Girly Fashion

We invented the word "girly" for the latter 1990s when "fairywear" fluttered out of the realm of apple-cheeked, Snugglepot toddlers and primary school ballet concerts into proper fashion for grown-up women.

We wafted then, in rippling leaves and wings of sheer chiffon, georgette, organza, muslin, tulle and mousseline.

The swankiest boutique evening-wear racks smacked of Sugarplum dreams - all flitter-flutter and sparkle-arkle - and never mind that most of us baulked at the principal palette of flossy-pinks and creamy-creams, and resolutely took our girly stuff straight, thanks, in Melburnian black.

Now, here we are again. (So soon!) All the breathy, barely there fabrics are back with bells on (sometimes literally), and the girly trend has been revived in godmother frocks such as Paris Hilton's (pictured), and fancy, fairylike gossamer alternatives (as shown by Marella Ferrara, below, in Rome recently) with all the tinkly, sugary trimmings: paillettes and lace, scattered crushed crystals, silky petals and satin ribbons. (So swee-eeet!)

Silver and gold, ivory, pink and pale pastels have dominated the new palette, but the look is less fattening, if you ask me, realised in sour, albeit sophisticated, black.



Source : http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/02/11/1076388424123.html?from=storyrhs

Girly T-Shirt Fashion

A woman in my congregation has spent some considerable time in Africa and told a story of women from a tribal group that were new Christians now coming to church. They wanted to express praise by way of one of their tribe’s dances. It became obvious during the dance that this was a traditional fertility dance, lots of hip action and provocative moves. After the service, the pastor said to someone in private, “Look…I’m only human–I think maybe that dance was too sexy for church!”

Tensions between cultural expression and notions of propriety are universal. I also deal with it, not in dance, but in fashion, as a Christian designer of ladies wear. Today’s styles for ladies are fitted, figure flattering, and sometimes skimpier than we’ve seen in the past, so then are they “too sexy for church”?

The emergence of ‘uber-pink’ women’s fashion, however, may give us even deeper pause. Where did this wind blow from, exactly? What happened to the grungy, one-size-fits-all-genders-look that I remember like it was yesterday? What should we make of the huge popularity of the girly styles niche?

Assessing the Trends: Is Girly ‘Good’?

As Christians we seek to help shape culture even while we’re at the same time being counter-cultural, as needs be, wherever our faith is at clear odds with certain trends and prevailing outlooks. But where are the lines? Many may sense a repulsion or subliminal disconnect with this article’s title, wondering, perhaps, how ‘girly’ and ‘Christian’ can live peaceably in the same phrase.

Still, at its heart, “girly fashion” may be expressing something good, if only because it’s possible to understand its current significance as a letting loose of gender-blurring unisex clothing and a re-embracing of the inherent, created differences custom-designed by the One who “made them male and female”(Genesis 1:27). A delight in the differentiating work of God in creation is one characteristic that sets Christianity apart from Gnosticism and Monism.

So, viva la difference! Love your curves–celebrate womanhood! Still, many will ask, what about ‘modesty’? This word is used in the New Testament in passages specifically concerned with women’s dress (I Tim. 2:9-10/ I Pet: 3: 3-4). Indeed, while millennia apart from us, these ancient texts may be the closest thing we have to scriptural witness on women’s fashion. They are also the ‘bugaboo’ texts as many women’s apprehensions are that a “Christian dress code” is intended. Yet two things of significance should be noted that contextualize these passages.

The Bible On Ladies Wear

The first observation is that these passages, in their own words, are less about prescribing specific standards for dress and more about the essence of beauty coming from within, rather than from outward adornment. The second is that the ‘modesty’ being urged is almost certainly (though perhaps not entirely) economic, that is, a modesty of means. It’s far less clear that women in these new first century congregations may have been flaunting their bodies, as it is that they were flaunting their wealth, dressing to out-class! Gold, pearls, braided hair, and expensive clothes are specifically named, clearly the ‘bling’ of Greco-Roman era ostentatious, status-seeking fashion choices. Even the wording around ‘braided hair’, in the original language, carried the meaning of rolling costly gems into the hair’s braids. So will buying pricier clothes ‘cure’ immodesty? These passages seem to be nudging in the opposite, dressing down direction.

Notwithstanding, a sense of ‘modesty in all things’ trails with the leading thought if only because the clothing is also a metaphor of the recommended virtues (dressed in ‘good deeds’ would be over the top if literal!) and because ‘decency’ and ‘propriety’ are also mentioned. I for one wonder about a society whose women’s wear seems to move in a more and more baring direction. Personal motivations, even in fashion choices, are also to be wrestled with, though as with all matters of conscience, a spectrum of differences is surely predictable (dare I say even enjoyable?) Here I think C.S. Lewis was on to something when he noted that notions of modesty, while universal, change from time to time and from culture to culture.

