Fashion Tips

Accessorize Your Apparel with Stylish Fashion Jewelry

If you are feeling a little drab with your outfits, don’t worry. Whether you are planning a family outing, attending a formal party or dinner, or just going out for a night on the town, you can spruce up any of your outfits with stylish fashion jewelry. Don’t spend more money on new clothes just accessorize the outfits you already have with lovely fashion jewelry. Here are some great tips to help you achieve the look and feel you want with almost any outfit.

Fashion Jewelry Necklaces for A Slender the Neckline

Necklaces can enhance the look of your shirt, sweater or dress by adding color, brightness and beauty.

· Make your neck and upper body appear thinner by wearing certain types of necklaces. For example, if you have a solid colored shirt or dress with a rounded neckline, wear a necklace of medium length that hangs in a V-shape. The V-shape will make the neckline appear narrow and will also draw attention away from the arms and shoulders.

· For shirts or dresses with a V-shaped neckline, a medium to short necklace that’s more rounded looks nice.

Again, wearing opposites near the neck draws attention away from other areas, so a slender look is achieved once more.

· The type of slide you choose also makes a difference. Use a slide that matches or complements your outfit, but choose the size and shape carefully.

Fashion jewelry necklaces and slides look different on everyone depending on the person’s neckline size and body shape. Even the shape of the face should be considered.

Earrings

Earrings help bring attention to your face and away from your upper body and shoulders. Be careful when choosing an earring size and shape. For women with shorter necks, avoid earrings that dangle. Your earrings should never touch your collar.

· Round face-choose earrings that elongate the face. ie: Tear drop, leaf shape or chandelier

· Long or Heart shape face- choose hoop earrings, round filigree designs or donut shaped.

Either way, they make great additions to your apparel.

Specialty Jewelry- Nickel and Lead Free

If you are allergic to many types of jewelry, then hypoallergenic fashion jewelry, (nickel and lead free) might be a solution. Hypoallergenic fashion jewelry looks the same as other jewelry, but is made a certain way as to not trigger allergic reactions. If you have skin rashes or other reactions to jewelry, try hypoallergenic fashion jewelry before giving up all together. You might be pleasantly surprised! Almost all pieces carried by Decent Pieces are nickel and lead free!!!

Fashion Jewelry and other Accessories for Work

When dressing for work, use fashion jewelry to dress for success. Add a necklace, watch and matching handbag to your work apparel to show you are ready for the tasks ahead. Keep work-related jewelry simple so it doesn’t get in the way. For example, rings that are very large or pointy might be a hindrance if you work with your hands often. Also, be careful wearing charm bracelets to jobs that call for typing. You can easily lose or damage a charm. Choose fashion jewelry for work that’s both sensible and fashionable.

Fashion Forward- Skinny Jeans

Every new season brings new hype to the fashion world. This season’s top hottie is the new “skinny jeans.” These are the jeans from long ago when May Tyler Moore wore these slim cut pants on the Dick Van Dyke Show. Designers claim that all shapes and sizes can wear these jeans. The skinny jeans are made with...

The skinny jeans are made with Lycra that stretch, hold you in and still be able to move freely. These amazing jeans come with a price, and boy will it cost you. Top end stores will be selling them anywhere from $100.00 – $300.00. Ouch! This price certainly is an eyesore to people on a budget. They will have to wait for markdowns that may take a while. Budget conscious people may have to opt for the same style of jeans with more affordable labels. Levi’s will be coming out with a much more reasonably priced jean ranging from $25.00-$50.00. As top models contend for the fashion spotlight, I have yet to see a person out of proportion wearing these jeans. Top designers always use the prettiest models with the best build. What about the average person? Not all are built with the best body, but want a shot to share the limelight modeling the best in fashion or see someone with not so perfect body wearing top fashions by the top designers.
Fashions, being universal, let out an excitement that is almost electric. “This seasons fashions by the best designers Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass and Max Azea always top the charts with their signature fashions. From Europe to America every country has its own flare for fashion. From sexy to tame designers have us drooling for more. Months of planning and art layout and photography are now ready to be put in print with the most famous models on the magazine covers with the latest fashions for the entire world to see. A funny thing about fashion is that it has come full circle. Capri pants, ruffles, bell-bottoms, and now the return of the “skinny jeans” to name just a few have made a huge comeback.

