Clothes that you buy at stores are sized based on standards set by the pattern makers. These sizes are based on average body proportions and dimensions. As you are most likely well aware of, few bodies have these exact dimensions and shapes and that is why clothing off the rack doesn’t always fit or flatter your body’s shape. Fortunately, there are ways to make off the rack clothes fit your body better.

Tip #1 – Use Belts

One simple way to make adjustments to the shape and fit of clothing is to utilize a belt . Belts can be used with jeans and slacks to help bring in the waist of pants that are a little too big, or they can be added to a shirt to create a more tailored look. You can also use belts of different colors and textures to add a point of visual interest to your outfit.

Tip #2 – Make Adjustments to the Seams

If you are between sizes then you will want to buy the next size up and then make adjustments to the seams. You can do this simply by figuring out where the clothing is too big and then by taking in the seams. Usually you will only need to take in the side seams to make a shirt or a pair of pants fit your shape better. When you take in the seams you need to do it evenly on both sides so that the clothing item will fit properly on your body.

Tip #3 – Make Adjustments to the Length of the Item

Another dimension that may not fit your body properly is the length of the clothing item. If the item is too long then you can hem the bottom of the item. This is a very simple fix that even novices can handle. Keep in mind that you can shorten shirts and jackets, as well as pants, shorts and skirts. Hemming can be done by hand with a needle and thread, or it can be done using a sewing machine. There are also hemming tapes that you can use to quickly set a hem. You can use the tape to hold the hem for a day while you wear the item, or you can use it to hold the hem in place while you stitch it up with a needle and thread.

The dog days of summer probably means the A/C’s running on all eight cylinders throughout the night and fans are on full blast by day just to keep things cool.

It might not be easy to stay cool in your house or apartment during those long summer days and hot summer nights, but it’s important to keep the bedroom as cool and comfortable as possible or you lower the chances of a good night’s rest. Here are some decorating essentials to help you escape the summer heat in the bedroom:

1. Use lightweight cotton sheets.
While satin or silk sheets feel great against your skin, lightweight cotton sheets are a better way to stay cool. Soft cotton sheets with at least a 300-thread count are great for creating a relaxing environment and helping you keep your cool during those warm and humid nights.

2. Sleep on a single pillow.
You can decorate your bed with as many pillows as you want to by day, but when it comes to bedtime, stick with just a single pillow covered with a cotton pillowcase. Too many pillows can add heat to your sleeping environment, making it even more difficult to stay cool and comfortable throughout the night.

3. Wear loose clothing.
Wide-leg cropped pajama bottoms, tank tops or a lightweight tee are the best picks for night time. The less-clingy materials will help your skin breathe throughout the night so your body can stay cool, naturally. Stick with simple cuts and styles of nightwear to ensure a good night’s rest.

4. Decorate windows with light-colored curtains.
Heavy curtains or dark-colored blinds can absorb the heat and make it harder to keep the room temperature low. Use light-colored window treatments and shades that will reflect the sun. You can keep these drawn throughout the day to keep those sun rays out of the room as well.

5. Use low-wattage light bulbs in lamps.
Stick with low-watt light bulbs in the bedroom so you’re not generating extra heat from light fixtures. The softer light will also create a more relaxing, peaceful ambiance in your bedroom so it will be easier to get to sleep.

Fashion mavens say brown is the new black, or maybe it’s pink this year, who knows? But one thing is always certain: every stylish woman needs at least one versatile little black dress in her wardrobe, a dress that can go anywhere with the right accessories.

Start with a sleeveless black “Samba” dress from Lole. Take it to the office by adding a great jacket, and stay work-focused in Tantra shoes by JUMP in black with stylish cut-outs and a cute little bow. For that essential burst of color, try a doctor bag from Carlos Falchi in orange. If you want to add just a hint of the wild, add an animal bangle watch from Pedre Watch.

Switch into a casual mode by slipping on a yellow tee from Fitzwell Allison under the dress, or not, depending on your mood. But do wear darling red sandals by Annie, comfortable enough for shopping or afternoon tea, and carry the party with you with a fiesta-look South of the Border tote from Betseyville Handbags. For a glint of gold at your ear, add sophisticated large hoop earrings in polished gold from Sheila Faji.

