Clothing

Clothing (also called clothes, accoutrements, accouterments, or habiliments) protects the human body from extreme weather and other features of the environment. It is worn for safety, comfort, modesty and to reflect religious, cultural and social meaning.

The practical function of clothing is to protect the human body from dangers in the environment: weather (strong sunlight, extreme heat or cold, and precipitation, for example), insects, noxious chemicals, weapons, and contact with abrasive substances, and other hazards. Clothing can protect against many things that might injure the naked human body. In some cases clothing protects the environment from the clothing wearer as well (example: medical scrubs).

Humans have shown extreme inventiveness in devising clothing solutions to practical problems and the distinction between clothing and other protective equipment is not always clear-cut; examples include space suit, air conditioned clothing, armor, diving suit, swimsuit, bee-keeper's costume, motorcycle leathers, high-visibility clothing, and protective clothing.

People also decorate their bodies with makeup or cosmetics, scented perfume, and other ornamentation; they also cut, dye, and arrange the hair on their heads, faces, and bodies (see hairstyle), and sometimes also mark their skin (by tattoos, scarifications, and piercings). All these decorations contribute to the overall effect and message of clothing, but do not constitute clothing.

Articles carried rather than worn (such as purses, canes, and umbrellas) are normally counted as fashion accessories rather than as clothing, but hats and small dress sweaters can be called clothing or accessories. Jewelry and eyeglasses are usually counted as accessories as well, even though in common speech these particular items are described as being worn rather than carried.

In history there have been many societies where it was considered socially acceptable to be naked. In the modern world most cultures find it socially unacceptable to walk around in public without clothes.

Importance of Clothing Donations

There are many ways to donate used clothings to charitable organizations so you can actually make a profound improvement on some individuals well-being. The United Way, the Salvation Army, and Goodwill are the leading organizations that specialize in donating clothing for the needy, so that you can let yourself up of clothes that you no longer were but can they used to to help others.

These organizations are designed to make it quite convenient for you to donate your clothing, and you also get the added benefit of being able to ride out who donated clothing as a tax deduction. Of course, the tax deductions are very small, so maybe you who don't even care about the few measly dollars that you get. Certainly, that's up to you.

Clothing donations for me go a little bit differently than the average American. I live in Berkeley, California, where there are many things called free boxes available for public use. The paybacks is a container that was created exclusively for people to put items in when I want to make a donation. But as it turns out to, it is used almost exclusively for clothing.

Then, people in the neighborhood can come by the free box anytime they want and pick through it to choose which clothing donations they would like to take for themselves, of course with the stipulation that they actually need them. In many neighborhoods, particularly the ones with lots of homeless students, homeless people, or both, you can even put to close out on the curb and be picked up there. People will stop by and grab whatever they need, and sometimes the clothes are snapped up in minutes, and if the clothing is of good quality and the least bit stylish, well that's all the better isn't it? very little will go to waste.

I still believe the best place to drop off clothing donations is Good will or the Salvation Army. They are the established in purveyors of such needs and is well known that they are the distributors that people are well aware. Thrift stores are becoming increasingly more popular these days for whatever reasons and these non-profit organizations have the wherewithal to use almost all of the donated clothing that they receive, since there's such a great need, it's a really good possibility that the clothes will be used. Of course, sometimes it is best to put your clothing donations in a free box. After all, the free box is free – and don't forget that in many cases they really are utilized by those who are in genuine need.

Small Dog Clothes – A Brief History

If you have a small dog, then you more than likely already know all about the various small dog clothes that are out on the market today. However, in case you are not familiar with the items that are available, you should know that they include collars, coats, sweaters, costumes, shoes, shirts and dresses. These things can protect your dog from cuts, scratches and bad weather. Once you see all of these items, you may be wondering just where all of these small dog clothes have come from.

The History Of Small Dog Clothes

The history of small dog clothes dates back to the time when King Arthur reigned Great Britain in 520 A.D. During this time, the knights' horses wore clothing to protect them from external elements and attacks. Dogs were also being used as part of the military and in law enforcement. They also wore clothing to safeguard them from the surrounding environment and in case of an attack.

Today, not only do narcotic sniffing police dogs wear clothing, but there are also entire lines of small dog clothes available for you to choose from. These small dog clothes are great for families who have dogs as pets. Of course, just as fashion changes over the course of time, so does the various styles of small dog clothes that are available.

The Beauty Of Fashionable Dog Collars

Every dog needs to have a collar for holding its identification because if it ever gets lost, you will want to make sure that it can find its way back home to you. However, beyond simply being practical, these collars can also be quite fashionable. As such, this can be the most fashionable part of a small dog clothes' wardrobe because, even when you do not have your pampered pooch all decked out in his small dog clothes, everyone can still see just how pampered and stylish he really is.

You can actually stop to think of this piece of small dog clothes as your dog's jewelry. With this thought in mind, you will definitely want your small dog to have several of these collars. There is definitely a collar available in every style imaginable and for every occasion you may have. Of course, the dogs that are owned by celebrities actually tend to have the most fabulous-looking collars. This is because, just like everyone else, the rich and famous truly enjoy splurging upon fashionable collars for their dogs.

The History Behind Fashionable Dog Collars

Over the course of history, people throughout the world have used fashionable dog collars that are made out of jewels, brass or velvet. This love of dogs is not something new. In fact, in the museum that is located inside of the Leeds Castle in England, there is a collection of dog collars displayed. These date as far back as to medieval times. These collars also contain some form of identification on them, much like we use on our dog tags today.

