uild Your Chic, Fall and Winter Wardrobe From Scratch

From sexy summer clothes, fall and winter fashion trends took an about turn. Anything that seemed sexy in summer now looks tarty. Your grandmother's wardrobe is now in vogue. Now everything you own seems so out of fashion. What is a girl to do?

First of all, do NOT panic.

The trend now is well tailored, high quality, hard to knock off clothing. A look that demands respect. The look is romantic. Feminine. In darker, somber colors. A gothic Cinderella if you will.

That translates to quality, not quantity. With just 9 pieces, you can rebuild your Autumn and Winter wardrobe from scratch, and look totally chic as the temperatures fall. Every piece has to be really well made. Go for the best you can afford. The look for this season is ladylike chic. The kind that demands and gets respect.

Get ready for plenty of somber black, plum, deep colors with a light touch of pink fashion pieces to lift things a little.

Choose your color scheme. Black, plum and bright pink, or Navyblue, gray and pale pink are some ideas you could work with. Pick colors that you look your best in and which go with one another. Alternatively, try a striking combination of black, white and red.

Once you have decided on your color scheme, stick to it. That way, everything in your wardrobe can be coordinated with everything else, giving you countless looks from those few pieces.

Feel free to choose items with frills, ribbons and other romantic details as these define this season's romantic fashion trends.

#1 Gorgeous women's winter coats (at least 1) or a fur vest. This is going to be your main look whenever you are outdoors. The fur vest is the latest thing for this fall, winter season though. And it really dresses up everything you wear it with. Even a pair of jeans looks formal when you put on your fur vest.

#2 Beautifully tailored women's suits (at least 1) in any of your 3 chosen colors. A well tailored skirt and jacket combination that is feminine and versatile. This is something you can wear everyday.

#3 Ok. I know that feminine, loose floaty clothes are in. What with the tulip skirt and all. But seriously. Who wants to have hips that look even larger than reality? No, you still need a pair of jeans. I don't care what the fashion magazines or designers dish out to us. Women have a right to wear clothes that flatter the real figure. What is hot, has always been hot and always will be hot is a pair of tight jeans. A pair that makes you looks your very best. You wear the clothes, not the other way around.

#4 Wool tights, pantyhose or stockings. Again for warmth and class. to keep your legs warm when you wear a skirt or a dress.

#5 A romantic women's blouse. This time around, the look is romantic. The oversized man style shirt wouldn't do. You need something romantic. The blouse is the new season's must have.

Wardrobe For College Graduates

Your inclination is absolutely correct - suits are the safest way to go. Pant suits are perfectly accepted for women today as well. Choose pant or skirted suits that have jackets that end at the hip and are tapered through the waist.

The curved structure at the waist will help to conceal any pounds and, even after she loses them all, this shape jacket will still enhance her appearance. Black is fine, as are all basics like navy, brown, grey and so on. Avoid large patterns. Simple blouses in soft or primary colors can work and will give her a healthier glow than plain white or ecru. Obviously nothing very low cut and nothing sleeveless accept perhaps the hottest of days.

A cap sleeve is a safer bet. Shoes should be a low heeled pump to be professional as well as flattering. Accessories should be minimal and professional. No big dangly earrings for example. Keep it more tailored and petite. Of course absolutely no short skirts - keep the hem just above the knee - and no revealing tops. Also, keep an open mind. If she reports to work and finds over time that the particular agency she works at has a more casual attitude toward wardrobe, then she can make some changes that are suitable.

I am afraid I can't tell you exactly where to shop in your area but generally department stores have a broad selection at varied price points. To stay in the current fashion avoid the half-off racks. That usually means the items are old season and styles may be different. However, her clothes should not be trendy and basic suits don't always change much.

Check out what is being featured in the store displays and as you get a sense of what is being featured and what styles look good on her, then you could check the sales racks and see if you find something appropriate. Also, sales persons in department stores usually will lend a hand in making selections.

