Today?s world is the outcome of Renaissance, a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century. Renaissance, which erupted in Italy in the late middle Ages and later spread to the rest of Europe, had renewed the doctrines of philosophy, art, literature, science, and religion, the impacts of which are felt to this day. Precisely, Renaissance was a movement of practices and ideas to which specific groups and identifiable persons variously responded in different times and places. However, even significant revolution had seen in the fashion of that era. Renaissance costumes, for instance were bright in colour, visually enchanting and expensive. So, usually aristocrats were seen wearing Renaissance costumes regardless of the cost.

Renaissance costumes remind you of the existence of kings, queens and Knights in the medieval age. Costumes comprise of bodice, gowns, shirts, hats, leather boots, suede boots, Celtic coats, deluxe monk?s robe, and jewelries in a variety of styles, shapes, sizes and colours. Of late, Renaissance costumes are found in Renaissance fairs and they are often worn by people to mark the celebration of Halloween (the evening of October 31, celebrate in the United States, Canada, and the British Isles by children going door to door while wearing costumes and begging treats and playing pranks). Put simply, Renaissance era costumes can be worn by anybody, irrespective of age and sex.

Renaissance Costumes: Available Worldwide

By some estimates, there is a boom in the demand of Renaissance costumes due to a number of factors:
? Costumes fit easily
? Available in a number of colours
? Suitable to attend parties and festivals
? Mark of an aristocracy

Retailers and wholesalers, thus make a bee-line in the European market to fetch antique pieces of Renaissance costumes in bulk to their respective regions. Unfortunately, buyers find them quite expensive when purchasing from department stores. As a result, online retailers have come up and sold Renaissance costumes at pocket-friendly prices. Online stores collect various designers? costumes of Italy, French and England for you to choose from, all of which depict the social and cultural life of the late middle Ages.

 

The New Year is here and with it, the “new look” in teen fashion. This Spring and Summer’s fashion trends are big, bold, loud and proud. The styles are a bit of a throwback to the 1980’s, leaving behind everything bad and bringing back only the good. From bold, beautiful plaids in purples and browns, to spangly danglies jewelry, to chunky footwear, teen fashions for Spring 2009 have a lot to say.

Colors – The colors for Spring 2009 teen fashions are vibrant on the one hand, and classic on the other. Turquoise is the latest shade of blue to hit the runways, showing up in everything from prom gowns to tankinis, hats to scarves. Bright fuschia is the year’s hottest pink. Combine turquoise and fuschia and you’ve got an eye-popping, traffic stopping outfit that could come straight off the runway. On the more laid back fashion scene, navy is turquoise’s hot blue cousin. Whether a jacket or a swim cover, if it’s navy blue it’s going to be in demand. Brown is another of the Spring’s main colors. From handbags to formals, brown continues to be the “new” black for fashion. Coming in the middle of the two color extremes is purple. From deep, royal purples fit for princesses the world over, to more subtle shades of violet, purple stands in the gap, offering you choices that could be either vibrant and bright or laid back and classic.

Prints – From bold and big, prints are a big item in this Spring’s fashions. You’ll be seeing paisleys on everything – tops, skirts, dresses, bed linens, purses, even sunglasses with paisley swoops on the ear pieces. And the bigger the paisley the better, it would seem. Stripes are on the move again, as well. And not just any stripe – big, bold, wide stripes in big, bold colors. Brown and turquoise dtripes can be seen racing on t-shirts. Big stripes of bold purples and fuschias are marching their way across skirts, skorts and shorts for Spring and Summer. Not so big, but no less bold, polka dots of every hue can be found on items as varied as dresses fit for Sunday dinner at Grandma’s to socks so cool your feet will never be the same. Oh, and for those of you who prefer your dots big, a few designers have taken the plunge to create dresses and longer skirts you’ll be pleased to call your own. Plaids are making a noise, too. Everything from this Summer’s tube tops to next Winter’s wool coat can be had in plaid. Like their other cousins in the print scene, the bigger the better, with larger checks winning over smaller ones.

