Saying one’s adieu to the summer season is a bittersweet affair. With the withering of leaves comes the layering of clothes, but fortunately for us, this fall season’s top trends defy the droll bleakness that can sometimes accompany the fall and winter seasons with sleek and trim fits, vivid colors, and the revitalization of spruced up golden-oldies. Luckily, you don’t have to go and start throwing out your tucked away winter clothes. This season’s trends are accents and are here to help men do something they’re not given many opportunities to do: accessorize. There’s nothing like a good suit, of course, but why must it end there? Is it hard to straddle the lines between classic masculinity and a little menswear showmanship? This fall get ready to have a little fun with your wardrobe without feeling like you’re taking a risk.

Trend # 1: SUSPENDERS
Grandpas and newsies – that’s the extent of the suspenders’ prior versatility. This fall, try
pairing your suspenders with a nice white poplin collar shirt (poplins are great because they’re durable and hard to wrinkle, which can help when suspenders are pressing up against your shirt all day), a tie, and a pair of slim-cut flannel or tweed pants and you’re set to go to the office. Or if you feel like taking them out for a try out on the town, skip the buttons and the knots and try them on a fitted pair of slacks and a slim-cut hoodie, as seen in Emporio Armani’s fall menswear collection. Don’t shy away from adding a bit of color either. Suspenders in lavish fire engine red were seen in Adam Kimmel’s line and even in braided leather on army fatigue pants in the DSquared2 collection.

Trend # 2: VIBRANT PANTS
Earth tones, black and white: signature colors for the season that have been around since
time immemorial. Shirts, pants and coats in any combination of these colors can be found
in any man’s closet (as well they should – a classic never dies), but there is room for flexibility. Mustard, cerulean, moss, violet, cadmium – they’re all showing up, no – not just in dress shirts, but in men’s pants. Ralph Lauren and Paul Smith both explored a fun mongrelization of every man’s favorite hybrid, the “business-casual” look by going maybe one step further. Blazers, collared shirts and ties paired with very form-fitting, vibrant colored pants added a most welcome pizzazz to a golden oldie. If you’re leaning more towards the right side of that spectrum, make sure to style those colors with a more loose-fitted pant and try them with some lace-up boots (more on this particular article a little bit later) and a knitted jacket for a fun, sporty, ski-gear look.

Trend # 3: BOW TIES
Now, this we didn’t really see coming, but boy it works! The bowtie is a welcome respite for those bound to the 9 to 5 necktie day in and day out. Finally the bowtie is now extricable from the tuxedo á la Golden-Age of Hollywood. This fall, the use of the bowtie rids itself of the suit jacket altogether and finds a home in a more casual setting. Wear your tie with a cardigan over a buttoned-up collared shirts and tapered pants. Make sure to add a print or design in there, either above or below for a more faceted execution. Tartans/plaids and bowties have become this season’s perfect odd-couple. Finish off your look with a sleek pair of dress shoes. If you’re dead-set on wearing sneakers, a pair of John Varvatos Converse shoes should pull the look together perfectly.

Trend # 4: LACE-UP BOOTS
Lace-up boots stomped their way down many catwalks for this fall’s runway collections. It seems there was an immediate understanding amongst designers that lace-up boots were in, but boot-cut pants were out! Whether the boots come halfway up your calf or just above your ankle, make sure of one thing: show those laces. Feel free to roll those jeans up to expose the sleekness and overt butchness of the boot and pair it with a hefty, lined parka or duster. Or, take a more sophisticated route, with the most fatalistic aplomb by Neil Barrett in his spy-game “Tuxedo Ski” collection, where the tuxedo stayed intact and the perfectly fitted pant hid behind the boot. Sans the overly formal jacket, heed Mr. Barrett’s advice and replace it with a shiny, rained-slicked motorcycle jacket. The look is to die for. And if those picture-perfect Salvatore Ferragamo’s are too far out of your reach, check out Kenneth Cole’s “Moonrise” boot in either brown or black. They have an astronaut-skater sneaker look at the bottom and end at the shin in an almost Doc Martin styled combat boot, lined in fleece fabric.

Trend # 5: DARK DENIM
Now that the intensely hot summer sun has begun to dissipate a bit, it is safe once again to wear dark denim. There was hardly a piece of Donna Karan’s DKNY collection that didn’t come down the runway in dark denim jeans. Charcoal grays and opaque, onyx blacks give a certain sense of sophistication when combined with a blazer, dress shirt and tie. It provides a certain sleekness without looking uncomfortable and compartmentalized in an overly formal pair of work slacks. But to offset the dramatic effect of these dark hues, make sure to offset your outfit with at least one colorful article, be it a scarf, vest, or even a belt.