The Popularity Of Fashionable Dog Hats

Many people are shocked to see such small dog clothes as hats on dogs in their neighborhood. In fact, these small dog clothes oftentimes catch a lot of attention and admiration. Nevertheless, this is the most popular type of small dog clothes on the market today. The reason why people have their dog wear a hat varies from one person to the next and even from one culture to the next. Some of the most popular reasons for a dog to wear a hat are for protection from the weather outside or simply to make a fashion statement of sorts.

The History Behind Dog Hats

The history behind these small dog clothes goes back at least 27,000 years to the time of the Stone Age. At this time, small dog clothes were woven. They included such things as basket hats, caps, sashes and belts. There is archaeological evidence of this found in clay impressions. Evidence also exists in Eurpoe. At this time in history the people were dependent upon hunting and gathering for their food, so this type of clothing was more than likely an aid for them whenever they were getting their food supplies.

Then, in the late 1800's the term "underneath hat" came to mean "keeping something secret." This makes sense since women were the ones who wore hats in the late 1800's. Of course, this idiom is still in effect today. However, today it is usually the spies and celebrities who are wearing hats because they do not want to be recognized by anyone.

As you can see, hats tend to give us a sense of identity in this day and age. For instance, if you wear a baseball hat, you will know what team this person is rooting for. Of course, there are also hats that have the name of a famous designer on it or simply a phrase that will express who a person is.

Today, these things have also extended to small dog clothes. There are dog hats available for every taste and occasion. You can find dog hats with your favorite baseball, football, basketball or even hockey team's logo on it. If these are not what you are looking for, then you can even find more fashionable hats on the market, everything from furry to sheik is out there if you want to purchase it for your pet.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a wide variety of small dog clothes on the market today. While only collars and hats were discussed above, there are also many other small dog clothes available. Some of the other small dog clothes that are available today include:

Shirts, sweaters, dresses, coats, costumes and shoes
Harnesses and leashes
Hair accessories

There are even beds, bowls and carriers available.

Clothes For Your Body Shape

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.

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. 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.

With hips to love and a full bust, women with the classic hourglass figure are in luck. If your body resembles that of Salma Heyak 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.

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.

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. 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. 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. Accessorize your outfit with narrow belts that blend with the color of your outfit and you will be model ready in no time.

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.

Hip Hop Fashion

Hip Hop Fashion, A Very Fast Growing Field Of Fashion

In the hip hop fashion world, few things are the same as in other clothing lines. Because everything in the hip hop world is out of this world, it just makes sense that it has its own clothing line. And, it is one that is fast becoming a hot seller. Sometimes, items sell out faster than they can be put on the shelves. Because of the huge demand and the great looks of hip hop fashion, people just have to have it and wearing it, just means that you know what you are talking about. There are very few other fashion industries that have such a hardcore following. Look for hip hop fashions to keep popping up and becoming more and more available.

But, who says what look is the right look to have? Hip hop fashion is largely based on what the hip hop artists are wearing. Through the use of media such as their videos, concerts, and interviews, they convey the look that is hot. Hip hop clothing, like many other types, is often designed and produced under labels of some of the hottest artists in hip hop. One such example is the G-Unit clothing line. This clothing line was designed in part by 50 Cent, a very well known and often considered on the best artists in hip hop. But, hip hop fashion also incorporates quite a bit of jewelry, the flashier the better. All of this jewelry, from spinning belt buckles to iced out watches can be purchased on the web.

Hip hop clothing can be purchased in a number of different locations. Many times it can be found right on the web as well. In fact, to make sure you have the look you want with the right brands, you need to look on the web because often times stores either do not carry enough and run out or they simply do not carry the full line of clothing. Hip hop fashion is highly valuable and great looking. This comfortable, laid back look is one that is here to stay.

Perfect Dress For You

When you look in your closet do you see dresses that you like or are there many, many old, out of style dresses that you wouldn’t dare be seen in? Fashions do change over time and naturally the cut and style of modern dresses is very different from even 20-30 years ago. Why? Fashions change, tastes change and of course people simply get bored of wearing the same old dresses.

The 1970s and 80s saw the beginning of more divergent trends in fashion. This was the result of the increasing popularity of ready-to-wear collections by major designers, which made fashionable label-conscious dressing possible for the middle class. You’ll find that every store has dozens of trendy labels that portray the image style and class. Today most people simply buy their dresses of the shelf, no need to have each individual item of clothing hand made.

When you’re looking for the right dress to wear, don’t worry too much about it being the perfect one. Dresses come in all styles, shapes, colors and materials. Try this approach: choose a dress style that you feel comfortable and confident in, accessorize it with a few tasteful choices (such as a nice purse) and enjoy your evening out.

The power of the internet allows you to thoughtfully choose and select the dresses that would look best on you. So the next time you look into your wardrobe closet and you’re wondering what to wear, you’ll have a wide range of comfortable, attractive dresses to choose from.

Baby Clothes for the Bargain Hunter

Baby clothing has become very expensive. In this day and age, many new parents struggle to make ends meet and to make certain that they have all of the clothing items that the need for their baby. If you are such a person, you will want to spend some time on the Internet. At this point in time, a new parent can find an array of solid bargains on the Internet when it comes to clothing for a baby.

If you have spent any time looking for brand new baby clothes at stores in the brick and mortar world, you may have found yourself suffering from complete sticker shock. Over the course of the past couple of decades, the cost of clothing for babies has escalated significantly.

In recent years, an ever growing number of parents have turned to the Internet in search of more reasonably priced clothing for their children. One type of websites venue that has gained in popularity in recent years when it comes to the search for lower cost baby clothing is the overstock website.

The typical overstock website generally carries a wide range of different types of merchandise. Oftentimes, you will be able to find a number of different products line for children -- from toys to clothing. In addition, frequently you will be able to find very high end baby clothing products at this type of website -- items that literally have been overstocked in other stores and have been reduced in price at such a site for quick clearance.

