In 2007, birth rates rose dramatically across the board in America. It seemed that during that time everyone of every age was either getting pregnant or having a baby. So, how has that affected our culture today? It's led the way to more baby fashion lines. Some of which are very questionable.

One of the more questionable baby fashion lines is called "Heelarious." They make high heels for babies. High heels? Unless something has changed, high heels are not shoes that a baby really needs. Nevertheless, "Heelarious" has got a lot of TV and magazine advertisement time. It brings up a new question for parents. What is it? Are there any clothing rules for babies?

Yes! There are clothing rules for babies. Mainly, they are ones that help keep them safe, healthy and in-line with social norms. Here are a few important ones. Babies should be dressed in clothing that . . .

Fits the Weather
Forget about dressing your baby in clothing that doesn't keep him warm just because he delights in being naked. Adorn him with clothing that keeps him warm in the winter and cool in the summer. By doing so, it will help your baby fight sickness and disease.

Suits Their Age
Childhood only happens once. So, let your baby enjoy his. Dress him in Dockers and other clothing suitable for his age. Leave the high heels and other adult clothing created for babies and kids on the shelf.

Keeps them Comfortable
Pay close attention to the kind of clothing your baby likes to wear. If he always rips anything wool off of him, quit buying it. Opt for cotton clothing instead and keep him comfortable.

These three rules should help you keep your baby in fashion. Notice that I didn't mention any actual baby trends. Why? I didn't mention any because until your baby goes to school, they really don't matter.

If being neutral was a crime, some of you'd be in prison for life. Yes, I am talking about you. You are the person who buys everything in tan, cream or brown so you ALWAYS fit in and match. You probably are ecstatic now because you found out through that neutral is the new trend. However, before you start doing flips, learn the rules.

Yes, there are rules that apply to dressing in neutral. These rules are designed to help you use all of the colors that fit in this category to your advantage. They will help you avoid looking bland and washed out. So, ready to learn them? Here they are:

Mix Up Your Neutrals
Forget about buying tan in the same color and mixing it all together. This look will guarantee that no one ever notices you. Who are these no ones? They are your boss, significant other and any store clerk at Macy's. So mix it up! Wear creams with tans and make each neutral color stand out.

Add Splashes of Color
Add bright colors accessories or tops or bottoms with your neutrals. It will help bring out their color and liven up your outfit. Which colors should you go for? Think of orange, pink, yellow and blue. With a neutral offset, you can get away with wearing almost any color.

Go for Crisp Material
One of the worst things in the world to see is a pair of wrinkled, tan pants. The dullness of the color alone makes the outfit look worse. So, don't do this. Iron out your neutral clothing or buy material that doesn't wrinkle. This way you'll avoid looking like a haphazard professor.

If you follow these rules, the neutral you wear will work for you. You will look smart and stylish.

Most people do it in spring, but I like to do it in January. What is it? Clean out my closet.
I like to go through my closet and toss out or donate all of those clothing items that I either don't wear or shouldn't wear any more. There are fashion no-no's that don't deserve space - at least, in my space. Here's a list of my top three. Follow my lead and you can make room for more fashionable attire.

Excessively Tight Clothes
Forget about convincing yourself that you'll fit into those skinny jeans. Even if your New Year's Resolution comes true, you'll still only be able to fit a thigh into them. Let them go and move on to better and BIGGER pants.

Ripped or Holey Attire
Both men and women have a tendency to hold onto ripped or holey clothing. I'll just have to call you both out. Men, it's time to toss out that dingy, torn cotton shirt you wear on Saturday mornings. Replace it with a fresh new one that doesn't expose your nipples. Women, throw away those worn, holey underwear. You can purchase ones that are just as comfy with w-o-r-k-i-n-g elastic.

Fashion Misses You Bought Anyway
When you saw that $15 shirt in the store, you couldn't believe the price! You couldn't wait to buy it. However, on the long drive home you instinctively knew you made a mistake. You've been holding onto it ever since with the hopes of wearing it on a rainy day. Let it go. You bought a fashion miss that needs to be extracted from your closet.

Now that you know the three categories, don't dilly-dally! Pull out two big trash bags and face up to your responsibilities. Use one for items you plan on donating to charity and the other for the items that you plan on throwing away. Afterward, with all of the room in your closet, you can rush out and buy your first fashion "yes" of 2009.

I was an eager 19 year old trying to get a job at a cafeteria. It was one of the few ways I planned on paying for my tuition. So, I dressed up in my best suit, pinned up my hair and tried to look responsible. To my surprise, during the interview, the personnel officer questioned my ability to endure a labor-driven environment. Initially, it hurt my feelings, until I finally realized that I'd worn the wrong thing. I'd overdressed for the job.

