By Sanjana Antony


Going out on a first date with someone special can make you feel excited, happy, nervous, and confused at the same time. You will also feel some pressure especially if you really intend to impress your date. There are many things you have to consider but the main thing you will have to pay most attention to is your appearance. You will surely want to look your best on your first date. So if you still have any idea about what to wear on your first date, here are three simple tips that will help you pick the perfect outfit for your first date.

Dress appropriately
You must first determine the type of date you are going on. You should consider the time of the date. If you're going on a day date like lunch, snack, or movie, a casual outfit would be best. If you are going to a date that involves physical activities like walking, hiking, and biking, you must put on comfortable clothes and shoes. For evening dates in a fancy restaurant, a cocktail dress that is not too conservative and not too sexy would be your best bet.

Opt for clothes that will look good on you
You could do some research for the right cut, color, and fabric that will complement your figure, skin tone, and physical features. There are certain cuts that are not very flattering for a slim figure, full figure, and pear-shaped figure. Know your body type so you could determine the right cut for you. You should also consider the type of fabric used on the clothes. Fabrics that stretch are always advisable for full-figured people to avoid the too-tight look. Darker colors are usually recommended to those with full figures because they could give a slimming effect and light colors with printed designs are best for slim figures.

Dress to show your own style and personality
It is not wrong to follow trends, in fact, most people do. But you have to make sure that it suits your personality. Never wear clothes that you are uncomfortable in. If you see new trends look good on other people doesn't mean it will look good on you too. You must understand that not all people have the same looks and features. Refer to the second tip to determine if your choice of clothing is appropriate for you. Fashion is not about the latest trend or the most expensive designer pieces. It is about how you carry yourself in your own choice of clothes. Confidence is the real key for you to impress your date. By following these three simple tips, you could easily learn how to 'dress to impress' the right way.

By Jennifer Wasilewski

Whether you've been single for awhile or just getting back into the game, a first date is exciting. While you may be anxiously awaiting your night out, you may be getting a little nervous as well. One of the biggest issues for a first day is deciding what to wear. Often times you start planning an outfit days in advance only to find that that you hate what you picked out. If spending hours in front of the mirror deciding between a skirt and pants, heels and flats, and black and blue, is not your idea of a good time, you're not alone. Here are some tips to help you decide how to dress as well as how to do your hair and makeup for different types of dates.

What to Wear:

* Daytime Date: If you're going to be going on a day time date, consider wearing something a little more casual. Often times day time dates are meant to ease the nerves and hang out without the possibility of commitment looming over your head. Choose something that's fun and slightly flirty, but remember to stay practical.
* Out Door Dates: Going on a date that takes place outside or involves a lot of walking means you'll need to dress appropriately. Even though you may love your brand new ruby red heels, you may want to save them for a dinner date. Wear flats that won't get stuck in the grass and will keep your feet comfy when walking long distances.
* Casual Nighttime Dates: Casual dinner and a movie dates generally call for something a little dressier than your day time attire; however, they don't require your little black dress. Choose a pair of dress pants or a skirt and heels with a fun and flirty shirt. If you want to wear jeans, stay away from ones that are ripped or faded and opt for a darker color designer jean.
* Elegant Evening Dates: Sometimes men feel it necessary to pull all the stops and take you to a fancy restaurant on your first date. If this is the case, clearly your possible new beau wants to impress you, so humor and respect him by dressing for the occasion. This is when you pull out the little black dress or a colorful equivalent and a pair of great heels. Don't disappoint him when he picks you up by wearing jeans, even if they are really sexy.


Hair

* Daytime Dates: For a casual day date, you can basically wear your hair any way you feel comfortable. If you want to dress it up a bit, try adding a cute head band or scarf that matches your outfit. Regardless of where you're going, make sure your hair it neat and clean. You may not want to act like your desperate, but doesn't look like you're not trying at all.
* Out Door Dates: If you will be outside for the majority of your date or if you'll be walking to and from different places, you may want to consider pulling your hair back. This will save you the awkward embarrassment of having your perfect hair-do turn into a hair disaster because of wind, a game of soccer, of an unfortunate rain storm. Again, accessorizing your hair is a great way to turn an everyday pony tail into a cute date appropriate up do.
* Casual Nighttime Dates: Casual dinner and movie dates are a great opportunity to wear your hair down and take some more time in deciding how to style it. Chances are you won't be outdoors for long, and you won't be taking part in physically taxing activities (at least not early in the night!). If you look great with your hair down and curly or have short hair that looks great in sassy, spiky styles, go for it. The goal is to be comfortable yet polished.
* Elegant Evening Dates: If you will be dining at an elegant restaurant definitely put some time and effort into your hair. This is when you'll want to ensure that every piece is in its right place. Often times an up-do is a great way to keep control of your hair while looking stylish and sophisticated. You'll want to keep your accessories to a minimum. Instead of that cute scarf that you like so much, try going with small decorative barrettes to add a little refined dimension.


Makeup

* Daytime Dates: Keep your makeup to a minimum. Unless you always wear a ton of makeup, don't overdo it for a day date where you're most likely going to be in brightly lit places. Save the smoky eyes and blood red lipstick for a special night time occasion.
* Out Door Dates: Keep in mind that outdoor dates may be more physically taxing. Going for a walk; running around, or being out in the elements can easily turn pretty eyelashes into embarrassing black streaks running down your cheeks. Choose makeup that will stay on and won't smudge. Again, you'll want to stay away from tons of eye makeup and bold lip sticks. The goal here is to go for look playful not like a diva.
* Casual Nighttime Dates: When applying your makeup, you can be more liberal for evening dates than you are for daytime engagements. This means you can break out the eye liner and go a little darker with your lipstick and eye shadow. Even though you're going out during the evening, don't overdo it.
* Elegant Evening Dates: While you should pay particular attention to your makeup, you still want to keep in mind that less often more. You may not want to go overboard if you're going to a classy dining establishment. Often times men enjoy woman who keep their makeup natural and most men will appreciate this if they are taking you somewhere where sophistication is the key. Subtle eye shadows and lip glosses with a bit a shimmer are a great option for elegant dining.

