which makes it easy to coordinate with colors. When worn, you should add flair to it with energetic colors like orange, yellow, peach, or red. Studies reveal that colors affect people's moods and perceptions. Here's a partial sampling of colors and what they communicate.

Black: Serious, to-the-point, simplicity, authority;
Blue: Conservative, even tempered, reliable;
Brown: Mature, reliable, responsible, down to earth;
Grey: Practical, calm, willing to work hard, wisdom;
Purple: Mystery, spirituality, unconventionality;
Red: Passion, intensity, aggressiveness;
Yellow: Friendly, imaginative, idealistic, creative, artistic;
White: Purity, cleanliness, holiness, meticulousness.

FIT & CUT: Not enough attention is paid to the proper fit and cut (amount of material used) of clothing for both men and women. When a good fit is achieved, it makes your clothes and your body look better. Urban clothing (Sean John) tends to be cut loser and runs larger than European clothing (Gianni Versace) which is cut tighter and runs smaller. Check and, if necessary, adjust your size so that neither appears to be several sizes larger or smaller than its supposed to be.

Both men and women should check the clothes that they wear most frequently. General wear-and-tear will affect the fit of shirts/blouses (especially pullovers). Pants are also susceptible to fit modifications due to weight gain or loss.

Relevant to the fit of your clothes is the epicenter of your power: your midsection (chest and stomach) which impacts your posture and your perceived strength. Pay attention to how your clothes rest upon your body in this area. An improper fit will make you look sloppy and diminish your presence. For those with expanded midsections, seek out designers that have shirts/blouses that are cut to de-emphasize your extra girth.

MATCHING & COMPLEMENTING: Someone once told me that matching was out of style...as they stood there wearing red and green...red and green never go together...unless they are on a Mexican or Italian flag. The rule of thumb here is that dark and light colors complement each other because they help each other to become more visible. The more similar two colors are in tone, the less they complement each other - like green and red. Wear coordinates (tops and bottoms) that complement each other.

When going for a uniformed look (wearing the same colors) check if they really do match. The color black has different shades which can be altered by its vibrancy. Make sure that black sport coat and black slacks you own are actually the same shade of black when you wear them together. That especially goes for white. Are your pants bone white and your blouse eggshell white? As subtle as the difference may be, it still constitutes a mismatch. Viewing items in bright or natural light before wearing them will help you to make an accurate pairing.

PATTERNS: When choosing patterned coordinates, match them up with solid colors (contrary to the busy styles displayed in GQ and Vogue magazines). This causes less dizziness and makes your ensemble more appealing. If you have a wide or rotund frame, steer clear of horizontal lines; they make you look bigger. Also, beware of intricate and abstract designs; both create visual distortions that are unsettling and should be avoided - unless you like being confused for a computer game (acceptable in college, but makes you look juvenile in the workplace). Bold, decipherable patterns work best and are classier.

BRINGING SEXY BACK...TASTEFULLY: Women have always grappled with sexuality issues in the workplace. Most of the time it's men who are doing the grappling (or the groping), but there are ways to bring sexy back to the office tastefully.

In a professional setting, the rule of thumb for women is to control the focus (of men). The less cleavage you show, the less you are viewed as a sex object. You won't be able to stop men from looking at your chest, but you can influence how fixated they are on it.

You can maximize your femininity and minimize your sexuality by wearing dresses, long skirts (legs are viewed as less risqué in the workplace), or form fitting (but not tight) slacks with flowing, sensuous blouses, or contemporary tops that highlight, but don't emphasize, your feminine qualities.

SHOES: Technically, shoes are considered accessories, but if you really want to add flair to your wardrobe, build your ensemble from the foundation up; just like a house. Start with a quality pair of shoes. Open toe shoes for women should never be worn without the requisite pedicure and toe nail beautification. Men should always keep their shoes polished and well maintained (i.e. in good condition). Worn-down and worn-out shoes detract from your attire.

ACCESSORIES: Accessories (as stated above) are little things that make a big difference in your wardrobe. Watches, rings, necklaces, bracelets, and belts should be worn modestly; never excessively. Accessories also reveal your personality and true identity. They have the ability to adorn and enhance your attire when worn sparingly as accents. They also show that you pay attention to fine details and you are willing to put forth extra effort, and that's what dressing with flair is all about.

By Chris Robertson


Prom night is almost here. You've put on just a few extra pounds and now your tummy is starting to show just a little. And unfortunately, most prom dresses don't leave any room to grow. But don't worry. If you still have a few weeks left until prom night, you can take these simple steps to get those extra pounds off. You'll feel light on your feet and glow with fashion and pride on that special evening.

Foods to Avoid until the Prom

Over the next few weeks, try to avoid foods high in carbohydrates such as pasta and bread. Check labels for substitute items or for items with fewer carbohydrates. Avoid regular soft drinks as well and replace these with diet soft drinks, Gatorade, or flavored water. Carbohydrate-rich foods as well as soft drinks tend to cause bloating in many people. Even the slightest bloating that normally wouldn't affect the fit of your regular clothing could make your prom dress too snug. Remember, you're going to be dancing and moving about so you'll need some breathing room in your formal eveningwear.

