Fashion And Beauty

Prom can be one of the most expensive events of a teenager’s life. Recent calculations of prom expenses estimate that the average girl may pay upwards of $500 for a single prom dress. When that amount is multiplied by the number of proms and other formal dances a girl may attend throughout her high school years, the expense is almost unbelievable. However, with a little bit of time and creativity, this expense can be cut dramatically. Amazingly, the average homemade prom dress costs less than $50!

While sewing your own prom dress may seem like a daunting task, the process can actually be relatively simple and a lot of fun. By making your own prom dress, you will be creating a lasting memento that will always remind you of that special night. In addition, you can be reasonably assured that no other girl will have the same dress at the prom. If you have a do-it-yourself spirit or are just hoping to save a little money this prom season, take a chance this year and try sewing your own prom dress.

The best and clearest instructions will always come from your chosen dress pattern, but you can find some ideas in the paragraphs below to help get you started on creating your own fashionable and unique prom dress.

Selecting a Style
There are several different styles of dresses that will likely be present at your prom this year. Some dress styles move in and out with trends while other more classic styles will be seen every prom season with only minor modifications from year to year. When sewing your own prom dress, you will likely want to work with one of these three classic styles: the sheath, the A-line, or the ball gown.

A sheath gown is narrow and form fitting. It hugs the silhouette and is most flattering for tall, slender figures. An A-line gown has a fitted bodice that extends to a full skirt at the natural waistline and includes a seamless waist. The A-line cut is slenderizing and creates an illusion of height for more petite figures. A ball gown also consists of a fitted bodice with a full skirt extending from the natural waistline. The waist is generally seamed and the skirt is quite full. A ball gown may also be sewn as a two-piece dress. The ball gown is flattering for all types of figures and tends to conceal large hips and thighs.

Before choosing a pattern in one of these styles, you may want to try on a dress in each style to see which one works best with your individual figure and taste.

Selecting a Pattern
Pattern companies offer a variety of different special occasion dress patterns to choose from. However, you may want to browse through dress styles in several sections of the pattern catalog to find all of the promising models. When choosing your pattern, check to see if lining pieces are included with it. Lining makes a dress more comfortable and wrinkle-resistant and also speeds up the sewing process, as you do not have to finish the dress seams.

To determine the correct size for a pattern, carefully take your measurements at the hip, waist, and bust. It may be helpful to have a friend take the measurements for increased accuracy. It is very important to use these measurements when selecting the size, as ready-to-wear clothing sizes are quite different than pattern sizes.

Selecting Fabric
When selecting fabric, it is important to know the amount of fabric drape or body the dress style requires. Your chosen pattern will likely give you several ideas for appropriate fabrics, but you may want to keep the following tips in mind.

For sheath prom dresses that require a more fluid silhouette, soft fabrics like chiffon, silk, or georgette are most appropriate. For a more structured style with a fuller skirt, you will need to select a firmer fabric, such as satin or taffeta, to give your dress more body. If you are an inexperienced sewer or are making your first formal gown, you may want to use velvet or brocade fabric. These fabrics require fewer seams and are perfect for simple prom dress styles. If you like, you may use more than one fabric type in your dress to achieve the desired look.

You will also want to consider the durability and handling requirements of a fabric style before selecting it. Silk fabrics can water-spot and must be kept dry during the sewing process. Slippery fabrics like chiffon and georgette can be difficult to handle and will require very precise seams. Specialty fabrics like velvet, satin, and sequined materials often require a one-way layout for proper alignment. In general, satin and chiffon are the most popular choices for prom dresses, with acetate taffeta serving as the most popular lining fabric.

Sewing a Test Garment
Because formal gowns require a much more precise fit than casual clothing, you may want to sew a test garment in your desired style before creating the final product. This will allow you to perfect the fit of the garment and help you know the exact amount of necessary fabric yardage. Once you have created a well-fitted test garment, you may also use this dress as a more accurate pattern for the final product.

To sew a test garment, purchase a length of muslin or other inexpensive fabric that is similar in weight to your chosen dress fabric. For sheath prom dresses or dresses with a fitted skirt, you will need to create a test garment of the full dress. If you are sewing a prom dress with a loose, full skirt, you will likely only need to create a sample bodice.

When creating the garment, follow the instructions and measurements on your chosen pattern. To fit the test garment, wear the undergarments and shoes you plan to wear on the day of the prom to achieve the correct style and posture. If you are creating a strapless or off-the-shoulder dress, you may want to wear a tight leotard underneath to help you pin the garment.

