Clothing Accessories Article: Wide Calf Boots: How to Find the Perfect Fit

If you’re starting to plan for the summer weather, it’s still not too late to find the perfect fitting pair of boots. But it’s not always easy to find the right pair if you’ve got wide calves. We all know about that disappointing feeling when you pull on those gorgeous boots to find that the zip only goes half way up. With such a huge number of retailers to choose from on the high street, surely there’s plenty of wide calf boots to choose from?

Fashionable high street stores often seem to forget that we don’t all have skinny pins, as there is only a small selection of retailers catering for women with wide feet and big calves. But things are slowly beginning to change. Both on the high street and online, it’s becoming so much easier to find on-trend wide calf boots. Who’s to say you can’t be plus-sized and fashionable? When buying wide calf boots online, you just need to make sure you measure yourself correctly to get the perfect fit.

The trick to finding the perfect fit is to place your feet flat on the floor and use a tape measure. Make sure you measure the widest part of both of your calves (as they can differ), and use the wider measurement to the nearest cm. When doing this don’t forget to think about what you’ll be wearing with your boots. If you prefer to wear them with thick tights or jeans, wear these when you measure yourself. It’s surprising how much these layers can affect your measurements! With so many different widths available, your winter boots will be as good as made to measure. Now all you have to do is choose your favourite pair!

There are so many styles of boots that will look equally great in spring with a pair of slim leg jeans and light knitwear. This season’s on-trend boot has been the knee high. Very slimming and leg lengthening, the knee high boot is the most flattering type of footwear (and a style that never really goes out of fashion). Coming in close second is the biker boot, which with its chunky sole is the most practical style for everyday wear. But whatever boot you opt for, remember, with the right measurements it can be easy to find the perfect pair of wide calf boots.

About the author: Sarah writes about current fashions, including trendy footwear to make you look your best this fashion season.

Clothing Accessories Article: How Handmade Jewelry Can be Affordable!

Making jewelry is a great, varied and fantastic hobby and such a great way to tailor all your own accessories to your independent fashion sense. Making your own hand-made jewelry doesn’t need to be an expensive hobby though – it’s something which you can enjoy on a budget too.

First things first though, you need to get the right tools. Depending on what kind of jewelry you want to make – you’ll need to put together a little “tool kit” that’ll help you make your pieces look professional. Investing in the right tools is also crucial when making sure your handmade pieces last longer too – after all you don’t want them falling apart at a special occasion! To find the right tool kit, having a quick look online should help you decide what you need. Using websites like eBay and tracking down smaller boutique sellers who sell the tools will save you a lot of money too – rather than ordering from big online stores who mark their prices up hugely.

Your next stop, after you’ve got your tools sorted is to purchase the material you need. The cheapest way to save money here is to opt for sterling silver or silver coated metal – it’s always wise to have some cheap metal of no value lying around too for when you need to practice techniques. To save even more money though, you could even choose to make metal-free jewelry and use leather, string or ribbon instead. All these materials can be purchased by the meter in most good market stalls (and you’ll find the prices in market stalls will be much lower than in boutique craft stores). Try buying in bulk too – as you’ll often be able to sway the retailer into giving you a discount if you’re willing to buy more upfront. Don’t worry about it not being used either – as a long term hobby, all the materials you buy will be perfect for whenever you choose to make your pieces.

Market stalls may not be the best place to locate some beautiful beads, metal pendants, glass pendants and crystals for your jewelry though – for these you might want to have a look for local art stores, bead shops and craft fairs. Craft fairs are usually a pretty good bet for finding things on a budget as they may offer craft industry cut prices. Remember too, that most traders will be flexible with prices – so if something is too expensive for your budget just explain and enquire whether you could get a discount.

Of course, it’s pointless you buying all these great materials if you don’t actually know very much about jewelry making – and it is often this bit of starting their hobby that people spend the most money on. Lots of people join courses at local colleges (which is a great option is you have the money) but if you’re on a budget you might struggle with the prices charged. To stick to your budget, why not try looking for online tutorials instead? YouTube.com is full of jewelry making tutorials, and the best bit is – it’s free! You can also pick up some amazing jewelry making books which are full of great tips and diagrams to guide you through the learning process. Try searching on eBay or Amazon for the books and get them second hand to save yourself even more money!

Images courtesy of Sue Tables

About the author: Tiffany Kirsten Cole works as a designer for Sue Tables. She began her career in the jewelry industry developing her own range of hand stamped silver jewelry.

