By A. Covington


Remember the days when trends lasted one season? To be caught wearing last season's "it" item was the Kiss of Death. Now we cross our fingers and hope that skinny jeans and metallics come back for encore performances. Well, we got our wish. And for those of us who love wearing dresses-even in the dead of winter-we can hold on to most of those too. Finally, the style mavens are cutting us some slack!

A Leg up on Leggings

You've probably noticed that leggings are back in a big way, so if you were holding out to make sure the trend caught on, now's the time to catch up to the early adopters. According to Michelle Antonelli, design director of Cable & Gauge and Spenser Jeremy, wearing leggings can be tricky (and you thought it was as easy as one leg after another).

To avoid further confusion, Ms. Antonelli breaks it down for us.

How to wear leggings

* Pick an easy style dress in one of the new baby doll, a-line or trapeze shapes.
* Go soft by selecting a feminine printed georgette or an easy soft knit dress in a great color.
* Keep it simple by opting for a solid color legging in black or brown.
* Keep it in proportion. Make sure the dress or top you select hits just at or above the knee. If you're wearing a mini-dress, select Capri length leggings and a ballerina flat.
* Skip the hosiery and show off your ankles and the top of your foot by wearing a ballerina flat or colored pump.


Dressing up for the transition from winter to spring/spring to summer

Fashion divas hate to give up their favorite frocks, and fortunately layering is still a key trend, which allows us to wear make a smooth transition. Here are some simple tips from Ms. Antonelli on making your must-have dress span a couple of seasons.

Favorite Sheer Printed Dress:

When the weather is chilly pair with a great turtleneck, tights and boots. When springtime arrives shed the layers and slip into a strappy metallic sandal with the great completer - an abbreviated length cardigan. For a super casual summer look, treat yourself to a fabulous pedicure and slip on your favorite flip flops.

Essential Sheath Dress:

Layer a fine gauge long sleeve knit tee to give the essential dress a jumper look for winter. On a chilly spring day trade in the tee for a soft short sleeved tee or slip into a colorful topper jacket that is just about two inches above the hem of the dress. When it's time to go sleeveless be sure to select a structured patent leather flat or go for a color or special detail like a bow or buckle. Jimmy Choo recently featured a rich red with vanilla trip and a bow that would be the perfect addition to the essential sheath dress.

Knit Dresses:

Matte jersey dresses or separates can be your year-round friend. Pair with your favorite short cardigan a pair of warm and cozy tights. Many women find knits an essential addition to their travel wardrobe or for those in between days when Mother Nature hasn't quite figured out what she'd like to do.

The Return of Metallic: How to Make It Work

According to Antonelli, if the runway is an indication of what's here to stay, then metallics will be with us for yet another year. Designers have embraced shimmer and retailers are still hot for metallics, but how can we be on trend without blinding ourselves? Here are two quick tips to keep in mind the next time you reach for a metallic piece:

Find Your Shine:

Don't be afraid to experiment. Handbags, shoes, belts, Lurex sweaters and dresses in brocade or jacquard fabrics all feature different degrees of shimmer, from metallic glazes to simple touches of metallic, hardware details (grommets, buckles and rings) and two-tone trims. Cable & Gauge features gold metallic thread details and hardware in its nautical and classic neutral resort styles that can be worn from late winter and into spring. The summer line will also offer shimmery shells.

Opt for Simple Shimmer:

Remember less is more when it comes to metallic and the trick to pulling off the luxe look is to pick one piece and let it shine. It's easy to start at the top by selecting a metallic knit with a special detail like a kimono sleeve or a blouson shape and dress it up with a velvet skirt for cocktails or pair it with jeans for a casual look. Experiment and investigate this trend, it's here to stay... at least for now.

Special thanks to Michelle Antonelli, design director of Cable & Gauge and Spenser Jeremy for her fabulous advice!

By Robert Scott


Your style is important. Ask yourself every time you buy anything, every time you make anything, or have anything made: Is it in accord with my style? Does it meet the requirements of correct dress for me?

