newobservations : Shopping and Product Reviews

With so many designers and trends targeting the svelte body
of the twenty-something, is it possible to look fashionable
as the years pass and your body begins to tell the tale?

Absolutely!

In fact, with a little ingenuity and sleigh-of-hand, it’s
easy to be fashionable and stylish regardless of how many
candles are on your birthday cake.

Now let’s be frank: unless you work out religiously, you
probably don’t have the same body at 40, 50, or 60 that you
did at 25. Time, gravity, and pregnancy all take their toll
on the female body, as does menopause. And when you mix a
mature body with fashions obviously made for a younger
person, it can lead to self-doubt, frustration, and
confusion.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Getting older also
means getting wiser, and like a fine bottle of wine, you’re
improving with age. So you don’t have the same body as
those twenty-somethings you see in magazines or on TV. So
what? Would you REALLY trade everything you’ve learned
since your twenties for the body you had back then?
Probably no sooner than you’d like to re-live puberty,
thank you very much.

So how can you be fashionable without wearing all those
body-conscious clothes so en vogue these days? By
remembering the “3 C’s” when you dress: clean, classic, and
coverage.

CLEAN

Clean lines create a clean silhouette which makes the body
appear more youthful by skimming the trouble spots instead
of calling attention to them. Complicated cuts, seams, and
details usually call for a killer body to pull off, so if
you haven’t got it, steer clear of those styles.

CLASSIC

Classic styles are called classic because they remain in
style year after year. Why? Because they look good on so
many bodies! Sheathes, A-line skirts, flat front pants -
all tend to flatter a variety of shapes. What’s more,
because they remain in style year after year, classics are
easier on the budget than trends.

COVERAGE

Covering appropriately is the key to aging gracefully. If
your upper arms, thighs, and décolletage have all seen
better days, it’s time to cover them up a bit instead of
sharing the wear-and-tear with the world. Now I’m not
talking about draping yourself in a tent for the rest of
your life. Far from it. I’m talking about wearing short
sleeves instead of going sleeveless, Capris instead of
shorts, and modest necklines instead of plunging necklines.

Now I know that covering up the parts that used to turn
heads and draw envy can be tough to take for some women.
Which is precisely why beautiful jewelry and fine fabrics
are the revenge tools of choice for many well-dressed
mature women.

So your bustline isn’t as perky as your twenty-something
daughter or granddaughter. So what? Add a beautiful
necklace and draw envious glances from women of all ages.
Don’t have the same backside you did as a teen? Encase it
in a fine fabric and see how many men go out of the way to
hold the door open for you. People will look where you
focus their attention, so use that knowledge to redirect
their interest to the parts you want them to see.

Or, as actress Cybil Shepard once said, “I like to flaunt
what I have left.”

Don’t flip through fashion magazines and bemoan the fact
that you don’t look like the models. Instead, look at the
various fashion elements to determine what will and won’t
work for you. Are printed scarves all the rage this year?
Grab a few and be trendy. Are mini skirts the style of
choice? Pass and bank your money.

See how easy this is?

“A woman has the age she deserves,” Coco Chanel once said.
You don’t have to go under cover and dress “like a little
old lady” just because that’s what your mother or
grandmother did. You’re your own person.

If you remember to dress in clean lines and classic styles
and cover appropriately, you can still be fashionable - AND
draw long, lingering glances from handsome men — whatever
your age. And if THAT doesn’t make you feel like a
blushing girl again, then honey, nothing I can say will!

Are you a fashion trend watcher? Do you spend a lot of time flipping through magazines and analyzing the wardrobe choices of others? Do you buy trendy items only to despise them–and yourself–later?

Trend-watching–and, more precisely, observing our trend-watching–gives us tremendous opportunities to create awareness of the traits we hope we have but are not sure we do. In fact, being frustrated, embarrassed, or depressed that we have succumbed to a trend is a perfect chance to discover what we value most.

It usually comes down to this: creativity and confidence. If we find ourselves buying that trendy little bag or those must-have shoes, that little voice inside us shouts “Sell-out!” and we start to feel that perhaps we’re not all we’d hoped to be. After all, a truly creative person would buy–or even make–something unique, and a confident person wouldn’t hesitate to go against the current trend and head in a completely different direction, or choose to buy nothing at all.

