Matte Or Glossy? Which One Suits Casual Wear Better?

I’ve been meaning to ask this question for quite a while now, but honestly, I can’t decide which is best — a matte lipstick or a shimmer / glossy lipstick? I have seen my fair share of both items, and I still can’t decide which one to go for until now. There are days when I feel like wearing matte helps me look more “casual” and outgoing, while the glossy and shimmer lipstick gives mo more of a “classy” and “dressy” kind of look. Although which one looks best might be entirely subjective, I feel like both matte and glossy lipstick have their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as different niches and needs to fill.

Admit it or not, us girls NEED lipstick in our lives, especially if we want to make our face become much more vibrant and noticeable in a sea of people. Wearing a lipstick, at least for me, gives me a much-needed confidence booster especially when I feel like I am having a bad day. A whip of this wonderful beauty accessory on our mouth can transform us from being “too tired to get out from the bed” look to a much more pleasant “where is the party, I need to be there” kind of persona.

The dilemma though, at least for me, is to know which one works best for me. And to be able to do this, I need to find out when a matte or a glossy lipstick looks good versus when it doesn’t.

As I have experience wearing both matte and glossy lipstick, I will stick to my earlier post that matte looks better when worn casually, and glossy looks better when worn in evening parties and dinners. As much as I want to wear glossy when I am going out to do some groceries, the look and the feel of glossy lipsticks in such a place doesn’t look right, and matte seems to be a better fit overall for me. I don’t know, but i always seem to end up messing my lips up when i apply a glossy lipstick. Although I do have a soft spot in my heart for a glossy lipstick, sometimes, it is the more subtle matte lipstick that is easier to wear. It gives me the confidence that I need, especially when I think about wearing it daily. You just can’t wear glossy lipsticks every day!

One of my favorite matte lipstick brands is the colorful 3CE Matte Lipstick from Style Nanda, and I own quite a number of these gorgeous lipsticks. Check them out here!

Flats For Fashionable Feet

Some women think that fashionable feet should always come with a price — wearing tall and high heeled shoes. Although it can’t be disputed that high heeled shoes really does make you look classy and sophisticated, a woman who knows a thing or two about fashion can also look good wearing flats. You remember Audrey Hepburn? Audrey is one of the biggest Hollywood icons during her time, and she always managed to look good wearing only flats and some nicely chosen clothes. Although many women are under the impression that it is very difficult to become fashionable or classy without high heels, in reality this is far from the truth.

Why Wear Flats?

Simple put, an outfit can drastically change with the addition of foot wear — this is something that holds true for most occasions. However, it doesn’t mean that you have to suffer long hours wearing only high heels. Flats offer a unique and comfortable way to make your foot wear interesting, which is why you should consider getting them for your casual and even dressy walks.

Although women’s flats aren’t as striking or dramatically attention-grabbing as a nice set of high heels, there are numerous ways to make them really pop out. For example, canvas flats are very easy to silkscreenm, paint or print on. Because of this, canvas flats are very good candidates for wearing brightly printed floral flats that can really give you that Summer or spring look that you are looking for. On the contrary, patent leather flats are very thick, attention grabbing and shiny. Patent leather flats are your best bet when it comes to getting “dressy” without having to wear high heeled pumps.

Although suede is generally a soft material, and is favorably worn around summer or spring, it is also something that can be worn even during the Fall season. Suede looks really nice and soft on the feet, and the texture of the small hair strands on suede shoes can really change how it looks, keeping and storing suede is not the easiest thing to do. Avoid wearing suede flats when you are unsure of the weather — especially if it is dark and rain is foreboding. When storing it, make sure that you avoid keeping it in a place where direct sunlight can hit it because it might suffer from bleaching or color fading.

Pointed toe flats are best worn for classy and evening night outs because of the shape of the shoes that are slim and sexy. Square toe flats might not be too common, but they are also worn for business and looks really good when paired with slacks. Ballet flats are great all around shoes and would go really well with casual walks even in jeans or slim pants.

At the end of the day, what is important is that you are wearing something that is not only fashionable but comfortable as well. With this in mind, I highly recommend that you check out this tasseled flats from Lemite and see if that style is something that you would fancy!

What Are The Different Variations Of Blouses For Your Fashion Needs?