There are thousands of different websites in operation now that cater exclusively to the marketing of products and services for babies. These include sites dedicated to the selling of baby clothes. Of course, some of these sites cater to parents who are interested in buying more expensive -- perhaps even designer -- clothing for their baby. However, a large number of these sites have been established to lend assistance to the budget conscious parent in his or her search for more reasonably priced clothing.

Finally, in the grand tradition of hand-me-down clothing for a baby, a parent interested in finding lower cost baby clothing might want to surf over to one or another of the different auction sites on the Net. Through these sites, you will be able to find a large selection of different types of products for children and babies, including clothing. Oftentimes the items being offered for sale -- at very low prices -- at these sites are brand new items.

3 Most Commonly Used Fabrics in Designer Clothing

Designer apparel has become extremely popular over the past decade or so. It was always popular but recently we have seen an overwhelming rise in popularity from this industry. To get the best of the best in designer clothing, choose pieces that incorporate these 3 fabrics into your choices:

Silk

Silk has always been associated with luxury and wealth. There’s something about silk that makes you feel important and when you wear an authentic silk piece, your confidence level goes up a couple of levels immediately. There’s just something about the way the silk hugs your body that flatters every curve, regardless of your shape.

Silk is used for a variety of fashion related pieces. It can be used for skirts, dresses, blouses, scarves, pajamas and lingerie. There are a number of manufacturers who have taken full advantage of the benefits of silk. Some of the designers who have been recognized for creating unbelievable silk designs include Prada, Chanel and Roberto Cavalli. These world renowned designers offer only the best of the best when it comes to their designer clothing and their customers are always happy with their purchases.

Purchasing authentic silk items will benefit you in a number of ways. Not only will it look better because the quality is higher than other materials (or materials that are only 50% silk and 50% other materials) but it will also last longer. A true piece of silk is likely to last twice as long as the “knock-off’ materials. In addition, silk is said to be one of the most comfortable clothing fabrics on the market right now. The sleek, luxurious feel of silk on your body will outweigh the cost in a second. Now you can justify paying twice as much.

Satin

Satin, although usually classified in the same category as silk has a few very distinctive features. Silk is made from insect larvae and is made of small, fine threads. Satin is shinier than silk and usually incorporates some kind of silk fabric into it but has a dull back. Silk is shiny on both sides so you feel the silk against your skin. Satin is perfect for those who don’t like the glossy finish against their body and prefer something a little softer. Generally, satin is slightly shinier, but for the most part, the two are hard to tell apart just from looking.

Like silk and cashmere, there are many designers who have decided to incorporate satin into their magnificent designs. Some of the most luxurious satin gowns have come from prestigious designers like Versace and Valentino. Unlike silk and cashmere, satin has become a very popular material in shoe design. World renowned footwear designers like Nine West have decided to use silk.

Cashmere

Cashmere is known for its long lasting comfort and unbelievably soft appearance. It’s one of those materials that when you see someone wearing it, you just want to touch them because the material looks and feels so incredibly soft. Cashmere is one of the most popular materials in designer clothing because it provides so many benefits. Like silk and satin, cashmere is also long-lasting, comfortable and pleasing to the eye.

There are many designers who have taken full advantage of the popularity of cashmere. Some of the prestigious designers creating cashmere pieces include Kenneth Cole, Michael Kors and Christian Dior. These luxurious designers are definitely the ones to look for if you’re shopping for high quality, stylish designer clothing.

The world of fashion can be a little undermining. Designers have clued into which materials are popular among consumers but realize that they can’t sell their items for low cost if they’re made from this authentic material. So here’s a secret to help you out: Some designers advertise their items as cashmere when in fact they are only partially made of the material. This way, you think you’re getting a deal because you can’t believe you just bought a cashmere sweater for $29.99. Well let me tell you something – nothing good comes for free. Look at the tags on these items and I guarantee you the product isn’t 100 percent cashmere.

Sugar And Spice - Dressing Up Little Girls

I admit it - I'm a total sucker for sugar and spice baby girl clothing. Give me lace and roses, hand-crocheted pinafores, add hand-smocked bodices and I'm in heaven. I've raised two little girls and had a hand in half a dozen nieces, and I'm here to warn you, ladies. If you love dressing up your little girl in ribbons and lace, indulge yourself as much as you can when she's a baby - because it won't be long before she's choosing her own clothes. And honestly, the frilly styles I love just don't suit the average active toddler. So -- get it out of your system when she's a baby - and take lots and lots of pictures.

Just for mothers like me, here are five classic looks for smartly dressed baby girls that will ensure that your little angel will never be mistaken for a boy - till she starts dressing herself, at least.

Hand-Smocked Polly Flinders Dresses

There is nothing in this world that says 'little girl' quite like a hand-smocked Polly Flinders dress. I was lucky enough when my youngest was an infant to find an entire box full of vintage 1950s Polly Flinders dresses, and buy them for a dollar apiece. If you're not familiar with hand-smocked clothing or Polly Flinders, let me give you an idea of what a bargain this is: a search for Polly Flinders dresses this morning turned up a few dozen dresses, including several vintage dresses from the 50s and 60s. The prices ranged from $45 to $175.

The Sailor Suit

What do you get when you cross red satin ribbons, navy blue pin-dotsand a white embroidered collar? Add a pint-size sailor's cap embellished with a satin ribbon and you have one of the most popular little girl baby dresses ever made - a very feminine twist on a little boy's sailor suit. It was one of the classic styles of the 1940s, and never goes out of style.