Prom dresses are more fitted than casual wear, but be careful not to over-fit the test garment. You will want to allow a small amount of room for comfort in movement. You may also want to make the test garment slightly larger than the fit of the final product to allow for any slips or linings. If your test garment requires substantial alterations, you may want to sew a second test garment to be sure the alterations were successful. Once the test garment is complete, you may follow the pattern directions to begin creating your own, original prom dress.

Flower Girl Dresses:
Flower girl dresses are worn by little girls between the ages of three and eight, mainly at weddings, where the flower girls walk down the aisle ahead of the maid of honor, sprinkling flowers and confetti in the path of the bride. Flower girls dresses are not, however, restricted to weddings, and are also often worn on many other occasions like at parties, receptions, communions, baptism, christening, Easter, and other special programs.

I've spent the past half-hour on the Internet, looking at some of the grandest and loveliest flower girl dresses. There seems to be no dearth in designs of flower girl dresses. You can find dresses in materials like silk, organza, and satin, and with lashings of trimmings in lace, tulle, satin ribbons, seed pearls, beaded appliques, corded rosettes, and much more. One that really caught my eye was a white flower girl dress with a white princess style bodice, puffed sleeves, and a layered tulle skirt, sprinkled with pink and cream silk rosebuds. Another had a satin sleeveless corset back bodice accented with beaded rosettes and a full ankle-length skirt, trimmed with seed pearls around the hem, and lined with a crinoline underneath to give it a great ball-style effect.

Most little girls like to dress up, and given the wide choices in flower girl dress designs, patterns, textures, colors and sizes, you are sure to be able to find a suitable dress for even the most fastidious and picky young girl.

Flower girl dresses are often accompanied by a variety of matching or complementary accessories like a tiara, a wicker basket with flowers, ribbons, headbands, bows, barrettes, veils, hair wreaths, gloves, and so on. You can buy these separate or buy them along with the dress.

Do you know of someone who looks amazing in whatever she wears? Every time you see her, she looks radiant. Her clothes look as if they were specially designed for her. Yet if you look carefully, her features are ordinary. Her figure is average. So how does she look stunning all the time?

That is probably someone who knows exactly what suits her body shape and which colors make her glow. She makes full use of that knowledge by wearing only the clothes in her colors and which are cut to flatter her particular body shape. She won't be caught in an unflattering outfit. Imagine standing in front of your wardrobe, confident that whatever you pull out would make you look fabulous. Imagine going out for lunch, meeting your friends, going clubbing, shopping or traveling and always looking your very best.

That is possible if you put in some effort.

There are 3 things you have to do:
1. Find out exactly what colors flatter you.
2. Evaluate your body shape
3. Revamp your wardrobe

Your Colors

Basically, if you have warm coloring, like golden skin, peach skin, ivory skin or golden brown skin, golden hair, or golden shades or warm brown or warm red shades in your hair, then warm colors like coral, gold and earth tones suit you best. If you have cool coloring as in olive skin, ebony skin or porcelain skin, black hair, black eyes or blue eyes, you would look best in cool colors like blues, purple, pink, black and silver.

Try the exercise in What's my color to identify your best colors. Next, get a measuring tape to find your real figure type. Are your hips and top balanced or are you heavier on top or heavier below? What's my body shape helps you find your real figure type and identifies the clothes that suit your shape.

Make use of the knowledge you've gleaned when you shop for new clothes in the future and soon, you'd be that girl everyone envies.

