Men Fashion: Trends And Tips For 2011

In the fashion world, things on the fairer sex side change much faster than things on our side. Even with the slower rate of change, it is hard to keep up with things.

Come on, we are men and this is fashion we are talking about. Fashion gurus claim that men fashion changes every six month, same period some men, and a large percentage, take to change their bed sheets. Now do the math.

This article however sums up 2011's trends and fashion tips in efforts to keep you upbeat. Floral patterns in an emerging trend in men's fashion. And the trend is hot as these patterns are all over from catwalks to paisley shirts, larger flowery options to beach shorts. It is clear that designers have bitten into this cake and are not relenting in their endeavor to change how men perceive fashion. Don't get this confused with the feminine floral patterns that have adorned the catwalks since time immemorial.

Then there is the men's blazer, as hot as hot gets, which is sweeping men of their feet. The blazer comes coated in a variety of versatile colors. It wears block colors ranging from green to blue and grey to pale mauve. These different subtle colors allow you to wear your blazer to a variety of events, whether formal or social. Blazers are trending in the fashion world for yet another reason; they are superbly tailored to look attractive on any man.

Trending on similar grounds are the leather jackets that have been making appearances on the catwalks. The leather Bomber jacket is one such beauty. It gives the wearer a great sporty look that every man should crave for. 

When you are out for sporting activities, the bomber jacket is a superb garment for keeping out the cold. There is a lot of pocket space as well. The jacket fits such casual settings like a sock does the foot. To achieve a hip look, wear the jacket unzipped with a shirt underneath.

Many men, you included, will be quick to associate crop tops with women. But these tops are a common thing on 2011 men catwalks. Now that you know better, you may drop the notion as well. They are trending, and trending hot. Men crop tops are not tiny thingies as those with women. These look like loose vests but shorter than normal. If you own a six pack, crop tops will be great for you. You will get these tops in black and white.

Sheer clothes and lace are quickly curving a niche in 2011 men's fashion. They are key trends on the men's catwalks. Many men, this time I included, would associate these clothes with women. But if worn with the right clothes and in the right fashion, they look amazing on men as well. 

On summer vacations, sheer shirts are very popular. If you are tanned, sheer shirts are great for showing off. They are also great for using as layering. There you have it, 2011 men fashion trends.  Hendrik Pohl

2011 Wedding Gown Trends

2011 might seem like a long way off, but bridal gown designers are already hard at work creating the beautiful styles which brides next year will all be coveting.

 

Set to debut in a few months, the first crop of 2011 gowns are embellished with many dimensional details, lots of handstitched crystals, and large floral appliques. Take a sneak peek into the romantic style of the latest wedding gown trends.

For the last few seasons, ruffles have been one of the biggest ways that designers have chosen to add volume and visual interest to their gowns. The bridal gowns which are set to debut soon move away from the ruffle trend, but not from the idea of using embellishments to add volume and femininity. Instead of ruffles, look for gowns with hundreds of tiny three dimensional flowers stitched all over them. Soft petals are another favorite decoration for the romantic gowns for 2011. Oversized clusters of flower "corsages" are another big trend, and they are primarily being used as accents on waistlines or shoulders.

One thing you will not be seeing is a lot of plain dresses or those with simple lines. Asymmetry is still in, both in the form of the one shoulder gown and wedding dresses with asymmetrical draping on the bodice. Very low waistlines are in abundance, and most bodices have ruched, gathered, or draped bodices which hug the figure (the wrapped fabric does a nice job of smoothing over any figure flaws in these tight bodices). 

Certainly strapless bridal gowns are still a staple, and the one shoulder style is still in style. A new addition to the necklines for 2011 wedding gowns is the tip of the shoulder design which is very slim at the top and just barely grazes the edge of the bride's shoulder. It is a very flattering neckline for many women, and a nice alternative to the more typical strapless wedding dress.

With all the romanticism evident in the upcoming gowns for 2011, don't worry that all the petals and flowers mean less sparkle. You will be seeing Swarovski crystals stitched into the center of tiny floral appliques, as well as larger crystals used to embellish the entire gown, from neck to hem. 