Try to avoid junk foods such as snack cakes, candy bars, and potato chips. Choose healthier snacks such as baked chips, nuts and cashews, raisins, low-fat ice cream or yogurt. These can be eaten in moderation without worry of putting on more pounds.

Other things to limit include whole milk, casserole dishes, and fried foods. And, steer clear of the fast food restaurants over the next few weeks!

Foods to Eat before Prom Night

As mentioned previously, prom dresses tend to be less forgiving than regular clothing so you must choose your foods wisely these last few weeks. Choose foods that burn fat and tone the body. Foods high in protein such as chicken, beef, fish, pork, and lamb are excellent fat burners, especially when carbohydrate intake is limited. Eat meats in moderation along with healthy green or yellow vegetables at each meal.

Between meals, snack on fruits or veggies such as apples, grapes, oranges, bananas, strawberries, watermelon, carrots, tomatoes, pears, and peaches. These all help keep your body healthy, increase energy levels, and keep off those extra pounds.

With each meal, eat smaller portions so your tummy will shrink. You'll notice a significant difference within just a few weeks.

Prom Dresses and Water

Water is always good for your body, and it's good for prom dresses too! Drink six to eight 8-oz. glasses of water per day to hydrate your body. This helps reduce bloating, gives you an energy boost, and beautifies your skin and complexion. Water also helps to deter those food cravings. Oftentimes, we are thirsty when we think we're hungry. Drink water every time you feel hungry to see if the feeling goes away. You might be surprised at how much less you'll eat.

Exercise for Toning

To tone up your body before the prom, create a daily exercise routine that includes stomach crunches, arm lifts, walking, jogging, or bike riding. These can help tone your tummy, legs and arms for that special evening. Avoid rigorous exercises, and focus on consistency rather than performance.

Note of Warning

Be sure to consult with your physician before starting a short-term or long-term diet and exercise plan. Every individual is different and has different needs, so ask your doctor which plan is right for you, especially if you have any health problems.

These tips can also apply for other formal occasions where evening gowns must be worn such as a homecoming or Quinceanera event. With proper diet and exercise, you'll look fabulous in your prom dress!

By Lena Mcclain


Every age has its individual fashion trends and fads. The 1940s are no exception to this. Like other time periods, the age of 1940s too had its own fashion concepts and trends. Nevertheless, the time period of 1940s scored high on the style and fashion quotient. The decade has some of the most unique and inimitable fashion trends, a few of which mark their presence both- on and off the runway even today.

Dramatic makeup was 1 of the key fashion trends of the decade. Since the outfits were not specifically chic or awe-inspiring, the makeup plus the vivid hairstyles compensated for what they lacked. Bright scarlet lipstick, heavy brow, matte foundation and powder were hallmarks of high fashion in the 1940s.

Today, this makeup can still be applied for a variety of reasons including looking good. This particular style of cosmetic application could effectively cover up unseemly skin troubles such as acne. However, if you'd rather keep your makeup as understated as possible, use effective anti acne solutions like Exposed Skin care System to deal with the same.

Botanart prints were also a big thing then. Be it skirts, shirts or even dresses, these prints found their way almost everywhere. From prints that ranged from uncomplicated florals to bright and big leaves, there was sufficient variety. A few of these prints were big and bold, while the others were quite understated. So, one could easily opt for something that matched their fashion sensibilities.

Another well-liked fashion trend of that time was platform pumps. These shoes were meant to offer more of utility than style. Platform pumps were a welcome respite from the dowdie and uncomfortable wedges. The heels were of just the perfect height, which helped avoid back pain that's triggered due to wearing high heels. The style of shoes ranged from ankle straps, open toes to T straps.

Hats were one of the coolest and the most popularly utilized fashion accessory during the 1940s. From big bold hats to the small ones, hats could be spotted on just about everyone. But, unlike today's hats which are made of the finest materials, hats in those times were made using foil, paper, netting and string.

Alteration of menswear to fit the requirements of women was another well known trend. The suits of men were modified to fit feminine curves. When the men went for war, the females raided the closets of absent males to find something for themselves. With icons like Katherine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich taking up the trend, females flaunting menswear became a rage.

This unique style joined with the utilitarian aspect of the 1940s makes fashion from the decade popular still. Fashion experts, the world over can still be seen sporting these evergreen designs from an era long past.

By Melanie J Rivera


Many things have changed across the business landscape of America over the last several years. The way we dress to go to the office is definitely one of them. For the ladies gone are the days of the Linda Evans in Dynasty power suits with the football player shoulder pads and guys are no longer forced into a three piece suit and tie. The phrase "business casual" is bandied around a lot these days but what does that really mean? A few pointers:

Consider what day it is - If you are meeting with clients err on the conservative side as a mark of respect. Save the khakis for another day when you will be chained to your desk rather than in the spotlight.

