Worn Out: Fashions That Should Die
Like the post? Add Your Comments | |
By Vanessa RushEditor-in-Chief, Glee Magazine
There are a few fashion trends out there that I just can't embrace or endorse.
Granted, a woman whose wardrobe color variety is pretty much limited to charcoal, chocolate, black and khaki (See how pretty I make the boringness sound?) could use a fun, trendy punch. I am a stickler for the "seasonal" rules -- Spring is here, so break out those white shoes if you must, but be sure to put them away on Labor Day. I am from the South, after all. And my sweats are divided into "fancy" and "probably shouldn't leave the house." So maybe I'm not a fashion maven.
But...I think some trends that have trickled down from the stars who love them so need to be trashed. Here's my list of trends that I wish I never had to look at again. See if my list captures the ones you hate. If not, add your own in the comments section!
1. Ugg boots -- Yes, everyone hates on these, and for good reason. Unless you live in a frigid climate, they aren't necessary. Especially when paired with a sundress. Feet dressed for winter, body dressed for summer. This look SO doesn't work. Even Pamela Anderson, whose fashion sense is about as astute as her taste in men, tossed her Uggs when she realized they were made from sheep skin.
2. Indoor scarves -- Again, neck dressed for winter, body dressed for summer. It's an accessory; I get that. But it's WOOL. Wear it outside, then take it off when you get inside. Still cold? Wear a turtleneck. Scarves are outerwear -- keep it outside.
3. Gladiator sandals -- Not. Flattering. It might've been What Not To Wear that taught me to wear a shoe that creates the illusion of long legs instead of chopping them off with clunky shoes like Uggs -- good advice. These shoes creep up legs; most have thick straps; and they look awfully uncomfortable. I guess if they need extras for the sequel to 300 or if you're pairing them with a toga, then gladiators are cool...
4. Colored jeans -- Yes, I had a pair of these. Twenty years ago! This is probably my least favorite 80s fashion that's making a comeback. The word "cheesy" about sums it up. The technicolors that some of the stars are wearing -- Ashlee Simpson wears turquoise ones, Rachel Bilson likes lavender -- are going to highlight any lump or bump in your leg, hip or butt that dark denim otherwise would conceal. I'd rather keep the attention off those areas, so I'm sticking with neutrals.
5. Guyliner -- Makeup works for some men. And those are the ones with whom I go shopping and let cut my hair. But pop-punk/emo/whatever-the-kids-are-calling-it bands have popularized makeup for dudes who want to emphasize their feelings. You have NO idea what they're going through -- just look at that sensitivity! Blame Jack Sparrow, too. But like "mandals" (sandals) and "manbags" (handbags -- or European carryalls, if you're Jerry Seinfeld), makeup for men is becoming mainstream. But...guys, if you're going to try this, then get your own. Sharing makeup is nasty, and people are going to ask questions if you and your male BFF get the same infection.
Jury's Out: Leggings -- I can see why people hate this trend. Tight pants most women wore 15 years ago as sweats? No, thanks. But when paired with one of the very cute and flaw-concealing tunics that are in vogue, plus a snazzy pair of flats, I positively love this one. I personally hate my tummy and butt, but my legs are good. So I get to conceal the parts that bug me and show off the parts that don't. Legging love is really the one thing that Lindsay Lohan -- who was photographed a solid 21 days in a row wearing them -- and I have in common. She's launching a line of leggings this year, incidentally.
So which of these crimes make you want to call the fashion police? Which are you guilty of? Got some to add to the list? Add your comments and let us know!
Labels: clothes
Award-Winning Party Ideas
Like the post? Add Your Comments | |
Bridget KellyeDiets Contributor
If you're one of the millions of Americans who will be tuning in to Hollywood's biggest party of the year on Sunday, you may find that watching all those scantily-clad stars strut down the red carpet is a bit rough on the self-esteem.
Once you've had enough time to notice that those women are unrealistic ideals, you'll feel better, but you can still use them as good motivation to get in shape. With our Oscar Party plan, you'll enjoy winning low-fat hors d'oeuvres, and be too busy having fun to spend the night mindlessly munching or feeling lousy about your body. Use these tips and the award for best weight-loss effort goes to... why, YOU, of course!
Dress the Part. Host a party and suggest that guests get gussied up to watch the show. Dressing up can help you feel better about your appearance when all those perfect bodies in designer gowns begin appearing on the screen. Plus, you may find that you're less likely to dig into the chips and dip when you're wearing something more elegant.
Be An Interactive Audience. Have a betting pool. If you get everyone involved in voting for their own favorite flicks and keeping track of their answers they'll be too busy to think about their next bite. You can print out a ballot at www.oscar.com. Or, get even more serious by logging on to ABC's enhanced TV site, predicting winners as they are picked, and participating in interactive polls.
Use the Time Crunch. If you're not getting dressed up to go to a party, put on workout clothes and get some exercise during the show. Walk or jog in place or lift weights while you watch. Every time someone's speech gets interrupted by the music because they're rambling on for too long, drop and give us 10 crunches. And at commercial time, do at least five push-ups.
