Beachwear For Fashion Conscious Men

Although fashion is synonymous to women, men too have shown that they are no less fashion conscious. Designers constantly present various clothing lines to match the desires of men of all ages. One of the mens clothing segments- mens beach wear- is the hottest among the list of mens fashion clothing. Through beachwear, men try to wear what all they can't wear anywhere else. Lets analyze what kinds of beachwear are there for men and how they are comfortable, relaxing, fashionable, and trendy- all at the same time.

Men's Shorts

Men's shorts, available in a wide range of styles, patterns, colors and fabrics are the topmost favorites of all men. They are relaxing and comfortable beachwear to match the soothing environment of beach. They come with wearing options having full elastic waist or drawstring or both. The popular styles of mens shorts include

Bermuda shorts: They are knee-length shorts for casual style generally having pockets and waist loops for an optional belt.


Board shorts: They are loose-fitting shorts with the leg length going down to the knees. Initially designed for the surfers, these shorts are now a popular beachwear for all men. They can be called a combination of shorts and a bathing suit.


Boxer shorts: They are also called loose boxers or simply boxers. Their popularity rests on a variety of styles and design as also on unhindered leg movement for the wearer. They come in a variety of fabric types and print designs.

Cargo shorts: They are typical khaki shorts with cargo pockets though now they come in other colors too. Similar to cargo pants, but around knee-length, they not only make wearer free and comfortable but give him cool trendy look.
Fabrics that are commonly used for giving fit and style to shorts include cotton, cotton blends, nylon, polyester, cotton silk, Lycra etc.

Swim Trunks
Yet another popular man's beachwear, trunks more or less look like shorts. They cover the mid portion of the body- from the waist to the mid-upper leg and are normally shorter than board shorts. They come in various styles and designs though most of them are made of nylon fabric with a mesh lining making them quick drying so that other than swimming, playing ball or just walking on beach too remain a pleasant activity.


Beach Pants
Beach pants are different from regular pants. They are made ultra comfortable, mostly by using linen in their manufacturing. They can be easily rolled up due to their wide straight legs and the casual regular fittings. They mostly come with elastic waist just like beach shorts and trunks which makes them easy to wear.

Beach Shirts
These shirts are specially designed for beach using some comfortable fabrics like cotton, cotton blend, cotton silk, polyester, Lycra, twill, etc. They are mostly liked with half sleeves and come in both plain and exotic prints. They go well with a pair of Capri, pants, jeans or beach shorts for making beach experience a pleasant one. Bright colors and unusual prints like floral, geometrical, flora and fauna especially palm tree give them distinguished look.
Apart from all the above men's beachwear, swim briefs, popularly known as Speedo are also very popular among men.

Wedding Gowns Trends 2009!

Are you getting married this year! If yes, then be ready for wedding dress that is 'not-so-traditional' types. If going by what the bridal wear designers have shown on the runways, this year's wedding dress has gone shorter with much detailed embellishments and vibrant colors too. However, if you've always wanted to wear one from traditional wedding gown styles, you can still wear them as they never go out of fashion. Anyhow, knowing about the 2009 trends for wedding dresses might help you in giving a trendy look to your choice of wedding gown!

Tea-length Wedding Dress

The floor length wedding dress has given way to tea-length wedding dresses having high hemlines. These shorter wedding dresses have fitted bodice with full skirts having length upto knee or just above it. Many of them shown on the ramps are strapless or have thin spaghetti straps. If you want a traditional gown but also be chic and trendy, choose it as second dress, may be a reception dress if you want to change into something for partying and dancing the night away.

One Shoulder Wedding Dress

One of the striking feature of this year's wedding dress is 'one shoulder' wedding dress replacing the basic strapless gown. This is a good news for style loving brides who have toned limbs as this neckline shows off the upper arms and shoulders.

Detailed Embellishment

Ruffles and layers are the major details that designers are using to give dramatic feminine look to the wedding dress of 2009. Added embellishments include beading, ribbons, bows, lace, and appliqués. The lovely floral embellishments with attractive rosettes on wedding gowns, buds at the hip, neckline and shoulder are fast making way from ramps to the wedding venues.