Fashion Accessories Review: Gigi Patchwork Pashmina Scarf

Scarves.net was kind enough to send me a free scarf for review. The scarf I chose was the Gigi Patchwork Pashmina scarf in shades of green and pink. The Patchwork Pashimina scarf arrived in a priority mail box delivered to my door. The scarf was folded neatly and wrapped in a sealed plastic bag. When opened the scarf is large with vibrant colors in shades of pink and green as described. Besides the main pink and green colors this scarf features blue, red and purple in the color mix. The scarf features squares of different jewel-toned colors with a mix of floral and paisley print throughout the beautifully woven material. This colorful woven scarf is very large yet light weight, perfect for wearing as a shawl/coverup yet light enough to be doubled as a scarf around the neck. The Gigi Patchwork Pashmina scarf is made of Pashmina and Silk fabrics and is sized at 70″ L x 27″ W. The scarf is very soft and is sectioned off into squares of different vivid colors with a bright sheen to the fabric. The ends of the scarf are arrayed with long colorful 4.5″ fringe adding to the beauty of this scarf. I have to say I was very pleased with the fabric, the beautiful colors and woven print in this scarf, it is a design and style that will easily dress up any outfit you pair with it.

Pricing for this scarf is very affordable for the quality you receive. The Gigi Patchwork Pashmina scarf was originally priced at $14.95 and is currently sale priced $12.71, saving you 15% on the purchase price. Scarves.net carries discount scarves all priced under $40. They work directly with manufacturers in order to pass the savings on to you. Their customer service is high level, offering free shipping, a detailed privacy policy, and secure online shopping system. They have a 100% satisfaction money back guarantee and no hassle return policy so you can feel secure in ordering from them online. Scarves.net offers same day shipping by 2:00 p.m. EST and shipping is free on orders over $40.00. At these low prices why wouldn’t you buy more than one scarf?

Fashion Accessories Article: Accessories To Make A Girl Look Slimmer

Dress yourself thin! Accessories can be the secret weapon in a plus size lady’s wardrobe that turn you in an instant to a svelte silhouette.

One of the few areas of fashion where one size really can fit all, pick out elegant jewellery, ladies scarves or chunky belts that accentuate your best features while distracting people from the bits you’d rather not emphasize.

Belts can be a wonderful way to narrow your waist. If you’re naturally blessed with a curvy figure then any style will work for you, but if you’re using the belt to draw yourself in, then pick a wide style in a non-stretchy material like leather. A large buckle will accentuate the slimming effect even further.

Long necklaces are a great way of elongating your neck and body. Avoid chokers and other short necklaces: as well as shortening your neck, they can draw attention to double chins. Big colourful bracelets or colourful watches with wide straps can be a great way of disguising larger wrists. And striking earrings in a long, teardrop shape can elongate your face and draw attention to your eyes and smile.

Scarves can have a similar effect worn round the neck or on the head. Pick a bold, vibrant colour, and again you’ll draw attention from your figure to your face. They’re among the most versatile of accessories too: some scarves can even double up as a belt.

Even your bag can help slim you down! Pick a large style. As well as being more practical, it can look larger to make you appear smaller and be used to disguise your midsection.

What about clothes in general? Try to go for dark colours rather than light, and pay particular attention to fit. If your clothes are too big then you’ll look as though you’re big enough to fit them, but if they’re too small, there’s a danger of ‘spilling out’ and shapeless, unsightly bulges. The old tip that horizontal stripes can make you look bigger, but vertical ones can slim you down, is still as relevant as ever.

Pick shoes with a thin heel and sole – this will help the outfit as a whole to appear slimming. Wear the highest heels you comfortably can as they will elongate the legs, giving you a slim, elegant figure.

In summary, use bright colours and interesting patterns to draw attention to your best bits, whether it is your impressive cleavage, your curvy figure or your sparkling eyes.

About the author: El writes for Crew Clothing, an online store selling sports and casual clothing featuring vibrant colours, striking designs, and quality fabric, and enjoys writing about fashion accessories.

Fashion Accessories Article: 5 Reasons To Buy A Guess Handbag This Year

Most women buy a new handbag each year or each season. As trends come and go, women feel the pressure to stay in fashion with their most important accessory they use daily, their purse. When it comes to purses, women are looking for a few things: fashion, function and quality. After all, most women will use this same purse all year round. When purse shopping, you want to make sure you find exactly the right one. This is why women can trust Guess to be their one-stop-shop for handbags.

1. Trusted and affordable brand
Guess, who started as a jean company, has been around since the 1980′s and has always been a company well-known for its high fashion yet affordable clothing, shoes and accessories.

2. Good quality
Many famous stars wear and endorse the Guess brand which of course makes consumers trust the brands themselves. Quality is what Guess is known for. Their products are well-made with the finest fabrics and totally durable. Buying Guess products means you know that product will last a lifetime.

3. They carry all your essential goodies
But why buy a purse from Guess? Well first you must ask- what does a woman need in a handbag? Since it is socially unexceptionable for women to carry bulky items like cell phones and wallets in their pockets, handbags aren’t just for fashion, but for very important uses. For the woman on the go, she needs a purse big enough to hold all of her essentials but small enough that it won’t weight her down.

