As a veteran shopper of fast fashion chains such as Forever 21 and H&M, I've learned over the years how to pick pieces that look more chic than cheap. My aversion to polyester certainly doesn't hurt, either. (I have sensitive skin and tend to favor natural, breathable fabrics such as cotton.) I thought I'd share some of my suggestions on how to make your inexpensive purchases look more like the high-end versions.
Feel the fabric. In my experience, cotton, chiffon, lace, and silk blends can look more expensive than they are at cheap chic stores. My general rule is to avoid many synthetics and also any garment with more than 3% spandex, as it will appear stretchy and cheap. More specifically, pieces made from rayon, nylon, and viscose can appear flimsy and tacky, especially when done in skimpy silhouettes.
Consider the cut. I'm no expert fashion designer, but I'm no stranger to a sewing machine or pattern, either. No matter how much you like a piece, inspect it for cut, fit, and proportion. If it puckers in the bust area, gaps out at the waist, pinches your thighs, or just plain old fits horribly then avoid it unless you plan to tailor it or have it tailored. Unfortunately, sometimes you get what you pay for at cheap chic retailers.
Know when to go. Stores like H&M receive new shipments every day, so it's wise to shop often for optimal selection. Additionally, I like to shop when stores are least crowded - on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning or evening. Friday nights between 6pm and 9pm and weekend afternoons before 3pm seem to be the most crowded, as shoppers are often looking for the perfect outfit to wear out that night or that weekend.
Know before you go. If the store you're visiting has an e-commerce website, then conduct some research and check out the merchandise online before you go. (Or just buy online if you prefer to avoid the potentially noisy and disheveled atmosphere of the store.) Sometimes I see something I like online, but want to inspect it in person for fit and quality. On the other hand, you can sometimes use the website to get a sneak peek at the merchandise before it hits the stores. Case in point - I'm always stalking Target's pressroom for new GO International images.
Study the store's strengths. If your buying patterns exhibit a pattern such as always buying handbags from Target, dresses from H&M, footwear from Zara, and earrings from Forever 21, then for you, those may be each store's strengths, according to your tastes. Learn what each store excels in in terms of design, selection, price, and quality, then you'll know where to look for certain pieces that you desire. For me, it's usually Cheap Monday denim at Urban Outfitters, ankle boots at Wet Seal, and tights at Target.
Look at longevity. Now more than ever, I'm asking myself how long I'll be wearing each item before I buy it. These days, quality classics can be found at fast fashion stores. Pieces like wool blend peacoats, cotton cardigans, boot cut jeans, and classic button down shirts can be found at great prices, and will outlast trendier items such as that one-shoulder dress or paint-splatter top that may be lurking in your closet.
from:http://fashiontrendguide.blogspot.com
Navigating The Cheap Chic Landscape
Five Tips To Look Taller
A reader recently emailed me to ask for tips on how she could appear taller. Being petite myself, I can certainly relate, and I thought I'd share a few tricks that I've learned.
Go nude. Flesh-toned pumps are the quickest way to make your legs appear longer. Go for the highest heel that you can tolerate and comfortably walk in. Be sure to avoid ankle straps (unless they're flesh-toned as well), as the horizontal lines of the straps visually cuts off the legs, making them look shorter. This season, height-boosting platforms and wedges are widely available, and their chunkiness offers extra height with less discomfort.
Make it monochromatic. Although it may be boring, wearing one color from head to toe can give the illusion of height. It elongates the body and will also give you a streamlined look.
Don't be a slouch. Remember when your mom (or teacher) told you to stand or sit up straight? Well it's not only good for your posture, it can make you appear instantly taller, too. Not to mention that you'll also look more confident.
The right length. Although hemline lengths vary by season and often reflect current trends, finding the most flattering length for you can do wonders. High waisted styles and empire waistlines can visually elongate the body, as can shorter hemlines for those with shorter legs who don't mind showing some skin. I personally tend to avoid anything that hits at mid calf or slightly below the knee, as I do not want to draw attention to the widest part of my calves. When it comes to trousers and wide leg jeans, my favorite length is about 1/4" above the ground, so it skims the back of my shoes and makes my legs appear longer, especially if I'm wearing heels.