If you live in a little city or a village and suddenly found yourself on Fifth Avenue in New York City, would you feel conspicuous in your clothes? If friends from the fashion centers of America were coming to visit you, would you feel out of place in your costume? You should not. You have the same opportunity to be correctly dressed as any other woman if you will study and persevere toward perfection in dress.

We must realize that we have a style of our own and that we are of a particular type. This is recognized by every fashion authority in the country, and by every fashion publication, for if all women were to adhere to one fashion, one fashion only would be shown in the fashion books instead of twenty, thirty, or fifty different designs.

Look through any fashion book today and you will find round-and-round and up-and-down lines in the same issue--all with the idea of helping women to clothe themselves correctly and of giving suggestions that will help them individually to find appropriate styles.

Establishing a style for yourself and then perfecting it--be it in hats, gloves, shoes, dresses, or suits--will prove economical, and it will not be long before a degree of perfection will be acquired.

A prominent New York business woman, who is one of the most distinctively dressed women that I know, wears the smartest suits and hats and always severely tailor-made gowns. And her neckwear, usually a jabot or a stock, is so smart that you would never for a minute question whether it is authoritatively fashionable. She always wears high shoes on the street, and usually they have light-colored tops, because she is tall and the light tops of the shoes help to break the appearance of height.

One day, this young woman came to visit me. I could not refrain from remarking about the completeness of her costume. I said, "If I saw your shadow, I should know that it was you by the harmony that your silhouette expresses and the very way you carry yourself."

She said, "Do you know that remarks like yours are what caused me to persevere in acquiring my style of dressing? I used to think I wanted loose, floppy clothes in which I could relax and be just as free and comfortable as if I were in negligee. Once, when in a ferry boat crossing New York harbor, I saw sitting opposite me a line of crumpled-up women apparently enjoying their slovenly posture. Not one of them expressed dignity or pride in her personal appearance. Not one of the women on that boat, I thought, was unusual or had any desire to know better. I then took a little self-inventory. I was ashamed of myself, because I realized I was not very much better dressed than the other women on the boat. I sat up straight and determined right then and there that I would acquire a style becoming and practical for me and would express that style in the most attractive and agreeable way that I could. And that resolution has helped me more than I can say."

She was frank enough to tell me that she attributed a great part of her success to having wakened up, to having made herself trim and having kept herself so. She always plans to have one good suit or one good dress--just as good as she possibly can afford; she procures a garment that she has to respect, and that will make her "dress up to fit."

She said, "If I put on a shabby dress, I will allow my shoes to be shabby and will be careless about my personal grooming; but when I have a dress that I have to be particular about, I always have my hair, my shoes, my gloves, my corset--everything--Just right for it, and I always look very much better."

Living up to your clothes, creating a style, and being equal to an intelligent expression of it are worth many dollars to a woman who wants to be a success in business, in the home, or in social life.

By Gaurav Doshi


Introduction

India is becoming the latest fashion hub for the fashionistas. Indian designers are no longer confined to the domestic fashion and apparel market, they are gaining recognition and fame from all over the world. The various government policies and a boom in fashion industry have made it possible. One of the major breakthrough provided to Indian designers to showcase their talents are through the medium of fashion shows. Lakme India Fashion Show is the most popular fashion show celebration of India where the talents of already established and upcoming designers are showcased.

This event is a fashion celebration laced with lots of glamour and national as well as international media coverage. This time lakme India fashion week was held at Mumbai from 31st Oct- 4th Nov. Many high profile designers as well as audience witnessed this fashion fiesta. Famous bollywood celebrities were part of it.

Eminent designers like Surily Goel, Narendra Kumar, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Nalandda Bhandari, Nandita Mahtani, Anand Kabra, Abhishek Dutta , Wendrell Rodericks, Anupama Dayal, Vikram Phadnis, Chaitanya Rao, Sanchita, Savio Jon, Payal Singhal, Sanjay Malhotra, James Ferriera, Priyadarshini Rao, etc presented their spring/summer 2007 collection. Also South African designer duo Sun Goddess and Clive Rundle presented their collection.

