Dance Apparel - Dance Wear

Dance apparel has undergone a great change since the 1890’s, as the male dancers started wearing kilts or long pants which was a refreshing change from their traditional costume. The women wore embroidered dresses whereas the men wore kilts, jackets, ties and knee socks. Dance apparel can be wide ranging - theatre, opera and ballet. Dance apparel must be designed with comfort and elegance in mind.

Dance Apparel

Dance apparel made with 90% cotton content and 10% Lycra content stretches at all levels and offers comfort to the dancers. The dance wear made of cotton and Lycra is also durable, thick and opaque. It has a flat finish and absorbs perspiration. The cotton/lycra apparel can also be custom-dyed. Some dance apparel is also made of recycled products. Dance apparel in fabrics such as stretch velvets and spandex in solids, print and textures with glitter or holographic finish offer variety and choice. Colored and textured stones can be used to embellish dance wear.

The dancers are advised to opt for authentic looking, comfortable tights which fit them perfectly. Choose dance apparel made of material that is long lasting and durable. The dancers should see to it that dance apparel is cut larger in the feet and longer in the inseam so that the costume does not pinch the toe or the heel. Dance apparel that places more strain on the seams wont last for long.

Many shops stock dance apparel for recitals and performances. Some dance designers specialize in custom design ballroom and Latin dance wear whereas others specialize in opaque dance tights with a variety of colors and sizes. The tailor-made ballroom gowns look attractive with swarovski crystals. Dance apparel made of rhinestone and rhinestone accessories looks attractive.

• Metallics: It gives a shiny metallic look. It can be stretched well and provides a great deal of comfort.
• Nylon/lycra: It is moderately shiny and can be stretched in all directions.
• Stretch Vinyl: It is extremely shiny and stretches moderately. It is heavy and tight fitting.
• Micromesh: It is made of nylon and it is stretchable but not opaque. This fabric is used for stage costumes.
• Luxury Velvet: It looks like rayon velvet. It has a limited stretch but is soft and beautiful to the touch.

The manufacturers of the dance apparel charge an extra price if they have to apply custom dyes for the costumes. They also charge an additional amount for cutting the horizontal and the vertical panels in the apparel. If the customers require extensive revisions in their dance apparel, then they are charged accordingly. The following dresses and tights are available to the ballet dancers:

• Double Empire Camisole Dress: These dresses come in a variety of colors. The different colors help in enhancing the mood of the dance. Double-cascade chiffon skirt and small chiffon wings to the shoulders exude elegance and style to the dancer.
• Long Sleeve Single Empire Dress: These costumes are painted on polyester chiffon and are washable.
• Seamed Convertible Tights: These tights are made of soft, absorbent material and are also stretchable. Professional ballet dancers use them.
• Long Skirt Dance Dress: Such a dress is made of crepe or any such dreamy fabric that lends an ethereal look to the dancer.
• Footed Tights: These tights are ultra-soft and could be stretched. These tights are used by ballet dancers on stage.

Maintaining Dance Apparel

• Deep jewel tone colored dance apparel looks good if black or the silver color is incorporated in it.
• The trim could enhance the costume, so care should be taken while selecting the trim. But care should be taken to see that the end result is pleasing and aesthetic not chaotic and haphazard.
• The dancer should also avoid mixing metallic shades, as it tends to create chaos.
• The dancers are asked to avoid the ’all-black’ costumes, as such black costumes tend to hide the movements of the dancers.
• The circle skirt of the dancer should be hemmed in an appropriate manner. The hem in the circle skirt should be marked weeks before the performance.
• The dancers should ensure that their harem pants are neither too long nor too short. A long harem pant makes a person trip while the short harem pant makes him look strange.
• The edges of the dance fabric should be neatly hemmed and trimmed.

http://www.clearleadinc.com/site/dance-apparel.html

The Women?s Plus Size Clothing Revolution

Once upon a time, not too long ago, if you were a woman who wore clothes over a size 14 your clothing choices were limited to cheap looking, baggy and unattractive clothes that made you look old before your time.

