Beauty Packing Travel Check List and Tips for Carry On Luggage

Once, long ago, airplane travel was done luxuriously, in spacious aircraft with curving stairways that led from first class to the piano lounge, or in Pullman trains with lace frothing every mahogany molding while leaded-glass lamps cast a soft glow over the faces of well-heeled travelers and solicitous waitpersons alike. Travel was gigantic trunks on European steamships, dressing for dinner with the captain and champagne with every meal.

Okay, that's not entirely true. For the ninety-eight percent of the population that didn't come from money, travel meant bouncing along in a buckboard, sweltering and vomiting in the smelly, overcrowded hold of a ship for months on end, or flinging yourself onto a moving boxcar and praying you didn't end up under the iron wheels.

Cheap Airplane Travel Doesn't Mean Sacrificing Your Beauty and Comfort
The interesting thing is, even in these advanced times, unless you do happen to have "money" and travel ultra-platinum-first-class, your trip to Hawaii on a crowded, coach-class, super-saver-fare flight may make you long for the days when the cheapest tickets could be had by sleeping on the ship's deck. At least there was fresh air and elbow-room, and you expected to bring your own sandwiches along.

Making Your Own Travel Packing List Before Vacation

Before you take a vacation, making a travel packing list always involves making many decisions. What must you have with you in you carry on luggage in case your other suitcases wind up in South Dakota? What do you need for in-air comfort? What are the nice-to-have items that can come along if the rest of your travel luggage is sufficiently pared down?

Beauty Carry On Luggage Packing Checklist

I'm including my packing checklist of tips of must-have items for beauty and health in your carry on luggage on your next vacation or business trip.

1. Quality Carry on Travel Luggage
   Of course, you're going to have to have something to put your things in. I have a friend who had been traveling with the same purple nylon suitcase she's had since 1991 when her borrowed, wheeled suitcase broke down on the steps of the Stockholm airport, and she had to replace it with a $20 piece of baggage from the nearest department store. As of 2004, it had holes on some of the pouches and rips in others, so she packed her socks in the holey compartments, and books in the ripped ones. It looked pretty disreputable and made her look tacky, so she finally decided to shop for some grown-up luggage at an online discount luggage website and throw the old bag out before it makes her look like an old bag herself. See the new carry on luggage my friend bought.

   If you are in the market for new luggage or a suite case these are some brands try : Tumi, Travel Pro. These are all very high quality manufacturers and their luggage should last for a lifetime of travel for the average vacation traveler. --Editors Tip ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   
   

   Why You Should Invest in a Quality Piece of Carry on Luggage

   
   Trust me, I am a bargain hunter just like you (and all the other women on the planet). I shop at the popular discount stores looking for a deal, but not on my luggage. I recently purchased my first set of quality luggage and I absolutely love it and found it to be worth every penny.

   Higher quality luggage is made from fabric and materials that can take the hussel and bussel of traveling. Plus, quality luggage pieces have more storage compartments and partitions to keep your items organized and easily accessible. For a carry-on luggage piece that you might use on a business trip, a quality luggage piece can help pull an outfit together rather than looking ratty with some old discount duffel bag. My advice . . spend the extra money on a quality luggage item or carry on bag. It's an investment you will appreciate over many years.

   In case you were curious, here is the Travelpro luggage set I purchased at Luggage Pros. You will find many other styles of classic luggage and carry on bags with all the quality bells and whistles that make packing a breeze.
   
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2. Bottled Water
   If you can only bring one thing on the plane, make it a bottle of drinking water. I know they serve water on planes, but it rarely comes often enough, and it's usually in a small cup. Bring a liter of water or more. As well as being hydrated during the flight, in a pinch, you can also use it for in-seat freshening-up.
3. Moistened towelettes
   When I convince myself that I don't need wet-wipes (usually because I'm too lazy to get to the drugstore before leaving town), I always regret it. They're great for a quick face-wash, for wiping the handle in a questionable ladies bathroom, for stain-removal on-the-go. They remove newsprint and cashew oil and salt from hands. They smell nice and provide a quick, easy pick-me-up on long journeys. Nowadays, they come in anti-bacterial and travel versions, so if those don't irritate your skin, you can also have a little more germ-control than otherwise. I like the Splash 'n Go! Alcohol Free Hand and Face Wipes by Kleenex. You get a bunch of them for a low price, and they smell nice.
4. Reading Material
   Waiting an hour or two on the ground while pilots decide whether that blinking warning light is important or not can be whiled away with a good best-seller book or a really large, heavy womens fashion magazine. It's always tempting to omit reading material because it's heavy, but I place the importance of a good book right alongside the bottle of water.
5. Facial Tissues
   You can never have enough soft, versatile paper products.
6. Vitamins
   The week before you start your trip, make sure and take your vitamins. Or you can try taking a vitamin product, called Airborne, starting 3 days before your airplane flight. Air travel in particular makes people sick because on a plane of 300, at least three people are going to have colds or the flu. Besides that, people from different places carry different germs. Something that doesn't bother me at all may make you sick as a dog. So load up on vitamins, drink lots of water and do all the right things in terms of nutrition and exercise before taking a trip, to maximize your immune functions.
7. Moisturizer
   A day spent in the forced air of a plane and air conditioning in airports will dry out your skin like two weeks in the desert. Moisturizer is an absolute must, to be applied before you leave home and every three hours or so afterwards. Augment your moisturizer with a small atomizer filled with Evian water, that you can use to lightly mist and refresh your skin during the flight.

8. Toothbrush and toothpaste
   Nothing freshens a person up like a good, two-minute tooth-brushing. Buy a travel-sized tube of toothpaste and carry it inside a small zip lock bag in case it opens up during the flight. You can also try the new Brush-Ups from Crest. They easily stored in a purse or wallet.

   Carry your toothbrush in a plastic bag too, so that wet bristles don't get the other contents of your bag soggy. (They make special toothbrush-carriers, in case the zip lock toothbrush bag doesn't appeal to you).