And thus begins a soak in the self-loathing tub, followed inevitably by an abandoned item at the bottom of the closet.

To avoid this, you must pay attention to it.

What trendy items are buried in your closet at this moment? Why did you buy them? Who were you with when you made the purchase? How were you feeling about the world in general and yourself in particular?

A little mindful shopping will help alleviate the Trendoid syndrome. And while you’re at it, check in with yourself on that monologue going through your head when you see others sporting the latest fashion fetish. You’ll learn a whole lot about YOURSELF if you listen carefully and–this is the hard part–non-judgmentally.

If you do melt at that crucial cash register moment, don’t berate yourself. Simply take note of the way you feel now, and pay attention to how you feel later. Can you see that downward slide? Ah. That’s better. Things are getting clearer now.

Buying into a trend helps us feel connected when what we really long for is a sense of confidence. Take a look at how you can create greater confidence WITHOUT buying that blouse-of-the-moment, and find ways to tweak the latest trend in a way that makes you feel more creative.

Fashion can be fun and absolutely harmless, and you can use your mindful mall meanders to tap into your own sense of who you are–and what you REALLY need.

Now, that’s what I call a perfect shopping day.

In a nutshell, fashion marketing is a profession that takes the latest trends and designs in clothing and communicates them to a target market in such a way that the consumer is not only aware of the product, but wants to and ultimately does buy the product. A target market is a sector of the consumer market to which a company wishes to sell (i.e. market) its clothing. To fully know what fashion marketing is, it is important to understand that marketing does not stop at ads in magazines or commercials on TV. The world of marketing is just as dynamic as the world of fashion. Marketing clothing includes elements such as determining which stores the apparel should be sold in, what price the clothing should be sold for—all the way to how the in-store displays should look. Fashion marketers often are as savvy about business as they are about fashion and popular culture.

Fashion marketers are creative. At the core, the profession is about connecting with the image—the lifestyle—the consumer wants. For example, in the fashion industry, comfort, style, material, color, symmetry, and usability are just the beginning of a list of elements designers must consider when developing a line of clothing. Fashion marketers take the task a step further by determining the best way to promote the characteristics of the clothing to the consumer and to which group of consumers to promote it to. What a 65 year-old female is looking for from a piece of formal eveningwear is completely different from what a 21 year-old male wants from casual everyday wear. Consequently, fashion marketers must stay abreast with the latest fashions as well as know what styles will be successful for a variety of occasions, age groups and demographics.

Fashion marketers play an essential role within the fashion industry because they are the link between designers and the public. The success of a line of clothing does not rest solely on its design. Often, successful marketing is just as crucial, if not more so, to the line as the actual clothing itself. This is because marketing is the tool through which the designer identifies with the public, and the public identifies with the designer. Without this exchange, it would be difficult to establish the consumer base required to have a successful line of clothing.

Ultimately, fashion marketing is a fun profession—changing and reinventing itself just as often as the clothes it promotes. It integrates the artistic nature of fashion with the creative aspects of business—making for a highly rewarding career to the ambitious and innovative.

Very few people, unless they live in an area where they are beach bound all of the time and it is part of the “uniform,” are comfortable picking out a bathing suit for summer, much less wearing one. In an attempt to demystify the process and to help you find the style that will enhance your body, here are a few pointers.

Let’s face it. A bathing suit doesn’t cover much (some less than others) so we can’t hide behind layers of fabric…or can we?

3 Don’ts For Just About Everyone:

• Boy Shorts or Boy Legs
• String tie halter tops
• The big poofy skirted suits

I had a client who wears a size 2 shopping for a suit and she insisted that she wanted boy shorts because they “covered more.” So I decided to humour her and see if she has learned anything from our months of wardrobe shopping. She tried on the bottoms and let out a yelp. “These are just awful,” she replied. And it is true. They are just awful on just about everyone.

