For exotic looks, ethnic fashions are wonderful alternatives for the plus size woman. For instance the the ao dai (pronounced “ow zai” in North Vietnam and, “ow yai” in South Vietnam), Vietnam’s national dress, has a styling that looks fabulous on almost anyone. It consists of two elements: a long tunic with a close-fitting bodice, mandarin collar, raglan sleeves, and side slits that create front and back panels from the waist down; and wide-legged pants, often cut on the bias.While in the distant past both men and women wore the ao dai, in the twenty-first century it is almost exclusively a women’s garment. While the ao dai is now seen as symbolizing traditional Vietnamese identity and femininity, it in fact has a relatively brief history marked by foreign influence.

The ao dai provides a outstanding example of how the Vietnamese have responded to both Chinese and French colonization by adopting elements of foreign cultures and modifying them to be uniquely Vietnamese. Prior to the fifteenth century, Vietnamese women typically wore a skirt and halter top. These were some times covered by an open-necked tunic (ao tu than) with four long panels, the front two tied or belted at the waist. Women’s garments were brown or black, accented by brightly colored tops or belts on special occasions.From 1407 to 1428, China’s Ming Dynasty occupied Vietnam and forced women to wear Chinese-style pants. After regaining independence, Vietnam’s Le Dynasty (1428-1788) likewise criticized women’s clothing for violating Confucian standards of decorum. Since the policies were haphazardly enforced, and skirts and halter tops remained the norm.

During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Vietnam was divided into two regions, with the Nguyen family ruling the south. To distinguish their subjects from northerners, Nguyen lords ordered southern men and women to wear Chinese-style trousers and long, front-buttoning tunics. After the Nguyen family gained control over the entire country in 1802, the conservative Confucian Emperor Minh Mang banned women’s skirts on aesthetic and moral grounds.

Over the next century, precursors to the modern ao dai became popular in cities, at the royal court in Hue, and for holidays and festivals in the countryside. The outfit basically consisted of pants and a loose-fitting shirt with a stand-up collar and a diagonal closure that ran along the right side from the neck to the armpit, with some regional variations. These features of the ao dao were copied from Chinese and Manchu garments. The upper classes often layered several ao dai of different colors, with the neck left open to display the layers. Among peasants and laborers, however, the skirt (va) and halter top (yem) remained popular for daily wear.

During the 1930s Hanoi artist Nguyen Cat Tuong, also known as Lemur, presented ao dai styles inspired by French fashion. He designed them with light-colored, close-fitting tunics featured longer panels, puffy sleeves; asymmetrical lace collars, buttoned cuffs, scalloped hems, and darts at the waist and chest. Lemur’s Europeanized flared pants were white with snugly tailored hips. Criticized by conservatives, Lemur’s designs nonetheless marked the materialization of contemporary ao dai blending traditional Vietnamese elements with Western tailoring and bodily aesthetics.French colonialism ended in 1954 with the division of Vietnam into North and South. In North Vietnam, Communist leaders criticized the ao dai as bourgeois, colonial, and impractical for manual labor, although women continued to wear it for special occasions.

When the ao dai fell into disfavor in socialist Vietnam, Vietnamese who had immigrated to the United States, Canada, Australia, or France preserved it as a symbol of their ethnic heritage. Ao dai were seen at fashion shows, Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations, weddings, and musical performances throughout the Vietnamese communities of the world, which numbered approximately 2.6 million in 2006.Meanwhile, in capitalist South Vietnam, modifications of the garment continued. Madame Nhu the sister-in-law of President Ngo Dinh Diem, became notorious in the 1950s and 1960s for the very plunging necklines of her ao dai.

In 1975, the Vietnam War ended with the reunification of North and South under communist rule. Leaders derided the southern ao dai as decadent and promoted simpler, practical clothing styles. But austerity proved short-lived. By the 1990s, economic reforms and improved standards of living led to a revival of the ao dai within Vietnam and to growing international awareness of it as a symbol of Vietnamese identity. In 1989, the Women’s Newspaper in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) hosted the first Miss Ao Dai contest. Six years later, Miss Vietnam’s blue brocade ao dai won the prize for best national costume at Tokyo’s Miss International Pageant. Simple white ao dai have been reinstated in many cities and towns as uniforms for female high school students, while Vietnam Airlines flight attendants wear red ao dai.The ao dai has also inspired non-Asian designers. Following the 1992 films “Indochine” and “The Lover”, both set in the French colonial period, Ralph Lauren, Richard Tyler, Claude Montana, and Giorgio Armani presented ao dai-inspired collections. While “Indo-Chic” fashions can be Orientalist in their celebration of a demure and exotic Vietnamese femininity, they are typically welcomed in Vietnam as evidence that the ao dai has entered the canon of international fashion.