Wearing the wrong attire is a common problem with job interviewees. Why? Most people think wearing a penguin suit is the best way to impress a potential employer. However, this is untrue. Career counselors say that a person seeking a job should go to the interview dressed in the kind of attire they will work in. Therefore, if you want to haul wood for a lumberyard, you should go dressed in jeans, work boots and a thick plaid shirt. This attire will tell the person interviewing you that you are ready to work.

How do you figure out which attire shows you are ready to work a particular job? You accomplish it by doing a drive-by.Yes! Drive-bys are good for more than just checking up on a boyfriend or girlfriend. You can use them to see what the people at the company you want to work for look like on a daily basis. Just go by the place of business during work hours and watch employees come in and out of the building. Then emulate the best of what you see in the interview.

Well, I should tell you that I did end up getting the job at the cafeteria. However, it was as a cashier. It would be long time before I actually did any "labor-driven" work. Of course, I didn't mind, but the whole experience was a lesson for me. Now, I always dress for the job want.

We used to call him "Mr. 1980's." Who? Me and the other folks at my old job. "Mr. 1980's" was our boss and from head to toe, he emulated everything that was fashionable in the year 1980. (Bill Cosby sweaters and all.) The only problem with this was that it was 2003!

It's been a while since I've seen my old boss, but one thing is for sure - he isn't the only person in America trapped in a fashion time warp. This trap is a common one that many people fall into, which keeps them looking old and out of step. If you're in a similar trap, you are sporting clothes that make you look like a perfect candidate for the TV show "What NOT to Wear." So, it's time for a change. Check out the following statements and rethink your wardrobe if you say any of them on a regular basis.

"Purple is my favorite color."
Yes. Purple is your favorite color, which is why people call you "Barney" and "Grape Ape" behind your back. It's time to expand the colors in your closet and break up the monotony. Understand that every color in a rainbow is beautiful and it's okay to wear more than one of them on your back.

"I can't find anything to wear in the store."
Really? Today, there are stores that cater to every size, shape and budget. So, there really isn't any excuse for you to walk around looking like a mess. If you hate to shop, get online and buy your clothes. You can kill two birds with one stone. You can find the clothes you like to wear with just the push of a button and avoid the crowds in the mall at the same time.

"I'm still the same size I was in high school."
No you're not. You are two sizes bigger, and you know it. Be honest with yourself and buy larger clothes. Your clothes will hang better, and you will finally be able to get rid of the elastic lines across your stomach. Also, clothes that fit tend to make you look smaller - and we all know you're the kind of person who doesn't want to look fat.

Did you see yourself in any of these statements? If so, change your words and clothes and then step into a more fashionable future.

Guess what? Winter is around the corner. As a result, many people will be motivated to buy a lot of hot chocolate, watch It's a Wonderful Life and slip on a pair of gloves. The only problem is that with the latter act, they won't care what they look like as long as the gloves keep them warm. Of course, this is very practical in nature, but not very fashionable. Just as with any other accessory, the right pair of gloves can add to or take away from an outfit.

Gloves are a small accessory that can make you look put together or like a fool. Need an image? Think Michael Jackson. When he first flaunted an intricately designed glove on one hand, people went wild. They bought copycat gloves and walked around feeling hip and cool. However, fast forward to today and the same people wearing their Michael Jackson gloves look ridiculous, especially if they have the matching jacket. It's a prime example of why it's important to follow a few rules when it comes to selecting the right pair of gloves. Here are a few rules to get you started:

Rule #1 - Select a pair of gloves that are of the same material as your coat. Leather gloves go well with leather coats. Cotton gloves look smart with cotton sweaters or wraps. Get my drift?

Rule #2 - Keep it simple when it comes to gloves. Rhinestones and other baubles on gloves were fine in the 80's, but look silly today. So don't do it. Select gloves with patterns or other non-gem like designs if you want a little excitement.

Rule #3 - Select a pair of gloves that fit. How do you know? You know that a glove fits well if all of the fingers fully cover yours and the end of the glove falls slightly over your wrist. It should do this without a lot of tugging or pulling.

These three rules are the basic ones you should follow when it comes to gloves. So push that old Michael Jackson glove toward the back of the drawer. Wear it only when you are going to a costume party dressed up like him or at home while playing one of his old records.