The difference is in the way the sparkly details are being used: more organically and in clear crystal, rather than the icy silver of mirror backed crystals or rhinestones used to create a defined pattern. This will tie in beautifully with the Swarovski crystal bracelets which are one of the top trends for both 2010 and 2011 brides. Stacks of mismatched Swarovski crystal and pearl bracelets are a modern finishing touch for the romantic gown designs.

It seems as though all of the bridal designers will be crazy for texture in 2011. Not only will gowns soon be gliding down the runway embellished with floral appliques and oversized crystals, but designers are using even more interesting accents to create gowns with dimension. Look for multiple sizes of paillettes being used to create a shimmery, faceted appearance on gowns. 

 (Paillettes are essentially larger and nicer versions of sequins, and they are often drilled at the top instead of the center so they can dangle and move.) Even feathers are making a statement as a trendy bridal gown embellishment. These fantastical details are being added to very soft and romantic fabrics like net, lace, and organza to create gowns which are like something out of a fairy tale. Lucky brides!  Bridget Mora

Styles of Women's Office Wear

Dressing for office doesn't mean that you wear boring and plain suits that are far from the fashion trends.

Keeping yourself updated and wearing clothes that are in compliance with the ongoing fashion is the perfect way to enhance your professional image and style. 

Some working women think that they have to leave their fashion sense behind and wear simple and plain clothes at work to maintain their professional look. However wearing outdated outfits can negatively impact your professional image and how you present yourself.

There are a variety of office styles to choose from including formal suits, skirts and dress pants with silk and cotton shirts. Most of the working women wear suits that are available in a variety colors from which the most popular ones include black, white, skin and grey. 

These are preferred over other styles because of the style and elegance they add to your professional image. This formal look makes others perceive you as being serious in your career and gives out a competent look. You can wear these suits with a plain cotton shirt or a trendy silk blouse. The blouses and shirts you choose should not have a lot of frills and design that distracts people at work.

Wearing skirts is another style that is adopted by many working women. The style, color and length of the garments you choose should be carefully selected. These choices let others know how serious you are in your career and profession. 

 

A certain length of skirts should be maintained because wearing too short lengths that can distract your coworkers is considered inappropriate and against company regulations. Wearing a silk blouse with skirt can be a perfect option for work. You can select from hundreds of available styles and designs.

V-neck, round style, buttoned shirts and plain tees are some of the styles to choose from. Some people wear formal dress pants with formal shirts to work. This style is also appreciated by organizations and adopted by various working women. With this kind of style you can mix and match different pants with shirts and wear it with the right kind of accessories. 

Selecting the color of garments is also an important factor to consider and wearing softer colors like soft pink, lilac, white and blue is preferable in offices. No matter what style you wear you should make sure that you select a style or design that is less appropriate for office wear and distracts others.  Amy Everet

Trendy Hairstyles for Men

There are several trendy hairstyles for men that can be experimented with. These hairstyles suit medium as well as short hair lengths. Read on to know more about some trendy hairstyles for men.

Trendy hairstyles are not limited only to women, even men have a number of trendy hairstyles they can experiment with. Men are now increasingly giving importance to their looks, clothes and accessories. They are also very conscious regarding their hairstyles and are willing to experiment with different trendy and funky hairstyles and even hair colors. A few of the trendy hairstyles are popularized by celebrities which encourages men, especially teenagers, to adopt them. Whats more, there are trendy short hairstyles, medium hairstyles and even long hairstyles. These men's hairstyles can be easily maintained and compliment all occasions. Listed below are a few of the trendy hairstyles for men.

Short Length Hairstyles

Crew Cut

This has been one of the most popular and fashionable short haircuts in the past few years. Many of its variations have been developed in these years and it was also adopted by the military. In this hairstyle, hair around the sides and on the back is trimmed closely and the hair on top is kept slightly dense. The crew cut needs very little maintenance and is easy to manage for a long time, as well. The variations of this hairstyle include the extra short version and the 'high and tight ' version.