New trends have a way of becoming standard, commonplace classics, and society at large adjusts. Is “dressing like man-bait” someone’s actual motivation or is it the judgment of sectors of society not accepting of the new trends? This question was an aside with which audiences were being teased in the movie “Erin Brockavich” (though undoubtedly after a manner that many Christians might find unsatisfactory.)

Along these lines, perhaps we should take our cue from the mini skirt, once thought to be scandalous, but now an everyday classic even in business circles. Was the 53-year-old mom in a mini who recently came to church to pick up her daughter from my church’s youth group trying to be ‘immodest’ or ’scandalous’? Or was she simply making a wise and now classic cool-down fashion choice on a hot summer’s night? She’s a friend of mine– I’ll opt for the latter! Among the people of God, isn’t there room enough to make room for each other when it comes to personal expressions like style and fashion? Perhaps that’d only be Christian.

Source : http://shirtandshort.wordpress.com/2008/10/28/girly-t-shirt-fashion-a-christian-designers-appraisal/

Michelle Obama picks inaugural She fashion mix

WASHINGTON – Michelle Obama mixed her wardrobe choices on her first day as first lady, showing that she is indeed that modern style icon who embraces new designers as well as retail standbys, high fashion and mass market.

The white, one-shouldered gown, covered in fabric petals and dotted with beads, that she wore to the rounds of balls Tuesday night was by 26-year-old Jason Wu, a rising star in the fashion world but otherwise not well known.

"Her support means so much to designers who can't afford to advertise," said Nicole Phelps, executive editor at Style.com.

The fitted-bodice, gathered-skirt gown was a departure for Obama, who has made a sleek sheath her signature silhouette. She also has shown a fondness for jewel tones. The Isabel Toledo lemongrass-yellow ensemble she wore to the inaugural ceremony and parade was much more what the public has come to expect from Obama.

But the ball gown, worn with red-carpet-worthy dangling diamond earrings by Loree Rodkin, still felt fresh and different.

"It's soft, feminine, but powerful; I wanted to convey all that in a dress," Wu said. "I wanted it to look like a sign of hope."

Hamish Bowles, Vogue magazine's European editor-at-large, who curated the Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute exhibit on Jackie Kennedy in 2001, called the gown "supreme modern elegance. A pitch-perfect choice: appropriately formal but romantic and imaginative."

Clearly President Barack Obama approved. "First of all, how good-looking is my wife?" he asked a cheering crowd just before their first dance at the Neighborhood Ball at Washington's Convention Center.

He wore a single-vent, notch-collar tuxedo with a white bow tie and an American flag pinned to its lapel.

The gown's slight train swirled pleasingly and the new first lady's shoulder-sweeping earrings picked up the gown's sparkle.

It caused a stir on the Web, as devoted fans debated whether it best suited Obama's figure — and their high expectations.

Regardless, the gown will be donated to the Smithsonian, according to tradition, the first lady's spokeswoman said. Surely it will be noted that fellow first ladies Jackie Kennedy and Nancy Reagan also wore white inaugural gowns.

The fashion industry has anxiously looked to the election of Obama for months, embracing his wife as an ambassador, along the lines of Kennedy.

Long loved for her willingness to confidently mix high and mass fashion, Michelle Obama didn't disappoint in accessorizing her day look: green gloves by J. Crew and green patent leather pumps by Jimmy Choo.

"What's so powerful about Michelle Obama is we all see ourselves in her," said red-carpet and magazine stylist Mary Alice Stephenson. "She's a modern woman who is fashionable and even flamboyant in her style and she is still taken seriously."

Toledo, too, said she wanted her outfit to convey optimism.

"I didn't want a traditional blue or red," Toledo said. "That color has sunshine in it. I fell in love with it. So did she."

Whether or not everyone loved the looks, that message clearly came through.

"What I recognized more than anything from our new first lady and Hillary (Rodham Clinton) and everyone else is that everyone was fresh," said fashion designer Kai Milla, wife of Stevie Wonder and an invited guest to the swearing-in ceremony.



Source : http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/obamas_fashion

The First lady wears white gown by 26-year-old designer

WASHINGTON - First lady Michelle Obama celebrated her husband's inauguration Tuesday night wearing a white chiffon, one-shoulder gown covered in fluffy appliques and beading that will now become part of fashion history.

Designed by 26-year-old Jason Wu, much loved in the fashion world but otherwise not well known, the gathered-skirt gown was surprising for its reserve given Michelle Obama's love of jewel tones and sleek silhouettes. Yet it was unconventional too, exposing her much-remarked-upon, well-toned arms.