As a quintessential part of a woman’s wardrobe, I’ve always found out that a woman can never really call her closet “complete” without at least  a couple of blouses ready to be worn when the need arises. Since evolving from its origin of being a “peasant top” commonly worn by workers during the early days, the classic look and comfort provided by the blouse is something that resembles the ingenuity of denim jeans — no matter what the generation or decade it is, blouses and jeans never lose their sense of style and fashion. In a way, they can be considered perennial in the truest sense of the word!

The blouse is a loose-fitting garment, which when tucked or fastened seems to “blouse out” or loose out hanging over the wearers body. Since evolving from its origins as a top normally worn by peasants, workers and artists in the past, the blouse is now normally considered as a casual or working woman’s clothes. Most of the time, the buttons on a woman’s blouse is reversed compared to men’s clothing. According to some, this is due to the fact that women were generally dressed by their maids while men dressed themselves. Because of this, the buttons were reversed so as to make it easier for the maid to fasten them.

So what are the different kinds of blouses that women can wear? Here are some examples listed below:

Dirndle Blouse

These blouses are typically made from silk, cotton, satin or polyester and are usually offering the most elaborate design or construction. Because of the way that these blouses are constructed, frills and embroideries are the staple of these dirndle blouses. The textile used for these are usually thin and soft — sometimes, a see through effect is also very noticeable.

Polo Shirt Blouse

The polo shirt blouse is something that most women in the office or working women would wear. Offering the same casual look as polo shirt, but with a much more comfortable and loose feel, the polo shirt blouse is perfect for those women who don’t want something too tight fitting but wants to have a button up top. Also, the polo shirt blouse is perfect for slim fit pants because of it will look “bigger” compared to the normal polo shirt due to its hanging hems.

Choli Blouse

The choli blouse is typically bare are the mid section and is worn as a complement to the sari. Among countries with a strong hindu influence such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, the choli blouse is something that is commonly seen by women of all ages.

Simply put, these are just some of the typical blouse variations that have evolved from the classic working woman’s blouse. If you are in search for a much more refined and classy kind of blouse, this high neck laced blouse from Korean store Dark Victory is something that might tickle your fancy. I have bought a few items from this shop and I definitely recommend their products, especially to fans of Asian fashion.

Why I Love Wearing Classic Pumps

A classic addition to a girl’s wardrobe, pumps are generally what I consider my “beater” kind of shoes, in a good way. I always love wearing pumps especially during casual walks and strolls — even if I own tens or hundreds of different colored pumps, I think I wouldn’t lose the feeling of novelty and love for these little babies. Though many modern heeled shoes are often considered as “pumps”, what I consider pumps are the classic ones with mid to high heels, and a low vamp without straps, buckles or other accessories in the toe box area.

Whether you are wearing a pair of jeans at work, a dress at a cocktail part or simply walking out to do some quick errands, wearing pumps will almost always work as long as you don’t wear too loud and bright colors that wouldn’t go well with your outfit. Mid height pumps are very comfortable to walk around with and are very elegant-looking too! When you take care of your pumps, it is a great investment because you can surely make the most out if it since it is a very sturdy daily foot wear. The simple construction of pumps make them easy to store, keep and maintain — you will never find yourself questioning where your hard-earned money went if you invest in a good pair of pumps.

There are a lot of pump variations that have come out during the past few decades. From the simple, no-brainer classic pumps, here are some variations that you can choose from:

Different Styles Of Pumps

Ankle Strap Pumps

Ankle strap pumps are a modern take on the classic pumps where wrap around straps go and wrap the ankles in order to add security and safety when walking, especially on slanted and staircase-filled walkways.

Closed Toe Pumps

Fully encasing the toes, the closed toe pumps can be considered as the most basic and classic of all pump designs. The minimalistic design of the closed toe pumps is timeless and will never really get outdated — just like wearing denim jeans.

Open Toe Pumps

Well, this is obviously the exact opposite of a closed toe pump. Though there is an open space where you can actually peep the fingers of your feet, an open toe pump has such a small opening that it doesn’t look unflatterinmg. This is a great choice for warmer weather because it will allow the air to navigate and circulate smoothly around your feet.

IF you are looking for some nice, high quality pumps to add to your collection, these classic low heel suede pumps from Imvely is a great place to start your search. These pumps are real easy to walk around and are still very elegant looking with that modest heel.

What Are The Different Kinds Of Midi Skirts?