In 2008, we discussed a lot of different figure flaws and how to address them fashionably. Yet, there was never really a true discussion about one person who displays himself or herself beautifully in public on a regular basis. So, in commemoration of the New Year, let's do it. Who is this person? America Ferrera!

For those of you who don't know, America Ferrera has become a national sensation because of her show "Ugly Betty." This TV show is all about a young lady who is muddling through the viscous fashion world. Her looks are odd, but her insides are beautiful. In real life, America is only partially like her character. Despite her non-traditional size (for Hollywood), she always shines.

Throughout Ferrera's acting career, her weight has gone up and down. However, unlike a lot of other actresses struggling to remain "Hollywood" slim, she has always managed to look good. Why? Ferrera knows how to dress her body.

Until recently, America Ferrera has fluctuated between a size 10 and 14. Although these sizes are normal for American women, they are big for Hollywood. As a result, she has embraced several things that accentuate a curvaceous body. What does she do? She keeps it simple and wears solid colors and classic cuts. This style of dress is both slimming and elegant. The other thing that Ferrera does is play up her positive attributes.

No matter what size Ferrera is, she always has a pretty neck, shoulder and breast line. As a result, you will see her wearing a lot of sleeveless dresses on the red carpet. Then, to add a little flavor to all of this, she wears bright colors. They bring out her vibrant skin tone.

So, basically, America Ferrera embodies the kind of style we all hope to achieve. Whether thin or voluptuous, she looks fabulous because she knows how to dress. Keep this in mind as you dress yourself in 2009. Find a signature style and stay with it through thick or thin.

Remember when Snoop Dogg first hit the music scene? His slow lyrical flow and gangster style had everyone in awe. You just knew if you met Snoop in real life that he'd be at least 10 feet tall and built like an ox. Yet, in just one small scene of a movie, all of his bravado went out the window. What was the scene? It was the part in "Baby Boy," when Snoop Dogg showed up at his ex-girlfriend's doorstep in a wife beater. His chest was sunken in, his arms were limp, and you thought to yourself for the first time, "This dude is really skinny." It was obvious that through the years his PR team had helped him hide a common flaw men struggle with - a small upper body.

Having a small upper body is a secret pain for many men. Why? It goes against the ideal of the perfect mail form. Yet this feature is so widespread that there are plenty of clothes put out by designers to hide or transform it. So here are a few tips for you guys buying powdered vitamins with the hopes of building up your upper torso. Below are a few ways you can look bigger without ever visiting a gym or changing your diet.

Tip #1 - Wear layers: This fashion trick is the one Snoop Dogg uses all of the time. He wears one basic t-shirt with a long button-up shirt with sleeves or jacket over it. Yes, it's an O.G. style, but it's one that makes him look much bigger than he actually is.

Tip #2 - Go for prints: Ever notice how Snoop always has on plaid or some other kind of patterned shirt? Patterns add bulk to a person's frame. Your upper body will look a size bigger with a plaid, checkered or stripped (horizontal) shirt.

Tip #3 - Cover up your arms and chest. No one ever knew Snoop was so skinny until he wore that wife beater in "Baby Boy." Learn from his mistakes men! If you have skinny arms and a sunken chest, keep them under wraps unless it's a really hot day or you're in the company of the woman you love.

Well, isn't it nice to know you can go shopping for a few clothing items and hide a body flaw? No one has to know that you have a small upper body unless you want them to.

Did you know that the word sequin derives from the Arabic word "sikka" meaning "coin" or "die"? I guess that's why people who wear them either make you wonder why they paid for such an unattractive outfit or that their look is to die for. Depending how you wear them, sequins can make or break your outfit. So it's important to learn a few clothing rules about them.

With sequins, you must consider your three "c's" in order to wear them properly. What are they? Cut, color and clutter. These three things affect how well you do or don't look in a sequined top, dress or bottom. Here's what I mean:

Cut: Should you go big or small in sequins? It all depends on what you are trying to achieve. If you want to highlight the trim of a top or pant leg, do it with small sequins. They will add an air of elegance to your outfit. If you want to make a bold statement on a top or dress, go big.

Color: Picking sequins that don't compliment your natural skin hue is the biggest mistake most women make in wearing sequins. If you have extremely tan or brown skin, you can wear sequins in a variety of colors like blue, red or yellow. However, if you have very pale skin, these colors will make you look more washed out. So, as a rule of thumb, select sequined outfits that exemplify the complementary colors you wear in your every day life.

Clutter: Ever had too much of a good thing? That's how it is with sequins sometimes. If you wear an outfit that has different sizes, cuts and colors of them, you can look like a clown. Therefore, go easy on your sequin wear. Select outfits that, at max, have two different types or layers of sequins. It'll help you avoid looking garish.

