Category: Fashion

The word “teenager” was first coined in the 1950s, a time when teenage fashion had found its place and a niche market was created. Teenagers were now a closed group with their own feelings, style, beliefs, and ways of perceiving life; that is, their own personality.

Malcolm Barnard says in his book Fashion as Communication, “Fashion and clothing have always been explained as forms of communication”. Teenagers have now their own voice to speak their mind and they manage to do it through fashion.

Being teenager is being rebellious. If you check out the decades of teen fashion you might see that they have proven to be a way of rebelling out.

Back in the fifties, when teen fashion firs appeared, it would follow the famous look of James Dean in “Rebel Without a Cause”. Although, their clothes did not differ too much from the general trend in fashion, girls could be seen wearing dresses fluffed out with petticoats and crinolines under the skirt. Boys wore tight Levis, Chinos, white or black tight shirts, as well as loafers or Converse shoes with leather jackets.

Fashion is totally influenced and “manipulated” by history. The historical events put a hallmark on fashion decades, as the clothes reveal people’s lifestyle, conceptions, and even prejudices.

In the 1960s, fashion and music started to go hand in hand. Pop and rock music began to influence fashion in a way like never before. Fashion icons, like The Beatles, or rebellious rock stars, like Bob Dylan and Mick Jagger, were speaking on behalf of the younger generation and they represented the main force.

In the 1970s, the disco era was loud and colorful. The fabrics of the decade were polyester, acrylic and lycra. Woman’s dresses were getting to their knees and men wore bell bottoms, jackets and gold chains. Platform shoes were big on the dance floor and shirt patterns were dizzying.

The 1980s came with the aerobic craze. The ultimate combination was tight, shiny stretch leggings paired with an over-sized, off-the-shoulder sweatshirt. The pop singer, Madonna was at her peak at that time and she influenced teenagers sense of style very much.

The 1990s, in terms of teen fashion, represented a mixture of a whole lot of different styles. Boy bands and girl bands of pop music were pretty eclectic in terms of clothes and they were admired by the young generation. It was the time of the platform shoe again which shows up in many shoes from sandals to tennis shoes. The colors are dramatic or pastel, while the classic color black was still used for dramatic effects in fashion.

Nowadays, teen clothing is very comfortable in all ways. The basic trends are vintage blue jeans with a trendy. Teenagers clothes need to be accessible in terms of prices, as young people’s expenditure is pretty limited within the amounts of money collected in their piggy banks.

Long ago, plus size women had to accept their limitations in the fashion field and their dependence with whatever clothing they could find, or having to make their own clothes such as plus size swimwear. Nowadays, large women want to look good and feel good in ready-made clothes; as a part of fashion industry, plus size clothing becomes popular for many women in all age groups. They too wish to make their style statement and it is heart warming to see real women doing catwalk in some real size fashion shows around the world in plus size swimwear or plus size dresses every year.

Today plus size women don’t have to sneak to a plus size fashion counter at the end of a mall or shopping center. There are boutiques and designers dedicated to plus size fashion wear. Jean Paul Gaultier and John Galliano lead the trend of showing plus size garments at their fashion shows in 2011. An Italian fashion house has dedicated a week for plus size fashion shows at their annual fashion week in Milan.

More than the color of the fabric or clothing, it is the designs that accentuate plus size figures. A good style in long sleeves or short sleeves top will slim down the top section; a flattering plus size swimwear like one-piece swimming dress with flowing skirt to camouflage big tummy and deep V neck which accentuates the ample bosom.

There are different plus size body shapes but the majority of them are pear shapes with bigger waistline and hips, as compared to smaller upper bodies. This is most commonly found amongst large women; an A-line swimming dress (in plus size swimwear range) with empire waist to enhance the top and conceal the width of the hips would be ideal for this body shape.

The second most common shape (for plus size women) is apple shape. Apple-shaped women are fuller around the top and the middle including their belly. They’re usually larger-busted and their upper arms and shoulders are broader, their legs tend to be slim and their bottoms tend to be flat, in that case they should emphasize their bust and legs while camouflaging their midsection, keeping it all in balance. The main idea is to draw the eye toward the best parts of their bodies; they should wear garments (tops, dresses, plus size swimwear in one-piece or two-piece) which accentuate their bust and which show off their great legs.