How To Choose The Right Clothes For Your Body Shape

With ever-changing fashion designs and trends, there is one thing that remains the same: dressing to complement your body shape will always make the biggest impression. Whether you are wearing last year’s skirt or this year’s dress, the way it fits your body is what makes you look fantastic or just ordinary.

It doesn’t matter if you have a pear-shaped body or a to-die-for hourglass figure; there are always certain styles of clothes that will flatter your body type. With a seemingly endless array of stylish accessory options and different clothing styles, you too can look and feel fabulous.

PEAR-SHAPED FIGURE

If you have been blessed with a pear-shaped figure, you are not alone! Your hips are set low and your thighs seem out of proportion to your upper body. With a less significant bust size and a typically pronounced waist, you should avoid anything that attracts extra attention to your hips, including blouses or jackets that sit directly on your waist. By shifting the attention to your bust with fitted tops, you will move attention from your trouble areas below and appear more proportional to the rest of your body.

Bottoms

Avoid anything too tight.
A-line skirts that hit around the knee area are ideal because they draw attention away from problem areas. Miniskirts are generally a bad idea because they accentuate heavy thighs.
Pant waists should fall somewhere below the natural waistline for a better fit.

A straight or slightly bootcut leg is the most flattering. Avoid patterned or light-colored pants. Skip fussy details like big cargo pockets, rouching or excessive zippers around the hip area.

Tops

Avoid too-baggy tops or too-tight tops: the looser tops will make you look large all over, the tight tops will make you look out of proportion to your hips. Look for fitted -- not skintight -- T-shirts (something with some stretch) and button-front tops. V-necks, turtlenecks and open collars all call attention to the face, which is always a good thing.
Jackets and blazers should hit anywhere but the widest point of your hips. That could mean right below the waist to mid-thigh, depending on your height. Wear jackets and blazers open for the best vertical lines.

Dresses

Look for dresses that nip in at the waist and slightly flare out over hips and thighs.
You can pull off a full-skirted ball gown because it will hide heavy hips and thighs.
Try sleeveless and strapless dresses to play up pretty shoulders and arms.
An empire, or raised waist dress brings the eye up away from problem areas. Careful, though. Sometimes this gets mistaken for a maternity look with fuller figures.

Don’t forget to accessorize to complement your look! A subtle necklace and a short hanging bag can perfect your outfit and bring more attention to your upper body. With the faultless pairing of the right clothes and accessories, your outfit will look like it has been tailored to fit and you will be ready to impress even the most stylish divas.

HOUR-GLASS FIGURE

With hips to love and a full bust, women with the classic hourglass figure are in luck. If your body resembles that of Selma Hayek or Tyra Banks, you are one of the eight percent of American women that have been fortunate enough to inherit the curves that most women dream of! When dressing for an hourglass figure, it is important to flaunt those curves and remember that over seventy five percent of fashion designers tailor their clothing to fit this classic shape, making it a breeze to find the right fit for you.

· Wearing clothes that skim your body, and are not too tight and not too loose, will flatter your form and make the most of your body.

Accessorize with belts and tops that tie at the waist and your outfit (and body!) will be runway ready.

STRAIGHT BODY FIGURE

Women with an undefined waist and a straight body shape should show off their slender legs and highlight the best aspects of their lean body.

Wearing skirts and dresses that lengthen the appearance of the torso flatter this body type.
Pair fashionable dresses with a longer overcoat and your body will appear long, lean and fit.
Wearing V-neck shirts or tops with a low collar will elongate your neck and draw attention to your most helpful assets.

With a straight body shape, you can detract attention from your waist and hips by avoiding belts and any dresses or shirts that gather at the waist. To make your legs appear even longer, add stylish pumps or pointy high heels to perfect your outfit.

ROUND BODY FIGURE

If you have inherited a round body figure with a voluptuous bust, narrow hips and a round tummy, there is no need to shy away from chic styles. Celebrities like Kate Winslet have become fashion icons with their voluptuous bodies and you can too. With characteristically lean legs, rounder types will find that their best bet lies with showing off their legs and shapely hips. Accessorize your outfit with narrow belts that blend with the color of your outfit and you will be model ready in no time.

