Men's Spring Summer Fashions 2008

Safari looks, event dressing and bold colours - not to mention fabulous hats - are some of the emerging men's fashion trends for spring/summer 2008.

Upscale Canadian men's retailers Harry Rosen held a media preview at their Bloor Street headquarters in late January to preview men's fashion trends for spring and summer. In particular, they drew attention to ten top trends to watch for:

1. Rat Pack styling (think bow ties and porkpies)
2. Specialty jackets (inspired by technical sportswear and the safari trend)
3. Washed sportshirts
4. Shorts
5. Spectator wear (so you can look sporty without actually playing a sport, apparently)
6. Event dressing (as in lightweight, light-coloured jackets by the likes of Etro, pictured below, for summer weddings, art gallery receptions and theatre openings)
7. Neutral suits
8. Punches of colour
9. Summer denim (10-12 oz fabric is out; 6-8 oz weights are in)
10. Accessories (belts, wallets and especially bags: the omnipresent manpurse, or "murse", pictured below)

It's clear that men's fashion trends for 2008 closely mirror some of the key women's trends:

• Safari: For women, this is being interpreted in two ways: literally, with animal prints like leopard, zebra and giraffe; and more subtly, with garments like cargo shorts, safari jackets, colours like putty, clay and sand, and detailing like multiple button-flap pockets. Men almost seem to be channeling a new Indiana Jones chic (well, there is a new movie in the works!) with pieces like the Parajumpers black waxed cotton pilot jacket... not to mention those sexy leather messenger bags.
• Metallic: For summer 2008, women are showing off their curves in chrome bathing suits and glittering sequined numbers, and ornamenting more everyday looks with shiny, sparkly metallic jewellery. The more restrained variations on this look involve metallic-finish accessories and shimmery fabrics like shot silk. For men, it's not so much a shimmer as a sheen; even office shirts and suits have a reflective glow to them. And while the boys aren't wearing flashing silver-coin earrings and necklaces (yet!), high-gloss silver-coloured metal is everywhere; tie clips and cufflinks are resplendent, and there's even shiny hardware on the shoes to marry up with the gleam of a polished belt buckle by the likes of Prada or Dolce & Gabbana.
• New Look revival: Audrey Hepburn fans are going for classic pearls and the Little Black Dress. For the guys, the classic straw and fabric hats of the '50s are back with a vengeance and slight updating. Harry Rosen suggests going for a Goorin Brothers trilby or porkpie (pictured below), possibly in plaid, for the Brad Pitt look. There's also a return to the classic elegance of English-style dressing – possibly in an Italian reinterpretation – in items like the gorgeous matte brown jacket by Brunello Cucinelli that's just right for the executive on the California vineyard vacation.
• The psychedelic palette: Madras plaids and the vivid '60s spectrum aren't just for girls. For men, we have Lacoste shirts in canary, pale orange and baby blue, and sorbet stripes from Boss, Victorinox and Ermengildo Zegna. There are also fun-coloured ties (polka dots are back!) from Ted Baker and Robert Talbott, pictured below
• Boyfriend dressing: Looking at some of those cute hats (Like the Goorin trilby made of grosgrain ribbon, for heaven's sake!) and the yummy candy-coloured shirts, it's hard to imagine that the manufacturers don't know about this particular trend. Some of these pieces may be vanishing from closets before they've even been broken in... sorry, boys!

Clothing Solutions For The Shy

In a society where strange things appear every second, it's understandable if most of us turn out a bit shy when it comes to shopping. The popularity of intimate apparel, for example, has increased, and despite its obvious benefits, sadly enough, some of us are still reluctant towards it. Plus size clothing has also been a bit of a problem until recently. Fortunately, it has stopped being one, as more items and models are available with each passing day.

The diversity of available intimate apparel is huge. However, in spite of that, it seems that the number of women who feel comfortable about owning and wearing it is sadly quite small. Sometimes it's a problem of being comfortable with one's self; sometimes it's a matter of shyness towards one's partner. Either way, inhibitions do exit. An unsatisfactory level of self esteem usually stands in the way of self expression which is, at the end of the day, exactly what intimate apparel is created for.

Feel free to shop around until you find what fits you best. Even when you do, remember to keep variation as part of the program. Sticking to one fabric or style exclusively may not be such a good idea. Refusing to try on new things might keep you away from things that made you feel incredible, and you'll never even know what you're missing out on. Always remember that a special occasion is not necessarily a must. Sure, you can bring out your special intimate apparel for an anniversary or Valentine's Day, but simply spicing up things on an ordinary night is never a bad idea.

Plus size clothing has become widely available in the past few years as well. Especially when special occasions were in question, finding something up to date in the right size was quite a hassle. However, producers and retailers have finally gained a new understanding for the fact that meeting such demands can only be beneficial. As a result, very diverse plus size clothing can now be purchased, especially online, and the fabrics and colors are trendy.

Shopping online for such items is especially resourceful since you can save all the time and energy it would take to see an immense number of clothes in actual stores. Be sure to look closely online instead of just skimming through, until you find something that suits your taste. The size should be a close fit, instead of something that hangs and wobbles. No matter what item of plus size clothing you choose, you should keep in mind that it's supposed to be something that brings out your positive features and hides the negative ones. Any figure can seem appealing when properly dressed. Intimate apparel can do wonders for your personal life. No matter how shy you are, as long as you look around for a bit, you'll be sure to find something that suits you and your moods. And as far as plus size clothing is concerned, enough models are now available on the market. We cater to the most diverse and sophisticated tastes, so you should consider us among your top choices.

Mens Fashion: Know about Shopping

Fashion and clothing shopping has always been seen to be a women's domain, something in which men until recently have not taken an active interest.


However for men, fashion and the pursuit of couture has always flitted in and out of favour. Think of the highly preened men of 17th century Europe with their puffed sleeves, lace collars and powdered wigs. Today men once again are interested in looking good, with roll models like David Beckham who enjoys shopping and has his own stylist - it is not 'girly' to want to wear cool clothes and be individual looking.


Having said that most men do not lust after fashion as obsessively as their female counterparts and this reluctance to hop aboad the fashion bandwagon has meant that large name retailers are having to reconsider their investment in their range of male clothing lines as men are simply not spendign enough money on clothes. Towards the end of 2001, 'The Acadia Group' in charge of some of the biggest names on the high street, including Topshop and miss selfridge, was to close the male departments of some of their biggest stores.


The managing director of Acadia claimed simply that "men are not spending enough". Furthermore "we are unable to cater to a market that just isn't interested" his point was fairly obvious -. If you don't shop then we will focus on those that do.


However the Christmas holidays of 2001 was a bumper time for male fashion shopping, a stark contrast to the views expressed by Acadia as shops reported an increase in takings from their male departments


It seemed suddenly there was a rise in the number of males keen to spend their dosh. But why?


The trend can be attributed to many things including an increase in men's style magazines and the changing patterns in the way designers are catering to male customers.


Homme and GQ are among the biggest selling magazines in the UK with FHM alone overtaking the sales of many women's monthly magazines. As FHM et al increasingly feature fashion in their pages, they are unintentionally encouraging more men to adopt an attitude towards fashion, something they have not being previously forced to do.


Designers that originally designed for women only are beginning to introduce lines for men while high street giants such as Benetton and Gap now have extensive male sections.


Who knows how long the trend will last, but for the time being it seems we have seen an end to the time when women use to shop and their partners had no choice but to stand around. The industry's changing attitude with the help of the media means that now while your partner shops, you can simply nip over to the male section to do some shopping of you own.

Men's Skin Care - Solutions to Common Men's Skin Care Problems

Men's skin care - Avoid embarasing blemishes and other unsightly men's skin problems by using these solutions to common issues men have with their most public feature.

Does your skin nick easily, burn and/or get red and bumpy after you shave?
Many men, including myself, find that shaving goes more smoothly when using a glycerin or aloe-based shaving cream or gel. Not only will these types of products soothe your skin, but they will allow your razor to glide across your face. For best results massage the cream or gel into your beard. And, of course, always shave with the grain first then, if necessary, you can shave against it. Finish with a soothing aftershave balm or your daily moisturizer. Note: stay away from alcohol- based aftershaves; they will only irritate your skin.

Do the dark circles under your eyes make you look like a raccoon?
Dark circles under the eyes, which are actually broken blood vessels under the skin, are caused by several things. Most of the time it is an issue of heredity. Other causes are booze, cigarettes, and caffeinated drinks. But it can still be contained with topical products. One of my favorites is vitamin K cream (such as DDF Nutrient K Plus) and there are other creams that contain caffeine (such as ZIRH Restore Herbal Eye Cream that are also effective. So if you have tried everything then it could very well be an iron deficiency, in which case you would want to see a doctor.