Lighter Fabrics

Floaty and airy fabrics like taffeta, organza, and chiffon are in. They are easy to layer and also more comfortable, just perfect for a summer wedding. Also they are easier when going for ruffles and layers in the wedding dress.

Lively Colors

It's true that the majestic white will never go away but for a while wedding dress has gone colorful this year. Although softer pastel shades seem to be taking the center stage, warmer colors including shades of crimson with gold accents and scarlet red have also been seen on the runways. You can even experiment with colors by choosing a dress in a pale pastel such as lavender or going for a two-toned wedding gowns with a colored bodice against a white or off-white skirt.

Pockets

Now the brides can relieve and freshen up themselves a little with their minor tit bits like tissues and lip gloss in their wedding gown pockets. The attractive wedding dresses have gone practical too!

So, now when you know what the designers are making this season for weddings, why wait? Go shopping for your wedding dress!

Mens Clothing Trends 2009

Men are no far behind than women in fashion clothing. After all men too want to look good! So what are the top mens fashion trends this season? Here is the analysis of trends 2009 of mens clothing going by the catwalk shows and fashionable brands.


Mens Formal Wear Trends

With the gloomy economy scenario, men are looking for investment fashion clothing and are adopting the classics. However, there is a fusion among classic tailoring, classic looks, and the modern masculine silhouette giving the suits broad shoulders and a slim waist paired with slim trousers. Double-breasted suits will be liked by most men and there'll be a comeback of three-piece suits. And thus, there's also a comeback of waistcoat. It'll be better if the waistcoat is in the same fabric as the suit's other two pieces. If not, then a similar color palette will do. However any pattern should be avoided except for stripes.
Along with classic suits, the cloth pattern will also be classic including houndstooth, herringbone, glenurquhart/ prince of wales check, pinstripe, and rope-stripe. Oxford Bags - the loose, pleated trousers will be back but with variation- although loose, these trousers will not be as baggy as they were in the 1920s and 1930s. Anyhow, anytime wearing suits according to your body types will ensure your great looks.

Mens Party Wear Trends

Clothing inspired by dinner suits- the tuxedo- is the in thing. It contains traditional formal as well as fashion elements. Tuxedo- the satin shawl, satin notched or peaked lapels, or the satin stripe on the trouser leg- will be popular. Brooches for men will be loved on suits for both Spring/Summer and Autumn (Fall)/Winter seasons. They have registered a comeback.

Mens Casual Wear Trends

For all you guys searching for a casual trendy looks in summers 2009, the key wears are printed t- shirt, wrap shorts, summer trench coat and yes the very very trendy look of Goth Ninja- the figure hugging, black clad youths. The spring summer trench coats are made of cotton and are thin. Wrap Shorts in cotton twill, cuffed and breaking above the knee will be soothing as well as fashionable as per the trends. Avoid cargo shorts, shorts that break below the knee, avid wash or bleached shorts in denim, overly patterned shorts – they'll all be out in 2009.
The popular combination for mens casual outfit will consist a basic deep V-neck tee layered with a mens top, preferably a knit and an undercover or coat. Bottoms will consist either figure hugging jeans or a looser drop-crotch and a leather boot and here's the raw, modern yet very controlled masculine trendy look.

These were the main trends for mens clothing in 2009 but hold on guys, there's much more than this to dress better! Know them and look cool all year round!

Color Trends for Summer 2009!

Summers are here and the sun is set to work without rest! In summers, heat and high humidity levels make our body to produce more sweat in order to cool off. And therefore, we all know what summer fabrics should be- breathable, lightweight, and light-colored! Skin has to be literally pampered so it's wise to stay away from chemically dyed fabrics and wear more herbal textile that use natural dyes to produce fantastic colors. And if these colors are chosen according to the current color trends, what's better then that?

Say Bye to Metallic Colors!
If we believe the predictions made for Spring-Summer 2009 the trend seems to be moving away from metallic colors towards more earthy and subdued color palette.

Color Trend for Classic Looks
The classical color palette holds vivid and saturated colors that bring with them cool breezes of beach side – blues and the sandy hues. Deep sea blue, aqua sky or midnight sky, dark, medium or light brown, sand color - all will give that classical touch to your clothes.

