FASHION UNLIMITED

A) FASHION TERMS INTERPRETED

 

LEATHER: It’s a natural material obtained from animal hide and should be taken care using conditioners. Never use oil on leather as this might change its natural colour.

 

SUEDE: Also obtained from animal hide, this fabric requires occasional gentle brushing using a suede brush to remove dust particles. Protect the fabric by spraying a layer of suede protection.

 

ULTRASUEDE: This is a kind of synthetic fabric and should only be professionally

dry-cleaned.

 

 

  1. CAREER INSTINCT

 

IF you’re thinking of taking up a career in fashion and beauty, try recalling your favourite childhood games and hobbies - they could point the way for you. For these fashion gurus, the childhood link was clear:

 

  1. Calvin Klein - Sewed outfits for dolls.
  2. Anna Molinari - Played with buttons and thread.
  3. Jean Paul Gaultier - Dressed up his teddy bear, which was his first mannequin.

 

If you were into …. You Could be a …

 

Paper dolls Fashion Stylist

 

Crayons & poster-colours Makeup Artist

 

Buttons & thread Fashion Designer

 

Scissors & paper Hairstylist

 

 

SWEATER CARE TIP: Give it a gentle cool spin in the wash. Then place it on a towel and roll it up like a Swiss roll. Unroll and lay it flat.

 

 

  1. TIPS ON YOUR SHOES - "KEEP YOUR FEET HAPPY."

 

If you can’t resist the temptation to indulge in shoes, check out these tips before making

a purchase.

 

  1. Switch shoe styles and heel heights. High heel cause backaches and should be worn only occasionally.
  2. Add leather insoles. They stops your feet from slipping forward inside the shoes when you walk.
  3. Heels - Look for medium heels with a chunky base. If you have to wear heels during the day, choose sensible heel. The chunky base gives balance and distributes the weight evenly.
  4. Opt for soft leather. It expands for a better fit so your feet can breathe. Plastic and synthetic-fibre shoes are prone to give you blisters and infections.
  5. Give your toes ample room. A high shoe-box (the area that covers Square shapes are better than pointed ones.
  6. Choose solid soles. If you’re on your feet most of the day, they help absorb the impact of all that walking. You can also buy some cushioned insoles.
  7. Square-toes are big news. Forget anything pointed. Even business heels have adopted this front. The ballerina pumps are hot favourite for casuals.
  8. Old antique-looking leather. Fabrication plays a major part this time. Old antique-looking leather is going to be the next big thing. A layer of metallic sheen gives it more life.
  9. Colours. Colours have never gotten more exciting. With the deeper shades of hues for fall, you’ll see more olives, browns , plums and mustard like never before.
  10. Big buckles are hot. Don’t be shy with details. Big buckles in metal and tortoiseshell guarantee maximum style.

 

 

D) DRESS TABOOS

 

Wearing the wrong clothes in the wrong place could land you in jail or worse. Read on before you take your next trip abroad.

 

  1. Brazil - Even though wearing itsy-bitsy little bikinis at the beach seems to be OK, sunbathing topless is a no-no.
  2. Iran - Follow the dress code or risk arrest and flogging (74 lashes). The abaya (a full body cover) is recommended for all travellers.
  3. Israel - Bare cleavage is prohibited.
  4. Pacific Islands - No shorts. Here, a woman’s thighs are thought to be more erotic than her breasts.
  5. Turkey - Cover your shoulders and avoid shorts, a symbol of prostitution.
  6. Yemen - Men have to cover their groan with a hankie when sitting.

 

E) COLOURS COORDINATED

 

Have a hot date? Be careful which colour you wear. They can send very different messages across.

 

Silver - "I’m like putty in your hand."

 

Pink - "I need some TLC."

 

Red - "I’m sensual, physical and emotional."

 

Black - "Don’t intrude on my privacy, but once you know me, I’m not much of a mystery."

