February 23, 2012

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What to Wear for Men

Esmoquin
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Just because the social stigma is that guys do not have nearly the fashion concerns that women do, does not mean that men do not have decisions to make as well. While men may not have to accessorize nearly as much as women do, men have to know what to wear for special occasions.

For a wedding it is simple. Men do not have to do much thinking. Black tie means tuxedo so if you get that in your invitation to the wedding then you need to go out and upgrade your suit. If you do not then you can keep your suit very simple. Just stick to either gray, black or navy blue. Just make sure that you match your belt with your shoes and you are going to be okay.

If you are going to a meeting that is labeled as business casual than you can choose to wear a short sleeve shirt from LRG clothes, but you must make sure it has a collar. Jeans, while sometimes acceptable, should always be worn with caution; your best bet is to go with dockers or khakis instead. You would rather be a little overdressed than under dressed in a situation like that.

For job interviews you want to make sure you wear a clean suit with a clean, pressed shirt. You want to put your best foot forward. Your future employer will be looking at what you are wearing a lot. You do not dress for the job you have but rather the kind of job you want.

Being a man doesn’t mean you are on easy street in the wardrobe department. You have decisions to make and this guide will help you.Â

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Shopping for the Best Deals in Fashion

If you’re wondering how or where to find your next best fashion deals, look no further. Wrangle up the best deals on the planet by shopping at these great places:

  • Keep your eyes open at garage sales and you will see wonderful buys to boot, perhaps just around the corner. Get to garage sales early to get the best deals; if the garage sale opens at 8:00, for example, get there by 7:45 when the home owners are still setting up.
  • Check out consignment shops. If you donate your own goods—clothing that is still wonderful but that you’ve grown tired of, you’ll get a nice credit at the store to purchase other things you’ve only been dreaming about.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/center_for_jewish_history/3567920490/lightbox/

  • Sale racks are great—especially when you can buy off season and plan for the future. Purchase fall clothes at the end of fall, and summer clothes at the end of summer.
  • Let others know what you are looking for. They may find a great deal when they are out (or online) shopping that they can pass along to you. Do the same for them. If you see a great find that you think they’d like, give them a call.
  • Never be afraid to try something on that you’re only “wondering” about. Often, things that look boring on the rack are splendid on. The opposite is also true. Make sure you buy only what you’re going to wear.

Stand out from the crowd! Purchase only those items that make you shine! There’s no reason to purchase something—good deal or not—and have it sit in the closet because you don’t really like it.

Filed Under: Online Shopping Tagged With: , ,

Clothes For Teenagers

Shopping for clothing in Metro Washington DC

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Shopping for your teenager can be a hair-raising (make that “hair-pulling”) experience. Whether you have you a teen daughter or a teen son, clothing style is just something on which parents and kids rarely agree. Figuring what to buy for your child can be difficult, but it is certainly not impossible. Take a good look at your teenager’s way of dressing when they have had no input from anyone else—particularly other adults. Take clues from the way their friends dress as well. Of course, the easiest way of all is just to take your child shopping with you as you are guaranteed to find something that will work.

Kids tend to try to find their personality though the clothing that they wear. Once they think they may have found out something about themselves, that signature style will yet again change. All this clothes shopping and mind changing can get a little crazy, but you can keep up by making sure the pieces they buy are interchangeable—just in case they change their minds next week. Watch not only what, but how your kids wear their clothes. Try to purchase items that will wear the same way and keep the color palette similar to what they typically wear.

The best way to have a successful shopping trip for your teenager is to let them shop with you. Whether you go to the store or shop online, your child can be there to make the final decision on what they deem an approved article of clothing. If shopping without your teen is necessary, at the very least keep your receipt. Try to remember that your kid is in the process of evolving and their clothing choices—while often a little… unique—are very important to them.

Filed Under: Dresses, Online Shopping Tagged With: , ,

Shopping During Hard Times

Window shopping at Eaton's department store. (...

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Shopping is ranked among one of the most loved pastimes—particularly among women. Due to the downturn in the economy that began in late 2007, shopping rates started to decrease and then in turn, surge. Shopping is one of those activities that give many people a feeling of happiness and even euphoria. This explains why, even in economically tough times, a person would still feel the urge to go shopping. The benefit of shopping during low points in the economy is that many stores present discounts, coupons, and other promotional offers.  This draws in customers and helps the store rid of their inventory; it also helps the consumer stay within their budget thanks to lowered pricing.

In addition to in-store offers, there are other ways to get great deals when you shop. Many online stores offer coupon codes allowing you to save a lot of money. Various websites present coupon code lists for thousands of online stores. These coupon codes will often save a consumer between five and fifty percent off of the retail price. In addition, many online retailers offer free shipping to customers who spend a specific amount of money (often $50 or more). Beyond coupon sites, consumers can also sign up to receive emails when stores of their choosing have sales. This is a great way to watch for discounts on must have items such as bedding, appliances and wardrobe essentials. Many stores, whether online or right in your city, will match the lowest price of another store on a like-item.

Planning ahead can really help you save a significant amount of cash when it comes to shopping. To make sure you are getting the best deals possible, sign up for your favorite store’s newsletters, always shop around prior to purchasing, and use coupons whenever possible. Shopping does not have to be financially draining. You can find your favorites items at a price you can afford and leave with feelings of euphoria, not only about the shopping experience, but also the remaining cash in your purse.

Filed Under: Dresses, Online Shopping Tagged With: , ,

Investment Dressing Never Goes Out of Style

If you are ready for a new suit worthy of the war room, the poor economy may be your new best friend. Investment dressing hasn’t been mentioned since the last economic recession, but it’s back for now.