Ruffled Pinafores

It's a classic Alice in Wonderland little girl pretty - a gingham checked dress with puffed shoulders and a ruffled hem peeking out from beneath a starched pinafore. Pinafores started out as 'aprons' to help save the fancy dress beneath, but soon took on a style of their own. They slip on from the front, and button or tie at the back, and are meant to be worn over an under dress. Ruffled hems and shoulders and dainty embroidery are just a few of the things that make this classic baby clothing style special.

Ruffled Panties

Very little in this life is more adorable than rows of ruffled lace peeking out from beneath the hem of a smocked baby dress. Ruffle-bottomed diaper covers and fancy little embroidered bottoms that are meant to peek out beneath a dress are another of those classic baby girl looks that never age.

Velvet and Taffeta Roses

What's the well-dressed baby girl wear on Christmas? Taffeta and velvet, with lace and roses at the waist of course. Be traditional with a red velvet bodice and ruffled plaid taffeta skirt, complete with a tiny satin rose at the lace-trimmed collar - or let your bolder side out and dress your little darling in black velvet and pink satin. My own favorite of all time was a pearl gray velvet dress with a white taffeta skirt accented with a full-blown satin bow in baby-soft pink.

Fitting Short Sizes Shirts Men

Perfect Fitting Short Sizes Shirts For Short Men

For Jose Tineo, a chance encounter led to the perfect fit, both personally and professionally.The owner of his own computer services company, Jose was summoned to Giorgenti Company headquarters almost a year ago to help solve a sticky hardware problem. As a roving IT specialist, he was accustomed to seeing many different kinds of businesses. But the concept of an online shirt maker specializing in short sizes seemed especially intriguing to the lifelong small businessman because Jose, more than just a self-made entrepreneur, was the classic victim of ill-fitting shirts for short men.

“Since I’m a curious person, I wanted to know all about what Best Custom Shirt did, and I wanted to figure out how they could offer customized shirts in short sizes.” recalls Jose. To his delight, business owner Janine Giorgenti not only patiently explained her operation, she offered Jose the chance to try a short men shirt.

“She even said she’d take my measurements so I could try one of her shirts made for short sizes,” Jose marveled.

He admits he was more than a bit skeptical. As a short-statured, powerfully built man, he’d simply resigned himself to the fact that store- bought short sizes shirts didn’t fit. But having garments custom-made was also beyond consideration.

“I’m five foot four and 180 pounds and I’m pretty bulky, not fat. And whenever I bought a stock shirt,” relates Jose, “I would have to compromise. The right neck size wouldn’t match my sleeve length, or the right chest size would have a tail that fell almost to my knees. I found myself having to buy shirts for fat men in order to be able to button the collar.”

When Janine’s sample short men shirt arrived, he was bowled over. His new garment was not only reasonably priced, it was downright smashing.

“I loved the shirt so much, I immediately placed a couple of orders,” relates Jose.

In one fell swoop, Jose has been transformed from a victim of ill-fitting, unflattering garments, to a man with the polished look of a suave and sophisticated professional. His brief introduction to the world of custom clothing spoiled him forever.

“It was just amazing. I would get compliments when I visited old friends in the workplace. They could see the difference right away,” states Jose.

Even better, self-consciousness gave way to confidence.

“Now,” boasts Jose, “I feel like I look great when I dress, and I don’t mind promoting that fact, because I truly feel that having these shirts actually helped to broaden my horizons. I thought I knew how to dress before, but now I know how it feels to really dress well. I’d had no idea how many ‘flavors and colors and styles’ shirts come in. I'd never thought of wearing cufflinks or trying different kinds of collars. Actually, Best Custom Shirt helped me to understand what a professional man should look like.”

It did something else, too. It convinced him that this was a business with a future; a place that inspired trust.

“I was so impressed at how well they did business online. They have formulas they’ve come up with in terms of fit and style that are based on 15 years of experience. And they have a website that can really help people,” he enthused.

So it was no surprise that when Jose heard Best Custom Shirt was seeking a new head of customer service he suggested himself. What better spokesman, he asked, than a truly satisfied customer? Just to be extra careful, he also did some additional due diligence.

“I like to do research on everything I’m doing, so I personally checked out the competition. Believe it when I tell you there’s nobody out there that provides the services that Janine does – from the beginning, when you place the order, to the end, when she ensures you’re satisfied with the purchase,” assures Jose.

A few weeks later, he assumed the post of customer service director.

“Now, I check to make sure all our interactions with customers have gone well. In a typical week, that probably means dealing with about 400 to 500 people who either call, or ask questions or want swatches or a price quote or who want to find out something more about our program for short sizes,” explains Jose.

He adds, “The typical day might involve someone who calls and says, ‘I need to expedite my order. ’Thankfully, that’s really rare, but when it happens, my job is to immediately get on the phone and track down the order, solve any problems that might be involved, and give the customer the full update, along with an assurance about when their custom dress shirts will arrive.”

Jose’s ultimate goal is to guarantee complete satisfaction, not only to ensure a job well done, but to live up to Janine’s high standards for her custom dress shirts.

“I make sure to resolve any misunderstandings so that both parties are ok. Janine has a one hundred per cent satisfaction guarantee on all custom dress shirts and I make sure to honor that,” he underlines.

Jose’s employment with Best Custom Shirt has now confirmed his initial notion that the perfect spokesperson for a product is a satisfied customer. Besides, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I love my custom shirts,” enthuses Jose, “and I feel really good about serving customers who buy our short men shirts , because I know they’ll have the same reaction I did.”

For more information on custom dress shirts for short sizes please visit

Rotating Seasonal Clothing

Seasons are changing and it is time to think about putting away your summer or winter clothing—depending on where you live---and getting out the clothes that have been stored away.