9. Chewing gum or breath mints
   For moments when you can't get to the toothbrushing station, gum is the answer. It's also useful for alleviating pressure in the ears, and can be used to sweeten up the occupant of the seat next to yours. It banishes coffee breath and is useful as an ice-breaker (as in, "Would you like a piece of gum?") When the child behind you starts kicking your seat, gnashing your teeth on a crunchy-coated piece of Dentyne Ice gives you a couple of minutes to think about what you'd like to do next, since it's not considered correct to slap someone else's child ,no matter what a brat it's being.
10. Snacks
    Even on short hops, a flight without food is a sad stretch of time. Some longer flights now aren't serving more than a small (as in a bag of peanuts) snack. I usually bring salted nuts, in direct contradiction to every in-flight magazine's advice to avoid salt on flights. I love nuts, and if my ankles swell a little more, I don't much care. I also bring dark chocolate, the New Moon 74% dark chocolate by Dagoba, (those lovely polyphenols have antioxidant properties that do something to free radicals that helps prevent cancer. More about that later) and often, fruit. If you really have your act together before leaving your kitchen, sliced fresh fruit in a Tupperware (with a dash of white wine if you can manage it) can add a feeling of luxury to a coach-class flight.
11. Eyedrops or contact lens case and saline
    For contact wearers, extra saline, a case, and a pair of glasses are important. The dry air of the plane can wreck your contacts and give you bleary, bloodshot eyes. A friend who wear contacts says she usually takes her contacts out partway through the flight, and puts them in again ten minutes before landing. If you don't wear contacts, eyedrops can moisten your eyes and prevent them from burning.

12. Clean socks
    A pair of clean socks in your bag means that no matter how hot and sweaty (or cold and clammy) your feet got getting to the plane, you can slip off your shoes, put on clean, dry socks and relax throughout the flight with dry, comfortable feet without adding anything funky to the general airplane ambiance.
13. Sweater or Light Jacket
    At some point during your trip, you're going to get cold. I don't care if you're going to Brazil in July, either the airplane will be 58 degrees, or the airport will have the air conditioning going full blast when you arrive. If by some miracle you don't need to wear your sweater, you can roll it up and put it under your neck as a fluffy substitute for the flat airplane seat pillow.

Discover Skirt Lengths, Styles and Fashions that Flatter Your Body and are Appropriate for Various Occassions like Work or An Evening Out

If you're looking for a slightly dressy look, skirts are a good way to start. Not as formal as a dress, but a clear upgrade from pants (as well as a nod to fashion history--women have only been wearing pants in public for forty years or so), skirts give you more flexibility in your wardrobe without dressing it down.

Skirt styles and lengths for work (nothing too sexy, please!)

It's hard to be specific about skirts because there are so many styles, but I'll try to give a basic overview. In general, daytime career looks for the office should be moderate, or even on the conservative side, with hems lengths just above or just below the knee. In fall and winter, you can get away with long skirts at work as long as they are in nice looking, lined fabrics and colors that are definitely not evening style. Tweed, slub or natural silks, cotton and wool are fine: velvets or refined silks are too dressy for the office.

Skirt fashions for the warmer months of summer and spring

Skirts for spring and summer can be lighter in color (whites, creams and pastels) and fabric than those for fall and winter, but depending on where you work, pastel cotton or flowery skirts of any kind may be too ingénue. If you work in a professional wardrobe environment, skirts need to stick to the straight and narrow in lightweight wools, linen blends (to avoid the wrinkles of 100% linen), or lined broadcloth.

If you're looking for cool clothing in hot, summertime weather, skirts may not actually be your best bet. If you don't wear hose because of the heat, there's nothing to stop the sweat from pooling behind your knees and gluing your legs together. You might stay cooler in a pair of linen pants (we're not even going to discuss gauchos here: they never hang right).

--Editor's Note --------------------------------------------------------------

Here are some of my favorite stores to find cute, figure flattering skirts for day and evening occassions

Women's Skirts

• Coldwater Creek
• Chadwick's of Boston
• Macy's
• Nordstroms Sale

Plus Size Skirts

• Catherine's - Discount Coupon
• Jessica London
• Roamans
• Lane Bryant

Junior / Teen Skirts

• Delias
• Fashion Bug
• Target

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You can still wear a sassy women's skirt in the cold of winter

In winter, you can get a slightly retro look without looking weirdly old-fashioned by wearing a wool skirt and sweater combination with a pair of knee high swede or leather boots. The plaid skirt and complementary single-hued sweater never completely go out of fashion, but you do have to be careful about not looking like a Catholic schoolgirl. Grown-up shoes like pumps or knee high boots help the modern look.<

I like skirts in cold weather because I can layer tights or even long johns underneath longer skirts, add boots and still look pulled together. An extra layer under the sweater can be a long-sleeved leotard that fits snugly and keeps you warm. I find that even in very cold weather, tights and a skirt can keep me warmer than a pair of pants, because pants are too bulky to layer under them. Skirts work just fine.

Skirt shapes that flatter almost any figure: A-line, flared and belled

Skirts fit most women best if they flare slightly around the hips, making a little extra room for sitting and bending. Slightly A-line or belled skirts are usually most flattering and hide any aspects you may not like about your buns, hips and thighs. This is a problem area for many, many women, so don't think you are the only one. If you're thin, you can take advantage of slim hips to wear pencil skirts, but if you are thinner than you'd like to be, you can add a little substance by wearing a skirt with heavier fabric and a more generous cut. As long as it fits your waist, you can "swim around" a little bit and round out your figure with rounder skirt style.

Dress up or dress down a skirt with a great sweater set or knit top

Knit tops look nice with skirts, but may be more casual than the look you want. Sweaters, twin sets or jackets dress up the look. The right blouse can look good, but you have to be careful to find one that tucks in neatly or looks good left out. Avoid blouses with frills or bows: prettifying a blouse often makes it look frumpy (another of life's mysteries).

Men's Fashion.

If the guy in your life thinks that the height of fashion is a sweatshirt without a beer logo on the front, you may be facing some challenges when it comes to taking him to parties or other special events. And the fact is, even a man who’s smart and funny and kind, perfect in every other way, can sometimes use a little update in his wardrobe. Unfortunately, sometimes men can be sensitive about being asked to change their physical appearance, even if it just means wearing a different shirt. Face it: you can lead with gentle encouragement or try to make him do it your way. If you’ve been around a man for more than five minutes, you probably know what works best! Follow these tips to help your guy look his best – without hurting his feelings or his pride.

Buy a nail brush and put it beside the sink. Guys (and gals) get their hands dirty, and a nail brush works wonders.