Ask first - Different companies have their own interpretation of the terms business casual and dress down Fridays. Many do not want to see jeans even on a dress down day and for others sneakers are still a no no. Check with your supervisor or HR before you turn up for work dressed for a barbeque.

Be consistent - If you dress fairly conservatively from Monday to Thursday resist the temptation to show up on a Friday dressed like you didn't change clothes after rolling out of bed. There are very few companies that will tolerate sweats and baggy tees even on the most casual of days. Besides, is that how you really want your co workers or worse still, clients to see you?

For women:

Pantsuits are great. They are trendy and can be dressed up or down as the occasion calls for. Pants with a bootleg cut are universally flattering as are dark neural shades of black, gray and navy. One of the most flattering dress styles for work is the classic sheath. They accentuate they figure without being too revealing and really never go out of fashion and if you stock up on variety of nice (not too low cut tops) you need only purchase a couple of pairs of dress pants to have a wardrobe versatile enough to gain you a reputation as the office fashionista.

For men:

A few good sports coats are the best additions you can make to your work wardrobe. They look great with wool pants, dress pants even khakis and are pulled together enough for client meetings and presentations. Linen slacks can be a good business casual look as well as long as they are not too Miami Vice. And one word guys - business casual does not mean that your clothes should be wrinkled, get that ironing board out.

By Suzanne R Prochaska


Dressing 10 pounds thinner is easy to do when you understand it is all about creating vertical lines and eliminating horizontal breaks. You can use your clothes to help you look taller and thinner by creating long vertical lines.

Here are ten ways you can dress at least ten pounds thinner:

1. Wear the same color head to toe. Darker colors are best, as they make you appear smaller. The way to look your absolute thinnest is to wear head to toe black.

2. Match your belt to your pants or skirt color to eliminate an additional horizontal break.

3. I'm sure you already know to avoid horizontal stripes, but also avoid prints that have a horizontal pattern. To determine the pattern of a print, squint your eyes so the print is slightly blurry and you will be able to tell if the overall pattern is vertical or horizontal. Vertical stripes are always good.

4. Wear short sleeves, three-quarter length sleeves or roll up your sleeves and use your arms to create two vertical lines. Check this one in the mirror - long sleeves can make you look heavier. Push up your sleeves and look at the difference it makes.

5. Did you ever notice how much thinner men look when they are wearing a jacket and tie? Wear an open jacket, blazer or big shirt and create two vertical lines. Roll up your sleeves and you'll really look great. One of my favorite looks is to wear the same dark color shell, pants and shoes (usually black, but it could be navy, dark gray or brown) and wear a bright colored blazer or jacket. Your jacket or top should end either above or below the biggest part of your body. If the hem ends at the largest part, you will look heavier.

6. Match your hemline, hose and shoes. If you can't do that, wear the same color neutral hose and shoes. If you wear a dark skirt, light hose and dark shoes, you are creating three horizontal breaks. Wear medium to high heel shoes to elongate your legs.

7. Wear a long chunky necklace or a long oblong scarf draped around your neck. While you are at it, go for bigger earrings (over one inch in diameter) to draw attention up to your face.

8. V-neck tops and button up blouses create vertical lines, make your neck appear longer and draw attention up to your face.

9. Skirts and dresses that are slimmer cut and even tapered at the hem will make you look thinner, even if you are plus sized.

10. Select pants that have a straight leg from the hip to the hem. Tapered pants that are smaller at the hem make most people look heavier. Boot cut and slightly flared pants can help create more balance.

By Hemant Jain


Indian fashion is globally accepted by the people in specific. The rich colors of Indian dresses along with antique work makes it look more fashionable. In addition to this, these days the concept of exchange programmes is gaining immense popularity. This essentially means that Indian designers are given a platform to display their talent across the globe. Similarly, some renowned designers from the world showcase their creativity in fashion. All these exchange programmes have been possible as a result of globalization.

Lakme Indian fashion week is one such popular example of the same. However, during such events one gets to see and meet the best designers and fashion experts. Undoubtedly, our Indian fashion gurus receive accolades from the well to do designers of the world. This proves that Indian fashion is profoundly acknowledged worldwide. And through such exchange programmes, the countries attached in this event build up better relations with each other. Secondly, the Gross National Income also shoots up to a considerable extent.

Through these fashion weeks, the prospect customers get a fair chance to select the best of Indian outfits and apparels. One doesn't even have to travel all the way to India in order to buy such exclusive garments. Another major advantage of such fashion weeks is that the best of the designers with the best of their styles are introduced through this channel. And people who are constantly on the look out for Indian wear get to choose from the latest designs.

Thus, fashion weeks have given a new dimension to our Indian fashion industry. Candidly, Indian clothing is the finest and our Indian fashion is almost the top 5. Indians have made people polish their eye for beauty. Indian designers have created the most exclusive styles and types of apparels. Our fashion experts are indeed exulted for this opportunity provided to them. And even in future, they shall continue to produce the most exclusive range of garments.