A Royal Engagement

   On April 29th, a grand event occurred, Prince William married Kate Middleton.  I do not want to beat a dead horse, since I know that many people are tired of hearing about the ROYAL WEDDING, but how could I not comment on the fashion at such a worldwide event?
    First, I must say that Kate Middleton looked amazing.  Getting married to a Prince with practically the whole world watching is no easy task.  What I love about her dress is that she met the customs of tradition, but also made the dress into something that was modern.  I know that she had to wear sleeves, and it is customary for all guests to have something covering their shoulders.  Middleton covered her arms as tradition would call for, but tradition spoke nothing of the neck line of the dress.  The neckline was plunging and deep, to say the least, but it was classy in a way that only a future Queen could pull off. Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen designed both the wedding and maid of honors dress.  
I can not help, but point out that I think that Burton and Middleton were inspired by Grace Kelly who wore a similar wedding dress when she became Princess of Monaco.

    The maid of honor was Philippa "Pippa" Middleton, the brides sister.  I must say that Pippa stole the show.  She looked amazing in her ivory gown, and if I dare say could have easily been mistaken as the bride.  For many, myself included, it was unique that the maid of honor wore white, when it is customary to wear a color.  I have heard rumors that this is a trend that some brides are starting, perhaps it is a trend starting in the U.K, and if it was not before it definitely is now.
    I rarely comment on mens fashion, as I do not take part in it, as I am a woman.  However, I do know what I like and do not like.  I did not like William's fire engine red military uniform. I thought that brother and best man's, Harry's, black military attire looked much better.  Obviously, I know that tradition and choices are strict and limited, so I will forgive William for his fashion mistake.

 Some guests that looked amazing were the Beckhams.  I think that Victoria Beckham was the epitome of how every guest should of looked.  She had a bold hat that was a must for the wedding, but selected an understated navy as the color of her dress and hat.  David Beckham also look fantastic, very cleaned up and HOT!! :D  However, there were other guests that did not looks so good.  Two of those guests were Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.  Both of these girls are young in age, but their choice of clothes makes them look much older.  Also, the fit is all wrong, along with the color.  I definitely question if these girls looked in a mirror before they left the house.

This is one of my favorite pictures, because it displays how beautiful both Kate and Philippa's dresses are.

Compliment

           Yesterday after my last class I walked over to Stonestown Shopping Mall, because I was meeting my sister.   As I was walking I saw this girl wearing a really cute sparkle shirt.  I debated whether I was going to compliment her or not.  Finally I just decided to tell her that I thought her shirt was cute.  I opened my mouth and said "I really like your shirt," and she walked by talking to her friend as if nothing had happened.
             My first reaction was what a B*&%$!!!! I was being nice, and this girl just ignored me!  Then I really started thinking about this.  And I realized that we are so tied up in our lives that we do not take the time to notice the small things.  Obviously, this debate has been argued before, but I realized that this is true.  It really made me realize that I need to take time to enjoy things, rather than constantly thinking about my next move.

           How does this relate to fashion, well I think it applies to consumers that at some point we need to be satisfied with what we have.  We are always seeking out the next best thing, myself included.  Sometimes I wish I could just be happy with what I have.  So this summer I have made a promise to myself that I will not purchase any clothes.  I know it is going to be a lot harder than it seems, because I love to shop.  But I really want to dive into my closet, and wear all of the clothes I have! Plus I really need to save some money, so what better than to not shop!!?

Copycat

          Some say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.  I find this to be true, but why is it so difficult to not become upset when another person is wearing the same thing as you are?  I am sure at some point you have become annoyed at someone wearing or taking an outfit that was yours, I know that I have.  But why is this? Why are girls so competitive?
           It is my belief and with some research I have found that we have been reared to hate those that copy us rather than to thank them.  Whoever said two people can not share ruined it for all women.  They turned us against each other.  A very popular program, the E! network, has a show called the Fashion Police, and within this show they have a segment dedicated to women wearing similar looks.  The segment is titled Bitch Stole My Look, if this does not set a standard then let me give you another example.  Us Magazine dedicates pages of their magazine to a section called "Who Wore It Best."  In the pages of the magazine pictures are displayed of celebrities wearing the same outfit, and each picture has a percentage, the higher percentage dictates who wore it best.