4. They have compartments so things are easy to find in your handbag
Another important thing is how the purse holds things. You may need a purse with compartments that make your cell phone easy to find or hold pens and other useful supplies. That’s the great thing about Guess. Not only can you trust their bags to be fashion forward, but you can rely on their ability to hold all of your important needs and make them easily accessible. Maybe you’re just going for a night on the town and you want a clutch. Guess has a large line of elegant and adorable clutches. You’re sure to find the right one for the perfect outfit.

5. They have a new handbag line for every type of woman
Still not convinced? Here are some examples of their fine products. This year, Guess has a line of extraordinary handbags called Mauritius. The Mauritius line is all about versatility. There is a handbag in this line for every kind of woman. There are medium size handbags with great compartments for the professional woman. They also have sultry leather clutches for that fun night out. These handbags come in a functional, beautiful tan or a wild, fun black. This is just one example from Guess’s huge line of amazing purses this year. Check them out online or visit your nearest Guess store and see for yourself!

Image courtesy of handbag-time.com

About the author: Simone writes fashion articles for myfashionbeautytips.com. Read more about Handbags at MyFashionBeautyTips.com.

Torrid’s Sweet Escape Spring 2012 Collection

Check out Torrid’s new Sweet Escapes spring collection! The spring look is bold stripes, colors and tropical prints, perfect for starting your year fresh in 2012.

Navy Sketch Dot Surplice Dress, $64.50

Black Rhinestone Bow Buckle Stretch Belt, $24.50

Summer Coral Cork Wedge Heels (Wide Width), $39.50

Introducing Torrid’s Sweet Escape collection: shop bold colors, stripes and tropical prints for a fresh start on the New Year!

Torrid’s Accessories Sale 2012 BOGO 50% Off

Torrid’s New Year’s 2012 sale features great accessories – buy one get one 50% off accessories and shoes!

Betseyville – Be Mine Again Quilted Cheetah Bag, $78.00

Delia Red Flower Suede Heel (Wide Width), $39.50

Black And Hematite Gemstone Ball Drop Earring, $12.50

Limited Time Only: Buy One, Get One 50% Off All Accessories! Save on jewelry, intimates, handbags & more. Shop Now!

Get 10% off your entire purchase at Torrid.com – Use Coupon Code 12AF11OFF! Expires 1/15/12.

Fashion Accessories Article: There’s A Killer Pair Of Glasses To Suit All Face Shapes And Sizes!

Glasses are becoming a fashion commodity for everyone, be it for vision correction or merely to finish of a stylish outfit. However choosing the right pair of glasses isn’t easy and it is not only the importance of comfort and usability, it is how do the glasses make you look and feel?

Like the many different sizes and shapes of glasses that there are available, the nation is full of different shaped faces. The shape of your face will determine the style and shape of a frame that suits you. Due to the thousands of styles of eyeglasses available, be it on line or in your local opticians, it can be daunting to select the correct pair of glasses that make you look and feel on top of the fashion trend.

As your fashion stylist for your eyewear needs we have created the following guide to enhance your style and assist you on your way to looking and feeling fabulous with this season’s must have glasses designs.

We all know 2011 has seen the comeback of the geeky retro inspired frames from the 50’s and 80’s. Too bold for many, but choose a shape and size that flatters your features and you too will be able to join in with the nerdy fashion craze.

 
Oval Shaped Face

If you have an oval shaped face with a rounded chin and forehead then your luck is in! Your face is in balanced proportions and will appear longer that it is wide, with your jaw line being slightly narrower than your forehead. You can pull off almost any frame shape and design. However it is important to consider your complexion and hair colour when choosing the frame colour. Why not try this season’s most popular frame style, the Wayfarer inspired retro acetate glasses. Wear with pride just like Britain’s leading fashion commentator Gok Wan.

 
Rectangle Shaped Face

If you have a rectangular shaped face, with a larger square chin, prominent jaw line and a longer nose length then large, square frames will suit you best. A rectangular frame will help to balance out our features by making your face appear shorter. It’s your time to shine with a bit of bling! Diamante or decorative temple designs will add width to your narrow face.

 
Triangle Shaped Face

If you have a broad forehead with a narrow, rounded chin the frame for you is a small square or rounded shape to balance the proportions of your face. If you are looking to be bold with your frame choice go for a style that is wider at the bottom, this will emphasize the narrower lower half of your face. Looking for something more minimalistic? Then a light rimless frame will work wonders for you! If Jenifer Anniston can make rimless sexy then so can you!