Since the plus size fashion (including plus size swimwear) becomes popular beside the revolution of online selling, full-figured women do not even need to go to brick-and-mortal shops to buy their clothes; instead, they can shop and try on the garments at their own homes with the goods delivered to their doors.

Clothing was always, ever since man started wrapping himself in various animal fur, a statement of a certain kind. Fashion, as a style popularized and excepted by many in modern day, just deepened that statement’s importance. Choosing one style or another gave people in all cultures a way of expressing themselves, and as there was always a fashion followed by majority of society, there was another, somewhere in the back of it, denying and rejecting it.

Alternative fashion styles are tightly close to music genres of what is also labeled as “alternative”, such as rock and roll, punk, gothic, hardcore, and all varieties that rose up from those. Many social and cultural issues are brought up by associating a subculture with a type of music and a way of clothing, such as denying status quo of classes, governmental policies, distribution of power, and identity policy which majority popularized. Identity, in fact, is the most important aspect of alternative fashion and as an embodiment of it, it produced a variety of styles, to show the same variety of opinion, discontent, or rejecting the traditional values which are always transformed in shape but steady in structure in the mainstream fashion.

Reimagining one’s own identity is a process that is followed by changes in personal appearance and usually approaching values of a subculture which offers to individual a better view of society. Those values are mirrored in music, clothes and accessories. Influenced by vintage and retro fashion, dress styles, forms of visual and performance art, personal attitudes towards concepts such as individuality, consumerism, social constructs on behavior, and considerations of availability and utilitarianism, rock and roll and punk had a very strong ground to stand on when social criticizm through clothing became unseparable part of the genres.

Since the 50s and 70s which were the turning point years, rock and roll and punk styles got multiplied by many, and brought us gothic, cyber gothic (and other varieties of gothic fashion which is still one of the strongest alternative movements in creation of new gender roles and identities and social boundaries), industrial (strongly influenced by military uniforms), Beatniks, Metal, Heavy Metal, Glam Metal (and many subgenres of metal music which has their own set of clothing styles), Hippie, Riot grrrl, Lolita, Mod, Ero kawaii (and many, many, many Japanese influenced styles with a strong influence on Western fashion, alternative and mainstream, such as Elegant Gothic Aristocrat), and many more. Individuality is an important part of alternative fashion, but there are always patterns (otherwise we would not call it a fashion), and even punk fashion, as an extreme form of rejecting social system through hairstyle, piercings, ripped clothes etc has a certain structure which can except anyone who wants to join it.

As styles change, and we are going further in time from the origins of musical genres which brought us new fashion(s), it is apparent that they are still here, regardless of gender, class, age or culture, transforming and giving people a stronger voice to say “We are different, and we want more”.

If you like being fashionable and like to buy accessories that make you stand out then you have a lot of options available with you. These days there are many men fashion accessories like ties, cuff links, shoes, scarves etc., which can be worn with your casual outfits and can make you look casual and trendy at the same time.

When it comes to attending casual occasions, it is advisable to opt for casual shirts that may look apt for the occasions. These can be worn over your jeans or trousers and can be teamed with men’s necktie to give you the perfect casual look. Polo shirts are also popular as casual wear and are worn for clubbing and for playing golf and other sports as well. So if you need casual wear then you can opt for polo shirts, button down shirts, jeans and trousers.

For casual evenings and picnics, khaki pants with loafers also work well and can give you the desired look. You have the option to team your casual wear with accessories like men’s ties or men’s necktie, designer silk scarves and other popular men fashion accessories.

If you are wearing a shirt for a casual occasion then you can team it with good men’s ties with stylish prints. Men’s necktie with bold prints can look great for such events and outings and can boost your fashion quotient. If you are fond of wearing men fashion accessories like scarves then you can team it up with your sweaters and jackets and wear them stylishly.

The silk scarves look great for casual occasions and are a good way to define your metro sexuality. You can wear them in different styles so that they look apt. You can either wear it in the classic way wherein you drape it around your neck and flip one end on one side or you can also opt for the Parisian knot which is a stylish way to wear your scarf. Thus wearing your designer scarf in stylish way can compliment your casual outfit and make you look fashionable as well.

