Month: January 2020

Given below are some of the types of Sarongs:

• Indonesian: There are many different types of patterns which are made on the Indonesian Sarongs. These patterns are made as a result of a dying method which is referred to as “batik”. The person who dyes them is known as the batik artist. He makes use of wax paper and places them on the portions of cloth which they do not want to dye. This art of batik is very popular and common in Indonesia. It is practiced in Java and in Bali. The climate of Indonesia is normally hot and humid; and because of the climate it is no wonder that the people of Indonesia love wearing Sarongs. Also the fabric with which Sarongs is made is very light and breezy. The patterns made on men’s and women’s Sarongs are different. The Sarongs of men usually have a checkerboard pattern on them.
• Hawaiian: These Sarongs are very beautiful. They can be worn by women along with their plain swimsuit as they look very glamorous and elegant. They can also wear them like short skirts and enjoy the breezy costume. There are many different types of patterns made on these Sarongs. The patterns of Hawaiian flowers are the most popular patterns. You can wear a kikoy sarong while you are on vacation as it gives such a glamorous look and adds style to your Hawaiian vacation. You can also take these Sarongs home as gifts for friends and relatives.
• Weddings: For most of the beach weddings, having Sarongs as the dresses of bridesmaid and the bride can be a good option as these Sarongs flow with the breeze of the beach and adds a comfortable yet stylish look to the while beach environment. The bride can easily walk around in these Sarongs and would not mind the sandy environment and would not even feel bad if the Sarong gets a little dirty from the bottom. Most of the wedding dresses of Sarongs are made up of a silky material and so they can even be used a honeymoon lingerie.

Men simply love Sarongs as they are casual and comfortable. There are many colors which are available for men. Some of the common colors include green, charcoal green, brown, deep red and many other masculine colors. There are also the ones which have gold accents. These gold accented ones are more popular and most of the men go with these Sarongs. Men can wear these Sarongs whenever they go to a beach or on any of the pool parties. They can wear them as scarves by wrapping them around their necks or wear them around their waists. They can also be given as a great gift to men.

Sarongs can be worn very easily and they give a very versatile look. They are worn in different ways according to the different cultures and the different geographical features. According to these features these Sarongs can also have different patterns and designs on them. The colors can also vary according to the geographical features of a place. There are different colors worn by men of different cultures and geographical situation.

The Sarongs can also be made into different things and utilized into different functions rather than just wearing them as summer clothes for men. They can be made into homemade bags, table cloths, scarves and many other things. You can also wear Sarong on holidays as they give a very fashionable yet a cozy look. You can also gift them to someone on any on the occasions. They are the simple things which can accessorize and spice up your otherwise dull wardrobe. The best thing about these Sarongs is that they never go out of style and they are also quite affordable.

I can tell you one thing. It wasn’t easy. Building my wardrobe has been and continues to be an ongoing process of curating and editing. Here’s how I took control:

• I re-evaluated my shopping and spending habits. I used to think the “perfect closet” meant owning every possible top and bottom combination – a kind friend would’ve called my collection “eclectic,” whereas an honest one would call it a “hot mess.” My wardrobe was bursting at the seams and I still had “nothing to wear.” WTF. One day, I came across Dead Fleurette’s post on maintaining shopping resolutions and investing only in 4-5 items each season and felt inspired to do the same.
• I had to let go of what wasn’t working, including the excuses. “It will come back in style!” “It’ll fit again someday!” “This will look cute for wine tasting!” “I can wear it when I’m pregnant!”

An easy nix? Anything that was beyond repair. GONE. As for the rest? I asked myself difficult questions when it came to keeping or tossing an item: Have I worn this in the past year? Does it fit? Will I ever wear it again? Does it fit my personal style? Is it comfortable? Am I holding onto it for any reason other than guilt or nostalgia? Do I LOVE it? If I answered “no” to any of these questions, I had to get rid of it. Despite my separation issues in the beginning, I eventually managed to edit down my wardrobe to pieces I truly loved and still wore (most important!).

With a smaller and more manageable wardrobe full of pieces I find inspiring, I no longer have “nothing to wear.” I splurge on quality, tailored items that I know I can wear to death and save on fun, trendy pieces for an instant wardrobe update. Most of the outfits I wear during the day can work through the night with a quick shoe change and an accessory or two.