Brief descriptions of some designer's creative work are as follows :-

Nalandda Bhandari

Nalandda Bhandari designs simple yet attractive and wearable collection under the brand name 'Nasha'. She named her spring/summer 2007 collection 'Free Spirit'. She covered all patterns and styles of contemporary women clothing, dress patterns like- tunics, kaftans, tube dress, skirts, shirts and burnt gold evening gown dominated her show. She played with glamour clad fabrics like chiffon, silk, georgette, voile, cotton and crepe. Her collection was largely ruled by animal prints and embroideries like African embroidery, sequin embroidery, etc. She also presented her men collection. She included her logo of rose embroidery in almost every outfit.

Narendra Kumar

The very famous designer Narendra Kumar presented his spring/summer collection 2007 at Lakme Fashion Week. The collection was named as 'Love Touches You'. He presented a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary designing paired beautifully with each other. The women's line of western collection had smocked & pleated skirts, balloon skirt with shirt dress, half collars, bloomers, chiffon with appliqué sleeves, etc which were created with the designer's unique touch and detailing. The preferred fabrics by the designer were cotton, georgette, net, silk, mull and linen. The collection was unique but wearable in terms of design and pattern.

The men collection was very stylish and appealing in nature. Men models walked the ramp with elaborate embroidered batik styled shirts paired with stylish trousers completed with patch pockets and shiny zippers. Fun element of, feminity to male garments was provided by showcasing sophisticated floral printed baggy tops paired with tight fitting pants and capris. The choice of colors was dull jade, beige, blue, brown, saffron and white. Complicated embroidery, smocking, appliqué work and shadow work were part and parcel of his creative designing. The fun element was when the famous model turned actor John Abraham walked the ramp with white linen suit. Thus he complied every bit of creativity and entertainment aspects to his collection which gained him standing ovation by the audience and showering of red carnations.

Surily Goel

Surily Goel is young and talented designer who even designs for film personalities. Her latest creation on big screen was for actress Preity Zinta for the film 'Jaan-e-Mann'. Her collection presented the carefree and sensual side of women's clothing. This year's collection was marked by knee-length skirts of georgette, crochets, chiffon, light silks and organdy, highlighting pleats and waist gathering with satin belts. Also single piece bubble outfits created in wide range of colors and fabrics. In this time's collection she used more of small colored stones.

The presence of film personalities like Dino Morea, Sonali Bendre, Neelam Kothari, Fardeen Khan, Sameera Reddy and Tara Sharma in the audience during her collection put the star element into the show.

Chaitanya Rao

Chaitanya Rao's collection was like early morning breeze with booming petals of budding roses. The delicate fabrics like georgette and chiffon provided that sexy feminine look to her collection. As her signature, she included moth in the form of embroidery or appliqué in all of her garments. The models took over the ramp with her mesmerizing feminine collection comprising of hem blouses with theme embroideries, pleated mini skirts with batik prints, moth appliqué blouses, long frayed double hem dresses, pale grey chiffon tunic, cream color chiffon bubble dress, dolman sleeved hipster blouses, the list goes on. To accessorize her collection she used thin and broad belts.

Sanchita

Sanchita's collection presented in Lakme Fashion Week was bold yet wearable. She divided her collection into three segments- Punk chic, Copacabana and Swinging deco. The stunning designer pieces of bikinis and pareos, Hawaiian inspired kaftans, small balloon skirts, floaty dresses and minis provided the feeling of the beaches of Copacabana, St. Tropez and Riviera to the audience. Her collection was quite glamorous consisting of outfit like grey T-shirts with silver leggings, lycra T-shirts having sleeve ornamentations, strapless dresses accompanied with necklaces, earrings and brooches.

The men collection was marked by casual wear T-shirts, poplin trousers with detailed embroideries and white tuxedo jackets.

The garments were decorated with semi precious stones or with attractive patch works. Her line of collection was dominated by colors like white, apatite, agate, jade, opal and black onyx. The garments were accessorized with intrinsically crafted jewelry and bags.

Savio Jon

This designer emphasized heavily on the comfort factor of the garments. Savio Jon is well known for his simple yet attractive clothing lines which are high on value and seductive quotient. Unlike other designers he preferred his garments to hang loose around the body instead of body hugging/tight fitting clothes. He used free flowing fabrics like fish net, mul, chiffon, georgette and crepe.

