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Some general information about fashion

How Not To Dress – 10 Common Fashion Mistakes To Avoid! Part 1

By Sacha Tarkovsky 

There are many fashion mistakes here we will outline 10 of the most common ones.

Many of the mistakes are made simply because women want to follow every fashion and of course, every trend does not suit everyone.

Anyone can present a stylish, classic, chic and fashionable look, but first let’s look at 10 common fashion mistakes which you should definitely avoid.

1. Your clothes are not the right size.

Wearing baggy clothes will simply make you look fatter and so do clothes that are too small they simply highlight bulges and can make you look un appealing and stupid.

Buy the size you truly are and not the size you would like to be.

2. Wrinkled Garments

A great suit or dress needs to be wrinkle-free and ironed for you to look your best, buy clothes that are easy to care for and don't wrinkle easily, if you don’t have much time.

3. Fashion trends that don’t suit you.

Keep in mind your figure and age and only wear items you look good in and not just something because it looks great on someone else.

Face the reality!

For example, if short skirts are the latest fashion trend in women’s clothing and you don’t have great legs pass it by. There are numerous fashions and stylish looks and there is one to suit you – You don’t have to follow every fashion because you have seen a celebrity wear it or seen it a fashion show – Be sensible!

4. Showing bra & panty lines.

Wear proper fitting undergarments.

If they do fit you correctly and you can see lines, then your clothes are simply too tight.

Don’t wear any dress size that is too small, you are simply deceiving yourself about your true size. Keep your bra straps properly adjusted so they're not visible

If your jeans and trousers are low-rise, your panties should be too although it has become fashionable to show your panties, this look wont last.

6. Wearing skirts that are simply to short

Don’t wear a skirt or dress that is too short.

Make sure you can sit, walk and dance without exposing knickers – Sure there is nothing wrong with short skirts that make you look sexy but there is a big difference between being sexy and simply looking tacky.

7. Too many Colors.

A common fashion mistake is using too many colors.

As a general rule wear up to a maximum of three, to be easy on the eye. Too many colors simply will make you look a mess and look like you don’t have any idea of co ordination.

8. Too many prints.

Don't try to mix and match prints as it will have a similar effect to the above.

Patterns don't look good on all women.

If you're one of those people that look great in most clothes, choose a pattern on the top or bottom but not in both areas.

Keep in mind with women’s style with colors and prints less is definitely more.

9. Using accessories in correctly.

Finish off with accessories by all means but again less is more. There accessories and should not

overpower and highlight your good points.

For example with necklaces - Short chains and chokers tend to make your neck appear larger, so don’t do it if this is a an area you don’t want to draw attention to.

If you are going out in evening wear make sure your handbag is sleek, sharp and small a big bag with typical evening wear simply does not go!

Use accessories that match you look and also be careful they highlight good points and don’t draw attention to bad points.

10. Clothing & Shoes As a general rule keep your clothing and shoes the same color.

The only exception is with black which goes with just about everything

Don't ever make the mistake of matching light and dark colors, for example dark clothes and light shoes.

Many of the above fashion looks are obvious and some may not be but they are made frequently by many women and this is mainly due to them being either slaves to fashion and not accepting their age or dress size.

In part 2 we will look at fashions and clothes that will look good on anyone, but for now the above 10 looks should be avoided at all costs.

Choosing The Fashion Accessory That Fits You
By Michelle Bery 

When it comes to a beautiful outfit, nothing completes a look like a well-chosen fashion accessory. You may be wearing the perfect little black dress or the sleek and sophisticated pant suit but until you pair it with a fashion accessory it never quite becomes the full expression of which it is capable.

A fashion accessory can mean many different things to different people. For the shoe enthusiasts among us, no outfit is worth wearing without a stunning and complementary pair of shoes. There are certainly a bevy of beautiful shoes on the market today made by creative designers who know what looks good. But don’t be afraid to check out vintage stores where you could easily find a pair of classic shoes reflective of that period in history. Pairing the contemporary with the vintage is a great way to create drama and interest.

For others, a fashion accessory may mean a unique belt that goes with a great pair of jeans – taking the ordinary to the extraordinary; or a purse to offset elegant eveningwear. Ladies’ handbags are always popular vintage items, so you’ll be sure to find a number of beautiful bags in antique stores. Carrying a vintage bag to an elegant evening affair is a trend even seen on Hollywood’s red carpets.

However, when most people think of a fashion accessory they think of jewelry. Jewelry as a fashion accessory can complement any outfit and lend itself to casual clothing as well as eveningwear because of its versatility. Diamonds, crystal, silver, and gold – the jewelry that you choose will define your look; nothing changes the look of an outfit more. For this reason, jewelry is by far the most influential fashion accessory.