Do you know your skin?
Get a facial. Go to a reputable spa and ask the esthetician (the gal who is giving you your facial) to analyze the type of skin you have as well as the condition it is in. She will be able to make recommendations specifically suited for you. I will say that this was invaluable to me since I now have a regime that is perfectly suited for my skin type.

Blackheads anyone?
Again, get a facial. Or you could try a cleansing mask. The more effective products are typically made of clay. Be sure to follow the instructions for best results. You don't have to use these masks all over your face either; you can target your problem areas. If you have a more persistent problem with blackheads, check out my aticle Blackheads - Battling This Common Skin Problem.

Do you have oily, breakout prone skin?
If you use regular soap to cleanse your skin--stop. Soap strips your skin of natural oils, and your glands react by producing even more oil. Try a gentle foaming cleanser or milk cleanser if this problem is mild. If you need something stronger you could always try a cleanser or spot treatment with salicylic acid and beta hydroxyl. You may also want to use an oil free moisturizer. Note: although benzoil peroxide is a common and effective treatment for breakouts, it is also drying to the skin and can increase oil production.

Listen, we all like to go out now and again and throw a few back. So what can you do to keep your face looking fresh even though the rest of you doesn't feel that way?
It should be no surprise that drinking (alcoholic beverages that is) takes the moisture right out of your skin, which is why you look sallow the morning after. One way to avoid this is to keep up on your daily skin care regime of cleansing, toning and moisturizing. It will help keep your skin soft and replenished. And make sure to use a stimulating eye gel in the morning to keep the bags at bay. At least once a week use a facial scrub or exfoliant. This will slough off dead skin and help you look more radiant.

Are you keeping those lips kissable?
No woman wants to smooch a couple strips of sand paper. Keep those things moisturized. My favorite lip balm is Jack Black Lip Balm SPF 25, Intense Therapy.

http://mensfashion.about.com/od/groomingface/a/FaceTips.htm

How to Turn On A Beautiful Woman – 3 Powerful Tips To Start Making Her Feel Attraction To You

Most beautiful women are approached in one way or another all the time by men. A beautiful woman is often approached several times a day by men who are interested. That 'desirable' women including rich women, beautiful women, and famous women, are used to being treated like queens.

It's really no fault of theirs, even very handsome men are notorious for acting arrogant. It's part of being human. We can all become spoiled easily if the right combination of circumstances arises In this article, you will discover 3 powerful tips of how to turn on a beautiful woman so that she can start feeling attraction to you. Here are the tips:

Step 1:
1) Start with something STRONG, not WEAK. When a guy finds a girl interesting, he usually turns into a ball of nervous mush. Then, he usually makes the mistake of letting the woman KNOW that he's nervous and weak. Don't do it. Do something STRONG. Challenge her. If she thinks that she's cool, make fun of her. If she's smart, argue with her a little. If she's doing something, tell her that you could do it better. When you PUSH a little, and show some BACKBONE, she'll push back. That's your sign that the GAME IS ON. Remember, If you just chase after her like the 100 other average guys that have been bothering her this week, you will just be another boring, predictable face in the crowd.

Step 2:
2) Keep the TENSION UP. One of my favorite concepts is "Never let the line go slack". This means that once you SPARK the "chemistry" or "sexual tension", you need to KEEP IT UP. Just because she starts doing things that hint to you that she's interested, doesn't mean that it's time to STOP. Quite the opposite, actually! Turn UP the volume a little. It's working, so do more! Sexual Tension is so important that I've actually devoted an entire "language" and way of thinking about it.

Step 3:
3) Tease Her. The word "tease" has a couple of meanings. One of the meanings has to do with doing things that are slightly annoying to get a response from someone. The other meaning is subtly different and has to do with drawing out a response that you want by doing certain things that indirectly trigger it. Do both of them! If you're about to kiss her, wait until your lips are so close that you can almost feel her...and then STOP. Pull away, and smile. If you want to know how she feels about you, say, "You LOVE me" in a condescending tone of voice, and see how she responds. If she says "NO I DON'T!" in an exaggerated, mocking way, then she probably DOES "love" you. Teasing is fantastic. Do more of it!

http://www.ehow.com/how_2214110_start-making-her-feel-attraction.html

Dating Articles: Show, Don't Tell

Here's a news flash: Most women are more interested in experiencing your redeeming qualities rather than hearing about them. Besides, a little mystery is always a plus when it comes to developing any worthwhile relationship. Trust me: You'll win major brownie points if you can find creative ways to show, not tell, her what you're thinking and feeling, and there is nothing more rewarding than an approving smile offered by the apple of your eye.

The following tips on things to show, not tell, will help you win the heart of a woman without showcasing yourself with distracting advertisements and colorful packaging that exhibit all of your bells and whistles.

Don't brag about your worth

Women do not want to hear how much money you make or the inheritance your great great great grandfather left you in his will. If anything, boasting about your salary or your material accumulation -- such as your house, yacht or a high-class luxury vehicle -- gives the impression that you may be lacking in other areas or overcompensating for the areas you feel insecure about. You can not buy a woman's heart with material things. You must win her affection by showing her how much you will be able to enhance her life through the art of surprise. Outrightly speaking about money also implies that she can not attain such things on her own, which is a dangerous assumption to make. Lastly, you never know who you may be talking to; just think of how you would feel if you found out she made more money than you.

Show her by: If you are truly interested in winning the heart of a woman, simply show her how much you would like to add to her life with some of the things you can afford to give. You can do this by sending her gifts out of the blue -- that is, gifts she may not be able to afford on her own or simply hasn't taken the time to get for herself. Take her on dream trips or places she has yet to visit. Show her that she can rely on you if need be by picking up the tab on meals or an occasional bill. Rather than talking about the house, the yacht and the car you own, take her for a spin around town; plan a romantic outing on the lake; better yet, invite her over for a glass of wine. While she is there, give her the grand tour of your big, beautiful home. The trick here is the element of surprise, which ultimately goes much further than being forewarned about your assets.

Don't tell her about your character traits

Discussing your character traits -- like your sense of humor, athleticism, political beliefs or work ethic -- may not get you the results you're hoping to attain. Your good qualities are definitely things to show, not tell. You may as well get a big white board, list all of your characteristics on it, tie it to a pole and walk around with it. When a potential car buyer goes to a lot, the salesman can run an entire list of features to his customer in an attempt to get the vehicle off the lot. However, the customer probably won't purchase the car until they've had an opportunity to get behind the wheel and experience the car for themselves. If they aren't interested to begin with, they won't bother getting in the car for a test drive. Believe me, it really wasn't the list of features that got them behind the wheel; it's what they saw.

Show her by: Show a woman just how funny you are. Let her see your political stance through discussion among friends, the political candidates you choose or even your community involvement. If you have a big heart under your hood, let her rev it a little. Show her you are healthy by inviting her to work out with you or dine at restaurants that serve healthy cuisine. She will see your best qualities in how you treat her as well as through your interactions with others. Your true essence is always revealed in time, so there is no need to tell her what she will eventually get to see -- unless, of course, all that you claim to be is inauthentic.

Don't tell her how desirable women find you

Bragging about your sexual capacity and how women seem to find you irresistible serves as a big lady repellent. One, it gives the impression that you are on the hunt, aiming to fulfill your calling as a woman pleaser. Two, it will appear as if you are under the impression that you are a commodity most women can't live with out. To you this may seem advantageous, but to a lady it shows that you are selfish and have very little concern for her feelings. There are very few women who want to compete for a man's attention, so it would be silly of you to put her in that kind of position without her consent.
And lastly, when referring to your exes and how alluring they may have thought you were, keep in mind that you are no longer with them. Therefore, it would definitely behoove you to refrain from discussing details about relationships that have failed, as it may cause a woman to think twice about what you claim to be. Remember: show, don't tell.

Show her by: Instead of prattling on about your exes as a means of proving that other women find you desirable, allow a woman to see with her own eyes just how tempting you are and show, don't tell. Women catch on pretty quickly when it comes to seeing how much women stare and flirt while the two of you are on an outing. Seeing how you interact with these women in her presence can also win you points, especially if you introduce her each time you are approached by an ex or an eyeing female. Hopefully, you should know to be respectful enough to mingle with them in a non-flirtatious, platonic fashion, especially while in front of her. The ultimate goal is to show her whether or not you are able to compose yourself in a dignified manner, not how many females you beat off with a stick. Trust me, they are always watching.