Styles – This Spring and Summer’s fashions are like watching Miami Vice reruns or Madonna’s breakthrough videos. It would appear that everything old has come new again. The skinnier the jeans, the better, at least for this year’s fashion. (Pegged jeans are even making a come-back, for those who don’t care for the stick-legged look.) Dresses and skirts are sporting “bubble hems” – wide bands of elastic that hug the thighs allowing for the rest of the skirt to drape above. Ruffles and criss-cross draping on blouses and dress bodices would make any Material Girl feel right at home. (Check your mom’s closet – chances are she’s still got one or two of her ruffled blouses hanging around.) Paired with today’s colors of turquoise and fuschia, the newest in teen fashion may have your mom wondering if you time-traveled back to her days in high school, minus the big hair and shoulder pads, of course.

Jewelry – No outfit is complete without that “perfect touch” and bling is definitely the thing among teen fashion. As with the bolder colors and prints, teen jewelry has gone big, bold and beautiful, too. Cuff bracelets are in, in a big way. Big, plain cuffs are fine, but sparkly, studded cuffs are better. Necklaces have also gone bold, with large pendants and beads. If you don’t like the big look, go for layers – many of the new styles are made of several pieces put together. Designers create the same effect with smaller chains and strands, layered over top each other. Eco-friendliness and eco-awareness have their place in teen fashion, too. This year’s jewelry features bone, wood and fresh water pearl, along with natural stone pieces, such as jade, turquoise and onyx. Earrings and rings are all about charming – charming charms, that is. And they need to make a statement, as in having something to say. The most popular styles of charms are “emo” or expression charms, touting the wearer as “moody” or “peacfeful.” The spangle has to dangle, ya know?

Footwear – Clunky is funky. While you’ll still find an occasional pair of flip-flops in a designer’s line, clunky and chunky heels are stomping their way to forefront of teen fashion this Spring. Boots with 2 inch heels, wedge sandals, even clogs are getting the “thick” treatment. Strappy seems to be snappy for dress shoes. From Mary Jane’s in sparkling silver to gladiator sandals in bronze, straps are showing up everywhere, too.

With its bold, bright colors and its “bigger is better” attitude about everything, teen fashion seems to be all about making a statement this year. Not only will your fashion choices have something to say about who you are and what you’re like, your clothing and accessories will have things to say about themselves, too. We’re big, we’re proud, we’re beautiful – just like our wearers!

 

If you are a lover of things soft silky and lacy there is great news for you. Those frilly frothy petticoats are back in fashion once again with all their frilly lace and crinoline. Once the preserve of rock and rollers or square dancing clubs petticoats are now a great accessory for all you fashion victims out there. So check out the deepest depths of your wardrobe and dig out those netted petticoats or crinoline numbers that are buried in there. If you chucked them out to the charity shop years ago you had better get out there and get yourself another one (or two) or you really will be a fashion victim.

What a wow outfit a frilly petticoat will make when teamed up with patterned tights, old lace up boots and your leather jacket. Goth or what? Or maybe your prefer your petticoat to evoke a more feminine aspect in which case you will go for a more girlie look. Try something in white lace that peeks just below the hem of the skirt and gives the odd flash of some sexy smooth silky stocking tops. But don’t blame me if you have to beat the boys off with a big stick when you go clubbing in that get up.

They also look and feel fabulous worn under those shiny satin party frocks. Again you could wear silky stockings or tights to add to the appeal of such a fetching outfit. Whatever you decide one things for sure, you will cause a stir and turn a few heads into the bargain girls. These kind of outfits will really come into their own when the dancing starts and you let those petticoats twirl up around the waist. Stand by to repel boarders because the male fraternity will be wide eyed and rearing to get to know you better. There is nothing like the site of a lady wearing all that frilly lace and satin to get the male pulse racing.

Whether you oppt for feminine sophistication and elegance or pure sex appeal you can be sure to achieve the desired effect. Petticoats are evocative of a bygone age when women where perhaps considered a little more gentile and this is reflected in these delicate garments. They don’t have to be short either because they can be worn to great effect under a sensuous silky ball gown or prom dress for a full floaty effect that will sway with your every movement. Dressed in that style you will be a real cinderella or the princess of your dreams.