Finding the fashion accessory that complements a particular outfit depends largely on your personal style. That perfect fashion accessory may be waiting for you at your nearby mall or large retail store. But when looking for a unique fashion accessory it’s imperative that you think creatively.

Hit the local antique stores where you will find a nod to the vintage fashion accessory. Pair a modern pair of pants with a 1950s piece of jewelry or a contemporary evening dress with an elegant 1920s scarf. The possibilities are endless when it comes to the fashion accessory. With the addition of a few pieces you are able to infuse the outfit with your personal style and elevate your look to the next level.

About body piercing traditions and practice

In ancient times

Evidence suggests that body piercing (including ear piercing) has been practiced by peoples all over the world from ancient times. Mummified bodies with piercings have been discovered, including the oldest mummified body discovered to date, that of Ötzi the Iceman, which was found in an Valentina Trujillon glacier. This mummy had an ear piercing 7–11 mm (1 to 000 gauge in AWG) diameter.

In Genesis 24:22, Abraham's servant gave an earring and bracelets to Rebekah, wife of his son Isaac. In Exodus 32, Aaron makes the golden calf from melted earrings. Deuteronomy 15:12-17 dictates ear piercing as a mark of slavery. Nose piercing has been common in India since the 16th century.

Body piercing folklore

Many contemporary authors and body piercing enthusiasts have made attempts to explain the history or development of body piercing in Western Culture, prior to its contemporary practice. In Dreamtime by Hans Peter Duerr, the author claims that nipple piercing became popular in 14th century Europe. There is evidence, both anecdotal and photographic, that nipple piercing was practiced in Europe during the late 19th century and in the early 20th century, but it was not considered to be a common practice.

It is sometimes claimed that Roman centurions practiced nipple piercing and that soldiers attached their capes to the piercings. This is not true. Their capes were attached to the breastplate of their armor. This particular myth owes its popularity to Doug Malloy, an American piercing pioneer who published pamphlets in the late 1970's promoting his highly fanciful histories of body piercing.

Body piercing today - Modern history and social attitudes

Nipple piercings,Lip piercing and Gauged EarEar piercing has existed continuously since ancient times, including throughout the 20th century in the Western world. However, in the mainstream Western culture of North America, Europe, Australasia, etc., it became a relative rarity from the 1920s until the 1960s. At that time, it regained popularity among westernized women, and was eventually adopted by men in the hippie community, and later the punk subculture before it broke into the mainstream. Ear piercing, of either or both ears, has always been practiced by men in many non-Western cultures.

By the 1980s, male ear piercing had become somewhat common in westernized cultures, although men usually only pierced one of their ears. Today, single and multiple piercing of either or both ears is extremely common among Western women and somewhat common among men.

Less conventional forms of body piercing have also existed continuously for as long as ear piercing, but generally not in Western cultures. For example, women in India routinely practice nostril piercing, and have done so for centuries.

In the 1970s, body piercing gained popularity in the gay BDSM subculture for various reasons. In 1975, Jim Ward opened The Gauntlet, America's first storefront body piercing operation, in Los Angeles.

Personal attitudes

Attitudes towards piercing vary. Some regard the practice of piercing or of being pierced as spiritual, sometimes embracing the term "modern primitive", while others deride this view as insulting, as cultural appropriation, or as trendy. Some see the practice as a form of artistic or self-expression. Others choose to be pierced as a form of sexual expression, or to increase sexual sensitivity. For some people, piercing is part of an S-M lifestyle or relationship, or is incorporated into S-M play.

Some people choose to be pierced for symbolic reasons. For example, some survivors of sexual abuse have said that they experience piercing as allowing them to retake control over their own bodies. Some people choose to be pierced to symbolize certain relationships.

While some people consider body modification to be a sign of non-conformity, others deride body piercing as trendy, but this isn't always the case. This leads to prejudice or cognitive bias against those with piercings or visible signs of past piercings.

Body piercing jewelry

Body piercing jewellery is jewellery manufactured specifically for use in body piercing. Originally hardly any other jewelry than circular earrings were used in modern Western body piercing. As the body piercing became more of a fashion a vast amount of specially crafted jewelry became available.

Materials used for production have grown from traditional gold and silver to most widespread surgical steel as well as titanium, glass, several kinds of plastic, wood, horn, amber, stone, bamboo, silicone, fossilized ivories, tusks and other bones, etc.

(This information originates from wikipedia.org and is therefore free to reuse)

About materials used for body piercing

Surgical steel

This alloy, also known as 316L and Implant steel is a steel alloy with a bad reputation. The reputation comes from the fact that the EU "European Nickel Directive" prohibits materials with a high nickel percentage in new piercings. 316L has a rather high percentage, around 10-14%, but despite this, it is allergy-safe. This is due to the fact that the nickel is so tightly bound in the material that the leakage of nickel is below the threshold value set up by the EU. However, since the fact is that it has a high nickel content, even though not dangerous, it is not allowed in new piercings in the EU. It can be used for piercings that have already healed.