The gown's slight train swirled pleasingly and her shoulder-sweeping earrings picked up the gown's sparkle as she and President Barack Obama danced the evening's first dance at the Neighborhood Ball at Washington's Convention Center.

"First of all, how good-looking is my wife?" the president asked a cheering crowd.

The gown will be donated to the Smithsonian, according to tradition, the first lady's spokeswoman said.

Haraz N. Ghanbari / AP Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill dance during the Commander in Chief's Ball.

Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, wore a red strapless gown.

President Obama wore a white bow tie with a single-vent, notch-collar tuxedo and an American flag pinned to its lapel.

The fashion industry has anxiously looked to the election of President Obama for months, embracing his wife as an emblem and ambassador of modern style, who wears clothes from young designers as well as mainstream American retailers.

Earlier in the day, Michelle Obama won applause from style-watchers for the sparkling yellow sheath dress with matching coat by Cuban-born American designer Isabel Toledo that she wore to the swearing-in and parade.

The lemongrass-colored dress was applauded as a cheerful message of hope and a vote for the American fashion industry. In some light, the embellished ensemble took on a pale greenish cast, coordinating nicely with green gloves from J. Crew and Jimmy Choo green patent pumps.

The Obama daughters were style icons in their own right, with Malia, 10, in a double-breasted periwinkle-blue coat with a blue-ribbon bow at the waist, and Sasha, 7, in a pink coat with orange scarf and satin belt, a coral-colored dress peeking out at the hem. Their coats were from Crewcuts by J. Crew.

Wu, who has only shown a collection since 2006, and Toledo, who had a short stint at Anne Klein but is considered relatively avant-garde, are exactly the kinds of designer Obama gravitates toward.

"There is nothing that comes close to this moment," Toledo said, speaking in New York. "It's not just my moment and hers, but it's the world's...It's not only what she's wearing. It's what the moment represents."

Toledo said she chose the lemongrass color for the optimism it represents.

"I didn't want a traditional blue or red," she said. "That color has sunshine in it. I fell in love with it. So did she."

That unusual shade of yellow "really popped" on Michelle Obama's complexion, said fashion designer Kai Milla, wife of Stevie Wonder and an invited guest to the swearing-in ceremony.
"What I recognized more than anything from our new first lady and Hillary (Clinton) and everyone else is that everyone was fresh," she said.

The overall day-look was largely a hit.

"She's off to an auspicious start," said Hamish Bowles, Vogue magazine's European editor-at-large who curated the Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute exhibit on Jackie Kennedy in 2001.

"Mrs. Obama's choice today was appropriate, dignified and elegant, but it also had a considerable element of fashion panache," he added. "She's finding great American talent."



Source : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28761010/

First lady's ball gown should be bold

Michelle Obama's to-do list before Jan. 20 surely is long, and somewhere on it must be choosing her inaugural wardrobe.

Whatever Michelle Obama wears first to the ceremony and then the ball celebrating her husband Barack as the 44th president, she and her outfits will instantly become two of the longest-lasting images of modern history.

And there'll be global reviews from real style insiders as well as armchair critics mere seconds after the public gets its first glimpse of the new first lady, who is already considered a fashion icon. To this day, people still talk about Jackie Kennedy and her stunning white gown with a chiffon-covered beaded bodice and her regal full-length cape.

This isn't a fashion decision to take lightly, says Bridget Foley, executive editor of W magazine and Women's Wear Daily, recommending Obama try on many looks before making her final choice.

"The dress will live in perpetuity and it will go into the Smithsonian," Foley says.

"I'd like to see Michelle Obama take the elegant route — and push it," she adds. "There are so many wonderful clothes out there but so often people in the public arena think they have to play it safe. I think she should really look around and try something long and curvy — with color. That would work."

A strong color, symbolic of a strong, confident woman, was a consistent answer as from fashion designers asked about their vision for Obama and special gown. Other suggestions:

Badgley Mischka
There should be a little beading or embroidery on her gown to fully bring the dress to life, says Mark Badgley, but it shouldn't be overdone — that would detract from Obama's modernity.

"She can bring a breath of fresh air to Washington, and she can bring a youthfulness to first-lady attire," partner James Mischka says.

They envision her in something like a turquoise gazar gown from their upcoming spring collection. It's a strapless silhouette, with guipere lace down the front and a fishtail hem.

"An inaugural gown has to be important and breathtaking," Badgley says.

Lilac and berry shades, as well as tangerine and ocean blues would all be lovely options, they say, but they'd advise her to steer clear of black. "She should look a little more `up,'" Badgley says.

As for the Obamas' daughters Malia and Sasha, the designers say their outfits should reflect their ages — 10 and 7, respectively, and not be too glamorous. Ruffles would be good, and so would a color that coordinated with their mothers' choice, Mischka says.