Color Trend for Stylish and Trendy Looks
The Chic color palette holds the nature inspired hues. They represent simplicity with style including the Earthy colors heavily on the side of brown but more than just brown. Go for any color inspired by mother nature- morning grass green, subdued orange, violet or golden yellow!

Color Trend for Casual Looks
The Casual color palette makes a move from nature based colors to city life inspired colors- glassy blues, unnatural pinks and street light yellows.

Color Of the Year 2009!
Now hold your breath to know the top color of year 2009! It's none other than the Superb yellow! Match it with black, brown, plum or blue and get as bright as you can!

Stay Hot! Spend Less in Recession

Cutting down on budgets don't mean that you cease to be fashionable. By keeping your eyes open and adopting thrift techniques, you can get stylish clothing and accessories enough to maintain your hot looks in college, office and even in evening parties.

Search Your Closet
First, before going out to buy a new top or a footwear, look into your closet- fronts, backs and under the stacked up piles. Now sort your inventory. Keep the clothes and fashion accessories that you wear regularly. Recycle clothes that are still in good condition but you've got bored wearing them- make bags, halter tops, scarves, tank tops, belts out of your old jeans, t- shirts, neck ties etc.- They'll look all new- check with your friends if you don't believe it! Keep some that are in very good condition for reselling or swapping.

Mix and Match
There are certain dresses that can go with a number of outfits. You get a new look everytime you wear these dresses, say a top with suit for work, with skirt for a party, or with jeans for a casual date. These versatile items can be blue jeans, a little black dress, black slacks, white blouses, printed tops, pencil skirts, cardigans, sweaters, tanks and camisoles, ankle boots, heeled sandals etc. Thinks a little and mix and match these dresses to get new looks every time without spending a penny more.

Swap Clothes and Accessories
Clothing and accessory sales have gone down last year. However, the membership in different swapping meet up groups and sites related to swaps are increasing rapidly. Many have already taken advantage of the trend, you too can go for it. Most of the women use only 20% of their wardrobe at any given time! So why not get some hot clothes, handbags, footwear that only take space of others' closets and exchange with what you consider useless. You can visit one of such many swapping or swishing sites or can organize a clothing swap among your friends!

Buy from Thrift or Discount Stores
Everyone's doing that- even those who never went to these shops- after all, its recession time, and your budget is tight! Buy a designer-inspired bag or a dress instead of paying hundreds of dollars for a name brand. But don't equate cheap with inexpensive- cheap items have lower quality that won't stay even for a season. There are many other options to get quality fashion at discount rates- Clearance Sales near the end of the season, BOGO- buy one get one – sales will give you 50% discount on selected items, Special item sales- weekly sales by retailors, especially online retailors, where they feature a special item each week at discounted price ranging from 25 & 40 %. All's there for you, just keep your eyes and ears open.

Use Inexpensive Accessories a Lot
Matching or contrasting accessories with your outfit can surely change your looks in a big way. A single dress can be worn for a business conference, to a friend's gathereing, or cocktail party by just changing the accessories. There's no need to go for expensive ones. You can find a lot of inexpensive jewelery- bangles, earrings, bracelets, handbags made of inexpensive fabrics or recycled handbags made from textile wastes, they can all make you look cool!

The Cool Beachwear! Trends 2009

Whether it's about early spring break, or a vacation on beach in summers, beachwear is an essential clothing item. Beachwear carries different meanings with it- for some, it's comfort, for others it's style and for yet some others, it's just a garment.

Beachwear- What's It!
Beachwear, when introduced, was intended to be worn while participating in water sports and activities such as swimming, water polo, diving, surfing, water skiing etc. However, now it has become an important fashion clothing too. It can be skin-tight or loosely fitting garments designed to cover either the whole body or its parts. For women, it can be either a two-piece swimsuit consisting of bra and panty or a one-piece maillot style. Other than swim suit, womens beachwear also include skirts, kaftans, pareos, sarong and wraps. Men's swimsuits can be either a bikini-style brief or the longer and fuller swim trunk. Pareos can also be included in mens beachwear.