This is a good time to look at every article of clothing you have in your closet. Take out each one and check it for rips and stains. Analyze if you still like it, if you even wore it this year and if you want to keep it. The statistic is that 80 of what we have hanging in our closets.

When you find something that needs repairing then place it in a basket to be mended. I prefer a basket because the items can be seen and in a bag they can be forgotten. "Out of sight, out of mind." Either take these items to the room where your sewing supplies are if it is something you can fix or place it in a pile to give to someone else to mend. If it needs mending but you know you will never get it done do not hang on to it. Get it out of your closet. Either give it to someone you know would like it (letting them know the problem) or donate it to a charity.

For clothing that needs to be dry cleaned place in a bag and take it out to your vehicle, then when you are out and about you can drop it at the cleaners. Schedule the day you will go to the cleaners in your planner, the chances are greater that you will get the articles there. If your clothes are dirty or have stains on them now is the time to wash them and remove stains so you can put them away clean. The longer a stain is left the harder it is to remove.

For the clothes that are clean and in good repair but you don't see yourself ever wearing them again, or don't any more donate to a local charity.

Now the clothes you are keeping for next year which are left in your closet either move to a different closet in your home, or possibly store in a large garment box movers use. The clothes can hang and you can put the box in your garage or storage room. If your closet is large enough you can move your clothes to the back of your closet if you have no where else to move them to.

For the clothes you fold, place in plastic bins that are clearly labeled on the outside. You can label the boxes by using a label maker or a 3X5 card taped with clear packing tape on the outside of the box. You can label either by the season or just seasonal.

Go through your coat closet and take out winter coats and winter sport clothes and put either in a different closet or with your seasonal clothes.

After you have taken out all of your seasonal clothes take the 'current season' clothes and organize them in your closet. Check to see if any of these need repairing or cleaning in case they slipped past inspection last year.

Shoes can be stored with out-of-season clothing. Clean and polish all shoes and boots and check to see if they need repairing. If they do, now is the time to take them to the shoe repair shop. Place them in a bag and put them in the car so they can be dropped off when you are out and about. For tall boots to keep their shape and prevent creases insert an empty paper towel roll into the boot and store them upright. Or stuff with tissue paper.

By rotating your clothes you have space in your closet to see what you have to wear and it is also a time to weed out clothes you don't want to keep.

Buying Petite Clothing Made Easy

All you girls 5’ 4” and under, fight for your right for high quality fashionable clothes! Many petite women find it difficult to find properly fitting quality clothes. It’s only recently that designers target petite women with fashionable clothing.

This year, fashion is all about you and your style. Fashion is about confidence. If you feel great in an outfit, others can’t help but feel your vibes.

In the past petite women had to settle for ill fitting regular clothes in run-of-the-mill sizes. But that’s long in the past. Today’s petite women find more and more stores devoted to meeting the needs of the short statured.

Petite framed women can wear just about any style and look slimmer and most importantly taller, by following a few simple rules.

Avoid bold, large patterns with heavy fabrics. Keep print in proportion to your figure. Smaller frames deserve smaller prints.

Avoid styles that draw the eye to the waist or hip area. These tend to make you look more round.

Avoid too much jewelry. Jewelry can overpower a small frame.

Wear light weight material when layering. Too much bulk bulks up the petite woman.

Avoid wearing contrasting colors such as black skirt and white top when wearing separates.

Wear the same color from head to tow to create a continuous flow. Blend similar colored shoes and hose to appear taller.

If wearing boots, make sure the hem of your skirt is long enough to cover the boots. This will create an unbroken line to help give a slenderizing affect.

Skirts should be slightly above the knee and always worn with heels. Below the knee skirts tend to make the short statured woman look stubby.

Heels are a must for the vertically impaired. High-heeled shoes guarantees that your legs will look longer and leaner.

So if you are yearning for pants that don’t drag the floor or shirts with sleeves the correct length, look in the petite section of your favorite store. You’ll have everyone turning their heads whispering “Who’s that fab girl?”

Motorcycle Protective Clothing

Everything that goes in the name of protective gear may not necessarily be as safe as the claims may be. In Europe, for example, apparel has to undergo a series of lengthy tests to qualify as safety clothing. These include abrasion, tearing and impact tests. If they are passed they are CR certified. In the US, where there are no such tests all riders should acquire a set of motorcycle protective clothing by keeping the following points in mind:

1. Wear a sturdy pair of high boots and protective pants. Your pants should be reinforced at the knees and hips and the boots should be made of thick leather with flexible sole.

2. Traditional motorcycle gear has been made of leather, but thick nylon and other synthetic material are good too. If you must wear jeans wear Kevlar ones; they are more abrasion resistant. The same goes for jackets too. If it is made of leather make sure the leather is thick and the jacket’s elbows and shoulders are reinforced. Some impact protection would be ideal.

3. Get yourself a decent pair of gloves with reinforced palm patches. This is absolutely essential because palms get terribly bruised during a fall. Knitted Kevlar is a very good choice; reinforced leather works well too.

4. Wear impact protection gear. They are available separately. You can also go for motorcycle clothing with a degree of impact protection built in. This way whenever you wear clothes you have at least a degree of protection.

5. Choose the right helmet. This is absolutely imperative. The helmet is the most important protective gear that you can have, never get on to the bike without it.

At the minimum, when you are on your bike you must have the following:

a. Helmet: Make sure it is DOT certified, and fits your head snugly.

b. Eye Protection: A full-face shield, three-quarter helmet, goggles, or close-fitting eyeglasses should be used to provide adequate protection to the eye.

c. Gloves: Since we reflexively put our hands out while falling, the palms are likely to get bruised unless there is protective covering on them. This is why gloves are so important.

d. Jacket: Jackets protect the bikers against the elements and also provide some impact absorption on falling.

e. Long trousers: Long trousers can protect your legs against insects, bugs and highway debris. They also provide some impact protection against falls.

f. Above-the-ankle footwear: These cushion your feet in case of a fall; they also protect your feet against stinging insects.