New trends are toward the grown up style, not just fancy kids clothes anymore. Career minded women near midlife spend far more on clothing than any other demographic group. Since they’ve been moving up the professional ladder, it’s time they got more attention in the clothing departments.

Investment dressing is building an easily mixed and matched wardrobe based on a few base pieces – a jacket or slacks for instance – and making sure everything else you buy will match at least a few of those pieces. Instead of the trends that are in today and out tomorrow, investment dressing involves timeless pieces that fit well and are bought for quality, not just style.

These items last longer and can be worn to work, special occasions or an evening out. Their long lasting value makes them truly an investment.

Investment dressing is built on a tailored style. Build the wardrobe on fundamental colors, fabrics and styles that will fit together easily. Investment dressers refer to the cost per wear of each item of clothing they purchase. Cost per wear is based on how many items you already own will match it, how many times you will wear it each year and how many years it will last.

Investment dressing is perfectly suited for the plan ahead, ready for anything mature female. It may not be well suited for your teenage daughter.

Filed Under: Adults, Dresses Tagged With: , ,

Top Shopping Tips for Adult Fashion Addicts

Working Wardrobes Women's Day of Self Esteem

Image by HKA, Inc. Public Relations via Flickr

Shopping for many people is almost therapeutic. It is fun to unwind and purchase a little something or an outfit for yourself. Over time if you are not careful it is easy to discover there is a closet full of items that are not truly special. Sometimes these items are not worn, and may still have the price tags attached to them. Here are some shopping tips for those addicted to updating their wardrobes often.

Becoming selective about what items you choose to buy is important. Trying on items before purchasing them helps you to increase the possibility that the item will actually become a part of your working wardrobe. Most people only wear the clothes they really love on a regular basis.

No matter how high your salary is, decide on a budget for monthly shopping. This amount certainly will grow and change based on your lifestyle and career path.

Invest in better quality items.  An entry level employee out of college who starts working may feel out of place if their clothes are not up to par with their co workers. It is always better to have ten great outfits of high quality, than a closet full of trendy business casual items. This same theory applies for anyone no matter what their clothing choices are each day. A stay at home parent that loves thin worn in t shirts, may splurge on designer t shirts. Examples are buying from J Crew or buying silk blend or cashmere t shirts. These fabrics are often dyed with more expensive materials and are designed to be flattering and will look great after a few seasons.

Curb your fashion desires by investing in key pieces each season. Select a few trendy items that work well with what you already own. Saving your excess shopping budget from month to month, will ensure there is cash available for great deals for clothing with higher price tags. Use these tips to look great and easily keep an undated wardrobe.

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How to Spend Less Time Shopping

Do you really dislike shopping, but want to find good deals ? Many stores are often crowded or simply never seem to have exactly what you are looking. Here are some ways to spend less time shopping.

Markdown Days

Schedule when to shop. Contact local stores and ask them when certain items go on sale during the week. The first person you contact at the store may not come out and tell you the information you need. Take some time and call different departments before going in person. One example is my local mall has many department stores that do true markdowns during the week. Target does markdowns on Tuesdays and larger stores like Macys and JC Penny all follow a schedule for marking down items. Many sales associates know the schedule and will freely share this information.

Online Shopping

Sign up for your favorite retailers mailing list. Those that offer online shopping will send special discounts and coupon codes to entice customers to buy. These online stores often send unadvertised coupons to help move merchandise that is in stores. There are many unadvertised online deals that can be found by searching by the lowest price, or in the clearance section.

Shopping List

Create a list of the items you would like to buy, and the price range. This helps to quickly identify what items may be great choices to try on, and select something to purchase. If family members can not shop with you in person, bring their current measurements to the store. Use a tape measure to make sure the length and waistline will fit.

Doing a bit of investigative work is the best way to find out when local stores have true sales. Online shopping and email alerts can help you catch bargains that you may have missed in the store. Shopping lists are a great way to quickly shop and prevent impulse purchases.

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Special Occasion tips for Women

Bellucci Monica at Cannes in 2002.

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Preparing for special occasions can be stressful if you don’t already have something at home to wear. Here are three special occasion shopping tips for women.

Dress Size

There is no reason to be uncomfortable at a special occasion. Trying to squeeze into a dress or pant suit is not necessary. Always opt to purchase and wear the correct dress size. Shop for the size you are right now, not the one you hope to be on the date of the event.

Support Garments

Wear underwear the truly supports and uplifts your curves. Wear these support garments when shopping. This could be by wearing a sun dress with a supportive slip or a girdle. If your arms, back fat, or another body part makes it hard to find fitted clothing, search out clothes that compliment other areas. Saddlebags can be concealed for the day by wearing a girdle that does not roll up on the thighs when worn. The only way to test how support garments will work, is to wear them before the special event happens. Nothing is worse than wearing a girdle that rides up or other support garments that you can not breath in.

Outfits that are very low cut can be controlled with the help of using double stick tape. This tape can be found in the lingerie section of any major department store. A good application will help keep a dress or top in place while dancing at a wedding or speaking in the public spotlight.

Conservative vs Provocative

If you feel that none of the outfits are working out, take a deep breath. Dresses and blouses that taper or have a seam at the smallest part of your body is slimming. Choose a line skirts or wide leg pants to float over bumpy thighs or other problem areas. It is always better to go for the more conservative outfit that you feel most comfortable in. Most special occasions will be memorialized forever through digital pictures or video.

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