Trend # 6: SHEARLING
Simple nylons and polyesters are not going to cut it this fall and winter season. Instead, start looking for coats, bomber jackets, even boots, lined with shearling. Shearling is a beautifully uniformed lambskin pelt that is highly durable and very comfortable to wear during the fall and winter seasons that helps to keep you warm from the oppressive snow and even helps to keep away moisture during the rainy spring season. Because it is a lambskin pelt that has only been sheared once, the look and feel of shearling is smooth, uninterrupted. It’s a very graceful texture; and yet, highly versatile. If you’re looking for a signature shearling piece this season, check out Zegna’s stunning bomber jackets, especially the baby calf patina shearling lined bomber, which was seen worn over a pure wool workers suit and tucked under shearling lined boots. The high-definition Red Baron apparel was a true showstopper. The look was very stylistic, but with just the perfect touch of demure. So gents, whether its a Dr. Zhivago hat, a long duster coat, or shearling-lined boots, one thing is for sure: this season, staying warm in shearling goes well with anything!

Trend # 7: TUXEDO SHIRTS
Dash it all into the fray seems to be the season’s dominant fashion protocol. The displacement of the suspender, the bowtie and the tuxedo shirt from strictly formal to casual-sportswear continues to blur the restriction lines of men’s apparel. Viktor & Rolf offers a classic, yet beautiful take on the tuxedo shirt. The fashion line pairs the crisp, vibrant white shirt with a nicely tailored heather-gray pair of slacks, but offset by a camel and bone striped belt. This fall, the tux shirt transcends its old dowdiness and steps into an almost hipster-sphere of style. But of course, in keeping with fall’s knockout combo of mixing genres and infusing color, don’t feel that white is the only way to go. Dolce & Gabbana and Salvatore Ferragamo deviate from the menswear rulebook and garner their respective tuxedo shirts in thick and bold gray stripes and in a metallic midnight blue. Remember to not feel bound to combining the tuxedo shirt with tuxedo pants. Black skinny jeans or slacks provide the perfect balance of not too formal and not too sporty. Add a fitted jacket and maybe even a beanie to the mix and you’ve got a Telluride James Bond look working for you.

Trend # 8: COATS AND JACKETS
In Milan, Berlin, Los Angeles and New York, the exuberant coats and jackets that went down the runways were highlighting points of focus. Coats took center stage, muting the energy of its accompanying pieces – keeping the collections feeling animated and not bombastic. Imbued in golds, purples, and camel-suedes, Wall Street’s sense of style will grow a bit of muscle this fall. And with bomber jackets lined in fleece, officer coats rejuvenated with epaulets and asymmetrical tailoring, the season’s added bits of flair to the coats, draped over the a work shirt and pants will show a man who is confident in both his sense of style and his masculinity.

Trend # 9: MESSENGER BAGS
Leave the suitcase at home for a change and add a bit of youth to the office commute with a canvas or leather tote messenger bag. The suitcase has become arcane; the messenger bag has started to usurp it of its staple stature. Prada bags have always been popular, and naturally, they show a dual taste and refinement. For men, the popularity of Jack Spade’s messenger bags have grown exponentially in the past two years. They’re compact, tailored beautifully and come in wonderful plush colors. If you’re looking for something a bit special, check out Highway bags, located in Nolita in New York City. The leather and nylon bags of Highway have original textures, creative colors and great functionality, and compared to the other two highly marketed brands, these are quite affordable for their aesthetics and uniqueness.

Trend # 10: TARTANS & PLAIDS
Plaids and tartans are the most ubiquitous trend of the fall and since they didn’t ever really go away, its easier for men to embrace the boldness of these patterns. Plaids are a surefire antidote to the winter ennui of black and white quite possibly the most versatile tool a man can use to liven up his wardrobe. Ties and scarves have been the dominant accessories to don these patterns, but try to kill two birds with one stone and look for some plaid suspenders or even pants, as seen in the new Band of Outsiders collection, which combines red and black tartan pants with a periwinkle blue poplin collar shirt under a vest and topped off with a big muskrat hat.