If your big day is coming up soon you may want to consider wearing a full hooped bridal petticoat under your stunning dress. Those yards of pure white shimmering satin will float on a bed of crinoline and polyester swaying around you with every move you make. Wearing such a lavish and feminine garment under your dream dress will make it a real fairy tale wedding to treasure for the rest of your life.

So whatever you decide to do with your petticoats girls remember that fashion is all about having fun and looking good. If you are wondering just where to get started with your petticoat collection don’t stress. The internet is an amazing tool and you will find anything you could ever need online. There are lots of specialist petticoat and lingerie stores that will take your order online and deliver those frilly delights direct to your door. Have fun, live a lot and enjoy wearing those delicious petticoat styles.

 

Summer is the time to take a break. You know. Kick back your heels, raise your feet on a stool and relax. Time to loosen up and go for breezy comfort.

There is no need to forgo your stylish image. These 5 comfortable pieces let you stay in style. At the same time, they offer your great mileage.

1. A comfortable white shirt.
Get a men’s style white shirt and wear it with khakis, jeans or a pencil skirt. That roomy classic goes with virtually everything in your wardrobe. For that sultry siren look, you could secure the shirt under your bust with a knot instead of buttoning it up. Or you could wear it as a super comfortable sleep shirt.
You could get a new white shirt from the stores or you could raid your guy’s wardrobe for a gorgeous white shirt.

2. A pair of jeans.
If you fit into your favourite pair, that would do for summer. Nothing beats your favourite, broken in jeans when it comes to comfort. If your jeans are a tad too tight, go get yourself a new pair that fits. Well fitting clothing look better and make you look slimmer than too tight clothes.

3. Bright, roomy, summer dress
A loose fitting dress in a bright color is a hot look every summer. This is especially evident for Spring/Summer 2008 if you watch the designer fashion shows. One thing about the tent dress or roomy, loose fitting clothes that do not define your waist is that unless you are really thin, you would look fatter in them. Modify the look by adding a sash or belt around your waist to define your figure. That way, you’ll look amazing.

4. Tank Tops
With summer’s scorching heat, who needs sleeves? A sunblock would protect your skin so you can bare your arms in a breezy, sexy, tank top.

5. Skorts
That’s a cross between a miniskirt and shorts which are pretty hot right now. Like both shorts and miniskirts, you would flaunt your legs in them and by highlighting your legs, you make them look longer. Skorts offer you the feminine look of a very short skirt without the risk of wardrobe malfunction should you bend over.

Do you know that string bracelets have recently become the most fashionable jewellery? For several seasons, they have appeared in the collections of renowned designers and have swiftly won the hearts of stars and artists! No wonder – such jewellery has many advantages and is a great way to emphasize your individuality. How to wear string bracelets? Learn a few practical tips for styling with their use!

String bracelets – what are those?

String bracelets are subtle, everyday jewellery. They consist of a decorative cord on which various charms are placed. This type of ornament is a great idea for a stylish decorative element for women of all ages. They will also work well for teenagers and children. Interestingly, men can also wear such ornaments, combining them with a variety of styles. Bracelets of this type can be worn for various occasions, they can also be worn every day. How to wear string bracelets and what is their phenomenon?

String bracelets – why are they worth wearing?

The popularity of string bracelets is not accidental! This type of jewellery is fashionable, comfortable and extremely universal. What’s more, it often allows you to express your ideas and interests. Due to the adjustable size, a string bracelet is also perfect as a gift. String ornaments are usually much cheaper than classic jewellery, so creating your own collection of this type of accessories does not involve a significant expense. How to wear string bracelets and what styles do such accessories fit?

How to wear string bracelets?

Universal string bracelets are a great accessory for both everyday outfit and slightly more elegant suit. They will look good as everyday jewellery for work or school, as well as a pretty ornament combined with a fancy dress, which is perfect for such occasions as family events or weddings. How to wear string bracelets? These types of accessories are available in almost all colors, which allows you to create many interesting compositions. They look equally good in neutral and contrasting shades.

String bracelets – one or several?

How to wear string bracelets so the stylizations matches the current trends? You have full freedom in this matter. String ornaments are worn both individually and in sets. These types of bracelets can be boldly worn in combination with jewellery made of other materials. They also look interesting when combined with a watch or large, interesting rings. Importantly, this ornament is actually universal – it works perfectly for everyone. In recent seasons, compositions consisting of several bracelets, which allow you to create unique combinations of colors and charms, were very popular.

