Lucite Jewelry is Back

Lucite jewelry is chunky, clunky and it is making a comeback this Spring, both as the vintage find and as the new piece found in your local retro fit jewelry shop.

Lucite is the Dupont company’s trade name for Plexiglass which is a resin that is light and see-through. This type of plastic was invented back in 1937 so we first started to see examples of it in fashion, particularly as jewelry, bags, boxes, combs and barrettes in the late thirties and forties. The reason that Lucite was such a great choice of material from which to manufacture jewelry is that it came in such a vibrant array of colors that are perfect for spring.

Lucite is actual technical known as a thermoplastic substance. All this means is that it melts under heat. This is not the same as Bakelite, which is a plastic that was invented around the same time that does not melt under heat. It is a very durable plastic that does not lose its color.

As it is easily molded under heat it has historically been used to make all kinds of interesting shapes including animal and reptile shakes to thick Mod style bangles to seventies style chunky rings. These large rings are very popular again and can be found at a very reasonable price online and in costume stores. However the real treasures are the pieces from the thirties or forties if you can find them. Sometimes the auction sites like eBay have them.

Some Lucite pieces are “reverse carved” in their design. This involves the carving-out of one side of a solid, molded piece of Lucite, creating a window-like view of the carving from the uncarved side. The carving is usually a symbol (like an astrological symbol) or the image of a lucky animal. Many key chains boast dangling charms made out of reverse carved Lucite

Lucite jewelry does need some special care. You should treat your beaded Lucite jewelry as you would any other waterproof bead jewelry, and wash it only when needed with mild soapy suds and clean water. Never use ammonia or ammonia-based cleaners on Lucite, as they can wear down the Lucite over time and give it a yellow color. For best results on larger Lucite pieces, search the Internet for special plastic cleaners and polishes that have been made especially for cleaning up Lucite jewelry.

You should also not ever to leave your Lucite in the sun for long periods of time, and do not leave it in a hot car or next to any heat source like a register or hot water heater. It will melt – not into a pile of goo – but it will become misshapen.

Another thing to remember is that it is a softer plastic so if you are wearing a large piece you need to be careful about bumping it on things as it is easily scratched or gouged.

Necklines for Different Body Types

When it comes to dressing for your body type on way to accentuate your best features is to choose a dress with a neckline that accentuates your features. Furthermore the neckline is one of the sexiest places on a woman’s body and the structure of a well-cut neckline t can really accentuate bone structure/

One of the loveliest cuts on a dress is the square neck collar. The square neck frames the face and makes the neck look longer than it us. It brings the attention upwards to the face and balances out a full figure. It is the perfect neckline to wear if you are top heavy, pear shaped or have a large hourglass figure.

V-neck halters are for people who have gorgeous shoulders. These have an elongating effect and can also create the illusion of curves. It look s great on women who are tub shaped, very petite or has very broad shoulders that tend to minimize the size of a person’s bust.

Pear shaped people can also look sleeker if they are wearing this type of dress and so can apple shaped people. This is because the V-neck shape creates a visual distraction that draws attention away from potbellies.

However if you have really large upper shoulders or upper arms you need to be careful of the halter style as it can make you look like a linebacker especially if the material of the dress is really stretchy.

The boat neck is also known as the Bateua and makes shoulders look broader which can also make the waist look more hourglass. This looks good on almost all body shapes including those lacking in curves such as pear shaped or petite. However if you are really busty this is not the greatest neckline for you as it might add volume to an already overflowing upper half.

Do you like strapless fashions. Stay away from it if you have heavy upper arms or a thick neck. Strapless can also look awkward on a very full-breasted woman. It can also look strange on a woman with very broad shoulders and make her look like a bit of a football player.

The strapless look looks best on people who are full breasted but slender. Flat cheated women may not look that hot as sometimes the strapless bodice will accentuate a lack of breasts.

Whether or not you look good in a strapless style might also have to do with what color it is. If you are really big stay away from harsh dark colors and stick to pastels. If you are flat cheated then try to make sure that the bodice on your strapless outfit is more tailored and tightly fitted so you seem a bit more supp9rted. If you have really large breasts then also make sure that the bodice has a lot of underwire support so your breasts do not pop out when you bend over!

The Second Life Fashion Blog

If you want to see something surreal check out the Second Life Fashion Blog at http://lindenlifestyles.com/ this is a fashion blog for people who have avatars at the alternate reality site called Second Life.