Alexander Patino
Junior Editor, Men’s Style & Product Trends
http://www.fashionqanda.com
877-STYL-411

The work environment, as well as social events, have become more casual over the last several years. In a few places, suit and tie is still mandatory, while in others, tee shirts and jeans are the norm. Your boss will determine the dress code at work, your host at other events, so follow his or her lead. Most “dressy” places are pretty flexible; suits are common, but the blazer allows more flexibility and comfort while presenting a professional or cultured appearance.

Blazers, sports coats, sports jackets (or simply, jackets) are essentially the same thing; they look like suit jackets but are not sold with matching pants. It is a dress coat, proper for wear to office, church, dinner, first meeting with the prospective in-laws, IRS audit and other important events. If the invitation says semi-formal, definitely wear a suit; if not, a blazer is entirely appropriate.

Color

If you can only afford one sports coat, it should be camel hair. Harvested from Asian Bactrians (the two-hump type), this light brown wool is soft and durable. More importantly, this jacket is a fashion icon that will match many colors of trousers and will never, never, never be out of fashion.

As an alternative or a second, get a navy blue or gray jacket. They are always popular (the choice will depend on personal preference, not where you ancestors lived during the Civil War). Blue and gray sports jackets are so common as to be almost cliche, but it’s hard to go wrong with a clothing item that always work. For fun, get the navy blazer double-breasted with brass buttons for a nautical flavor. Gray blazers are usually light in color to match more pants colors and, if made of tropical weight fabric, can be very comfortable even in summer.

If, instead, you’d like to show off your personal clothing style, get a herringbone or pick up a houndstooth; buy an English tweed or Scottish tartan–even if you are ethnically unqualified, declare your fashion flair! Remember, a blazer is not a stand alone item: To be properly fitted out, match the coat with other business apparel–shirts, pants, shoes and ties–to complete the set.

Materials

As in all clothing, fabrics vary widely and each has its particular appeal:

Corduroy

A cut pile cloth of pure cotton with ”ridges” running up the length. A corduroy blazer is distinctively casual among men’s coats. When wearing cords, go jacket or pants, not both.

Leather/Suede

It’s more common in bomber-style jackets from the play clothes group, however, a suede or leather jacket cut like a suit jacket (with buttons instead of a zipper) really looks good if it’s well made. Don’t skimp on this purchase price and you’ll be very happy you did.

Linen

A natural fiber that’s stronger and stiffer than cotton. Lightweight and very good for summer, linen is doubly-good when blended with wool or silk.

Polyester

The double-knit fad in the 1970s was a bad idea from which some of us may never recover. Fortunately, new polyester fabrics can closely match natural fibers in appearance, though not in comfort or durability. Often blended with natural fibers to lower the cost, the poly-blend is a good compromise.

Silk

The premier clothing fiber is unmatched in luster, warmth, strength, high cost or delicacy. Silk-blends, with wool or linen, make affordable compromises.

Wool

The best fabric overall has a great appearance, is durable and comfortable and blends well with all other fabrics. Wool is pricey, but not out of reach. Woven in a variety of weights for various climates, a 100-percent virgin wool blazer will look good for years.

Blazer care

It really couldn’t be simpler, ‘Professionally dry clean only.’ Even if it’s marked wash and wear, pamper your sports coat a little, it is worth it.

Terms to keep in mind:

Though used interchangeably, there is a technical difference between a sport coat or jacket and a blazer. Speaking strictly, a blazer is a civilian uniform jacket–for a school, club or other group. Proper blazers always have metal buttons (but don’t let that stop you, it’s an easy fix), and, like the coat of arms of King Arthur’s knights, it is ‘emblazoned’ with the crest or logo of the group sewn or embroidered on the left breast. They should always be worn with a necktie, preferably in the group’s colors (some groups actually have an official tie). Embroidered crests have become pretty rare but, if you are entitled, it is appropriate for evening or social gatherings. Other useful terms:

Double breasted

The jacket front panels overlap and have a double row of buttons–one just for show. (If the working buttons are on the left, don’t try it on; it’s a woman’s blazer!)

Single breasted

The front panels on the jacket don’t overlap, with a single row of buttons.

Vent

The split in the back of the jacket from just below the waist to the lower hem. Some blazers aren’t no-vent; single-vented has the split in the middle, double-vented has one along each side seam.

How do I know it will fit?