          Women and girls are raised in an environment that sets us up for competition rather than camaraderie.  From a young age we are told to abandon the friendships that we have built for boys and men. Girls are taught that their relationship with men (heterosexually speaking) are more important than the friendships they have with girls.  I know it seems crazy that psychology in this way relates to fashion, but all because of how we are raised, and told what to do at a young age depicts how we will treat the girl wearing the same outfit as we are.
       Now I must add though, I do believe that copying is the sincerest form of flattery.  But copying someone too much can be a bad thing.  If you are constantly copying one person, then you can lose sight of the real you.  Originality is an amazing trait to have, and everyone has the power to be original, because no two people are exactly the same, even twins.    Remember copying can be a good thing, but originality is always better!

Psychology of Fashion

          I just read an article The Psychology of Fashion. I am unsure how I feel about what I read. The author, Marina V, says "there are those who commit to fashion as one of their top priorities in life.  I'm not talking about fashion designers, buyers, or anyone who works in the industry.  I'm talking about people who list fashion among their top interests or hobbies.  Yeah, that's right, people consider fashion, or rather, shopping for fashionable clothes, a hobby. I don't think there's anything wrong with indulging in a little self-confidence by treating yourself to that perfectly fitted top or those gorgeous stilettos, but why, may I ask, do these trendy garments give us this "high" in the first place?"

           Marina continues on with the issues of women using fashion to look good to find a mate, and why can't we stick with one trend, buying to fit in, and style.  First, I find nothing wrong with wanting to look good for the opposite sex.  Marina says that women are the ones responsible for attracting the males, and I see nothing wrong with that.  When it comes to most birds, such as ducks and peacocks, the males are the most beautiful, because it is their job to attract the females.  So what is wrong with women having to do it, if the males do too.  Also, most men work at their appearance whether it is with the clothes they wear, hair products, or just going to the gym.
        Next, Marina makes the point of sticking with one trend. I want to know why anyone would want this?  I understand finding an item or look that makes a person feel and look good, but sometimes change is a good thing!  If I stuck to one trend I would still be wearing colored bike shorts to school!! Umm... no thank you!  The world is not built to stick to one thing.  If we stuck to one thing we may never find cures for disease or ways to improve health.  Sometimes moving on to a new trend can be a good thing.
       Buying to fit in, I know we have all done it!  In fifth grade I had to have the adidas with the three stripes on them, and in high school I had to have Uggs.  Marina says that people want to follow trends, because they know if they have the same thing as everyone else, then it is easier to fit in.  I do not disagree with this, but because my friends did not wear Uggs did not mean that we were not going to be friends.  I like to think that I am a better person than to select my friends based on what they wear and own.
       Lastly, Marina brings up style.  She says "where fashion unites us, style sets us apart.  Style is what we choose to wear from all the clothes that are available to us.  It is the image we create for ourselves.  This is the word we must use when it come to "asserting our individuality" with clothes.  Some choose a style and stick with it all their lives.  Who hasn't heard of that mom who can't get out of the '70's?  Then, more commonly, there are those with a self-proclaimed style but who lunge at the newest trend.  These people obviously want to be accepted in society, but they also walk the fine line of not wanting to be just another one of a million.  They strive to reinvent themselves just as fashion does.  They want to be in the loop while keeping a firm grip on their own style.  This combined sense of unity, individuality and being the most newly informed gives them a small sense of power or confidence." First, I think the way she has worded this section of the article and explained it is really well done.  I definitely agree with what she is saying about style.  And I find that I am more like the last person she describes in the section, I follow trends, but also love being independent in my style.
         Overall, I would say that Marina's article is interesting and thought provoking.  I do find that it jumps all over the place.  She insults people who say shopping is a hobby, then in the next sentence questions the shoppers high, and in the next paragraph discusses females and shopping.  She needs to focus on one thing, and use better transitions.  I would recommend reading it and making your own judgements though.
    