--Editors Tip ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Every Man Needs At Least One Classic Pair of Shoes

Part of being a grown-up means wearing good shoes: not tennis shoes, or the hippest new thing, but shoes made of leather, with laces instead of Velcro. Shoes that sometimes even get polished. If you work outside the home, be aware that people who deal with you at work notice your shoes and make judgments about you based on what they see. A ratty pair of old men’s loafers, worn-out heels or soles, negatively affect your image. People have lost promotions and even love by ignoring the importance of footwear.

But it's tougher than ever to find good shoes at the local shopping center, where the focus is usually on cheap shoes made to last the season but no more. Good support, quality leather and fine stitching can't be bought at the local Payless! But through the magic of online shopping, you can buy a good pair of classic men's shoes with just a few clicks.

See a selection of classic men’s shoes that will coordinate with any basic wardrobe.

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Slow down the shave. Most guys shave like they’re trying to get away with a crime. They look in the mirror as little as possible, and so they hack themselves to pieces. They don’t change the blade often enough (or the razor in the case of disposables), they don’t soften the beard adequately, they fail to lather up nicely, they shave against the direction of the hair, and they rush. Shaving habits form in the late teens, and most men don’t see the reason for changing them. You can try asking him to slow down, implying that when he takes his time, his face is smoother and more fun to kiss. Wait for his current can of 99-cent cream to run out and replace it with good shaving cream. If he asks why you changed his brand, don’t say, “because it made you smell like my grandfather and stuck to the sink like glue,” tell him the new stuff is supposed to be good for men’s skin.

Get him a decent haircut. It may mean getting him a gift certificate to a great salon to start with and honest compliments afterwards. If you like him in short hair, let him know his neck is sexy. (And if he has dandruff, keep buying him shampoos until you find one that works.)

Don’t throw things away from his wardrobe, (that’s disrespectful, and men have favorites just like women do). Just keep adding new clothes until he runs out of room and throws stuff away on his own.

If his is ratty, buy him new underwear. Don’t try to change him from boxers to briefs or vice-versa. There are boxer men and there are brief men, and lately, there are boxer-brief men too. Once a man chooses his style, he has made a lifelong commitment to something he can rely on. If his shorts drive you crazy, you may buy him one of the opposing styles for Valentine’s Day or an anniversary, but it should be presented as a gag gift, not as a seriously considered one. Buy it decorated or in a crazy color, or in silk, so he knows you are not (God forbid) trying to change his preference.

Buy him new jeans exactly like the ones he currently wears. The only difference is that the ones you buy won’t be stained or ripped. Again, don’t “replace” anything: just give him the option of wearing something new that’s exactly like his old one (only, it’s new).

Whenever possible, match what he already wears, with slight, continual upgrades in fabric, quality or fashion. If you get him a shirt or sweater that doesn’t match something he already has, tell him, “I saw this and thought you’d look sexy in it.” Men are no fools, and will try almost anything to look sexy to women.

Buy him nice pajamas. Too many men go through life with only the feel of denim and flannel, broadcloth and wool suiting. Buy your guy silk pjs, or a fabulous robe (men and women are alike in this habit: there are people who wear robes and people who think of robes as the things that hang on the bathroom hook. If here’s a robe-wearer, buy him a plush robe. Otherwise, save your money).

Get him some color. Lots of men fear color and avoid it. Manufacturers know this, so the majority of off-the-rack menswear comes in various shades of gray and brown. Add bright things to his wardrobe little-by-little to keep him from going into shock. Start with things that match his eyes (and point out that they do). Add bright colors in details, like socks, ties and scarves. Ask him if he’d consider wearing shirts that are pink, yellow or lavender, and if he says yes, buy one and see if he wears it.

Don’t even try to get a man to wear scent if he doesn’t already do it. Like the underwear question, this is a decision a man makes early in life, and it seems to be connected to his sense of himself as a sexual being. Frankly, many straight men think that cologne/aftershave calls into question their heterosexuality. Many men, straight and gay, believe that a man should only smell of man-smells, and while most women would call that rank (pardon the pun) arrogance, so many otherwise perfectly nice men refuse to anoint their bodies with oils, all we can do is shrug and give in.

If he looks like a slob and is utterly, stubbornly refusing to make even the smallest change, switch to psychological warfare. Most men are horrified at the idea of being called a girl, so much so that they don’t think logically when a woman says, “Geez, I just thought you’d like a shirt that doesn’t make you look like a mushroom: you don’t have to act like such a girl.” This should only be used with men who are not being reasonable to start with, as it relies on their fear of being “a girl” and not on any other rational basis. By calling a man a “girl”, you can often get him to do things he would never consider doing otherwise, but you are also being manipulative and a little bit mean. Then again, a slob who refuses to change but expects you to put up with him probably needs a good psychological kick in the ole’ boxers – umm, briefs.

Dressing a Tall Womens Figure in Longer Length Clothes Sizes and Where to Find Clothing

Tall women come in two types: models, and the rest of us. Although in the Western world, men and women have been growing taller and taller over the generations, women over 5 ft 8" are considered tall when it comes to clothing manufacturers, who apparently measure their profits in the extra inch or two it would take to make tall women (or plus size women) comfortable in their clothes. Tall women also run the risk of becoming terrifically shy, since they tend to shoot up like bamboo while the nastiest little boys in junior high are still all mouth and no brains. Being tall makes it nearly impossible for girls to disappear, which lets them in for a lot of teasing and mental torture. The lucky girls use their height to establish an athletic career, and can pound short, nasty boys into the turf, but the rest of us just suffer through it and hope to exact our revenge in college.

Be Proud of Your Tall Model Like Height

There is no way to look less tall. Let's just get that out of the way right now. Slouching, if anything, makes women look taller, which may be why the flappers affected a bizarre, S-shaped posture that made them look like they had belly cramps. Tall was sexy then, even with cramps.

In fact, tall is sexy now, but if you were one of those tormented, willowy teens, you may not have gotten over the trauma of living in a world where it's better to be mediocre than to stand out in any way from the crowd. If you have problems accepting that tall is sexy, note the fact that most girls can't even consider a modeling career if they're under 5 ft 9".

High Heels vs. Flat Shoes

Fashionistas tell tall gals to wear flats, maybe because fashion is based on the idea that no matter what you look like, you should attempt the opposite. Flat shoes don't add height, but they also don't do much for your legs. If you're going to be tall, (and, clearly you are), have fabulous legs and great posture to match. Downplay your height, and you downplay a positive attribute: play it up, and you're operating in a whole new league: real, individual, unapologetic style.