Get measured by someone who knows what they’re doing. Good clothing stores will measure you, even if you don’t buy from them. Blazers size the same as men’s suits, in S (small), R (regular) and L (long). Get a jacket with sleeves that reach just to the wrist–your shirt should extend an inch or two beyond, to the base of the thumb. Since very few people are ”average,” you may need slight alterations to fit your individual measurements. Better clothing stores have an in-house tailor who will adjust clothes you didn’t buy from them quite inexpensively.

What about trousers?

Do not match colors exactly. Wear dress pants in complimentary or contrasting shades. With that camel hair, any brown corduroys or khaki pants look great. With the double breasted navy, white makes a real statement. Gray or black trousers match virtually all jacket colors. Some colors, like green or purple, don’t ever look professional, but can work well in casual situations.

Whatever your choice in color or style, remember, spend what you must to get a quality blazer, and it will be a purchase you’ll never regret it.

Phoenix Roberts has been a journalist, freelance writer and desktop publisher for over 10 years. His work has appeared in local, regional and national publications and he’s worked for numerous corporate, community and political clients. Among his pre-writing jobs, he worked for a major clothing manufacturer. Presently, he is an SEO Content Writer for Internet discount retailer Overstock.com

(http://www.overstock.com).

(C)2008 Overstock.com–All Rights Reserved.

I have heard the word blog thrown around the last few years, but really did not pay much attention to it! I just recently started an internet business and thought I would start blogging to see what it was about! I looked at a few blogs and found out that basically people write about anything. I’ve always enjoyed writing. I wrote essays in high school and college and thought it was fun! Of course I did not tell anyone, because I always heard others saying things like “Oh, yuck, we had to do an essay in that class! I hate essays!” So, I thought I must be kind of weird.

Another thing I did back in high school some twenty something years ago, was take a typing class. I don’t remember why I took the typing class. Computers were not around much. Hardly anybody had there own computer at home back in those days! The typing in this class was done on the old IBM type writers. Funny, I don’t see those around much anymore! Anyway, a decade or so later, I found myself in an office sitting in front of a Dell computer and realized that I could still type. And actually pretty darn fast. Yipee! Now I find myself constantly typing something into the keyboard. I have an eBay business, work in as a firefighter, and do internet marketing. In all three of these careers, I use my typing skills.

The blogging is fun because a person can express themselves and get their opinions published. If you have an agenda, blog! Maybe someone will read it. Millions of people are on the internet these days and odds are some of them will want to read your blog! My blog is about my life, my job, my faith, my opinions, my businesses… lots of my’s in there huh? Of course, there are blogs about politics, the environment, and just about anything! I saw one today about mobile homes!

What I like about the blogger site I am using is that you can add all kinds of things to your blog site. On mine, I have a poll about Sarah Palin. Drop by my blog before Sept. 12 and take the poll. I’m interested in what people on the internet think. Tell me if you like Sarah Palin or if you think she should go back to Alaska! LOL! Here’s the link: My Blogspot I think tomorrow I will blog about hurricanes!

Richard A. Davis is a full time firefighter, homeschool Dad, Ebayer, and internet marketer. He resides in Texas. Married for 20 years with three children, two dogs, three cats, four birds, one hampster, and a fish!

When people hear the word denim, they think of just jeans. In reality, it is a material that is used for more than just jeans. Here are some of the many clothing items that are made out of it.

Denim dresses. These can be light blue or dark blue. Some have buttons and others have zippers. A denim dress is a great option for a casual outing, or any day that you don’t want to dress up too fancy or wear pants. It is especially nice in the spring.

Overalls. If you are a handy-worker like a plumber or mechanic, denim overalls can make a very comfortable uniform. They can be washed over and over again, and it eventually gets softer. These overalls also have extra pockets that anyone can certainly make use of. They overalls are also easy to put on.

Skirts. A denim skirt can be worn as a casual outfit, or a dressy outfit. Just add a simple cotton shirt or sweater for a casual look. If you want to create a more elegant look, you can wear your skirt with a silk blouse or a shirt with beads or some other fancy embellishment. You can try a mini-skirt for a sexy look, or a longer skirt for a sophisticated look.

Jackets. Denim is a light and comfortable material that you can wear during any season. Denim jackets are great for the spring or fall, and can be used as a spring jacket or as an addition to an outfit. You can wear your jacket with jeans, leather or khakis.

Denim hats. What is a good outfit without a nice hat? How about a denim hat? Such a hat would make a nice addition to any wardrobe. It will go with anything that jeans will match. Hats can add a great sense of personal style.