Skinny Fashion

        First, I have to say that right now I am at home sick, class is happening and I am sitting in bed writing this post.  Okay now that I got that out I will continue. . .
       So for the past few months I have worked out almost every day and been watching what I eat.  I do not think that I am obese, but I definitely feel that I need to lose some weight to be healthy.  Also, I am Catholic and right now Catholics are celebrating Lent, a time when each person gives up something for forty days.  This year I gave up gossiping, fast food/ restaurant food, and alcohol.  With all of this I have lost a few pounds, but not what I want, and recently I cut sugar from my diet.  The only sugar I get from food now is natural, in fruits and vegetables, no refined sugar.  I keep track of my food and exercise, so I do not over eat, and I think not eating sugar has been a good change.  However, I can not help but wonder how much of this weight loss is for me, and how much is it for what I see in fashion?
             Every day we see advertising for quick fixes to lose weight, programs, home gyms, and skinny people in general.  I can not help, but think that this has played a role in my decision.  I have heard that the average woman is a size 12, and I can not say that this is a good or bad thing, because I think that everyone needs to be comfortable in their own skin.  But seeing all these actresses and models has really warped my mind at what is right and normal.  It is sort of funny that skinny girls are the ones modeling the clothes, when a body like that is more rare than a profession athlete!!  I do not understand why average girls are not walking the runway, as average girls are the biggest market.  Honestly, I feel like I may be talking in circles, but all I know is what I want to look like. . .  I am just not sure whether it is attainable.

24/7 Fashion

           Hair is something that a person wears 365 days a year.  Hair can be changed, cut, and styled in many different ways, but I have noticed recently some new hair accessories. These styles are more than just a headband or a clip, they are new fashion statements.
           The first hair statement that I have noticed, and taken part in is hair bling.  Hair bling can be seen on all ages, and all different types of women.  I was first introduced to this trend by my friend, Eva, last Halloween.  Basically, hair bling is a tinsel like piece tied into a persons hair.  Hair bling can be brushed, washed, curled, straightened, and adds some fun sparkle to a persons hair.
           The next hair trend that I have seen is feathering.  No, I am not talking about styling your hair like Farrah Fawcett, I literally mean having feathers braided into your hair.  Feathering like hair bling is done at many hair salons, and even some independent places.  The process for both does not take a long time, but can last weeks depending on how you care for it.  The feathers used, typically, can be washed, dried, straightened, and curled like hair bling.
             Hair bling is pretty simple to do yourself, it definitely takes practice, but well worth doing.  I purchased my hair bling at HairBling.org, it costs $15-$18 for a package of 20 strands.  On the website it also gives tutorials as to how to put in the bling, however, if you search youtube, many videos can be found there too.  Feathering is a little more complicated to do, and I would recommend paying someone to do it for you, because it will most likely look better, and last longer.  If you want feathering you can contact Featherholics on Facebook, or ask at your local salon, most likely they will know of a place to go if they do not offer the service.  Having feathers tied in can cost between $10-$30.
             Both trends are fun and an exciting change to boring hair.  Now get out there, whip your hair back and forth, and showoff to all your friends!

Fashion Eyes

          A few days or maybe it was weeks, I can not recall, my professor brought up an interesting question, How do people who enjoy, and focus on fashion see the world through their eyes?  This got me thinking, because I enjoy fashion, but I thought that everyone enjoyed fashion just as much as I do. However, I am slowly realizing that this is not true.

        

     There is a show on TLC called What Not To Wear, and usually the person on the television program receives a makeover along with a new wardrobe.  Before the contestant receives a full makeover they have to try to shop for themselves, and most of the time the people do not enjoy the shopping process. Obviously, not everyone enjoys shopping, although some may argue otherwise if they saw the mall on a Saturday, but it is hard for me to wrap my mind around someone not enjoying shopping or fashion, those two things are heaven to me!
          

             As to the question, How do I see fashion through my eyes, well I can not say for sure that I see it differently than anyone else, since I only know how I see it.  I have likes and dislikes just like the next person, and I think something that is important to remember, in fashion, is that anything can become fashionable no matter how ridiculous it make look or seem.  The question is whether you follow the trend or not?

           For example, in the 1980's leotards were very popular for exercise.  It is my opinion that this is one of the worst trends!  No one, let me repeat that NO ONE looks good in a leotard, not even gymnasts!!  But I know that if I was 22, my age now, in the '80's I probably would be sporting a leotard just because I thought it was cool.

            I guess my point of this article is that fashion is subjective, there are followers and leaders, just like politics, and if you have enough followers you can start your own trend that may make history for better or worse