316L can be polished to a shiny surface and many prefer this material to titanium because of its luster.

One disadvantage of 316L is its weight. In larger pieces of jewelry this can be a problem as it can cause tension in the body tissue, and also unwanted stretching of a piercing. In areas with low blood circulation, such as the earlobe, this can be potentially dangerous. However, with smaller jewelry, there is no need to worry.

Another downside is its tendency to become very cold during winter. This can cause problems; due to this, many change their jewelry to others made of horn, bone, wood, plastics and glass during winter.

316L may be sterilized in an autoclave.Surgical steel is the most common body piercing material in the United States.

Implantatium

When the EU passed the nickel law, and 316L was no longer an alternative for new piercings, implantatium, a new alloy with less nickel, was created, with the aim of replacing the surgical steel as the leading healing jewelry.

However, implantatium never became successful, mainly due to its high prices, uneven quality and a limited choice of jewelry. Instead titanium became the leading material.

The alloy consists of less than 0.05% nickel and is therefore compatible with the EU nickel law. It is safe to use in a healing piercing but as stated above, the choice of jewelry is very limited.

Titanium

Titanium body jewelry is often manufactured in either commercially pure grades 1 to 5 or grade 23 Ti6AL4V ELI.

The grade considered suitable for piercing jewelery use is a disputed topic however the only Grade recommended for use by the association of professional piercers remains Grade 23 Titanium (ASTM F136).

The alloy has long been used for both piercings and medical implants, but it is difficult to see if long-term allergies and other complications could arise. Titanium, the alloy contains aluminum and vanadium.

When the EU Nickel Directive came into force - high nickel bearing alloys were restricted from use in primary (new) piercings. Because of its virtually 'Nickel Free' content Titanium has become one of the preferred materials used in piercing jewellery within the borders of the EU.

Titanium jewelery is lightweight (around 60% the weight of stainless steel given the same volume), it is highly corrosion resistant and less likely to react withbody fluids, is not magnetic, it can be anodized to create a layer of colored oxide on the surface. Common colors are yellow, blue, purple, green, and rainbow.


Blackline

Blackline was introduced to the medical business in the late 1980s and revolutionized what it was possible to do with materials. It is a technique still used to treat the surface of pacemakers and other medical equipment.

Blackline jewelry is produced by adding a surface layer of black and highly durable titanium film to a titanium core.

The jewelry is resistant to wear and causes little friction to body tissue.

Allergic reactions to blackline are extremely uncommon, which is why it is often used in surgical equipment. Although the surface layer isn't classified as permanent, it is very durable and lasts longer than for example anodized titanium.

Blackline is suitable for piercings that are still healing, as it is lightweight, safe and durable. However if used where in contact with hard body parts, such as teeth, the surface layer can be scraped off. It can be autoclaved.

Zircon Gold / Zircontwo

Zircontwo or Zircon Gold was developed as an alternative to gold jewelry. The method of production is similar to that of Blackline, but instead of titanium in the film, a material called zirconium nitride is used. The core of the material is most often a highgrade titanium alloy called Ti6AL4V ELI. Zircontwo, like Blackline, is used in medical equipment.

Zircontwo is better suited to a healing piercing than real gold, since it won't discolor as 18K (75%) gold often does. It is also more lightweight and has a smoother surface so it won't cause as much irritation. It is also cheaper and significantly more durable.

Zircon Gold / Zircontwo can be autoclaved.


Niobium

Niobium is a metal resembling titanium, but it is heavier. When using niobium in a piercing jewelry it has to be as pure as possible, the threshold value being 99.9% niobium. This is sometimes referred to as "999 Niobium". Lower purity shouldn't be used as it can lead to allergies.

Pure niobium doesn't react to body fluids, oxygen or cleaning agents. It can safely be autoclaved. It is allowed in healing piercings by the EU nickel law.

Niobium can be treated to obtain a permanently dim black surface. A Septum retainer in black niobium is practically invisible.

The selection of niobium jewelry is much smaller than that of titanium and blackline, mainly because niobium jewelry is more expensive and more difficult to produce.

Bronze

Bronze is often used in larger piercings in the form of earweights and ethnic jewelry from Indonesia and other places of the world.

Bronze is an alloy of different metals but the most common blend (in piercing jewelry) is 90% copper and 10% tin.

When buying bronze jewelry, make sure to buy it from a serious manufacturer as some bronzes can contain arsenic which can "bleed" into your body. Bronze can also discolor the skin with a greenish color which can be removed but if it gets into open wounds it can permanently discolor the tissue.

Gold

14K gold barbells in front of 24K gold for color comparison.Gold is a noble metal. It is a beautiful metal for use in jewelry and has an old tradition.