Motorcycle Protective Clothing

Everything that goes in the name of protective gear may not necessarily be as safe as the claims may be. In Europe, for example, apparel has to undergo a series of lengthy tests to qualify as safety clothing. These include abrasion, tearing and impact tests. If they are passed they are CR certified. In the US, where there are no such tests all riders should acquire a set of motorcycle protective clothing by keeping the following points in mind:

1. Wear a sturdy pair of high boots and protective pants. Your pants should be reinforced at the knees and hips and the boots should be made of thick leather with flexible sole.

2. Traditional motorcycle gear has been made of leather, but thick nylon and other synthetic material are good too. If you must wear jeans wear Kevlar ones; they are more abrasion resistant. The same goes for jackets too. If it is made of leather make sure the leather is thick and the jacket’s elbows and shoulders are reinforced. Some impact protection would be ideal.

3. Get yourself a decent pair of gloves with reinforced palm patches. This is absolutely essential because palms get terribly bruised during a fall. Knitted Kevlar is a very good choice; reinforced leather works well too.

4. Wear impact protection gear. They are available separately. You can also go for motorcycle clothing with a degree of impact protection built in. This way whenever you wear clothes you have at least a degree of protection.

5. Choose the right helmet. This is absolutely imperative. The helmet is the most important protective gear that you can have, never get on to the bike without it.

At the minimum, when you are on your bike you must have the following:

a. Helmet: Make sure it is DOT certified, and fits your head snugly.

b. Eye Protection: A full-face shield, three-quarter helmet, goggles, or close-fitting eyeglasses should be used to provide adequate protection to the eye.

c. Gloves: Since we reflexively put our hands out while falling, the palms are likely to get bruised unless there is protective covering on them. This is why gloves are so important.

d. Jacket: Jackets protect the bikers against the elements and also provide some impact absorption on falling.

e. Long trousers: Long trousers can protect your legs against insects, bugs and highway debris. They also provide some impact protection against falls.

f. Above-the-ankle footwear: These cushion your feet in case of a fall; they also protect your feet against stinging insects.

Buying Petite Clothing Made Easy

All you girls 5’ 4” and under, fight for your right for high quality fashionable clothes! Many petite women find it difficult to find properly fitting quality clothes. It’s only recently that designers target petite women with fashionable clothing.

This year, fashion is all about you and your style. Fashion is about confidence. If you feel great in an outfit, others can’t help but feel your vibes.

In the past petite women had to settle for ill fitting regular clothes in run-of-the-mill sizes. But that’s long in the past. Today’s petite women find more and more stores devoted to meeting the needs of the short statured.

Petite framed women can wear just about any style and look slimmer and most importantly taller, by following a few simple rules.

Avoid bold, large patterns with heavy fabrics. Keep print in proportion to your figure. Smaller frames deserve smaller prints.

Avoid styles that draw the eye to the waist or hip area. These tend to make you look more round.

Avoid too much jewelry. Jewelry can overpower a small frame.

Wear light weight material when layering. Too much bulk bulks up the petite woman.

Avoid wearing contrasting colors such as black skirt and white top when wearing separates.

Wear the same color from head to tow to create a continuous flow. Blend similar colored shoes and hose to appear taller.

If wearing boots, make sure the hem of your skirt is long enough to cover the boots. This will create an unbroken line to help give a slenderizing affect.

Skirts should be slightly above the knee and always worn with heels. Below the knee skirts tend to make the short statured woman look stubby.

Heels are a must for the vertically impaired. High-heeled shoes guarantees that your legs will look longer and leaner.

So if you are yearning for pants that don’t drag the floor or shirts with sleeves the correct length, look in the petite section of your favorite store. You’ll have everyone turning their heads whispering “Who’s that fab girl?”

Modern Plus Size Clothing

Modern Plus Size Clothing: No Need To Sacrifice Fashion

Locating plus size clothing for larger women can be a difficult endeavor. Fortunately, more businesses have begun to cater to this previously unserved segment of the population with attractive and well fitting garments in a variety of styles and sizes.

Plus size clothing should be selected according to your own personal preferences such as vibrant colors or flagrant prints. Accessories such as belts and scarves can update an outfit that was in a style that is now out of fashion.

Is there a plus size bra in your lingerie collection? Recently, a study showed that 70-85% of women's bras are the wrong size. Getting measured for a well-fitting bra isn't embarrassing. Usually, you won't even need to take off your shirt. Most plus size clothing stores have someone on staff that's trained to find your bra size, and the perfect bra for you.

It's nearly time to set forth on your large size clothes shopping spree. Consider the events in your future. Are there any weddings on your calendar or maybe a cocktail party at work? This is the time to buy that perfect large size outfit.

Take the time to select a dress that's just right for you now that you can choose from so many large size fashions. Perhaps you would look best in an elegant gown with empress sleeves or maybe you'd enjoy a sexy little short-skirted shift. You may be a larger woman, but you needn't wear garments down to your ankles because of that.

Do not fear joining completely different eras and designs. Purchase items you enjoy wearing, and that complement your body type. Bigger ladies can more easily wear daring dresses and show more cleavage. That can be emphasized with showy necklaces to draw the eye to that area.

You should make sure to be honest with yourself. For instance, simply try clothes on and ignore the size numbers. If the item fits and feels good, buy it. Don't be upset if you are a size 18 and the item says a size 20. Remember, you are not your dress size, so make sure to buy what feels and looks best on you.