Pinafore silhouette, long lean maxis, oversized blouses, deep shoveled armholes, low back and front necklines, were some types of garments he presented. In evening wear he glamorized the tubular silhouettes with shimmers. The ranges of colors choosed by him for his collection were beige, grey, brown, black, pale yellow and white. Thus the colors were also sober and subtle.

Payal Singhal

Payal Singhal for the first time presented her collection in Lakme Fashion Week. Her designer collection for women were designed keeping in mind today's working women's needs and comfort level. Stylish yet affordable was the key element associated with her collection. She beautifully used cutwork, satin, georgette, jacquard, tulle, cotton, crepe, taffeta, brocade and seersucker in club and partywear for dresses and tunics. Her display of outfits on ramp descended gracefully from daywear to glamorous evening wear. She started her showcasing of designs in oyster white color then, tea rose, yellow, coffee, watermelon to grapefruit color. Display of tunics and blousons were coupled with melon, gold or silver tights. The signature outfit was the oyster white kaftan embellished with golden embroidery.

Sanjay Malhotra

Sanjay Malhotra named his spring/summer 2007 collection -'Dejavu'. The key phrase which inspired him for this collection was -Life through my rose colored glasses. He instead of sticking only to free flowing usual feminine fabrics, even experimented with fabrics like fur, leather, voiles, denim, suede and laces which were highly appealing to today's power packed independent women. The beautiful mix-n-match of these fabrics in sober as well as striking colors presented a collection that was bold enough yet stylish and wearable. Few of the many outfits displayed by him were- ivory colored mirror jacket with chiffon sleeves, colorful corset skirt accompanied with net petticoat, tunic with fur edge, etc. His collection was for the woman who likes to seek attention of the crowd and be different.

Clive Rundle and Sun Goddess

Clive Rundle and Sun Goddess were two international South African designers who presented their collection at Lakme Fashion Week. Fusion was the key style of their outfits. Extravagant layered dresses and skirts, jackets, evening wear, loosely fitted shirts and trousers, long coats and tops were part of their garment showcase. Their choices of colors were mainly creams, cherries, plums, peaches, sapphires, maroons and mauves. The free flowing pleated and layered outfits depicted the south African culture and fashion essence through them.

James Ferriera

James Ferriera made his debut at Lakme Fashion Week. He named his collection 'Bombay Tokyo'. His collections were inspired by Maharashtra's rich textile heritage.

The collections were divided into seven segments which were even named. The sari, an ode to devnagari, the hardy traditional towel, black magic, the sholapur story, warli and diwali were the seven names given to the segments.

Traditional warli paintings and paithani motifs were done on the clothes. Very uniquely he transformed the traditional forms of maharashtrian clothing into contemporary designs, like nine yard saris were intelligently converted into tunics. Marigold and leaf motifs were used on black shirts with cowl necks.

To describe in a nutshell his collection used ethnic fabrics and designs on garments with style and attitude. The outfit presented during finale had black georgette garments with glittering Paithani embroidery designs on them.

Conclusion

This event is marked by presence of celebrities and traders all across the globe. Also it provides a platform for the budding designers to show their talent and establish themselves into the high profile fashion industry, for the already established designers to show their collection and maintain their popularity level. The above mentioned review is for few of the many prominent and talented designers. The nutshell description of the designers suggests that this celebration of fashion and style is a sure shot success for India's designers and promote the export business too. The very presence of film stars on the ramp of their favorite designers and in the audience is the crowd puller factor of this celebration. Lakme Fashion week is extensively covered by media and promoted also.

By Robert Thatcher


There are only three principal public occasions in a person's life: baptismal, burial and marriage. Among the three, only marriage allows great honor for the principals. Throughout the tradition, marriages had been considered as the special day for a lady who is about to pledge her matrimonial vows towards the chosen one.

Marriage is Her Big Day more than that of the groom. This is why marriages have always been made special and bridal dresses created as such to fit the festive occasion. This practice of making the bride look magnificent in her bridal dress runs down throughout the history, with widespread influence dating back to medieval times.