In case you have been living in a cave and have no idea what Second Life is then you need to know that it is a place you can go to create your own avatar. You can build homes, communities and even have your own business on there. People who have always wanted to be fashion designers or jewelry designers in real life are able to actually design their own on Second Life and also sell them to other people who want to dress up their avatars. Second Life has millions of people on it and that is whom this blog is catering to – the people that want to dress up their avatars so they look hip, elegant and rich.

There is everything on this blog including places where you can go to get clothes for your avatar for free. You can buy dresses, shoes, jewels and even wedding dresses in case you decide to have a wedding inside the Second Life site.

One of the latest articles on there was about a company called Earthstones that is designing hip looking bracelets, necklaces and even belly chains for avatars. There is s drop circlet diamond earring set and a necklace designed to be a Zen symbol.

On this blog there are also links to fashion shows that are held on Second Life as well as a Masquerade Ball in which all of the avatars will be costumed.

It is also amazing how much the fashion businesses on this site are mimicking what is going on in real life. For instance one Second Life business called the Chambre du Chocolate Gowns actually sells the dark red and chocolate colored wedding gowns that are so popular right now.

Weirdly trying on clothes on this site is not just about fashion. It is also about how the clothes will meld and fit to your avatar’s body once the computer program applies it to it’s form. If they do not fit exactly then the clothes look “cheaper” on the avatar.

If you are wild about seventies style shoes then you need to check out the creativity on Scamander Heels. These are virtual shoe creations that boast platform shoes that look like they have been cast from molten metal. The virtual artistry is really quite astounding.

The problem is that none of the fashion on this blog is real and it is only meant to dress up virtual personalities. However some of this stuff is so pretty you wish it existed in real life!

Gladiator Style Bridal Shoes

The big trend for spring and summer when it comes to weddings is going to be Gladiator style sandals and shoes. These are going to make women look like Greek Goddesses at their weddings.

You might remember when this trend was hot in the eighties. These were flats or high heels that were twined up the leg and tied in a big ribbon. The effect is also very “ancient Rome” depending on what kind of leather or fabric you get them in and whether or not there is a heel.

The flat version is probably the most comfortable type of wedding shoe to get for either you or your bridesmaids. They also flatter almost every type of leg just make sure that the person who is wearing who is larger has enough ribbon to wrap around the leg.

One trend is to use very wide satin ribbons on a flat leather or satin shoe and then tie it in a gorgeous big fat bow that sits at the front of the calf or the rear of the calf. Yet another option is to use velvet ribbons, skinny ribbons or even leather cord. White leather cord looks good braided around the leg.

Yet another great effect is to buy rhinestone studded cords and have them wrap around the legs from the flat ballerina style shoes.

There is also no problem finding dyeable versions of these shoes on the Internet now. All you have to do is buy the ribbons that match and thread thermo through.

The high heel version of the gladiator shoe is very sexy looking and also very disco in flair. It has been a long time since this type of sandal has been around because it is very reminiscent of the disco area but it is definitely coming back. Versions of this shoe with a tall skinny heel and metallic silver, pink or blue finish are all over the Internet in online bridal shops. You can find them laced with skinny ropes of leather with tassels hanging off the end of the ties or you can find them studded with rhinestones. This type of shoe is also a little more uncomfortable but it is very attractive.

You can also get a style of vinyl shoe that has hooks through which you can thread any color of ribbon you want so it can tie in a bow half way up the back of the calf. This style has a two-inch heel and is great for the bride who would like to look taller. However for comfort nothing beats the flat ballerina style of wedding shoe, which allows you to dance all night. The flat style is also a very in vogue style of shoe for spring and summer weddings and it is a very viable option for that bride that is too tall for her groom if she decides to wear shoes.

One thing about these sandals is that they do tend to become undone really easily if you do not secure them tightly. You might have to use a tiny pin to secure the ties of the shoe or you can even use glue to keep the knot in place.

Click here to buy bridal shoes

Avril Designs a New Line

So what is that Avril Lavigne has in common with famed British designer Vivienne Westwood? Most people would say so far in her short life –nothing. However that is about to change as Lavigne tries her hand at developing a punky fashion line for young girls. Westwood is an artist and the original punk fashion designer and Avril Lavigne is her logical descendent seeming as she sings in a punk rock band.