Women's Beachwear - Trends 2009
This season beachwear will be seen in period style. The styles that were prevalent in 60's and 70's are making a comeback. They'll be accompanied with oversized sunglasses and cool hats. Swimsuits are an indispensable part of beachwear. One-piece swim-suits in bold prints will be the in thing this summer. The cover-ups like sarongs and pareos will be available in lively colors and prints. They can be worn in various styles- hiding or showing skin. Totes with interesting graphics will be loved by the people, for the simple reason that they can carry things to the beach as well as look stylish. Cool flip-flops or beach shoes will complement the beach goers' looks.

Men's Beachwear - Comfort and Style
For men, the classic beachwear is the lifeguard bikini briefs. It has become wider at the sides for a more comfortable fit- neither too tight nor too revealing. The classic board shorts are always loved by men. They can be worn as regular shorts during the day too. This summer, men's beachwear is brightly colored, with prints like tribal safari style and flower prints. A printed t-shirt with a solid bathing suit pant also look good on men at beach. Polo shirts and a stylish hat are also good partners for your shorts. Accessories like a nice fedora hat and cool leather beach sandals will complete your looks for beach time.

So, now when all's known about beachwear for this season, just go through some beach tips and be ready for a great vacation on beach!

Kids Clothing- Importance of Patterns and Designs

For a considerably long period of time, kids have been subjected to wear mini versions of adult clothing. Clothes, specially designed and patterned for children, the kids clothing, is not a very old development. It only started in the early 1800s but was a big industry by 1900s. Certain developments like those of elastic waistbands that were attached to the kids bottoms like pants and skirts, also triggered the fast development of specific children's clothing.

What is most important in making kids clothing are their patterns and designs. Designs are created around some basic concepts that include comfort, safety, and looks. Comfort is very essential as children are movement prone, they play and move around continuously. If hampered in their activities, they become irritable. Safety is also important. Their skin is very soft and tender, therefore, chemically safe dyes, soft or brushed materials are used for making kids sleepwear and other clothing. Also they are unaware of any hazards like that involved in using drawstrings that can even strangulate them. Kids clothes manufacturers are aware of all these facts and take ultimate precautions by using specialty fabrics like fire & water resistant fabrics etc. and including safe patterns that keeps away from hazardous patterns.

Apart from safety and comfort, other factors are also considered while designing kids garments. For example, kids grow very fast and the clothes are not so fast perishing items. These garments are always passed on to younger siblings. As such, most of the quality garments manufacturers keep such features as extra-long hems and cuffs. For making them durable, seams are also oversewn.

As far as looks are concerned, no other clothing is decorated with trims and accessories as the kids clothings are. Laces, ribbons, appliques, bows, designer buttons & zippers and what not, all are included in the design of kids garments. In fact, pattern making for children's clothing is the most important consideration in the manufacturing of kids clothing

Perfect Clothing for Your Body Shape

Whatever body shape you've got, you can make the most of it just by choosing the right clothing. Although beauty is what we believe to be, without going by any kind of set standards. However, If you might need to know what the current stereotype of a ‘perfect’ female and male body is?

For females, a ‘perfect’ body is a moderately tall and vertically balanced body. For males, it is considered to be tall with a balanced vertical body and a trapezoid torso - broad shoulders & chest tapering to medium waist & hips. If you don't have that perfect body- most of don't have it- no need to worry, just determine what your body shape is.

Determine Your Body Shape: Assess your vertical body proportions- the proportion of the bottom half of body as compared to the top half. Measure your full height and the height to your hip-line. Hip-line is the circumference around the hips where your bottom is fullest. Then determine where your hip-line comes in proportion to your height. Both males and females will fall in any one of the three body types,- Short Legs & Long Torso; Equally Measured Legs & Torso or the Balanced Body; and Long Legs & Short Torso.

Short Legs & Long Torso

Do's: Dress for drawing attention to your shoulders and face. You'll be fine with short to medium-long tops, layered tops- might tuck-in tops but only if you don't have a big tummy. Medium or light tops with dark pants or skirts and wide belts will look good. Straight skirts and straight or boot-leg pants are good. Men should wear pants, socks and shoes of same color. Heels should be medium to high and pant hems to the ground.