As early as 1940’s, midi skirts have already proliferate in the market for women’s bottoms. Named as such because its hem ends around the “mid calf” area of a woman’s legs, midi skirts have been trying to establish again a strong presence in a marketplace dominated by mini skirts, leggings and slim fit pants. During the 1940’s midi skirts were popular among high end, chic and elegant women — most especially celebrities and actresses. Until the mini skirt became too popular and overpowered the then popular midi skirts, there is no doubt that midi skirts revolutionized how a woman dresses and carries herself.

When you are buying a midi skirt, it is important to know the different types of skirts and which one would look good on you. A midi skirt worn by a friend or a celebrity might look really stunning (when they are the ones wearing it) but wouldn’t look to good if you are the one wearing it. The reason for this might be a lot of things — body shape, hip size, leg length. To help you decide on what would better fit your body type, here are some info on the different kinds of midi skirts

Different Kinds Of Midi Skirts

Asymmetrical Midi Skirt

The asymmetrical midi skirt has an unevern hem length, which means one side is longer than the other. This can create a “slip” effect which can look flattering on you if you possess long legs. According to some, “The hem may also be of a different material than the body of the skirt; the whole point of the asymmetrical design is to draw attention to the hem, which leads the eye to the shape of the legs. Fabrics in the asymmetrical design are usually lighter so that the skirt swirls and has movement.”

Peasant Midi Skirt

Peasant midi skirts, also known as boho or “bohemian” skirts, is an A-line skirt. This means that it is well-fitted on the hips and drapes widely down to the legs, forming somewhat of a letter A in the process. Because the waist is snug, it is great for showing the feminine shape of a woman’s body. I really like this style of midi skirt, but I am careful not to eat too much the day before or the evidence will surely show!

Pencil Midi Skirt

Pencil Midi Skirts are form fitting from the waist up to the part where the hem ends — which is roughly around the calf. With a high waistline, pencil skirts are great for daily business or office look — it can even be worn to formal events as long as you choose the right color to complement your top and bottoms.

These are just some of the most common kinds of midi skirts available in the market right now. There are also combinations of many different types of skirts, such as this fit and flared midi skirt from Korean Fashion Web store 11 am that is form-fitting at the waist but flared down at the hem. If you are shopping for a midi skirt, make sure that you check which one suits your body type!

Cheers!

My Simple Guide For Buying True Cashmere

Are you on the hunt for a true cashmere shirt or sweater? In the truest sense of the word, cashmere is one of those luxurious materials that people would love to have on their garment collection. Soft as butter and flows as creamy as milk, cashmere is made from goats grown mostly in Asia. Owning a true cashmere can be considered a luxury because those who have owned one can attest to the high quality, comfort, softness and warmth that only this garment can offer.

There are myriad reasons why cashmere is considered one of the highest class in fabric and garment material. Because true cashmere is very soft and buttery, while at the same time never ties up and become itchy, it can cost an arm and a leg to own one. Despite its reputation for being soft as butter, cashmere is really durable and will last you a very long time if taken care of and stored properly.

The thing about cashmere though is that there are so many variations in the market right now. Some are true cashmere, which is 100% made of cashmere wool. Other cashmere on the other hand are mixed with other fibers cloth materials such as cotton and nylon. To make sure you are buying the right kind or the purest kind of cashmere, here are some tips that might help :

How To Check If You Are Buying True Cashmere

Check The Label For Purity

Government mandates that cashmere purity should be properly indicated by makers, or they will suffer the consequences. If you want to experience the softness and warmth of true cashmere, better make sure that you are buying 100% cashmere as indicated on the label.

Do The Finger Pinch Test

This might be one of the easiest tests that you can do to check if the cashmere that you are buying is 100% true. Using your pointing finger and your thumb, softly pinch the cashmere cloth while moving your fingers up and down, opposite from each other. If the cloth starts to generate balls of fabric and feels a bit rough instead of smooth, then you are not purchasing true cashmere.

Check The Ply

Most manufacturers will indicate if a cashmere is made up from a single ply or multiple plies of cashmere strand woven together. Naturally, cashmere cloth made from multiple plies is a lot more stronger, so if you can go and purchase these variants then it would be much better.

Buying cashmere can be a hard task, especially if you want to buy authentic cashmere with your hard earned money. If you want another tip, buy cashmere sweater a few weeks after the Christmas holidays because prices start to drop really low when the summer and spring seasons come in. If you want a head start, check out this stylish cashmere sweater from Bubble and Chic which is a great example of high quality cashmere clothing

What Are The Different Kinds Of Denim Jeans For Your Body Type?