Don't tell her how much of a family guy you are

If you are looking to settle down and you want a woman to get a sense that you are interested in building a family, it is not necessary to tell her you are a "typical family guy." To be truthful, this is not a trait that a woman could be attracted to through the act of self-proclamation. This type of profession would sound a lot like a childish attempt to gain the affection of a woman. This is something she must learn for herself.

Show her by: If you are serious about letting her see how much of a family guy you are, start by giving her a natural glimpse into your interactions with your family. You may also try getting her involved with some of the traditional events that your family hosts. If you are a divorced parent, introduce her to your children (when the time is right, of course) and let her see how they respond to you in a relaxed environment. It wouldn't be such a bad idea for her to somehow witness the sacrifices and the responsibilities you partake in on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. She can then make her own assessment as to whether or not you can be the head of the household you claim to be.

showing off

Most guys have a tendency to oversell themselves like high-priced merchandise when dating or trying to win the attention of a woman. Men need to start relying on their own abilities to attract through their actions rather than their words -- which 9 times out of 10 sounds a lot like hot air. Impressing a woman with all the characteristics you think make you an asset to a relationship may have you sounding like nothing more than a conceited salesman attempting to sell a superfluous insurance policy. Show, don't tell. It will definitely pay off.

http://www.askmen.com/dating/curtsmith_150/192b_dating_advice.html

Dating Very Attractive Women

Let's be honest. In the 21st century, good-looking women have the world -- literally -- by the balls. For Very Attractive Women, men are panting puppets, sex is available on demand and money flows from male wallets in a never-ending stream of avarice.

Without lifting a finger, Very Attractive Women enjoy lives that most people can only fantasize about.

For men, the lure of Very Attractive Women is obvious:

They are arm candy

They boost male self-esteem

They increase a man's status among other males

They heat a guy's sexual juices to the boiling point

They're just damn good to look at

But Very Attractive Women have their dark sides as well:

They can be shallow, self-centered and self-absorbed

They are generally takers, not givers -- and they have absolutely no conscience about sex-ploiting the male gender

They think they have gold-plated vaginas

They expect men to slavishly cater to them

They are experts at sexual manipulation and revel in the control they have over men

They auction the use of their bodies to the highest bidder they can attract

Their appeal is their appearance, not their sparkling personalities

They can be bitchy and arrogant

They can be psychologically unstable

They may not be loyal, moving to the highest bidder

They are very, very expensive

Despite these drawbacks, Very Attractive Women are what most guys are looking for. But since these women are constantly bombarded with male attention, they can afford to be highly selective about the men they date.

The result?

In picking male companions they choose money first and looks second (or preferably both, like a Brad Pitt or a Tom Cruise).

But what if you don't have extreme good looks or lots of cash? Is there any hope? Is there any way to get one of these hot babes on your arm? Maybe. You just might be able give yourself a decent shot if you're willing to make a couple of shifts in your dating strategy.

There's a famous Seinfeld episode where the perpetually-frustrated George Costanza decides that in order to stop living like a loser, he should act out the opposite of what his natural instincts tell him to do. So he walks up to a stunning blonde and says, "Hi, I'm George. I'm unemployed, and I live with my parents." The woman likes his refreshing honesty and goes out with him.


The key to success with Very Attractive Women is to be different . But most guys don't have a clue.

When confronted with Very Attractive Women they:

Cater to their every whim

Try to show off with expensive cars, boats and other toys

Pay for their attention with free meals, entertainment, trips, and jewelry

Smother them with phone calls or cards

Gush over them with compliments

Get territorial by trying to lock down the relationship too soon and sequestering them away from the attention of rival suitors

Act overly jealous and suspicious

Turn into insecure, wimpy puppy dogs and settle for crumbs of attention

In other words, act like any other guy out there in the dating world.

But the truth is, Very Attractive Women are hit on 24/7. They've heard guys telling them they're beautiful a zillion times, they expect to be pandered to by the male population, and they're used to having men slavishly crawl after them with their wallets wide open.

To a lot of these women, this is old hat, boring -- they can get it any day of the week. What they're not looking for is another typical guy with the same old routine.

So if you want a chance at Very Attractive Women, you're going to have to do something different.

How can you pull this off? Here are a few examples:

Treat her like she's nothing special
Talk to her like you would any other person. Don't act awestruck by her looks, don't gush out compliments and never stare at her with lust. Reduce the intimidation factor. Be debonair. Seem aloof, as if you don't care about her looks. Whatever you do, don't assume she doesn't want to talk to you.

Don't hit on her
This is what she expects from the typical guy, so just make like you're ignoring her. This is a great technique to use if you run into Very Attractive Women on a routine basis at work, a coffee shop, or a health club. If you don't give her any attention -- while openly paying attention to other women -- she won't be able to stand it because you'll be the only guy within a hundred miles who isn't drooling over her. With luck, she'll be intrigued. Avoid pickup lines at all costs.

Tease her
Very Attractive Women can sense fear and insecurity the way a moth smells pheromones, so be light, fun, and entertaining. Boyish charm can take you a long way with these women -- many of the great-looking guys they date can be seriously personality-challenged.

Talk about her interests & passions
Stimulate her mind, as other guys probably don't. Show interest on her intellect. Make her comfortable. Play on your good aspects, and not your looks -- but don't lie to impress her.

Don't compliment her
Don't put her on a pedestal; she's used to hearing praise. If you do give her a minimal compliment, follow up with something off-putting. For example, "That's a nice dress; my sister has the same one." This says she has good fashion style, but that she's not entirely original.

Tell her she's not up to your standards
Tell her you'd like to ask her out, but she's just not up to your usual standards (watch her jaw hit the floor). If you really want to throw her, steal her thunder and tell her that you think you should be just friends.

Wait a little while to call her
If you get her phone number, wait at least a week to call her -- and then tell her you'll try to fit a date with her into your schedule.

Don't push for sex
She knows she's got the goods, so when you're out with her, she expects you to be a horndog. Make her wait. It will drive her crazy.

Run hot & cold
If you haven't gone out with her yet, be extremely friendly, and follow it up with a period of aloofness. Or date her a couple of times, then drop her cold (with every intention of starting back up again). She'll be stunned.

keep her guessing

The idea is to keep her off-balance, intrigued and guessing -- make her want to spend time with you just because you're so different from any other guy out there. Just remember: Don't let your guard down and start going wimpy on her -- the very second she thinks she's in control of you, it's all over.

So by being different, by bringing a little refreshing change into the life of Very Attractive Women, you might be surprised -- it might just be the breath of fresh air she's been looking for.

Sure, it's no magic charm, and it's certainly not going to work every time. Trying to score a date with Very Attractive Women is definitely a numbers game. But all it takes is one, and if you pull it off, you're going to be in for the sweetest ride of your life.

http://www.askmen.com/dating/curtsmith_100/138c_dating_advice.html

10 Beautiful Women Who Are Way More Intelligent Than You

Run for the hills, lads! They exist!

No but seriously fellow man-people, a beautiful yet intelligent woman (heh. I said "yet") is something that deserves our worship as much as our apprehension. You see, beautiful women don't need to be intelligent. They'll get along just fine in life saying "O RLY?" at everything you say, as you confuse them all the way to the bedroom and mount them just as they figure out, to their horror, what the frick is happening. So, when a woman defies convention by being both hot AND thinking your vast array of chat-up lines based around the model "do you have any (insert nationality here) in you? want some?" are about as amusing as being smashed in the vagina with a wet paper bag full of piranhas, it can be befuddling and in extreme cases, downright embarrassing.

Thus, I have fought tooth and nail, both to find out what that expression means, and to collate information on 10 such examples of these women. Gentlemen, if you ever see one of these women at a bar and become possessed with the desire to try your luck, be forewarned that it's going to take more than your boyish charms and your rapier wit to get any of these women into bed - it's going to take intelligence. Or enough Rohypnol to kill a manatee.

Mira Aroyo

Mira Aroyo is a rare, multi-talented gem of a woman hailing from deepest, darkest Bulgaria. Not only is she a member of the brilliant British band, Ladytron (whose album "Witching Hour" I consider to be a must-listen for all of you), but she is also a model. Oh, and she also has a PHD in Genetics from Oxford University. An appealing combination of man-friendly traits - Mira is the kind of girl who can rock out with the band for your friends, pout for you in private, and acknowledge with a reassuring brand of scientific authority that it's not your fault you are going bald.

