How to Dress to Enhance a Curvy Body Type

How to Dress to Enhance a Curvy Body Type

Ugly Beauty Trend - Face Distortion Jewelry

Ugly Beauty Trend - Face Distortion Jewelry

Peta Gets Naked at Toronto Fashion Week

Peta Gets Naked at Toronto Fashion Week

Animal Friendly and Vegan Clothing on a budget

Style for some of you is not  wearing leather, wool, silk and other animal derived clothing. You have a choice of several clothing brands that do not use animal products in producing these items. Many designers also include animal friendly fashions  in their collections.

There is a growing need for socially conscious clothing. Animal friendly clothing can be both stylish and budget friendly. Made from organic materials like cotton, jute, bamboo and synthetics, you simply need to check labels in your department stores and you will find that many clothing items will satisify your need for ethical clothing. 

If you want to ensure that no animals were harmed in the making of your clothes you will find comfort in clothes by Stella Mcarthy who has made quite a name for herself in the clothing design business and is also an avid animal rights activist. Alternative outfitters.com, Vaute couture designs and The Vegan Store.com, also carry vegan coats, jackets, cotton and polyester outfits.

It shouldn't be too difficult to find animal friendly clothing. Unlike cosmetics, clothing can be made from synthetics, natural fibers and other material that in no way harm our furry friends. These choices can also be easy on your clothing budget since you do not need to buy the more costly wools, silks and leather. 

2011 Hair Trends - Get the Bird Nest look for less

What was once called the bird's nest topknot that made its entrance on the runway in 2010, is back for another season.  The 2011 spring summer version is more elegant even though still wispy. Here is how you can get the budget version of this look by doing it yourself

1. Apply  mousse that you already have from the mid to lower ends of the hair
2. Wait until the mousse has dried, separate by running your fingers through your hair.
3. Make a high ponytail. secure in place
4. Using a broad tooth comb, tease the loose sections of the ponytail.
5. Brush the ponytail gently but not completely.Leave as much tussle for the extent to which you want your   bird nest look.
6.Create a bun from the tussle, secure and spray.

You can add accessories to your new style like headbands and fancy hair pins.

How to Dye a Pair of Shoes

Being a budget concious fashionista requires knowing how to reuse and refurbish items instead of discarding them. You have a pair of white shoes that is looking a little shabby and stained, here is how you can renew them to look classic or funky.

1. Select the color of dye you want. Fabric dyes can be found at pharmacies, stores like Walmart and Art and Craft shops. You will need one box of dye.

2. Ensure that the shoes are cleaned before dyeing. Simple soap and water should do the trick. Remove all soap residue.

3. Mix the dye following instructions on the package. You can also use pre-mixed dyes or paint on dyes.

4. Using gloves dip the shoes in bye bath. Note. Do not place shoes in boiling water. After the dye bath come to a boil, turn off the heat and allow the boil to subside. It should be hot but not boiling.

5. Use tongs to move shoes around in bath to ensure even dyeing.

6. Remove from dye bath, rinse in clear water shake  and hang to dry for 24 hours.

7. Wear your new funky shoes with pride.

The Palazzo Pants, A Hot Spring 2011 Fashion Trend

They are called bell bottoms, wide legged pants,  hammer pants or palazzo pants to name a few and they have made a comeback in Spring 2011 fashion collections. One would question whether they ever left as I recall purchasing a pair just last year and it wasn't from a thrift store. Anyway, the fashion designers, who we stake our lives on,  tell us they are back for Spring 2011. If you have any of these pants left over from years gone by, now is the time to get them dusted and cleaned.

For those of you who may be starting to get alarmed at the thought of scrapping your skinny pants, don't worry. The skinny pants will be around for awhile yet.  Designers like Armani and Jason Wu have showcased their wide bottom trousers in various styles, colors and fabrics. These 70's re-creations can, however, be had at budget friendly prices. Check out your favorite department store for versions of this classic.
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Many of you are no doubt happy with the news that the wide bottom pants have returned. This style is versatile and compliments a multitude of body types. Furthermore, what says spring or summer better than a soft, flowing pair of palazzo pants? Read More

Tie Dye Clothing For Budget Minded Fashionistas

Fergie tie dye pants

The art of Tie Dye has been around for centuries. The Hippie movement adopted the tie dye and from time to time throughout the years it has been  an on and off again  fashion trend. Today, the tie dye no longer seems to be on a roller coaster; in fashion one day and out the other. In the last decade, the tie dye has stablized as that one-of- a- kind work of art that it was always intended to be.

Miley Cyrus in Tie dye top

You can see tie dye offerings in any designer collection on a regular basis. Celebrities have popularized the tie dye and brought it into the mainstream of fashion. Tie dye fashions are great for the budget fashionista as they are unique items that can be bought at reasonable prices. These hand crafted items are worth  a lot more  than they are sold for, if you think about all the goes into the making of a piece. 

Watch out for the fakes. Fabrics that are manufactured to look like tie dye are cheap imitations. If you are going to buy Tie Dye get the real deal. Check out places like Kingkotton at ESTY and other independent designers of Tie Dye fashions.

How to Shop for Clothes on a Budget

For all you budget fashionistas, you will be happy to know that there is no need to sacrifice style when you have a limited budget. Think about it; clothing, make up and other style accessories are all disposable items.Why would intelligent and savvy men and women want to spend excessive amounts of money on these items?

Here are some tips for shopping for fashion on a budget.

1. Become a sales warrior. Buy nothing unless it is on sale. If you by an item at full price, how would you feel when you see the same item weeks later for 50 or 75 percent off?

2. Watch out for "Buy one get one Free" or "buy one get one half price" sales. Read the fine print and calculate what if anything you are saving. Do you really want two items even if one is at half price?

3. Opt for basic classic styles. Many hot seasonal fashions endure for several seasons. You need to have an eye for the classics that will endure for more than a season. Fads are nice but have we really seen any new and unique fashion statemens in awhile? That is because fashion statements are recycled constantly.

There is a tendancy for us to shop for fashion frugally when there is an economic downturn but but it pays to be a budget shopper regardless of the state of the economy.