Survival Clothing

Survival Clothing For Outdoor Emergencies

Maybe you don't need to learn about survival clothing. Maybe you always hike with a spare jacket. Perhaps you never go out into the wilderness overnight, but just for day hikes. Or you bring lots of warm clothing when you do go backpacking.

Nonetheless, hundreds of people die or come close to dying every year from exposure. They thought they were prepared. They didn't expect their clothes to get wet from falling in a stream, they didn't think they'd be out there for the night, or they get lost for days.

Coming down from Mount Whitney I met several young men in t-shirts on their way up, determined to get to the top. They had no gear, and not enough time, but they probably made it there by sunset anyhow. They also certainly didn't make it the eleven miles back to their car before dark. It was below freezing that night, so I imagine they were uncomfortable at best.

Quick Survival Clothing

What survival clothing could they have made in that situation? One of them did have a light jacket. He could have used his t-shirt as a hat (a lot of heat is lost through the head) and filled his jacket with the fluff from the cattail seedheads for insulation. (Cattail down was once used to fill those old orange life preservers.)

Insulation is the important principle here. You can stuff a jacket, shirt, sweater or pants with dry leaves, milkweed down, bracken ferns or almost anything that creates a lot of "dead air space." It's better if you have two layers to sandwich it between, but being itchy is better than being frozen in any case.

In a jam, you can also use the flat leaves of cattail plants to weave a vest that will block the wind and some rain. Two bread bags full of milkweed down or other silky plant fibers make warm mittens (tie them at the wrists). A plastic bag full of the same could be tied onto your head as a hat.

Usually, you'll do better to look first at what you have, before looking to kill animals for their skins, or weave grass skirts. If you have a sleeping bag, it can double as a coat - just wrap it around you. Socks can be mittens, and garbage bags can be made into snow pants.

A garbage bag can also be a raincoat. Otherwise, tie bunches of grass tightly together along a string or strip of cloth, and then wrap it around your shoulders. This will repel a light rain. You can fashion a rain hood of birchbark as well.

In the desert you can make a sun-hat of large leaves, like those from a fan palm. String some together to wrap around your shoulders to prevent sunburn.

You'll probably never have to use animal skins for survival clothing. You might never lose your shoes and need to glue tree bark to your feet with pine sap, for hiking. Still, knowing how to improvise a few basic pieces of survival clothing can make you more comfortable, and possibly save your life.

Methods of clothings

4 Gardening Lessons Revealed: Planting Methods, Tools, Crop Rotation & Clothing

1. Planting Methods: There are several methods for planting.

Picking any of these methods depends on the vegetable, the size of your garden, and your fondness. Three methods of planting, namely, single rows, wide rows, and hills are clarified as follows:

A) Single Rows: In this method, seeds are sown in rows or lines that are spaced equal distances apart. The distances between the rows and between the seeds within the rows differ from vegetable to vegetable. If you want the rows to be straight, which gives a pleasant appearance to your garden, stretch a string between two stakes and sow the seeds along it. If you think this is too much work, use a stick to mark a line on the ground and try to make the line as straight as possible. With some training, you will get it straight.

B) Wide Rows: In wide row planting, seeds are sprinkled at equal spacing in both directions over a wide area. The width of the row varies from 6 to 16 inches. The row's width is limited by your arm's reach to the area in the middle of the row while standing at the edges. We find that wide rows are convenient and productive for peas and beans. In addition to giving high yield per unit area, they cut down on weeds. Wide rows are also good for starting leaf vegetables like lettuce and spinach. When the seedlings emerge, they can be thinned and transplanted elsewhere. Double rows are a special form of wide rows.

C) Hills: In hill planting, 3 to 5 seeds are sown close to each other. They need not be sown on a formed hill, as the name implies.

This method is used for example when planting zucchini and cucumbers.

2. Gardening Tools: There are many gardening tools available on the market today. The basic tools you'll need are a shovel, trowel, steel rake, tomato cages, and a water hose or can. The shovel is used to till the soil, mix potting soil, move soil around, and cut the weeds if they grow big. Some gardeners use a fork instead of a shovel to till the soil, but we don't.

The choice is yours. The trowel is used for cultivating the weeds, transplanting the seedlings, mixing soil or fertilizers, and filling containers with soil. The steel rake is used to grade the soil and to compact the soil over the seeds. Tomato cages are indispensable for supporting tomato plants. You can also use them to support running plants such as cucumbers and peas. Without them the plants will collapse on the ground and their fruit will get into contact with the soil and eventually decay. A hose or a can is used to water the plants in the garden and within containers.

3. Crop Rotation: Crop rotation is the practice of planting each vegetable in a different location each year. The advantages of crop rotation are:

A) The chances of transmitting diseases and insects to next year's crop are very much reduced. Certain diseases and insects attack certain vegetables. These diseases and insects move from the plants to the soil, where they winter. If the same vegetable is planted in the same spot the following year, the diseases and insects will surface from the soil and attack the new plants once again.

B) Each vegetable absorbs trace amounts of specific minerals from the soil. If the same vegetable is planted in the same spot year after year, the minerals the vegetable needs to grow healthy plants will be depleted, resulting in a meagre harvest.

C) The roots of legumes (peas and beans) have bacteria that soak up nitrogen from the air and fix it on the roots of the plants and in the soil. To take advantage of the nitrogen they fix in the soil, the legumes should be followed by a leafy vegetable, such as lettuce and or spinach, which both need nitrogen-rich soil. This is one of the techniques organic growers use to grow vegetables without the use of chemical fertilizers. It may be impractical to rotate every crop each year if your garden is small.