By Debbie L Wells


The Tahoe Heritage Foundation's annual Great Gatsby Festival is a very fun event for anyone who loves history. It is especially fun if you can dress like a fashionable 1920s lady and stroll through the beautiful grounds of Valhalla in style.

To get started you will need a dress. The 1920s were know for their straight cut long dresses (hem below the knee) that made women appear "boyishly" flat chested and without hips. Summer day dresses were made of lightweight, chiffon, georgette or silk materials. Solid colors as well as geometrical, Egyptian and Asian patterns were all the rage. Many modern long summer dresses can be easily adapted to look "'20s." One quick way to make a simple straight line dress look art deco is to tie a thin fabric belt or loose sash a few inches below your hip bone. This creates the unnaturally low waist line that is very characteristic of the early to mid '20s. Another option is to wear a long skirt and white blouse. Skirts could be plain and straight or pleated and a bit fuller. Avoid tapered "pencil" style skirts. These are symbolic of the 1940s.

Once your dress is picked out you will need to add the crowing glory of the fashionable woman: the hat. A cloche hat is a tight fitting, low brimmed, headpiece that every '20s woman wore. They were often made of wool, felt or crochet yarn which was ideal for winter but too warm for summer months. Instead ladies adorned themselves with wide brimmed straw hats that were wrapped with a ribbon and accented with a flower and feathers on one side. A-symmetrical shapes were equally common with one side of the straw hat pinned up and decorated with a colorful flower. If you do nothing else to dress for the Gatsby Festival you must at least wear an appropriate summer hat.

The next step is to stroll along in a comfortable pair of shoes. T-straps and Mary Jane's with 1-3 inch thick heels were ideal footwear for day or night. If you don't have a pair of these already try you local dance supply shop for a pair of black "Character" shoes. Avoid ballet flats, thin heeled pumps, sandals and socks. Women wore tights in dark solid colors or funky geometrical patterns (for the youthful ladies.)

Finally feel free to adorn your outfit with accessories like mid length lace gloves, a shawl, beaded clutch purse and even a parasol. For jewelry choose geometrical shapes inspired by the discovery King Tut's tomb in 1922.

Fashionable hairstyles were short bobs and finger woven hair. If you have short hair your cloche or straw hat will do well to cover your hair appropriately. If you have long hair you can gather it back to fit under your hat or placed it in a flat bun at the nape of your neck.

It's not very difficult to pull together your outfit from items in your closet or local vintage and thrift stores. However if you have a few hours and some sewing skills I highly recommend you sew your own 1920s One Hour dress. It's fairly easy, beautiful, and authentic to the time.

By Usha Prabhakar


As a child I never gave importance to how I dressed. I am a very cerebral person always staying on the mental and emotional level. However, over the years I have learnt that how you dress has a great impact on the way you feel about yourself and the image you project of yourself.

While spice is the variety of life, different colors give a kaleidoscopic view of life. Even though the true essence and nature of our being is untouched, it is the personality that is affected by our actions that we take toward ourselves and others. While the foods we take in affect us physically, the colors we surround ourselves with affect our moods. I had a friend who always wore white suits. There Is nothing wrong with that. It was just that she was very predictable in her dressing and in my opinion did not look interesting to look at. After a few years I saw her changing the way she dressed by gradually shifting into colored dresses and accessorizing her outfits with beautiful costume jewelry. Later as she started exploring her options she shifted into gold and gemstone jewelry. It was a pleasure to see her face glowing with the reflection of the different colors of her dresses and her jewelry. There is a certain radiance reflected in her face that makes her look beautiful, fresh and enthusiastic in spite of her advanced years. Her positive thinking and the care she takes of her body makes her presence bright and a joy to be around.

I have realized that being fashionable involves being creative in keeping up with the fashion trends of the times and the seasons, and investing our time, effort and money. It brings refinement and value to your being and a way of expressing your uniqueness. You can become very creative by researching fashion magazines and shopping around for fashion clothing and accessories such as fashion shoes, fashion handbags and fashion jewelries. Coordinating the color of your dress with different accessories such as your shoes, handbags, jewelry, scarves or belts is an art and requires lot of planning ahead. Whether it is men's fashion or women's fashion, with quality clothing and fine jewelry, you can still express your simple living and high thinking philosophy of life. It may appear like we are spending too much time on our body but it also shows that we consider ourselves worthy enough to take care of our body and decorate it. Simple living doesn't necessarily mean that we have to neglect our body. In fact according to Ayurveda different gemstones have a very positive effect on the different energy centers in the body. Beautiful colorful gemstones such as Amethyst, Rubies, Emeralds, Garnets, Sapphires, Diamonds and pearls set in 14K Gold earrings, pendants, rings and other jewelry in various combinations and permutations give a dazzling and elegant variety in its simple and unique designs. With simple and beautiful Fine jewelry as accessories to your different styles of clothing you can surely brand yourself as sophisticated and classy. Fine jewelry lasts in its quality and fashion for many ages and can be passed on from generation to generation. You can have a great collection of fine jewelry to accessorize your wardrobe of spring, summer and fall fashion designer clothes. Fashion trends in designer clothes can change with the seasons such as spring, summer, fall and winter but since Fine jewelry with great value, everlastingly beautiful design and durability goes with any fashion design, it is a great investment as well. The way you think and dress is a signature of your personality.