Dress the occasion
The first thing to remember is that style is not some innate thing that the Angels handed down to only the few deserving elites. There are ways to learn how to dress well enough that an invitation to meet the Queen will delight and not flummox.
But why is it important to ‘dress for the occasion’? Surely our individuality, creativity and forbearance will shine through even the dowdiest outfit?
The sad fact is that a well-dressed person generally gets taken more seriously – and gets more leeway – than someone who gives no thought to their appearance. Geniuses such as Einstein and Picasso can get away with a dishevelled outfit; regular Jane Soaps can’t. We need to dress a certain way in many social situations and it’s only when we’re alone at home that we can dress without giving other people a thought.
Here are some tips to ensure that you always look appropriate, no matter what the occasion is.
Dinner parties
This depends on your hosts – some people are more formal than others and would expect their guests to don something more conservative. Find out in advance, though it’s nearly always better to dress slightly more formal. A black dress would not go amiss in this situation.
New Year’s cocktail party
Feel free to break some rules for New Year’s and have some fun. Wear something short if you dare but wear tights if you’re not too confident about the shape of your legs.
Interviews
Not all companies are black-tie establishments so this rule does not apply to everyone. The IT and creative industries are known for their more relaxed attitudes towards blazers and ties. But it’s still important to look polished, to an extent. Fashion magazine editors might scoff at formal attire in an interview. But it’s safe to say that interviewees at nearly all other industries should wear something crisp and classic.
The first date
It’s tempting to go overboard with the jewellery, make-up and high heels but this is yet another instance where it’s safer to go with the ‘minimalist’ look. Chances are that your date does not work in fashion and your labels will fail to impress them. Wear something that matches your personality but is still down-to-earth.
Black-tie weddings
The former rules have given way too much ambiguity and this makes dressing for black-tie weddings more difficult than in previous years. ‘Black-tie’ used to require dresses to be proper gowns – nothing less than floor-length affairs. But these days the rule has relaxed a bit and cocktail dresses would work as well as something longer.
Cardigans make spring living pleasant
Cardigans are every woman’s friend, especially in spring when the temperatures outside tempt us to forgo our coats and jackets. Ms Obama can testify to that – she’s a great lover of these great items. A cardigan can transform any outfit into something different: cardigans can jazz up even the most casual of outfits. But the number one complaint women have is that they find cardigans to be hard to wear.
Cardigans make sense during the transitional seasons: they’re lightweight yet warm enough to help us withstand the cold from spring evenings and air conditioners. Another reason why they’re so popular is that they are so easy to layer. Nearly everything works well – or better – with a cardigan.
So how should one wear a cardigan? Cardigans work well on their own with jeans, regular pants, as well as skirts. Many women have their favourite while others prefer to experiment with different ones.
That said, however, there are many ways to accessorise your outfits just by using a touch of imagination.
Add a belt or two
The old way of wearing a belt was to wear just one belt; the new way is to wear two belts or to wear one of those long belts that can tie around the waist twice. This makes for an interesting take and is sure to attract some attention to trim waists.
Wear the belt or belts in a colour that can complement the rest of the outfit. Do not try to match the belt to one particular colour in the rest of the outfit.
Go retro or vintage
What about a corsage on the cardi? It is delightfully old-school and could add a playful touch to the cardigan. Other things to add are brooches and scarf pins, especially on wrap-around cardigans.
Get in touch with your masculinity
Wear something with a more masculine look and feel. Pair it with a full skirt and heels for a quirky and unorthodox look or wear it with jeans and sneakers to channel your inner hipster.
A short history of pyjamas
Did you know that pyjamas’ etymology derives from Persian and Urdu words that mean ‘leg covering’? Pyjamas has evolved since their invention in the late 19th century, back when it was improper for women to wear ‘masculine’ clothing such as pants.
The western world knew nothing of pyjamas until the 1870s when colonials started to move back home. They brought with them some of the creature comforts of their former abodes, among which pyjamas featured high. It didn’t take long before the rest of the English gentleman copied the look and traded in their nightshirts for pyjamas. They had a choice of pyjamas in either wool or silk, which definitely fitted their sense of luxury. The sleepwear consisted of a top and matching pants.
The rest of the western world caught on after the colonial period. And women shortly thereafter, thanks to a lady by the name of Coco Chanel in the roaring twenties. She created lounging pyjamas especially for women and intended it to be something that a lady wears in the evening. She even created a version designed to wear at the beach so that women would always look stylish.
The fate of pyjamas was sealed in the period during the two world wars. Men and women started wearing it in many different countries. There are many different fabrics and designs to choose from so that everyone can find something that suits their taste and pocket. Modern pyjamas tends to be loose-fitting, comes in all possible shapes and sizes, and is available to men and women. Few people wear socks with pyjamas, though some may still wear underwear with it.
People in cold countries may need to wear pyjamas much more than people in warmer climes, though even those in warm countries may want some protection against cold, wet winters.
These days, though, very few of us can imagine a life without our beloved PJs, nor would we want to.
A look back at clothing of the seventies
Fashion trends in the early seventies were heavily influenced by the sixties. The 60s was full of radical changes, both in culture and fashion. It was all this chaos and change that opened up the doors for increased creativity and exploration in the fashions of the 70s.
On of the main fashion influences of the seventies was Rock and Roll musicians. Instead of following fashion trends, these musicians set them. Seventies clothes therefore will always be remembered as free-spirited, diverse and fun-loving.
The 1970s started off with a continuation of the popular sixties hippie look – tie dyed shirts, bell bottoms and frayed jeans. Seventies clothes consisted of people taking the hippie culture a new and interesting level – instead of buying bell bottoms and tie dyed garments, they would make their own. The flamboyant fashions of rockers like Elton John and David Bowie were also gaining in popularity.
Seventies clothes also saw the rise of ethnic fashions, with garments from the Far East like turbans and kimonos popping up. Also, this was the age of the Afro.
But probably the biggest musical influence on seventies fashion was disco music. But while disco clothing was popular, it was not considered appropriate day wear. Disco clothing was designed for the nightclub setting – therefore ease of movement and comfort was essential. Clothing features stretchy materials such as spandex or Lycra. Also popular was gold hot pants, mini skirts, leopard prints, zipped jumpsuits, sequined tube tops and satin jackets – all designed to be eye-catching. And of course, who can forget those platform shoes?
But by the end of the 70s, disco clothing began to wane in popularity, opening the door to new and emerging fashion trends. Casual pants went high-waisted, with women choosing flared leg denim pants and skirts. However, by the end of the seventies, straight leg jeans were fashionable. Tennis shoes also became standard attire during the end of the seventies thanks to the establishment of Nike.
The Punk look was also a significant part of seventies clothes. This look features the Mohawk (which is once again becoming popular), stud collars, ripped jeans and chains.