Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Buying designer clothes
I don’t know why but Shops have been worried about us consumers for years, what we think of their products, services, the way they treat us and the customer services and now they must be cowering now as the ability to give feedback online, forums, blogs, comments, customer feedback and customer reviews, is building at such a rate that there isn’t any room for poor quality service or products in the online market place or they will be forced out of business pretty quick.
Fashion Costume Jewellery Sites
Friday, April 9, 2010
Stylish jumpers for today’s metro sexual male
Fashion for men has achieved new dimensions in the last few decades. With the advent of the metro sexual male, different fashion trends and concepts have been popularized. Whether it is a shirt for a formal dinner or a tee for a weekend trip, men have become choosy about what they wear.
Elements of men’s fashion for the autumn-winter obviously include jumpers, cardigans and other knitwear. The blend of utility and aesthetics is the focus of today’s fashion. This is why you need to choose carefully.
Men’s jumpers are available in a number of materials. You can choose from the light cotton ones, the snug woollen ones or the luxurious cashmere ones. Some jumpers are fashioned out of materials like acrylic or polyester.
Paying attention to the design and style is essential when you are buying a jumper. There are a number of styles available. You can choose a plain round neck one or a crew neck one, a V-neck one or a notch neck one. The zipped up jumpers are also quite stylish.
You can opt for a solid coloured jumper. A number of good looking striped jumpers are also available. Jumpers with a layered look are the newest fashion fad among the youth. Choose something that fits you properly, something too loose or too tight, and your whole appearance is ruined!
Colours play a major role when it comes to clothing. You can choose a soothing neutral shade or a bright vibrant hue, whatever suits your taste. The popular shades are black, white, red, navy blue, brown, cream and so on.
Fashion Information
Look Different with Boho Dress
Boho is the abbreviation of Bohemian. Boho refers to the modern bohemian dressing style that has influenced not only the celebrities but their fan following as well. The celeb world was taken aback by the flowy style of the gypsies and hippies. The bohemian fashion encapsulates the simple and untraditional look. Bohemian fashion is quite influenced by the ethnic styles of India and African countries. You can blend different prints and patterns to create your own style statement. The best thing about Boho dresses is that they are not expensive and you can find them from different sources including the thrift stores.
Go through this article to know how you can adapt the Boho style.
- Boho fashion emerged in the 19th century and it was during the 60s and 70s that the Boho style was all the rage. So look for the vintage 70s Boho style clothing. Maxi skirts, peasant blouses and the 70s staples characterize the style of this particular period. You can find such clothing at estate auctions as well as second hand stores. The specialty shops are ideal for modern off-bit creations.
- Go for bold patterns and bright colors. Try to find patterns that are similar to clothing worn by people in many parts of Africa. Pair these patterns with contrasting patterns for a creative look. Whether the patterns match or clash they will give you a unique look. You can purposely put together different contrasting patterns and colors in order to create a fresh style.
- When you are comfortable with plainer Boho dress you can give it a new dimension by adding some beads, fringes, bands etc. Faux jewels and spangles can give you your desired look. Coupling simple dress with heavy jewelry will give you a richer look for each and every Boho item.
- Try to layer your Boho dresses. Go for two shirts or a nice scarf, a short skirt with the loose top or any other layered combination. Whatever layer combinations you choose make sure to keep them loose-fitting.
- Vintage accessories are a great way to add charm to your Bohemian look. So look for accessories with vintage designs. Loose bangles are perfect for the gypsy look you want. Wear lots of long and thin necklaces to get a similar effect. Hoops can also give you the funky look.
- Boho fashion is not only about your dress and jewelry; it is also about accessories like bags, hats or caps, watches, sunglasses etc. Choose bright colored accessories to complement your dress.
- Though the idea seems to be very odd you can actually wear jeweled shoes for a stunning look. Decorate a pair of flip-flops to get a casual look. Try to add jewels or rhinestones to your flip-tops and couple them with toe rings.
Adapting the Bohemian style is easy enough. If you prefer a cool and casual look Boho style is the ultimate choice for you and the best thing about it is that you don’t need to break your bank balance for becoming a Boho style icon.
Author Name:
Daniel Smith
About the Author:
Daniel Smith is a fashion expert who writes articles on various topics including Boho dresses or Alternative wedding dresses etc. To know more about Boho dress he recommends you to visit: http://boho-dress.co.uk/
Summary:
Boho fashion has been popular over the years. People who wish to have a casual yet stylish look go for Boho dresses. Adapting this style is easy and inexpensive. Go through the article to know more about Boho fashion.
The never ending appeal of the ultra feminine women’s dress
Fashion trends have undergone numerous transformations throughout the ages. However some elements remain constant in this ever-changing world. One such thing is the appeal of the women’s dress.
