Fashion Culture : June 25, 2009

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Easy Fashion Tips: Beading = Great Pieces & Hot Accessories

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Jun 25, 2009 by Rebecca White-Glanders

This summer there are trends galore. One new fashion trend that has recently emerged amidst the jumpers and neon pieces of the Spring 2009 runway is beaded tops and dresses. Drew Barrymore, Mischa Barton and Iman all wore gowns with beading to recent red carpet events. Beading can provide a wonderful and personalized look for formal or casual occasions. Beading can be of any color, heavily or lightly interwoven into many types of fabric, in one place or in several different spots. In many cases, it also saves you the need to overload on accessories since the beading of the piece is an accessory in itself!

If you're looking to wear this trend in a more casual way, paired with denim capris or white summer pants, try a beautifully beaded top. A wide variety of beading styles can be found in beaded tops. Sometimes, if you're lucky, designers will combine trends. For instance, a bright coral shade is combined perfectly with defined "choker" style beading on the Ella Moss Caribbean Top in Flamingo ($183). Choker-style beading on a top or gown draws attention to the face and diminishes the need for other jewelry (although, in some cases, it may still be appropriate). A beaded halter with similar styling is the Type Z Kate's Halter in Mustard ($71.10). This top has smaller beads followed by larger wooden beads at the base of the neckline, creating the illusion that the top and accessory are fused.

Beaded gowns can also range from casual to formal, and everywhere in between. Dresses like the Roxy Famous Dress in White ($50.50) with beading at the straps and waist, can be worn to a barbeque, a beach party or even to the mall. A formal but exquisitely beautiful dress that combines the beaded and brilliantly colored trends is the Robert Rodriguez Twist Neck Embroidered Dress ($435). Bright pink in color, this dress has flowing floral beading down the front.

Beading has always been popular, but it has become more mainstream with its recent resurgence as a trend, allowing more and more women to enjoy its beauty and fashion benefits.

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Office Style: The Grey Line of Business Casual for Summer

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Jun 25, 2009 by Sabah K.

Summer season calls for carefree looks and lightweight clothing, but if you're adhering to a business casual dress code this season, you'll need to exercise some discretion over the season's hottest trends. Summer fashion trends include short minidresses, cropped pants and halter tops designed to show off your tan and keep you cool, but most of these pieces won't even make the cut for your business casual wardrobe.

Stock up on linen pants that you can press for a pulled-together look. Linen pants in darker colors are a great substitute for your usual black office pants and skirts, and can create a semi-professional look when you pair them with a fitted blouse. Just make sure they're clean and pressed, and wear a pair of ballet flats or closed-toe shoes to complete the ensemble.

For tops, try some of the season's loose and billowy caftan or dolman sleeve blouses. These work especially well with a pair of cropped pants that fall below the knee - the perfect business casual office look! These tops will keep you relaxed, and give you that playful summer look without breaking the dress code.

If you prefer to wear a skirt, look for the frock-inspired skirts and pair it with a fitted blouse or V-neck tee for a cute and fun look. These skirts are great for summer, and can be paired with some closed-toe ballet flats or other closed-toe shoes to create a pulled-together look.

If your office dress code permits sleeveless tops, don't think this means you can throw on the halter top or ruffled tank tops just yet. Sleeveless can still be conservative for the business casual setting if it's a polo neck top, or a sleeveless vest that's layered with a high-neck camisole or t-shirt. Be careful about how much skin you're showing when you're in the office environment, and stick with the more modest styles whenever you can.

It can be tricky to make sure you're abiding by the company dress code over the summer season, but there are plenty of clothes and accessories that do make the cut for business casual. When you choose to wear linen pants, oversized blouses, and well-cut sleeveless tops, you can stay attuned to the season's trends and enjoy a more relaxed look without breaking the rules!

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From the Runway to Your Closet: Asymmetrical Lines

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Jun 25, 2009 by Tiffany B

One of the popular fashion trends that has been appearing on the runways are asymmetrical lines. Asymmetrical lines are basically any type of hem on a piece of clothing that is not the same as another part of the clothing. It could be a dress that falls longer on the one side or it could be a blouse that only has a strap on one shoulder. These types of clothing pieces have been seen on the fashion runways of Roberto Cavalli, Robert Rodriguez, and Vivienne Westwood to just name a couple of designers.

The runway fashion trend of asymmetrical lines is not strictly for the runway and model-type women. This fashion trend is actually a very wearable trend for all women. Having an asymmetrical hem on a shirt or dress may actually draw attention away from the waist and focus it on nicely toned arms or long legs.

An asymmetrical line can easily take an otherwise plain dress and turn into a show-stopping dramatic dress. It gives it the added touch to make it look more interesting, which can make you look more interesting. A one-shouldered blouse can easily be paired with a skirt or a pair of jeans and you can take it out for a night on the town, without showing too much skin.

It is actually rather easy to find pieces of clothing with asymmetrical lines as the fashion trend has also become a hit with the every-day average woman. If you want a cute, but still hot blouse to wear out for a night on the town in summer, try a one-shouldered blouse with a print, such as this one by Just Cavalli. If you are looking for more of a formal dress for a wedding or a fancy date night with your man, then consider a dress like this one from Vivienne Westwood . They are both easy and wearable styles that add drama and intrigue to your outfit.

Asymmetrical lines is a fashion trend that you are going to be seeing a lot of this summer.

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