My Own Judge

Fashion, Beauty, Makeup, Sunglasses, Designer Clothes

Winter Fashion: Styles that Keep You Looking Hot in the Cold

Posted by on August 11, 2011 at 8:39 pm in Fashion

Women everywhere are gearing up for the winter; pulling out those big heavy coats, sweaters, and all of those dull winter clothes, while grudgingly packing up their fun, colorful summer clothes. Here are 5 winter fashion tips that will help add color and style to all of those boring winter clothes.

Try Different Boots.

Winter is the best time to bring out all of those sexy boots that have been stashed away in your closet all year. With all of the different styles, shapes, and colors something as simple as a pair of boots can transform an outfit. Whether worn with a pair of jeans, a skirt, or a dress, they can showcase your own unique style and personality.

You Don’t Have to Pile on the Clothes to Keep Warm.

Most ladies think that in order to keep warm they need to layer on the big bulky sweaters, turtle necks and that gigantic winter coat which usually gives a look that screams: Grandma. Here is a simple trick that will still keep you toasty warm without making you look like you’ve gained 20 pounds: Start with thermal underwear that are form- fitting and made of moister-wicking fabrics. The extra bonus of wearing thermals is that they help hide back fat and bulges, instantly making you appear slimmer.

Coat Shopping

Coat shopping is kind of like the dreaded jean shopping, because let’s face it no two women are the exact same size or shape which means there is no magic coat that will fit everyone. Ski jackets come in so many different colors and styles that will make any outfit look cute. So when heading out to buy a new coat, make sure to wear clothes that you normally wear in the winter. The coat needs to fit over your sweaters without bunching up. You should be able to raise your arms, bend over and move around comfortably in it. Don’t forget to zip it or button it up before you do these tests. Try out different styles and colors to find the one that shows your personal style.

It’s Never Too Cold to Wear a Skirt or Dress

Many women think that they can only wear pants to keep warm in the winter, but with a simple pair of tights or leggings you can wear that skirt or dress and still stay cozy. Tights come in several different shades and styles to match any outfit. Pair that sexy pair of boots with a darker shade of tights to slim and elongate your legs, or a pair of heels with colored tights for a fun stylish look.

 Don’t Forget Your Gloves, Hat and Scarf.

The number one accessory for winter is definitely the scarf: It’s amazingly versatile. Whether you are out for a night on the town, or just heading to the office, a scarf can show the world your sense of flare; and keep you warm at the same time. Pair some gloves and a hat to keep your hands and head toasty warm, just remember they don’t all have to be the same color and pattern; switch it up a bit to create a fun, sexy look.

Have fun and be creative with your winter look this year, try different colors, styles and fabrics to enhance and express your style. Remember even though it’s chilly outside; you can still look hot.

 

How To Find Good Fashion Deals in Classifieds Ads

Posted by on June 20, 2011 at 8:35 pm in Classifieds, Fashion

Finding great deals in classified ads isn’t so difficult for those who know where and how to shop. Here are a few tips on getting the best prices on the best fashion items.

Be Flexible

There’s no telling what can be found in classified ads. It’s better not to go in with preconceived notions, but to have a general idea of what’s needed and to find something along those lines. A specific make and model of leather jacket may be hard to find, but leather jackets in general are not, for instance. Just keep an open mind to build a respectable wardrobe.

Search High and Low

There are websites specifically created to help fashionistas and fashion sellers meet up and make deals, and there are websites and local papers and magazines where deals can be found amid ads for used mufflers and old video game systems. No resource is too classy or trashy when it comes to finding a great deal. The bottom line is attaining great clothes for cheap. Sometimes that means going through the ads section on fashion sites and forums, and sometimes that means scouring the local paper for wool knit berets.

For Great Deals, Forget Brand Bias

Here’s what name brand and designer brand recognition are really all about: status. They’re all about status. Someone who buys the name brand shoes is only buying them, really, to prove that they can afford name brand shoes. The truth is that many of the lookalikes that come out a month after the real thing are sometimes made to higher standards of quality than the original, because they need to be that good in order to sell. A name brand shoe can sell on the name, a cheaper shoe has to be of good quality or nobody’s going to buy it. Keep an open mind. Go ahead and by quality designer goods when they’re cheap, but don’t be afraid to try out a lesser known brand.