Mira Sorvino

Semi-proving that I have a fetish for women named "Mira", Mira Sorvino represents both the 2nd Mira on my list and also a disgusting overachiever. Mira graduated "Magna Cum Laude" from Harvard University with a degree in East Asian Studies. Note that I write "Magna Cum Laude" whilst laughing to myself, because my tiny male brain's automatic reaction to the words "cum laude" is to say "haha. cum laude" under my breath, belittling the massive achievement that "Magna Cum Laude" actually is. Mira is fluent in Mandarin and is apparently an excellent singer.

Severn Cullis-Suzuki

A mere 1 year my senior, Severn already has an epic list of accomplishments long enough to cause my testicles to spontaneously retract all the way up to my eyeballs in humble acceptance of how pathetic my life is compared to hers. Yale graduate and daughter of renowned geneticist and environmentalist David Suzuki, Severn is a member of Kofi Annan's Special Advisory Panel and has been awarded so many accolades that I've almost gone full circle and have ceased to be impressed by it.

Natalie Portman

Apart from being an accomplished child and teenage actress, Natalie Portman - now all grown up at age 25 and well within the socially-acceptable moral threshold for me to masturbate over - is as beautiful as she is bright. Fluent in Hebrew and English with conversational ability in a smattering of other languages (including Japanese), Portman also attended top Ivy League institution Harvard University, where she graduated with a degree in Psychology in 2003.

Liya Kebede

From humble beginnings, superstar model Liya Kebede has blossomed into an inspirational role model to make all of us look at the floor and kick our heels in guilt at the fact that we do sweet frick all for the well-being of others. When not strutting down the catwalk draped in Gucci, Louis Vuitton and D&G, Liya Kebede campaigns for social awareness in her role as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. In 2005, she was awarded the UN Day Award and gave this speech as part of her acceptance. She is also head of a self-named foundation to improve the health of mothers and children around the world.

Vanessa Mae

As a violin player myself, Vanessa Mae's story simultaneously amazes me and fills me with envy no matter how many times I read it. Whilst she had the benefit of significant financial backing from affluent parents whereas I had to fashion my first violin from saliva and ripped up pieces of old Chinese newspapers, it is undeniable that she was an extraordinarily talented musician as a youth - having performed with many of the best orchestras in the world well before her 20s. Whilst I look upon her adulthood goal of "sexifying" Classical music with obvious hype-machine-induced cynicism, it doesn't stop me from wanting to be on her.

Queen Rania of Jordan

Whilst many royal women are renowned for their philanthropic activities (a convenient, royal byproduct of being bored shitless and having loads of money), Queen Rania is different. She's hot. In addition to being hot, Queen Rania has quite a brain sitting beneath that multi-million dollar crown. Born a plebian like the rest of us, Rania graduated with a degree in Business Administration and worked at jobs for Citibank and Apple, before becoming all royal by marrying king Abdullah bin Al-Hussein in 1993. With this new-found Real and Ultimate Power, Queen Rania has made her mark on the world with her involvement in several core economic and welfare-related issues including best practices in the field of microfinance and the incorporation of Information Technology into schools. She is also a foundation board member of the World Economic Forum and lends her time to countless other charities and initiatives.

Carmen Kass

As a supermodel, Carmen Kass probably has to deal with a lot of stereotypical assumptions about her intelligence. For example, you probably wouldn't peg her as the kind of girl who excels at abstract, strategic board games. In fact the only game I know that supermodels excel at involves shitloads of cocaine, a parrot that can recite lines from "Ferris Beuller's Day Off" and seventeen buckets of fake semen - but I do keep rather eccentric company. Anyway I digress. Apart from being a model for the likes of Dior, Prada, Gucci and Chanel, Carmen Kass is also the President of the Estonian Chess Association. This isn't just some meaningless, honourary title because she once touched a chess board and the Estonian Chess Association shat their pants and threw money at her agent - she actually kicks arse at chess, plays in tournaments and allegedly prefers a quiet game of chess indoors with friends as opposed to those clichéd supermodel parrot / fake semen parties.

Sabrina Houssami

Sabrina Houssami is Australia's proud entry into the Miss World 2006 contest. Whilst Miss World is usually a depressing, conveyor-belt sushi ride of vacant, wide-eyed women saying the same "world peace is like totally awesome!" judge-friendly speech over and over again, I'm expecting good things from Sabrina, and I'm not just talking about her tits in a bikini top. Sabrina is a mere 19 years old but has already won many accolades in the fields of public speaking and debate. She was a member of the New South Wales champion debating team of 2003 and this year she was a speaker on the winning team of the Goodwill Week Great Debate. She is pretty much everything I look for in a woman - that smouldering yet mysterious Middle-Eastern look and the assertiveness to tell me when I am completely full of shit. Which is all the time.

Ada Lovelace

I know, I know. You can't sleep with a dead woman. Legally. Ada Lovelace is the only dearly departed (in 1852) member of my list, but no less deserving. Ada was trained from birth to be a maths and science genius thanks to her mother's fear and suspicion of hippie, liberal arts types - which was brought on by a nasty breakup with Ada's poet father, Lord Byron. Ada is well known for her contributions to and English documentation on Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine. Ada, with her mathematically-inclined mind, suggested to Babbage to write a plan on how his machine could be used to calculate Bernoulli numbers. This plan is now regarded by historians as the first computer program ever written.

Closing Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed my terrifyingly frank foray into the world of women who are just way better than any of us. Perhaps I've instilled in you a new-found appreciation for the female of the species. Perhaps I've rekindled your interest in personality and intellect over attributes that are merely physical.

So. Which one do you want to BONE?

Source: http://archive.yongfook.com/2006/06/29/10-beautiful-women-who-are-way-more-intelligent-than-you/

Quotations About Beautiful Women

These quotations about the true sources of beauty go beyond hair and makeup. Cultivating personality, attitude and charm is as important as your appearance.

These quotes from beautiful women like Sophia Loren and Gloria Steinem show that though taking care of your appearance is important and healthy; the true source of beauty comes from within.

These quotations about what makes a girl gorgeous are divided into three parts: quotations about beauty and personality, quotations about beauty and age, and quotations about beauty and self-image. Plus, one bonus quotation about beauty and attitude at the end!

Quotations about beauty and personality

"The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express." (Sir Francis Bacon). What makes a girl gorgeous is more than her appearance, size and shape. Her personality is her true source of beauty.

"It's beauty that captures your attention; personality which captures your heart." (Unknown)

"Some beautiful things are more impressive when left imperfect than when too highly finished." (La Rochefoucauld). This quotation about beauty and personality supports the idea that imperfection can make a woman more attractive – which has been proven by research.

"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a like from within." (Elisabeth Kubler-Ross).

"Charm…it's sort of a bloom on a woman. If you have it, you don't need to have anything else; and if you don't have it, it doesn't much matter what else you have." (J.M Barrie). Part of being charming is making others feel accepted, loved, and respected. Charm is a true source of beauty.

Quotations about beauty and age

"There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age." (Sophia Loren).

"It has been said that a pretty face is a passport. But it's not, it's a visa, and it runs out fast." (Julie Burchill). Your appearance isn't a true source of beauty, because it inevitably changes and fades.

Quotations about beauty and self-image

"A better self-image doesn't pay the rent or cook supper or prevent nuclear war. Feeling better about ourselves doesn't change the world by itself, but it can give us energy to do what we want and to work for change." (Our Bodies, Ourselves for the New Century). A great self-image not only makes a girl gorgeous, it energizes her to follow her dreams and passions.

"Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical." (Sophia Loren). Feeling good about yourself is the connection between beauty and self-image. The more comfortable you are in your own skin, the more beautiful you are.

"Self-esteem isn't everything; it's just that there's nothing without it." (Gloria Steinem).

One last quotation about beauty and attitude:

"Why hope to live a long life if we're only going to fill it with self-absorption, body maintenance, and image repair? When we die, do we want people to exclaim, 'She looked ten years younger,' or do we want them to say, 'She lived a great life!' " (Unknown).

A beautiful woman doesn't have to choose between living a great life and looking ten years younger – but living a great life can lead to looking ten years younger. Now, that's beautiful.

Source: http://beauty.suite101.com/article.cfm/quotations_about_beautiful_women

Beauty sleep: facts and myths

The phrase we can hear rather often but don't have a complete understanding what it is: beauty sleep. We usually use this phrase to make a joke, but beauty sleep is actually a real thing and we all should get it. However, most people misunderstand the phrase beauty sleep.