This difficulty can be overcome by taking the following measures:

(1) choose disease-resistant vegetable varieties, (2) keep your garden clean of rubbish, and (3) watch for insects and diseases. If a plant becomes teeming with insects, pick them by hand; if a plant is infected by a disease, pull it from the ground and dispose of it.

4. Proper Gardening Clothing: In the course of gardening, your footwear and clothes are likely to be soiled. You walk on dirt and or mud, your clothes make contact with plant leaves and stems, and your hands are soiled. You are also exposed to the sun. Your shoes accumulate mud and will soil the floor if you walk directly into the house. Therefore, you should have a pair of aged shoes set aside for gardening. Put them on before going into the garden and take them off before entering the house. Leave them in the garage or put them in a bag until you use them again.

Also, have special clothes for the garden. If you don't, your ordinary clothes will be soiled no matter how careful you are. To protect your hands and fingernails from collecting dirt, use a good pair of garden gloves. Some are washable and can be reused again and again...

Please feel free to forward a copy of the "Gardening Online Newsletter" to any of your friends and associates.

Happy Gardening,

Coordinate Men's Clothing

Coordinate Men's Clothing: Colors and Pattern Matching

It is common for most men to face dilemma in mens fashion coordination. Our typical questions are:

How to match colors for mens dress shirts and mens dress pants?
How to coordinate checks with stripes?
What are the colors suitable between my suits and ties?
Are the colors and patterns matching my suits and ties?

These questions kept popping up because men generally has a poorer power of visualization than women. Men can not imagine the way things look like based on the colors and patterns through imagination. So there is a strong reliance for pictures to provide guidance for men's dressing.

Therefore, I will attempt to address these concerns and provide the fundamental information necessary to achieve the best coordination. When we look at color coordination, there are two aspects to focus on: Coordinating mens clothing against our complexion and creating color harmony between different hues and shades.

For dealing with colors involving our complexion, we would not want to wear colors that brings out the negative aspect of our complexion. For example, if you are very fair with light colored hair, then you should not be wearing pale colored shirts like yellow or white that will wash out your facial complexion further. Instead choose earthy colors to warm up the face with vibrancy.

Color combination between clothing would require the understanding of hues and tones. It is the similarity and contrasting criteria of hues and tones that brings the harmony when combining these colors. We must learn how to use the vivid colors against the dull and light colors to accentuate different parts of your men's clothing. It catches attention and yet not steal the focus away from your face.

For mixing pattern, there is coordination between pattern of same design and patterns of different designs. The ultimate challenge is mixing three or four patterns together but not looking ridiculous at all. The fundamental art of working with patterns is the understanding of scales and sizes of patterns so that you can merge them together without creating tension or strong clashing vibration.

Overall, the aim of coordination for colors and patterns is to achieve naturalness as well as bringing out the best blend that brightens up the man’s overall look.

In order to learn the art of achieving the best coordination, we would have to play around with our clothing to realize the concept. Thereafter, mixing and matching colors and patterns would just come as a natural flow in you. It is through the consistent trial and error that we build up our knowledge of what goes with what and how we can best coordinate them.

Vintage Clothes Shopping

The Hows and Whys of Vintage Clothes Shopping

Why Vintage?

Why would anyone want to wear vintage clothing? First of all, it's fun! When you wear vintage, you stand out from the crowd. The chances of someone else wearing the same exact outfit to that special event are slim to none. More and more high school girls are shopping vintage for dances and proms because it guarantees originality. Yasmine, a vintage clothing collector from Los Angeles, says, "I wear vintage so I can add a little something authentically retro to my clothing and not look the same as everyone else, which is difficult in style-conscious L.A.."

Vintage clothing is also nostalgic. Remember the good old days when there were party lines and soda shops? Me neither, but wearing vintage gives a girl the chance to experience a small part of history. In today's ambiguous world, it feels nice to pull on a crinoline and full feminine skirt once in a while. Let's face it: grown-up girls like to play dress up, too!

For the thrifty, the prices on vintage items should be incentive enough. Local thrift stores, flea markets, and yard sales are excellent sources of old clothing at unbelievable prices. Broke? Go volunteer to help clean out grandma's attic! I've gotten several vintage pieces handed down to me since I began collecting about two years ago.

Online Shopping

The internet has made it easy for vintage clothing enthusiasts to comparison shop and buy items that may not be available in their area. Type "vintage clothing" into any search engine and you'll get hundreds of results. There are a few things you should know before purchasing vintage wear online, however.

Carol, owner of Dandelion Vintage, a fun and inexpensive online Vintage Clothing shop based in New Jersey, recommends that first-time buyers be aware of what it means to buy and wear vintage clothing. "It's not like something new and fresh from Macy's, it's going to feel different and smell differently (there is no "new" clothing smell) and the items do need to be treated a little more carefully," she said, adding that customers should always ask questions up front about the garments, especially if they are unsure of the size or condition. When shopping vintage online, she says, be sure to read the site's terms of sales, ordering procedure, and return policy before ordering.

There are many different styles and eras to choose from. Items from the late 19th century on up through the 1980's are available. Whatever your style, you're sure to find something to suit you. Carol suggests customers buy what they like and avoid following trends, which is excellent advice when it comes to collecting of any type.

Making it Work

Vintage clothing can be teamed up with modern apparel or mixed and matched with other vintage pieces. Back in L.A. Yasmine says, "I find that wearing head to toe vintage is just not practical in day to day life, but by adding a few pieces I can create a look that is uniquely my own. I often buy high-end designer shoes and team them with a $1.00 vintage dress and a Gap cardigan. The look is pulled together and definitely mine."

There you have it: vintage clothes are fun, affordable, and enable the wearer to create and maintain an original look. So what are you waiting for? Go shopping!