Originally created to dress factory and farm workers who are looking for a comfortable yet sturdy work pants, denim jeans have come a long way since it was created by Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss. From simple, wide legged jeans to cropped, flared and slim fit variations, you wouldn’t find an individual on this planet who hasn’t worn a pair of denim jeans even once in his or her life. Even you yourself can attest to the truth behind this statement. Just ask yourself : have you worn denim jeans even at least once in your life? I am sure that you will answer YES to this question 🙂

Although the first jeans were fabricated around the 1870’s, denim jeans have steadily gained popularity that by the 1950’s and 1960’s they have become staples in the western mainstream fashion scene. Today, jeans have dominated the casual working clothes fashion scene and they come in many different sizes, shapes, colors and  textures. What once started as a working garment has turned into a fashionable wear that i not only sturdy but aesthetically pleasing as well.

How Do You Choose The Perfect Denim Jeans?

So how do you choose a denim jean that will fit you well? First, you need to know your body type. If you are petite, full-bodied or a figured lady, there is a denim jean that will fit right for you.

For women who possess a fuller figure than most, the best choice would be to wear a straight cut denim jean. Straight cut denim jeans offset the shapes and curves of the body, and when worn in high rise or mid rise fashion, can eliminate or minimize the appearance of love handles. If a woman’s body is more of a pear-shaped one, a boot cut style will be much more appropriate because it tends to minimize the size of the hips compared to the body and may also promote the “hourglass” look which so many women desire.

For women who are on the short and petite side, solid colored jeans are much more flattering because they tend to create an illusion of solid size, which can help in making you look taller and bigger. Straight leg cut jeans that possess a slightly longer inseam are also flattering for petite women, so don’t over look this when you do your jean shopping list.

In my opinion, size is very critical when choosing denim jeans. Although we want to fit in the smallest size to make us feel thinner and sexier, sometimes too tight jeans would just make us look weird and funny instead of flattering and sexy. To combat this, always learn to choose jeans that would look flattering in your body.

And now that you truly understand what kind of denim jeans would work best on different body types, it is time to go shopping for the perfect pair! One of my most favorite pairs of jeans are the slim cropped jeans such as this one from Bagazimuri, and I really think it would work well for my body type 🙂

Choosing The Perfect Boots For Your Needs

This fall and winter season, protecting your feet from the cold is essential. During these seasons, fashion sometimes need to take a step back to give way to function, as the cold weather can really take a toll on your health if you don’t dress for the weather appropriately. Having said that, there are still numerous ways to become fashionable while also taking care of your feet. One of such ways is to wear fashionable boots during cold months. But how do you really find a way to determine if the boots is perfect for you?

How To Find The Perfect Women’s Boots?

For women, finding the perfect foot wear can be a really complicated task. As we all know, women’s addictions revolve around shoes, handbags and wallets (just ask your sister, or your mother, or even your grandmother about it). However, choosing the perfect boots can become easier if you have certain criteria in your head. First of all, you need to think of the material that you are going for. Are you going for suede? Leather? Synthetic leather? Suede boots are softer around the toe box and the ankle area, and are generally much more comfortable compared to leather boots. However, suede boots are also prone to bleaching and fading when exposed to harsh sunlight. Not to mention that rain water can really ruin it too, so if you are not too careful with your boots, you better go for leather which is a lot more forgiving compared to suede.

For winter, you should definitely go for water-resistant boots if you want to get your money’s worth. Snow and ice can be quite harsh and unforgiving to the feet, which is why you need as much protection as you can get. For summer, suede boots is okay as long as the weather is not too harsh or rainy. Suede boots are much more preferable during fall, but of course the situation can be bent according to your needs.

For a more porous feel without the need to always look after it, canvas boots are also a good choice. A plain woven fabric generally crafted out of cotton, canvas boots are easier to take care of than suede, and almost as sturdy and tough as leather. Canvas boots aren’t made for hiking or for other extreme activities though, so make it a choice for your easy walks around the streets.