Bridal dresses were not always white, in opposition for what have been usually perceived by most people. Bridal dresses before the Victorian era would normally adapt the color of what is trendy and what is available. Shades of lively colors were normally used and pastel colors were also popular. But by mid-1800s, white bridal dresses became the norm when Queen Victoria chose a white bridal dress for her wedding day. The same dress was worn over a black silk dress fifty years later. She also was responsible for setting the fashion of having her bridesmaids carry the train.

1920s

In his decade, revolutionary changes were done with fashion. Up well to 1920s, bridal dresses were created in accordance with what's the norm. The hemlines rose from shoe to above the knee and became more curtailed. But later, many considered the length of the bridal dress inappropriate for church services, thus the replacement of full-length gowns. In this decade too was the dropped waist and shapeless bodice dresses reach its height of popularity.

1930s

The depression in thirties followed the roaring of the twenties. Women changed from the boyish look to the more profound expression of a woman's body. Normally, the bridal dresses in this era hugged the body of the bride. To emphasize the shape of the body, bridal dresses were given boat-shaped collars.

1940s

Fashion in the 1940s almost died down, and the same was true for the white bridal dresses. Clothes rations started in 1941 and continued up to the end of the World War I. A number of brides struggled for silk dresses but most suited themselves for the uniform. Those who were not commissioned in the army wore the same costumes.

1950s

The padded shoulders of the last decade were superseded by the narrow shoulders in the 1950s. However, many brides wanted their dresses adopt the intermediate style. The bridal trains were fashioned after the trains of the Elizabethan era. But another fashion arrived- The New Look outfit. Simply put, the New Look outfit is tailored after the ballerina dresses in terms of length. The dress typically has a jacket bodice with tight sleeves.

1960s

There were not so much changes in the bridal fashion in the 1960s. Ladies still preferred wearing the circular dresses, short veils and tight sleeves only differing on the veils with more bouffant approach. Most women wore coronets and a single rose with the veil gathered together from the flower. In contrast with the extravagant and flowing bridal dresses, bouquets in the 1960s were made simpler. More often than not, tiny flowers in tight posies are used.

1970s

After two decades of tights sleeves, Tudor sleeves were introduced in the seventies. The high-waisted line of the 1960s gradually moved lower to a princess line. Trains diminished too and the cuts of the dresses were made far simpler.

1980s

By this era, the waistlines had returned to their normal position. The dresses were much fuller now and the big bouquets returned back to fashion. This period was marked with more extravagant sleeves, suited after the bridal dress of the Princess of Wales.

1990s

Wide skirts remained popular with the start of the 1990s. However, different fashion icons popularized varieties of skirts. But among the most popular are the super low waists with skirts flared down.

New Century

With the coming of the new century, the norms with wedding have changed too. Themed costumes were much more practiced today and so are the themed bridal dresses.

There is no doubt that bridal dresses remain to be the eternal testimony of a wedding. And the efforts of making the dresses extravagant and special are both to the benefit of the bride's contentment and the ever-changing fashion trends.

By Stephen Todd


Cocktail dresses, also referred to as a cocktail gown, are a woman's garment that usually displays a shorter length and worn when one has been invited to a cocktail party. Cocktail dresses are suitable for wearing to events such as a semi-formal, prom, or other formal occasion. Cocktail dresses come in a variety of shapes, sizes and lengths, but one of the most popular choices is the well-known "little black dress."

When choosing from the many available cocktail dresses, you should familiarize yourself with some of the lengths that you may encounter. Depending on the current fashion trends of the year or wardrobe acceptability, the length of a cocktail dress varies. Some cocktail dresses stop just above the knee, while other selections end around two inches from above the ankle, known as a tea length cocktail dress. When a cocktail dress touches the ankle, it is "ballerina length" - this is commonly associated with being an evening gown, with the differences between the two hard to tell.

Today, cocktail dresses come in an array of beautiful materials, with silk, satin, and chiffon these being the most popular choice.

Some people receive an invitation to an event or party and have no clue what to wear. The fear of over or under dressing for the occasion begins to set in. There are some clues to follow when you are puzzled on what to wear to an event. When using the invitation as a clue, you are more likely to casually dress if the invitation arrives through email or by telephone. If the invitation arrives through the mail, chances are you may be in need of a cocktail dress.