 

White - "Give me some love and affection."

 

Lemon - "I can read your mind."

 

Gold - "Love conquers all."

 

Mint - "I’m actually not the sweet little girl you think I am."

 

Purple - "I’m just dying to show you my true feelings."

 

 

  1. How to Buy the Perfect - Sneaker:

 

  1. Go for half a size bigger.

 

  1. Don’t buy shoes that are super-snug around the toes. Instead, choose a pair that has a thumbnail’s space between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe.

 

  1. If you have narrow heels, opt for shoes that are cut higher on the ankle to give you more support.

 

 

Do you know?

 

The coolest thing to do to your jeans now is to un-hem the cuffs, giving them an uneven look. Then, fold them up about three to four inches and wear them with wedgies. Alternatively, you could also split the side seams of the cuffs about 5cm and leave open.

 

 

G) TRAVEL SMART.

 

Pack light for your next resort getaway with these five basics:

 

SARONG

It’s an essential for resort destinations. Wear them with a bikini top for a sensational look or tiny tees if you’re prefer more cover.

 

SMALL TEES

The next best thing to the bikini top at a resort, and Urban Wear has the best fit.

 

THONGS OR SANDALS

These will give you lots of comfort without having to sacrifice the look.

 

A SMALL SLING BAG.

And we strongly recommend Kipling’s "Suffering" sling bag for all your documents

and cash.

 

SPORTY WATCHES.

Forget about your dress watch. Swatches are the best when travelling. You don’t have to worry about ruining them or getting mugged.

 

 

Question & Answer

Q: I sent my outfit for dry-cleaning and it came back damaged. What should I do?

 

Ans. : Check to see if you’ve signed the receipt because most of them state that compensation will not exceed 10 times the cost of dry-cleaning. Either way, you should get compensated. But if the compensation is not satisfactory, bring it up to the Small Claims Tribunal and the Consumer Association.

 

  1. WINDOW SHOPPING.

 

D for DKNY

If you love DKNY, then start watching out for D. A new label that has just been developed for DKNY, D is fashion-forward and sophisticated. You’ll never be bored with the predictables. With D, it could be synthetic chic this minute and natural the next. Its sharp tailoring and innovative fabrics truly set the collection in style.

 

S for Sisley.

Three words for the women’s line - sexy, spirited, vibrant. Boob tubes, off-the-shoulder cropped tops, kinky shorts, tight summery dresses and hipster skirts. All worn with total abandon, Cuban-style.

 

V for Versus.

Definitely a collection you can relate to - funky, energetic, boldly-coloured and printed pieces "haphazardly" put together. What we love: The mad mix of strips, plaid and animal print on one outfit casual shirt dresses; and general bad taste.

U for United of Colours of Benetton.

Expect to shop till you drop. Their range spans a huge variety, from military to streetwear. Faves are Brigitte Bardot-inspired straight slacks in high-tech nylon/stretch fabrics, boot-cut pants in rich florals and all things ‘70s awash in watercolours.

 

Do you know?

Sunglasses first appeared in 1885 when spectacle lenses were tinted. They became famous only in the Thirties when Hollywood stars took to them. And the Fifties and Sixties designers really broke out with flamboyant designs.

 

 

I) SEVEN DEADLY SHOPPING HABITS.

 

If you find that the way you shop falls into any of the following patterns, it’s time to pause and re-evaluate your plans before making the next purchase.

 

  1. You shop when you’re depressed.

 

  1. You purchase to feel a sense of belonging to a particular peer group.

 

  1. You’re compelled to buy under the sweet persuasion of sales staff or friends.

 

  1. You follow trends blindly and end up buying stuff which doesn’t suit you.

 

  1. You have to borrow, beg or steal money to support your shopping habits.

 

  1. You buy clothes to fit the body or image that you hope to have.

 

  1. You purchase on impulse and what you buy does not go with the rest of your wardrobe.
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