Tracy Reese
Reese says she met Obama at a fundraiser and was impressed with the way she carried herself — and her clothes. "She'd look awesome in something shapely and fitted," Reese says.

"I'd serve up something with color, a nicely fitted bodice and some ease through the skirt so she could be comfortable but be feminine."

Obama successfully achieves the balance of wearability and style on a regular basis, Reese says. "She likes fashion but her day is long, so her time for clothes is short."

Whatever Michelle Obama wears first to the ceremony and then the ball celebrating her husband Barack as the 44th president, she and her outfits will instantly become two of the longest-lasting images of modern history.

J.Crew
No one was as surprised as Jenna Lyons, creative director, when Obama appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in an outfit that Obama declared was purchased online from J.Crew.

Other than pride, Lyons says that experience gave her the feeling that Obama would bring to the White House the sensibility of a modern working mother.

As for a gown, Lyons would like to think that J.Crew could be a contender.

"We do chinos and T-shirts but we also do bridal so we understand about the big day ... and this is the biggest coming out party in the history of the world," Lyons says, noting she's already called the brand's best fabric vendors seeking swatches.

"I'd go with something simple, elegant, colorful — something to play up her strong shoulders and beautiful skin."

Zac Posen
Posen created a Web site ahead of the election called Fashion the Vote, encouraging voters to dress up when they went to the polls.

He'd turn up the volume even more for the first lady in a bright color and harness "the power of shape and structure."

Anna Sui
Sui, a favorite with young party girls, suggests an hourglass, A-line cocktail dress from her spring runway. It has a white background with a sophisticated, graphic floral print in black and white.

It "runs the gamut from trendy to conservative," Sui says in an e-mail, but it's also a youthful cocktail length.

Best & Co.
Catherine Moellering, president of childrenswear label Best & Co., says she'd take cues from their mother in dressing Malia and Sasha in styles that can be worn on multiple occasions and still always hit the appropriate note.

For Malia, she advises separates — perhaps a bubble skirt and cashmere twin-set sweater. "It's a little more chic, and you don't feel like you're in the dress your little sister is wearing," Moellering says.

She sees the girls wearing jewel-tone blues. The color and fabric, maybe taffeta, would make them coordinated but they shouldn't match.

Of course Sasha's dress needs a high twirl factor. "She's just going to capture everyone's heart. She should look like a princess with a bow and petticoats," Moellering says.

"If you look at the way Michelle dresses, she developed her sense of style early on and I think it will be the same for these girls."

Source : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27649596/

Fashion of Ball Gown

HE MOST SUMPTUOUS evening gowns designers had to offer for the spring '05 season were on display at a recent charity ball luncheon recently held at Saks Fifth Avenue in tiny Greenwich, Conn. The 25 members of the Bruce Museum's Kaleidescope Ball committee oohed and aahed over the exquisite gowns the Saks couture team culled from their top stores around the country.
Greenwich couture manager, Theresa Walsh, shared interesting tidbits about some of the gowns as a model tried-on and displayed the ladies' favourites. ‘Did you know,’ she asked the gathering, ‘that Nicole Kidman wore this black velvet gown in the now famous “paparazzi” Chanel No. 5 TV spot?’ Everyone loved the dangerously low-cut back on the “Nicole gown” but colour, and bright colour at that, won the day.
The gowns that generated the most excitement were the Bill Blass "kaleidescope" gown, which sold that very afternoon to one of the committee chairs, and a Vera Wang stunner in emerald green chiffon that Ms Walsh accessorized with matching Manolo Blahnik strappy stilettos. Other favourites were Robert Danes' turquoise bias gown and Oscar de la Renta's flounced "snow white" and coral affair. The winner though, was a coral silk jersey column dress by Yigal Azoural that Grace Kelly herself would have loved. •

Vivian Galtier Kelly is features editor-at-large for Lucire.

INSET: The Chanel No. 5 gown as worn by Nicole Kidman. TOP RIGHT: Nicole Kidman in her Chanel No. 5 advertisement. CENTRE RIGHT: Vera Wang. BELOW RIGHT: Oscar de la Renta.

Source : http://www.lucire.com/2005a/0730fe0.shtml

Strapless Fashion

At last, a strapless dress you can wear to work. Bare shoulders were everywhere at New York Fashion Week, but so was a new take on the layered look: strapless dresses with knit tops underneath.

Monday's fashions were better suited to women who don't need a job, though. Uptown girls who lunch will have plenty of options come fall from classic designers who stayed true to their styles.

Carolina Herrera, Halston and Oscar de la Renta were among the early marquee shows. The looks were tailored and trim (Herrera), flowy and retro (Halston) and embellished (de la Renta).

There was barely a touch of the trendy fashions that have dominated the runways so far, including rock 'n' roll style and miniskirts. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week runs through Feb. 8.