Classic Cut

This hairstyle has been in vogue since ages and there is no scope of it being out of fashion ever. It's length and shape adds an unmatched versatility to men's personality. Suited best for working professionals, this is the best formal men's hairstyle ever known and imparts a mature and sophisticated look. Hair parted sideways is the trademark of this hairstyle.

Spiked Hairstyle

This hairstyle is very popular amongst young guys as a teen hairstyle. An extremely informal hairstyle, it is easy to achieve and maintain this hairstyle with the help of some style and hold gel and a blow dryer.

Buzz Cut

The buzz cut is a popular cut among soldiers, athletes and sportsmen. It requires no maintenance as the hair is cut extremely short all over. Just a shower and you are all set!

Faux Hawk

A trendier version of the classic mohawk hairstyle, the faux hawk is a popular short length trendy hairstyle for men. Sported and popularized by David Beckham, the faux hawk hairstyle is achieved by spiking the hair in the middle of the head, while keeping the hair in the sides as it is.

Medium Length Hairstyles

Messy Hairstyle

This is the ideal hairstyle for men with thin medium length hair. It is also known as the out-of-bed-look hairstyle. It can be sported for informal occasions like a beach party or discotheque party. It is easy to achieve but needs a lot of maintenance to sport the look well.

Wavy Hairstyle

This is an emerging trendy hairstyle for men and most of the men are just getting used to sporting this one. Not all men will be able to sport this hairstyle confidently and it also requires some amount of maintenance to manage the waves on the locks. This hairstyle adds volume to the hair while giving it a unique shape.

The Classic Taper Hairstyle

This is a popular hairstyle among many men who manage to sport medium length hair. This hairstyle is a nice blend of style and conservativeness. The hair is tapered at the back and sides, it is left long on the forehead so that it can be brushed back.

These trendy hairstyles for men can give men a whole new look and a new dimension to their personality. Make sure you learn about hair care and how the hairstyles are to be maintained, before you decide to sport one yourself.  By Dhanya Joy

How To Get The Perfect Wedding Hairstyle

Every bride deserves to look her best on her big day. One way she can achieve this is to perfect her wedding hairstyle. All eyes will be on the bride and everyone should take notice of the way she looks, the way she acts and the way she is dressed; therefore it is essential that she look her best. Getting the wedding hairstyle right is an important part of creating the perfect bridal look, but as there are no rules when it comes to styling bridal hair you can literally do whatever you want!

The way you look on your wedding day will be captured for all time on the wedding photographs and of course you want to look your best. Get the weeding hairstyle right and you are well on your way to looking amazing on your wedding day! A bride should nothing short of perfect on her wedding day, everything must be right from her dress, to her veil, to her shoes, to her makeup, to her hair.

However, finding the perfect wedding hairstyle can be a tricky process for many brides as there are just so many options available. There are lots of things for a prospective bride to consider when picking the wedding hairstyle: should I wear my hair up or down? Should I let my hair grow or just use hair extensions? Should I have my hair curled or straightened?

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing a weeding hairstyle. This is why many brides struggle with the choice, but it does mean you can choose a hairstyle that you really want and no one will question it! When choosing your wedding hairstyle you need to consider some other factors. Firstly, the wedding dress. The wedding hairstyle should complement the dress and mirror the style that the bride has gone for. It doesn't matter whether the style of the wedding gown is glamorous, dramatic, simple or elegant; the wedding hairstyle should reflect this style.

When choosing a suitable bridal hairstyle, a bride needs to consider her gown, veil and headpiece. The wedding hairstyle should never compete with the gown; it should not obscure the gown in any way, especially when the bride moves. The wedding hairstyle should also complement the bride's makeup. As with the gown, the hairstyle should not take any attention away from the bride's face.

The location of the wedding will have an effect on the wedding hairstyle that the bride chooses. Long, loose, romantic curls are perfect for a garden wedding in the day time. However, a formal updo is more appropriate for a wedding in a grand cathedral or a church taking place in the evening. You also need to consider the weather, for example if the wedding is going to take place on a beach where it could be quite windy, a loose hairstyle could be a bad choice as the wind could ruin your style.