When invited to attend a benefit or event held by a charity or other association, a cocktail dress is probably the attire you should be thinking of. Sometimes deciphering what sort of wardrobe to raid is as simple as reading the entire invite. More than likely, you will find phrases, such as "casual dress," "semi-formal attire" or "formalwear required" on the invitation. Moreover, the last resort if you are unsure is to call the phone number that is included on the invite and ask to make sure.

When attending a cocktail party, you shouldn't wear a sequined gown - they are for a more formal occasion, such as a wedding or anniversary party. Cocktail dress lengths can range from a mini length to something that stops above the ankles. The type of material sends a message - satin and silk are popular choices, accompanied by flattering jewelry, handbags, and other accessories. The shoes that you select can also set off a cocktail dress - especially if you are sporting a shorter length and the shoes become an important focal point.

When choosing the color of your cocktail dress, you should keep in mind that during the summer season, floral prints, light pink, sky blue, pale green and yellow, as well as other pastels look good during this time. For a winter get-together, gray, crimson, black, dark brown and dark blue cocktail dresses are quite flattering. And for one of the number one tips regarding cocktail dresses: do not try to fit into a dress that is cut too low or is too tight; the results could be disastrous.

By Stephen Todd


Formal dresses are a great way to show up at a formal event, such as a prom, wedding or charity event. There are many options that a woman can choose from when they are in need of such an article of clothing. When browsing through the long list of available formal dresses, there are many decisions to make. The size, length, cut, style, and color are all issues needing careful consideration before you make a final decision. The perfect dress could set off your presence at an event just as strongly as an inappropriate dress choice could put a damper on the festivities.

Nowadays, formal dresses come with so many options to choose from - a woman could develop a headache deciding whether or not she wants her dress to feature a ruffle, a bow, as well as beading or additional sashes. The length of a formal dress is also important. Shorter lengths show off a little leg, which may, or may not, be desired. Longer dresses can help to achieve a slimming effect, as well as create the aura of regality. The style of the formal dress presents many choices; some opt for a strapless number, while others prefer the spaghetti strap look.. Dresses can also be dressed up with a simple accessory, such as an elegant choker or a fur wrap.

When choosing the style of your dress, you may want to consider some of the styles that will flatter your figure the most. Strapless dresses can be used to draw attention to lovely shoulders, while some dresses are available that can promote an hourglass appearance.

Below you will find an array of choices when one is in need of a formal dress for that special occasion:

1) Jacket Gown

When choosing a jacket gown for a formal event, you may prefer a dress selection with long sleeves, providing more coverage during your night out. Many of these gowns come in satin or lace options, offering a sexy yet still covered look.

2) Velvet Gown

Velvet gowns, especially a chocolate-colored selection can make a statement. If you are interested in drawing attention away from the hip and waist area, choose a formal dress that features an empire waist.

3) Lace Overlay Dress

Going for a classic look? Try a dress that offered a lace overlay bodice (preferably the color black) with a deep V in the front and back.

4) Strapless Satin

For a nice streamlined look, consider this option where accessories can be used to the fullest effect. Long earrings and sparkling necklaces go well with this dress choice.

Some top designers on the market have achieved positive results with a number of formal dress creations. Marc Jacobs offers a silk black dress that features an empire waistline and a bow located on the back of the dress. Nicole Miller has an open back dress in her line that showcases a sizzling back. BCBG offers a black bubble dress selection made from taffeta that provides a great strapless option.

By Greg Pierce


Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, just as fashion depends on the one creating a fashion statement. Fashion may vary considerably depending on age, nationality, social standing, occupation, geography or even cultural background. Dressing has to be appropriate according to the occasion and time that it is called for because the real essence of a dress is seen only when it is worn proper for an occasion.

There are no blueprint rules governing the fashion or clothing industry but fashion critics, through the media have set standards what and how fashion should be. Editorial critics and commentaries in fashion and lifestyle magazines such as Vogue and Cosmopolitan have such captivating bylines that capture readers' interests, projecting what fashion taboos and fashion statements are. Thus, the media has sensationalized the fashion industry such that fashion designers' dependence on them has in-arguably grown over the years.