Worried About Dating a Shorter Men - Don't Be!

Here's another radical idea. If you're uncomfortable dating men who are shorter than you, don't bother. You don't owe any favors to a guy who's probably dating you because he likes your looks: you should like his looks, and if short guys don't appeal to you, don't waste their time or yours. Tall men are often looking for tall women for very practical reasons: they're easier to dance with, and they make a tall man feel like he's out with a woman, not a doll. You have every right to date men you find appealing.

Dress in Clothes to Flatter Your Tall Body Type

Play up your height with tall clothes: long lines, knee-high boots (with heels), long hair. Look for bias-cut dresses, straight skirts and fitted blouses. Don't ever try to minimize your arms, legs, hands or neck; they are sexy features, and longer is better. Pay homage to them with opera-style gloves, sheer, sheer hose, nicely-filed gleaming nails and ropes of pearls.

I hope this has given you a different perspective: a higher perspective than most articles that purport to address the concerns of tall women and then put them in ugly shoes.

Tips, Advice and Ideas on What to Wear and How to Act on a First Date

There are three extremely trying times to choose the right clothes for the occasion: job interviews, first dates and meeting the parents nights. First date dressing is tough because you usually don't know the other person well enough to predict what will be attractive to him. You want to look fabulous but not unattainable, chic but not cheap. Add to the problem that you may or may not be familiar with where you are going, and you have the perfect explanation for women who choose to stay home in a chenille robe with a bottle of Two-Buck Chuck and a box of microwave kettle corn.

Let's go over some first date dress basics. Maybe you'll get lucky and I'll have an idea you haven't already considered.

Any ideas on where you going on your first date?

If you can, have a conversation with your date to find out where you're going. But be simple with your questions to make sure you dont' sound to controlling. This will help immeasurably, even if you can just get a sense of the formality of the occasion. A good tip is it's always better to be a little overdressed. We've all at some time or another ended up at the baseball game in a frilly, walk-in-the-park sundress, which beats hell out of going to see Itzhak Perlman wearing skateboarding pants (which happened to me once).

--Editors Tip ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Good Date Movies For At Home Dates

If you are still on your first few dates with a guy or girl, stay away from the serious dramas, bloody action flicks, and overly sad romantic (mushy-gushy) movies. Try sticking with up-beat, light hearted movies that are in the romantic comedy genre. He'll enjoy the comedy and you can enjoy the little bit of romance.


See a selection of recommended romantic comedies that are great for first dates or newly dating occassions.

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Advice On Shoes: Comfortable vs. Sexy

Find out if you will be walking, and if so, how far. If the guy's at all exercise or nature oriented, double or triple the estimate he gives you and you'll probably come close to the truth. (And if he flat-out lies about how far the walk is, don't go out with him a second time. Use this estimate to choose the durability and support of your shoes, and if you aren't confident, pack along some cuter, (invariably less comfortable) shoes in a bag.

The Little Black Dating Dress

If you're having the classic dinner date in a place created to impress women on first dates, the choice is simple. There is no substitute for the little black dress (known in fashion circles as LBD). It is equivalent to the men's fashion outfit: the classic dark grey suit. If you don't have one of these must-haves, get out the catalogs, visit your favorite designer on-line and choose the version that suits you best. Add a purse, pumps and stole to match, and there you have it. For premium wearability, your LBD should be of medium length, and although the classic is sleeveless (meant to be worn with opera-length gloves), choose the sleeve length based on your comfort.

The little black dress saw Audrey Hepburn's character through most of "Breakfast at Tiffany's", and there's no reason why you shouldn't wear yours to parties, first dates and anytime you want to feel absolutely classic. Vary your jewelry and accessories, and you can wear it to work, for lunch in the park, shopping with the girls and dancing with the boys (or the other way 'round, if you prefer).

The Coffee or Lunch Day time Date

If your date has read the advice columns that say to take the pressure off by having a coffee date or a daytime date, you can expect to dress more casually. In this case, it doesn't much matter what you wear (as long as it's neat and put-together), because you already know they guy is either nervous or non-committal. In the first case, you can graciously put him at ease: in the second, you can keep him guessing.

Choice of the low-impact date does not indicate a man's potential as a long-term romance. Cheapskates and guys who aren't sure they want to "really" date will choose the daytime scenario because it's simple and cheap. They get exposure without investment. Nice guys and shy guys will choose this date because of its low-drama possibilities. They get to be with you without having to act like Cary Grant. Nice guys and shy guys will either up the ante or wait quietly in agony for you to express interest in seeing them again. Cheapskates will expect you to pay for your own coffee. Non-committal guys will say they'll call you, then won't.

I want to add an aside about the coffee comment above. I struggled with this question for years, and paid for a lot of coffee (and dated several cheapskates) until I figured out the flaw in the feminist tao. You see, feminists are expected to buy their own stuff, and sometimes the guy's stuff too, in order to show how liberated we really are. The mindset is, if you're going to be "freer" than non-feminists, you should expect to pay your own way. The fact is, if you adhere to this policy, you will be less free than other women because you will have less money. The other important fact to consider is that women still earn about 60% of what their male counterparts earn. Until we're paid equally, men should always buy the coffee.

There is a creepy idea (often unspoken, often assumed) that if a woman in not planning to become sexually involved with a man, she should pay half. If you ask me, that's selling sex pretty cheap. I say, forget all that crap and hang out with guys who don't have a problem buying your coffee and dinner or waiting until you're good and ready before making any moves on you. Besides all that, if you're dating because you're looking for a commitment, you want a guy who's going to be willing and able to pay on a mortgage, and later, for child support. His willingness to shell out $2.50 for a latte is a very slight indicator of his potential, but it's better than nothing.

Who Should Pay on the First Date? Guy vs. Girl

Although you shouldn't expect to pay for things on a first date, bring along plenty of available funding. At least enough for cab fare home.

If you think he's the sincere type and you want to show that you like him (without saying anything scary like, "I like you"), you might add an element to your daytime-date outfit that you don't wear every day just to acknowledge that something nice is happening on this day. Wear a pair of pants one shade nicer than what you usually wear, or trade walking shoes for pumps. Don't make big changes in makeup, though. Men have definite feelings about and reactions to make-up, and if your face looks noticeably different, he will become frightened and disoriented.