Apart from men’s tie and scarves, you can also add other accessories like socks, stylish cuff links, and glass wear, watches which can complete your attire and make you look stylish. Other than buying good men fashion accessory for yourself, you can also gift them to your other male friends who would be happy to add them to their wardrobe.

Spring is closing in and it is time to start preparing for the 2011 spring fashion season. Recent fashion shows indicate a lot of new and fun girls 2011 spring and summer fashion trends. Whether it is a sleek retro dress or short spring jacket, it is time to start talking seasonal fashion.

I scanned the Internet and compiled a list of some of the most popular spring 2011 and summer fashion trends for girls and women. Most of these came from fashion shows this past fall while some come from bloggers who have their fingers on the pulse of fashion.

One popular spring 2011 trend is floral patterns. Floral patterns on girls dresses, pants, jackets, blouses, and fitted blouses are sure to be popping up everywhere over the spring and summer. A lot of these floral patterned short dresses and long dresses look like something out of a late 1960s movie. Think retro/hippy flower wear and you are talking 2011 trends.

Another trend is denim. Don’t go crazy on the denim but fashionable denim shorts for women will be very popular this spring and summer. In addition to the denim, stripes with little graphics will be a popular girls tee as well this season. The bolder the better with your denim selection as far as colors go.

Sleek and slinky dresses with a 1970s look are also back in style this spring and summer. Satin dance dresses which look like they can be worn for parties, galas, events, or dinner parties are back in style. Ink emerald and sapphire are the preferred dress colors for these simple or special occasion dresses.

Full skirts are back in style for 2011. Once again think retro 1970s era and you will be dressing for 2011. These full skirts were popular in the 70s and have made a return to pop fashion. These short skirts are also popular among men who love checking out women in full skirts. They are sexy and leave a little to the imagination which is perfect if you are trying to turn heads. Choose from long, sheer, short, or fuller full skirts.

Wide pants are also a popular fashion statement this spring and summer. 2011 is looking more like 1971 with these trends, so go through your mother’s attic and you may find a stylish outfit. These pants have a high trouser with a wide leg. These wide pants are surely spring/summer 2011 fashion trend that will turn heads.

These are just a few of the hot trends for spring/summer 2011 girls fashion. Happy summer!

Fashion is associated with women, they are the ones who actually want to beautify themselves. For fashionistas, to the corporate rulers, every woman loves dresses, makeup, accessories as these are the path towards phenomenal looks.

There are various fashion styles, sometimes we think that today is to look trendy, or today for something traditional, or today let me dress up in a classic outfit or oh! It’s summer, let me look casual! Trendy, Vogue, Casual are all fashion styles that we take up in our daily routine. These are all different types of fashion styles which can make one look better.

What does fashion mean to you?

Fashion is all about expressing yourself, and your identity. It is about expressing yourself through your dresses or clothes. It is everything that deals with clothes, accessories, footwear, jewelry, hairstyle and etc. It is a habitual trend in which a person dresses up in her best, does her make up, wears her accessories and shoes. Looking good is the main aim of fashion.

To some, fashion can mean good dresses, to some fashion can mean expensive clothing and accessories. But you must pair your dresses correctly to look chic and stylish. Failure to do so can be a disaster and make you embarrassed in front of everyone.

Wearing the same dresses in the same style can make you a boring person. So before you go out wearing something look at yourself in front of the mirror, check yourself whether the particular dress goes with your body shape or the accessories. Ask yourself whether the accessories you are planning to wear match your dress. Ask yourself will I be able to carry myself?

Check what kind of makeup match the dresses? The shoes, the hair! Everything must match each other perfectly. And you can make you a fashionable diva. If you love fashion, you must know the various types of styles which you can try, the next time you visit a party. Go through the various fashion styles.

Trendy fashion style: It is always up to date. Girls following this style wear all kinds of dresses without keeping any constraints. Trendy means something that is in the trend. Ripped jeans, tank tops, long jackets, high heels, open hairs are examples of trendy fashion style. Celebrities like Jessica Simpson, Miley Cyrus, Paris Hilton, Jessica Alba follows this style. Well, attitude is everything when it comes to pulling off a trendy style.

