Frock Files

December 20, 2007

The ABCs of Fashion

Filed under: Uncategorized — Ginger @ 5:52 pm

A: Angora wool download Horrors of War
This fiber comes from the soft coat produced by the Angora rabbit. Producers of the wool either pluck or shear the rabbits, or collect their molten fur. The fur that comes from a plucked rabbit is considered to be of higher quality than the fur that comes from one that is sheared, because plucked fur comes with something called “guard fur” which means that it’s a softer stronger fiber to create wool from. Angora wool is exceptionally soft and warm, and is considered a luxurious fabric to keep you wrapped up in warmth in the wintertime.

B: Boots and Belts Star Trek: The Motion Picture dvd

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These are two of the most essential accessories throughout the year, and finding the perfect pair requires patience and pickiness at the same time – and finding one perfect pair of boots does not mean that you’re done searching. Black boots, brown boots, everyday boots, snow boots, rain boots…the list is endless. When looking for a pair of boots, comfort should be key, followed by whether it goes with the clothes that you already have in your closet. Once you find that perfect pair, maintain it by taking it to the cobbler, not your trashcan, to fix problems.

C: Cashmere
Cashmere is a fiber made from the fur of the Cashmere goat, and is characterized by its luxurious softness. The plush fabric is named after the region of Kashmir, and Europeans were first attracted to it in the early 1800s during the reign of the British Raj. Cashmere is extremely warm, and excellent for insulation during the winter months.

D: Dresses
Also called a frock or a gown, dresses are usually worn by women in Western culture. As such, they symbolize femininity and are worn both in daily life and in important rites of passage, such as to one’s prom and one’s wedding. Fashion designer Vera Wang is famous for her wedding dress line, and designer Diane von Furstenberg is most notable for her hallmark wrap dress.

E: Earrings

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Although fashion is vastly different from culture to culture, it’s interesting to note that ear piercing, particularly with females, happens in nearly every culture around the world. In many of these cultures, girls get their ears pierced soon after birth, although this has become quite controversial. Earrings are usually made to fit in a piercing, although clip on models are also created for people with skin sensitivity, or those who don’t want to have a permanent piercing.

F: Fur download Police Academy dvd
Fur is thought to be one of the first materials ever to be used for clothing by early humans who needed to keep warm. Today, the use of fur in clothing is highly controversial. Animal rights groups such as PETA stage campaigns to get people to stop producing fur products in defense of animal rights. Faux furs have been developed to function in the same way as real fur — to keep people warm and to make a bold fashion statement.

G: Gloves
The purpose of gloves is to protect your hands — whether from weather, abrasion, chemicals, or germs. For this blog, we’ll talk about gloves worn to protect against weather, which often make a fashion statement all their own. Gloves worn in the winter months are a particularly important fashion staple, since they’ll likely be worn over and over again. They should provide protection against the wind and the cold. Leather gloves lined with fleece, cashmere, or thinsulate are excellent in most circumstances, although mittens are likely the best choice in cold weather, since the fingers needn’t be separated, which will keep your heat in.

H: Hats
Whether to keep your head warm, to shield your face from the sun, or to make a fashion statement, hats can compliment pretty much any outfit. Hats are often the distinguishing characteristic of memorable characters in literature and film. For example, Davy Crockett was famous for his raccoon skin hat, and cowboys in Western films are practically symbolized by their large brimmed caps. The English are particularly fond of fanciful hats, worn to weddings or to special events, such as horse races. High end stores in the UK often sell hats for hundreds or even thousands of pounds sterling. Queen Elizabeth II is known for making bold fashion statements with her fashionable hats.

I: Insulation
In the chilly months, wearing clothing that keeps you warm will make all the difference in the world. For typical suburban or city purposes, long underwear isn’t necessary in order to stay warm, but layering is always helpful. For example, wearing two layers of tights instead of one will keep the wind from ripping right through. Lined clothing is always an excellent option as well. Flannel lined jeans are great for the coldest days; cashmere will keep you toasty; thinsulate will keep you warm without too much thickness or heaviness; and shearling coats with faux fur lining will also keep the wind out while keeping your body cozy warm.

J: Jackets

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Although lots of people refer to jackets as “coats,” the two differ when it comes to length. A jacket typically falls to the waist or thigh, and the term refers to both fashion clothing as well as protective clothing. At formal occasions, men wear jackets, such as those for tuxedos, dinner jackets, and smoking jackets. High schools often have varsity jackets for sports teams. Women wear blazers with suits or separately, which are a type of fashionable jacket. Windbreakers are also a type of jacket, which protects the body from windy or rainy weather.

K: Kimono

Originally, “kimono” just referred to all type of clothing in Japan, but it has come to mean a certain type of full-length garment that wraps around the body. The garment is shaped like a T and crosses over the chest, with sleeves falling to the wrists. Although today people in Japan wear Western clothing, people continue to wear the kimono for special occasions, and the practice of choosing fabrics and wearing a kimono are considered an art.

L: Leopard Print

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Whether or not leopard print is in style seems to be a topic of constant contention. While some view leopard print as being trashy and cheap looking, others view it as luxurious. Actual leopard skin is difficult to come by, expensive, and subject to protests by animal rights activists; however, the print is often duplicated on other fabrics, and is often used on clothing and as a fabric for upholstery and rugs.

 M: Menswear
Generally, mesnwear is the type of clothing that men choose to wear, classically defined as suits and other dressy options. However, throughout the history of fashion, women have been attracted to menswear-inspired clothing, taking on the shapes of menswear and adapting it to their own shapes, in an often flattering silhouette.

N: Nanette Lepore Hurlyburly dvdrip
American fashion designer Nanette Lepore was born in Ohio to artist parents who encouraged young Nanette’s fashion ambitions. After completing an undergraduate education, Lepore attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and went to work in various design studios. With a $5,000 loan from her father, Nanette Lepore began her own label in 1992. Today, Lepore runs her label with her husband, who is the president of her company.

O: Oscar de la Renta
Oscar de la Renta is one of the premier designers of the 20th and 21st Centuries. Born in the Dominican Republic, he migrated to his father’s native Spain at the age of 18 to study painting in Madrid. His artistic ambitions soon turned to fashion, however, and he quickly got picked up for an apprenticeship with a very famous couturier named Cristobal Balencigia. In the 60s, he began to design for Elizabeth Arden for two years before beginning his own label, which has become world reknowned.

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