Turn the dress into perfect date wear easily. Dress up with Jelissa2 pumps from GUESS in gold leather. Add more gold with a Franchi pleated clutch with room for the essentials, like keys, wallet, and lipstick, and so much style it might explode. Swap the hoops for something luxurious, like “Just Lilly” fleur de lis gold earrings from Just Cavalli. Wrap it all up with an Italian linen wrap that doubles as a scarf from Love Quotes in confetti; a snazzy name for a snazzy fuchsia shade to make your outfit stand out.

It’s amazing what one little black dress can do. Fashionistas, put your mind to it, and I’m sure you can come up with even more looks all by yourselves.

Oversized tote bags are a necessary addition to any summer ensemble, but you can pull off a more pulled-together look with the help of a bucket bag. Bucket bags are the roomy, semi-casual bags designed for the woman-on-the-go, and unlike totes, these bags are usually made with patent leather, thick canvas and supersoft leather that will stand the test of time. You can carry these bags when wearing a casual summer dress or your crops and khakis this season; they’re one of the most versatile accessories for the season.

If you’re thinking about investing in an oversized bag this summer, consider some of these must-have bucket bags for the season:

1. Coated canvas bag. This Kate Spade Kiawah Bag is a great addition to your weekend ensemble with its large handles and weaved pattern. This eye-catching bag features a platform base with small feet for extra protection when you set it down, and can be used for hauling magazines across the pool deck, rounding up some goods at the Farmer’s Market, or just for carrying around on your next shopping trip.

2. Soft leather bag. Trade your hobo or tote for a sensibly-sized bucket bag made with soft leather. Celebrate summer with a bag that’s pink, orange, turquoise or green for some extra attention. These bags are just the right size for carrying your novel, wallet, iPod and sunglasses, and for making a fashion statement in the process.

3. Printed shoulder bag. If you’re looking for a seasonal tote-style bag for everyday use, stick with the clean and crisp style of a Dooney & Bourke Bag that holds your personal technology device, sunglasses, magazines and wallet with ease. These bags are designed with thick fabric and leather trim, and are great for weekends trekking across town on your errand-run.

Bucket bags are a great way to show off some fresh new styles and colors this season, and balance out your summer wardrobe. These bags are available in both miniature and extra-large sizes, so you can find the perfect match for replacing your tote, shoulder bag or hobo this season.

Whether you’re meeting with corporate executives in the boardroom or attending a VIP meeting offsite, you’ll need to dress for the occasion. Here are some important tips for putting together your work ensemble for the big day ahead:

1. Head to the tailor. If you plan on wearing an expensive suit or a fancy dress for the meeting, make sure everything fits just right. Head to the tailor to make sure the lengths of the blazer are perfect, and that the dress is of an appropriate length. The small investment will be well worth it, because you’ll feel more confident and relaxed in your outfit when it fits you properly.

2. Stick with the basics. Avoid wearing too many colors and flashy prints, even if it’s just for accessorizing. Maintain a polished and professional look by sticking with neutrals – preferably black and white. You can always accessorize with a colorful scarf or a bold colored bag, but avoid wearing anything that will attract too much attention.

3. Bring out the skinny heels or pumps. Avoid wearing any open-toed shoes or fashion-forward styles with embellishments, fringe or anything that doesn’t fit the ‘classic’ mold. Your best bet for an important meeting is a pair of skinny heels or pumps with a thin heel (no platforms) in black or dark brown, depending on your outfit.

4. Wear a blazer. If you’re not wearing a suit, you should still wear some type of jacket or blazer over your blouse or top to create a more professional look. Make sure this matches perfectly with your skirt or pants, and have it tailored (see #1) to achieve the perfect fit.

5. Accessorize with simple jewelry. A set of pearls, small silver or gold stud earrings, diamond or cubic zirconia bracelets, and other classic pieces of jewelry are the most appropriate selections for the polished, professional business look. Even if you’re used to wearing flashy, oversized and trendy jewelry with your office attire during the week, the VIP meeting calls for something a little more simple and elegant. When in doubt, stick with the basics!

Dressing appropriately for the VIP meeting is just as important as being on time and delivering your best presentation. Take the time to put together the right outfit so you can make a lasting impression!

When you start seeing back to school sales, you know that fall is not far behind. If you have started shopping for your fall wardrobe and you want to be in with the runway fashion trends you definitely need to look for items that are hot pink. Now, you may be questioning, hot pink for fall? When you usually think of fall, you think of more subtle and neutral colors, but for whatever reason the runways were full of hot pink colors for the fall 2009 season.