What type of clothing or apparel matches with what occasion? Since we have been dictated by the media and fashion designers on what to wear on specific occasions or purposes, it is just excellent to follow fashion rules rather than be branded as a fashion outcast.

A cocktail gown or dress, which was coined originally by Christian Dior, is worn at cocktail parties or early evening parties usually held outdoors. Although the length of the dress depends on cultural background and personal preference, most cocktail dresses are knee-length or just above the knee although some more conservative individuals prefer to wear it longer.

Ball gowns are long dresses with tight-fitting bodice, long, flowing and floor-sweeping trained skirts or full dresses that are usually worn at banquets, opera, gala, balls and other formal affairs. These gowns are usually made of elegant fabrics such as chiffon, satin, velvet, taffeta, silk and among others.

Evening gowns, on the other hand, are also made of elaborate and exquisite fabrics. Unlike ball gowns that always come in as flared skirts, evening gowns may vary in style as they may come in A-line or trumpet-shaped and among other patterns.

Informal parties, on the other hand does not require one to wear a specific clothing style as one can wear simple evening dress, jeans or anything such as the latest fad in the fashion industry but with the exception of theme parties such as costume or children's parties where guest are requested to wear specific costumes.

The fashion industry, thus, does not have permanence as trends evolve and so do personal preferences change along with time. So anybody does not have an authority to dictate what is right from wrong because fashion is what the wearer states - confidence and elegance at the right occasion at the right time of the day.

By Rod Seeber


The black dress has earned a place in history over the last century as perhaps the most desired of all women's fashion accessories, ever since the early twentieth century when a famous French designer name Coco Chanel offered her version of contemporary fashion and whether it was her french influence or flamboyant nature she managed to amaze the world of fashion in a way that will never be forgotten. Her simplistic attitude to the black dress is what would make this fashion trend timeless. A simple design that could be worn by it's self or with numerous additions that could glam it up with the best of them. Coco was well aware that the world was changing with the new attitude of the art deco community and the daring way women were prepared to be seen in public.

The times were happy as the stock market made many millionaires who thought the ride would never finish and these millionaires needed their own fashion accessory which was a beautiful woman who was dressed up to the nines and not afraid to show the world her beauty and her skill at doing the Charleston Dance. In this decade of opulence most women were finding their fashion sense and the black dress was never far away from the best parties or seedy brothels all over the world. The short dress was in and there was no stopping it now as this fashion icon made its way into all classes of society and a broad spectrum of incomes and moral beliefs. The color black with fashion was making its own stance as something positive because up to now it had always been associated with the darker side of life including funerals and mourning. This style of dress was to soon be known as the LBT which of course was short for Little Black Dress.

Early Hollywood helped the rise of the LBT because it suited the budget of producers and it was also handy because it didn't matter if the movie was filmed in black and white, then throw in the fact that all leading ladies looked so in vogue when wearing the LBT and you were on a winner in the movie goers eyes. A pretty lady looking great in her black dress on the silver screen in all her glory. The trend continued and when the 1950s arrived and again women of the era were finding their fashion sense with figure hugging swimsuits and new materials that allowed them to show off their curves. Hollywood was again playing a part as many Hollywood legends began to forge their own image and the way they wished to be portrayed in the public minds.

The movie that embedded the little black dress look into the minds of all fashion gurus was Breakfast At Tiffany's in which the leading lady Audrey Hepburn wore a black dress that was to be admired the world over and just as importantly tipped the view on what a elegant dress should be? Soon this look was copied the world over and it has never really disappeared, just the accessories have continued to evolve as simple pearl necklaces have now become high fashion sliver designer pieces that standout like no other off the black background offered by the dress. These days when a special occasion calls for something stylish, elegant and flexible the first thing the ladies go for is their Little Black Dress

By Jim Aldridge


Clothing style goes side by side with the fashion. It is the artistic ability of a fashion designer to design the clothes and bring it out in front of others. That design then spreads around in the society within no time. The style we pose by wearing different brand names come into fashion. People from different parts of society bring out clothing styles and makes it as a part of fashion in the society. Hence it leads towards the development of fashion industry.