Wedding and Special Occassion Party Dates

Part of the way we judge a potential relationship is by the events we attend together. In straight relationships, going to a wedding with a date is an automatic increase in that relationship's potential intimacy, if the man has invited the woman along. If the woman invites the man and he's not ready for the commitment of witnessing someone else's commitment, he will either decline, bail at the last minute, or attend with great discomfort and break off the relationship soon after. In same or opposite-sex couples, asking someone to attend a wedding with you is a bold maneuver to be taken on only if you're sure your relationship is ready for it, or if you want the other person to break up with you. (A sit-com scenario. Someone asks a woman, "What do you say if you want to get rid of a guy?" Her answer: "I say, 'I love you and I want to have your babies'".

If you get asked to a wedding on a first date, you're either with a social inept, a potential stalker, someone who's been in love with you from afar for ten years, someone who thinks it'll be a good way to get laid, or someone who has nothing left to lose. For these reasons, I would not accept such a first date, eliminating the need for discussing what to wear at such a debacle.

Dates to Baseball or Sporting Event Games

Jeans or chinos, a hat, layers, and bring a thick sweater if you live near the sea. Nothing too sexy, nothing that can't be washed if you have beer spilled on you or if you sit in gum.

The Sleaze Factor: Don't Dress Too Sexy

It's tempting to dress as sexy as the magazine models, but in the harsh light of day or the romantic candlelight of evening, it rarely works out that way. Sexy has a way of turning sleazy when you least expect it. The artistry of dressing to impress means utilizing restraint, so save the micro-minis and see-through tops for those rumpus-filled evenings at home and opt for looking pretty in public.

Dressing a Petite Frame with the Right Clothing

Every woman has her fashion-related cross to bear, and for Petites it may seem that the whole world is out to prevent you from reaching the top cupboard as well as the highest rung of the corporate ladder. There are some strategies you've no doubt discovered, such as developing a ferocious look to keep people from patting you because you're so little and cute. Ferocity, when backed up with intelligence, has probably saved more Petites in the work world than three-inch heels ever could, and if you've avoided getting mean with stupid people because you don't want to be known by the B-word, you might want to reconsider. B------ get grudging respect and may inspire fear, which are pretty powerful payoffs when it comes to having a high-powered career.

Dignity doesn't have to be tall. One of the most dignified people I ever met was a Navy Lieutenant who barely broke 5 feet in height. She hardly ever smiled on the job, and her watch section (mostly big, burly guys) was frankly intimidated by her. They called her Little Hitler, not because she was in any way anti-Semitic, but because she was tiny and in absolute control of every situation. I knew her outside of her job, where she could afford to be a person, and she was once of the nicest people I ever met. But she knew that, in a military organization where sexual harassment was the rule, not the exception, that she had to be tougher than anyone else. All this is to say that, you can follow all the fashion precepts for Petites, but what people see about you isn't your height or lack of height. It's your integrity and determination, your sense of humor, your sense of self that people will remember most. Higher heels will bring your eyes up, but may make you less sure of foot, and thus, wobbly. If you have strong ankles and want to add a couple of inches, go right ahead. But I saw one fashion tip that said Petites should wear pointy-toed shoes because it makes them look taller than square toes. I think that's ridiculous.

I guess beauty tips for Petites depend a lot on what you're trying to achieve. If you're looking for a sweetheart, being doll-like has certain advantages, and you can play it up with frilly clothes and ask people to get things off shelves for you. (Try that when you're five-foot-nine!) If you really want to look taller, tall shoes and flowing garment lines are supposed to work. (To add height to their frames, stars like Marlon Brando and Bogie stood on crates. Some CEOs have been know to dominate a room by having the seat of the CEO chair made a couple of inches higher than every other seat in the room. I even knew one twisted little freak of a publisher who insisted that his employees sit down the second they entered any room where he was. If someone forgot, he raged at them, accusing them of trying to humiliate him. But that's another story.) Great posture is a boon too, and also makes you remarkable because most tall women tend to slouch.

As to clothing, if I were Petite, I would go for the Audrey Hepburn look--fairy-like, severely tailored and strong as steel wire. Long, columnar gowns for evening, flowing, straight-leg pants, simple lines, are the basis of elegance at any height.

Easy Clothing Alterations Can Make a Simple Dress Look Spectacular

You might think so, but it could be one of two things: large hips or a small waist. A quick look in the mirror will tell the story.

If your hips are large in proportion to the upper part of your body, then full hips are the problem. If your hips are in proportion to the upper part of the body, but the waist appears small, then the problem lies in your waist. If your waist is small, the garment's waist can be reduced by increasing the width of darts and pleats. If your hips are large, the pattern needs to be increased at the side seam in the hip area.

The biggest mistake a full-hipped individual makes is thinking that pants that are snug in the hips will hold in the hips, making them look smaller. This is not so! To camouflage a full hip, the garment actually needs to be looser so it won't lock onto the fullness. Full hips are better in drapey fabric, in styles that are fuller at the hem, so that the hip appears smaller by comparison. For the alteration given here, you will need to know your full hip measurement, and how far down it is from your waist.

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Having Good Lighting is Essential to Maintaining Your Good Eyesight

In the darkest Middle Ages, wealthy women had their lingerie and trousseaus made by convents of nuns who sewed tiny stitches and made miles of lace—all by hand, and all by candlelight. In fact, many nuns went blind in this pursuit, with the fineness of the work and the dimness of the convent contributing to their loss of eyesight.

But there's no excuse for that now. Modern electric lights are there for the asking. Unfortunately, when it comes to sewing, many women return to the Middle Ages, working on unlighted machines in dimly lit rooms and crocheting in front of the TV. A 60-watt bulb in a lampshade isn't going to be useful if you're trying to sew a straight seam or match a shade of wool! Use a full spectrum lamp, which closely mimics natural sunlight and reduces eye strain. You need to arrange you full spectrum lamp in the best position for your use and you will start to notice how much quicker and easier it is to get your sewing done.

See a selection of high quality full spectrum lamps that are great for sewing, computer use and other crafting projects.