So far the young Canadian singer has made a living bringing back punk as a singer although most hard-core pop rockers would say that she has indeed turned punk into pop. Now it looks as if she is moving this alternative culture into the mainstream as well. Punk means nothing if it is sold in a mall but the significance of it being an anti-authoritarian type of wear seems to be lost on the young singer.

Avril Lavigne is following in the illustrious footsteps of Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce by creating her own clothing collection which of course has nothing to do with the talent of the designer but is merely a way of capitalizing on a brand.

Called Abbey Dawn, the line is purported to be focused towards teenagers, and mirrors the pop rocker’s own fashion style, combining a mixture of ‘authentic rock with a feminine edge. The feminine edge is there so teenagers can wear it to school no doubt. H

According to the Press Association Avril’s official line on this is -”I’m thrilled to announce my clothing line Abbey Dawn. Abbey Dawn will aspire to be a unique and accessible reflection of my ever-changing style.

The collection will be exclusive to Kohl’s department stores in the United States, and is due to hit stores in July. Ironically she is a Canadian but Canadians will not be able to access the line.

The collection promises to be authentic because it is based on looks directly from the young singer’s own closet. This means we can expect a lot of striped leggings, black shirts, suspenders and little schoolgirl kilts with safety pins in them. It is not like we have not seen this look before. If Vivienne Westwood were dead she would actually be rolling in her grave.

The collection is supposed to be rock’n’roll with a touch of reggae and skater with a traditional tartan plaid. Nobody says what clan the tartan is going to be appropriated from. There will also of course be the Lavigne “nod to the Sex Pistols” which means there will be stripes, checks and plaids in the collection. No doubt this line will be an enormous commercial success as Lavigne has thousands of fans and many of them are nostalgic to live through a time that existed before they were born. The collection will not be too punky as after all the image of Lavigne is still the “good girl pretending to be a punk.”

Off the Shoulder Wedding Dresses

The very latest trend in wedding gowns is one towards an off the shoulder look which is really a reference to the 1950s. You will recall that this design of dress has a bodice that is cut straight across the breast bone so very little real cleavage is shown although some styles lower the bodice to display a bit more of the breast. Instead of the breasts the shoulders are meant to be the main focus of this style of dress and to enhance your shoulders make sure they are powdered with a bit of subtle diamond dust before you walk down the aisle.

So where does this 1950s influence come from this past year? It is probably the influence of musicals like High School Musical and the movie Hairspray.

The classic style looks great in ivory or cream colors as it sharpens the sharp line of the cut of this style of dress. It is very much the style of dress that Marilyn Monroe while she was marrying Joe DiMaggio. The waist is usually cinched and the skirt is usually fairly A line or cut on the bias in some way. Sometimes this type of style comes with a belt and other times not. In a more casual dress the belt would be of a contrasting color or in the same fabric as the dress. The buckle on it might also be quite large. For a wedding dress there may be a fabric belt with diamante style rhinestone buckle on it. Very sophisticated versions of this dress might even have an antique looking plastic buckle on them.

Some versions of this dress have an almost Cinderella or Disney like flair to it with a wide A line skirt. The back can be finished with a large bow or a bouquet of fabric flowers that might also serve to hold a train. This type of wedding gown is also not always floor length. It might be cut at mid calf or even above the knee. Fairy tale touches such as an overskirt gathered in b inches above an underskirt might also be part of the design.

It is easy to find versions of this wedding dress online in cream or ivory or a brilliant snow white. However it is also becoming more common to see them in every color of the rainbow including some very off beat colors like olive or mustard. To avoid looking archaic avoid the colors of dress that really are associated with the fifties like a baby pink, mint green or baby blue. The less shiny the fabric is the more it will look like a wedding dress and less like Rizzo’s prom dress in Grease.

This is also a good style of dress for bridesmaids to wear as they are fun, flatter almost every single type of figure and also are dresses that can be worn again on another occasion. They are also a popular style of dress so you can get them in any color that you choose. If you wanted you could have a bridesmaid dressed in each color of the rainbow!

Extreme Corseting for 2008

All of the fashion experts predict that the corset will be big in 2008 and the same goes for Melissa Kagan who writes the iVillage fashion blog. Kagan writes that we should not be afraid to become bosom buddies with the corset once again because they are not the same as the torture devices worn by women in the eighteenth century or even as girdles for cinching in the waist in the 1950s.

