Archive for October, 2009

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Winter is on its way, and as usual it is set to be a fairly cold one this year. Some individualâ??s struggle to keep themselves warm at the best of times during winter, for others keeping themselves warm is easily done on a daily basis; we simply layer up to stay warm. However, many of us are flung into complete panic when faced with an elegant winter evening event. Evening wear choices for these types of events, parties or business functions can get tricky. Looking glamorous in a classically sheer LBD on a cold nippy winter evening is harder than one might imagine.

Nevertheless, with the correct considerations, staying warm at these formal events is still possibly without compromising the enjoyment factor of the event.

So how do you stay warm during the up and coming winter parties and functions?

Firstly, consider layers of clothes. This can be a difficult concept to attach to an evening wear outfit. Nevertheless, layers of thin evening wear accessories however can be highly effective and still look chic. Layers such as boleros and shrugs will not only keep your back and neck sufficiently warm but they will not detract from the overall elegance of the look.

There is a common misconception is that woman commonly wear evening dresses to a formal event. On the contrary however, there is no rule that declares you cannot wear evening trousers teamed with an elegant evening top. This two piece evening look is awfully elegant and chic when put together correctly.

Sometimes the most elegant of looks are ones that are comprised of an evening top teamed with evening trousers, finished off with a dainty knitted shrugs to keep the dreaded chill at bay and brightened with a statement necklace and chandelier earrings.

Plummeting temperatures and unpredictable snowfalls demand warmer clothes. For many women, a typical winter outfit involves more shudder-worthy bunching and unprecedented bulging than the desired streamline goddess look. From unflatteringly baggy coats to frumpy chunky boots, it sometimes seems like staying stylish as the first freeze of winter approaches is impossible. Nevertheless, there are actually plenty of ways to tactfully layer clothing for a flattering finished result without sacrificing protection from the dreaded winter chill.

Here is how you layer fashionably and fabulously:

Step 1:
First and foremost, choose a comfortable yet flattering camisole. You should aim to find at least two styles of camisole. Some people opt for bright colours to wear over their bra, in order to add a touch of colour to the day. Regardless, it is imperative that your chosen camisoles have a little stretch; this will ensure that they skim your body rather than cling to it. Furthermore, too much lace or other decorations may show through the next layer, therefore plainer cuts and styles are usually best. Depending on how cold your environment is you may even want to wear more than one camisole at a time, possibly varying lengths and colours.

Step 2:

Search for the perfect t-shirt. Layer a close fitting t-shirt over your camisole. Again, something with some stretch will be the most flattering because you will be wearing at least a couple more layers over it and don’t want to appear too bulky. For a trendy look, choose a t-shirt that’s slightly shorter than your camisole so that part of the camisole peeks out. Aim for winning colour combinations, like black & white, bright red & violet, brown & forest green.


Step 3:

Next purchase a long-sleeve. Select a sleek long-sleeve top that doesn’t bunch or ride up over your bottom layers. The top can have buttons or be button less, but the key is to maintain the slimmest profile possible, a fitted shirt is always popular. Keep in mind the neckline of the tee you have on underneath, too. Concealing the bottom t-shirtâ??s neckline is generally prettier than leaving it exposed. Furthermore, if you want to be even warmer you can fetch a sleeveless layer to put over your long-cardigan or your stylishly warm chunky knitwear, like Gilets or body warmers for example. Gilets in particular have plenty of insulation and slip on and off with ease, no fuss!

Step 4:

Finally, the great thing about winter is that you have many more opportunities to accessorize. Pull out you trusty hats scarves and gloves, but donâ??t stop there. Look out your favourite jewellery and purchase some snazzy tights to finish off your winter look to perfection!

Always remember that the layering and accessorising is simply the icing of a very well decorated cake, so be creative and have fun with it!

Women of all shapes and sizes are increasingly standing up and saying “no” to ill-fitting clothing. Plus size women in particular are demanding not only stylish attire but the same kind of attire that is available to smaller sized women. Over the last 5 years designers and manufacturers have started to recognize that the average size for women in the UK is a size 14 and over. Consequently, there has notably been a shift; brands are starting to slowly introduce stylish clothing that fit better regardless of your size.

Every woman is different, so there are some things that women should consider when shopping for new clothes. Although there is a larger selection available now, larger women in particular can still have difficulty finding clothes that suit their size and lifestyles.

Here are 4 key areas to consider that will strengthen your current wardrobe:

Supportive underwear:

Larger women need to pay particular attention to the type of underwear they wear. Unlike smaller women, underwear can be tricky to find for plus size women. Women have found that particular bras are not so readily available for plus sizes, and a lot of time they may even need to be requested as a special-order. However, investing in good quality supportive underwear pays off in the long run.

Consequently, underwear is certainly an area to splurge on. Remember, size should be no barrier to feeling confident and looking fabulous.