Most of us think that if you are sleeping in any time but night - you are having beauty sleep. That's so not true! Beauty sleep is actually included in your night sleep, yet not every one gets it. Your body needs to have a sleeping routine, you should go to sleep and get up at about the same time everyday. Only in such case you'll get your beauty sleep.

Don't believe in that illusion that if you'll get your beauty sleep, you'll naturally become beautiful. People who don't have sleeping routine commonly look tires, because their body gets tired of the changing life rhythm. Those who get their beauty sleep look fresh and full of energy. Bad sleep can affect your weight as well. While you are sleeping, your body reduces stress hormones, which are important for fat loss. That means: the more sleep you get the more hormones are lost and the less weight you are in danger to get.

Skin is also very sensitive to your sleep changes. Body uses sleeping time to restore dead skin. If you do not get enough sleep, your skin may look pale or even gray, you'll probably get black circles under your eyes. All you have to do to avoid all these unwanted effects is to set your everyday sleeping time.

You should take care of your sleep quality as well. If you are having nightmares or after a whole night sleep you still feel tired, try something as listening to meditation music before going to sleep (you may leave it turned on while sleeping) or having a hot aroma bath before getting to bed. If this doesn't help, you are really stressed or have some serious health problems and you should ask for some professional help.

To use beauty sleep advantages at the maximum, use night creams and lotions for your body, exercise when you get up and eat healthy food at least for breakfast. Try to control your self and don't get too much stress, so that your body wouldn't be very busy at night and you could have a better rest.

Don't expect too much of it. As mentioned before your appearance won't change. You'll simple look fresh and your skin will be beautiful, you won't have black circles around. You won't feel tired therefore even your mood will get better.

Sleep is a very important part of our lives although many people don't pay any attention to quantity and quality of sleep. Beauty sleep is important not only for those who seek to be beautiful but for all of us because it is also very healthy. Although you may lose some day time, the one that you'll still have left will surely be much better!

Source: http://www.jurgita.com/articles-id2355.html

Look Beautiful every day

Your colleague looks so beautiful every day and you are not brave enough to ask her how she does that? If you are willing to follow some simple steps, you will look wonderful every single day as well. To tell you the truth, being beautiful and even elegant is easier than it might seem.

All you have to do is take care of yourself. For instance if you want to look beautiful you can't leave home with dirty hair. You must wash it every two days. If you have oily hair, wash them daily. Don't forget to visit your hair dresser constantly. Don't let your hair look greasy or untidy. It surely makes a bad impression.

Your nails are also very important. You would get surprised how much attention people pay to your hands. To think of it yourself, would you find a person with dirty or broken nails attractive? Probably not, so you're not an exception and if you want to be attractive, be very attentive to every little detail.

Be adequately careful with your clothing. You don't have to be super fashionable or stylish. Just make sure your clothes are clean and fresh and no matter what your style is, you will look nice. Don't forget to make sure your clothes are not too small and too shaggy for you, because it makes an impression of an untidy person.

When it comes to makeup, remember one rule: natural = beautiful. Yet, most women apply makeup everyday. It's ok, just make too much of it. Remember that there's a rather great difference between daily and evening makeup. Ladies who has beautiful skin should use only mascara and lipstick. Powder is acceptable only for those who have some skin problems.

Don't forget grace! Straight back and small steps will guarantee you an elegant look that will make you charming and attractive. For most women it comes as a surprise that graceful walk are so important, but once again, haven't you ever noticed how beautiful and elegant seem those ladies who walks with straight back and head up?

Mind your manners. Doing nothing that is unacceptable in public doesn't mean your manners are good. Don't forget to sorry and thank people, control your tone while talking to others and even clean your language. Talking properly will and in nice tone will help you in your relationship with colleagues, friends and even family members.

Scent is an important part of your image as well. People that are around you will surely notice your new perfume. You will feel better yourself, knowing that people smell your perfume, and not your sweat.

Combining all these things will undoubtedly make you look beautiful. Beauty is not all about facial features or body shape. Every single woman can feel and really look wonderful, all you have to do is pay attention to your self and find some time to take care of your looks. And don't forget, that only when you'll find yourself attractive and charming other people will find attractive and charming as well.

Source: http://www.jurgita.com/articles-id2413.html

Fashion Tips for Latest Trends: Show off Those Sexy Curves

This season brings the sexiest styles one can ever imagine- corset dresses. Hot and elegant, this new trend will show off your sexy curves because that is what corset dresses are meant to do. For this, be sure to wear a Denim corset dress paired with metallic gold flats or with any kind of heel like knee-highs. These dresses can be worn at night or during the day with a cardigan jacket over it.

Ultimately worn for the cold weather, sweater dresses come in many kinds of fabrics. One of the best so far is cashmere which costs a little higher. These dresses come in different styles like turtle necks. They may look casual but greatly easier to wear. Sweater dresses can be paired with black tights and boots.

One of the items you should have this season is a cardigan jacket with neutral colors. Not only they will match with almost anything, they are also stylish, trendy and comfortable. You can choose from short or long lengths, depending on your style. Longer cardigans go well with sweater dresses and skirts as well as jeans and tights. Shorter ones match well with any sporty attire.

Bring a splash of color and be creative with citrus yellow or hot pink jeans. Wear a pair of Rihanna-styled skinny bright yellow jeans with leopard print tops, topped again with stilettos. Don't go for the original boring blue jeans.

Look exceptional with a bunch of funky hats. Look for a straw sun hat decorated with flowers which you could pair with a pretty sun dress. You could also wear a military cap paired with your jeans.

One of the season's fashion trends are big bags. Therefore, consider getting a big super sized bag not worrying about the brand because this year, the size is more important than the designer's name.

Latest Fashion Trends: Class, Elegance and Style!

This season is completely different from last year's free style boho. All reflecting a desire for feminine luxuries, last year was all about lace, frills, sequins, colour, shine, wild textures and patterns. This season's look is simple yet elegant, classy, voguish and chic.

Rather than wearing ethnic-look garments embellished with sequins, metallic threading, and beads, this year emerged a more glamorous and sophisticated look. The fabrics and cuts were very flattering for normal ladies, not just for celery-shaped supermodels.

Some of the key features seen this season were:

• Long swing coats, flowing caftan tops, long baby doll tunics, pinafore dresses, opaque tights and leggings, crisp white shirts, high-waisted skinny jeans, wide mannish slouchy trousers, stylish tops made from metallic materials, cross-over style dresses with wide belts worn high on the waists and fur collar cropped jackets;

• Colors: black and white prints, melon and frost pink, dark charcoal and silver gray, monochrome mix, electric blue, purple and red;

• Fabrics: satin, soft silk, fine cotton, georgette and chiffon, winter classic tartan, brocade and jacquard, lurex, lame, taffeta, crepe;

• Prints: bold and bright geometric prints, prints in silver and abstract florals in bold colors;

• Silhouette: high-waisted skirts and pants, volume in skirts and dresses such as bubble and tulip style, large oversized collars plus dresses or skirts, and empire line tunics - either very short or very long (maxis made a huge comeback);

• And accessories such as triple belts worn high on the waist, big bags, boots, fur trims, and silver classic style jewelry

Indian Sarees Of The Women

The Indian sarees of the women in India has a history which goes way back during the ancient times. There have been several versions of its beginnings, why women consider wearing it as part of their tradition.

According to one legend, a beautiful woman, Draupadi, is lost to a gamble because of her husband. The enemies of her husband have a desire to embarrass her, so, they pulled on the cloth that has been draped around her body. But no matter how much they keep on pulling, the cloth never seems to end. In a spiritual view of the tale, the men who have won the gambling game stand for whatever that is evil in the world, and they keep on pulling the cloth which stands for eternity. This cloth that they have been trying to unwind is now known as the Indian sarees.

Another legend also states that the Indian sarees originated from the loom of a weaver who likes to dream so much. As he weaves on the loom, he dreams of a woman, the way her tears fall down her face, the way her hair falls down on her shoulders. He imagines her moods as various kinds of colors, and her skin soft to the touch. With these ideas in mind, he keeps on weaving for a long time until the cloth reached a hundred yards. And when he looked at what he has done, he smiled in satisfaction. This tale is among the reasons why women wear Indian sarees, this is to exude the femininity in them.