 
Square Shaped Face

If the width and length of your face are proportionally equal, you have a defined jaw line and a broad forehead creating the perception of a square shaped face, you should go for narrow frames with a greater width then depth of the lens. A narrow frame, particularly oval or rounded will lengthen your face and soften your jaw line. They will place emphasis on your eyes, so pile on the mascara! We recommend you avoid square shaped frames like the plague, they will only make your features appear out of balance.

 
Diamond Shaped Face

Think you have a diamond shaped face? Then you are a rare specimen. The diamond shaped face is characterised by a narrow forehead and chin with wide cheekbones. This is the rarest of face shapes where the face is narrower at the eye line than the jaw. Frames that draw attention to the eyes will elongate this narrow part of your face. Glasses such as the ‘brownline’ style frame are perfect for doing this and the benefit is this style frame is on top of 2011 frame must haves. Another classic style that you can pull off with confidence is the dramatic cat eye shaped frame. Elegant yet theatrical a true classic if you are a confident glasses wearer!

 
Round Shaped Face

If you have a round face with full cheeks you should go for a frame that elongates your face and makes it appear narrower. Angular and narrow lens depth frames will lengthen your face. There are 1000’s of rectangular frames available to you, the world really is your oyster. At no cost must you go for a round frame, although popular this season they will not enhance your features. There are plenty of other rectangular fashion must have frames to choose from. Cheryl Cole may not have the roundest of faces but she pulls off narrow rectangle glasses with style.

 
Pyramid Shaped Face

Almost as rare as the diamond shape but no more unusual, the pyramid shape face has a narrow forehead and wider cheeks and chin. A pyramid shaped face craves a frame that draws attention to the eyes, widening the narrow upper third of the face. If you have a pyramid face shape be as bold and brassy as your fashion tastes allow. Go for frames that have are bold and striking in colour, with added detail at the temple. Like the fellow diamond shaped face, the browline or cat eye style frames will do you justice enhancing your eyes and balancing out your facial features. Lock the frame with confidence like Katy Perry.

 
Choosing the right frame does not simply stop there. You must also consider factors such as will the frame complement the colour of your favourite outfit, the complexion of your skin and the colour of your hair?

As a general guideline if you have fair hair then softer pastel shades will work their magic best by not overpowering your face. If you have dark hair then you can be adventurous with a more dramatic frame colour.

Images courtesy of http://directsight.co.uk/

About the author: Mark enjoys writing about fashion accessories and is a fashion writer for directsight.co.uk.

Torrid’s Holiday Gift Guide 2011

Torrid’s holiday gift guide features their top selling items, including must have sweaters and boots. If you have finished your Christmas shopping remember you can still buy a holiday gift for someone special: YOU!

Find the Perfect Gift with Torrid.com’s Holiday Gift Guide!

Grey Velour Rose Hoodie

Chloe Black Suede Wedge Boot (Wide Width)

Red Puckered Cowl Neck Sweater

Lulu Cognac Knee-High Boot (Wide Width)

Get 10% off your entire purchase at Torrid.com – Use Coupon Code 12AF11OFF! Cannot be combined with other offers. Expires 1/15/12

Plus Size Product Review: That Way Hat

That Way Hat was kind enough to send a free hat for review. That Way Hat features Artisan and Designer hats for women. I was interested in the Kangol French Painters’ Cap which has a grey, black, and green houndstooth check pattern. I am fond of newsboy style hats and this unisex hat can be worn by both women and men.

When I first received the Kangol French Painters’ Cap for review on inspection I did find a hole in the seam of the hat. This can be a natural problem for fabric hats but I was able to successfully stitch the cap up. On first look at the cap the colors and pattern in the hat were more vibrant and looked better than the product photo. I was pleased to find the upper part of the hat is soft and stretchy, which is a plus for those of us who wear a larger hat size and have difficulty finding good fitting hats. The fabric is a soft Jacquard acrylic that fits comfortably on the head. This hat fit perfectly with plenty of room to spare. The floppy top of the hat has a large houndstooth check pattern in dark grey, black and green, while the brim has a small check pattern which together is very appealing.

The Kangol French Painters’ Cap is priced at $15.00 and the company offers a special $3.00 USPS shipping rate for any size hat. The hat is a perfect choice to pair with your menswear style vests or suits, or gifted to your special someone. Speaking of that special someone, That Way Hat has a line of men’s hats to consider for gift giving, including wool fedoras, a wool outback cowboy hat, and a wool driving Scally Cap. That Way Hats are available at their online store and soon will be available for purchase at Amazon.com.

For those of you looking for a more feminine hat design you may want to check out some of their custom made women’s Artisan hats by designers Kristy Albury, Shear Essence, and Jacob James, or some of their cute new line of women’s Wool Hats with Felt Bow in a variety of colors.

I have to say I am pleased with the Kangol French Painters’ Cap, it is a good bargain for the quality of the product.

That Way Hat is part of Free Shipping Day on December 16, get FREE SHIPPING on any order at their website today!