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.