Some current designers employ novel fabrics, abstract motifs, and ethnic minority patterns, while others alter the tunic by opening necklines, removing sleeves, or replacing the long panels with fringe. The once scandalous white pants now seem outmoded, and women instead favor pants the same color as the tunic.

So the ao dia has an interesting history. But with the selections of materials and cuts, the ao dai allows the fashion-conscious plus size woman to be simultaneously trendy and fabulous throughout the year and on special occasions.

Formal wear for young ladies can be elegant or it can be trendy and cutting edge; sleek or frilly, colorful, or dramatically black and white. There are many necessary accessories such as a light wrap to go with the prom dress. All of these things combine to make the young lady feel confident and special.

Typically a prom dress is sleeveless or may even be strapless. A cool evening breeze can make a shawl or other wrap a necessity until the music starts to play and the atmosphere warms up, and the wrap, scarf or jacket should complement the gown. Shoes need to feel good and look spectacular. That clutch or tiny purse can hold a cell phone, lipstick and perfume. Jewelry will complement the dress in color and style. It can be some serious bling or natural and understated. Solid gold or silver jewelry can be lovely. Traditionally the flowers have been the province of the date, and he needs to consider the color and design of the gown as well as the likes and dislikes of his partner.

When choosing gowns and accessories a girl may want to go to a formal wear shop to try on dresses, and accessorize them with wraps, clutches, and jewelry while thinking about her purchases. If she is happy with what she finds, she may purchase right there at that time. A smart approach, however, would be to try the styles, put together a look, then shop another store or two, or perhaps even the internet. There are fabulous looks available and shopping around will help to avoid looking like a copy of everyone else.

An elegant evening look is complete when coordinated head to toe. The prom shoppers can get ideas from a number of magazines that are geared to their age and then can copy or duplicate a favorite look, while displaying their own unique style. Salons and spas are very busy and often booked solid for weeks in advance of the prom season. Girls want the best facial treatments to help with problem skin. Hair is cut, colored, permed, styled up, styled down and braided or put into a chignon. New pieces of jewelry, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, toe rings, finger rings are all tried for shine and fit. The world of formal occasions and formal dress is varied and beautiful.

The spring prom as a first or early opportunity for wearing formal wear is a delightful fashion time. No longer are all prom goers content with dresses that are pastel bouffant designs made from miles of tulle and wearing a string of pearls at the neck Necklines may plunge, backs may be bare, earrings may be cascades of brilliant jewels. The formal prom represents a doorway that joins youth and adulthood with a tradition and memories that will last a lifetime.

Boxer swimsuits offer an extra coverage to your thighs. Furthermore they are available in different styles of wear. Two popular styles which are made available are form-fit and the baggy style. Those who are willing to have an added coverage apart from the style in bikini wear then for such purpose they can go with the option of form fit wear. Some of the popular brands which are available in boxer swimsuit are like Speedo, Joe Snyder and Nike.

The other style which is popular in men’s swimwear is a thong swimsuit. This style allows you to show off much during your beach activities. Guys you are willing to impress the opposite sex then this style is perfect for you. Various styles are available in them which give you the option of having greater dives in pool or beach. It is wise to try out this style. Feel comfortable when you are wearing out this kind of wear.

Men’s bikini swimwear were popular during 1960’s and the popularity went on through the 1980’s. Aquatic sports person use to wear this style in swimming events o other aquatic sport activities. Swimmers have worn this style at Olympic sports too. if you have a great physique a slim fit body then this type of wear is just for you and your body structure. Branded companies like Speedo, Adidas, Nike, N2N, Versace, Gucci, Sauvage and Joe Snyder offers bikini swimsuits for men too. Those men who are wearing this style of wear will receive great applause from their dear ones. Variation in price is possible due to the demand and the fabric with which it has been designed.

Men’s swimwear in Board shorts style is popular among the surfers. This style of wear is similar to that of the boxer swimsuit style. But the difference which has been laid in this style is in its length. When compared with the boxer style board shorts are longer. As it is the length of the wear is longer most people term this style as pants. Young guys in this generation prefer this type of wear during their swimming or surfing activities. Those guys who are willing to cover up their thighs and legs then this style of wear is the perfect for them.