Chic Style: Chic mans a style that is highly fashionable. Chic is a statement that makes one look striking and exceptionally smart. This style is marked with well-tailored designs that are classy. Strong color, superior styles, that seems casual but also not too casual. So, basically chic style means something very classy, trendy, and also gorgeous. So if you are a part of the chic club, then your wardrobe is a symbol of style.

Sophisticated Style: Style that is polished, quality, and posh are known as sophisticated style. Dresses like Skaters Dress, Brocade Dress, Sheath Dress makes the style statement. A sophisticated style is for the ones from higher status and high-class personalities. Culture and luxury mean most of them who chooses this style of fashion.

Vogue Style: Vogue is something that comes back with time. Fashion that existed for the time, then again regained its popularity by combing some changes in its design, dress material, or styles are said to be vogue. A few vogue dresses are Skaters Dress, Brocade dress, Bandage Dress. These dresses regained its popularity over time and became one of the most fashionable dresses that are loved by women.

Preppy Style: The school or college look is the tag name that denotes a preppy style. Dresses that are collared and are matched with skaters dress or A-line skirts with girly blouses are preppy styles.

To stand out of the crowd you must choose such styles that make you look gorgeous. Just do not keep copying from others, explore the world of fashion, experiment the possibilities and find out what makes you look gorgeous. Women are the finest creation of God. They are borne diva but divas also need to be fashionable. Therefore, choose the style that suits you the most. Good Luck!

CANDID LADY FASHION

Hi guys, welcome to the Candid Lady online store, a store where you can shop trendy and fashionable items, at reasonable prices. Candid Lady offers exclusive designs for females, ranging from Corporate wear and Cool Casuals to Vintage dresses and Underwear. We provide comfort and confidence, with a simple but elegant look.

The mission of our store is to depict your inherent beauty, while showcasing your style, through fashion and dress sense, irrespective of your age or body style. Accessorizing is another Candid Lady trait and no wardrobe should be bereft of items like wristwatches, sunshades, bags, and of course, jewelry. All of these items including makeup are available at the Candid Lady Store. A Candid Lady is an “In Fashion” lady!

Within this article and subsequent articles, I will be discussing matching outfits, fashion blunders and suggested clothing for various outings.

Starting with the latter, You always want to dress specifically for the occasion. When going on a date, where formal dress is not required and you aren’t too sure of the location or weather, it is always advisable to dress comfortably and casually. A dress with a pair of sunglasses is cool. A calm-patterned jumpsuit with a clutch is not bad. either. Rocking a body con dress with a knee-length jacket is also chic. But if you really want that ‘badass’ look, try a pair of high-waist jeans, a crop top, a ‘camo’ kimono jacket, and open-toed heels. Classy is the new sassy you know!

Candid Ladies,/ can never go wrong wearing a body con short-sleeved dress to a formal gathering, or a chiffon shirt tucked into a pair of nice pants. Bell Bottoms provide a more ‘chic’ retro look and help accentuate your curves.

Our fashion store exposes you to better ways of combining your outfits while instilling you with confidence, and of course providing you with a better insight into the world of fashion.

An oversized dress shirt (not button down) and a pair of lovely slippers will pass for an evening stay-at-home date. This attire provides a more relaxed abs casual appearance If you work in an Official environment, floral prints should be worn towards the end of the week, while button-up shirts should preface the week.

It is also advisable however to have an extra change of clothes in your locker, car, or backpack to avoid looking unkempt and dirty in cases of accidental spills or other happenstance.

The necessity of earrings cannot be overemphasized. Candid Ladies seem to display the ideal earrings for virtually every occasion. When you have your hair up in a bun, simple stud or hoop earrings should be worn depending on your plans and destination. On the other hand, when your wavy or straight hair is free from a band, that is it is cascading freely done your backdrop earrings may be your preference.

However, if you have several ear piercings, it is advisable to use a drop earring for the first ear hole and simple studs for the remainder.

Nevertheless, do not forget your appearance is a reflection of your style and individuality. Dress to impress!