String halter-tops fall into that category as well. Unless you have very pert breasts and not very large ones at that, the string halter is a no-no. That would be followed by the poofy (yes, that is a made-up word) skirts. Many older people will buy them out of modesty, as will heavier women. Please don’t. There are other ways to cover up that won’t make you look like a beached whale.

When shopping for a bathing suit, go to a store that has the tops and bottoms separately if you are buying a two-piece. Many of us are not the same size in both places and a swim suit needs to fit properly.

Speaking of two-pieces, who should be wearing what style? Say “no” to the two pieces if there is flab where there shouldn’t be. OK here we go! Hold on to your swim suit!

7 Simple Rules to Choose a Swim Suit:

1. Choose a color and print that is flattering to your skin tone and body type.
2. To enhance small breasts, use a print on top with a top that ties behind the neck.
3. To minimize large breasts, use a tank style top but use caution. Avoid the uni-breast look.
4. Slim the hips by not having the suit bottom rest on the area you want to minimize.
5. Long torsos will look longer in a one piece. Try a tankini with a little shin showing in the middle to shorten your body.
6. Hide a stomach with a one-piece that has a little gathering at the middle (a bit extra fabric).
7. No waist? Create one with a one piece that is cut out at the sides or that has a sash or belt.

For accessories:

• Flip flops or sandals with a little heel or thickness will make you look less dumpy as you walk.
• Wear a sarong or skirt to cover up your legs if you want modesty or are trying to hide your thighs when not in the water. Choose a print or color that is flattering and tie it in a location that does not emphasize a bad area.
• A cotton gauze or sheer cover up is great for getting from place to place but remember that the sun will go through it. Wear sun block at all times.

We could go on and on about swim wear fashions and styles but the best advice is to go to a specialty store and try on different patterns and styles until you get one that is right for you.

Have a great summer!

When it comes to clothing do you usually stick to one particular style or should you be called a fashion scientist due to the tremendous amount of attention you pay to trends. It can also be possible that you are not aware of your personal style. Whether you are aware of your style or not read this guide to learn a little bit more about it and what changes you can make (if desire).

1. Sexy Lexis- Lexis is all about wearing clothes that reveal skin such as cleavage and fit extra tight. She may feel that conservative or unrevealing clothing are only for older people. Lexis might need to learn when to tone down her sexy image. For example: She should avoid walking in to church wearing a blouse with a plunging neckline. Unless, she is ready to receive a few dirty looks.

2. Care-Lesley- She wonders: What is Fashion? Can I eat with cheese? She really does not know what the latest trend is and frankly can care less. Lesley should try something new once in a while just for fun and avoid getting stuck on a specific style.

3. Rebellious Chica-She makes her own rules when it comes to fashion. Avoids to all extends looking like everyone else. Just like sexy lexis some circumstances will require toning down her personal style. On a job interview she should conform to the expected attire standards. At least until she lands the job.

4. Fashion Diva-Her middle name is style. Always on top of her image and hates to be seen more than once wearing an outfit. Keeping up with fashion trends can get quite expensive. She needs to watch her finances closely in order to avoid overspending.

5. Sporty Lady- She loves her jeans and sneakers and will not go anywhere with out them. She should play dress up once in a while. This will help her look and feel better, even if the changes are temporary.

6. Comfy Carmen-Carmen is all about comfort. She chooses her attire based on the way it feels. She should steer away from bulky looking shoes that will make her feet look wider or bigger and clothing that fit too loosely. Clothes that are too big will make anyone look heavier and older.

7. Elegant Elenin- Elenin is always dress to impress. She will not allow anyone to see her dressed down. However, it will be beneficial for her to loosen up or dress comfortably once in a while. People can not look perfect all the time.

8. Stuck in time- This type of person does not remember the last time she bought a piece of clothing. She will not stop wearing her clothes until it has a hole in it. She should avoid using the same clothing for too many years until it comes back in style (20 years later).

9. Balanced Brianna- She probably has one of the other personal styles mentioned in this guide but, understands clearly the certain situations require she dresses up or down. She will not be hesitant to try a new style as long as it does not make her look like a fool.