Dont's: If you are short in height, avoid long tops, pants or skirts with dropped waistband. Tight or tapered skirts & pants and also the cropped pants are a straight 'no' for you.

Balanced Body

Do's: Draw attention to your shoulders and face. Wear medium-long, untucked tops. If tops and bottoms are in same color, it's better. Such tops and dresses that flow through the waist and straight or flared skirts, will also look good. Go for skirts and pants with narrow or no waistband. Waisted, low-rise or hipster pants, all are good for you.

Dont's: Avoid short or empire waist tops & dresses as also wide belts. Pants or skirts with high waistband will also look odd on you.

Long Legs & Short Torso

Do's: Draw attention down by wearing such skirts or pants that have border prints and medium-long to long accessories, of course, if you are not short. Wear dark color tops and skirts & pants in lighter shades. If you are short, wear tops that are no longer than knuckle length. Tops should be worn untucked and if these tops or dresses flow through the waist, it's great. Skirts & pants with narrow or no waistband, straight and flared skirts & pants or low-rise or hipster pants, all are for you.

Dont's: Avoid pin stripes, short tops, empire line tops & dresses, wider belts, tapered pants and skirts or those with a high waistband.

Now also do some color analysis to look your best!

Corsets - Achieving Perfect Figure

Everyone wants to look good with a slim figure. This desire is not new. In earlier days, corsets were worn as a personal garment in order to mold and shape the torso into a desired shape. However, modern corsets are fashionable garments- usually tops or dresses, but the underlying desire remains the same- looking good and in shape. Although, they are most popular among women, corsets are liked by and available for men too.

How Corsets Enhance Body Shape

Corsets are designed to draw in the waist and flatten the tummy. A corset also supports the back of the wearer. A properly fitting hourglass shaped corset reduces the amount of pressure on the lower back, thereby avoiding discomfort. It helps in improving the posture by keeping it upright and thus modifying figure, carriage and movement of the wearer. If someone wants to use corsets for extreme figure correction then the techniques of tightlacing or waist training has to be followed.

Corset tops with skirts or a corset dress give a perfect shape to your body. In fact, corset dresses have been favorite with brides and all those who want to hide their body flaws on special occasions. If, anyway, you are wearing a corset under your clothes then, a simple corset, without bulky exterior lace trims, is best for you.

How to Buy a Corset

When buying a corset, right size is what matters. Corsets are usually sold in waist sizes, in 2 inch increments from 18 inches to 40 inches depending on the style. The corset having measurement 4 inches under the natural waist measurement is what any one will need. For example, if the measurement around the narrowest part of relaxed waist is 30 inches then a corset in size 26 inches is required.

Measurements should also be taken properly. Measure around the fullest part of the bust, the narrowest part of the waist (high waist directly under the rib cage) and around the top of hip bones. Don't pull the measuring tape too tightly, and always measure more than once for accuracy.

How to Wear a Corset Comfortably

A well-made corset fits comfortably at the ribs and hips and gently compresses only the waist, thus making you breath easily. To have total comfort, don't lace the corset too tightly during the first several wearings. Corsets mold naturally with time so as to hug the body curves. Always lace down just less than you feel you can tolerate. Take special care of the skin under the corset. If possible, powder the skin all around your torso before you put on the corset. If you plan to wear the corset more often, then also consider wearing a camisole, bodystocking, chemise, or leotard to help prevent chafing when the corset is laced. A tube top pulled down around the waist is also advisable if you want that nothing shows over or under the corset.