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Do you love designer clothes? If yes, you are among the millions of people that window shop in the 5th Avenue shops of New York or who circle items within fashion magazines every month. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have the thousands of dollars needed to purchase each one of these complete outfits that we are in love with. For an affordable option to buy designer clothing, consider searching for used clothing items in stores or online.

Many people that have designer clothes only wear the item once before selling it or donating it to charity. Many consumers view their clothing as disposable and several sell clothes that have not even been worn. With this in mind, if you know where and how to shop, you can find some great bargains on the designer clothes that you are looking for in re-sale shops and online.

The quickest way to shop for designer bargains is to search online. Popular online auction sites such as ebay have entire sections devoted to used clothing items for sale. The site separates the used clothing by category, such as shirts, pants, coats and jackets, women’s, men’s and children’s. Within each category of used clothing, you will be able to search specifically within the category, by price and from when the bidding is ending. If there is a specific designer or name brand that you are searching for, you can simply type that name in to search the entire website for related items.

If you find items that you are not ready to bid on, you can watch them to see what prices people are bidding at for that item. If the item is within your price range, you can place a bid. Always keep in mind the cost of shipping when you are bidding so that you are taking into consideration the entire financial picture when you are making your purchases. It is also recommended that you search the buyer’s recent feedback to get an overall picture of the quality of their listed items.

There is also an extensive list of online consignment shops that sell designer used clothing. If you are more interested in searching for specific items and purchasing them immediately instead of bidding for them, this is a great option to consider. You can use your search engine to locate “used clothing stores”, “used clothing”, “used designer clothing” or simply type in “used” and the name brand of the item that you are looking for. An extensive list of stores offering that designer and anything similar will come up for you to browse. When you are considering a purchase, be sure to evaluate the site’s shipping policy, their payment options (make sure that they are secure), their recent feedback and their credibility before completing the sale.

Searching online for designer used clothing is a great way to find the clothes that you love at prices that you can afford. There is a great chance that someone in the world is selling the exact item that you are looking for.

 

Romans were the first to wear a garment which has a somewhat resemblance to modern day underwear. They used to call it subligaculum. It might be of interest to note that the Egyptians and the Greeks never wore underwear at all!

Long baggy drawers called ?braies? made their appearance in Europe in the 13th century. Those who were better off wore chausses over the braies to cover their legs. Modifications of braises and chausses went on all the while and by the time Renaissance found its way in Europe, braises had become shorter and more form fitting and chausses began to look more like modern day hoses.

Braises had codpieces which allowed men to urinate without removing them completely. Over time people started using thicker and thicker codpieces for greater protection and to secure their modesty.

Henry VIII of England however gave these codpieces a revolutionary twist. He started using a heavily padded, bizarre shaped codpiece not only to highlight the shape of his private parts but also to use this part of the garment as a pocket to carry odd small bits of essential items! It became a rage in the fashion world during those times and carried on till the end of the 16th century.

In the 1930?s a quite revolution took place!

Easy elastic bands were innovated and companies such as Jockey and Hanes began selling underpants with elastic bands and called them boxer shorts since they resembled the gear worn by professional boxers.

The word underpants also made a triumphant entry into English dictionary.

With the advent Jockey Y-vent briefs in 1934 underpants went through a metamorphosis. For the first time an easy to use diagonal vent was introduced instead of flaps and codpieces. Two years later, ?kangaroo pouch? underwear which had a horizontal vent arrived in the market but could not compete with the diagonal vent types which were preferred because of their ease of use.

World War II witnessed another quantum leap in the underwear world. For the first time the soldiers were issued colored underwears as the white ones were too conspicuous when hung out to dry! Thus began the era of multihued undergarments.

The end of the War saw the discovery of a preshrinking technique called sanforization. Before this people had to buy underwear one size larger to allow for shrinkage during washing!
1947 saw the introduction of another fabric called nylon tricot and the 50s and 60s saw a sea change in how the underwear was perceived. Rainbows rained on under garments and prints and color combinations became bold and wild. Another new fabric called Lycra Cotton saw the light of the day in 1960.