My how times have changed! There has been a cultural shift in the acceptance of plussize women, particularly in the fashion industry. Women?s plus size clothing is no longer relegated to the back of the isle racks. Now days, it?s easy to find trendy plus size clothes such as: dresses, workout clothes, evening wear and swimwear.

Plus size celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Camryn Manheim, and Star Jones have also helped to usher in the era of plus size fashions. These women take pride in looking fashionable no matter how much their weight fluctuates. You can even see a once thin actress, Kirstie Alley, strut her stuff in her new cable show ?Fat Actress?. This would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.

Even the high fashion industry has taken notice. Models such as Emme have become famous for modeling large size fashions for women. Agencies are also looking for aspiring plus size models. Women looking for designer plus size clothes online will not be disappointed.

In the past, clothing for large size women 22w to 44w was extremely difficult to find ? and forget about being fashionable. Now, companies are springing up like Making It Big, who cater exclusively to this fashion hungry niche of clothing for big women. If you are looking for big women clothing, you now have more choice than ever when it comes to large size clothes for women.

Another old taboo in full figured clothing was that plus size women didn?t look good in ladies intimate apparel. Oh, I?m not talking about women wearing a large size bra (which it?s now easier to find comfortable large size bras). Plus size bras have been available for a long time. No, I mean really sensual full figure intimate apparel.

Designers have discovered that any woman will look good in intimate apparel if it?s made right for her body. Now, even in this fashion segment, plus sized women?s clothing has grown leaps and bounds. Plus size intimate apparel comes in all colors, styles and sizes, so that you can show off your sensual side too, ladies!

Need nice clothes for work? You can find an array of plus size suits, including: plus size pants suits, and plus size women?s suits.

Going to the beach or pool? It?s now possible to find a wide selection of plus size swimming suits. Where plus size swim suits used to be mostly black and unattractive, they are now very colorful and figure flattering.

Getting married? Obtaining a wedding dress plus size is no longer a huge ordeal. If you are looking for a large size wedding dress, with all the frills, or a plus size informal wedding dress, you?ll be delighted at the selection you?ll find online and offline. No bride should have an ill-fitting wedding dress, or be denied beautiful style that their thinner sisters enjoy. Many wedding boutiques and some online outlets offer beautiful plus size wedding dresses, and be assured that your plus size wedding dress will fit and look beautiful.

Yes, my friends. The plus size women?s clothing revolution has arrived. Our plus size sisters can now have a closet full of great looking clothes and keep pace with the best fashionistas. Not only is this great for plus size women, it?s great for society as well. Everyone can now see that a woman?s inner and outer beauty has nothing to do with size.


http://www.advancingwomen.com/fashion/the-women-s-plus-size-clothing-revolution.html

Businesswomen's Fashion Professional Style That Speaks for You - Without the Power Suit

When it comes to dressing for the office, we live in confusing times. Casual Friday has migrated to fill much of the workweek. And women are faced with a myriad of choices: pants, pantsuits, skirts, dresses or the 80s power suit.

"Women have it hard," says style expert Rachel Weingarten, president of GTK Marketing Group in New York and author of the newly-released book "Career and Corporate Cool." "There's no one way to dress. Every industry is different."

Never fear, help is here.

What Not to Wear
Where do women look for an example of appropriate business attire? Professional women on television seem to wear suit jackets over lingerie, which might not go over well at the typical accounting office. "For anybody who looks at television as their guide on what to wear career-wise, I will ask: Do these women look like anybody you know? No. These are actresses," Weingarten says. She lists the plastic surgery, hair extensions, sexy clothes and professional makeup that are a part of the make-believe television world. "That's not reality," she says.