Today’s corsets are made of much kinder, stretchier fabrics and allow the wearer to take a breath or two now and then. The old fashioned types had boning and all kinds of uncomfortable stays and fastenings in them. Nowadays zippers hold the corsets together and the stays, ribbons and other fastenings tend to just be decorative. They are not exactly as comfortable as your camisole but they are getting there. Some of the corset styles are also a lot simpler than the corset styles you would see in the Frederick’s Hollywood catalogue (for example.) There tends to be less embellishment in general (including less fasteners, buttons and ribbons.)

Many women enjoy wearing a corset because it offers the breasts lots of support. They are good on hot days because it means that you don’t have to wear a bra. A corset also has the effect of cinching in the waist and drawing attention away from the hips and to the breasts. This is why many plus sized figure women enjoy wearing them. They streamline the figure and just about anyone looks good in them. Thinner women enjoy the visual appeal of having their breasts lifted in a way that creates a cleavage that they would not normally have.

Several movie stars, singers and it girls have been seen sporting a corset around town in the tabloids. These include Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Simpson and Beyonce. Many corsets are also now available in offbeat colors such as white, orange or gray. Not all of them are in the boudoir colors of purple, black or red. If you really want to be up to the moment wear a blue or gray corset in a linen or satin fabric to be really up to the minute.

So what do you wear with a corset? Your best course of action is to stay away from wearing them with puffy clothing like bubble skirts or A line skirts. The corset looks best with cigarette pants or a slim pencil skirt. If you are feeling modest or cold (as this is often a bare shouldered look) you can put a cardigan or a cropped jacket over it. Corsets also look good layered with any type of leather or lace item.

You do not need to dress up a corset that much especially if it is already very detailed. They look best with dainty jewelry such as locket or a velvet or ribbon choker. They also look good with no embellishment at all except for bit of glitter powder applied on the collar bone or the shoulders. Leather cuff style bracelets and charm bracelets also suit the look of a corset.

Wedding Jewelry Trends for 2008

For 2008 there are all kinds of jewelry trends that you might want to pay attention to if you want you and your bridesmaids to look as chic as possible. Some of these trends are brand new; others are borrowed from last year. There is even a trend towards blue.

According to Necessary Accessory the biggest trend is the comeback of gold jewelry. For years silver jewelry has been more hip than gold as gold was associated with older brides or Asian or Chinese brides. The classic yellow metal also flatters skin tones as well as the more richly colored gowns in colors as wild as orange or chocolate brown that are currently in vogue. Delicate gold lockets are expected to be seen around the necks of brides wearing off the shoulder prom style wedding dresses.

Yet another big trend is beaded creations. Colored crystals and semi-precious stones are popular not only for the bride but also for the bridesmaid to wear. This is because these stones and crystals have symbolic meaning. For instance the stone rose quartz symbolizes love and the stone lapis symbolizes feminine wisdom and power. The trend is to see the bridal party wearing layers of necklaces made of crystals, pearls or other stones to match the color scheme of the wedding. It is very easy nowadays to get crystals and stones to match any type of gown including bridal blue. Blue pearls can add a very interesting aquatic touch to a white wedding dress.

White and cream are usually the colors used for a wedding gown and white or pearlescent beads are also quite popular especially if they are worn in long strands or worn beaded as an intricate collar. The colors should be light pink, rose, white, cream, sky blue or a baby yellow. These should not be layered on too thickly or you will look like you are celebrating Mardi Gras instead of a wedding celebration.

The 1920s are back which is a trend that will be seen in shoes and dress styles as well. This means long layered necklaces, gemstone and chain necklaces and other Art Deco styles of jewelry will also be in vogue for this season of weddings.

Yet another trend are long, dangling or chandelier style earrings made out of rhinestones. This is the return of an eighties trend. Along with this trend ribbons worn on the wrists and wrist corsages will also be possible. The thing is that if you are going to wear long dangling or heavy looking earrings that you need to make sure that you are wearing less jewelry elsewhere on your body.

Another trend in necklaces is called the Journey Necklace and a lot of jewelers are offering this. Usually consists of at least eight stones in a pendant that graduates from small stones to larger stones. The great thing about dangling earrings is that they can cast a flattering light on the face and also draw attention to the bride’s hairdo and bright smile.

Click here to buy wedding jewelry

Fall 2008 Shoe Trends

According to the blooger Shoe Dish there are five main fashion themes that are going to make it through to Fall 2008 and be all the rage. These styles dominated the catwalk in both the Fall 2007 and the Fall 2008 fashion shows in both London and New York.