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FAST FIT SOLUTION

Determine the alteration amount by comparing your full hip measurement plus ease to that of the sewing pattern measurement. Make an addition to each side seam at the hip, tapering out half of the addition by the bottom of the garment. A large addition may also require adding at the waist, so that the side seams will not wrinkle when pressed open.

STEP-BY-STEP SOLUTION

1. Measure the circumference of your full hip, and the distance it is from your waist.
2. On the pattern, measure down the side seam the distance of your full hip, starting at the waistline seam. Mark this spot with an X. Then highlight the sizes that fit your measurements with a highlighter pen, making smooth transitions to the smaller size at the waist.
3. At the spot marked with an X, draw a line across the pattern perpendicular to the grainline.
4. 0n this line, measure between the seam-lines of your size on the front and back of your pattern. Compare the flat pattern measurement to your measurement plus ease. The difference is the total alteration amount. Divide this by four to determine the amount you need to add to each side seam at the hip.
5. Make the side seam addition. Taper in only half of the addition by the bottom of the garment; tapering in the full addition will just emphasize the problem.
6. If you're adding a lot—more than 1/2 in. (1.3cm)—at each side seam, you'll also need to add to the waist. The extra at the waist can be taken out with wider darts or pleats. Make a gradual transition into the waist for a flattering silhouette; a curve that is too steep wrinkles when sewn in fabric and put on the body.

FITTING TIPS

• The circumference at the bottom of a straight skirt or full pants can always be tapered in for a slimmer effect. But don't overdo it—too much tapering leaves the hips looking larger.
• If your garment has a pocket, there's no need to add to the pocket facing or side front piece. The location of these pieces will move out with the addition.

If you have to add a great deal at the hip, you will need to add some at the waist so that the curve at the side seam is not too pronounced. The waist can be reduced by increasing the size of the darts and the pleats.

The Plusses of Plus Size.

It's no secret that our culture worships thinness and equates the emaciated state with great beauty. It's also no secret that more and more of the population is succumbing to "obesity", gaining more weight than ever before. One secret that remains is that you can be overweight on the charts while still being healthy and beautiful. And the plus in the recent trend towards overweight in the general population means that, slowly but inexorably, fashion designers will be designing attractive clothes for plus-sized women. It's about time!

Why is being thinner in style historically speaking?

It's only in the past sixty years that thinness became the standard for beauty, and it started in the U.S. Even into the 1950's, women were expected to have considerable curves, and if look at pictures of great beauties from the early 1900's, you'll see some amazing feminine forms. Lilly Langtry, considered the most lovely woman of her time, weighed around 180 pounds. The Gibson Girls of around 1915 were wasp-waisted thanks to the death-grip of tightly-laced corsets, but they also augmented their natural rumps with great big bustles. A big behind was considered charming.

Some feminist theorists point out that the demand for women's thinness came along just as women were starting to assert themselves socially. The sixties, when the women's movement burgeoned, the Pill came along and women could be sexually active without enduring unwanted pregnancy. Divorce laws changed, freeing women from onerous marriages, (and freeing some husbands too). Finally, women started entering the workforce in large numbers for the first time, excepting the years of W.W.II when the government first urged women into the workplace, then threw them out at the end of the war. One theory is that the sudden emphasis on thinness came about as a social pressure to keep women from being as powerful as they could be. Perhaps unconsciously, men and women have been colluding, creating a society where women have many social freedoms, but taking away the greatest freedom of all--the right to feed oneself adequately.

I'm always reminded of this theory when I see an advertisement for a particular treadmill It shows a woman finishing her workout, then folding up the treadmill and sliding it under the bed. The voice-over says, "Soon, you'll both be taking up less space". The first time I heard it, I got mad, but I wasn't exactly sure why. Then I recalled my college readings, that suggested that women are expected to attain unnatural levels of thinness so that they will take up less physical space, minimizing their impact on the world.

Many Cultures Perfer a Fuller Womens Figure

So it makes me wonder how our world will change over the next few decades. At one time, (and in many cultures still), beautiful women were round, curvy, plump, even downright fat. Right now, over 60% of American women are over size 12. Is it possible that those times of larger feminine beauty are returning?

Popular Plus Size Celebrities

There has always been a section of the masculine population that considers women more attractive when they aren't thin, and there are some notable exceptions to the industry-wide narrowness in the television world. Witness Ina Garten, whose Barefoot Contessa show on the Food Network illustrates fabulous cooking and gracious dining. Ina is a beautiful woman (I know a man who says he loves her, although they will never meet if his girlfriend can help it!) She's a plus-size beauty, with a satiny, brunette bob, gorgeous skin, wide eyes, and a husky laugh. What's not to love?

What women like Ina Garten know, is that there is so much more to life than counting your carbohydrates. There are white roses and candles on the table, champagne and kir, plum tarts and boef bourgignon, for example.

So here's an idea. What if, instead of focusing on taking up less space, we all spent more time attending to our greatness? Can you imagine what the world would be like if all the hours spent at the gym were spent instead on developing compassion? If nail salons were replaced with the old-fashioned European salons where people met to discuss art, music and current events? What is we all spent as much time and money on growing our characters as we now spend on reducing our waistlines?

Remind yourself that its OKAY if you need a larger size

I think most people are motivated to diet in order to fit a particular clothing size. That way lies madness, as sizes vary drastically, even within brands. Life is much simpler when clothes fit the person, rather than the other way around. And for plus-size people, finding the designs that complement the body is more than half the battle. Although many designers are starting to include plus size fashions (in sections separated from non-plus-sized clothes), the clothes often fall into the "giant-black tunic over giant black stretch pants" category. Look at companies that specialize in plus-sized clothes --my particular favorite for stylish, pretty clothing is Zaftique at www.igigi.com and www.zaftique.com.

So, here are my beauty tips for plus sized women. You will not find the recommendation to wear black apparel because it's so slimming, or to wear neutrals because they help you "blend in". And I'm not going to write about career-wear here; check out the previous articles on professional and business-casual work wear.

1. Wear clothes that you love. If you feel pretty or elegant or sexy or classy in an plus size skirt, dress or other outfit, that's the way people will see you. Spend a little more if you have to, but find clothes and designers that work for you.

2. Wear brightly colored outfits to feel cheerful. Let your self shine through and only wear black if you happen to like the way you look in black. For example, EVERY woman should own a pair of the classic black plus size pants that go with everything. Just pair them with a bright shirt or blouse on top. Use your own good sense when mixing and matching.