Carolina Herrera
When Carolina Herrera does country, only an English countryside manor will do. The fall collection she presented was full of brown, blue, mustard yellow and a lot of feathers.

Models donned Peter Pan hats with their windowpane coats, riding pants and even taffeta cocktail dresses. Many of the outfits also featured ornithology-inspired prints — one was delicate wing print and the other was a more colorful bird print.

The bird print was stunning on a chiffon embroidered gown dotted all over with ostrich feathers. For those who prefer a more subtle look, there was a strapless gown in bronze taffeta with a feather waistband.

Herrera definitely continued with the emerging trend of adding something fancy to an otherwise more casual outfit, or the reverse — adding something cozy to an elegant evening ensemble.

Peter Som
Peter Som's newest collection featured many of the traditional trappings of fall — tweed, flannel and a little bit of fur — but he tweaked them just enough to keep the fashion crowd wanting a little more.

And more they'll get. While Som previewed his own label Monday morning, he'll debut his collection for the Bill Blass label on Thursday to largely the same audience of stylists, editors and retailers.

The first Som look was a "bathrobe" — apparently a code word for a cozy coat — made of navy plaid flannel worn with a blue ink-blot chiffon dress. Another unexpected look was a black goat shrug, with a long, double-layer cashmere cardigan with a full boucle skirt.

Some of the designer's colors, especially the pretty blues and greens on his "ivy" print, seemed more likely candidates for a springtime scene in a Monet painting, but worn under a subtle black-and-gray, panther-print coat, the bright colors provided just the right pop.

Miss Sixty
Good times were rolling for Miss Sixty as the brand, which made its name in denim, sent out a full-fledged fall collection that largely got a thumbs' up from a fashion-savvy crowd that included Anne Hathaway, Chloe Sevigny and Ashley Olsen.

The theme of Sunday night's runway show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week was the free spirits of the late 1960s and early '70s, with a backdrop of old Volkswagen bugs to emphasize it. Notes from creative director Wichy Hassan highlighted Miss Sixty's commitment to sexiness, glamour and irony.

The opening look was a navy, brown and ivory strapless print dress with a tiered skirt that was worn with a beaded, fringed belt. There was an earthy sexiness to the outfit that set the tone for the rest of the show.

Gap
Just as there's no reason to reinvent the wheel, there's no reason to reinvent the basics of the American wardrobe such as the leather jacket, cargo pants and the boyfriend sweater.

Patrick Robinson, the new chief designer at Gap, wants to give them an update instead.

Robinson unveiled his debut collection for the retailer Sunday — and it's worth noting that Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour was among the first to see the presentation that included airy blouses under button-front blazers for women and a jersey hoodie sweater for men.

Come fall, expect to see new fabrics, including suede on a great cream-colored drawstring coat for women, and a more sophisticated color palette. Instead of the primary colors, you'll be seeing a lot more teal, dark purple and charcoal gray at your neighborhood Gap.

Source : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23000116/

fashion Trends camisole sets have dramatically grown in popularity for women and men only

In recent years,in fashion Trends camisole sets have dramatically grown in popularity for women & men. Part of this growth is due to a new trend in wearing the camisole top as outerwear. Trendy camisole feels comfort for every occasion, all age group accept & enjoying a surge of recent popularity.Camisole sets, like many sexy lingerie items too, have a rich and varied history.

Chemises Besides loincloths, chemises are perhaps the oldest known form of underwear for both men and women. Historically, chemises were long, simple pieces that were worn underneath the clothes of both men and women, beginning in the medieval era. Although Gradually camisole change in to vest shape that acceptable by men and women both and chemises never really disappeared until the early 20th century, changing fashions required variants on the chemise to be created. Perhaps the biggest changes in the history of lingerie occurred with the rise of the corset.

Of Corsets and Camisoles Corsets began in the Renaissance period, when straight, boyish figures went out of fashion and décolletage became the new ideal. Corsets of this era were fairly rudimentary and fit easily underneath the chemises of the time. As corsetry became more elaborate and dress styles changed, however, it was necessary to find a garment that would hide the corset without adding unwanted bulk. The solution was the camisole. Camisole sets, however, were far in the future.

By the Victorian era, a tiny waist and large bosom were considered the height of fashion. This effect was achieved through the tight lacing of heavy corsets. However, traditional chemises were quite long, effectively hiding the corset but adding the illusion of weight. The new camisoles, by contrast, were short and light. They easily hid corsets but were not bulky. Camisoles quickly joined chemises as must-have fashion items. As modern panties had not yet been invented, however, camisole sets were not yet available.

