How not to be a label whore

In the 1950's matching clothes designer to designer; color to color; pattern to pattern was all the fashion rage but in today's modern world. It is now considered tacky, and unfashionable to be a "label whore" wearing all one designer in an outfit from the top to bottom, and quite frankly its unrealistic in today's modern time to have just one outfit that only those things can go with. We are in a recession and a way to weather the recession is by being able to mix and match your clothes.

The trend of mixing and matching really started in the 1960's and was a way to create your own individual style and sense of self. The trend has weathered half a century and to this day more than ever we are mixing and matching.( http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3425500562.html3425500562.html.)

I feel that just its tasteless to wear all your designers at once. Just because the designer designed them does not mean you have to wear them together, give your wardrobe some versatility. If you just wear all one designer it matches to well and makes you look plastic. if you mix and match you can give yourself a more casual put together look that gives you a cool effortless styles. Where as if you have an entire outfit by one designer you look gaudy and like a wanna be. But there are ways to mix and match you can base it off of color, what colors look good together, and give an appropriate contrast; like yellow and teal the two give each other a unique contrast. You Can base it off of pattern, does plaid and stripes look good together or hounds tooth and stripes. Another way is basing it off of shape of the garment, does a baggy flowly top look good with a baggy pant; the answer is no by the way. Or does a skinny jean with a shirt, cardigan the a pair of slip ons or high tops look good together.

In today's world you can find websites that help you with making outfits with many different labels. like http://www.piercemattie.com/fashionprdivision/2007/04/mix_and_match_fashion_be_your.html

You can also hire a stylist but for a very costly price. Although some store over them to help you with your worries. Macy's has a department called Macy's by Appointment where them will assist you finding the perfect outfit or a new wardrobe. Top Shop a British store overs free stylist to help you find what clothes to wear with what.

I hope these few tips help in your mission to not being a label whore.

Hows does a trendsetter choose what color to wear?

In the everchanging world of fashion the colors a person wears changes as fast as the fashion itself. many factors attribute to this decision. In choosing colors to wear there are a few factors that come to play. Your skin tone, where you're going, the season, and not to mention what is coming off a designers runway. Big colors this season are bright colors like yellows and reds for Autumn, and cooler colors like green, blue, and lavender. (http://www.decoratorsecrets.com/color-trends.html) But a true trendsetter always stays ahead of the curve researching what to wear for the next years season. so what we are wearing next year they wore this year.

Another way is by your skin color, there are four types of complexions, Winter Spring, Summer, Autumn. By knowing your complexion you know what colors look good on you, because certain complexions look better with certain colors. With that you are able to dress yourself in the most flattering colors. (http://www.ehow.com/how_3249_choose-colors-flatter.html)

There are a few websites that you can find out where to find the new upcoming color style, and find your new skin complexions. To find the new colors for the upcoming year you can go to:http://www.decoratorsecrets.com/color-trends.html.

You can find out your skin complexion at http://www.ehow.com/video_4973206_choose-colors-flatter-skin-tone.html.

Fashion on a Budget

In today's tough economic times, one should not have to sacrifice fashion and style for gas and groceries. There are a few things to remember when buying clothes, first try and buy classics these pieces can last you years and won't ever go out of style. Secondly, buy versatile pieces, don't just buy a shirt or sweater that can only be worn in one outfit, buying versatile pieces can give you many outfit combinations. Third, try and find clothes cheaper there are a few ways you can go about this. You can get designer clothes at discount at places like outlets, factory stores, or discount stores. Another way is by finding garments that are similar to the ones that the celebrities wear at a fraction of the price, by shopping at stores like H &M, Heritage 1981, Forever 21, and Target. With these helpful tips you can buy fashion and style and still have money for gas and groceries. But before you go our here are a few fashion on a budget ideas that I've found.

This blazer can be found at many deisgners starting at $695.00 and can go up to $1250.00. But from The Gap is a classic wardrobe essential, it can be dressed up or dressed down and can go with virtually any top, and it can be yours for only $98.oo. (http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=40772&vid=1&pid=663388)

If you are on a budget then dark jeans are perfect for you. They are the hottest trend, dark jeans last longer, and tend to look more expensive, and make your legs look more slender. They are also the perfect jean for longevity. These jeans start at $195.00 and can go up to $695.00. But you can purchase these at American Eagle Outfitters for a mere $39.50. (http://www.ae.com/web/browse/product.jsp?catId=cat130130&productId=0115_2649)



Plaid scarves are all the rage this fall/winter. They can be paired with a pea coat to a ski jacket this plaid scarve can be yours for only $12.50 and beats paying $295.00 for a scarve from Burberry that looks very similar. (http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=51844&vid=1&pid=699474&scid=699474002)

Another hot fashion trend are slip ons, and I have a feeling that this shoe joined the list as a fashion classic. Slip ons can be purchased anywhere from Macy's to Walmart and can range in price from $100.00-$10.00.

Music and Fashion or Fashion and Music

How does music affect music? you may not think about it but Music is a huge influence in fashion, from your own personal style to the hottest trends in fashion. There are many ways that music affects one of the worlds largest industries. It may be musicians wearing a certain garments or having a certain style, it could be the hottest music and the image that accompanies that music genre, it could be the music a store plays and that stores image.

In the 60's The Beatles were huge, and everything from their suits to hair became the hottest trends for men's fashion. The 70's was the disco era; men were in bell bottoms and women in sequence; the styles that the artists of that era were wearing. In today's world especially, although their may not be a specific style accompanying today but Every artist from Pharrel and his hip hop street style to Amy Whinehouse and her beehive hair and edgy clothes are affecting what people wear and what designers are designing.

Musicians are also designing clothes now, everyone from Gwen Stefani to Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift seem to have a fashion line. The celebrities own styles are reflected in these lines and thus influencing what people wear.

Here's what some people think

Style Mania said that we watch music videos to see what artists are wearing in the videos, and that when walking down the street and you notice a random person you can basically guess what type of music they listen to by their style.

http://www.stylemanila.com/2007/01/16/music-influences-your-fashion/

In this forum the discussion ranges from people thinking that music influences fashion to fashion influences music.

http://www.createblog.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t110413.html

On this blog SamB has the same idea that the other forum had about music influencing fashion and visa verse.

http://www.mybodybeautiful.co.uk/BodyBeautifulForum/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=927

Now what do you think?

Quick Bio

My name is Joshua I have loved fashion and business since the age of 3. My mother owns a store and cafe and it is she that probably sparked my love for fashion, she's taken me all around the world since I was little and exposing me to different people, places, and culture. I now help my mom with the management aspect of her businesses; exposing me to the business world first hand. I'm a senior this year and next year I plan on attending F.I.T. to get by AAS in Fashion Merchandising Management and then go on to get my BA in International Trade and Marketing in the Fashion Industries.

I now attend the Albany CTE for Global Fashion Studies. The class focuses on the fashion industry and all the aspects of it; it is a two year program. The first year is an overview of Fashion Merchandising, and in the second year we take a closer look at Fashion Marketing and Retailing. The class exposes you to many experiences and opportunity; in February I'm taking an extension of the class on a trip to Paris and London.

The purpose of this blog is for my class and for my fashion portfolio requirments, and for research credit. Also to discuss everything fashion.