Magazines are not much better. "When you pick up a fashion magazine, it's insane-looking. You would never wear your hair like that. When you look at the runway and see people wearing an $80,000 gold couture dress, you would never wear that," Weingarten says.

But television and magazines can serve a purpose in your wardrobe planning, Weingarten says. Look for overall style trends: the length of the jacket, the height of the heels. Add a metallic gold accent to your outfit with jewelry or shoes. "Use it to update your style a little bit," she says.

Finding What Fits
So what should you wear to the office? "You can never go wrong with wardrobe basics," Weingarten says. In "Career and Corporate Cool," Weingarten recommends beginning your wardrobe with knee-length pencil skirts and flat-front, boot-cut trousers. Pair these with classic button-front shirts and fitted blazers. Black shoes and classic jewelry will complete any outfit.

With every choice, consider color, fabric and cut. If you wear a sweater, go with cashmere. Select basic pieces in black, charcoal, navy, white and camel; complement the basics with colors that look great with your hair and skin tones.

Most importantly, choose what fits your shape and style. "I always choose what looks good on me, what suits my shape," Weingarten says. "I am never going to put something on, ever, that doesn't look good on me. I cannot do my job if I'm too self-conscious."

Roberta Hughes, founder and president of Avidere, a Salt Lake City-based image and fashion consulting group for men and women, agrees with Weingarten on the importance of a great fit. "Wear garments that fit and flatter your shape," says Hughes. "The right fit can make all the difference in feeling self-conscious or self-confident. Impeccable style is always an intelligent choice."

Suiting Up
Twenty years ago, professional women often wore power suits with big shoulder pads and a small neck scarf mimicking a man's tie. Fortunately, the era of the power suit is just about over. "The reason people like suits is it gives them one thing less to worry about: I'm wearing a suit, I look fine," Weingarten says. "I don't think that women in business have to stick to suits at all."

In some business environments, only a suit will do. But even if you're a corporate lawyer, you can still be feminine. "You can taper the waist a little bit, or have an interesting neckline, or add little accents," Weingarten says. "It's good to wear the basics. But you should integrate your own style into that."

Be sure to choose shoes to match the message of your clothing, Weingarten says. "I do think it's ludicrous to see stiletto heels with a power suit," she says. "I'm not saying wear sensible shoes or ugly shoes - I'm saying take into account the message you're giving people when you meet them. You don't want an air of frivolity about you."

Style and Comfort
If that designer jacket is too snug across the shoulders, you'll never be comfortable in it, no matter how beautiful the fabric. Ditto if the shirt is too low, the skirt is too short, or the pants too tight.

But comfort goes beyond fit. "Comfort doesn't just mean that your feet don't hurt," Weingarten says. "Comfort means that you're wearing something that suits you. Women want comfort and style. You don't want to look inappropriate but you also want to have your own style."

Choose a signature color to brighten your basics. Find a little black dress for business dinners. Buy some great boots to dress up your weekend wear. Be professional, but have some fun with your fashion.

SIDEBAR:
Five Professional Image Tips
Source: Avidere (avidereimage.com)

Your image is always speaking even when you're not. Increase your personal presence and power by following these image tips:

Choose the Right Color
Dark or neutral colors such as brown or navy are considered "power" colors, appear more professional and are slimming on all figure types. Bright or light pastel colors are perceived as more playful. For a professional look, wear dark or neutral colors predominantly and bright or light colors sparingly. Wear your personal colors (those that mirror your eyes, hair and skin coloring) near your face for an attractive and powerful image.

Find a Good Fit
Wear garments that fit and flatter your shape. Clothing worn too tight or loose visually adds pounds to any figure and looks unkempt and unprofessional. Invest in styles that fit correctly or have them altered to do so. Avoid wearing revealing clothing at the office. If you want to be taken seriously, the mind, not the body should be on point.