If you are like me and many others the warm weather motivates you to do or try new things. It even inspires you to pay more attention to your overall appearance. But, before you go shopping I suggest you take a look at this list to see what is in style.

• Cropped pants – If you see pants that are too long to classify in the shorts category and too short to qualify as the regular long pants those are referred as cropped pants. They fit inches below the knee but, are placed above the ankle.

• Natural hair – Good news for ladies with curly or wavy hair. Curls are in; all you have to do is wash your hairs apply some gel or mousse and blow dry with a diffuser. For define curls utilize hair rollers.

• Color crazy- Bright colors are in for 2005. Some of the most common are kiwi, turquoise, coral, fuchsia, mango, yellow, aqua, melon, violet and many more… Do not ignore some of the regular pastel colors such as light pink. White should always be in your ward robe during the summer season.

• Knee length skirts- They come in all styles from pleated to form fitting.

• Cuffed pants- Many of the cuffed pants are also cropped.

• Tunics- They will not only give you a different look. You will also feel comfortable and cool.

• Prints, patterns and stripes, embroidered etc. are in this summer. So, do not be afraid to buy a blouse with floral print (any type of prints).

• About the fabric- Silk is definitely in style. Do not be surprise to see a lot of lace jewels, beads, rhinestones etc. on clothes.

• Accessorize- You will find anything from drop earrings to beaded and wooded jewelry. Other very popular accessories are brooches, variety of buckle belts, pendants, neck silk scarfs and many more. Just make sure that you do not over accessorize.

• Shoes- Comfort is also chic now. I have never seen such a variety of thong sandals. Mules, flip flops, flats, and moccasins are “a la mode” also. Wedges are good for the ladies that like to wear higher shoes; they are comfortable as long as you are able to sustain balance.

“Following the crowd” is something that we have all been guilty of. But new investors are more likely to “follow the crowd” and fall in love with the latest fad. This is a great risk, and a dangerous one. Newer investors tend to be particularly attracted to fads and fashions in investing. Remember the internet bubble back in the 90s? So many people lost money buying in at the end of the cycle. Of course, those who bought in early made great profits, but these investors often bought in on fundamentals, not hype.

As investors, we look toward the “next big thing.” Sometimes this motivation leads us right into a Red Alert zone. The investment mess from the internet bubble is just one example. History is full of stories like the Tulip Craze in Holland back in the 17th century. These crazes cause people to follow each other over an investment cliff without thinking, like lemmings on a Science Channel special.

Think about the clothing industry and its fashions. History shows that the “latest” trend lasts only a short time. So, while investing in trendy clothing stores may bring short-term success, the failure is often even more spectacular…and inevitable. Typically, by the time we learn about a “new” trend, it’s already “so last season”.

We can even get hurt in fashion trends that are not immediately visible. Oh sure, athletic shoes are every bit as popular as they’ve ever been. Or are they? Over the past 5 years, hiking shoes have snuck up on the “sneaks” in popularity. That’s right, hiking boots and shoes are in; tennis shoes and sneakers are out. But instead of buying stocks from Timberland, think about Nike as a long-term stable investment instead. Anyhoo, it’s probably too late to buy Timberland now. The fashion trend has already had its day. But because of this experience we can expect new footwear trends to show up. It may be too late to adapt, it’s nearly impossible to keep up, and by the time we figure out where the trend is headed, we’ve probably missed the stock price rise.

So how do we avoid the mistake of buying out of sheer excitement? The answer is simple. Look for companies that are bor-ing. Investing in apparently dull companies can actually be beneficial. Boring companies normally don’t have share prices that are puffed-up by mood swings and emotional buying. We’re simply buying an income stream – the most affordable way to invest. Also, the company’s future prospects are more secure, because they aren’t at risk of missing a major shift.

Okay let’s face it. Owning a firm in Ohio that makes widgets for industrial fasteners is not as “cool” as discussing your ownership of Tiffany’s, or the latest nanotechnology corporation in Silicon Valley. But guess what? That widget-producing firm in the heartland will be more dependable, and will probably provide a better return on your money. And isn’t that why you’re investing anyway?

