The As Women

Archive for April, 2011

A growing demand for cufflinks has driven us to include a broader range from popular brand names. Even with the gloomy economic forecasts, we have a full diary of requests from all over the world.

Some customers have been willing to wait for months, having per ordered especially, we can honestly blame the delays as a direct result of the effects of the severe winter of 2009 in England, all manufacturing and infrastructure were dramatically hampered for many weeks.

It seems obvious that the little luxuries in life, like cufflinks, are still affordable. Designs abound in silver, enamel, Swarovski crystal and combinations of.

The bespoke movement in England is challenging mass production at the other end of the scale, after all has anyone developed mechanical enamelling techniques for jewellery? Regardless, there is a human story behind handmade products, and it’s always nice to hear a good story.

Every day we have to deal with machines and robots, automatic teller machines, clock in, clock off, security pads, remotes, self serve supermarkets and petrol stations.

I guess we’ve become conditioned to our mechanically controlled environment and forget about the human element and their individual contributions, even in developing robotics. The best way to get in touch with your favourite brand is by wearing the things they have created. So to get the ball rolling we begin with a very special feature on Alluring Cufflinks.

There is psychology inherent in fashion and is extended through garments and jewellery and portrayed by the person wearing. The confidence factor aligns with the designers’ intention, so in a direct way we relate to their creativity and draw attention from the crowd.

On the subject of psychology: Colour affects your bottom line in branding, packaging, web design, interiors, product design and fashion.

Understanding your personal palette and how to surround yourself with your best colours, in your clothes and your home, will make you feel good about yourself and send your confidence soaring. Looking great is an inevitable by-product.

Black is the colour of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Some fashion experts say a woman wearing black implies submission to men. Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil. Villains.

The most emotionally intense colour, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It is also the colour of love. Red clothing gets noticed and makes the wearer appear heavier. Since it is an extreme colour, red clothing might not help people in negotiations or confrontations.

Red cars are popular targets for thieves. In decorating, red is usually used as an accent. Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect since it will attract attention. The most romantic colour, pink, is more tranquilizing. Sports teams sometimes paint the locker rooms used by opposing teams bright pink so their opponents will lose energy.

And finally Blue; the colour of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colours. It causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Blue can also be cold and depressing. Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. People are more productive in blue rooms. Studies show weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms.

So when choosing a tie, incorporate, black blue and red, you’ve got it all covered, not compliment the same with your choice of cufflinks.

New fashion crazes come in every season and it can be hard to keep up. A constantly revolving end point that leaves you struggling to know where you are! Coming in this spring and summer are sheer fabrics, hippie styles and floral patterns.

Here’s the thing we all know but no one wants to admit, trying to fit in with what is fashionable and trendy can be just too much, for our confidence and our purses.

We are not all built to fashion designer’s Amazonian ideal so, no, no matter how hard I try, the amazing floral dress by Etro (you know the one I mean, black with a floral panel), will never make me look anything other than frumpy and short.

That’s why we need to look away from mindlessly following the ‘fashionistas’ of the world and start a fashion revolution!

Firstly, you need to start by looking at shapes that flatter your figure and colours that compliment your colouring. Everyone knows the obvious ones, no reds for people with ginger hair; larger woman don’t suit skinny jeans and so on.

However, there are a few less well known ones. For example: pale blonde shades go badly with beiges and pale dark brunettes (however much some ‘Goths’ try) look washed out in blacks.

So start out by identifying your complexions colouring. Most people will fit into one of the following categories:

Winter: pink undertones.

Winter hair is black or ash black brown without highlights, while eyes are blue, brown, hazel, or green. Winter colours are vibrant and intense. Not pastel or subdued tones.

Summer: pink undertones.

Summer hair is ash blonde or light ash brown without highlights, while eyes are blue gray or blue green. Pastels or muted colours look best. Very bright or earthy colours will leave you looking washed out.

Spring: golden undertones.

Spring hair is golden blonde, golden brown, or red, while eyes are blue, blue gray, blue green, or light turquoise green. Warm or bright colours look great but avoid dark or muted colours.

Autumn: golden undertones.

Autumn hair is golden brown, red, auburn, or chestnut, while eyes are dark brown, hazel, or green. Earthy and rich colours will suit you but pastels leave you looking drawn.