Tops

Avoid too tight (plays up large breasts too much) and too baggy (just makes you look heavier). Opt for fabrics that skim the body, preferably knits and wovens with stretch for a better fit.
Wear attractive tunics and steer clear of tight fitting clothing so that your round stomach will seem lean and fit while drawing attention to your trim legs.
Wearing tops with a longer neckline and avoiding broad collars and polo necks can diminish attention from your full bust and can help your neck appear extra lean.
V-neck, boatneck, turtle and mock necks and shirt collars are your most flattering necklines.
Play up nice cleavage with a peak, not a to much. Especially appealing: a pretty lace-trimmed cami showing under a jacket or top.
Avoid full sleeves or puffy sleeves.

Bottoms

Balance out a top-heavy figure with an A-line skirt that will give you the look of a waist and more of an hourglass look.
Choose flat-front, never pleated, pants that have a lower rise than the natural waist.
Five-pocket jeans are your friend! Front pockets on jeans help disguise a tummy problem, while back pockets can help define a flatter rear common to top-heavy women.
Avoid anything too tight -- from pencil skirts to skintight jeans -- because it will only accentuate top heaviness.
Play up nice legs with shorter (an inch above the knee) skirts.

Dresses

One-piece dressing is tricky for you. Best bets: A sleeveless black sheath, a soft princess seamed dress, a strapless dress with corseted top.
Resist the urge to cover up head-to-toe: showing a little skin, whether it's bare arms or shoulders, is much more flattering.

With simple changes to your outfit, your body shape fears can be a thing of the past. Always remember to accentuate your best features to detract from your most troublesome areas and you will be an exemplary model of first-class fashion.

Handbags, the Right Style That Suits Your Shape

As we all known a handbag is an essential item for all women and it is becoming more difficult for us to choose the right one because of the amount of different styles and shapes now available. But it is important that when you are selecting a new handbag you look for one that suits your body type.

Whilst oversized and large handbags are ideal for the tall and slim amongst us a smaller handbag can make you look even taller. There it is preferable that you select a small one and the most suitable kind for tall, thin women is either a clutch, oversized or shoulder bag.

Whilst shorter women should be looking at small handbags at all times. A larger handbag can be overpowering and make them look even shorter and looking for a tight fitting short handbag which is held against the body will make them look taller.

However, if you one of the luck ones who is blessed with a curvaceous body then opt for a medium sized handbag which hangs just above your waist. Not only will it accentuate your waistline but it will make your body look even more flattering than it already is. Yet women who are of a plus size should avoid handbags with short straps and short handbags at all times, but carrying a larger, wider bag they are making themselves look smaller.

You will find that there are many classifications of handbags now available from the shoulder, to the hand held, to back packs, tote bags and the clutch. You will usually find that a should bag comes in a much larger size than most handbags and will always be worn over the shoulder. Not only do they come in a variation of shapes and sizes but they also provide you with more space inside as well as being very stylish at the same time.

However handheld handbags which come with straps or handles are normally held in the hand and used as a fashion accessory only. They are often smaller in comparison to many other handbags. But if you are looking for something to use when out in the evening, say going to a party or a nightclub then a clutch handbag will probably be your best choice as they are small and need to be held in the hand at all times. Whilst the tote bag is specifically designed to be used for casual purposes, they usually come with one or two compartments which will provide you with enough space for all items you wish to put inside.

Then we come to back packs, the staid item of any student as they can carry their books with ease in one of these and because it has 2 straps which are placed on each shoulder the weight inside is balanced equally.

The handheld handbags, with straps or handles, are held only in the hand. Used for fashion purposes and for strolling, these handheld handbags are smaller compared to the other handbags. The tote bags are mainly used for casual purposes. With a simple color and one or two compartments, these tote handbags provide a lot of space. They are big bags and fall around the elbow, in the middle of the body.

But at the end of the day the type of handbag you use will depend completely on your own sense of style and taste and also when you will be using it or the place you will be taking it to. It is advisable to select a handbag that suits your mood and personality.

Why Women Love Handbags!

Most women absolutely love handbags – something which is a bit of a mystery to men! Some women spend thousands of dollars a time on that perfect handbag, so just what is it that drives women to spend so much on such a small, material thing?

It’s All About Fashion!

Handbags really can make a girl feel special and they help to create a look. Whether you are going for an urban chic look, or a girlie girl look, there is a bag out there to suit you. They also ooze confidence and a woman with a stylish handbag generally sends out a confident message.