When using gold for piercings, a lower purity than 14 or 18 carat (58 to 75%) is not recommended. Neither should gold plated jewelry be used and even though the EU allows it, gold should never be used in healing piercings.

Gold is about as soft as lead and is easily scratched. These scratches can irritate the body, especially in new piercings. Tonguebars in gold are not recommended as chewing on the beads is common. This makes the beads full of scratches and flaws. Zircontwo is recommended instead.

For piercing, a gold alloy is used, the most common being 18k, with 24k being entirely pure. 18k gold contains 75% gold and 25% copper and silver. Traces of other metals may also be present. In lower quality gold, zinc and nickel can also be found.

As said, gold jewelry should never be used in healing piercings as body fluids tends to discolor the metal and cause it to "bleed". Allergy to gold is uncommon but it does exist, and then mostly from white gold. In some extreme cases, the copper in the jewelry can "bleed" out and cause greenish discolorings to the tissue.

18k gold can become discolored from autoclaving.

Glass

Glass is a common piercing material which has been used for thousands of years. For example, earplugs made of glass have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs.

If correctly shaped and manufactured, glass is an excellent material: comfortable to wear, tough, and safe for the body. However, cheaper glass beads that are not covered in a metal shell can easily break into shards. If you drop glass jewelry on the floor, you probably won't be able to use it again. Also if you have a cheap bead in a tongue piercing and accidentally chew on it, it can break into tiny shards and cause lacerations.

It is possible to sterilize glass in a steam-autoclave but the heat may cause cracking in cheaper products.

Plastics

Plastics have been used for a long time for both implants and piercings. Early piercers often used it as a temporary healing jewelry. After the piercing was done, a product resembling a thick fishing line was inserted in the hole and its end was rivetted together. When the piercing was healed, the plastic was cut and pulled out, and then a real jewelry was inserted. The method is still in use today, but to a much smaller extent.

Plastic is a light material, with an amazing resistance to the body's chemical reactions and safe against most allergies. However, many plastics have tiny pores, which makes it necessary to often take the jewelry out and thoroughly clean it from skin fragments and such.

PTFE

PTFE or Teflon was invented in 1938 and is used in the medical industry as well as for frying pans.

It is biocompatible, meaning it will not cause allergies. It's a lightweight plastic, it's bendable, autoclaveable, not visible with X-Rays, not magnetic, and very stable. It's well suited for implants and piercings, specially if you want a little elasticity in the jewelry.

It's also a good material to use as retainers, when you need to take out any metal jewelry, like when in surgery or when X-rayed, so that the hole won't shrink.

Acrylic or plexiglas

Acrylic or Plexiglas or any of a variety of names, is a transparent plastic, in piercing mostly used for plugs and tapers.

Due to the material's slipperiness, it is widely used for stretching. Many overenthusiasts have damaged their holes with acrylic tapers.

Jewelry made of acrylic has a tendency to collect body fluids and skin parts in tiny pores. This calls for regular cleaning to avoid bad smell and infections. It's not a good material for damaged or new piercings and neither should it be autoclaved as it can get discolored. It is also a fragile material and can easily shard if dropped.

Plastastic

Plastastic is a relatively new plastic. It is non-toxic, safe against the body's chemical reactions and does not cause allergies. It's available in several different colors and shapes.

The material is also widely used in the medical industry for sutures, synthetic arteries, reconstruction of tendons, replacement of cardiac valves, and boneplates and screws.

Amber

Amber is a fossilized resin and has a long tradition of use in jewelry. Its most common color is a goldish yellow but it also comes in black, greenish, reddish, white, brown and blue and various blends. It can be found with natural entrapments of small animals and plants which can be amazingly well-preserved.

Amber is commonly used for inlays in metal jewelry or in plugs made of horn, bone or wood etc, but there are also massive amber plugs.

The material has a smooth surface that is kind to the skin, but tends to be a little fragile and can't handle heat very well, so it shouldn't be autoclaved. During winter, it will stay warm

Animal and other bilogical materials

Biological Organic Materials are quite common in the world of piercings and are what were used by many cultures that pierced traditionally. They are generally considered more exotic than plastic and metal jewelry. Like wood, they are well suited for piercing jewelry as they are easily shaped and with bone, horn, ivory etc. you can get a nice smooth surface. Biological organic materials allow your body to "breathe" and they never get cold during winter. However, like wood, they can get dried out, which can produce cracks.

Badly cleaned materials can transfer remaining bacteria and such to the body of the jewelry-wearer, so therefore it is very important that you buy your jewelry from a serious manufacturer.

Lower quality jewelry might have scratches which can harbor bacteria, or poor finishes which can result in harsh textures. Bone, horn, ivory and such should not be autoclaved as it might dry them out. Neither should it be used in unhealed piercings as their surface is grounds for bacteria and other microbes.

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