Whether you’re spending time relaxing on a beach, touring a European city or reading outside in your own back yard, you’ll want to be feeling
fashionable. Check out these tips for creating the most beautiful and trendy summer wardrobe.

- This year invest in a classic Parisian striped top. It will go with everything in your wardrobe, from high waisted shorts to 50s style tapered trousers. Pop it on when you want to look elegant and expensive, and add a straw hat for a Venetian twist.

- Hair styles for summer 2010 are inspired by braids. Whether you do a large messy fishtail side braid in the style of Alexander Wang’s New York show or create a vintage braided updo in the style of Rochas girls, keep experimenting with different plaits for different occasions.

- The crew neck is the neckline of the season, and thank goodness, because this means that gorgeous tanned legs can be shown off to their full advantage whilst you remain elegant and classy. Keep your t-shirts long sleeved as well as high necked, and for extra fashion points invest this season in a high-waisted skirt to mix and match with your multicoloured shirts.

- Learn the art of draping and wrapping, if you want to look super chic this summer. Donna Karan’s runway was filled with artistic fabric
movements and styles, which you can replicate at home by being a bit more experimental and maybe even creating your own chiffon wrapped
bodycon dress. Keep the colours neutral for the most subtle effect.

- Blonde hair is the ultimate summery compliment to fresh glowing skin. Take a visit to your hairdresser to get some subtle highlights added that will catch the sun’s rays on a hot day by the beach. And keep drinking lots of water so that your skin looks hydrated and fresh.

- Classic shapes mixed with modern prints make for a very pretty but edgy look. Combine lace and sharp tailoring for a similar effect or bright
contemporary colours with feminine cuts, and look to Erdem’s SS10 show for inspiration.

- Lace is definitely big for this season, as the ‘underwear as outerwear’ trend continues in high streets as well as on the catwalk. Lace edging on a vest top is a simple way to add it to your wardrobe, or look for a pretty 60s style cream lace dress with a silk slip underneath.

- Neutrals are set to be a big trend for the autumn/winter season, so if you want to start building a wearable wardrobe for the whole year, look to colours like camel, cream, beige, ivory, taupe, peach, nude and antique rose.

Do you remember when the only choices for swimwear were a bikini or one piece? Those days are long gone. Nowadays, swimwear features more styles and color selections that people often choose to own not one, but several different styles. If you need any confirmation that there is variety in swimwear, just visit MySwim.net and you can find information and specials for just about every type of swimsuit available in the world. Swimwear has become so fashionable that you may not be aware of all the styles that are available.

One of the more popular types of stylish swimwear available is the tankini. This swimsuit features a top that looks similar to a blouse. The bottom part of the swimsuit is a traditional bikini bottom. This style of swimsuit is available in a wide array of colors and patterns. If you purchase several pair you can easily mix and match to create your own style. If you’re not interested in exposing much skin, you can easily find a tankini that covers more of your skin. In addition to being fashionable, tankinis are also designed for comfort. Since the top part of the bathing suit resembles a blouse, some of these swimsuits are available with cushion or padding.

Are you planning to attend a private gathering or are you feeling daring? Exotic swimwear is probably the option for you. Exotic swimwear includes bathing suits that expose more of your body or that are designed with unique shapes and styles. You don’t have to feel compelled to expose your body the entire time you’re wearing the bathing suit. There are a variety of cover-ups available on the market. You can even find exotic swimwear with a cover-up option.

When you think of exotic swimwear you probably think of women. The website mySwim.net features exotic swimwear for both men and women. The

styles for men feature swimwear made of very sheer material. This type of swimwear is designed for men who are confident and daring. Thong and string bikinis are popular among those who choose exotic swimwear.

In addition to exotic swimwear, mySwim.net offers traditional swimwear for men and women. Men can find swimming trunks in trendy prints and styles.

You can choose between various materials, such as spandex and lycra, that offer comfort and flexibility. The bikini and one piece have been the traditional styles of swimwear for women. Myswim.net offers a completion selection of this swimwear. There are numerous styles that are based on traditional patterns, but feature unique features, such as a one-piece swimsuit with a hollow front.

Think swimwear is only for those with perfect bodies? Wrong. Designers of stylish swimwear realized that they were missing out on market potential and began producing a wide range of swimwear. Clothing for pregnant women is such a huge market now, that there are shops that sell maternity wear exclusively. The good news about maternity swimwear is that it too is stylish. Another expanding stylish swimwear market is plus sizes. Like maternity wear, there are shops just about everywhere that offer clothing for plus sizes. Swimwear in plus sizes are available in colorful and stylish choices.