However, a handbag is not just for fashion purposes. A lot of them are an absolute must for business women. They have to be able to carry important files, make-up and all the latest business tech stuff, which means that the handbag has to be practical! This has led to a huge range of stylish yet practical bags by top designers such as ‘Louis Vuitton’, ‘Miu Miu’, and ‘Valentino’.

Popular Shape Handbags

Tote - An open-top bag with straps or handles.
Hobo bag - A crescent-shaped shoulder bag.
Duffle - Tall shoulderbag, often with a wider opening on top.
Field bag - A flap-top shoulderbag with utility-type closure (buckles, snaps, etc).
Clutch - A small, handheld bag (frequently used for evening wear).
Satchel- A large, handheld bag.
Baguette - Long and rounded shoulder bag resembling the namesake bread.
Messenger - A large, soft shoulder bag with long straps (often worn across the body).
Cigar Box - A small, boxy, hard bag.
Pouch - A soft, small bag.
Kelly bag - A classic Hermes style named after Grace Kelly; a large, structured handbag with distinctive hardware closures.
Jelly Kelly - No relation to the Hermes original, it's a bright rubber tote

Many women’s handbag addictions are getting so out of control that they are running out of room in their closet. However, if you fall into this category too, there really is no need to worry. Some companies have designed special handbag holders which basically hang up and you can fit at least six handbags on them!

Overall, handbags are more than likely going to remain popular. Only women can understand how important they are in every day life. So, if you really want to spoil the woman in your life, buy her a handbag today!

Charm Bracelets Basics

Besides a wedding or graduation ring, there is a piece of jewelry on the market that has the capacity to signify some of the best moments in your life. Charm bracelets are placed around the wrist with numerous decorative trinkets dangling about. These small pendants are meant to symbolize the things most important to whoever wears them.

Often, charm bracelets are started at a memorable point in a person’s life, usually given to them as a gift. This is referred to as a starter bracelet and every once in a while, as new events and memories arise, the wearer will add to their bracelet. A perfect example of this is when an expectant first-time mother receives a charm bracelet. She may add to the bracelet after her child is born during various milestones. Relevant charms include baby booties, pacifier, a tooth, teddy bear and their initials.

The History of Charm Bracelets

Charm bracelets have a history dating back to the Neolithic era and were used as a way to ward off evil. The jewelry form of these amulets weren’t fully realized until Egyptian Pharaohs began creating charm bracelets from pieces of metal and precious stones. During the early 20th century, charm bracelets became a feverish fad as Queen Victoria began wearing them. This time, additional items were placed on the bracelets, such as glass beads, family crests and small lockets containing images of loved ones.

The Charm Bracelets of Today

Today, anyone can have an interest in charm bracelets, whether it is for the art of collecting or to display their warm memories. They are given to love ones on the day of their graduation, wedding or sweet sixteen-birthday party. Best friends, mothers and bridesmaids are also common wearers of charm bracelets. A mother may have a charm to represent each one of her children.

Charm bracelets can be obtained from catalogs, department stores, antique jewelers, as well as fashion boutiques. You never know when one will present itself. Charm bracelets and their accessories are often tucked away in hotel gift shops and art shows, as well as flea markets.

Choosing a Charm Bracelet & Charms

There are three main sizes to choose from when picking out a charm bracelet: small, medium and large. This may also determine the amount of links available for a charm. For instance, a medium bracelet provides room for 18 charms. The number of links can always be subtracted or added at any time. Once you have the bracelet, the next important thing is to collect the charms. When choosing charms, you should familiarize yourself with their meanings. For example, a ballerina signifies that your dreams will come true. Elephants stand for cherished memories and a key symbolizes a happy home.

Charm Bracelet Prices

Depending on where you purchase a charm bracelet, you will find that the market is filled with numerous price ranges. Some can cost as little as $5, while others may set you back $500. It is the quality, material and charm detail that often dictates the price of a charm bracelet. Today, Italian charm bracelets are quite popular. The age of the charm bracelet is also a factor. There are vintage pieces that date back to the 1930s that will fetch quite a high price.

Whoever is responsible for creating your charm bracelet will also influence the price. For example, a diamond and platinum charm bracelet from Tiffany & Co costs $15,000 with nature-themed charms attached, such as a dragonfly and salamander. The Louis Vuitton charm bracelet costs $25,000 and features a bottle of champagne and a charm of the world. Often, these bracelets are given as gifts without the intention of charm collecting.