The first style that is going to make a curtain call on the fashion stage is a motorcycle chic style which is an over the knee style that fits really tightly on the calf but ends up in a clunker shoe with a cap toe. This type of boot was also popular in Fall 2007 but the difference is that it might be available in more colors and also in patent leather styles. Think back to the eighties and what the Mod chicks must have been wearing while on the back seat of their boyfriend’s compact European motorcycles.

Oxford shoes are also predicted to make a comeback and that is because there has to be some kind of flat shoe that is going to go well with all of the gray suits and wide leg style pants that are also going to be in fashion this fall. The Oxfords are predicted to be in coffee or berry colors. It has also been a long time since Oxfords have been in style. Once again this really is a style of masculine footwear for women that is more associated with the late seventies or early eighties.

Yet another trend in shoes is nicknamed the Rubik’s cube style. This describes shoes that have blocks of vivid primary color. The toe might be bright red but the heal might be bright blue and the strap may be bright yellow. This type of shoe is very geometric looking and at first sight looks like a shoe that has been painted by the artist Mondrian. These types of s hoes area so going to be available ins hinny patent leather but in eighties colors like cobalt blue, parrot yellow and bright fuchsia. Once again these are styles very reminiscent of the eighties.

Also reminiscent of the punk movement there will be boots boasting more hardware than usual. This includes blings like gladiator sandal ties , chain mail, studs, nail heads and other tough biker and bondage style details. It is also been many seasons since we have seen anything so neo-Goth on the market. There was a revival of this type of shoe wear and in the mid nineties but it was more restricted to lovers of Goth culture. Goth culture however did become very mainstream about then so this is almost a double retro style that refers back to both the mid nineties and the early eighties.

Remember Diane Keaton’s footwear in all of those early Manhattan movies. She was wearing tap shoes with frilly ankle socks. These shoes basically look like round-toed Mary James but only with high heels. This is also a look you are likely to see again in the Fall of 2008.

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Spring Recalls 1968 Fashions

According to Barbara Atkin who is the head of Holt Renfrew, a major department store chain in Canada, the styles in the Spring of 2008 are going to be nearly identical to the styles we saw in the Spring of 1968. That long ago Spring was also filled with light, floaty style dresses and all of the fabrics were also linen, cotton and silk. T

This Spring season’s dresses are also going to have a similar organic feel and if there is a print on the dress it is predicted to be natural looking or referring to nature. Like back then floral and animal prints are likely to be all of the rage. The hand painted floral fabrics at Dolce & Gabbana this Spring are an example of this trend towards being natural and organic. Both shirts and dresses are expected to have a billowing romantic feel with bell sleeves and elasticized wrists cuffs.

Another interesting trend is more towards the higher waisted skirt with much more volume. Atkins also points out that there is a bit of the fifties retro reference in this style as well.

In terms of color grey is going to be an important color. It is going to be the new neutral base for Spring 2008 particularly in office wear. Otherwise there is going to be a bit of an Indian influence in clothing and exotic bright colors of a deep jeweled hue are going to be popular. The flared pant, pajama pant and any type of pant that has wide legs that billow are going to be popular this spring.

Decoration is also very important and you can expect to see jewels and embroidery on shrit cuffs, belts and purses. Handcrafted necklaces will also be back as well as will be references to the Bohemion look from the sixties

In terms of bags very tiny ethnic bags will be in fashion but so will ginat oversized clutches in primary colors. Bags will tend to be soft and unstructured and the same can be said for hats which will be soft and floppy whether they are large fedoras or just a perky little tam.

In terms of shoes the nail stiletto, the strappy ankle shoe with a diamante clasp, straw wedges and the 3D decorative heel will be the most sought after in fashion items.

Men’s clothing will be a little less constructed and thinner in terms of fabric. The utility jacket will be popular and so will the drawstring pant. Retro fifties shirts with floral or animal print patterns will also make a showing. The Wayfarer style of sunglasses are also thought to be making a curtain call on the male fashion scene this summer.

Both sexes will be enjoying the return of the uni-sex utilitarian Safari jacket which will be available in both men’s and women’s wear in all kinds of different styles and lengths. You can also get them in more unusual colors rather than just the khaki or military green. You can also expect to see these traditional Safari wardrobe mainstays in white, dark blue and black.