Invest in vertiginous heels. Not only are they de rigueur this season, they can make you as much as 6" taller. Slip on a pair of heels and they instantly change your posture and body language. After some experimenting, I've generally found that heels over 4.5" are difficult for me to comfortably walk in. However, if a shoe has a 4" heel with a 1" platform, it's equal to a 3" heel, which makes a difference in the comfort factor and might be more practical for days when I'm on my feet. When it comes to heel height, it's always a personal preference, but my general opinion is to go as high as you can, knowing your limits and taking practicality and comfort into consideration.
From:http://fashiontrendguide.blogspot.com
HOW TO USE A STRAIGHTENING IRON
What do I need?
- A temperature controlled straightening iron
- Styling products - products that protect your hair from moisture and hold the style. Moisture is what reverts the hair back to its natural wave, so products like mousse protect hair from moisture as well as heat damage.
Things to remember:
Also start with clean, DRY hair. If possible, use a leave-in conditioning spray after washing your hair, but before starting to straighten.
Hair must be completely dry, as slightly damp hair will respond badly to straightening. Also using a heated appliance on damp hair causes the hair to "cook" from the steaming, swelling the hair shaft and forcing the protective moisture from the cortex of the hair.
Use a flat iron appropriate for your hair length. Wider irons are suitable for very long hair, but most women are better off using an appliance with heating plates 1" to 1 ½ " wide. These smaller irons offer better control and are lighter in weight.
Section your hair into small, manageable sections. If you try and straighten a big chunk of hair at once, you will get an uneven result. The hair on the outside might straighten but hair in the middle won't have been straightened. Work on smaller sections and you will get a much straighter look.
Use a small amount of styling product to maintain the style. Using a spray of hairspray on the straightened sections, or a small amount of mousse or gel when drying your hair, will extend the life of your hair style. Your straightened hair will last longer.
Instructions
Take a small section of hair. Starting at the roots, work the flat iron through the length of your hair slowly, but keep the iron moving.
After each draw, comb your hair smooth.
Continue, piece by piece until all of your hair is straight.
HOW TO BLOW DRY HAIR STRAIGHT
Blowdrying your hair straight is definitely the cheaper option to permanently straightening your hair - all it takes is a few tools and products and a bit of practice.
What do I need?
- A hairdryer
- A large round brush. The size of the brush will depend on the length of your hair - your hair needs to be long enough to wrap around the brush once.
- A large paddle brush for final smoothing.
- Clips to keep hair out of the way. Large flat clips that hairdressers use work best.
- Styling products - products that protect your hair from moisture and hold the style. Moisture is what reverts the hair back to its natural wave, so products like mousse protect hair from moisture as well as heat damage.
- Gloss or serum to smooth over hair, remove frizz and finish off the look.
Instructions
* Start by washing your hair with a volumising range. Browse our Volumising range.
* Comb with a wide-toothed comb to remove any tangles. Partially blow-dry your hair to get rid of excess moisture.
* Spray a volumising tonic on your hair, or a handful of mousse spread from tips to ends for extra oomph.
* Pin hair up and take out small sections at a time to blow-dry. Hold the dryer in one hand and a styling brush in the other.
* Place the brush underneath the first section of hair and position it at the roots. Keep the tension on the hair (without tugging too hard) and move the brush down towards the ends, while directing the air flow down the hair, following the movement of the brush.
* Blow-dry using a large, round brush with a metal core. Wind hair completely up the brush, focusing on creating lift at the roots. Gently blast hair with a hair-dryer until dry.
Browse our range of Hairdryers.
* Curl the brush under at the ends to achieve a slight bend. Continue until the back sections are completely dry and then repeat on the top sections of hair.
* Finish with a light, flexible hairspray. Browse our range of HairSprays.
* Remember, practice makes perfect!