The earliest version of the Indian sarees has been that of a short cloth. It has been used as a skirt or a veil. During those early times, women have not been wearing a blouse under their Indian sarees, their chest is bare. In other rare areas of India, the women there still do not wear a blouse or choli underneath their Indian sarees.

The reason why Indian sarees do not have stitches in the past is because they are considered as pure. During olden times in India, the needles that are being used are made from bones, and the people considered their traditional clothes as pure so they dared not taint the purity by running bone needles on the cloth.

For the Indian weavers of the Indian sarees, the precise measurement of the saree is 47 inches by 216 inches. Even though the Indian sarees are not tailored, the design of the cloth speaks of sophistication. The print on the Indian sarees follows a specific method of weaving which manifests a rhythm of design.

The design pattern of the Indian sarees depends on the region and culture where the saree is made. The Muslims are known to design their Indian sarees with so much gold. These kinds of sarees are mostly used for ritual traditions. There are also Indian sarees which are made from silk with gold embroiders.

In the past, the women of India have no options for the style of their Indian sarees. But recently, there have been an emerging various styles of sarees which are available not only for Indian women, but also for other women from all over the world who want to try out a different kind of clothing style.

Article: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=160820&ca=Culture

Suitable Indian Bridal Attire For A Short, Dark Complexion Woman

Becoming a bride is on every girls priority list at some point of time in her life. And this priority is just not restricted to any caste, creed, color or religion. Being short and dark complexion women does not really cause any hindrance in terms of becoming a bride. All those girls who feel that they won't look nice in their bridal attire just because they are short should better think again because being short and dark could never effect the looks of the bride.

What matters most is that you pick yourself right type of bridal attire combined with right hairstyle and proper accessories suiting your complexion and height.

Most women, whether Indian or international prefer to wear Indian bridal attire as they are considered most graceful as compared to any other woman attire. However, these days an endless variety in terms of Indian bridal attire is available to us. One can make a fair choice of which attire to wear suiting their personality.

Some girls prefer to go for Indian bridal attires like lehengas while others enjoy wearing a saree or a gown. But in all these cases large-scale preparations are made by near and dear ones. The bride usually follows strict pre bridal make up sessions and then goes for her shopping. But it is advisable for a short dark complexion bride to choose suitable indian bridal attire for themselves with perfect accessories so that they look quite tall and fair on their d-day.

For a dark complexion and short would be bride, it is mandate to know what suits her the best in terms of clothes, color sequence and make up. In case she is unaware about the same, it is sensible that she experiments a few times before her wedding date.

As far as a short and a dark complexioned woman is concerned, it is suggested that she avoids wearing fluorescent colors, clear whites, shades of pink, very light colors and bright yellows. In other words, she should preferably use mid tones of all colors. Shocking fluorescent colors should be avoided at any cost. In addition to this, dark colors like black should not be worn as it would make her look darker. As far as make up is concerned a dark complexion bride should avoid bright make up as it would make her look darker. Indian bridal attires for a dark complexion bride should be neither very dark nor very light coloured. They should be quite with mid tones.

Assuming that the bride is even short in height, she should not wear tight garments. Also semi open necks would give her a better look as in she won't look very plump. Very short or long length would again give her a fat look. Thus, a mediocre length kurta would do justice to her physique. A short bride should prefer to wear some high heels to complement those beautiful Indian bridal attires. But remember they should be equally comfortable in walking. The next big thing that's important for a short bride is her hairstyles. Short brides should always prefer to go for high buns which will make them look taller.

These are just a few things that should be kept in mind while selecting the Indian Bridal Wear for a short and a dark complexioned woman. A bride whether short or dark looks equally beautiful on her d-day as others but what's most important is that your attires, color combinations and accessories should be according to your complexion and physique.

The Best Clothing Styles for Your Body Type

The majority of women do not have the model body type that allows designer clothing to drape over us effortlessly, but we can come pretty close if we make the right choices. This begins by understanding your body type and letting go of those inner demons telling you to be thinner so you'll look better in clothing. How many times have you or a friend said "I refuse to buy any new clothes until I lose ten pounds", or my favorite, "I'll by this smaller size and it will give me incentive to lose weight". Ladies, please stop!

Train your eye to choose clothing that flatters your individual shape, not an idealized form. Get to know your body and its unique measurements. When you learn to balance your proportions and accentuate your assets, you will achieve effortless style and will have the ability to look as good as any fashion magazine model.

BODY TYPE 1: Triangle Often referred to as the "pear", you have narrow and sloped shoulders, and larger hips. Most have a slim torso and rib cage and your waist may be smaller in proportion to your hips. You also have a fuller bottom and legs. This is the most common figure type.

FIT SOLUTIONSThe key is to draw the eye away from your widest hip area. Your best styles will accentuate your neck and slim upper body and minimize your lower half.

Tops: Avoid a short boxy line on top. Your best tops will focus on widening your shoulders. Choose ballet and boat necks, puff sleeves, dolman and batwing sleeves. V-necks and blouses with princess seams that accentuate your waist. Stay away from crop tops and anything that stops at your navel or above - it will cut you in half thus accentuating your lower half!

Dresses: Empire waisted and babydoll styles as well as kimono, dolman and flutter sleeved. Wrap dresses that accentuate your waist and draw attention to your neck and shoulders with a v-neck style.

Skirts: Choose a circle or a-line skirt with a lower waist and minimal waistband. Straight skirts work well worn just above the knee in a fabric that drapes well.

Pants: A straight cut with a bootleg or slight flare is your best bet. Choose a lower waist pant that has a flat front - no pleats or pockets placed across your widest part! High waist pants that are at or above your navel can mold around your hips and butt and give the appearance of bulk. Capris should also have a slight flare at the bottom.

Fabric and Color: Darker colors will recede and make you look smaller, so generally darker bottoms and lighter tops work nicely. Bold, large prints can work well for taller Type 1 women, but stick with smaller prints if you are average to petite.

BODY TYPE 2: Hourglass

You have well proportioned shoulders that are in line with your hips and a waist approximately 10" smaller. Curvy describes you the best and you have a small to average, defined waistline and an average to full bottom and many have of you have great legs.

FIT SOLUTIONSYou can wear any type of clothing that stays in proportion to your height and weight. Find clothing with shape and soft, fluid fabrics to highlight your curves.

Tops: Almost anything goes. Best bets are fitted blouses, halters, wrap tops, and blouson. If you have a fuller bust, avoid breast pockets, pleating or ruffles in that area.

Dresses: Tank and sheath dresses, nipped-waist and bias, wrap, strapless and anything that highlights your curves.

Skirts: Pencil and bias cut skirts look great on your body-type. If you are fuller in the stomach and hips, avoid excess material or horizontal pockets in this area.

Pants: A straight cut with a bootleg or slight flare is your best bet, but you can opt for slimmer styles if your hips and thighs are average to small. Choose a lower waist pant that has a flat front.

Fabric and Color: Experiment with color, prints and texture to see what fits your personality and stature. Choose fabrics that drape well and are not stiff. You want to highlight your curves, not hide them or create a boxy midsection.

BODY TYPE 3: V-Shape

You may describe your figure as boyish or athletic, but you are lucky to have the model type body that looks great in almost every style. Your shoulders are broader than your hips. Your waist is average and less defined and you have narrow hips, a smaller and sometimes flat bottom with slimmer legs.

FIT SOLUTIONS Your narrow hips give you choice and versatility. If your shoulders are very broad, you will want to add volume to your hips for balance and stay away from styles that exaggerate the shoulder area.

Tops: V-necks, U-necks, sleeveless and tanks with wider straps. Avoid tops with a horizontal line or widening effect near the top such as puff sleeves, boat necks, epaulettes, or fussy details.

Dresses: Avoid high waistlines and empire seams or ruffles near the top. Look for details like bold prints, pockets and pleats on the lower half to add fullness and keep it simple on top.

Skirts: Torso skirts with soft pleating, tiers and gathering are your first choice because they add volume and balance your figure. Stay away from any style that gathers at the natural waist or appears to cut you in half, thus exaggerating the upper body.

Pants: Your choice - with narrow hips you can wear them all.

Fabric and Color: Experiment with color, prints and texture to see what fits your personality and stature. Create interest on the bottom half with prints and color and keep the top simple to downplay the shoulder area.

Saree Articles: How to Drape a Saree

Saree, the eternally fashionable and elegant drape from India, has defined Indian womanhood for over 5000 years now. Its charm lies in its simplicity, flowing grace, the endless possibilities it offers. Available in countless interesting fabrics, patterns and colours, this six-yard wonder is the most preferred garment in any woman's wardrobe.