What you choose to wear really depends on your needs and the weather condition that you are going to face while wearing it. Sometimes, all you need is a good old fashioned cowboy boots to stay fashionable — sometimes, you need something more than that to protect your feet. If you are interested in designer and fashion boots, this tassel boots from Crazy Girls is something that you might want to put your money on. Reminiscent of the early 70’s with its sleek and stylish design. If you want to remember to old, wild west, this is something that you should look into!

How Do You Wear Culottes? (Without Looking Like A Clown)

I don’t know about you, but whenever I see people wearing culottes, I often visualize a clown inside my head. Seriously. That’s how you would look like if you wear culottes without careful outfit planning. If you don’t know what culottes are, a simple definition would be “women’s knee-length trousers, cut with very full, wide legs to resemble a skirt.” If you can visualize that in your head, then it would give you an idea what a culotte is and how difficult it is to wear (without looking like a clown yourself)

Culottes, just like suspender skirts, have been around forever. They seem to be resurfacing lately due to vintage fashion trends being revived in a “fashion renaissance” sort of way. Originally worn by upper-class men in Europe during the Middle Ages, culottes were originally tighter around the knee area and not as flowing or as billowy as today’s versions are.

How Do You Pull Off Wearing Culottes?

So why are culottes hard to wear? It is the shape and size of the billowy legs and length of the cut of the hem that makes it difficult to wear for some people. If you are a short person and you try to wear one without proper outfit consideration, you’ll end up looking like a midget who is smaller than your usual height. Even for taller people, culottes can be pretty tricky and complicated to wear. Planning what to wear with your culottes need something more than just pulling a shirt out of your closet.

So how do you wear culottes? For me, it is as simple as keeping everything in balance. The shape, the wideness and the length of the hem all have to be considered when wearing culottes. If you are wearing a culotte that is high-waist, the better choice for your top would be one that has a high hem and is hanging on the belly section to showcase the length of your culotte.

Similarly, you should follow the rule, “the lower the hem, the higher the heel”. If your culotte’s hem is lower, you need a higher heel to compensate for the illusion that can cause you to look smaller than usual. Culotte with lower hems tend to make your legs look shorter, and the seeming “lack of height” can be fixed by wearing a higher heel.

Finally, culottes tend to create bulk and size with its billowy and flowing pattern. Because of this added bulk at the bottom, it only makes sense to wear a top that will accentuate or show your slimness to take advantage of the situation. I have found a nice glossy pull-on culotte over at Bluepops, a Korean shopping website. IF you want to take a look at some pictures and see if culottes are something that you can wear, head over to the site now and start browsing!

How I Wear Long Knit Cardigans

I love layering clothes. The ability to add texture and form to my outfit generates excitement and makes me want to dress up to find a new look every single day. As fall season approaches, layering is also starting to get more and more functional and not just fashionable. With the chill slowly creeping in and the temperature starting to drop in anticipation of the cold winter season, finding clothes that will keep me dry and warm is starting to become a necessity and not just a form of vanity.

Because of this, you will see a lot of cardigans and jackets especially during this time of the year. And with all of these garments and clothes on the streets, it would be hard put to make things look fresh if there are several people wearing the same kind of garments as you, right? This is the reason why you need to stay away from the norm and away from the usual fashion trends. And what I realized from this is that people rarely utilize wearing long cardigans — this gives me an opportunity to stand out and get noticed.

How I Usually Wear Long Knit Cardigans

People are not too keen on wearing long cardigans because the bulky look and the long hem can be unflattering if not worn correctly. Especially if you are not too tall to start with, wearing a long cardigan can really backfire and make you look smaller than usual. However, long cardigans can also look nice with the right approach. For example, a bulky, long cardigan will most likely look bad if paired with big and bulky bottoms too. Because of the added weight of the long cardigan,  the most flattering look that you can get from it is if you pair it with slim bottoms such as slim pants or pencil skirts.

To give yourself another look, you can also try to add a belt to divide your long cardigan. If you had too much food last night and you want to hide all the evidence (if you know what I mean) belting your cardigan is one of the best ways to do so. When belting your cardigan, make sure that you create a color contrast to further enhance the look that you are going for. Belted cardigans aren’t always everyone’s cup of tea, but with the right approach and plenty of experience trying it out for yourself, you will surely find a way to find what works for you.

To put it simply, wearing long cardigans can make you really stand out from the crowd of people if you know how to work it to your advantage. I found this marbled pattern long knit cardigan from Shezgood.com and i really thing that it is a great place to start your long cardigan experimentation!