Monthly Archive for December, 2008

7 Fashion Tips to Jazz up Your Old Outfit

We all know how it is - your old outfits are getting a little dull and you’re starting to think it’s about time to go shopping to update your wardrobe. Before you do, try these seven tips - you can actually give your old wardrobe an entirely new look with these seven easy tips; best of all, you can do this with little or no money.

1. Fitted waists are in right now, but a lot of women avoid them, worried that these may make them appear larger. In fact, loose flowing garments are what make you look larger than you really are. Take a loose fitting garment and make a belt out of a scarf, a necklace or of course, a belt. This adds a little something to the outfit and does a better job of flattering your figure.

2. Scarves are a great accessory - they can draw attention to your face and decorate the neck of your outfit. Use a scarf which adds a little colour in a complimentary manner to your outfit. For example, a gray dress works well with a green, blue or yellow scarf to add a splash of colour. Try knotting the scarf or using a decorative pin to secure it for even more added appeal.

3. Those old beaded costume necklaces every woman has lying around are great for adding a little pep to your sweaters and blouses. Try mixing and matching these necklaces to create unique combinations. You can even hot glue beads to clothing to make patterns which are all your own. These old costume jewellery pieces can take a boring old blouse and really bring it to life.

4. Make a whole new look by mixing different fabrics and textures. Try leather with silks and tweeds to make a fashionable combination which can work in many different situations. A lot of the old rules of fashion have been discarded, so don’t be afraid to experiment with new looks.

5. One of the least expensive and simplest ways to change the look of your old clothing is to dye them different colours.

6. Add feathers, fake fur, or leather trim to pockets, collars, and waistbands and see how they add spice to certain garments that you may already own. Hats are great fashion statements and you can find one that will give a totally new look to any of your older outfits.

7. Go through your wardrobe and find the articles that fit you well and these will form the foundation of this season’s outfits. If you have dark solid colours, choose splashes of bright colour or prints with accessories. Monotone colours can work in some instances, but even an all black outfit can gain a lot from an oversized pin that is colourful and sparkly. A vibrant purple or teal collared scarf or sweater will also add a needed zip.

Of course, styles and fashions are in constant flux - keep an eye on fashion magazines to see what looks have come back into style.

You’ll need to put a little effort into dressing up your old wardrobe to create a new look, but you’ll want to pat yourself on the back afterward for getting a whole new look for little to no money.

The perfect pants are out there! - How to find them

Womens Pants

Every woman wants to find pants that are flattering. Clothing that is too tight emphasises any extra weight by creating a crease that may bulge above and below. Stretched zippers open and the result is that the person wearing them appears overweight. The perfect pants disguise flaws and create a silhouette that is flattering to the wearer. Everyone wants to look their best and a good fit is one requirement to create that image.

Before shopping for a new pair of pants, take careful and accurate measurements. This way, you’ll be able to shop for the right size from the get-go. Take a look at this chart to find your size from your measurements; the measurements are given in both inches and centimetres to help you in online clothes shopping.

Size Waist Hips
10 (S) 70cm (27 inches) 97cm (38 inches)
12 (S) 75cm (29 inches) 102cm (40 inches)
14 (M) 80cm (31 inches) 107cm (42 inches)
16 (M) 85cm (33 inches) 112cm (44 inches)
18 (L) 90cm (35 inches) 117cm (46 inches)
20 (L) 95cm (37 inches) 122 cm (48inches)
22 (XL) 100cm (39 inches) 127 cm (50 inches)
24 (XL) 105 cm (41 inches) 132 cm (52 inches)
26 (2XL) 110 cm (43 inches) 137 cm (54 inches)
28 (2XL) 115 cm (45 inches) 142 cm (56 inches)
30 (3XL) 120 cm (47 inches) 147 cm (58 inches)

When using the chart, go with the larger measurement of your hips or waist to determine the size to look for. If you have a 95 centimetre waist and 127 centimetre hips, then a size 22 is what you should be looking for. Even if the pants fit around your waist just fine, if they don’t give you a proper fit around the hips, they’re not going to work.

Always take your hip measurements at your hip’s widest point. If the tops of your thighs are wider than your hips, then take this measurement here instead to ensure a better fit. Keep in mind that some clothing manufacturers have their own sizing charts, which means you should use their measurements to determine size.

The next step is to take a measurement of your inseam. Your pant legs should be long enough to touch the top of your shoe, but not so long that you will step on them. If you have an inseam of less than 29 inches (75 centimetres), then petite sizes are where you should be searching. If you have an inseam which is longer, then regular sizes are for you - you can always have them re-hemmed if needed. If you have an inseam which is longer than 32 inches (82 centimetres), then tall sizes are what you need.

In order to conceal wide hips and waistlines, some women will wear baggy pants; however, this can make you look larger and is best avoided. One good tip is to go for straight waists rather than gathered waists, since these actually emphasize a wide waistline and hips. Shorter women may choose pants with vertical stripes to make their legs appear longer and make them look taller. Long legged women, on the other hand, do well with bell bottom pants.

When you use your exact measurements to purchase pants, you’ll find that you have better luck finding the right fit to flatter your figure. Just make certain that you take the measurements in your normal relaxed mode. These are only for you to see, so if you suck in your stomach and attempt to make them as small as possible, you defeat the purpose and won’t get a good fit and that’s the reason you want the measurements.

As it happens, we have a fantastic range at Long Island -
click here to go to our homepage where you can order online.