May 17, 2012

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Hurray! The Bodysuit is Back!

The bodysuit is one of the greatest inventions in fashion, and it has returned to the scene!

There are two general types of bodysuits. One is underwear, basically foundational garments that cover the torso in some manner. They snap between the legs or consist of a highwaisted pair of pants that pulls up to cover the torso and top of the legs.

The other kind—the one to celebrate—is a piece of outer clothing.  They are basically shirts that snap under the leg, like a baby’s onesie.  They accomplish the same purpose—staying tucked in, allowing you to wear low-cut jeans without your shirt coming untucked and your underwear showing.

When bodysuits were popular in the 70’s, they were usually knit tops, often turtlenecks and long-sleeved. Today’s bodysuits come in many styles, from casual cotton shirts to lacy, dressy blouses.  They are not generally considered active wear like a leotard; they are more stylish and terrific for the active lifestyle.  Go to a school dance in a lacy bodysuit and pretty skirt, and you can enjoy yourself all evening without having to worry about tucking things in.  Wear a casual one on a hike and you can climb the whole mountain and arrive at the top still looking put-together.

Another advantage bodysuits have over leotards is that they unsnap at the crotch.  You do not have to pull the whole thing off to use the restroom, for example.  But they stay snapped at the important times. They look much nicer under your jeans than a tucked in shirt with its rumples and bulges.  Hurray for the bodysuit!

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What Jean Size are you Really?

While it is generally recommended that you choose clothing that conforms to your body shape, it isn’t always true. This is especially the case when it comes to denim jeans. The majority of people actually wear jeans incorrectly, as they are either too big or too small.

This is typically the result of people not realizing how they look upon their body shape, but it is also the result of people trying to fit an image. To get the right jean size, you should ultimately try on various sizes and choose the pair that better compliments your figure or meets your desired appearance.

Thinner Figures

For those with a smaller figure, jeans should be on the tighter size. A person with a thin figure wearing over-sized jeans can look very awkward and unflattering. With a tight jean size, thin people can display their figure and project a taller appearance. Additionally, with a more body-conforming jean size, thinner people will actually have more mobility and comfort.

Wider Figures

People with wider figures are in a complete opposite camp. For wider people, it is recommended to wear somewhat of a larger jean size than the waistline. This provides a more straight appearance and avoids emphasizing those unwanted curves. A larger jean size also provides more room and is a better compliment to the upper body giving the outfit a more uniform appearance rather than having looser clothing on the top and tighter clothing on the bottom.

Image

For other jean buyers, how the jeans feel isn’t very relevant. Instead, they are more concerned by how they look on their body so that it gives them the style that they are looking for. For example, rappers prefer loose fitting clothes so wear only jeans that are baggy.

When it comes to denim, getting the right look means getting the right jean size.

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Denim Through the Ages

The denim fabric of a jeans

Image via Wikipedia

When it comes to the world of denim there are no age restrictions or age limits. From denim jeans to denim jackets, all age groups can don the garment and look good doing it. This fact signifies the adaptable qualities of denim.

However, that doesn’t mean kids and their grandparents should be shopping together for the same outfit. In each age group there are suitable denim styles and shapes that work for them and not so much for others.

Kids

Children have the luxury of looking good in just about anything. They can sport any type of denim product, from jeans to jackets to shirts. And in all different colors, too. Of course, for children there are limits to the styles. For boys, jeans that are too baggy are likely to fall to the ground. Meanwhile, for girls, wearing low-riding jeans like their older sisters should be forbidden.

Teens

When kids reach their teenage years they can be expected to branch out in all different styles and colors of denim. Some may prefer tighter denim clothing, while others are more interested in a looser fitting look. Like their other experimentations, teenagers are sure to wear many unconventional colors from red to purple.

Adults

As an adult there has to be more consideration to what style and size of denim is worn. Denim should be more conforming to the figure. Bright colors should be limited and styles should be more fashionable. Finding the right jeans for an adult is as simple as shopping where there are no teenagers.

Elderly

Like kids, the elderly are more than welcome to wear any clothing in denim. However, it should all be in traditional colors and styles with an emphasis on respectability.

Denim is one of the few garments that can literally span generations of wearers without losing its cool.

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The Many Shades of Denim

When people think of denim they are sure to think of the classic blue shade of jeans. That is understandable since it is indeed the color of choice for anything made of denim. But that color denim is just one of many that have been made and dyed over the nearly 100 years of the garment.

Once denim became a fashion piece, designers have been trying to broaden its color horizons. In recent times, shades of denim have been made to not only offer variety but to match the many different images people are trying to convey.

Dark

In the shade of blue, denim is available in many different dark hues. They start with the typical dark blue that signifys most jeans. The specturm then reaches blue shades that almost look black. To add affect, a lot of dark blue denim has steaks of lighter blue to create a creased, worn look.

Light

Going as far as one step above white, light denim is generally comprised of baby blues. The most notable of light denim are stone washed jeans, some of which have very little shades of blue. But like dark denim, light denim runs a full spectrum reaching full, yet soft, blue shades.

