Monday, February 9, 2009

Fashion and Convenience With Straw Handbags

Author: Laura Somers Got Attitude Cat Tote Bag

Are you a handbag aficionado? If you are like most women, you probably have more than one handbag in your closet. After all, handbags are great for carrying all types of items - whether you are on a business trip and carrying your office in your bag or you are a mom with a bag full of baby supplies - handbags can be quite handy to use. When it comes to being on the cutting edge of style, straw handbags are a great option to explore. Many of today's celebrities are enjoying the virtues of straw handbags and are finding that they can be quite fashionable. In addition, straw handbags have a number of attractive features that make them great for using in a variety of settings. For example, the fact that they are water resistant and durable makes them a good choice for a trip to the beach. Since straw handbags are lightweight, they also make a good choice for travel or when you will need to carry the bag for an extended period of time. Due to its durable form and protective abilities, straw is the perfect material for many accessories, including hats, purses and tote bags. For those who prefer to own or use items that are organic, straw is highly suitable. Straw is easily grown on farms throughout the world. Basically, straw is the dried stalk that remains after grains like barley, oats, rice and wheat have been harvested. The straw is hollow making it extremely lightweight, but it also sheds water making it perfect for roofing and accessories. You can get caught in the rain and not have to worry about the rain damaging your hat like you would with a different material. At the same time, straw is very durable and cannot be easily crushed or damaged by excessive force. Last but not least, straw is environment friendly and is a material of choice for anyone who cares about animals on this planet. Because straw has so many uses and grows easily, it is an item that remains popular even centuries after it was first discovered. From animal feed to ground mulch or purses to hats, straw is a useful material. Straw has been popular for decades and the flow of time doesn't seem to affect its popularity at all. The hat or purse that you purchase today will still be highly fashionable a decade from now! When browsing through straw handbags, it is important to consider a number of different factors. For example, the strap should be wide so the weight of the handbag does not dig into your shoulder and cause discomfort while you are carrying the bag. In addition, you need to be certain the handbag is large enough to carry your belongings. Many women also prefer straw handbags with smaller compartments that allow them to keep certain items separated and easier to find. For example, a compartment in which your keys or wallet can be stored makes it easier for you to quickly find them when digging through your bag.

About the Author: Laura Somers is a fashion consultant, designer and publicist. She is especially interested in environment-friendly summer fashion items, straw handbags and straw hats being her favorite ones.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/women

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Fashion Forward 2008 - The Top Hot Fashion Trends

You probably can't recall who said it, but whoever first uttered that fashion comes full circle every 30 years or so was not too far off. This season on the runway is reminiscent of the flowing 70s in both fabric and style. We are seeing much more of the long skirt and much less of the micro mini. Materials like silk and chiffon, which tend to flow and gather, are much more popular for Spring 2008 than fabrics like cotton or denim which tend to hold shape and stay stiffer in appearance. The word for the season is feminine, feminine, feminine! The exception to this seems to be in outerwear, where rubber is oddly back in style. Indoors, though, thin little belts, hats, and scarves are also popular and a throwback to the 70s as well as being womanly. Don't despair, though - some things from last season are still popular and can be recycled for this season. Accessories like metallic bags and clutches, as well as sequins and some of the longer pencil skirts can still be worn with confidence. Dresses with color blocks are still around as well, left over from last season and still cute. Headbands are still a popular accessory as well.

Sheers are in this year as a fabric style, which works well with the flow-y nature of the season. Pairing a sheer shirt over a camisole with denim jeans is a great casual look. In fact, a sheer scarf works with almost anything this season. Especially cute is the above-mentioned shirt and jeans with a little scarf and dressy sneakers. "Dressy sneakers" are another big hit this year, which will keep your feet happy as you get to be comfortable and stylish at the same time. Low-lying, patterned variety sneakers with ties that sport the best of brand names are the most popular for the young trendsetter.

Speaking of patterns, big bold prints such as tropical themes and jungle prints are back. For whatever reason, and it seems to happen every several years, tribal and jungle themes like leopard prints and zebra stripes make their way back to the runway. This year is no exception. Color is back, and black is out, at least for now. Last year, brown was the new black, and this year it is muted silver and grey that's all the rage when you want to opt for a non-color.

What about shoes, you ask? Pointy-toe pumps are back! Not that they ever really went out of style, but they certainly came second to the flip flop, the ballet slipper, and other such cutesy flat footwear, along with the rounded toe pump. Also noteworthy is what's in store for later on in the season. Fall 2008 promises to be chock full of the "bigger is better" theory. Bigger, chunkier heels, bigger, longer boots, and bigger and heavier accessories on the shoes themselves such as thick buckles and chains should be on your radar for footwear.