3. If you have them, flaunt them. Some plus size tops, tanks and shirts were made to show off beautiful shoulders, or a nice bust. Don't hide in cowl-necks or tunics if you have the option of a nice V-neck or an off-the-shoulder top.

4. Pretty curvy legs are pretty curvy legs. Buy the best-looking hose in natural colors, strappy shoes or sexy boots and show the real estate between ankle and knee--the prettiest parts of the leg. A great aline skirt is wonderful way to show off nice legs as well.

5. Work on increasing your happiness and body images. It doesn't matter what you wear if you're happy, and the most fabulous clothes in the world can't cover up an unhappy face (remember Princess Diana in the unhappily-married-ever-after years?)

6. Exercise for your health, not for your derriere. Not for your mother, your boyfriend, the fashion industry, or your ideas of what you "should" look like. Focus on feel-good exercise like dancing, wandering through the woods, playing in the water. Stop tormenting yourself with the Stairmaster, and go outside to play.

7. Friendship is one of the primary components of a happy life. It's also one of the hardest things to maintain once we're grown up. Find friends, nurture relationships by hanging out together, make time for each other, and you'll enrich your life immeasurably.

Womens Business Casual Clothing & Attire that is Proper for Your Office's Dress Code

Business casual attire ranges from coat and tie to well-pressed jeans, with the moderate range being chinos and Oxford shirts. But those conventional dress codes are for men: women usually look too casual in chinos, and in trying to find a semi-professional look, the proper business casual office wardrobe can become a confusing quagmire of bad fashion choices.

If you want to stay on the upper end of business casual, your best bet is to wear skirts more often than pants to work. As sexist as it is, people of both genders and all ages still perceive women to be better-dressed (and thus, more professional-looking) when wearing skirts. Business casual means you don't have to shell out the big bucks for a suit-skirt: you can go with slightly tailored chino, cotton, linen or wool skirts. Like professional skirts, business casual skirts should fall slightly below or above the knee, with occasional forays into long skirts being acceptable in autumn and winter. Mini-skirts should not be part of the business casual wardrobe; nor should midriff-baring tops, running shoes, or anklets.

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Colorful accessories can define your personal business casual style

In business casual dress codes, you can play around more with color, but if you want to build a look that's polished, save the ultra-trendy clothes for the weekend. Bring bright colors into your wardrobe by way of scarves, but keep your clothes in the neutral range for maximum professionalism with minimal economic investment.

Womens business casual looks don't have to mimic men's fashions

The recent trend in fitted cotton-spandex blend tops (cuffs, lapels and nipped-in waist), provides today's working woman with a blouse that doesn't have to be tucked in, that fits nicely and that looks tailored as well. They're available in a range of colors, and can be worn with skirts or pants. The most common mistake with these tops is to wear them too tight, which can look pretty tacky. If they fit well, they create a put-together look without much work or expense on your part.

Business casual shoes appropriate for the workplace

Loafers, low-heeled pumps, and strappy sandals can all work in the business-casual environment. (Don't pay attention to websites that list flip-flops as summertime career shoes: they are not.) Match your shoes to your overall look, and if you wear sandals, make sure your feet and toenails look neat. Boots are fine in cool weather, and you may choose a style that comes an inch or two below the knee, or shorter, ankle-top boots.

Some colorful jewelry and makeup is okay for a business casual outfit

Jewelry and makeup can be a bit brighter and more playful than it is in professional dress, but try to keep your style consistent across each outfit. I have a friend who spent some time at school in the Midwest, and one of her overriding memories was of university secretaries who wore business casual skirts with holiday-themed earrings, red plastic Santa's dangling from their earlobes, or jack-o'-lantern pins stapled across fuzzy, orange sweaters. It's easy to go wrong with jewelry, but if you keep it simple and only wear a couple of pieces at a time, you'll be safe. (I said "no anklets, under any circumstances," already, didn't I?")

Key to Dressing in Business Casual at the Office

The key to a successful working wardrobe is to dress better than your co-workers (and your boss) without anyone really being able to say how you do it. It's more about style than expense, and if you start with a couple of skirts, a couple of tailored-looking pairs of pants and a half-dozen tops to match, you're on your way. Avoiding trendy looks (boat-necks, three-quarter sleeves, anything slinky or glittery) means you'll have an easier time matching pieces, and the stuff you acquire won't go out of season as easily. For major wardrobe staples, staying with neutral colors (off-white, chino, taupe, gray, brown, dark blue) will help you create and add to your cache of separates.

Business Professional Dress Code for Women in the Office

Your work wardrobe depends largely on what you do for a living, and if you aren't a natural-born fashion hound, it can be difficult to put together work ensembles that are practical, comfortable and affordable. Besides the obligatory chinos and polo shirt-uniforms of many retail establishments, there are three types of working wardrobes: professional, business casual and casual. In this column, we're going to cover the basics of dressing for the professional office.

Women's Business Professional Workplace Dress Code Described

Probably the easiest wardrobe to assemble is the professional one that most large corporate firms expect from women. Most corporations and firms whose employees affect professional dress have strict if unwritten dress codes: observing what other people wear is the best way to decide on your own wardrobe basics. Even now, many firms expect women to dress in skirts rather than pants to work, which raises complications in terms of choosing comfortable shoes that look good. If you are applying for a position with a company where professional dress is the norm, do as much reconnaissance work as you can to determine what designers are favored, whether suit blouses are strictly white and tailored or more feminine and colorful, and what makeup styles are in fashion. Wear the best shoes you can afford to your interview, spend more money on hose that won't snag and run before you even get to the interview, and wear a skirt, even if women also wear pants in that culture..

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How to Dress for a Job Interview

When you're interviewing, it's always better to dress a little more on the formal and conservative side. This is relative, of course. If you're going for a job at a funky piercing studio, you shouldn't show up in Donna Karan, but leave the ripped jeans at home until you've gotten the job. For professional work environments, it means opting for tailored over trendy and severe over sexy. Forget the Allie McBeal micro-minis and tights tops: TV fashion does not apply in the real-world professional workplace, and people won't take you seriously if the first thing they recall about you is your astonishing cleavage. If you want to base your wardrobe on a relevant TV show, think West Wing or The Practice.