Collect it All

Here’s a tip: collect clothing in all sizes and styles. No matter the buyer’s size, if they can sell a shirt or trade it for one that fits them better, they’d be crazy not to pick it up for a cheap price. By keeping an eye out for rare, vintage and collectible clothing, a budget fashionista can wheel and deal and trade their way to an impressive wardrobe by swapping items with other budget fashionistas who are in the same boat. When there’s a good deal, grab it. Even clothes that don’t fit can be used as bargaining chips in later trades with friends and other fashionistas.

Search for “Overstock”

Many designer brands actually overstock and overproduce their inventory for any number of reasons. Namely, the market for designer brands is shrinking due to the recession. People are being smart and spending less on their clothes. This means that there’s a lot of authentic designer stuff and quality brands out there that can be found for a fraction of the store price for those who shop online. These deals offer a great opportunity to build an impressive collection at a fraction of the cost of a pricey designer wardrobe. Don’t be afraid to buy reasonably priced “big boxes” of clothes to get hold of a few great items and collect some extras to sell online later on.

These are only three tips. There are entire books on the subject of fashion bargain hunting that don’t begin to scratch the surface. The important thing is really just getting into the right mindset and always be looking for the next big deal.

 

How To Dress Fashionably

Posted by on May 21, 2011 at 8:31 pm in Fashion

Knowing how to dress fashionably does not have to be a daunting task. It simply means dressing in current and classic trends. This does not include walking down the street in the same clothing in which they are walking down the Paris runways. Make updating your wardrobe personal and fun, not exhausting and stressful. There are a few guidelines that will help along the way, and there are no fashion police. Relax, and understand the basics of modern day style.
Before you shop, know your body type. Are you an apple or a pear? Are you built straight up and down or are you curvy with an hour glass shape? This basic knowledge will help steer you clear of clothing that is unflattering to your body type. If your hips are wide, stay away from skinny jeans. Petite and short statured individuals should avoid bulky and oversized clothing and accessories. Play to your strengths and don’t draw attention to your weaknesses.

Budget is another element to consider when setting out to dress fashionably. Find a look that works and then duplicate it in a store that fits your wallet. Many magazines help to translate the latest trends to affordable, realistic levels. Remember to dress in your style; don’t try to be someone else. There is only one Cher, one Elton John and one Jacqueline Kennedy. The world needs you and your style.

With that in mind, be open to change and new fashion possibilities. What you’ve been wearing may not work anymore and perhaps it never did! Even classic styles get updated and refreshed from time to time. Give away old and outdated clothing from from your closet. Leaving it there will only tempt you to return to your old ways. How to dress fashionably also means how to dress fashionably for your age. We all look better in current clothing that is also age appropriate. A high school student doesn’t need to look as if they are heading into corporate America. At the same time, adults in their middle years shouldn’t appear as if they are still twenty five.

In order to get the fashion ball rolling, a little research may be necessary. Look through current magazines and see what celebrities are wearing. Turn the television to several shows and pay attention to what the actors/actresses are wearing for different occasions. Customize the look to your lifestyle, budget and body type. Online searches will produce images and articles related to any and all fashion information.

Another great way to stay in touch with fashion trends is by walking through a mall. Pay close attention to how the mannequins are dressed.  Are they wearing breast cancer awareness merchandise, summer dresses, graphic tee shirts or winter coats? Professional designers usually put together the displays and they know what is going on in the world of fashion. Juniors can peruse the younger departments while the mature shoppers look through their particular area of the store. Business attire, casual living and formal wear will all be available to shoppers at large department stores.

No fashion finding trip would be complete without the help of a friend. Make sure to bring someone who will be honest with you and whose wardrobe you admire for being fashion forward. An honest friend can be your best mirror. Sometimes it is easier to see yourself with a second set of eyes. Learning how to dress fashionably is possible and even rewarding. Investing a small amount of time can lead to fabulous fashion rewards.

 

Going Green Is In Style

Posted by on March 14, 2011 at 8:29 pm in Fashion

The trend toward green living effects industries from manufacturing construction materials and energy efficient appliances, to food and fashion trends. Gravitating toward choices that are better for the environment invites a new way of thinking about what looks good. Green clothing and accessories, modeled after the chic new styles of fashion- savvy shoppers, are easily accessible, better for the environment, and can be less expensive than similar styles made from all new materials. While green fashion does not require compromised quality or selection, it does require patience and flexibility.
Modern consignment shops and thrift stores reinvent the idea of wearing secondhand clothes. Collecting inventory is a lucrative business. Yard sale leftovers and vintage pieces from Grandma’s closet are no longer the norm. Charities solicit households in upper income-communities for donations that are collected and sold in bulk to thrift super-stores. Inventory is carefully sorted, allowing only the best quality clothing and accessories, often with designer labels, to be sold in stores. Store mannequins are decorated in outfits inspired by models on the covers of high-end retail catalogs. Designer purses are displayed behind glass cases, sitting proudly aside Italian leather shoes.