Fades

The biggest separator of dark and light denim are the fades incorporated to present different looks. The most popular is the rugged look with lighter colors in middle of the pant leg surrounded by dark blues on the edges. Other denim jeans have greater parity between light and dark blue as both are spread across the fabric in a seamless fashion.

Colors

Although blue is the preferred, and generally the more natural, color of denim, it is still just one color available. With the right dye, denim can be made into any color one desires. Darker colors like black, purple and green are the more fashionably accepted. That’s because light colors like yellow or red can stick out like a very sore thumb.

When shopping for denim consumers can be assured that there are plenty of colorful choices.

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Wearing Denim Beyond Pants

What was originally created for back-breaking labor purposes, denim has become one of the hottest fashion materials. Denim has traditionally made its mark in the form of jeans, most notably by the Levi brand. Denim jeans are known for their utility as they can be worn with just about anything from just a plain t-shirt to a fancy sport coat, and for any occasion be it lounging around the house or a night out on the town.

But just like their ability to pair denim jeans with everything, designers have tried to make everything out of denim. From outwear to underwear, denim has branched out to all areas of fashion.

Denim Jacket

Rivaling even denim jeans, the denim jacket became popular in the 1970s and 1980s and hasn’t gone out of style since. Denim jackets provide both a rugged and fashionable look making them mainstays for all kinds of shoppers.

Denim Button Up Shirt

Once the style of auto mechanics, denim button up shirts are a staple of rock stars. It is generally the one collared shirt that screams cool. They are acceptable to wear open or even with a suit and tie.

Denim Overalls

Overalls can found made out of a variety of fabrics, such as corduroy, but they are a traditional denim garment. Denim overalls are a testament to the fabric’s working class roots as they are still worn in many workplaces because of their functionality.

Denim Skirt

Women have extended the use of denim in a variety of ways. One way is the denim skirt–a fashion piece for women in their everyday travels and nights out.

Denim Shorts

Denim shorts can be found for men, but they certainly don’t have the same effect that they do for women. Women have made denims shorts a clothing item with sex appeal, while men lost that ability in the 1990s when everything became baggy.

Finding out why denim is so popular is a futile task. Instead, seeing how deeply ingrained it is in the fashion world is a testament to its continued popularity.

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Pulling off Bodysuit Fashion

Bodysuits are one fashion item that always seem to be in an echelon outside of the average person. While they look cool on models and celebrities, they just don’t seem to make a whole lot of sense in everyday appearance. Imagine throwing on a bodysuit and heading out for walk. Some strange looks would be expected.

Yet, the bodysuit still has many fahionistas curious like a forbidden fruit. The fact is that bodysuits can be a common piece in daily attire. With a few adjustments anyone can rock one like on a runway. Here are some tips to pulling it off.

Layering

There are very few circumstances in which you can wear a bodysuit on its own. In most cases it would be similar to walking around in a bathing suit. Instead, a bodysuit should be treated like a canvas, and other articles of clothing the paint. Using sensible color coordination and complimentary materials, the body suit can be a fashionable starting point.

And layering with a bodysuit can be done very easily. For example, in the summer simply throwing on a pair of shorts over one with a pair of sandals makes an outfit.

Keep it Classy

The bodysuit is a very tight-fitting garment. It should then be worn with a sense of modesty, even if you have that hour-glass figure. Accomplish this by exchanging shorts for a nice flowing skirt, or placing a top over it, be it a light jacket or even a a loose tank top.

Know Your Style

While bodysuits may be a hot fashion item, the reality is that they don’t work for everyone. Trying to force something as unique as a bodysuit into your wardrobe isn’t a great idea. Potential buyers should first take time in the dressing room trying to match it with other clothing generally found in their closet. If it doesn’t work out, then just let it go.

Bodysuits are one clothing item that is both comfortable and fashionable. They can be a great addition to any wardrobe, as long as you pull it off.

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Stonewashed Jeans Live On

They just may be the cockroach of denim fashion. Stonewashed jeans. Made popular in the 1980s, the worn-out garment that is actually beaten with large stones in a washer, has stood the test of time. Just when they become the butt of jokes, they appear on the pages of the best fashion magazines.

The immortal life span of stonewashed jeans can be attributed to their unparalleled versatility. They have been worn by people of all age groups and demographics, from hard-working mechanics to the hardest-partying celebrities. Stonewashed jeans continue to make noise in many fashion trends.

The Rugged Look

From J. Crew to Forever 21, flannel shirts and thick cardigans are all the rage. Consider it a lumber jack with a deep contemplative side; a man who can leave the office and chop down a tree at a moment’s notice. The clothes are meant to look like they’ve lived a rugged life, and stonewashed jeans certainly look like they’ve been down a long rugged road.

Rock Star

Pick your rock music style: emo, punk or heavy metal? In either choice you will find musicians high-stepping or crowd surfing in a pair of stonewashed jeans. They have, however, evolved in the music scene. Rock stars prefer the dark black stonewashed jeans that seem to fade like their withering souls. But unlike the 1980s and 1990s, in the 21st century they are worn as tight as possible.