During the summer season, or holiday break, the number one option is to go to the beach. Aside from relaxing moment here, you can also display you favorite beachwear with pride. Seeing the beachwear that you design is, what the designers want in their product. That is why many excellent designer of women beachwear are making sure that their designs are click with their preference.

When we say excellent designer of Women Beachwear, which is those that provides high quality designs with lesser cost. As we all know, women love dress, but they make sure that they get it in a minimum cost to have other things that they want. This is really a challenge to fashion designers, to come up with designs that are trendy but very cheap in price.

For some women beachwear is just a normal dressing type and for some women it is the latest style mantra. These days beachwear is more than a garment. There are many designer women beachwear available in the market. Becoming an excellent designer of Women Beachwear is really an achievement. As this is their major profession, seeing at the masterpiece that they have is great compliment. Speaking of great beachwear, you can have it all at your favorite shopping stores. Just wait for the other fashion updates and feel free to get on with sale of beachwear. Be wise in buying dress. Make sure you have it in worthy rate.

Beach Wear is comfortable inner for women when she is planning to go to the beach or she wants to swim. It is available in different rates from 200 to 900 and so on. Quality beachwear’s are little bit costlier women will feel total comfort once they wear these soft beachwear’s.These beachwear’s are available in different beautiful colors which give more beauty to the women.

Formals have also stood their own in the ever changing scene of fashion. Whether it was the formal black suit or the skirt, they never fail to add that air of sophistication to a persona. If the communication through your style is right, a good first impression is formed which paves the way for further dialogue. This shows how important formals are. There are certain rules which must get right in order to make an impact. Let us take a peek at how you can get your formal ensemble right.

Beginning with the color of the shirt, never wear a translucent shirt. A thick shirt woven out of a good quality fabric is the right choice. Pay a lot of importance to the quality of the shirt even if you have to spend a few extra bucks. Moving on to the color of the shirt, it is best to stay away from flashy colors like red, purple or green. These are colors meant for walking down the red carpet at the Oscars. Cameras love this color, your boss and co workers may not. White is the safest color to be chosen when dressing for an interview or a meeting.

Make sure the shirt is pure white and no shade lesser or more. If the event is less formal as in case of an official party, you can opt for pastel shades which are muted like off white, cream, light blue etc. stripes work well with almost everyone but checks are not considered formal. If you are not sure you can carry for stripes, go for the plain look. The last most important thing is the size of the shirt. Do not squeeze yourself into the shirt or float in one. A tight shirt will make you feel even more uncomfortable when you wear a tie. Wear the shirt before buying. Trial rooms are built exactly to serve this purpose. Remember to button the shirt fully before leaving your home.

Pastel shades for pants is complete no. go for the standard colors like off white, light brown. No white pants unless you want to relive the physical education moments in school. Light colored pants are the perfect choice. And the size of the pant is equally important here. Make sure that not even an inch of your legs are exposed.

The color of the shoes must be the same as that of your belt. While we are at it, a belt is a must for formal occasions. Black and brown are the standard colors for belts.

Fashion trends change every year so that shoppers will have something new and exciting to wear every year. And with you which fashion is suitble for you, some tips below will help you.

1. Remember that you don’t need to follow every trend. Each season brings in at least five trends that leave just as quickly. If you keep up on every trend, you’ll spend all your money on clothes that will be out-of-date in three months. Instead, choose one or two that you love. Accessory trends are good ones – for example, this spring’s cotton scarves. Tiny investment, iconic payoff, and you can continue to use the accessory if you like it.

2. Be realistic about your body type. Don’t try to follow trends meant for people of a different shape. Skinny jeans look good on twiggy people – they tend to make anyone with defined hips look oddly large. On the other hand, wiggle dresses are made for curvy women, and twiggy girls have a hard time not looking awkward in them.

3. Mix trendy pieces with classic pieces. Sure, try a trendy skirt – and pair it with your favorite plain t-shirt or blouse. Mixing in classic pieces will help ensure that you don’t look like a trend clone, as well as keeping your trend investment to a minimum.

4. Go for the small dose. When you hear that sequins are the new big thing, don’t run out and buy a disco-inspired top. Instead, try a piece that has the trendy embellishment as a small decoration or in an accessory. Maybe a sequined purse or neckline? Remember that runway fashion is art and not meant for the street – you don’t need to be the clubs’ dancing disco ball.