The 1920s The flapper era of the 1920s was a time for increased liberation for many women. This era marks the beginning of the sexy lingerie age. As teddies became shorter, tighter and sexier, some designers experimented with separating the two pieces. This was the beginning of modern camisole sets.

The 1930s to the 1980s Sexy lingerie styles gradually became progressively more risqu, particularly during the sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s. However, it was the heady aftermath of the sexual revolution that would dramatically change lingerie styles forever.

The 1980s Stars like Madonna ushered in a new trend - underwear as outerwear. For the first time, lingerie came out of the bedroom and onto the world stage. This underwear as outerwear trend set the stage for the camisole sets of today.

Modern Camisole Sets

Today, camisoles are a basic staple in the wardrobes of females from teens to adults. Camisole tops and matching panties are generally sold as camisole sets. The panties may remain hidden, but increasingly, the tops are designed to be worn as outerwear. A typical camisole top serves multiple functions. It can be worn alone with jeans or a skirt. It can provide an interesting layered effect when worn under a sheer top of a contrasting colour. It can also provide an important layer when dressing for cold weather.

Of course, camisole sets can also be highly erotic. Camisole sets that are designed for the bedroom are available in a wide range of colours, styles and fabrics. The pieces are soft and comfortable yet sexy and daring, offering an option for sexy lingerie that many women love.


Source : http://anthonifashion.instablogs.com/entry/fashion-trends-camisole-sets-have-dramatically-grown-in-popularity-for-women-men/

Camisole Fashion

A new trend in wearing camisole tops as outerwear is partly responsible for camisole sets enjoying a surge of recent popularity. Camisole sets, like many sexy lingerie items, have a rich and varied history. Provided here is a brief look at the history of camisole sets.

Chemises Besides loincloths, chemises are perhaps the oldest known form of underwear for both men and women. Historically, chemises were long, simple pieces that were worn underneath the clothes of both men and women, beginning in the medieval era. Although chemises never really disappeared until the early 20th century, changing fashions required variants on the chemise to be created. Perhaps the biggest changes in the history of lingerie occurred with the rise of the corset.

Of Corsets and Camisoles Corsetry began in the Renaissance period, when straight, boyish figures went out of fashion and décolletage became the new ideal. Corsets of this era were fairly rudimentary and fit easily underneath the chemises of the time. As corsetry became more elaborate and dress styles changed, however, it was necessary to find a garment that would hide the corset without adding unwanted bulk. The solution was the camisole. Camisole sets, however, were far in the future.

By the Victorian era, a tiny waist and large bosom were considered the height of fashion. This effect was achieved through the tight lacing of heavy corsets. However, traditional chemises were quite long, effectively hiding the corset but adding the illusion of weight. The new camisoles, by contrast, were short and light. They easily hid corsets but were not bulky. Camisoles quickly joined chemises as must-have fashion items. As modern panties had not yet been invented, however, camisole sets were not yet available.

Teddies Thanks to the increasing athleticism of young women at the turn of the 20th century, bloomers became extremely popular. Meanwhile, corsets were no longer in fashion due to mounting concerns over possible health risks. In this climate, the teddy was born. Teddies could be considered the earliest example of camisole sets. At that time, teddies were one-piece garments featuring a camisole attached to a pair of baggy shorts.

The 1920s The flapper era of the 1920s was a time for increased liberation for many women. This era marks the beginning of the sexy lingerie age. As teddies became shorter, tighter and sexier, some designers experimented with separating the two pieces. This was the beginning of modern camisole sets.


Source : http://fashionbreaking.blogspot.com/2009/01/camisole-sets-sexy-lingerie-at-its-best.html

Fashion Trends 2009

Long Formal Party Dresses

Event dressing is just like any other, the golden rule is: keep your clothing appropriate. This rule is just as important for more informal office dos as for formal events. The key word is 'appropriate' rather than 'inappropriate.'

With careful planning ahead, you can be the belle of the ball. Begin by deciding on your hairstyle for the event. This may take some weeks to sort out, especially if you need to change hairstyles and learn to manage the new shape. Follow this advice with some magazine or internet research on fashion trends and styling before going shopping for your party dress.

As you can see strapless styles are one of the prettiest of the current looks. With advance planning, you can look as elegant as Ziya Zhang did in this image courtesy of © HFPA and 63rd Golden Globe Awards®.

Certainly for any black tie affair, a full evening dress is the best option unless the invitation hints that women may wear a cocktail dress. A special event needs a more special gown. This page is dedicated to showing you some formal gown examples. See the how to shop tips on the next page for preparing to buy an appropriate dress for office dos.

Monsoon 'Bridgit' Evening Dress

If you are an ordinary working girl with not much time to do your shopping - then my advice is hit the high street of your nearest major city. If you are Mrs Fat-Wallet I am confident you already know where to get the best ball gown buy for you!