Be Style Savvy
The clothing styles you wear communicate a great deal about your personality and career goals. For instance, jackets with lapels are considered more serious than those without. A button-down top with a v-neckline displays more authority than a crewneck t-shirt. Just remember, tailored clothing is perceived more professional than untailored clothing. You can combine both styles and maintain a professional image if the tailored look is more dominant. For instance, wear a jacket with a silk crewneck blouse. Above all, wear styles that make you feel more confident and others will treat you accordingly.

All In the Details
Grooming is an essential part of your professional image. Just remember moderation when it comes to the basics. Extreme make-up, hair color weaves, excessive or loud jewelry, strong perfume or bright nail polish is inappropriate for work and should be avoided. Select accessories and hairstyles that enhance your professional image not detract from it.

Be Authentic
Express your individuality; exude intelligence and sophistication by skillfully combing unique clothing colors, textures and styles together. There are endless ways to be creative and still maintain a strong, professional image. Just remember to always lead attention up toward your face to maintain eye contact and creditability.

http://www.connect-utah.com/article.asp?r=2460&iid=58&sid=1

The History of the Little Black Dress

Every woman looks great wearing it, and every woman has her own. It is the default date ensemble when it is one of those “I have nothing to wear” days. In fact, it is so popular, so necessary, and so much an institution in women’s fashion that we had to ask: “Where did the ‘little black dress’ come from?”

To properly understand the fashion environment necessary to produce such a simplistically fabulous necessity for any wardrobe, we must visit the 1920’s. As women shed their long, layered dresses, cut their hair and enjoyed the fast-paced party life, society slowly became more accepting of women baring slightly more of her shoulders, back, and legs. The coveted silhouette of the era was generally very slender and youthful.

It was during the 20's that the legendary fashion designer Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel first stitched her name into the history of women’s clothing design. In fact, Chanel’s designs are often considered to be the epitome of the 20’s style because her work was so fresh, modern, and updated.

Chanel encouraged and inspired the style we typically envision when we think of flappers. She was fond of working with neutral colors and soft easy-to-wear jersey fabrics that were simple in shape and cut. Chanel was able to infuse comfort and sophistication into fashion, and this combination was considered revolutionary. It was during her early work, that Chanel designed and introduced the first little black dress to the world.

First introduced in 1926, black was previously considered to be a color reserved for funerals and periods of mourning. Truly simple and sexy, Chanel’s design was a sleeveless sheath cut just above the knee. She could have never predicted the immediate and lasting love women would have with her simple, chic black dress.

As Chanel was quoted, “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.” Whether a woman’s little black dress cost $50 or $2,000 her intention is the same: to look effortlessly classic and appropriately sexy in just seconds. While most of us cannot afford to buy Chanel’s breathtakingly beautiful pieces, we can certainly wear our trusty black dresses with the modern, sophisticated attitude she possessed.



http://www.fashion-schools.org/littleblackdressarticle.htm

Indian Fashion - Guide to Indian dresses & clothing

Indian fashion varies from one village to another village, from one city to another city. India's fashion heritage is rich in tradition, vibrant in colors and prepossessing. Bold colors created by the inventive drapes of these textiles catches the imagination like no other contemporary clothing.

Indian Fashion - ancient fashion in India

Ancient Indian fashion garments generally used no stitching although Indians knew about sewing. Most clothes were ready to wear as soon as they left the loom. The traditional Indian Dhoti, the Scarf or Uttariya, and the popular Turban are still visible India and continue to be part of Indian fashion. Likewise, for women, the Dhoti or the Sari as the lower garments, combined with a Stanapatta forms the basic ensemble, and once again consists of garments that do not have to be stitched, the stanapatta being simply fastened in a knot at the back. And the Dhoti or the Sari worn covering both legs at the same time or, in the alternative, with one end of it passed between the legs and tucked at the back in the fashion that is still prevalent in large area of India. Indian men and women for these garments in the usually hot Indian climate. - dhoti when he speaks of 'turbans used for trousers', and a kaupina when he is speaking of 'a rag of two fingers' breadth bound over the loins.