Now, we’re not telling you to avoid trends altogether. Trends are important to investing. In fact, if you can get in ahead of the curve, there are great short-term opportunities when you buy in to fads. But here, we’re usually playing the “greater fool theory”: we assume that someone else will pay more than we did, even when we know it isn’t worth it. I mean, many of us made money in the internet days playing this game, but if someone else saw the fad first, we could be wasting our money.

There’s no harm in buying stocks that might become “popular” in the future, if you can predict future fads, and then sell them after they become overpriced. But to remain sane and safe, stick to companies with solid fundamentals: earnings, stable growth, strong balance sheet, etc. In other words, only buy companies that are good values with good prospects. If a company carries some attraction for fad-followers, so much the better. But don’t pay extra just because of the “bling-bling” and the “glam” appeal. Fads and fashions are unpredictable – make no mistake. Don’t buy the stock unless you’d want to own it even if your fashion prediction falls flat. If it still looks good – even if your guesses about tastes are wrong – then maybe it’s a worthy holding.

Successful investing is not just finding profit opportunities, but keeping your losses to a minimum. Don’t buy stocks that have no substance. Stay away from the bling!

While the northern hemisphere prepares to put away their winter wear in preparation for the warmer summer months, we here in the southern hemisphere are doing the exact opposite.

Living here in southern Queensland, Australia, we experience relatively stable seasons. Therefore it’s not uncommon that particular clothes worn for one season are not needed again until the following year.

As adults, the uncomplicated approach to a new season can simply involve resurrecting the previous year’s items, and rearranging these items to the front of your wardrobe. Any changes to particular items are generally dictated more by fashion or personal preference than by ‘fit’ (unless of course we have gained or lost a few kilos!).

Now when it comes to growing children, the change of season often dictates a totally different approach. Depending on the individual child and their age, they’ll grow at different rates from one year to the next. The impact of this growth on an existing wardrobe, can range anything from the requirement for a ‘part’ modification (where most items still ‘fit’), up to, and including the situation where a ‘complete overhaul’ is in order (where virtually everything has been outgrown).

Particularly where the latter situation is the case, one of the first reactions to this sudden realization can be panic and stress (especially if you’re the parent who’s responsible for finding, and financing these ‘modifications’).

So ‘BEFORE’ pulling out your credit card, and rushing out on a panic shopping spree with your child / children, here are 5 practical tips to consider to save both your purse and your sanity:

1. INVEST THE TIME to go through each child’s existing wardrobe. If the idea of this task is stressful for either party, consider breaking it down into smaller manageable parts. (I.e. concentrate on one child’s wardrobe at a time, and/or break the exercise up over several sessions or days. E.g. Spend 15-30 minutes per session going through a particular section. Perhaps jumpers 1 session, and long pants the next etc.)

2. AVOID GUESSING whether an item fits or not. This includes ‘calculated guesswork’ which is the exercise of ‘holding an item’ up against the body. If it’s been several months since a child has worn an article of clothing, take the time to physically get them to TRY EACH ITEM ON. You’ll be amazed at how much more accurate your assessment will be by basing your judgments on practical testing and not calculated guesswork.

3. If you have children of the same sex, consider WORKING THROUGH THEIR WARDROBES FROM OLDEST TO YOUNGEST. Working in this manner means that ‘pre-loved’ or outgrown items from an older sibling can be passed down to the younger siblings and included in the items they will try on, along with their existing wardrobe. The benefits of this exercise are two-fold: 1. Younger siblings can find themselves with an ‘instant brand new’ (to them) wardrobe. 2. Minimizing the requirements for any one child’s wardrobe can result in a significant saving in time and money.

4. KEEP ONLY THOSE ITEMS you (and particularly your child), feel confident your child will wear. Depending on the age, personality and maturity of your child, if your child appears uncomfortable wearing a particular item, ask ‘them’ to consider if they feel they will wear it or not. If the answer is a resounding ‘no’, or their body language relays the same message, seriously consider removing that item from their wardrobe. No matter how much attachment another person may have to an article of clothing, if the person to whom it belongs is not going to wear it, the truthful fact is, it’s likely to end up taking space and energy in a cupboard. Learning to respect your child’s preferences and choices is an exercise that long term will not only save you heartache, but save your well-earned money as well.