Saree - Always Trendy, Always Appropriate Over the years, the saree has evolved to suit the changing lifestyle and preferences of its wearer. In spite of the growing popularity of western wear, saree still holds its ground firmly. Being the only garment that conceals figure flaws and brings out the best in any woman, saree is equally admired by both wearers and designers. It is considered the most sensuous, stylish and sophisticated attire even today. From Shimmering Silks and Elegant Chiffons to Flowing Crepes and Georgettes, available in vivid colors and embellished with the most intricate embroidery work, saree comes in the most mesmerizing avatars one can imagine. Such wide-ranging variety makes it suitable for all occasions - from weddings to formal functions and official meetings to social get-togethers. Moreover, it looks gorgeous on women of all ages and builds.



Tips for Saree Wearers

Heavier women should wear fabrics like Chiffon, Crepe, Georgette and avoid Organza, Tissue and Cotton. This rule applies vice versa for very thin women who want a fuller look.Large prints and sarees with broad borders make one look shorter. Heavier women should wear straight cut, non-flare petticoats underneath the saree.Cotton sarees should be starched and ironed properly before wearing.For office wear, one should choose cotton sarees in subtle colours and prints. These should be worn with the pallu folded in pleats and pinned on the shoulder.Heavy silk sarees with golden thread work should be wrapped in a saree cover before storing. Always wear sandals before draping the saree.

Endless Draping Possibilities

A saree can be draped in innumerable innovative styles. Few of these styles have originated as regional preferences - Bengali style, Gujarati style, Maharashtrian style, and others like the Airhostess style to suit professional requirements. Rest are purely inventive ways of wearing the same fabric differently. Most popular style of draping a saree is the Nivi drape (reverse style). Here the saree is tied around the waist, close to the navel, with 6-9 pleats tucked into the petticoat at the front and the pallu draped over the left shoulder. One can choose to either pin up the pallu loosely over the left shoulder or try a more professional look with a pleated pallu firmly put in place on the shoulder.Another popular style is the Gujarati drape. It is different from the reverse style, in the way the pallu is draped. Instead of the left shoulder, the pallu is brought to the front over the right shoulder and the left corner of the pallu is tucked near the left hip.Then there is the charming Bengali style where the sari is tucked in at the left side and then stretched back to the right hip from the left shoulder. The pallu is then encircled around the back to come out below the right arm and thrown again on the left shoulder. Interestingly a heavy key is used to keep it in place.

These are just a few of the possibilities in saree draping styles. With a little creativity, it is possible to experiment and create different styles for different occasions.

Saree Innovations in South India

Think of South India and silk sarees invariably come to mind. The South Indian bride still prefers to wear the traditional silk saree on the occasion of her wedding. With changing times, trends in sarees are also changing. Retailers in South India are well known for their innovations in sarees. This article attempts to throw light on the latest innovations in sarees in the silk and temple area of South India.

Some of the significant innovations in silk sarees by South Indian retailers have been described below. Most of the saree innovations are by Sri Kumaran Silks in Chennai.

The saree-shirt combo

Sri Kumaran Silks has launched the concept of a saree-shirt combination, which is known as 'Jodi Pattu'. They have designed sarees with a matching shirt piece, which is meant for the lady's husband. Both the saree and the shirt are made of pure handloom silk. The saree has a beautiful embroidered pallu and matching embroidery is done on the shirt piece too.

The color-changing saree

Sri Kumaran Silks has also come up with the concept of a silk saree that changes color. When the wearer of the saree moves out of her home, the color of the saree changes. The retailer claims that this is the first ever color-changing saree to be developed in the world.

The Durbar Krishna Saree

The Durbar Krishna saree has been developed by RMKV. This saree depicts a famous picture of Lord Krishna in the pallu, in which Swarowski crystals have also been used. This image is believed to bring good luck to the owner.

The zip-n-wear saree

This is another innovative concept in silk sarees by Sri Kumaran Silks. They have designed a saree with four different but matching pallus. Each of these pallus have an attached zip. The wearer of the saree can easily detach one pallu and attach another. This saree is popularly known as Zip-n-wear saree.

The pocket saree

This is yet another innovative concept by Sri Kumaran Silks. This saree has a pocket, which can hold a cell phone and other small items.

The landscape saree

Sri Kumaran Silks has also developed a new type of saree called the Landscape Saree. This saree is made of pure silk and the design of a rural landscape is woven into the pallu.

The denim saree

The denim saree has been designed by Sri Kumaran Silks. It is a pure silk saree that gives the look of denim, at the same time retaining the soft feel of silk.

The 50000 color saree

RMKV has developed an innovative concept of a saree that has 50000 colors. It claims that it is the first saree in the world to have these many different shades.

The reversible saree

The reversible saree is another concept by RMKV. This saree has been designed in such a way that it can be worn in four different ways. There are two different body colors and four different pallus. This saree comes with two blouse pieces.

The zodiac saree

RMKV has introduced the Zodiac saree collection, which contains 12 silk sarees. Each of these sarees has the symbol of a zodiac sign woven into the pallu.

The Jugalbandi saree

The Jugalbandi saree is another unique concept launched by RMKV. It combines two totally different concepts. North Indian work like kundan and bead work or Parsi embroidery is done on pure South Indian silk sarees.

The Hamsa Damyanthi

Hamsa Damyanthi is a silk saree by RMKV, in which the famous painting of Raja Ravi Varma is woven into the pallu. 26 different shades are reflected in the saree, which have been achieved by the use of around 80 different types of threads. This saree won the National Award for master weavers in the year 1999.

Romantica Sarees

Romantica sarees is a collection launched by Sri Kumaran Silks. These sarees are made of silk, but are stretchable. They are available in various pastel shades. This collection is aimed at the younger generation. These sarees are also available in traditional colors.

The 108 Karnas saree

This is yet another beautiful concept by RMKV. This is a pure silk saree with the 108 Karnas i.e. the 108 different poses of Bharatnatyam woven into the pallu.

The Aiswariya Pookal Saree

The Aiswariya Pookal saree has been developed by RMKV. 90 different flower designs have been woven into the pallu of this saree. This saree won the National Award for master weavers in the year 1998.

The handbag saree

The handbag saree has also been designed by Sri Kumaran Silks. This is again a saree made of pure silk that comes with a matching handbag.

The Kolangal saree

Kolangal sarees is a collection of sarees by RMKV. 'Kolangal' means 'Rangoli' in Tamil. The Kolangal sarees have different traditional forms of Rangoli woven into their pallu. This collection included sarees with Aishwariya Kolam, Mana Kolam, Kubera Kolam, etc.

Conclusion

The popularity of the saree as routine wear is declining in India. However, saree is the dress of choice in marriages and other social occasions. These new innovations in sarees help in increasing the popularity of the sarees and attract the younger generation. Such innovations are ways to add freshness to the traditional saree.

References:

www.rmkv.com
www.kumaransilks.net

Artilce : http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/2/184/saree-innovations-in-south-india2.asp

12 Things Men Should Do, But Don't

At some point, every man has sought out and implemented new ways to improve his life. However, for every improvement made, there are also many other potentially helpful things we don't do -- often without any logical explanation. For example, asking for directions is a classic example of something that used to be very difficult for us men to do; of course, since the invention of GPS and online maps, this is no longer such an issue. Whether it's out of habit, laziness, or fear, here are some modern-day examples of things men should do, but generally don't:

1. Use coupons
Sure, we all have visions of old ladies holding up grocery store lines with bunches of coupons, but in reality, this is something men should be doing too. Nearly all big retail outlets offer coupons at some point, and electronics stores, multi-purpose stores (like Target or The Wiz), grocery stores, restaurants, and hotels often serve up unbeatable deals.

Why we don't: Let's be honest here. We don't use coupons because we're too lazy to look for them, and also because we don't want to look cheap. Period.

Why we should: Who wouldn't like to save some money now and again? Considering that the only catch is having to scan the local newspaper or fliers left at our door, it's inconceivable that we should not start doing clipping coupons. And besides, the more you save on things like groceries, the more you can spend on beer and electronics.

2. Get regular check-ups
We usually visit doctors and dentists as a last resort, when that sprained ankle has swollen to the size of a grapefruit or that toothache can no longer be ignored. But every man should get checked out regularly, if not for STDs or illnesses related to aging (heart and prostate diseases especially), then at least in order to lead an all-around healthy life.

Why we don't: Most men know two things in this area: What we don't know won't hurt us, and most pain can be walked off or put up with.