Follow these clothing rules regarding sequins and you'll always stay in fashion.

Did you know that the first pair of jeans in 1873 were marked as work pants? They were the new, sturdy bottoms for laborers. You could get them in two colors: brown cotton "duck" and indigo blue. Strictly designed for men, it would take almost 90 years for these pants to turn into the fashion staples they are today. However, thanks to the baby boomers, by the early 60's, both men and women were wearing jeans for any and every occasion. Yet, even with all of the changes in their image, the same problem has always surrounded jeans. What is it? Finding jeans that fit properly and also look good.

Finding a pair of jeans that perfectly fits one's body and looks good is almost like searching for a needle in a haystack. Regardless of your size, height or sex, it is easy to go wrong. As a result, you can quickly go from looking "fab" to "drab" if you wear the wrong pair of jeans. Here are a few clothing rules to help you:

Go classic or trendy
Wear jeans that are either timeless or in-line with the current fad. Both will make you look current. Even if you can still fit into those jeans you used to wear 20 years ago, it's not cool to actually do it. It will make you look out-of-touch.

Don't be a stickler for numbers
Forget about staying within your prescribed size in clothing. Try on jeans above and below your normal clothing size to make sure you get a pair that fits. Clothes makers use models and different numbers for each size. So, a size 5 in Levis is not the same as a size 5 in True Religion.

Buy jeans that hide flaws
If you have a big belly, purchase jeans with tummy control panels. If you've got a lot of junk in the trunk, buy jeans with no pockets in the back. In other words, pick out jeans that hide figure flaws and flatter your body.

Pick a flattering color
If black makes you look washed out, don't purchase a pair of jeans in this color no matter how popular it is. These days, you can get a pair of jeans in every color of the rainbow. So pick the hue that looks best on you. It will be the color that makes your outfit come alive.

If you follow these rules, you'll look great in the jeans you wear. When you walk down the aisle at work, you'll be working it in a way that the creators of this attire never imagined years ago.

If you have ever been called "four eyes," you know why it is important to have a perfect pair of glasses. The right ones can turn a geek into someone chic. Don't believe me? Just think about it. Everyone you know ups their cool factor at least one notch when they throw on a pair of black shades. It's just a fact of life.

So how do you pick out the perfect pair of glasses? You do it by looking at three things: color, face shape and function. If you focus on these three things, you will find a look that is great for you. Here's how to do it:

Color
Certain colors on frames will complement different skin tones. For example, if your skin has red undertones, you should sport frames that are pewter, amber or rose. Conversely, if your skin has yellow or blue undertones, you should wear frames that are orange, white, beige or honey. The right color of frames with your skin tone will make it "pop."

Face Shape
The frames you select should balance out your face shape. So, if you have a square face, you should war oval shaped lenses in order to soften your jaw line and forehead. Similarly, if you have a heart face, you should opt for rimless frames in order to de-emphasize your cheeks. Picking frames in this matter will help you avoid highlighting facial features that are extreme.

Function
Before you pay for a pair of glasses, it's important to assess your lifestyle. Why? You want to buy a pair of glasses that fits how you live. So, before you run out and pick up a pair of hot pink glasses that make you look hot, consider the fact that you may look odd at work wearing them. A rule of thumb to follow in this area is that your glasses should be acceptable for you to wear in every area of your life.

Ready to run to the nearest Lens Crafter? Or Order a pair online at Zappos? Good! Use these tips and you'll be able to get a pair of glasses that both make you look and feel good. It'll make you feel good about being called four eyes for the first time in your life.

During the holidays, it's common for people to buy new clothes. Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas parties and New Year's dances make us all think about dressing our best. Yet, there is a dark side to it all. Around this same time, many of us decide to wear items that are, well, questionable. What are these items? Clothing attire that flaunts holiday designs and motifs.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am a big fan of cute little turkeys, striped candy canes, happy Santa faces and fuzzy snowmen, but not on my sweater or skirt. It just seems that no one - not even Tyra Banks - can make this kind of clothing look good. So, there are only a few times you should ever wear holiday motif clothing, and even then, you need to follow a few key rules.

Rule #1 - Only wear holiday motif clothing during the actual month of the holiday. If you are still wearing a pair of slacks lined with turkeys in December, you'll look like you didn't do the wash for the week.

Rule #2 - Don't mix and match holiday motifs. A fuzzy sweater with candy canes matched with a skirt full of Santa faces makes you look like you either didn't take your meds that day or took too much.