Underwears started become smaller and tighter!

The 1970s and 1980s saw the entry of designer labels such as Calvin Klein, Sauvage, Ron Chereskin, and Tommy Hilfiger and underwears became a fashion and a fun item. Briefs became briefer, bolder and newer fabrics were introduced. About the same time, use of sex as the overriding theme became prevalent in all the advertising campaigns.

This overemphasis on sex saw a queer trend catch on since the mid-90s ? that of not wearing any underwear at all! Underwear was perceived as the final barrier to sex, and not wearing underwear was a turn on for many. This practice of freeballing (freebuffing, in case of females) or going commando is practiced by both the sexes and is a very ?in? thing now a days

 

Anything and anyone that has been part of your wedding day, which is considered to be the happiest day of your life, is truly considered special. And for the bride, nothing is more special than her wedding gown. This piece of clothing will forever remind her of that bond that she shares with the guy that she loves the most. Although wedding gowns are usually worn only once, it’s always best to preserve it in all its beauty and elegance. But what happens if it gets stained or dirtied on your wedding day? You can’t just keep it that way. Before you store it away and keep it in hiding, you better make sure that it’s clean and make sure to remove any stain while it’s still early.

Even if it’s unlikely that you will wear your wedding gown again, you don’t want it to be remembered with tiny stains and spots on it. You will always look forward to the day when you finally pull it out again from hiding and it still has that pure white color just as you wore it on your wedding day. Professional Cleaning in a Breeze Although wedding gowns can still be cleaned using the traditional wet cleaning, getting wedding gown cleaning and preservation in Miami Beach is still different.

Dry cleaning has its own advantages and one of them is that the beauty and purity of the dress will still be preserved in the years to come. Dry cleaning also uses a different method from the usual scrubbing which can actually ruin the dress. It will definitely cause more to get a href=””>Wedding Gown Cleaning and Preservation Miami Beach than just throwing your dress in the laundry but dry cleaning can help clean the dress without ruining any beadwork or handmade designs. Easy Pickup and Delivery Who says that you have to look for your dry cleaners just to drop off your clothes? With Town Custom Cleaners, all you need to do is call us and you instantly get a dry cleaner free pickup and delivery in Miami Beach.

You need to get hold of one of our garment bags in order for us to identify that the bag you left on your front porch is indeed the wedding gown that you want us to clean. We have two deliveries and two pick up days in a week so that you have more time to decide on when you want us to get your dress. $10 off your First Load! Once you decide to avail of the services of Town Custom Cleaners you won’t just get dry cleaner free pick up and delivery Miami Beach, you will also get $10 off your first load. So why not try us and watch as we revive your wedding dress and make it look as if you just bought it today.

 

For many teenagers prom night is an occasion that will be remembered for many years to come. Although there are many fantastic prom gowns available, they can vary greatly in price. Choosing a prom gown is very important to the attendee, of course she wants a top of the line, celebrity, custom made, and designer dress, but most families have to work within a certain price range. Fortunately there are many beautiful prom gowns that are affordable too.

Dress for a summer event

What could be more fun than a party with your best friends from high school at the end of the year when flowers are in bloom and the weather is warm? Take advantage of early summer weather by opting for a Short Chiffon Dress with cool spaghetti straps. Summer dresses are tasteful and very pretty; they are cut from less material than a full length gown, and often cost less.

Better Shop Around

Shopping online can be a gift unto itself. Online stores tend to have a wider variety and many do not need to consider overheads normal shops deal with, and they can pass these savings onto their customers. This is one way to find a dress that is low cost and wont dent the budget. Shopping online can also save a lot of running around during your free time. You are almost assured that you will find what you are looking for because of the variety of styles available and the amount of online stores on the internet. You may even be able to find some online distributors in your own town which will cut down the costs of postage and packaging. Picking your prom gown up personally may even be a possibility, depending upon where you live.

Many people worry about purchasing a gown online, but most dresses can be sent back for alterations. Sizes are very well documented. It really is not much different to buying one ?off the peg? in a local store.