Community recycling programs geared specifically toward repurposing and recycling clothing and linens, called textile initiatives, direct items away from overcrowded landfills where they decompose for hundreds or thousands of years. These programs simplify the process or recycling clothing for resale. Clothing donations are accepted alongside standard household recyclables and are collected and sorted. The best clothes make their way into community tag sales or fundraisers, providing fashionable clothing for members of the community that may not have the resources to buy decent quality clothing that is affordable.

Green fashion encourages innovative ideas, like using automobile tires to make the soles of shoes and turning plastic bottles into cloth. Plastic bottles, once broken down and reused in a different capacity, become polar fleece jackets, and robes with matching slippers. Popular juice pouches are re-purposed and sewn together into durable tote bags and pencil pouches. Strips of denim, a material that has remained in style since its introduction to fashion in 1873, are woven together to form sheets of material for making denim skirts, vests and purses.

The agricultural clothing movement emphasizes all-natural material, called organic material that compliments nature and minimizes waste. If organic material brings burlap to mind, think again. Organic fibers are soft, unscented and natural; a blank slate for fashion designs that are stylish, comfortable and allergen free. Void of perfumes and dies, organic is the new buzz word, in the world of celebrity infant fashion.

Clothing and accessories made of all new materials place unnecessary financial burdens on consumers. Modern styles consistent with current fashion trends are available at local thrift stores, for a fraction of the retail prices advertised in expensive shopping malls. Green fashion is not a world of gunny sack dresses and moccasins. It is a world of environmental preservation, eco-friendly materials and truly realizing that “new to you” clothes are better in many ways, than clothes that are simply new.

 

Best Designer Sunglasses Brands

Posted by on February 12, 2011 at 8:27 pm in Fashion, Sunglasses

Sunglasses are not just for summer anymore. Everyone needs to protect their eyes from the damaging effects of the sun all year round. Some people just like to look great doing it. All the top brand sunglass manufacturers offer styles that are better for each of the seasons. Some are lighter for the hot summer days. Some sunglass brands offer sturdier frames for winter activities. But rest assured, the one thing they all do in every season, is showcase the individuality of their brand’s style. All over the world people shop for the personalized look that makes them feel and look their best.

Among the best providing styles for men are brands such as: Oakley, Ray Ban, and Bolle. There are styles available to suit every man and his sunglass needs. Whether you’re looking for classic, sporty, or the latest fashion style you have many options available today. If you prefer a classic look for any occasion, try Ray Ban Wayfarer or Aviator styles. For those with a more active lifestyle try Carrerra sunglasses. If you are a true fashionista go for styles by Prada, Persol, Gucchi, Vogue, or D&G. And for those men looking for a fusion of fad and sports try sunglasses by Diesel, available in many bold colors and styles.

Sunglasses for women have become a major accessory, as well as a necessity. Many of today’s most fashion forward styles come from the designs of Prada. Without a doubt, the number one modern designer sunglass brand. With oversized looks, unique bold colors, and flamboyance in these styles, women around the world clamber to get this look. Luxurious frames, wrap around styling and expensive looking style are the cornerstone of these world class designer sunglasses.

A new pioneer in the sunglass industry is Persol. They have jumped ahead with new innovation and timeless style. These sunglasses are individually hand made by master craftsmen with unmatched expertise. This designer offers the first ever flexible stem called Meflecto. Reducing pressure on the wearers face, the Meflecto stem adjusts according to the size and shape of the users face. Luxottica owns the brand and insists on only the finest materials in the production of the sunglasses. These glasses are allergy free and have crystal lenses to protect for UV rays.
Many of the top designers today are creating unisex designed sunglasses. These looks can work for the macho male looks as well as framing pretty female faces. Top designers to look for in the unisex design category are Vogue, Burberry and D&G. It has become a new desire of the fashion conscience to wear these unisex styles. Far ahead of many designers, some have had the intuitiveness to forge ahead and provide this style. It is the IN thing do when looking for the best designer sunglasses.

No matter what season it is, no matter your sex or personal style, the right designer sunglasses are out there for you. I have outlined the best designer sunglasses brands foe you and some new innovations as well. Now you must get out there and do what every fashion forward person is best at. Shop.