• I performed a wardrobe inventory. I looked at what I had and compiled a list of the missing gaps. At the beginning of my cleanse, my wardrobe required more foundational pieces – a fitted black blazer, a knee length trench, a slim cropped ankle pant, an ankle boot (in black and neutral), and a closed toe nude pump – and once I found those pieces, I began experimenting with other colors and silhouettes.
• I figured out my personal style. As I was whittling down the contents of my closet, I made a mental note of my “go-to” items and decided what I liked about them. I noticed I tend to gravitate towards neutral colors and like to pull my outfit together with fun, statement pieces – such as a wide brim hat, a faux fur scarf, or a bold ring, etc. – to give it a personal touch or two. The beauty of it all? Even if I deviate from my neutral palette and buy a colorful, O.T.T. (over the top) print in the form of paisley genie pants (yes, genie pants), I know it will work with the foundational pieces I already have.
• I followed the “one in, one out” rule. Every time I bought something, I got rid of something. My space wasn’t going to get any bigger and neither should my wardrobe.
• I gave my compulsive shopping addiction a break. For a while, I steered clear of malls, online stores, and fashion blogs and vowed not to shop until I paid off my outstanding credit card debt. My balance reached “zero” in less than two months. I also noticed a shift in my shopping habits. I approached shopping for clothes the same way I do for furniture – selectively and carefully! Full disclosure: The impulse buy happens, but it rarely does and I don’t beat myself over it.

ON SHOPPING FOR INDIVIDUAL PIECES:

• I look at the tailoring. Does it fit? Is the silhouette flattering on my shape? If it’s a jacket, I make sure it fits me in the shoulders. Any wide sleeve can be slimmed out with a good tailor, but alterations in the shoulders can be tricky and expensive.
• I ask myself, can I boogie in it with ease? I’ll start doing yoga poses in the fitting room to quickly assess how the clothes move when I move. My favorite poses? Vrksasana (tree) and Trikonasana (triangle) for pants and Urdhva Hastasana for tops. If I could comfortably do the poses in the garment, then I buy it. Namaste.
• I make and keep a virtual shopping list on my iPhone. It helps me remember what I need slash want. I refer to it often and update it with new items or remove ones I no longer want (yay, money).
• If I don’t love something, it does not come home with me. If you’re single, apply that to people too. Just kidding. But if you want, I can get into that another day. Settling for “just okay” pieces (and people) can cramp your style and closet! Pool your funds together and buy a great investment piece instead of several “mediocre” ones.
• I stick to a budget. Over the past six years, I parted with over 100 items. I sold whatever I could and put the money towards my “wardrobe fund,” along with no more than 10% of my salary. If I’m running low on my wardrobe fund, I refrain from shopping. I rarely use my debit or credit card and pay for all my wardrobe expenses with cash.

I save more, spend less, and can now afford a pair of Christian Louboutins (on the same salary!).

I even helped my boyfriend go through his closet and LOVINGLY forced him to make difficult (and, at times heartbreaking) and important decisions about the items in his closet. We set aside a few hours and made sure we felt motivated to dig in and get to work. Four large garbage bags full of clothes later, he could finally see the entire contents of his closet.

If you have 10-15 minutes, I highly recommend you read “Secrets of French Girls” by Ellen Wallace (via Dead Fleurette).

Some of my favorite excerpts:

Those French girls look better than we do. The women all looked pretty and sophisticated in a carefree, natural way. They had on clothes my American friends might wear: denim skirts, nice shirts with pullovers, and low-heeled shoes. There was nothing overtly French about their features and coloring, yet they looked Parisian to the core. None of them was doing anything an American friend might not try, but somehow the total look wasn’t the same.

So, a few nights later, I decided to proceed to step two: Ask the French. This task proved more successful, although I could see the Parisiennes were wondering why I was asking such elementary questions. One of the earliest lessons a French girl learns is to invest well in her clothes. “Chic is knowing how to buy something that will last,” Pascale told me. “My basics must last for at least five, and often ten or fifteen, years. By basics, I mean clothes that I can wear from morning through the night. Maybe in the evening I’ll add a special necklace and bracelet, or a dressy belt – the accessories make the difference.”