Look for wedding dress sites as well. These sites often have discounts as well as great sales on their dress lines and you will be able to find a dress that is suited to your style, color choice as well as your budget. Stores that do not specialize in prom gowns can carry styles that nobody else has and the price of the dress doesn?t escalate because of what the dress is intended for. These dresses can be quite stunning on prom night; they do not necessarily have to be purchased from a prom gown site.

If you know how to sew, or know someone who does, this is a great way of getting a unique dress modeled after the latest fashion for a fraction of the price. It is as easy as browsing and selecting a prom gown pattern that is in keeping with high end, designer fashion, or design your own in the exact color and fabric you want. You can have a gown which is one of a kind, made to fit you like glove.

You may also consider hiring a dress for the night, or you may consider buying one second hand either through classified ads or online auctions as well as shops which specialize in this. Buying this way can give you the benefit of designer labels at a fraction of their original price and you may even find one that has never been worn.

Consider your budget

Keep in mind that your prom gown is not the only item you need to spend money on, there are other items like shoes, a matching purse and costume jewelry which can help you complete your look. Getting your hair done on the day of the event as well as your make-up are other necessities that should be taken into consideration when budgeting prom night. Keep in mind that your accessories can cost as much, even more, than your prom gown. Set a budget for the prom and try not to exceed that amount, and be sure to take into account all the items that you need to pay for.

If possible, start saving a few months before the event, or even shop around early and buy your prom dress so that you get a foot in the door before prices escalate, this can be a reasonable way to save money. Don?t be worried that your dress will be out of date. Dress styles do not generally change in the space of a few short months, and even if you buy your gown six months in advance from a store which sells them year round, your gown will still be spectacular on the night

Give yourself enough time to find a dress and you should find one that will be as memorable as the evening itself. It is also a good idea to give yourself six months of prior savings so that you will have enough to cover all your expenses comfortably with as little stress as possible. Arriving at the prom in a gown that you love and fell comfortable in will help you enjoy the night to the greatest extent.

 

Ask any woman and you will perhaps get an idea how close to the heart of a woman is lingerie. Lingerie can go a long way in boosting the sex life of a woman. And why only women? Men to have their own reasons for fascination towards exotic looking lingerie. Any man would admit of the difference that the mere sight of their women dressed in seductive looking lingerie makes. Just that sight can be tantamount to a good deal of foreplay. Therefore, it pays well to have some fair idea about the wholesale lingerie. So, what is a wholesale lingerie? Let us know about it.

The wholesale lingerie is nothing different from any regular lingerie. What differentiates the wholesale lingerie from others is the price at which it comes. What the lingerie wholesaler does is tag the lingerie items with prices much lower than the other similar kinds of lingerie. The discount that the lingerie wholesaler offers may vary greatly ? it can be a very small discount or the discount may also, at times, be quite large. A number of factors decide whether the wholesale lingerie will bear a big discount. For instance, material of the lingerie, the store size, or the lingerie wholesaler decide what amount of discount will be offered. The wholesale lingerie may include several items that include garter belts, brassiere, camisoles, gowns, panties, and so on.

Your selection of the wholesale lingerie also often depends on the kind of lingerie boutique you visit. One of the good things about the idea of wholesale lingerie is that you get a set of items that you can wear all at a time. Sometimes, the lingerie wholesaler offer wholesale lingerie that consists of a pack of similar lingerie. There can also be sets where different items are there, but they are all made of similar material.

It is not always about the individual lingerie wholesaler. Often several lingerie manufacturing companies also offer these wholesale lingerie all the year round. In that case, however, your choice for selection comes down as such companies put less number of items under the category of wholesale lingerie. One reason for offering the wholesale on lingerie is definitely promotion of the lingerie store. A discount on lingerie items, quite naturally, become a craze with women customers and that does loads of promotion for a store still at its infancy. Many a times, it is also seen that the lingerie wholesaler offer such discounts as those lingerie items have been with them for quite a long time. Having said that, it does not mean that the wholesale lingerie will be of poorer quality. Only that the stores want to sell off the old stocks.

Several lingerie wholesaler actually run boutiques and they offer wholesale lingerie as a part of their period of major sales. Whatever the reason be behind such sale, you, as a customer, can profit highly by collecting your favorite lingerie at unbelievably low prices. Just be a little careful and check out whether there is a any defect in the product you are zeroing in on.