Working Class

Karl Marx and Frederick Engels liked to espouse working class people and working class ideals. If they lived in modern times they would also champion stonewashed jeans, a staple of working class fashion. The working class favor utility over appearance and economy over opulence. Which is why stonewashed jeans are a favorite. Think of the numerous combinations: Black leather jacket with American flag patch? Check. Camouflage sweater? Check. Sleeveless shirt? Check. Trucker hat? Check.

While they may go away for a couple years, stonewashed jeans won’t go away forever. WIth their superior ability to evolve with fashion, it’s safe to say stonewashed jeans will continue to live on.

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How did clothing evolve in Ancient Egypt?

Various records of excavations and other historical records state that in Ancient Egypt, people used to cover their body using animal skin, fibers of vegetables and grass. Usually, they used to fasten their back and both shoulders with animal skin, which appeared to be a simple and traditional dress of Egyptians.

After some time, when people started making clothes, they started covering themselves with the help of cloth pieces instead of animal skin and grass. At this point, the concept of stitching was not introduced. People used to wear unstitched clothes usually which were usually in the shape of rectangle, square or triangle.

Various types of clothes were worn at this time and poncho was one of the most popular cloths at that time. It was a loose upper garment which looked like a blanket and had a hole in the centre to uncover the head area. After some time, people of Egypt started wearing tunics and these were stitched according to the size of the person wearing that tunic.

These tunics looked like long T-shirts, men used to wear knee-length tunic and women wore tunics which reached till their ankles. These tunics were made of a white fabric which was woven from fibers of the flax plant and this fabric was known as linen. Working people of Egypt preferred wearing short skirts instead of tunics.

Historical records show that people of Ancient Egypt rarely covered their head and feet in ancient Egypt. Though at times, some people wore sandals made from leather or straw and later even conical hats were introduced in Egypt. Jewelry made of gold was also popular among men as well as women who could afford to wear it. Later they started dealing with dye and textile as well.

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Costumes Of the 19th Century

The clothing & style of the 19th century was very different from that of the 21st century that we are used to now. You’ll be very surprised to see the changes that have taken place over a period of time in order to understand the rich culture of that century.

The Victorian style of clothing dictated the costumes which were in vogue in the 19th century. The dresses generally resembled the ones which featured and became popular in popular Jane Austen novels. Fashion and clothing during that era was an indication of the social status of the person with women wearing long layered dresses and men opting formal suits. Officer’s uniforms, Abraham Lincoln costumes and Scarlet O’Hara ensembles also became extremely popular.

Victorian dresses were most common during the era. The dresses worn by women were complex yet elegant. They were multi-layered dresses made of silky materials and embellished with laces, ruffles, ribbons and embroideries. A typical Victorian dress is generally floor length having a tight bodice and a flowing full skirt. To accentuate the look created by such a dress, a special undergarment was a must. To get the perfect hourglass look, a tight, restrictive corset was essential. For the Victorian gentlemen a formal suit featuring several pieces was the trend. Young people used to experiment with the color of the suits.

During this century the Southern Belle costumes also became famous. The costumes were imitated by the dresses worn by Scarlet O’Hara in “Gone With the Wind”. The costumes were generally made of white, yellow, pink or red satin or laces and hugged around the bodice. They also featured full skirts and off-shoulder necklines with frilly rufles all around.
The costumes were decorated with embroideries on the sleeves and featured shiny brass buttons. They were the perfect costumes to be paired with Southern Belle costumes.

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History of Chinese clothes

In the history, people of china used to wear tunics which looked like long T-shirts. Men used to dress themselves with knee-length tunic and women wore tunics which reached till their ankles. During winters, they draped themselves with jackets as well which they used to wear over their T-shirt like garment and they wore pants to keep their legs warm in winters.

Poor people used to prepare their clothes with ramie which was flax- like herb with dark green leaves and was used to make fiber out of its woody stem. At times, hemp, another plant fiber was also used to make clothes. As far as rich people are concerned, they used to wear clothes made of silk.

During the 500 AD, the then king of china instructed the poor population to wear clothes of either blue or black colors and rich people were free to wear any color they liked. Later In the imperial Yuan dynasty of china, a lot of mulberry trees, which were used to prepare silk, were destroyed by Mongols when they invaded china. Then the then Mongol emperor introduced cotton in china and later organized various training sessions for farmers to make them aware of the techniques for growing cotton. To encourage this, he went to the extent of lowering taxes of farmers who produced cotton in their farm.

After an uncomfortable period of change, people started liking cotton better than the previous fibers since cotton was soft as well as cheap. It was convenient as well since it could be turned into thin as well as thick clothes to suit the needs of summer and winter season respectively.

During the late 20th century, many modern styles along with many bright colors were adopted by the population of china to increase the range of clothes and this brought enormous change in the clothing styles of china!

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