Flame Retardants: Making Textile Safer to Wear

With highly specialty focused environment everywhere- in office, home, hotels, hospitals, everywhere- the need of protective clothes have increased like never before. Textile is highly prone to fire but we can't, in any way, do away with them. They are needed to make garments, as home furnishings, and for making other textile products. What can be done, at the maximum, is to make them lesser prone to fire, that is to say, to make the clothes flame resistant. Flame retardants are used by the fabric manufacturers for achieving this aim.

flame retardants are materials that inhibit or resist the spread of fire usually through three methods- by using inorganic materials such as asbestos, glass etc; by chemically treating the textile with flame retardant chemicals; and by modifying the polymer. They can be categorized as Brominated flame retardants, Chlorinated flame retardants, Phosphorous-containing flame retardants, Nitrogen-containing flame retardants, and Inorganic flame retardants.
The flame retardant chemicals, applied to fabrics, inhibit or suppress the combustion process at different stages like during heating, decomposition, ignition or spreading of flame. They can act physically and/or chemically for resisting fire. This is done through various mechanisms such as by cooling endothermic processes triggered by the flame retardants, by forming a protective layer, by diluting the fuel in the solid and gaseous phases by reacting in the gas phase, or by reacting in the solid phase through breakdown of polymers. The flame retardants are applied to fabrics through conventional padding and many other methods.
Whatever the process followed for making flame resistant fabrics, it is true that if they were not there, the risks to our lives would have increased manyfolds. However, nowadays, everybody seems to be concerned about whether flame retardants are harmful toxins or not? Many flame retardants have been banned for use in many parts of the world. Textile industry is continuously engaged in research for finding more and more environmental and health friendly flame retardants.

Popular Hats and Caps- Great Winter Accessories

Men and women have been wearing different types of headgear for ages now. Hats, caps, bonnets, masks, veils, hoods, turbans and many more, though the names and also the purpose for wearing these head gears can be different in different parts of the world, yet they are regarded significant everywhere. Hats and caps were much more in use in the past but it doesn't mean that they have come to loose their status in the present times. They are still used for protection, religious and medical purpose, as a symbol of status or office, as a part of social convention and even for hiding baldness. However,todays generation love hats and caps because they have become a style or fashion statement. Besides, caps are essential winter accessory to protect one from cold. Head wear is given its due recognition by the fashion accessories companies too who regularly introduce stylish head gears.

Popular Hats and Caps – For Men and Women

In a survey about men's perspective about fashion items, one item about which men agreed that it is a great fashion accessory was caps, hats and head wear. Modern Popular hat styles for men include the baseball cap, the cowboy hat though it is popular in only some parts like Texas, and the newsboy or messenger caps. The most popular hats and caps with women are straw hats, felt and velvet hats, cotton knitted hats, and as winter accessory they like to don wool bucket hat or wool beret. Woolen hats are also there for men and that too stylish ones, of which embroidered hats and caps are most liked by men. Women love it when their hats are embellished with fur, bows, satin ribbons and the like, so that they may look stunning in formal dresses too. There are some unisex caps too, like baseball caps, that are worn by both, men and women. Apart from hats and caps, masks have also become very popular these days. These face masks are worn over a part of the face or all over face, mainly to disguise the wearer but sometimes also to protect the face. Their popularity is due to pleasure factor when it is required to disguise the wearer, say at fancy dress parties, masked balls and during Halloween parties. The ones which are worn for protection are popular with sports persons like ice hockey goalkeepers and yes with sporty persons too who enjoy throwing snowballs on each other!

In most of the cultures, headgear is a sign of respect and there are specific rules about when, where and how to wear a hat. The prescribed etiquettes for hats and caps go to show how important an accessory are hats and caps!

Eco-Fashion: Clothing with Style and Concern

We are the children of nature and just like we have some responsibility towards our parents, we do have some towards earth and its environment too. The least we can do to show our concern is to go green while living our life. One of the most widely used daily items are our clothing. While we cannot dictate the terms to apparel, clothing and garments companies about manufacturing their products yet we can contribute in changing their minds about using eco- friendly raw materials and processes. We can go for green apparels!

While going green, do we have to sacrifice style and wear whatever is available? No! Today, many fashion designers have also become responsible and are adopting eco- friendly clothing lines. So, now we can get fashion clothing that is environmental friendly too! But do the tags saying “Eco- Clothing” are enough to identify such garments? Are there other facts too that can be known and checked while going for eco- fashion? Of course there are! Here are some ways to make a green wardrobe.