If you are on a budget and seeking a full length prom style evening gown, then in UK, head for Debenhams, Monsoon, any House of Fraser, Fenwick or John Lewis. If you don't have a big store near you, then try instead ringing your nearest bridal store, which often stocks evening dresses and maybe even hires out party prom dresses.

Budget at these stores doesn't mean inexpensive, price is all relative dependant on your pocket. At Monsoon you might pay around £150 to £200 for an evening dress, which will make you look stunning. If you are wealthy this seems like nothing, but if you are Miss Average this will be a figure that should enable you to find a very acceptable gown.

This lovely 'Bridgit' dress on the left, is not in the stores yet as this formal gown is aimed at the autumn party season. It's from Monsoon's Autumn/Winter 2006 range for women and is in teal at £160. This evening dress certainly deserves to be photographed on a red carpet!

Monsoon UK are part of the Arcadia group. They also do an excellent special occasion and bridal range. For autumn Monsoon, like Debenhams, will have plenty of black evening party dress styles to make a considered selection. You can also browse Monsoon online, their price point for evening gowns is about £150 to £200.

Monsoon also has a limited personal shopping service spread across the UK. Style advisors are available by pre-arranged telephone appointments at these branches:-

Kingston Clarence Street,
Glasgow Bunchanan Street,
Milton Keynes Midsummer Arcade and
Manchester Arndale the new flagship store since April 2006.

Style advisors at these particular stores can deal with all wedding and special occasion needs. They can also help you update your wardrobe with an element of a private consultation in a reserved personal shopping room.

You are reading an original fashion trends article written by Pauline Weston Thomas© at www.fashion-era.com ©

NEXT

Next has several dresses suitable for formal events and the clothes can be ordered online or at NEXT in-store nationwide. Even better, NEXT have a wide range of sizes.

A little cover-up from the NEXT DIRECTORY just like this feather shrug might be just the job to keep the chill off when dashing from car to foyer. They have similar shrugs available in several colours including purple a hot choice for colour this autumn.

NEXT DIRECTORY UK Item : Feather Shrug (123-968-X38), With satin bow ties. 100% feather. Lining 100% polyester. Page No.316, £22.99.

Principles Long Dresses

This season the gemstone colours have been revived, as a result there are several teal and green tone long dresses in stores. You can see more jewel colours in short evening party dresses.

Teal green has been used to great effect in this lovely slinky jersey evening dress from Principles.

Teamed with an impressive necklace, the dress is not too revealing at the slinky jersey fabric draped neckline. As a dress it is well designed with the bodice not being too exposed in relation to the possible leg on show, dependant on how you pose. There is just a fine line between revealing too many body parts and vulgarity. The art is being subtle when just a hint of what lies beneath stays tasteful and alluring.

The split skirt is a real Liz Hurley touch. How much leg you reveal is up to you - you can be subtle or sultry, but this gal looks wonderful wearing this Principles evening dress!

If you have terrific legs like this model and choose to display them, then this is a knock-'em-dead, sophisticated womanly dress for a big birthday such as a 40^th birthday party. Make your friends green with envy. This Principles teal dress above is a real sensation and will be in the shops for autumn. At £75 it's a stunning snip. The elegant 'Joyful' shoes are also by Principles at £55.

I really like Principles for stylish clothes that seem to suit so many British figure types. Principles clothes are bang on-trend in colours and styles.

Principles is one of the retailers who did folkloric looks exceptionally well over the past 12 months, producing pretty forward looking skirts. You may wish to know they also do an attractive petite range. Find Principles both on the high street and as in-store concessions.

Check out their online website which has several other dresses very suitable for evening functions in both their Midnight and the Bauhaus ranges. Principles do of course have a whole range of everyday clothing lines and all at affordable prices.

Phase Eight

You will find many Phase Eight concessions in branches of House of Fraser and John Lewis as well as stand alone shops within major cities. I find Phase Eight clothes especially good for women of average UK height of 5' 4" (moi).

To the left this striking long glittering black evening dress is by Phase Eight. It has a fashionable V neckline which was also a style element featured in detail on the short party dress page. With such classic looks it should be a wardrobe party staple for several years.

Maybe you can afford a higher spend, if so, then try a designer label stockist and take a trip to Selfridges, Harvey Nichols or Browns. An alternative would be to consider hiring a dress or buying new accessories to lift an existing basic dress.

If you are older you may look better with just an illusion of bare flesh. That means a little shrug feather or fur jacket or capelet. Maybe a velvet or silk jacket, lace bolero, silky cover up or sheer layers over bare arms would enable you to buy a skimpier dress with the two items making an edgier outfit.

If a bare dress is just not you, an alternative is to go sophisticated and find a garment with long sleeves in wonderful fabrics of silk, satin and brocade. Dress coats fit the bill here.