It’s important to note, especially with women of colour, that having dark hair and dark eyes doesn’t necessarily mean you are winter. You may be spring if your skin has a more golden base.

Now you’ve found your colours it’s time to look into flattering clothing types for your shape. No two people are alike but generally you will fit into either a traditional apple, pear, slender, petite and hourglass.

Apple shapes are top heavy, often with very slender legs. Keep things tailored on top to create a waist and in darker shades. Show off great legs in skirts. In dresses, an empire waist dress will show off slimmer arms and allow you to disguise any areas you don’t want to show.

Pear shapes have wide hips compared to waist. Keep colours darker on the bottom half but experiment with styles and colours on the top, especially v necks or sleeveless. Trousers with lower waists or skirts to just below the knees look very complimentary. Skinny jeans are rarely flattering (I lied there, they’re never flattering).

Slender are straight up and down. Tailored clothes look great as they create shape. Detailing and well placed patterns can create curves. Be daring, as long as you aren’t going for all over loose and drab clothing.

Petite shapes are broad shouldered with short legs.

Creating length is the key, to do this avoid low cut jeans and over the knee skirts. In dresses go for all over colour with pinched in waists to create curves. Skinny jeans look great, especially when teamed with heels.

Hourglass figures have large busts and thighs coupled with a slender waist. Flared jeans and trousers add balance to your figure while v necks, particularly wraps, accentuate curves. Always wear tailored clothing on the top to emphasize your small waist. Avoid thick materials, they swamp curves and add bulk.

None of these rules are set in stone what works for one may not work for another. To make sure you are getting it right take a friend shopping with you or even consider an image consultant for a colour and shape consultation.

The key to following fashion is to stick to your ‘key pieces’ and incorporate current fashion items into your wardrobe. This keeps you looking good without breaking the bank every time something new comes in.

An example would be someone with a pear shape buying a great floral top for the season and teaming it with some classic boot cut jeans, it will look great without deviating from what suits them.

So join in with the fads knowing that by sticking to a few basic rules you can keep up and still look amazing.

There was a time when women made all of their own clothes. Patterns passed from mother to daughter, and girls learned homemaking arts from the earliest days of childhood. Those days are long gone, of course. Sadly, they sometimes seem to have taken the sought-after, turn-of-the-century appreciation for the full figured goddess with them. (How ridiculous!) There is simply no denying the allure of a naturally curvy woman.

Women have a seemingly endless list of responsibilities now – and dreams to go with them.  We are executives, students, business owners, administrators – and, oh yes – wives, mothers and homemakers. And while fashion is a vital part of the fabric of our lives – from the most slender to the plus size fashionista – there are very few of us who still know how to sew a dress.  But buy a dress and appreciate the great artistry of a hand-painted plus size blouse or the flair of an A-line skirt – now that’s an art we haven’t lost!

The art of designing great fashion is timeless and worldwide.  From the islands of Tahiti to the Upper West Side of Manhattan, women of all ages and sizes express themselves in fabric and color every day of the week.  The rebirth of plus size fashion is a revolution that is long overdue  – from the plus size blouse (in every style and fabric imaginable) to plus size lingerie, full figured women are reclaiming their right to be sexy and stylish. 

And why not? Fashion is fun and it is important! Finding the right fabrics and designs to wear from Monday to Friday and all weekend long is not easy. And developing this personal style definitely takes on an extra special meaning for the plus size woman.

Ever chasing that elusive outfit to look ten pounds thinner, plus size women everywhere have been locked in a prison of dark colors and vertical stripes for far too long.

So what are the plus size fashionista’s of the world to do? Let’s start with throwing out all of the rules.  First of all, who says we have to look thin??? Being full-figured is beautiful, no matter how you look at it. Dressing in an unending variety of black outfits as if we are grieving our own “thin” selves has to go. Instead, let’s start a new fashion trend. One where we don every color of the rainbow and celebrate life. Reds and yellows and pinks and yes, even the biggest fashion no-no – horizontal stripes!

Plus size women need to start a revolution and remind everyone that beautiful women come in all shapes and sizes! And that needs to start with US!  Hit your favorite department store (or make it easy and go online!) and choose two or three great pieces to kick off the New Year. Grab your favorite silk or satin plus size blouse or a pair of great white denim jeans. Go for it!  2009 is YOUR year!  Hey, why not?