Although this is the time of year that finds college students interviewing, it is also a time for more light-hearted, off-hours dressing - spring is the perfect time to delve into just that! From a more casual point of view, I'm seeing even more variety in this year's trends than last year - and I thought LAST year was pretty varied. That said, there are some common threads among the varied offerings being shown across the fashion magazines and in the stores, and I'll touch on some of these.
A Bright Idea - Bright colors are a staple again this season, and what better way to get through the April showers and into a summer mood than through the colors of May flowers! Pantone may have told us that Honeysuckle is the color for the season, but I am invariably seeing my favorite color, bright orange, on the pages of all of the magazines and in stores. Pantone's Fashion Report for Spring/Summer 2011 gave us many brights to choose from, and in addition to solids, they can be found in patterns like bold stripes, pretty florals, plaids and the like. For those men who may be color challenged, but want to stick their toe in the water, beautiful shirts, ties, and colorful seasonless cashmere sweaters that will serve you for seasons and years to come - they can be found at retailers from Ralph Lauren to LL Bean and others. It is fun to play with color and build it into your wardrobe - how will you add it to yours? Clothing, accessories, jewelry, ties?
Put it in Neutral - In a total about face, there is also a trend toward subtle neutrals. An overall neutral look is very sophisticated, and head to toe neutral can serve as a great canvas on which one's jewelry and other accessories will really pop. For summer, I absolutely love neutral-colored linen - if you can find clothing in a silk and linen blend, the garment will wrinkle less. For women, the neutral shoe is a seasonless staple, working with everything from brights and other neutrals to charcoal, navy, and black. I recommend at least one pair of neutral pumps and one pair of flats.
That Snake-y Feeling - As a departure from last fall and winter's leopard print, faux snakeskin and snake-embossed leathers are showing up on shoes, bags, and fabrics for spring and summer.
The Long and Short of It - Shorts are being shown in a very current way, some plain and some rolled up, paired with creative jackets, long cardigans, and blazers, and they're being worn with flats and platforms alike! Provided you are age-appropriate and have the legs for it, this can be a fun weekend look. Remember - we don't let the trend wear us!
Welcome Back - Vintage jeans, peasant-type blouses, longer maxi-skirts and platform sandals, are prevalent, all of them as part of a nod to the 70s with a modern twist....and then there is denim...
Got the Blues - Denim is being used in all types of garments, from shirts and dresses to skirts and tailored jackets. The classic denim jacket and our beloved jeans are showing up in light and dark washes and in white, from trousers and straight legs to skinny jeans and jeggings. Keep in mind that it takes time to find the right jeans, so be patient and have fun with the process. No "mom jeans" or "dad jeans" allowed!
Big Bad Shoes - Platforms are huge this season (figuratively and literally) along with espadrilles, chunky heels, and clogs. Not to be outdone, the classic kitten heel is holding its own and is always a good investment as it dresses up or down depending on your mood and your outfit.
Etcetera, Etcetera - Accessories that will update your wardrobe quickly include envelope clutches, jewelry with bronze or gold tones, and vintage-inspired sunglasses. I'm a fan of mixing metals, as you don't have to buy as many new pieces, and the look off the different metal tones together gives great visual depth. Fabulous sunglasses will have people looking at you in a different light, and if you find a clutch with a pop of color, it is sure to be noticed and admired.
With so many varied choices this season, the thing I always remind clients is to take your time and have fun with the process. First, shop your closet, then shop with a plan. Playfully stretch your comfort zone, and you may just find that you absolutely love something that you would never have tried on before.
Have a great month and stay stylish!

People all over the world can't imagine their lives without pants as they are both comfortable and fashionable. Nowadays, an individual may find a great variety of pants in the market in terms of styles, fabrics, colors, shapes, and sizes. While purchasing a pant you consider the style that suits your body, your style and the occasion. There are pants for men and women.
Types Of Pants For Men
Pleated Pants are worn by men of all age categories due to their classical style. Those pants having front pleats may be used for different occasions including workplace and entertainment with friends.
Flat Front Pants represent the modern style and they look wonderful on men with slim legs. Before buying such try them on, otherwise they may look terrible.
Casual Pants include jeans and denims and may be worn by men and women. Jeans and denims may be very cheap and extremely expensive depending on their brand.
Cargo Pants are specially designed for men keen on hiking and trekking as they are extremely spacious and have many pockets. Cargo pants are made from hardwearing fabrics suitable for free movements.
Chinos or khakis are produced from twill fabric and present two variants - straight dress chinos and boot cut chinos. They are really comfortable!
Types Of Pants For Women
Casual Pants include jeans and denims. Jeans represent various styles depending on the cut, rise, and nature of wash of the jeans. Boot cut jeans fit women with wide hips. Low-rise and ultra low-rise jeans will be perfect for slender figures. Medium rise jeans suit all body shapes.
Trousers are perfect for office while worn with a formal blouse or shirt. Trousers may be made of cotton, polyesters, and wool.
Yoga pants or sweatpants are wonderful for wearing at home or during vacations. They are tight and usually made of cotton. Yoga pants may have various colors and shades.
Cropped pants are extremely popular among young ladies. They are ideal for wearing in a warm weather being perfect for work or leisuretime activities. The widely-spread variant of the cropped pant is the 'capris' made of various fabrics including cotton, polyester, denim, and nylon. Paddle pushers are a slight variant of the capris, with hemlines and extend down the legs, like those of capris. They are extremely loved by young women due to their fashionable look.
Leggings are generally skin-tightening pants produced from cotton or lycra. As they are close to the skin, leggings perfectly suit long tops or kurti's.
Gauchos are calf-length pants having flared bottoms and elastic waistbands. They represent a free flowing style preferred mostly by dancers and giving a casual look.
Palazzos made up of wrinkle free fabric are loose-fitting trousers with wide legs. They are the most suitable for slender and thin women. You may combine palazzos with tank tops or fashionable blouses as well as with a beautiful pair of shoes.