Judy feels that there are three basic differences between French and American women. “French women are more self-confident in general, and this carries over into dressing. They are willing to experiment – say, to roll up the sleeves of a silk shirt and wear it with jeans or stick a gold belt on jeans. I can’t think of any American woman who would do that until she had seen it in a magazine.

The greatest difference, she noted, is that looking nice has become a habit for French women. “At 9:00 A.M. at the corner market, I’m the only one with my hair in a ponytail and no makeup. American women either get dressed up – and when they do, you know they’re dressed up – or they simply ‘throw something on.’ There’s no such phrase in French! French women simply don’t go around looking sloppy.”

Another guest, Isabelle, had just come back from a vacation in Palm Beach. “In Florida everyone wears shorts and T-shirts during the day, then at night they dress up to seduce. In France, seduction is an all-day affair, part of your look, not just your clothes. It isn’t something you turn on and off.”

It may seem like an open and shut case when it comes to wearing a salwar kameez, but there are some guidelines that if followed could bring the results that you want when you look in the mirror. Let’s talk about style and color. There are many salwar kameez designs for many occasions, but the best rule of dress is to consider which flatters your body the best. For example women who are busty or full figured might want to lean toward darker colors and A-line styles while thinner women would probably want to try an anarkali and experiment with a little more texture. Women of darker complexion should consider sticking to darker colors like maroon and browns while lighter complexioned women should consider lighter colors like pinks and light greens. Sticking to colors and cuts of dress that compliment your body will make for a lot of compliments.

Necklines are a very important part of wearing a salwar kameez. The right neckline can redirect attention away from areas that you don’t want, and accent your greatest assets. For the woman who wants to draw attention away from her bust a V neckline could do that for you. For the woman who wants a little more height a Chinese collar will make you look taller. For a woman who wants to play herself up a little bit, she could try salwar kameez designs with different neck lines. It is a small change that can make a big impact.

Designs, additives, and embellishments should also be chosen based on your body type. Stripes provide a slimming look while pleats and thicker designs tend to make you look fuller. To draw attention away from your shoulders try more elaborate embellishments around the neckline and avoid straps. To pull in your stomach try wearing a skirt around your waist and use pleats to hide any bulge. To add a little body to your look try a thicker dupatta if you are thinner. Remember that clothes are made to make you look good. You are the centerpiece not the accessory.

Once you have perfected your wardrobe with the salwar kameez designs of your dreams it is important to maintain them. Cleaning and ironing a salwar kameez should be done with extreme care. It is best just to get an expensive and decorative garment cleaned and ironed professionally. Embroidery is delicate and it should be maintained diligently.

But just what does it take to be called a style icon? Many people think it’s being able to choose the right clothes and the right look. Having the best accessories also helps, like the best bags or the shiniest bling. It means never having to buy designer knock-offs, she never calls other women the “B” word and never ever puts her “competitors” down in public. Age is just a chronological number to her and not something to be feared. She doesn’t think “stay-at-home-moms” is equivalent to not working and the word “stereotype” is not in her vocabulary. Being stylish also means never having to follow any style fad but marching to your own beat and being followed instead. She mixes and matches bargain deals with high-end pieces to make for a timeless wardrobe unmatched by any.

To start being a style icon, you have to understand that stylish women are all about individuality, of not being afraid to show the world their personality. The first step therefore, is always educating yourself on anything and everything new – what clothes match and what don’t, what accessories are great for this look and what isn’t. You can call it learning by theory especially if you observe how the known style icons put their looks together, but once you get the hang of it, you’re on your way.

The next step to being a style icon is to do an inventory of your existing wardrobe. Chuck out everything you’ve had since the 80s and keep those timeless pieces that you can mix and match with modern ones. Mixing and matching can be quite a challenge, especially if you don’t know much about the right combinations so it’s best to start with something “safe” – you know, black on black, black and white, grey and white, etc.

Being a style icon means also being adventurous with your fashion choices. When going clothes-shopping, don’t be afraid to try on different styles to see what looks suit you best or at least what you can carry off without too much trouble. Trying on new colors and new styles will bring out the fashion diva that’s long been buried under baggy shirts and pants. Experiment and have fun and soon enough, you’ll discover the look that’s YOU.