The human ability to create different clothing styles provides options to others in making selection of the designs that they want to wear. That is why today, we can see different categories of clothes in males and females. The clothes range from casual to formal, trendy to semi-formal, traditional to party wear and so on. The demand of people makes the merchant to bring out something new and innovative in the market. For example in the women categories of clothing we can see gown, ball gown, evening gown, wedding dresses, Capri, long skirts, and most commonly pant and shirts. Though there are other numbers of designs to be found in the world. While in the category of men's clothing there are pants and shirts, suits, wedding cloths, party wear, and dress codes that they are supposed to be followed for a particular occasion.

So consciously or unconsciously all these clothing styles become a part of fashion. As mentioned previously, women have varieties of gown for different occasions. So it also shows the rapid growth of fashion industry and taste of people in clothing style.

Fashion does not only mean to wear formal dresses or to look stylish. It does mean to create something, be innovative, and remain up to date. One should also be careful that, every cloth does not suit every one. One should try to adopt the latest fashion of clothing, however one should also keep in consideration one's physical structure. Clothing is incorporated to fashion and fashion is not only about the style of clothing; but more important is that how particular clothing is worn and carried by that person (color combination or dress matching). Fashion comes and goes. It does not stay for all the time. Therefore, fashion is related to the way clothing is worn and the way we present it; is what we called as style.

Another significant aspect is that a person's own dressing sense also contributes a lot to the fashion. Fashion includes clothing that is created by human beings. So following the latest fashion is not enough. Even an ordinary man can bring out the fashion if he holds good dressing sense. In addition to this, dressing sense is important in giving us some social roles too. This means to follow some dress codes. There are some dress codes in every society too. It varies according to the ethnicity, values, and culture. For example, as an ethic, the dress code for burial ceremony should be simple in any society (though the colors may vary), the dresses for any cultural event or social ritual would be different. For Halloween party or Christmas again there will be different clothing styles. So it varies from society to society. Overall the rapid changes in the world of fashion give us some dressing sense too.

By JanMarie Sands


Love to play dress up? Why stop when you are young? There are countless ways you can continue to enjoy dressing up as you get older. In fact, you can become a true dress up girl if you want to and be stylish, fashionable and have a great time doing it.

Learn About Fashion

The first step for a dress up girl is to figure out the basics of fashions. Fortunately there are huge numbers of fashion websites, fashion magazines and fashionable television shows you can watch to see how the specialists pull looks and designs together. Once you have seen it a few times, you can start to imitate and critique fashion on your own to design looks in your mind.

Play With Fashion Online

Once you have a basic understanding of how to pull pieces together in a fashionable way, take yourself online and practice your new skills in the online dress up girl games. In the game, you will have a blank slate of a girl ready to dress in hundreds of outfits. You can test your skills by pairing up items and adding accessories to the look before showing it to others in a bit of a fashion show and tell. There are discussion boards and forums dedicated to this purpose and there are plenty of other young fashion fanatic ready to critique and discussion designs with you.

Take It to the Store

Your next step is to take your new fashion sense to the stores. Beg some cash from your parents or use some of your own and start looking for some truly unique fashions. Dig around in the sale racks to find terrific bargains on fashion items. When you find something you like, grab it and take it with you to the dressing room. You need to take plenty with you. Grabbing just a couple of items might not be enough to really give you a good preview of what you really need to pull the outfits together.

Grab as many good items as you can find and get away with in the dressing room. Then try them on until you find a complete outfit you love. Once you have pulled it together, buy it as a full outfit and enjoy it that way every time you wear it. If you buy full outfits every time you shop, you will never be stuck with items you never can match with anything else or clothes you are not interested in wearing.

Share It with Others

It is going pretty clear to others that you are learning a lot about fashion and it will not be long before they start coming to you for advice. When others ask, always be sure to tell them how much work it takes to learn the fashion skills you have gained as a dress up girl and you might even decide to guide them in their own quest to learn how to pull outfits together and look as great as you do now.