Why we should: Stupid pride and fear can keep you from spotting and eradicating small problems before they become serious. Besides, hitting on nurses is fun.

3. Follow a recipe
Cooking in general should be every modern cosmopolitan man's goal, but more importantly, cracking open a cookbook and following a recipe is something every man should be able to do. If not for the impression you can make on women or the simple and tasty meal ideas, then at least to be able to control exactly what you're eating, and how it's prepared.

Why we don't: No matter how good or easy a recipe or cookbook may be, most of us men know that it's much easier to just order food, or get married.

Why we should: Most books are so simple that monkeys could cook up a four-course meal, so there's no reason you can't make every meal at home a winner. This is especially helpful if you're trying to start a new relationship on the right foot, or if you're tying to spice up an older one.


4. Maintain your stuff
When is the last time you cleaned the inside of your car? What about the outside? Ironed your shirts lately? And what about those shoes? Shouldn't you get them shined? Exactly. The list of our maintenance failures is never-ending, and while it can be difficult to keep up when we're busy, this is something we really should do.

Why we don't: It's easier to hope these things will start fending for themselves, which is another way of saying that we're lazy and that ironing shirts is about as exciting as watching a game of lawn bowling.

Why we should: If you can't maintain things, why buy them in the first place? Besides, if you care for the things you buy, they'll not only look and perform better, but they'll last longer, too, saving you money in the long run.

5. Read the instructions/owner's manual If you look around your house for them, you'll discover that the manuals to your electronic devices, car and appliances have probably never been used (that is, if you've even kept them).

Why we don't: Who needs a small multilingual booklet to tell them what to do? And anyway, they're impossible to decipher half the time. Is the use of ancient hieroglyphs really necessary to explain the features of a DVD player?

Why we should: Hooking up your surround sound system properly allows you to watch movies the way they were meant to be watched: loud, and in your face.

6. Do laundry properly
Most of us have good intentions when it comes to washing our clothes. We want to do it regularly and properly, but we have trouble following the instructions on the label and somehow still end up mixing colors and whites, piling our clean clothes with the dirty ones, and never ironing the items that need it most.

Why we don't: Everyone knows that doing laundry sucks, which is why we often go by the motto, "the faster it's done, the better." This attitude is obviously the main culprit.

Why we should: If your clothes look sloppy, dirty or wrinkled, you will not make your best impression on others, particularly in professional settings.

7. Engage in foreplay
Women love foreplay, but most men consider it "beating around the bush," literally. It's hard to see why, really. I mean, most of us love lingerie, and we can enjoy teasing, touching, role-playing and licking, but somehow we're still obsessed with just getting things done.

Why we don't: The equipment is there for a reason, so why postpone the inevitable? I mean, how many appetizers can you sample before the main course? This is especially true for those nights when you're tired, and all you want to do is get on with the show.

Why we should: If we indulged in more foreplay and took the time to get our women revved up, the ultimate result would be that much sweeter.

8. Throw away old belongings
Every man has a favorite shirt, hat or pair of shoes. These are always difficult to part with -- even if an item doesn't really fit into your grown-up wardrobe, it's easy to believe that "there's still some life left in it." But why do we keep all those old baseball cards? Or the ticket to every single concert we've ever attended? What about those Mad magazine receipts from 1987? These are all examples of old, unnecessary things that we should really learn to just throw away.

Why we don't: When our official biographer turns up, all of our junk will be considered priceless. And what if one day, probably the day after we throw it out, we really need that old copy of TV Guide with Bob Saget on the cover?

Why we should: Most of the useless crap we hoard does little besides collect dust and take up potentially useful space.

9. Watch less TV
Even if the first thing you want to do when you get home is plop yourself down on the couch and zone out in front of the TV, think of how many other things you could do if you watched less of it. You could, for example, get the exercise you always talk about or even read a book. These might not sound like thrilling alternatives, but really, how many times do you need to watch the West Coast Customs guys install an X-box in the back of a car on Pimp My Ride?

Why we don't: No matter how slim the pickings, most of us have an undying hope that we will find something great on. In fact, no matter how awful, we know that with time, we'll find a game, movie or show worth watching.

Why we should: With so much crappy reality programming these days, watching a lot of television can truly feel wasteful. This is especially true in the summer, when reruns rule the day and warmer weather calls for more outings.

10. Check the expiry dates on food
Are you afraid of opening your fridge door? If so, you're not alone. That awful rotting smell you fear is something common to many men's refrigerators. And while a lot of that has to do with our laziness in clearing out old food, the problem starts earlier. Many of us never bother to check the expiration dates when shopping for products like cheese, milk, juice, and meat.

Why we don't: Because grocery shopping, like doing the laundry, is often a royal pain the ass, we're often speeding through it and unfocused. It also doesn't help that most of us are preoccupied with the idea of picking up women at the supermarket.

Why we should: Staving off food poisoning and salmonella wouldn't hurt anyone. And we might save some money if we didn't have to throw out half the contents of our fridge two days after buying it.

11. Leave household plumbing and electrical work to professionals
Would you trust yourself to remove your appendix? Then why do you think you can rewire your home? Sure, that leaky faucet or faulty fuse box looks easy to fiddle with and repair, and yes, it's your house, but honestly, what the hell do you know about these things? Let's face it: Most of us regular Joes are not Bob Villa, and even though it hurts more than anything to have to call in another man to do the job, leaving it to the pros is something we should all do.

Why we don't: Like territorial animals, most of us have a hard time watching another man fixing our problems and having all the fun involved, too.

Why we should: Nothing kills a weekend like flooding the basement, except maybe electrocution. For the safety of your family and your home, you should let the experts take care of any problems that arise.

12. Not be mesmerized by big breasts
At this point in our lives, the sight of big breasts should not be such a big deal. Let's face it: even excluding personal experience, most men have been inundated with images of breasts. So what's the big deal? You'd think that by now, we'd be so used to it that it would barely register. Why does the sight of large squeezers completely paralyze us, even for that brief moment?

Why we don't: Because they're breasts and they're big... a certain respect is due, after all, especially when you consider how often we daydream about them.

Why we should: Even smaller breasts deserve attention. And frankly, the power large breasts hold over us is starting to give men a bad name. Remember, in the battle of the sexes, we must reveal no weaknesses.

Article : http://www.askmen.com/fashion/austin_100/128d_fashion_style.html

Must-Own Dress Shirt Colors

Move away from the white shirt and add a blast of color to your wardrobe by incorporating these fine colors to your sartorial repertoire. If you know your AskMen.Com Style Bible, you already know the various shirt styles every man should own. So let's go a bit further and breakdown the must-own dress shirt colors for this year. Keep in mind, however, that adding color does not, under any circumstances, allow a man to ever wear a pink shirt. The pink dress shirt has had its time and there shall not be a 16th minute of fame for this silly-looking color on a man.

Classic blue

The classic blue dress shirt allows flexibility without the drollness of the white shirt. Best of all, the classic blue bridges the gap between formal and informal simply in the way you wear it. Pair it with a red tie and you're ready for a political office. A dark gray or black tie lends formality and strength to your look. Go blue on blue with a sharp blue suit and tie for a continental look or leave it unbuttoned, sans tie, for a casually modern appearance. In short, this is the shirt you should always pack when heading out of town.

Gray

This sombre color outdoes classic blue in seriousness because it tones down any suit or sport coat it's paired with. If you thought a black three-button suit looked sharp with the classic blue, you haven't truly entered a room until you wear this gray number from Ted Baker. The gunmetal black buttons also allow you to wear it with a neatly pressed pair of black trousers and modern lace-up Oxfords for a touch of casual elegance.

Black

The most underrated dress shirt color is black. No other dress shirt color besides black allows you to wear it with jeans, khakis, suits, and tuxedos while always looking your absolute best. By the way, let her wear it the morning after as you fix her breakfast and you'll wonder why you've been wearing white all these years. In the end, however, this shirt was made to be worn with a muted charcoal tie under a gray modern-cut suit with black monk-strap shoes.

Mauve

OK, let's get something straight right away: Mauve is not pink. The only time a man should ever have his hands on a pink garment is when he's helping a woman out of it. Got it? Good. Now back to the topic at hand; this is the perfect pastel-colored dress shirt and every man should have at least one of these in his closet waiting for that moment to subtly brighten any occasion. Now, once again, and all together now: Mauve is not pink. And this one is from Zegna, which makes it very, very good.

Article : http://www.askmen.com/fashion/trends_200/230b_fashion_men.html