The most important thing to remember stylish women needn’t be on top of the best-dressed lists and for dressing up to become somebody you’re not. Simply put, to become a style icon is to be yourself, to enhance your positive attributes and not dwell on the negatives. It means being happy and content with what you have, how you look and how you are and not trying to be anybody else who fits into the “popular” mode. You can just be in a plain white shirt, blue jeans and a cardigan but still be able to turn heads, not because of what you have on but because of the confidence and contentment you exude.

The Jeans Themselves

First things first, you need to invest in at least one appropriate pair of jeans. Not all will be OK to wear to work or an evening out. To satisfy stricter dress codes, choose dark tones without any bleach effects, frayed edges or rips.

For casual days out you can wear whatever style you feel like; there are no rules.

Work

Most offices will let you wear jeans to work these days, apart from some representing the more conservative industries such as law and finance where dress code standards are generally higher.

It’s still a good idea to keep things smart by pairing your jeans with classic tees, blouses and cardigans.

When it comes to accessorising, a great way to jazz up a plain jeans and shirt combo is by adding a splash of colour with a shawl or scarf. Floral patterns and animal prints are excellent choices.

Team the outfit with a pair of leather flats: brogues or loafers. These are very comfortable yet also professional.

For work the most practical choice is an oversized bag, in which you can fit everything you might need for the office. These look great worn with a simple outfit. A leather bag is best. You could also opt for a satchel.

Evening

Most bars and clubs will let you in with a pair of jeans these days, provided they’re worn with the right outfit combinations. This kind of outfit will also work for events like art show openings and concerts.

Throw on a low cut top in a stand-out fabric like satin or velvet that will contrast nicely with the denim.

Accessorise liberally. Think sky-high heels if you can manage, or at least a pair of sparkly or patent flats.

Opt for a small clutch to carry around your purse essentials.

This is your time to shine so wear lots of jewellery like sparkly earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and brooches. Pair these wisely, however, as too much sparkle can actually end up looking cheap.

Team a sparkly bracelet with simple silver or pearl earrings and a necklace. Try to balance it out.

Casual

It’s great to have the freedom to wear whatever you want on days off and weekends. On days like that you can wear your womens skinny jeans with trainers, plimsolls, or flip flops and still find they look good.

Top off the laid back look with a trilby or sun hat for indie chic. A slouchy canvas bag or basket bag work great to convey the casual image.

The button down collar came about when John Brooks (of Brooks Brothers) was visiting England. Whist at a polo match, he noticed that the collars of the players shirts flapped in the wind. He decided that this needed to be addressed so the manufacture of a shirt with button down collars started around 1896. Brooks Brothers still produce this style of shirt today.

Around 1920, a polo player and haberdasher by the name of Lewis Lacey started manufacturing embroidered polo shirts. The logo used was of a polo player. The design came from the now famous Hurlingham Polo Club of Buenos Aires. However, due to the type of cloth used, this type of shirt is not comfortable when used for sporting activities.

This type of garment was also used by the tennis players of the day, including Rene Lacoste. Around 1926 Lacoste, a 7 times grand slam winner, decided that he had had enough of wearing the uncomfortable attire. He produced his own shirt which consisted of a white, loosely-knit piqué cotton shirt with short-sleeves, an unstarched, flat, protruding collar, a buttoned placket, and a longer shirt-tail in back than in front. Lacoste called the cotton weave jersey petit piqué. Lacoste wore his version of at the US Open Championship in 1926.

By the 1930’s, the Polo fraternity had become aware of Rene Lacoste’s new garment. Because the shirt was so much more comfortable to wear than their existing shirts, they quickly took to wearing the shirt for polo.

In 1933, the Chemise Lacoste company was formed by Lacoste and a clothing merchant friend André Gillier, after retiring from professional tennis. The Chemise Lacoste company marketed embroidered polo shirts in North America and Europe. As part of their branding, the now famous crocodile logo was embroidered on the left breast of the shirt.

By the 1950’s, the term ‘Polo Shirt’ was in common use in America which was the Lacoste design. Although tennis had used this design before the Polo teams, it was, and still is, referred to as the polo shirt.

In the 1970’s, Ralph Lauren introduced his line of shirts. The polo shirt played a prominent part in this line. The garment that Ralph Lauren introduced was not meant specifically for use by polo players but for use by the wider public. He also introduced the now famous logo ‘polo player and pony’ embroidered polo shirts.