Snub the Unknowns. During the categories that you know nothing about -- and don't mind missing -- don't just sit there. Get up and move around. Offer to refill drinks, get yourself a glass of water, or start counting those ballots.
Serve Winning Appetizers. Whether you're hosting the party or joining someone else's festivities, you'll want to arm yourself with at least one low-fat, but tasty snack. These five-minute appetite pleasers are so tasty, they're fit for the stars:
Mushroom Cups
Combine spreadable, whipped low-fat cottage cheese with crushed, fresh basil, garlic powder and chopped shiitake mushrooms. Fill small phyllo cups with mushroom mixture and top with shavings of Asiago cheese.
Sweet and Spicy Shrimp
Rub steamed shrimp with chili paste and place on long wooden skewers. Serve with plum sauce.
Mediterranean Crostini
Toast French bread baguettes in a broiler and cut into half-inch thick slices. Top with low-fat scallion cream cheese, mixed with light tomato sauce and alternate toppings of artichoke hearts, sliced black olives, roasted red peppers and asparagus tips.
Mini Crab Cakes
Combine 1 pound fresh lump crab meat, 1 cup plain bread crumbs, 2 beaten egg whites, 1/4-cup fat-free mayonnaise and 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning in a bowl. Form into half-inch patties. Arrange on a broiler pan coated with nonstick cooking spray and broil, turning once, about 5 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with fat-free sour cream.
"Champagne" Punch
Instead of alcoholic beverages, serve a lower-calorie festive beverage (after all, it is Sunday night). Combine one part diet ginger ale, one part sparkling cider and one part low-calorie cranberry juice and add a dash of lime. Garnish with lime slices.
You're Wearing THAT to the Office?!?
Like the post? Add Your Comments | |
By Joanne Eglash
eDiets Contributor
"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society." -- Mark TwainWith apologies to Monsieur Twain, let me share my philosophy about career clothes for women: The right clothes can help pave your path to the corner suite at the office. A frumpy wardrobe may keep you in a claustrophobic-sized cubicle forever.
You can be bright, brilliant and bold -- but if you show up at the office in a polyester, chartreuse green pantsuit and Pepto-Bismol-pink plastic boots, your passion for fashion may inspire the wrong kind of awe.
So what belongs in your closet of career classics? Try these on for size and you'll always look great:
--For "casual Fridays," go for chic, crisp tailored slacks in dark hues (navy blue, brown or grey) and a tailored blouse in a color that suits your complexion (e.g., I know that green makes my skin look jaundiced, so it’s on my "fuhgeddabout it" list).
--Low to medium-sized heels. And please donate scuffed shoes to Goodwill or another organization NOW. The most professional, carefully-chosen outfit can be ruined by a careless shoe choice. Also on your not-for-the-office list: tennis shoes (unless you’re a personal fitness trainer!), spike heels, shoes that make noise and open-toed sandals (especially if you have bright red toenail polish that’s chipped).
--A small to medium-sized purse. No suitcase-sized bags that, when opened, reveal a decade’s worth of accumulated treasures like used Kleenex. And please give the cute little pink purse decorated with hearts or a "Born to Shop" emblem to your teenage niece.
Skin-colored nylons. Glitter, colors that glow in the dark and other fun varieties of nylons are wonderful for weekends -- but not for the office. Ditto the tights that are ideal for ballet class but not for the boardroom.
--Lingerie that fits. And actually wear it -- don't leave it at home. Remember Drew Barrymore’s braless "oops, not a good decision" appearance on the Golden Globes (where, unfortunately, the name of the show gave late night talk show hosts extra "mean remarks" ammunition)? I once had a close encounter of the uncomfortable kind with a young colleague who wore blouses that were so low-cut that her lack of a bra was like a walking human anatomy class. When she leaned down to talk to me, I averted my eyes. Some of the men, however, did otherwise -- and she was subjected to several "tactful talks" by the human resources department.
Perhaps the most important guideline of all for career classics: Choose clothes that
make you feel good about you. Take your time shopping and invest in good, quality attire that says, "Now there’s a successful woman!"
Can clothes really make or break your career? Tell us your stories by commenting below!
Joanne Eglash is a writer and an editor specializing in health, weight control and fitness. She's written for a variety of publications and websites, ranging from Energy for Women magazine to KidsHealth.org. For more information about Joanne, visit her Web site at www.geocities.com/trendclues.
Finding the Perfect Pair of Jeans
Like the post? Add Your Comments | |
It's like magic for your wardrobe -- the perfect pair of jeans can magically keep you in style, make you look sexier and slimmer and cut the size of your bottom in half (well, almost!) all at the same time! Given that, who doesn't want to find the perfect pairs of jeans for their wardrobe? The search may not be easy, and with so many choices, you need to be prepared to spend time searching.
For some women, jeans have become their "uniform" and they wear them almost every day. And that raises the question: How many pairs of jeans hang in your closet? If you are like most women, you will answer at least six or more! We buy a pair, love them. Change our mind, hate them. So we start the search for the perfect pair of jeans all over again... It's a never-ending cycle.
Have you found the perfect pair? Share your jean-shopping secrets with us!
Diet and Fitness Blog is powered by eDiets.com
RSS/XML