5. Keep investments small. If you aren’t sure about a trend (meaning you don’t know if you’ll like it when the season is over), don’t buy the expensive version. Instead, shop second hand boutiques, thrift stores, and Target for the inexpensive alternative.

Keep these tips in mind as you peruse fashion blogs and magazines, and remember to have fun!

A common characteristic among fashion designers and those employed within the fashion industry is their uniqueness. Those in the fashion industry are unique individuals, and the top fashion design colleges recognize this quality and offer educational and training programs to help develop the skills of their fashion design students. Whether you want to study fashion design from a location close to your home or in a large fashion design metropolis, like New York or San Francisco, top fashion design colleges that will meet your educational needs are located throughout the United States.

Although most fashion designers have a passion for style and design, few are born with an innate ability to design clothes and apparel. Even the world’s leading designers had to learn and develop their skills before realizing success within the fashion industry. They sought training and education from the top fashion design colleges to develop their designing skills and express their visions. Choosing a fashion school, one that fits your particular uniqueness, is very important to experiencing longer-term success in the industry of fashion.

Fashion designers are artistic people who hold within a desire to create new and exciting designs. Combining knowledge and artistic ability, fashion designers turn their ideas into real fashions for merchandising, publications, and the interiors of the homes we inhabit. Many fashion designers are self-employed and provide fashion services for individual clients, while others provide similar services to department and specialty stores. Designers working for apparel manufacturers generally modify fashions created by other designers to meet the needs of mass marketing.

Fashion design is a constantly changing industry, and therefore so are its occupations. The curricula of the top fashion design colleges are structured to provide a well-rounded and contemporary educational experience to the fashion design student. Students are exposed to computer generated fashion design, pattern development and drafting, fashion merchandising, and much more. If you are interested in a career of fashion design, then you should investigate the courses of study from some of the top fashion design colleges in the nation.

Most top fashion design colleges provide programs that combine traditional skills – like sewing, pattern production and use of fabric – with the standards and trends of today’s fashions. In any one of these colleges, the work performed is geared toward assisting students to build their own fashion design portfolio. Some top fashion design colleges even provide study tours of the world’s leading fashion producers located in cities like New York and Paris. Imagine traveling to Paris, as a student, to study the styles and techniques of some of the world’s most respected designers.

Careers in the fashion industry revolve around beauty. In order to be successful in this field you should have the unquenchable thirst for beauty in its all-relevant forms. Changing fashion statements determine the change in the trend of clothing, ornamenting and above all, adopting new ways of carrying oneself.

It is the style that brings elegance with a difference in different designs. Style is an individual aspect. No two people can have exactly the same style statement because every person has a unique style of their own. Therefore, the concepts related to fashion are also different. Some people feel that fashion is the passion of the slaves and that is why they try to dress and carry themselves in a manner similar to that of models walking on the ramp. This thought is challenged by a different thought – those who go against the fashion trends are themselves the slaves of the fashion.

No matter what different concepts abound, fashion is a career industry that is never going to fade. There are immense opportunities in this field, as you can opt for any of the following job prospects pertaining to your areas of interest: modeling, catwalk choreography, fashion photography, designing, merchandising, make- up artists, hair styling, and accessory designing.

Modeling: Modeling is a promising career that requires having a certain confidence and a pleasing appearance that needs to confirm to the basic standards of fashion designers. One needs to have an inclination towards glitz and glamour, as it is part and parcel of this industry.

Catwalk Choreography: Catwalk Choreography aims at training models to present their attire in an appealing and professional way. Designers hire talented choreographers because they know that every movement with the background music counts on the ramp. It can make or break an entire fashion show.

Fashion Photography: Fashion Photography is a very demanding career that requires the utmost dedication, sincerity, sensitivity and at the same time objectivity towards the subjects. It is the job of the fashion photographer to present clear expression to almost all the possible facets of style such as fabric, design, designer, model and the like.

Fashion Designing: Fashion designing is one of the most promising careers in fashion industry. It needs to have the ability to think, comprehend and implement the latest and original ideas in order to be successful in this field. Designers can specialize in apparel, textile, accessory designer and many more.

Fashion Coordinator: A fashion coordinator is responsible for coordinating fabrics and trimmings, quality and design. He/she needs to keep a constant track of production schedules and needs to be aware of the status of buyers’ orders.

There are several career options that need to be explored by aspiring students. You can certainly excel in this field provided you believe in the proverb – “work is worship” and have immense potential to rise and make your mark in the fashion industry.