For the mature woman, however slim you are, the older your skin becomes the harder it is to wear a strapless number successfully unless there is at least some sheer or opaque cover up for the bare limbs. It is much easier to wear a cover up, toning jacket or coatee and be in the position of being able to remove it as you wish, than to arrive as the only bare shouldered woman in the room. You may think you look fine in that bare number when you look in the mirror, but not when you stand next to a 20 year old with shoe string straps!

But if you are the sort of woman that likes to make a statement entrance, whilst maintaining elegance and dignity you could opt for a gown ensemble like this fabulous coat and dress shown below. Imagine making a sweeping grand entrance in this Vera Mont black taffeta coat and dress.

You are reading an original fashion trends article written by Pauline Weston Thomas© at www.fashion-era.com ©

The Vera Mont Collections

If you are looking for something special consider an item from the Vera Mont Collection. Vera Mont is part of the Betty Barclay Group and makes elegant clothes suitable for formal gown occasions. You will find them in some of the better boutiques and specialist occasion wear sections of top stores.

This fabulous black taffeta evening coat right has a detachable train made of a sea of frayed ribbons. The matching evening dress beneath also has a small train. This is truly a red carpet outfit for a very special occasion.

The Vera Mont press report for autumn 2006 states:- 'Femininity is the theme of the new autumn/winter collection from Vera Mont, the evening and occasion wear fashion specialist. Vera Mont skilfully showcases luxurious details from the time of Marie Antoinette, the 50s and 60s, as well as oriental elements in fine materials to create a stimulating and sensual look...'

The Vera Mont name is perfect for all special occasions and uses high-quality fabrics such as taffeta, fine silk, organza, airy chiffon, silk satin and lace this coming winter.

Elements from romantic times receive a modern interpretation in the Vera Mont collection.

This beautiful taffeta outfit left is in a rich Champagne brown. It has an extra long skirt and off-the-shoulder bodice and an ample tulle petticoat making it a great glamour gown. It does take one back to the era of the Edwardians making for a picture perfect dress.

The ruffles, frills and ample details of crushed taffeta dresses bring back memories of the Fin de Siècle. The Vera Mont collection of formal gowns really is quite special and you can see another Vera Mont jacket evening outfit in cerise on the Lady in Red page.

Sew your Own Party Dress

Vogue and Simplicity Pattern Ball Dress Review

If you have the skills or know someone who can make up your ideas or a pattern to your satisfaction, then it takes a lot to beat an outfit made especially for you. If you are looking for something dynamic, yet elegant for an occasion and in the manner of the Vera Mont coat above, consider using one of the suggested patterns here from Vogue or Simplicity Patterns.

Vogue Pattern 8115 - The aqua strapless evening dress right also reminds me of the Monsoon teal coloured long length Bridgit dress at the top of this page. Any other slim line or A-line dresses could look good under the coat.

Vogue Patterns 8115 and V2714 below both offer a great deal of potential for those with the ability to visualise them made up in a fashionable damask brocade or other deluxe fabric.

Vogue 8115 right would also look striking made up as a black silk coat with a jewel colour or pastel dress beneath it. Other fabric choices include peau de soie, shantung, taffeta and novelty beaded sheers.

I think Vogue Pattern 8115 could look terrific in velvet. The sleeve of the aqua coat appears to be cut as a slim line dolman sleeve, an easy to construct sleeve for the average sewer. Making a toile or half toile first might eliminate most fitting problems before work on any velvet begins. See my how to hints and tips for sewing and pressing velvet.

Finally these two designer dressmaking patterns show how evening or ball gowns are gaining volume just like daywear. The opulent design of this black evening coat Vogue Pattern (Number V2714) is by Oscar de la Renta for Vogue Patterns. It shows where sleeve styles and evening wear may well be going volume wise toward the end of the noughties decade. Any dressmaker worth her salt could add a slimmer sleeve if preferred.

V2714 would also be perfect as a coat worn over fuller 50s styles such as the pretty full skirted formal ball dress above right, from Simplicity Patterns. This sea green dress pattern was designed by Jessica M^cClintock for Simplicity Patterns.

Simplicity Jessica M^cClintock ball dress pattern is number 4686 and is available in Misses and Miss Petite sizes 4 to 20. It can also be made up as a ballerina length gown and has an alternative halter neck strap finish plus a pattern for a useful evening wrap stole.

All the evening dress patterns are quite elegant and just the job for a special black tie event in winter. With drama and understated looks being the new future of evening wear rather than the raunchy looks of recent years this is the kind of statement you need to be thinking of making.

Source : http://www.fashion-era.com/trends_2007a/2007_fall_fashion_trends_long_party_dress_2006.htm

The party gown for Women

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