Sunglasses are a fashion staple and likely will be for a long time. But they serve as more than just a fashion accessory - they protect the eyes form UV light. That's why it's important to understand all the different styles out there. Let's get started.
Ray Ban aviators were first developed in 1936 for military pilots. Since then, their popularity has spread widely. With a thin metal frame and oversized teardrop lens, they are often mirrored or come in different lens colors.
Teashades are the sunglasses popularized by John Lennon and Ozzy Osbourne. They are small circular lenses set in thin wire frames. They became popular in the psychedelic circles of the '60s counterculture and although they aren't as popular anymore, they remain a preferred style of celebrity sunglasses. The Ray Ban Wayfarer is another classic style of sunglasses. These plastic-framed, trapezoidal lensed glasses are wider at the top than the bottom and when they were introduced in the early '50s, quickly became James Dean's signature style. Usually black or brown, Ray Ban wayfarers can also come in a calico or turtle-shell print.
Oversized sunglasses were very fashionable in the '80s and recently have experienced a resurgence. Onassis glasses, otherwise known as Jackie Os, are typically women's sunglasses, but have been seen as male celebrity sunglasses too. Because these glasses cover more skin, they are better for protecting against sunburn.
Mirrored sunglasses are the best sunglasses for seeing faint contrasts. They are favored buy skiers and snowboarders especially and come in a variety of colors with a plastic frame. Wraparounds are often confused with these sunglasses because they are both favored by extreme athletes. Usually there is one single lens and a minimal frame so as to make the glasses lightweight and protective.
Since Ray Ban sunglasses are some of the most popular, and are one of the oldest sunglasses brands, they have other distinctive styles of sunglasses. The Ray Ban clubmaster is a cross between aviators and wayfarers. With small trapezoidal lenses and only the wayfarer frame on the top and sides, the wire rims the lenses and makes these glasses an interesting alternative. The Ray Ban caravan is also popular and retains the wire frames all the way around, and the wayfarer lenses. Recently introduced is the Ray Ban folding Wayfarer, which allows the wearer to literally fold the sunglasses so as not to damage them.
It will be interesting to see how sunglasses evolve during the course of this century.

Today, you have countless opportunities to modify your wardrobe using the internet. A decade ago, this would have been impossible. However today, there are many websites on the internet that have taken the jump towards online retail. As a result, you can sit at home and order stuff to your heart's content to modify your entire wardrobe. You can buy anything from casual wear to suits online. You might have thought it was impossible to buy suits online; however it has become a very common phenomenon to purchase suits online for your important party meeting, betrothal or whatever formal occasion you would require a suit for. There are certain things however that you should keep in mind before you purchase your suit online.
Today, there is no better place to buy Italian suits like the internet. The suits are available in both Italian and European cuts. You can have access to the latest styles and trends when you shop for your suit online. The classic character of an Italian suit would be that these suits come with jackets that are blocky and are tailored at the waist. However, these styles lack a vent at the back. This makes them somewhat restrictive. If you are a person who does not like tight fitted style, then these would not be for you. You can instead go with the suits that have central and side vents. These have more room for movement and are less restrictive.
One of the most basic things that you have to keep in mind is that you must know your measurements. Since this is an online shopping that we are talking about, you would have to ensure that you already know your measurements. In most sites, you will be asked for your measurements as you are going through the site. This will help you to get results of suits that are in your size. However you should remember, no matter how specific you are about your size, the final item that you receive will defiantly have to be altered to fit your perfectly. You should therefore be prepared for such an occasion so that the adjustments can be made to your waist or the length. A good online retail store will have a money back policy. Therefore if your suit does not turn out to be the way you wanted it to be, you can always return it back to the website.
You should also be clever enough to spot any defects that can creep in with your order. When you receive the suit from the website delivered to your home, you should examine the suit with great care and look for defects. If you are not satisfied with the suit then you should return it back and order for a better piece. However, to be on the safer side, you should make sure that you have read and understood the return policy of the website carefully. This will help you to not get into messy situations and also not be duped by the website.