5. SELL OR DONATE items of clothing that can’t be used by immediate family members or relatives. Occasionally there may be an article that has particular sentimental value that you may wish to retain as a ‘keepsake’. However for the most part, clothing serves its purpose when it is being worn and used. If an article is no longer being used within its current location, why not allow another individual to experience this pleasure. Not only is it a wonderful feeling to be able to give something to someone else, — it can be also be an extremely liberating feeling to not only clear your physical space, but also clear the emotional energy attached to holding onto something that is not fulfilling its purpose.

Although the above tips require an investment of your time and energy at the outset, you’ll be well rewarded for your efforts in both the short and long term. Armed with accurate information about your child’s existing wardrobe well before you part with a single cent, will help to ensure that when you ‘do’ shop, you’re investing your time and money into the most appropriate and needed items for that particular child.

And as an added bonus, remember our children are children for such a short time. So why not take advantage of this opportunity when going through their wardrobes — celebrate the fit of your child’s clothes as a measure of their growth from the previous year!

Ponchos have come down from the high plains and back into high fashion on to the catwalks this season.

Women’s fashion ponchos featured strongly on the catwalks this season.

Gone are the heavy, horse-blanket style ponchos of yesteryear, replaced by delicate fabrics and sexy styles that complement every body. Fashion ponchos hide a multitude of sins.

Whether you choose silky, sheer and sexy, or embroidered ethnic style, the poncho can be adapted for all sizes and all occasions.

Your fashion poncho can be thrown over a pair of jeans for a chic, casual look, or dress it up with a glittery brooch over your favorite little black dress for night time style.

The hot fashion trend straight from the catwalk was the shabby-chic boho-style fashion poncho, ornamented with embroidery, beads and sparkles. Or the casually elegant cashmere poncho, perfect with your favorite jeans.

Ponchos also come short and long this season. The chic little shrug-style poncho clasped or tied on the shoulder in soft knits and delicate lace was featured by many European designers for spring/summer. Also featured were longer, asymmetrical fashion ponchos in a rainbow-bright display of colors and patterns.

Whatever your look for this summer, there is a women’s fashion poncho to suit.

The hottest fashion trend for feet this summer is women’s flipflops.

No, I don’t mean the rubber thong variety flipflops. I mean groovy, embellished flipflops, or slides, for the ultimate in casual chic.

Along with the ethnic, boho look that was the hot pick on the catwalks this season, flipflops, thongs, or mules, whatever you wish to call them, are the perfect choice. The boho look (or “urban urchin” look as I prefer to call it), with its glittery and colorful embroidery and flowy soft skirts, is the perfect accompaniment for a pair of upmarket, way cool, flipflops.

And don’t be alarmed, but rubber HAS made a comeback this season, but by way of jelly-strapped, candy colored flats, featuring plenty of bows, beads and glitz. The top shoe designers are also featuring women’s flipflops with a low heel in a rainbow of bright, summery colors.

How To Wear Women’s Flipflops With Style

No self respecting fashionista is going to be caught dead in her flipflops without a perfect pedicure. If you’d rather pay for your new sandals over a professional pedicure, do it yourself.

Fill a bowl with warm, soapy water and soak your feet for about 10 - 15 minutes each. A few drops of peppermint oil will give your feet a beautiful burst of vitality, or try lavender oil or ylang ylang for relaxation.

While your feet are still damp and warm, gently buff your heels and soles with a pumice stone to remove dead skin cells. Then rinse in cool water and apply lashings of your favorite moisturizer. I prefer a thick, lanolin-based cream for extra oomph. If you’re not out to impress anyone at bed time, apply an extra layer of moisturizer and put on a pair of cotton socks overnight.

French manicured toenails are hot right now. Get yourself a French manicure kit for saucy, sexy toenails or go all out with magenta red or soft pink polish.

Then you’re ready to display your new tootsies to the world. Grab your favorite flipflops and get out there girl!