Our next article will focus on Fashion Blunders. So until then, my Candid Ladies do not forget that Fashion is a Universal language and one that is spoken everywhere.

Feel free to visit our Website at www.candidlady.com or our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/candidlady1

Well Isn’t it quite an understatement if one thinks that fashion in India has come of age and in the last few decades, there has been a complete shift of thought as to how fashion was perceived to be and how the recent trends has transformed Indian Fashion into a global brand.

India being a country with an age old legacy of clothing & known for producing some of the best intricate creations in the world, yet seems to have a long way to go

How it All Began-

Over the years, popular Bollywood trends have been dominating the fashion scene from Madhubala’s Anarkali-look with kurtas and churidars in Mughal-e-Azam (1960),to the purple embroidered sari worn by Madhuri Dixit in Hum Aapke Hain Koun. Thus, by taking a cue form history and passing on the rich & royal flavour onto the costumes designed for movies or social events has facilitated Indian designers and Indian clothes to make its mark all over the world.

The Birth of Changing Fashion-

Moreover, it was not until the birth of the 80s which was the period when the first generation of Indian fashion designers started to emerge including Satya Paul. Research shows that the designs and ensembles from some of the world’s most talented designers, proves that- some of these “new” trends are simply a part of the Retro-culture which brings back yesteryears fashion into the present times.

The “Feminine Factor” – Biggest influence on evolving Fashion-

Fashion is & always been women centric, no doubt whenever a woman is dressed in a traditional “Saree” it makes her look sensuous and beautiful. Naturally this explains the great extent to which Indian woman have been the centre of attraction to all things that is about fashion & social change.Today the ‘Saree’ is no more the staple dress for women that it was once upon a time and even women in their 30s today find it not so practical in wearing the Saree as they are not used to it. No wonder in offices of an emerging India “saree day” is celebrated as a special day. Thus, some of these “new” trends as regards saree aka modern day “Lehenga” apt for a Cosmo culture simply reminds one of a by gone era.

Fashion! Now & Then-

Thus, from the above, it is evident that the influence of western culture on fashion specially concerning the youth, can be seen in today’s outfits which is trying to find a balance between the original & traditional types, which again proves the mixing of the old & the new. So, what was once worn as part of daily life and was common clothing seems to have now become somewhat of a social get together clothing. Moreover, the earliest signs of the coming together of western fashion & Indian dressing was witnessed when Government of India opened the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Delhi with the help of the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York

This was a paradigm shift for the Indian fashion industry since now there was a formal recognition of the new forms of traditional styles influenced by western culture that has in effect generated a lot many new fashion ideas & concepts & other interesting fashionable accessories for women.

Therefore, New ways of draping the Saree came about to be known & now a day pairing it up with a fusion wear such as dhoti pants have been the new trend which in now being promoted by fashion houses among the uber crowd. What was once plain Salwar suits has now become Anarkali salwar kameez suits worn by many young women which make them look elegant and allows them to opt for vivid colours and bohemian designs.

Well, it’s all coming back, fashion is throwing back the ‘retro charm pendants’ from the ’90s, ‘baggy pants’ from the ’70s and even ‘long flashy sleeves’ that can be traced back to the 18th century. With so much happening we simply seem to be spoilt for choice, because change is good & everyone wants to move over from the old & to the new.

Thus, Crop tops, shoulder pads and even fanny packs are seeing a comeback. Also, a brisk suit with intact shoulders was a huge-trend among women in business in the ’80s & has now become a corporate wear for many working women. And again, Yoga pants, leggings and tight crop tops have now become a common trend, I suppose the credit goes to their sportive appeal.

Thus, the new idea of tradition is not to succumb to yesteryear philosophies which got handed down from one generation to the other. Rather the new idea of ethnic style is to befriend the philosophies of a bygone era & use them in relation to the contemporary sense and mood of today’s fashion.

Finally, once can safely conclude that “Changing Fashion is a law of change itself.”

Fashion jewelry, also known as costume jewelry, is generally any type of jewelry that is made from artificial gemstones and metals. It is one of the most inexpensive and entertaining way to design unique types of jewelries. It can be combined with different types of metals and semi- precious stones.