Rule #3 - Your mood should be as festive as your outfit. In others, although "Angry Santa" was a hit on the big screen, it's not so delightful in real life. Don't walk around town (or the office) wearing a Santa hat and matching red sweater unless you are willing to be jolly.

These three rules will help you pull off all of those holiday motif sweaters, pants and skirts that your great aunt, mom and grandma gave to you. I won't lie and say you'll look smart. The truth is that you'll probably only look coordinated and festive - like a person happy to usher in the holiday season.

Can you see between the lines? No. I am not talking about the ones on a road or on a piece of paper. I want to know if you can determine when you should or should not wear stripes. It's a funny question, but one that begs to be answered. How do I know? I know because I once was a victim of line blindness.

I used to own a blue top that had horizontal stripes from top to bottom. I loved this top and wore it often, not realizing that it expanded my chest and shoulders in a way that made me look like a football quarterback. (Not a good look for a gal.) How did I find out the truth? I found out one day after looking at a picture of myself wearing it. Needless to say, I never wore that top again. It was an embarrassing lesson, but one that taught me a lot about fashion. Plus, I figured out after a long walk in the park a few days later that I wasn't the only one struck by line blindness. It is an epidemic sweeping America.

About 3 out of 5 people wear stripes the wrong way. It's really not anyone's fault. A symptom of line blindness is a tendency to fall in love with a clothing item or outfit without considering the direction of its stripes. A person might enter a store fully intending to select the right outfit, but quickly lose the battle. So here are a few clothing rules. They will help you see between the lines.

Clothing with horizontal stripes are great for:

• Widening narrow shoulders
• Bulking up thin or slender bodies
• Shortening up extra long torsos

Clothing with vertical stripes are great for:

• Narrowing extra-wide shoulders
• Slimming down bulky or overweight bodies
• Lengthening out extra short torsos

As you can see, these rules are simple ones. Basically, you should select clothing with stripes that stretch you in the opposite direction of your natural body line. It is one way that stripes will accentuate your natural physique in a positive way.

So, are you ready to go through your closet now? Don't wait. Get rid of those stripped items that make you look fatter or skinnier than you want to appear. It'll instantly improve your wardrobe and help you get over the disease of line blindness.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. And why wouldn't it? In prime form, an apple is red, juicy, crunchy and delectable. I believe these are the main reasons an apple tempted Adam in the story of the "Garden of Eden." After all, nobody would believe that a guy would get all worked up over a kumquat. Yet, even when it comes to apples, there is a dark side. Women with apple shapes rarely see it as a plus.

Women with apple shapes start off small and skinny at the bottom and grow larger as you move up their bodies. This fact is true regardless of size. As a result, their biggest issue is finding a way to balance out their bodies. The good news: there are several ways to do it.

Apple-shaped women can create an illusion of balance by wearing certain kinds of clothes. These clothes are ones that elongate the neck, minimize the bust, create a waist or widen the leg area. Here are a few suggestions:

Flared skirts
Wrap dresses and tops
Wide-legged or normal jeans
Wide-legged or normal slacks
Fitted blouses and boat necks
Long-lapelled jackets
V-neck sweaters

These items are the kinds of clothing that accentuate the bodies of apple-shaped women. As you can see, most of them are classic clothes. You know the kind of clothes that rarely go out of style and translate through time. You can easily find them in any department store.

All of this talk about apples is making me hungry. The last time I looked, they were on sale. You can get an apple for fifty cents! And the best thing is that you don't have to make a deal with the devil to do it.

When I was a teen, people used to call me Wonder Woman. Why? I was so tall that I towered over almost every kid my age. Of course, at the time, I didn't like it. I wanted to fit in. Fortunately, I got over it as I aged, but the only thing that still bothers me is finding clothes.

Tops, pants, skirts and stockings tend to come up short when it comes to tall women, because fashion designers make clothes to fit the average-sized gal. If you happen to be a few inches taller than most females, you're out of luck. As a result, you have to look for certain things when you buy clothes. Here's what to watch for:

• Pants and skirts with the words "tall" on the tags. They are specially designed to fit people with longer legs or torsos.

• Stockings with the words "queen" on them. Even if you aren't queen-sized, the leg room with cover all of your legs.

• Tops that fall to the waist or below. A current trend that is great for tall people is tunics. They are sure to cover all of your middle area so when you reach up at work, no one will see your stomach area.

These kinds of clothing fit tall women best because they hang well on a long body. It's basically what I've figured out through the years. Pretty good for girl who was once associated with a woman running around in a bright bathing suit.