There is a lot more to denim clothing than jeans, and I am sure that you know that for sure now. If you don’t have denim in your wardrobe (other than jeans) you should really consider expanding it into its fascinating world. There are plenty of options there that go beyond even the contents of this article. It also comes in colors other than blue. The possibilities are endless!

Shop around and look for the perfect denim addition for your wardrobe.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for used clothing, used watches, and vacuum food sealers. When shopping for used clothing, used watches, and vacuum food sealers, shop only at the best online stores for denim clothing and used watches

You just have to give in-flats are the shoe right here, right now. Some women only wear flats while others wouldn’t dare be caught with them on. It has no effect on how tall you are because the flat shoe looks great for people of all heights. Actually, if you are petite, flat shoes can make you look taller if you’re dressed monochromatically—all in the same color from head to toe, stockings included. This draws the eye up and makes shorter women look taller and well put together.

Every woman should wear flats. They’re comfortable and make a good driving shoe. Paired with the hot skinny jeans that are all the rage right now, flats are a must. Pair them with A line skirts or beautiful sweater dresses. Wear them right, and flats can be stylish, playful and dramatic. Flats should definitely have a place in your closet.

Use the following guidelines to be sure that your fashion-rating is high even when your heels aren’t:

Look for Stylish Flats

Since flats usually aren’t as dynamic as heels, look for flats in fashionable colors, materials and textures to help jazz up your look without having to resort to higher heels. The main buzz right now is flats in quilted fabrics, like those from Juicy Couture. Flats that are a must these season are black patent leather Mary Janes. like the ones you can find at SAKS 5th Avenue or at Chanel. The flats go with everything, from shorts to knit dresses and flirty skirts to capris.

Dress Up Simple Flats for an Ultra-Feminine Look

Some flats are decorated with a buckle in front, others are tailored with a round, square or pointed toe. To make up for the simple styling of many flats, consider prettying up your outfit with the ultra-feminine and hip wrap tops, flared sleeves and layered shirts to help convey a head to toe “ballerina” look.

Flats and Skirts

Having no heel on your shoes can make your legs appear shorter. You can go for the monochromatic look as we discussed earlier to visually lengthen the leg. Or, If you prefer to wear flats with skirts, shoot for a hemline that is above the knee. This will also regain a look of length to your leg. Beware: Wearing flats with longer skirts make you look like your grandmother, and we certainly don’t want that.

The Right Pants for The Shoes

Capri pants and flats are a match made in heaven, but if you’re wearing long pants, make sure they aren’t too long. It’s sloppy to have your hem drag on the Perhaps the best look with pants are when the flats are coupled with flare lef pants. Plus, when paired with the new skinny jeans, flats are especially gorgeous and as the wearer, you will be in the highpoint of style this season.

What to Wear with Ballerina Flats

Remember when these were so much like real ballerina slippers, and you had to wind the pink ribbon around your ankles? Things changed., How did they change? Now you can find everything from sneakers to evening shoes that are inspired by ballet slippers, and therefore could be categorized as ballerina flats.

Because they don’t have a heel at all, ballerina flats have a tendency to make ones legs appear shorter, so petite women should either avoid them altogether or

Pair them up with a shorter skirt so it extends the amount of leg that is shown. Because of this same quality, Ballerina Flats look especially nice on taller women.

The most captivating of all ballerina flats are those with satin and

embellishments. It makes anything you wear instantly exotic and glamourous. If you need a flat shoe for jeans, try a leather skimmer, or for a sporty look, wear a casual skimmer made of canvas as they look really cute with shorts and denim skirts.

Wearing ballet flats with longr skirts and dresses can create a feeling of romance, but again, it would make petite women look even shorter.

You don’t have to sacrifice fashion, form. style and elegance for comfort. So, whether you’re petite or an amazon, or somewhere in between, give your feet a break every once in a while, and slip into a pair of ultra-comfortable flats that accompanies this season’s dramatic looks. You’ll look stunning and your feet will thank you for it.

Connie Werner Reichert, President of Write Side Up Copywriting, is a freelance journalist specializing in health and beauty. She may be reached at Connieis@pacbell.net

Please visit her new website at http://www.conniewreichert.com

Phone 530.277.4560

Have you committed a fashion crime or two with your business clothing? Who hasn’t? From overcoming the dreaded muffin top bulge to covering up peek-a-boo lingerie, these expert tips will help you overcome common wardrobe blunders.