Epitomizing femininity, ladies dresses are available in a wide variety of styles, cuts, and designs. Whether it is a floral printed dress for a casual outing or a designer one for an elegant evening, you are sure to find a dress that complements the occasion.
There are a number of styles to choose from when it comes to ladies dresses. Some of the popular styles are knitted dresses, strapless dresses, skirt style dresses, maxi dresses, jersey dresses, mini dresses, and so on.
You can choose a layered look or a straight cut, a shift dress or a corset dress, the choices are numerous. Opt for a plunging neckline for that bold look or the halter neck ones for that chic look, the choice is yours!
The popular materials from which these dresses are made are silk, cotton, chiffon, polyester, and so on. The colour palette is quite varied as well. Dresses in solid colours are quite popular. But you can also opt for floral patterns, abstract prints, animal patterns, and many other patterns.
You can go for a monochromatic dress in black for a sophisticated look or a multicoloured one with vibrant hues of reds and oranges and yellows to symbolize liveliness.
If it’s a party and you want to look gorgeous it is a good idea to choose a dress with sequin work or embroidery. Accessorize with the right jewellery, bags and shoes and you are sure to be the centre of all the attention!
Boho Dresses: get the ultra feminine boho chic look!
Want to know all about dressing boho chic? Boho, an acronym for bohemian, epitomizes the free spirit of the hippies or gypsies. Boho fashion trends are varied; you can opt for a bohemian rugged look or the ultra feminine chic look. Whatever boho styles you choose you need the right attitude to carry it with élan.
The variety in boho dresses is symbolic of the different fashion trends. Be it a long peasant skirt teamed with an embroidered tunic or a full-sleeved caftan top paired with leggings, boho fashion is certainly distinct. The different styles that are part of the boho ensemble are as follows:
Maxi dresses: These dresses are usually ankle length but you can also buy a knee-length one. The variations are lace ups, halter necks, strapped ones, and so on. Long full sleeves are common in maxi dresses, however short sleeved dresses are also in vogue.
Tunic dresses: This variety of the boho style dress is perfect for the elegant bohemian look. These can be worn alone or paired with either leggings or skirts. If it’s a simple tunic you can pair it with a layered skirt. Distressed denim shorts or bell-bottoms are also perfect to wear with tunic style dresses.
Tiered or layered dresses: The tiered dresses are an all-time favourite among all boho dresses. Short dresses with numerous layers are more popular.
There are certain details that are common to all kinds of boho dresses. Boho fashion focuses on the use of earthly tones combined with bright vibrant colours. The bold prints and patterns of these dresses also symbolize the free thinking. Floral and abstract prints are the most popular choices.
Intricate embroidery is another favourite of boho fashion enthusiasts. The dresses are often decorated with chunky buttons or embellishments. A boho dress needs to be complemented by the right accessories to create the perfect look. You need to choose boho jewellery, bags, belts, sunglasses and shoes that match your dress.
Three Merchants Beat the Recession by Selling to Kids
Since the downturn, Mr. Rosenberg has switched the clothing at his shop from 60 percent women’s to 80 percent newborn and children’s. Mr. Okuyan started working with nearby schools, and now says he’s more likely to get an order to frame a 3-year-old’s refrigerator art than a lithograph or an oil by an established contemporary artist. Mr. Shimron has placed a big sign in his window offering lessons for children in building a computer, one of several kid services he’s added in the last year.
While they expect to survive the recession, all three have been hurt. Mr. Rosenberg says business is down 20 percent; Mr. Okuyan, 15 percent; Mr. Shimron, nearly 50 percent. Still, they count themselves lucky. Every day, Mr. Rosenberg walks down Amsterdam Avenue from his apartment on West 90th to his shop near West 79th and tabulates the recession’s impact. “Twelve empty storefronts,” he said. Mr. Okuyan just has to look out his window onto Broadway: “We lost a flower shop, vitamin store, bookstore, Malaysian restaurant, women’s clothing store.”
GRANNY-MADE (381 AMSTERDAM, BETWEEN 78TH AND 79TH) Mr. Rosenberg opened the store, which features handmade sweaters, 25 years ago. It was mainly a women’s shop with a men’s section and a few children’s things. While his clothing is priced mid-range (women’s machine-knit sweaters start at $60), well into the previous decade he was able to sell British hand-knit women’s sweaters for $800. “That’s gone,” he said. “We did a lot of women’s suits, sportswear, reversible skirts — totally dropped after the recession.” He used to phone his female regular customers after Labor Day, inviting them to come see the new fall clothes, but stopped in September 2008, when Lehman Brothers collapsed. “I didn’t know who was hurt and who wasn’t,” he said. “I felt it’d be unseemly to call.”