The final thing a bride needs to consider when choosing her wedding hairstyle is what she is going to be doing on the day. After the ceremony the bride will probably be doing a lot of socialising, dancing and dining and will need a hairstyle that is going to last all day and not fall flat. You may also wish to change your hairstyle to something more casual after the ceremony so that is another thing to consider.

Choosing the right wedding hairstyle is a big part of getting your style right on your big day. Once you've got your style sorted, you are well on your way to looking amazing on your wedding day!

Inanch London won the award for Bridal Look of the Year at the recent Great Lengths Hair Extensions Awards held at the glitzy Mayfair Hotel in Central London on the 12th September 2010.  Lydia Cooper

Best Bikinis For Summer Season

Choose the Right Bikini for Summer

In 1946, Louis Reard, an engineer-and a Frenchman, of course! -fashioned a two-piece women's swimsuit from 30 inches of fabric.

Reard's rival in bikini design, Jacques Helm, was actually the first to create the iconic two-piece swimsuit of the 20th century. Helm called his design the "atome" in a nod to the smallest particle in the world known at the time. A marketing genius, Reard introduced his skimpy two-piece design five days after the United States began atomic tests in the Bikini Atoll and named it "bikini" to suggest that it would have the same explosive impact on society as an A-bomb.

The bikini is a women's two-piece swimsuit that covers the breast and groin areas. It was considered risqu when it first appeared in 1946, but the two-piece design was actually a throwback to very ancient times. Wikipedia cites the earliest form of a bikini appearing in the Chalcolithic Era (3500 BCE to 1700BCE). Bikinis appear in ancient Roman mosaics and murals, suggesting they were popular as swimming costumes among Roman women. Archaeologists have found Minoan wall paintings (circa 1600 BCE) showing a two-piece design very similar to the modern bikini, and women wearing bikinis appear on ancient Greek urns, ancient Sicilian floor mosaics, and statues from Pompeii.

Bikinis were accepted as mainstream swimwear fashion on the French Riviera long before being embraced by the public in the United States. The bikini was introduced to the U.S. in 1947, but its scandalous status remained in force well into the 1950s.

Many American cities even passed laws to prohibit the wearing of a bikini in public. In 1957, Modern Girl magazine stated "It is hardly necessary to waste words over the so-called bikini since it is inconceivable that any girl with tact and decency would ever wear such a thing." American women didn't really jump on the bikini bandwagon until the late 1960s with the start of the so-called Sexual Revolution. Since that time, the bikini and its stylish variations have become the most popular swimsuit style in the U.S.

Because there are so many variations in bikini design, it helps to be familiar with the available styles before going shopping. Be aware, too, that your body shape and your level of self-confidence will also have an impact on the style you ultimately select.

Bikini Styles

The following bikini glossary provides basic descriptions of the many types of bikinis currently on the market.

String bikini-This classic, skimpy style features four strategically placed triangles connected by strings.

Tankini- A tank-style top and a traditional, string, or thong bottom.

Bandini-A strapless tube or bandeau top combined with a regular bikini bottom.

Camikini- A camisole top that will support larger breasts combined with any type of bikini bottom.

Thong- A bikini top with a bottom that covers the groin with a small piece of fabric connected by strings on the sides and between the buttocks.

Halter bikini- A top with a strap that circles the neck and attaches to the bodice combined with a traditional bikini bottom.

Micro bikini- A string bikini top with tiny triangles that cover the nipples and little more, with a g-string bottom.

Monokini- A skimpy bikini connected with a strip of fabric that runs from top to bottom or a bikini bottom worn without a top.

Sports Bikini- Worn by women who love sports, it features a top that is as supportive as a bra and a traditional bikini bottom.

Seekini- Any type of bikini that is "see-through" and usually can be worn only on certain beaches.

Bikini Materials, Colors, and Care

Armed with this knowledge of the most popular bikini styles, you can now move on to consider the type of material your bikini is made of, its color options, and the care it will require. The best selection of bikini styles and style options can be found by visiting a regular brick-and-mortar store or an online shop that lets you mix and match tops and bottoms for the best fit. The ability to combine tops and bottoms also lets you be creative in using solid colors and/or patterns to develop your own personal bikini style.  By: Fibre2fashion Author