1. Revealing too much, as in baring your midriff: Blame it on Britney Spears, but low-rise pants are amongst the biggest business no no’s in a professional environment. To prevent the world from getting a view of your midriff, add a tank or close-fitting shirt under your top layer. You’ll stay warmer while adding visual interest to an outfit.

2. Over-the-pants bulge: Otherwise known as the muffin top, this is the spillover effect from pants that are too tight at the waist. What to do? Go one size up. We all like to think we are a size smaller than we really are, but when it comes to pants, you always look slimmer when they fit well and don’t create any bulges.

3. Visible lingerie: Good lingerie should be invisible. Wear nude, not white undergarments with white pants or a white shirt. To get rid of panty lines, check out some of the newer styles of seamless underwear.

4. Gaping blouse: If your favorite blouse is gaping at the seams, here’s a quick fix: a small piece of double-sided tape placed between each button will keep gaps closed and prevent any embarrassing peek-a-boo moments.

5. Too tight clothing: Painted-on pants, and too tight tops are not for the workplace. Wear clothing that fits, but is not overly revealing

6. Frumpy and forgettable: Ditch the dowdy pants and sweaters that are functional but boring, like the turtleneck paired with Mom Jeans. These items don’t flatter you, and project the message that you have no style.

7. Still in high school: A miniskirt, cartoon t-shirt and big hair make you look like you never left high school. They lessen your authority and professionalism in the workplace.

8. Senior citizen pastels, cheesy fabrics, and shapeless cuts make it seem like you’re too old to care – not a good sign for the office.

Do you know the biggest business image mistakes? Find out with these free reports:

7 Business Casual Crimes and How to Solve Them, and 13 Foods that Can Sabotage a Business Meal, when you sign up for my Communication Capsules Ezine at: http://www.Impressforsuccess.com/signup.html

From Lynda Goldman, author of 30 books including How to Make a Million Dollar First Impression

We all strive to look our best, and choosing the perfect accessories doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Great accessories can help dress up or dress down any outfit. Even blue jeans with a sweater can be dressed up with a nice necklace, earrings, bracelet, belt, and shoes. The same jeans and sweater can become very casual with fewer accessories and tennis shoes.

Hair accessories are a great way to make a bold impression. The perfect hair accessory can be functional, holding your hair any way you want it, while at the same time being very fashionable. From the greatest up style to extensions, hair accessories can be your best friend.

Some people don’t consider makeup a fashion accessory, but makeup can do so much for your overall appearance! Mascara helps open your eyes and give you a more confident, awake appearance. Earrings and necklaces can almost literally make or break an outfit. The right earrings and necklace can make you look classy, sophisticated, and beautiful. Making the wrong decision with these important accessories can frame your face in ways that are very unappealing.

Today’s purses and handbags are designed to make their very own fashion statement. There are so many colors and styles, you can almost have a different handbag for every outfit in your wardrobe. Whether you prefer a large purse, a small satchel, or something in between, you can never go wrong with the right purse.

Jewelry like rings and bracelets can really help add dazzle and shine to any outfit, whether it’s jeans and a shirt or that sexy little dress that usually hangs in the closet. We know you have one! Belts can add a lot to almost any outfit. A big, chunky belt can add a lot of flare to your jeans and favorite shirt or add a great waistline to a nice straight dress. The right belt can also make a skirt and blouse look like they were meant to be together, even if they weren’t.

Shoes, though at the bottom, can top off your overall look. Cute little boat shoes or ballerina slippers can do things for a pair of jeans that tennis shoes just can’t. Nice flats or even low to medium heels can also add some great attitude to your favorite jeans. Of course, if you’re going to be wearing that cute little sexy dress that usually hangs in the closet, don’t try to dress it down with tennis shoes – it just doesn’t work that way! See, we know that little dress is in the closet!

So there you have it, a basic rundown of some awesome accessory tips!

Elli Rose is a fashion industry insider who writes about the latest trends in clothing, makeup and accessories. Love to be noticed?

Find gorgeous fashions and helpful advice at http://www.amorefashion.com

Though skinny jeans have become a recent men’s fashion phenomenon – helped in no small part by NME-friendly bands like the Strokes and Razorlight – it is not a look for everyone. Depending on your build, skinny jeans can make you look dangerously skinny or almost like a court jester.