Your daughter sounds like my daughter in law to be. Anyway, you must remember your daughter's style and her fashion sense is, of course what younger people wear, so trying to influence her too much might not be a good idea.

Your daughter is lucky to have you ready and willing to put her first professional wardrobe together! You are off to a great start. A basic black skirted suit is the ideal beginning and, given the extra weight in the hips and thighs, the longer jacket was a perfect choice. If the suit also came with trousers, buy them too for two suits in one. The black jacket can also be paired with other solid colored skirts and slacks for even greater versatility.

A navy suit would be another good choice. Opt for a longer fitted jacket with a knee length or slightly longer, a-line or flared skirt. Again, if trousers are available, buy them too. A great staple would be a camel colored skirt/slacks...it would look good with both blazers. A grey solid or pinstriped suit is also recommended for its classic business appeal and versatility with both black and navy.

If your daughter owned a black suit, a navy suit (skirt and pants), a grey suit (skirt and pants) and a camel skirt, she'd have all the basic pieces necessary for work in a conservative Washington, DC office. The suits could be broken apart and the opportunities for mixing and matching will literally triple her wardrobe. Wool gaberdine is the ideal suit fabric, by the way.

Adding Ethnic Jewelry to your Wardrobe

Ethnic jewelry is as unique as you are. Humans all over the world have worn jewelry throughout the ages. An unusual ethnic piece worn with a simple tee shirt and pair of jeans brings a completely different perspective to your own unique style. An ethnic piece worn with a skirt and blouse makes a memorable fashion statement.

Ethnic jewelry is an expression of the individual's creativity filtered through tradition and culture. The technique is usually passed from hand to hand through a culture and the pieces are often created of local materials. Ethnic jewelry is frequently symbolic relating to either the culture, the religion, the local industry or family relationships. Some ethnic jewelry is a talisman or worn to bring a certain outcome such as good fortune, strength, protection or courage.

Ethnic can be either contemporary or rare antique jewelry. Some pieces have great value and are great investments. An example of this is the old pawn native American pieces available as signed pieces by the artisans who created them. With modernization in the far flung regions of the world, some of the techniques used by certain tribes or ethnic groups is dying out and as this happens, these pieces become even more collectible. The turquoise found in some of the older native American jewelry is rare in itself because it comes from mines that have been closed to commercial mining, which makes these pieces quite valuable.

You can find symbolism in many different jewelry pieces. The Ankh is the Egyptian symbol of life. The Celtic Cross symbolizes the universe cut in quarters. The Chinese Ming Knot symbolizes cause and effect. And, most of us know the crow's foot as the Peace Symbol.

Some ethnic pieces are created to be worn as a talisman to provide protection or good fortune or other benefits to the person wearing the jewelry. An example of a talisman piece is the traditional African elephant hair bracelet. This bracelet is said to protect the wearer. The Scarab was worn in ancient Egypt for energy, courage and protection.

Some ethnic jewelry is helping the cultures that created it. The Bead for Life project in Africa helps the Ugandan women reach out of poverty and provide for their children by making beautiful paper beads. They recycle magazines by cutting long thin triangles and rolling them into paper beads. These beads are then chosen for color coordination and strung into necklaces and bracelets.

Caring for ethnic pieces is different from caring for contemporary jewelry. Many of the materials are not waterproof or stable in a cleaning solution, so cleaning can damage them. Some of them are made of wood or seeds and plant oils, not mineral based oils can be helpful in protecting and preserving them. If jewelry made of plant materials is shipped from outside the country it may have been sprayed with insecticide or other materials that can cause allergies.

Imagine how a Chinese Cinnabar bracelet, a Navajo squash blossom or hand carved scarab earrings can accent your basic wardrobe pieces with an expression of your own unique personality and style.