Interesting Facts of Fashion Jewelry:

Fashion jewelry is made with the use of different types of man made stones and materials. Some of the most common types of stones used for costume jewelry include glass, cubic zirconium, epoxy, rhinestone and so forth.

Cubic zirconia is one of the most widely used stones as it resembles precious stones such as diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. It can instantly attract attention as it exudes a unique sparkling light. Faux pearls are also used to manufacture costume jewelry. Colored glass is another material which is used to make different types of necklaces and earrings.

Bead jewelry can be made with the use of plastic and other materials. Semi precious stones such as black opal, amethysts, pearls and so forth are also used for costume jewelry.

Various types of metals such as nickel, aluminum, tin, brass or a perfect combination of these metals are used for these jewelries. Silver and gold tone jewelry appears similar to gold and silver but includes only the color of the metal.

Fashion jewelry includes various other materials such as wood, shell, stone and so forth. There are several types of costume jewelry which include bracelets, rings, necklaces, chains, earrings and pendants.

Among different varieties of costume jewelry, necklaces are commonly used by most of the women today. Necklaces are crafted with semi precious stones such as amethysts, amber, aquamarine and so forth. Garnet, pearl and opal are some of the other most popular varieties of stones used for these types of jewelries.

Important Care Tips:

It is important to know how to care for fashion jewelry so that it retains its glitter and glow for many years. It is important to wipe these jewelry pieces with a soft cloth after usage. Oil and sweat tend to reduce the glitter and glow of these jewelry pieces.

Strong perfumes and deodorants can alter the color of the metals and the stones. Therefore it should never be cleaned with any type of solutions as harsh chemicals can damage the stones. It should also be kept in a soft velvet cloth away from other jewelries so that it retains its beauty and glow. It can be placed in velvet boxes and pouches too.

It needs to be stored away from dust as it causes damages to the metals and stones. Jewelry cloth can be used for bluffing along with recommended jewelry cleaners. It is also important to check for loose stones.

Fashion jewelry needs to be maintained periodically by polishing it in gold and silver. Although it is made of inexpensive metals, it appears elegant and chic with the inclusion of semi-precious stones and metals.

Vintage fashion refers to styles which have been recycled from previous eras, and there are vintage outfits to suit any interests, from the 20’s through to the 80’s. Vintage has seen a major revival over the last few years, and is a trend which will keep your style unique and timeless. Many of the recent catwalk shows have showcased vintage trends, with top designers creating wondrous replica designs.

Some tips to remember before you go looking for any vintage items of clothing, is to consider what exactly you are looking for. Are you interested in a classic piece from the 1920’s, or maybe the hippy style from the 1960’s is more up your street. You also want to think about why you are buying your vintage clothing, whether it be for a special occasion or just for the sake of collecting a unique piece of clothing. Knowing exactly what you want is half the battle to finding the perfect vintage outfit, and there are looks to cater for all needs.

The next thing to think about is where you are going to find your vintage clothing. As vintage has become so popular lately, you will often find a lot of niche vintage markets, where you can pick up a piece of unique clothing at an inexpensive price. There are many shops on the high street which also have a collection of vintage pieces, although you may have to pay a bit extra for these.

When shopping for vintage, you really have to be patient, as it may take some time before you find the perfect item, and it can be a lot more complex than the clothes shopping you are used to. The beauty of vintage clothing is that it is a trend which is timelessly fashionable. The fabrics and patterns are unique, so have a good feel of these in order to determine which clothes will make you feel most comfortable.

Always try the clothing on before you purchase it and be aware of it’s condition. It can range from being in mint condition (just like new) or good condition (some repairs needed.) If you feel a bit weary of trying second hand vintage clothes on, then wear your other clothes under it, to get a feel of what it looks like and if it suits you. It may also be an idea to take someone along with you when you’re out shopping for your vintage clothes. As long as it’s someone who will give you an honest opinion. If you are working from a tight budget, then it’s a good idea to look at replica designs, as these are usually a lot more affordable.

Current fashion trends tend to mix up vintage with a more modern look, which will streamline your look, and make it more wearable for all different occasions. You may want to wear vintage with a popular key trend for the season, as this will keep you looking stylish, but will also give your look a unique edge.