Of course, if we are going to talk shoes we must talk shades. Still popular, especially with the Divas, are the ever-present round and dark sunglasses that cover most of your face. The celebrities, of course, brought this trend to the forefront of fashion and it doesn't look like it's going anywhere anytime soon. Also popular though, is the blue lens which seemed to disappear for a while. This lens is more appropriate with a smaller frame than with the oversized shades discussed. The RayBan Wayfarers, so popular in the 80s, also seem to be making a comeback this year.

Last but by no means least, there could not be a fashion article written about what's hot for 2008 without mentioning jeans. Designer denim continues to be the hottest thing around. We all know that True Religion, Citizens of Humanity, Buffalo, Seven for all Mankind and Lucky have become standard, almost run-of-the mill designer jeans. Even though they cost upward of $200.00, they are still the 'norm'. Slightly more pricey is Diesel, and this brand continues to be popular as well. Relative newcomers, though, are some of the names that were actually around long before these newbies even existed. Yves St. Laurent, Donna Karan, and some of the more elite designer's names are being plastered on the derrieres of the most discriminating fashionistas this season. As for jean style and cut, the zipper-ankle and straight-leg varieties that were popular in the 80s are making a comeback. Expect to see them on the legs of the trendsetters this fall.
The Ins and Outs of the Fashion Industry--From a Fashion Insider

This season proves to be an interesting and eclectic mix of 70s and 80s styles. This may seem contradictory, but the feminine nature of the season's styles pulls from flowing 70s fabrics and cuts and seems to just use a hint of 80s metal and accessory - and it's a hit.

Source: Free Articles

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Leatherwear-Some Essential Facts and Lambskin

It is the job of an advertisement to make its product sell. If this is the case, it is only natural that they are going to present their products in an admirable light. Same is the case with leather. But how does the customer differentiate between genuine products and fake, cheap ones tried to be sold off at the same prices. Well, here are a few tips that might come to use big time!

First ask yourself, what do we mean exactly by the term 'leather'? If you're not sure, know that the skin of any animal can be defined as leather. So if any leather product is made out of the skin of any animal, it is always right to label your product as 'Genuine Leather'.

But there is a frequent misconception that 'Genuine' things are of the best quality, and it is high time that you remove this misconception out of your head when you proceed to buy a leather product. While the skin of any animal can be stated as 'leather', 'Quality Leather' is only material that has been properly processed before garments have been made out of it. Probably, this article will be successful to help you out in identifying a quality leatherwear from an inferior one.

Some of the most prominent features of good leatherwear are its ability to stretch well and fit according to your body shape, a fine grained smooth texture and shapes up conveniently as you move different parts of your body. And last, though not the least is that all-too-important fashionable look that you were after in the first place!!

• Lambskin Leather Jackets

The most interesting thing about a lambskin leather blazer is its high durability and its capacity to provide you with warmth, both against the winter's cold and the rough winds (err... you might take it metaphorically too, right?). An important thing that needs to be told here is that you must treat your jacket immediately after your buy it. And also, do not forget to add that leather protector before you start using. On an average, you'll need to treat your lambskin leather blazer twice a year to keep it perfect condition and long-lasting.

• Using the Right Jacket Conditioner

Now what conditioner should you use for your jacket? It is safer to stay away from things like mineral oil or petroleum. Also stay away from any type of oil or grease as these may damage your lambskin leather blazer or make hard instead of keeping it supple and soft. Use conditioners that can penetrate the pores of the leather. Conditioners like lexol.com can moisturize your jacket effectively. While conditioning your jacket, also keep in mind that you do not use any coloring agent that could either discolor or tincture your jacket. Avoid conditioners such as wax or silicon-based products to prevent clogging and those like Mink Oil that makes your jacket lose its natural shade and become darker day by day.

• Lambskin and Moisture

The best thing about lambskin is that it keeps you really warm in cold climates. However, over-exposure to moisture such as rain or snow could potentially damage your lambskin leather blazer. Hang it apart from everything else in such cases and let it dry all by itself. You will also have to remove the stains since both rain and snow can stain your jacket. Remove stains only by rubbing by suede erasers and emery boards. Do not rub your jacket with towels. To avoid all these drying hazards, probably you should always use a jacket protector, preferably a good brand like ITA.
Boss Black Leather Wallet and Coin Purse

• Leather's Not All Cowhide

If you're one of those who think that cowhide is the best leather available, it is time to think again. Unlike tough cowhide, lambskin is much softer, smoother than and as durable as cowhide. So why would you choose cowhide when you have a chic and urbane alternative lambskin leather blazer at hand?