The Classic Womens Business Suit We Should All Have

Most suit skirts have the same basic shape: either pencil-straight or a slight flare as they fall from the waistband. A kick-pleat can be a nice addition, or a small slit in front or on the side may add interest. Good suits have skirts that are lined, and are usually made in wool gabardine. Skirts should fall a couple of inches below the knee or an inch above the knee (depending on your personal comfort zone). If you have cute knees (and most people do), don't cover them up--the expanse of leg between your shoes and your skirt will be an attractive wardrobe feature.

Hose should be tasteful and unnoticeable. Stay with nude colors, or maybe sheer black hose in winter. You can wear tights to keep your legs warm if you're going to wear boots in the winter, but keep the colors muted.

What to Look for When Choosing a Formal or Career Pant or Skirt Suit

When you're putting together a professional Career wardrobe, plan for the long-term. Good suits with a jacket, pants and a skirt are expensive, but they may last you for ten years, and if you choose a classic look, outdated clothes won't be an issue. Choose conservative, neutral colors, black, gray, navy, white or beige for suits and shoes, and make sure each piece you add can be mixed and matched with pieces you already have. One simple way to achieve a pulled-together look based on separates is to find a designer you like and stick with him or her when purchasing your suits. (Ann Taylor has marvelous working wardrobes.) Three skirts, two jackets, five blouses and two pairs of pumps (one black, one brown) should see you through the first six months or so, at least until your new paycheck has caught up with your standard of living. At that point, you can start adding separates piece by piece, with the eventual goal of being able to take last week's clothes to the dry cleaners and still have plenty to wear until the weekend.

Classic Professional Womens Career Shoes Styles

Shoes are crucial to the excellent wardrobe. First of all, they should fit as perfectly as possible, because they contribute directly to your health and well-being. Bad shoes contribute to bad posture, back, neck and leg pain, and create foot issues like bunions and corns. Especially if you walk from trains, spend a lot of time traveling, or work on your feet, your shoes must provide you with support.

Professional wardrobes require pumps. A moderate heel (around one inch high, up to two inches if you need the extra height), is classy and sensible without being frumpy. Avoid stilettos, wedge heels, trendy colors, odd designs or patterns and open toes. Shoes should be elegant, tasteful, and not the first thing people notice about you. (Some people look at your shoes first; they consider good shoes an indicator of taste and breeding. If you're wearing the right shoes, they'll pass muster, and the rest of you will then be considered.) Shoes should be made of a good quality leather or something so like leather that you can't tell the difference. Ideally, your shoes will also point up the finer aspects of your legs without trying too hard. The toes of your shoes can be slightly rounded for comfort, or if you have narrow feet, slightly triangular toes are all right too. If your feet are wide, you may need to go for a slightly boxy toe, but before getting square-toed shoes, consider checking out shoe designers who provide deeper rather than wider toes-boxes.

Some companies don't consider boots professional dress, no matter how well-made they are, but in other firms, wearing boots in fall and winter is acceptable. The perfect boot for the workplace is sleek and sophisticated, with no trendy additions. It should be brown or black, have a medium heel, a leather or suede finish, and should hit you one to two inches below the knee. (Try boots on with your work skirt before committing to a purchase to make sure the combination works.) A hidden zipper is your best bet: lace-ups look a little too Victoria's Secret to be professional.

Professional Attire on a Budget

The money that you spend on acquiring the perfect shoes can be made up for in your budget when you shop for blouses. If your blouse is usually going to be worn under a jacket, you can skimp on the quality and get away with it as long as the cut and fabric are good. Linen blouses are a nice idea, but all-linen wrinkles right away: go for a blend. Cotton-poly or the more recent stretchy blends of cotton and Lycra will keep their shape better than all-cotton or cotton-linen blends. Some people can wear silk: others find it doesn't breathe well enough to be comfortable. If you do go with silk, you may find some wonderful blouses in the new, washable silks. Avoid anything ruffly, frilly or lacy, and forget about colorful accents on your blouses in the way of buttons or bows. Think Katherine Hepburn: tailored, classy, very understated.

Keep Jewelry and Accessories Simple and Tasteful at the Workplace

Your jewelry and makeup will fit in with the professional look by being understated as well. Keep makeup muted and elegant: use neutral tones and minimal eye makeup. Lipstick can be a bit brighter; after all, that's what it's for, but ignore any trendy statements in the way of metallics, glitters, glosses or hot colors.

Jewelry should be simple, without fuss or glitter. Jewelry should be cleaned on a regular basis to make sure it looks nice and not shabby. Follow the rule of three, wearing a bracelet and earrings, or necklace and bracelet, but not all three at the same time. (Wearing earrings and necklace becomes unbalanced because all your jewelry is clustered around your face. You may be able to get away with it if earrings and the necklace are utterly simple.) For earrings, wear hoops (not too big), or studs, but avoid dangling pieces that will destroy the clean line of a professional suit. If any one piece of jewelry has gems, keep other pieces solid.

If you wear a watch, don't wear a bracelet, not even on the other wrist. Your watch should be elegant, and if you want to make it into a piece of jewelry, splurge on something with diamonds and a sleek style that matches your suits.

Never, ever wear an anklet or armband to work.

The single strand of pearls favored by yesteryear's clothing designers and movie stars is timeless: if you're starting your professional jewelry wardrobe, a medium-length pearl necklace and a really great watch (maybe with an oyster or mother-of-pearl dial) are excellent starter pieces.

Your handbag says a lot about you, and it can be hard to find the right handbag for work. Even if you always carry a briefcase, there will be times when you will to go to a luncheon, and your briefcase will need to stay behind. Like shoes, great handbags can cost a fortune, and the really elegant ones will also be innocuous until closely inspected. If you don't fancy spending a couple of hundred bucks on a purse that you're going to use about once a month, visit consignment shops to look for a classic design with minimal wear. Get crocodile, lizard or leather, or an excellent imitation in an animal-free textile. Don't bring a fabric bag to a professional do: it never looks right. You probably already know whether you prefer a clutch to a strappy purse: clutches have a cleaner look, but some people are more comfortable with a strap. When it comes to purses, smaller is better, although it should be big enough to hold your necessities.

Now you have the basics of your professional wardrobe. Keep in mind that, like a career, your wardrobe can be built over time starting with a few basics and adding gradually over a period of years. Keep it simple and straightforward for a look of timeless, understated elegance.