Earth-Friendly Fabrics: There are three categories of such fabrics. One, fabrics made from recycled materials such as fleece that is made from used plastic bottles. Two, the natural fabrics but natural is not enough, they have to be organic or renewable too. If you opt for traditional cotton, it is grown with tons of pesticides and processed with even more chemicals. Organic cotton can be the answer to this. Other natural fabrics like wool, linen, and silk that are renewed with organic makeover so as to make them less toxic to the environment, can also be used. Third, Renewable fabrics, in the sense that the source of such fabrics can be replenished easily, such as bamboo, jute, soy or corn fabrics. Fabrics like polyester or nylon are not renewable as their source, petroleum and its products, take millions of years to get created.

Eco- friendly laundering: Researches have shown that the fault does not, so much, lies with the construction and distribution of garments but the way they are cleaned. Washing clothes can consume a lot of water, energy and chemicals. Go for green threads, the one that can be cold washed and line dried. Learn how to eco- laundry.

New Year Eve Dresses for Your Body Shape!

Christmas is over! So what? There's New Year eve celebration round the corner! Everyone of us want to look our best on this special evening! We can sure look our best just by choosing clothing that flatters our body shape. Women's clothing market is full with stylish dresses. Those of us who are style savvy have learned which styles make us look fabulous and which styles are a straight no-no. But for women who don't know that yet, there's a great lot of information to help.


Clothing Tips for Your Body Shape

The first and the foremost thing to do is determining your body shape, howsoever embarrassing it might be.

Apple Shape: if you have upper body larger than your lower body and weight gain tends to happen around the waistline, emphasize lesser on waist and broad shoulders. Go for dresses that are shaped but not tight. V-neck will give you more elongated look. Cinched waists or wrap tops and belted or nipped waist jackets will give illusion of a smaller waist. Empire style dresses with raised waist can camouflage the tummy. Skirts, fitted at the top and flaring at the hemline will balance the top and the bottom.

Don't wear boxy blazers that make waist and rest of the body appear bigger. Instead, wear single-breasted fitted blazer after ensuring that it defines the waist but is loose enough in the chest to make you comfortable.


Pear Shape: if you have a smaller upper body and weighty hips, thighs, and legs, bring attention to the upper half of your body. Go for wider necklines like bateau, squared, or cowl necks. Jackets that fall just above the hip are better than longer ones. Vertical patterns on the lower half will give slim appearance. Wear dark colors, that don't shine, on the bottom half and lighter colors on top. A full skirt with defined waist or a full, pleated knee-length skirt will conceal a wide hip and if paired with strapless cut dress, it will highlight your smaller upper half. A funnel shaped coat with buttons on the top half or with a belt will bring attention to the waist.


Don't wear clingy skirts that highlight hips, or empire waist dresses which hides the waistline. Instead go for A-line skirt or wrap dress that will accentuate your upper half.


Hourglass Shape: if you have a defined waist and curvy upper and lower body, try to draw attention to your narrow waist, or de-emphasize breasts and hips to give impression of a longer, leaner look. Waist-defining belted garments or wrap dresses, apparels with cinched waists, high raised pants and skirts, fitted skirts and dresses, all will bring out your curves. For elongated look, go for v-necks, monochromatic colors, thin & lightweight fabrics, single buttoned jackets, or empire-waist dresses.


Don't wear tight, wide-cut pants that make the bottom appear wider. Instead wear wide legged trouser which is full but not flared.


Rectangle Shape: if you have fewer defined curves and your waist, hips & breast measurements are similar to each other, try to create illusion of curves. Scoop or v-neck tops, jackets having defined waists or flaring out from the waist, tops and blouses having details around the chest area for giving shape, draping dresses having patterns on them, halter tops, gathering and pleating on sleeves and waist, Skinny jeans hugging the hips, all will help you in creating curves. Trims such as lace, beads and waist-defining belts over shirts, cardigans, coats, etc. will also help you in your task.


Don't wear bright metallic tops to avoid attention on large chest. Don't go for white belt, instead wear dark brown one and avoid horizontal stripes that tend to make anything look wider. Try monochromatic tops and bottoms that give taller and leaner look.


The most important tip is that of accepting your natural body shape and accentuating your unique beauty by experimenting with fabrics, colors, and styles!