Indian sari remains the traditional clothing of Indian women. Worn in varied styles, it is a long piece of flat cotton, silk or other fabric woven in different textures with different patterns. The sari has a lasting charm since it is not cut or tailored for a particular size. This graceful feminine attire can also be worn in several ways and its manner of wearing as well as its color and texture are indicative of the status, age, occupation, region and religion of a woman. The tightly fitted, short blouse worn under a sari is called a choli. The choli evolved as a form of Indian clothing around the tenth century AD and the first cholis were only front covering; the back was always bare.



http://www.indianchild.com/indian_fashion.htm

Lingerie looks on the Max Azria runway

A woman's lingerie is not supposed to be seen by the outside world. Apparently, Max Azria thinks that's a waste of often feminine, delicate garments.

Azria turned a slew of lingerie looks into springtime outfits for his runway show held Friday as part of New York Fashion Week, with an emphasis on dainty slip dresses and silky charmeuse fabric.

"For spring 2008, dreamy silhouettes evoke sensual allure with intimate luxury," Azria explained in his "inspiration" notes handed out to an audience that included Nicole Richie, Molly Sims and Carrie Underwood - who already had on her sand-colored dress, one of the leading colors so far for next spring.

Azria and his wife Lubov, who co-designs this collection, more upscale than their BCBG line, also favored the subtle earth-tone palette, with grays, taupes, creams and blacks, adding blush and rose as accents. One particularly lovely dress was in a mauve crepe de chine that caught the lights.

Macy's fashion director Nicole Fischelis appreciated the old-fashioned dressmaking details, such as the pintucks on the front of a pretty sheath dress or the ruffles added to a blazer at the hip.

There were a few outfits, though, that risked looking a little too much like loungewear to be worn outside. Hammered satin blouses and cropped pants with camisoles underneath come to mind.

Many of the garments featured dip-dyed ombre fabrics, which have the same blurred line effect as tie-dye, but the color is spread in more subtle lines instead of a haphazard pattern.


http://www.azcentral.com/ent/pop/articles/0908lingerie.html

Sizing Up Women's Clothing

After nine months of wearing maternity clothes I was anxious to hit the stores and get new clothes. Anyone with a child or two and a baby know how difficult it is to shop for clothes let alone actually try them on. Nevertheless, the maternity clothes were hanging on me but my regular clothes were still too tight. I had to get something to wear.

I loaded up the kids and hit the department stores. With the baby fussing I knew I’d be taking my chances and probably wouldn’t have the luxury of trying on the clothes. I’d play it safe and get large and extra large T-shirts, a skirt or two and some stretchy shorts. In the “misses” section of Kohl’s they had T-shirts on sale for 50% off. I loaded up on several extra large T-shirts without trying them on.

I’m not a big woman, I’m average sized but I like my T-shirts to be nice and roomy. Even with my new and improved boobs (I’m nursing), I’m still a medium sized woman. Imagine my surprise when I got home and the extra large T-shirts were too small!

What happened to the vanity sizing of women’s clothing? Remember when a size 12 would be labeled as a size 8 so the woman would feel flattered? I hated that system but at least there was some consistency, you knew to try on sizes a few sizes smaller than you actually were.

Has the pendulum swung the other way? Do I need to be shopping in the “plus” size section? Instead of trying on size 8s, do I need to try on size 18? Or has my changing body swelled beyond what I’m willing to admit? Or is the “misses” section the new “juniors”?

Standard sizing for women’s clothing is non-existent. Sizing varies from store to store, manufacturer to manufacturer and sometimes even by designer. To make it more confusing, add in the different size categories: juniors, misses, women’s, petites and plus sizes. A junior’s size 8 is different from a women’s size 8.

• Junior’s sizes are designed for teens and younger women with slimmer hips and busts than those found in misses sizes.



http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/49593/sizing_up_womens_clothing.html