Accessorise:

While shopping for plus size clothing may be a bit of a challenge, finding accessories is a breeze. Fuller-figured women should splurge on fashionable extras that complement their wardrobes.

Accessorising is one area where there are no rules; it is an area where a woman can be truly creative and experimental. Turn ordinary evening dresses or your work wear into something special with a pretty scarf or as we approach winter, perhaps faux fur boleros and shrugs. Donâ??t shy away from colour and texture when coordinating your wardrobe favourites. Colour draws the eye and can detract from other â??problemâ?? areas.

Footwear:

Shoes can often make an outfit. Don’t hesitate to be bold in the shoe department, and mix and match colours and styles to extend your wardrobe options. There are virtually no limits to the choices that are available and the places where you can buy them. As we approach winter consider splurging out on a decent pair of leather boots, go for a high heel to elongate the legs, nevertheless make sure you can still walking in them.

Your beauty regime:

A lot of women neglect this area; this is completely understandable with busy work/social and home lives. Nevertheless, it is surprising how a great new hairstyle can really improve your overall appearance and confidence levels. Be bold, make a change!

In conclusion, attention to detail and accessorising can add style and the essentials to polishing off an outfit regardless of the occasion perfectly. For a plus size woman, these little extras can really make the difference between being well dressed and being stylish. Take an extra 10 minutes for you ever day, soaking in the bath one night a week or do your nails maybe. The point of the matter is that, it is important to slow things down to your own pace, spoil yourself now and again.

Now that the autumn nights are turning slightly colder, we are all thinking of what to wrap up warm with that wonâ??t be to restricting but will keep us snug.  A cardigan is an extremely versatile garment to have in ones wardrobe through the year. A cleverly chosen cardigan can be worn across all seasons, either on its own over a lightweight singlet during the long summer evenings or in turn worn over a polo-neck and under your winter coats, giving you that much needed insulation. A quality simply designed cardigan will last for years if cared for properly. The best cardigans are the ones that feel great but donâ??t need that much attention when washing; therefore the ideal cardigans are usually machine or hand-knitted from a mixture of wool, cotton and acrylic. Cardigans and chunky knitwear made from cashmere can be extremely difficult to look after and rather pricy too.
Cardigans are in fact worn by both sexes, however generally appear to be preferred more by women.  Cardigans over the years have been popular in twee fashion (fashion inspired by Indie pop music) and are normally fashioned in button-up or tie-up styles. Nevertheless, the knitwear garment making yet another come back this season is, the good old â??ponchoâ??. The poncho is a very versatile item of clothing; it is easily put on, taken off and with no fuss or restrictive elements to it either.

There is some affordable stylish knitwear that is ideal for the coming seasonal changes ahead.  You can choose from thin knits for the autumn and move to a thicker chunky knitwear when winter is in full swing.

Regardless of whether you decide on a cardigan, jumper or a poncho, make sure you are wrapped up warm for the coming colder months!

British weather has never been very predictable, but one thing is always certain and that is that British winters are always cold and rainy.  In fact it seems that each winter that passes is colder and wetter than the previous one.  Therefore an essential item of clothing in every British womanâ??s wardrobe is a good warm rain coat.

Many women often see the purchasing of a good quality rain coat as an extremely costly exercise.  However, this does not have to be the case.  Practically every womanâ??s clothes shop, both online and offline, stock and sell womenâ??s winter clothes thus presenting  every woman with a multitude of coats which not only come in a range of styles and sizes but also in a range of prices.  Consequently, there is something to suit all women irrespective of their budget.

However, it is sometimes advisable to invest a little extra in a winter coat as this generally ensures that the coat will not only last this winter but also several more to come.  If this is the case and the lady in question wants a coat that will see off several winters then it is important to consider the style of the coat.  In such an instance a coat that is classic in style should be selected, as this ensures that the coat will not go out of fashion.  Many women make the mistake of buying a winter coat that is very fashionable this winter, they often find that by the time the following winter comes the coat that they spent so much money on the previous year is no longer in fashion.  Therefore it seems more sensible to opt for a coat which is simple in style.

The second consideration in respect to winter coats is the material to opt for.  In terms of this it is important to bear in mind the weather conditions which are often endured in the United Kingdom.  In a country which is renowned for its wet weathers it is inadvisable to buy a coat whose material will not be easily damaged by the rain.  Rather, it would probably be more appropriate to choose coat which is made of waterproof material.

Another common problem for many women when purchasing a winter coat is that they often feel that winter coats are just simply not appropriate for certain occasions, such as an evening out or a work event.  However, it seems that this is no longer the case as more and more retailers trying to eliminate this problem.  There is a wide range of coats that are suitable for such occasions, many of which are exceptionally well priced.

When buying a winter coat it is important to consider the practicalities of the coat.  However, doing so does not mean that style must be compromised.  Rather it is possible nowadays to purchase a coat which is both functional and stylish.