Fred Perry Suede Mid Laceups

THE ASKMEN TAKE

Gray remained one of the hues of choice for designers this season. As a result, everyone will be buying a shirt in this go-with-everything color -- but not you. You’re going to stand out this year, because this year you’re going to wear this trend on your feet. The Fred Perry Suede Mid Laceup shoes will look best with slim-fit or straight-leg jeans and cotton pants. As long as you proceed with caution, you might even be able to get away with wearing these shoes with tapered, narrow-fitting dress pants. Go wild with your top, however, because these shoes will complement anything from dress shirts to T-shirts in every color.

UNIQUENESS

You probably have several pairs of black shoes in your wardrobe, in addition to a couple of pairs of brown loafers and numerous sneakers. This spring, mix up your look and add these gray slip-ons to your footwear roster. A sleek design coupled with white, sporty detailing makes these Fred Perry Suede Mid Laceups appropriate for all your casual and smart-casual warm-weather get-togethers in ‘09. Also, whether you’re fearlessly fashionable or you play by the safe-style rules, these ankle boots will give all your ensembles a subtle but fun spin, putting some spring in your step this spring.

DURABILITY

A suede upper combined with a rubber sole makes these shoes extremely comfortable and ideal for plenty of walking in the city. If you’re diligent about buffing your suede, you can count on getting about two years of wear from these shoes, although you’ll be limited to wearing them in sunny months that don’t get much rain. By the time the Fred Perry Suede Mid Laceups start to look worn out, however, they’ll also start to look noticeably dated. A price tag of close to $100 is a little steep for shoes you might not wear everyday, but at the same time, they won’t break the bank unless you’re on a really tight budget.

Urban Outfitters Ivy Hat

 THE ASKMEN TAKE

Collegiate-cool saw a return to men’s fashion with ivy league-inspired apparel turning up in several major menswear shows for fall and at New York Fashion Week’s Spring/Summer 2010collections. Think emblazoned jackets, stripes and lots of plaid. Made of soft wool and polyester, the Urban Outfitters Ivy Hat is an ideal way to try out the trend in a non-committal way. Wear it with oxford shirts, a blazer or corduroys.The only rule to remember is to avoid going preppy head to toe. Avoid a too-perfect look by combining this hat with a crumpled oxford and some seriously distressed jeans, for example.

UNIQUENESS

Picking up a new hat is always a great way to add quirk to your ensembles as well as showcase the latest trends in a way that won’t make it seem like you live for fashion. With splashes of blue, red and yellow on a black-and-white background, this hat will pair well with most other pieces in your wardrobe, particularly light-hued dress shirts or dark T-shirts.

Additionally, the super short brim on this cap gives it a very of-the-moment feel, and though you certainly won’t be the only one sporting this style this season, the plaid pattern ensures you (and your outfit) will be more memorable. On a practical level, a woven lining and wool exterior provides some insulation for your head on those early fall days when it’s not yet time to break out your tuque, but you’re starting to feel a bit of a nip in the air.

DURABILITY

Because the Urban Outfitters Ivy Hat is made from wool, you can’t just throw it in the washing machine. To keep it in good repair, you’ll be relegated to spot-cleaning; however, unless you experience an unfortunate accident with a pigeon, you probably won’t need to tidy your hat at all this fall. Come winter, you won’t be wearing it, so place it somewhere it won’t get too dusty because you’ll want to break it out again in spring 2010 when the preppy trend will still be going strong.

Expect a lifespan of about two years from this hat, though you shouldn’t necessarily count on keeping it past next spring if you want your look to remain current. Fortunately, this hat comes with a price tag everyone can accept. Even if you choose to only wear it for one season, or that pigeon happens to ruin it before next spring, you will definitely have got your money’s worth.