Luckily, for those who like to dress according to popular trends, yet don’t like the idea of looking like they’re wearing their girlfriend’s jeans, loose fit jeans are gaining popularity; giving wearers versatile clothing and the additional comfort not afforded by skinny jeans. Good loose fit jeans should be casual, yet formal enough for the office and trendy enough for a night out, making them the perfect addition to your wardrobe this spring.



When trying on a pair of loose fit jeans, it is important to get the right fit. The length should be enough for the jeans to comfortably reach the floor when you’re not wearing shoes; jeans that are excessively long are really just for teenagers. When it comes to the waist, bear in mind that jeans tend to expand with body-heat and shrink a little with the initial washes, so a comfortable, yet slightly snug fit should be acceptable. The jeans should also fit comfortably around the thighs, but again, don’t go overboard and do expect a little expansion and shrinkage with the initial wears and washes.



The main thing when looking for loose fit jeans is to avoid buying the low-slung, baggy jeans which are popular with skaters and snowboarders. There are several retailers offering trendy loose fit jeans that can go with any occasion and not make you seem like you’re trying to recapture lost youth and look like a teenager again.



When it comes to selecting the right finish, it really depends on the look you’re going for. A darker finish will generally look more formal, but a general trend for jeans in the last decade has been for jeans to have gone through some sort of bleaching and/or have a distressed look to them. If in doubt, then a trusted friend or the shop assistant can help you out. Another tip is to wear what you’d expect to wear with the jeans when trying them on – just to be on the safe side.



So if you’re fed up with the proliferation of drainpipes in men’s fashion and are looking for a timeless, yet trendy and versatile way to spruce up your wardrobe this spring, loose fit jeans are the right choice for you.

Today, quality designers who have the right mix of creativity and innovativeness are rare. In the last few years alone, there have been several designers who have come to the scene with a huge bang and vanished as soon as they arrived. But some have stood against the tide of time and proved themselves time and time again. Trina Turk is one such designer.

This young lady has virtually taken over the fashion circuit with her fresh designs. Today, she is a name that commands tremendous respect. The celebrity circuit has also accepted her designs and you can see many a celebrities today in a Trina Turk collection.

According to Trina, she always knew that she wanted to be a designer and a prepared mind is what luck favors.

The start

She learnt to sew when she was all of 11 years and since then there has been no stopping her. After studying fashion design at the university of Seattle, she landed her first job with Britannia Jeans. She later formed her own company in 1995 and within just 6 years, sales topped 16 million.

Since then they have opened a chain of boutiques at prime locations in the country. She received an award for fashion achievement at the LA fashion awards.

Buying online

Apart from her own official website which has her latest collections, you can also find her collections at some of the biggest online boutiques. Her latest summer 2008 collection which has some amazing halter tops, skirts, gowns and casual urban wear is the perfect and most complete collection till date.

You can still see the simplicity in design and the richness in color combinations which is signature Trina Turk. If you wish to buy one of the dresses, then you might just have to wait for some more time as the summer 2008 collection releases in April 2008. However, there are several other dresses to choose from.

For more info visit : Trina Turk

When you buy a pair of jeans there is inevitably something that doesn’t work out about them. For me it is often the ankle and the heel. Jeans tend to fit me fairly well throughout but in those two areas I still have a hard time finding a pair that fit perfectly. This often means that I will be forced to customize these jeans to work for me. I have three major pairs of shoes that I wear with jeans my converse chucks, black dress loafers and flip flops. Often times if I go with jean that already has a boot cut fit they work for the loafers but I end up dragging my heel under the other shoes. Sometimes this can give you a nice distressed look to the heel of your jean, but on a rainy day it just means frozen feet and disgusting muddy heels on your jeans.

My simple answer is to go with a boot fit jean that doesn’t drag under my heel to much. Then cut the cuffs of the jeans vertically along the inside and outside seam to open the boot cut up further. This cut will look odd at first but after a few washings it will look nice and distressed and ad some personality to your jeans. The other answer is to cut the heel of your jeans out. Be careful when you do this and always cut on the side of caution. Once you cut the fabric away it cannot be put back. This cut will also look strange at first but after washing the jeans it will start to develop a nice distressed look. I always think it is better to cut your jeans specifically to what you needs are. Take the time to decide how to alter your jeans to make the work better for you next time you are looking to buy a pair.

Find out more about jeans and style at http://www.jeans-freak.info/.