You should not be afraid of the hot pink fashion trend. You really can wear hot pink and pull it off, as it can look good on all skin tones. When you think of hot pink, you may be thinking of the 80’s neon pink shirts and leggings that you used to have. That is your first problem, the hot pink colors of today are much more sophisticated and glamorous than the neon pink of the 80’s. If you are still hesitant about wearing hot pink, then try out the trend with smaller accessories first. A hot pink accented bracelet may be your first item and then you can work your way up to a pink handbag or hot pink shoes . A hot pink handbag and shoes go awesome with a little black dress for the fall.

If you are more daring and really want to get into this fall fashion trend, then try a pink jacket , dress , or a blouse. Celebrities are already getting into the hot pink trend as Heidi Klum was seen wearing a hot pink suit (before she was pregnant) and Blake Lively just recently wore a hot pink strapless dress to an award event this month.

When you do wear a hot pink dress or even a coat, remember to keep the rest of your look simple. This means your makeup should be simple and natural and your jewelry should be classic and not clash with your outfit.

Go for bold this fall and think pink when shopping!

Hot summer days call for loose fitting clothing with minimal coverage, which is why one of this season’s hottest trends is the “boyfriend short.” Denim is often avoided when temperatures are hot and humidity is high, but thankfully this summer’s must-have is comfortable enough to keep you feeling (and looking) cool.

Offered in a variety of different washes, boyfriend shorts have the same distinct look. The look is ripped, torn, and often vintage-washed and can be detailed with rolled cuffs (although they can be rolled down to your liking). And although the fit is slightly oversized and much looser than your typical pair of denim, these destroyed shorts have a casual laid back look that’s still sexy and strangely appealing.

The Hurley 51 YC Boyfriend Denim Short is the perfect pair; they have a great wash and are cut to a great length while being reasonably priced at $60. However, if you’re willing to spend a little more on a pair of shorts that look like they’ve been purchased in a consignment shop, then splurge on AG Adriano Goldschmied’s Ex-Boyfriend Short for $187. They’re the closest thing to vintage authenticity with a new wash process that guarantees no two pairs will be alike.

The greatest thing about boyfriend shorts is their versatility to dress down or dress up. On a lazy day, they’re perfect bottoms to a t-shirt and a cute pair of gladiator sandals. Then take your shorts from day to night by throwing on some trendy accessories, a fitted jacket and a pair of sexy stilettos.

However you plan to wear your boyfriend shorts you can rest assure you’ll feel stylish and fabulous. You can choose to purchase a pair that’s already been distressed or get the creative urge to purchase denim shorts and freely rip, tear and bleach them yourself; just make sure your not borrowing your boyfriend’s actual shorts!

If you work in an office that adheres to a business casual or professional dress code, selecting the right types of shoes for every ensemble can be a bit of a challenge. How do you find the perfect balance between heel height, comfort and style? While some office mavens can get away with platform pumps and stiletto heels, your feet and legs may not be in prime shape to tackle the stairs and long trek across the building in a pair of skinny heels. However, there are some ways to stay comfortable in high heels, like with Mary Janes and kitten heels for those long days that you’re on your feet.

If you choose to wear stiletto pumps or another style of skinny heel, consider adding a few gel pads for extra support on the ball of your foot. The balls of your feet absorb most of the pressure from wearing those extra-high heels, and if you plan on trotting around on them for over an hour, the extra support will prevent foot pain and soreness.

When you’re wearing kitten heels , consider wearing a thin no-show sock so that your feet aren’t slipping out of the shoe easily. Kitten heels are a great, classy alternative to the standard pump for the office, but they can feel like a pair of sandals if they’re not cut very high. Wearing a thin pair of socks with these shoes can make the shoe much more comfortable and will prevent your foot from slipping out.

If you decide to wear a pair of booties with a high heel for the day, make sure you’ve practiced walking up stairs and on elevated floors with them. Booties and boots will constrict your ankles, which means you can’t climb very easily. If you know you’re going to be tackling escalators or flights of stairs during the day, make sure you’re comfortable making the climb in these constrictive shoes.

Mary Jane pumps are great for the office, but even a platform shoe or a thick heel can put some pressure on the balls of your feet and calves. Wear some padded insoles or gel support cushions if you plan on wearing tight leather shoes for several hours so you can get the support you need.

Finding the shoe that fits for your office ensembles can take time. Make sure the heels you choose can provide the comfort and support you need to get through those long days that you’ll be on your feet.