Jan Leslie Cufflinks At Giltman.com

THE ASKMEN TAKE

A wonderful complement to either single-length or French-cuff dress shirts, Jan Leslie cufflinks are the perfect finishing touch for all your formal and semiformal ensembles this festive season. While it's hard to pick a favorite fastener from among Leslie's playful yet refined collections, we love these globe cufflinks for their ability to smoothly transition from an executive meeting to a raucous night out. And though they're incredibly versatile, they'll really pop when worn with garments in the same color family, so try them with blue dress shirts and navy cardigans, blazers and suits.

UNIQUENESS

A brilliant and incredibly talented accessories designer, Jan Leslie continually strives to take luxury in menswear to the next level. Many of the label's offerings are hand-painted, and many feature precious metals and semi-precious stones, making them special pieces you'll cherish for years to come. With their rotating globes, zingy metallic blue background and slick, raised silver detailing, these particular cufflinks are an inspired, beautifully crafted wearable piece of art with a psychedelic yet sophisticated feel. Only for the fearlessly fashionable, these globes with bullet-back fastenings will elevate everything you pair  them with to a statement-making level (though part of their genius, of course, is that they're subtle enough to don for daytime). The definition of modern elegance with a twist, these collectible cufflinks will be a useful and stylish addition to any man's wardrobe, from the worldly jet-setter to the weekend rock star.

DURABILITY

As with most products that are unquestionably unique, these cufflinks typically come with a price tag that reflects their one-of-a-kind feel. At fine retailers, you can expect to find these globes hovering around the $350 mark. Fortunately for you,Giltman.com will soon be kicking off an exclusive sale of Jan Leslie cufflinks, offering the label's whimsical wares at up to 70% off their regular retail price. But with the holidays coming up, why buy these yourself? Simply let those who are shopping for you know that all you want for Christmas is a Gilt e-gift card, and you'll be assured a merry day indeed. Alternatively, because receiving these cufflinks is bound to put a smile on any man's face, they make a fantastic last-minute gift for hard-to-shop-for people on your list like your father, your girlfriend's father or your boss, and they even come gift-wrapped, thus completely eliminating shopping stress.

Summer Season Men’s Trends 2011

Season has changed and so does the men’s trend. This is the right place for you to know about summer fashion for 2011.

Summer 2011 is here and there is a burst of men’s trends 2011. It would not be wrong to say that the demand for men’s trends 2011 is as high as women’s trends 2011. Therefore, we decided to give you a slight glimpse on what is in and what is out for the summer collection of men’s trends 2011.

The first demand for the season is of the hot favorite color. This summer a lot of mix and match is being done with the neutral colors for men’s trends 2011. This mix and match is very fresh and vibrant and it will not at all let the neutral colors overshadow the vibrancy of fresh summer shades  for men’s trends 2011. It is very interesting to know that the hottest favorite one solid color for this summer is going to be black for men. It will be shortly seen by all the major designers in their belts, scarves, shirts, jackets etc.

The name given for the ultimate look of men’s trends 2011 is the “urban gentleman” look. This look demands the men to be classy yet up-to-date with the urban masculine looks at the same time.  As far as shoes for men’s trends 2011 are concerned, Oxfords are too much in demand. They are seconded by the lace up sneakers and that too preferably in black.

In order to complete the look, don’t forget to grab a nice black watch. It is a must-have accessory for men’s trends 2011 for the summer season.

For a more casual look, men’s trends 2011 demands to go for such sweat shirts, t-shirts and jumpers that you once wore in your university days. Go for vibrant colors like fresh orange, plum red, strawberry, aqua etc. The will certainly add a style statement to your personality for men’s trends 2011.

Cross body and shoulder bags in shades of black, camel and beige are getting very popular too in the men’s trends 2011. They are ideal for your summer vacations this summer. Therefore, make them a part of your must-have list for this summer too.

Lastly, don’t miss out the graphic t-shirts fashion in the men’s trends for 2011. They are very chic and look fabulous on men. Try them out and don’t be afraid to make them a part of your wardrobe. They will certainly make you look trendy for this summer season.