As sales dropped — and a women’s shop closed a few doors down — he noticed children’s sales were not falling as much. “I always listen to my customers, and what I’d hear from mothers and grandmothers was, ‘How can you not spend on a baby?’ ” Mr. Rosenberg said. “We started carrying swaddling blankets, first toys, birth clothes, we even do clothes for prenatals now. We just expanded into christening gowns, people were asking and they’ll spend — from $106 to $192.”
“Girls’ dresses have been explosive — 6 months to 8 years. We stay out of the teenaged years — they get difficult.”
Lee Anne MacDonald, 64, a writer and publicist, shops less for herself these days, but still buys for her grandchildren at Granny-Made. “You have to remember a little girl on her birthday, you have to remember the little boy who’s truck crazy,” she said. “It’s the idea of hope. They’re our future.”
Long-term customers ask, “When did you become a baby store?” In just 650 square feet of space, from a business that typically does $40,000 in sales a month, Mr. Rosenberg spotted a national trend.
While children’s clothing sales are down 7.5 percent nationally over the last two years, adult clothing is down 8.9 percent, according to a survey by NPD, a market research company. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports employment at men’s stores is down 25 percent since the recession began; employment at women’s stores is down 1.5 percent, but at children’s stores it is up slightly. “People want their kids to be insulated from the recession,” said Ellen Davis, a National Retail Federation spokeswoman. “We notice it in holiday spending — back-to-school didn’t decline as much as other holidays.”
It’s still been hard for Mr. Rosenberg. He went into his retirement account to pay vendors and meet his payroll. Children’s items are lower-priced, producing a smaller profit. “Our average adult sweater is $150,” he said. “You have to sell a lot of $30 rompers to make up.” But last month, he did $52,000 in sales, his strongest March in several years.
METRO FRAMART (2459 BROADWAY, AT 91ST) When the economy dived, Mr. Okuyan, who’s been in this neighborhood for 20 years, began sending $50 framing gift certificates to architects, interior designers, synagogues, churches and schools, trying to draw some traffic into his store. Only schools responded, auctioning the certificates at fund-raisers. “Parents started coming in,” he said. They would put the $50 certificate toward a $200 frame.
Children’s art has risen to about 25 percent of his business, from about 5 percent, since the recession. “Look around,” he said pointing to shop walls covered with framed works by contemporary artists. “They’re not selling. That’s why they’re on the walls.”
On the other hand, Mr. Okuyan is framing three finger-paintings by Ava Jacoby, age 21 months, which will cost the artist’s mom $1,082.64. “I’d never spend that on a frame for myself,” said Michelle Jacoby, 34, who’s giving them as a gift to her husband for his law office. “He’s turning 40, and there’s nothing else he’d want, than something from his daughter.”
It’s broadened Mr. Okuyan’s view of art. “All kids are artists, that’s how we look at it now,” he said.
Like his customers, Mr. Okuyan has cut back while still spending on his children. “I just bought my kids new phones, expensive ones,” he said. “My wife and I are taking their leftovers. I don’t want them to feel left behind their friends or inferior to anyone.”
His daughter, a senior at George Washington University, went to Puerto Rico for spring break; his son, a sophomore at the University of Rochester, went to Europe last summer. And Mr. Okuyan, who used to take three weeks of vacation a year, hasn’t taken any since the recession. “I can’t afford not to work,” he said.
DESKTOP USA (517 AMSTERDAM, AT 85TH) Mr. Shimron opened his business as a copy store 20 years ago and has adapted through the years, now providing a wide array of computer and graphic design services. In the last year, while revenues are down, his children’s business is up 15 percent. “We used to get people who needed a business prospectus bound and printed,” he said. “We don’t see that now.”
He’s started advertising one-on-one homework help for children at $50 an hour. (“Do you want your child to excel in school? Our team can assist your child on homework assignments.”)
A big sign in the window says: “Can Your Child Build His/Her Own Computer? Absolutely. Let’s Do It Together.”
Instruction plus buying the computer parts can cost a parent $1,000, but Michelle Fraczek, 30, a business manager, thought it was worth it for her only child, Maya Chavez, 11. Though the mother has cut out most spending on herself — beauty appointments, new clothes, eating out — she believed that learning to build a computer would be such an advantage for her daughter. “This will give her a head start in school,” Ms. Fraczek said. “I think of it as a necessity that she has the skills to be able to do anything on a computer. I wish I did. If I don’t do it now, when the economy eventually improves and it’s Maya’s time, she won’t be ready.”
Resource: Nytimes.com