Notascuratoriales.com – The guide to all things of fashion

Fall and winter may have brought out long peacoats and trenches before, but not this year. One of the most sought-after pieces for the upcoming season will be the shrunken jacket, in a variety of styles. The difference between these new, tinier versions of your traditional autumn and winter favorites is their length; cuts are the same as traditional coats, but they hit slightly above the waist and often tie or button under the chest. The beauty of these new pieces is that they provide coverage in colder months without sacrificing sexiness or femininity.

The perfect jacket is one of the most important elements of your wardrobe, and with so many shapes and fabrics available this fall, it would be a crime to choose just one. The ever-present denim jacket is back with a new vengeance. Instead of the washes of last season or bulkiness of years before, this season’s denim jacket is soft, body-conscious and far more feminine than the traditional denim jacket. Corduroy and leather are back again, cropped and ready to be worn over anything from your favorite dress to distressed jeans.

A new take on an old favorite is safe, but take advantage on the amazing new fabrics and styles the end of the year has to offer. Brocade is big this season and some of the most sought-after new jackets are made of the rich, detailed design. Many of these brocaded, boudoir-style jackets are trimmed in rich velvet or lace piping and can be paired with tweed trousers of you favorite jeans. Many of these new jackets are cut at the hip but some are reaching even higher—cropped just below the chest (H & M). Made in rich, new fabrics like tweed and velvet, these jackets have mixed a traditionally matronly fabric with a cut and cling that makes it youthful and sexy. Even faux fur and metallic finishes are adorning the newest trend (Allen B. by Allen Schwartz).

Getting short isn’t the only new addition to a cold weather favorite. Sleeves are getting revamped this season, retro-style. Traditional coat fabrics like houndstooth are being used in a new way. Bell sleeves (think bellbottom sleeves, cut below the elbow) mix cropped length with a traditional fabric and throwback to 70s style (Banana Republic). You’ll also see a mini version of the military jacket this season; a cropped, girlie take on the long, heavy style, adorned with brass buttons and zippers (Bebe).
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Fridays at the office are considered business casual day. What does that exactly mean? Business is business and casual is casual so how do you combined the two styles? Friday is a dress down day so you know that business casual does not mean a suit but it does mean that you have look nice and neat but can be a little bit casual at the same time.

Let’s examine what Business Casual isn’t. Save the following items for your weekend or at-home wardrobe: zip-front hooded sweatshirts, team jackets, jean jackets, T-shirts with slogans, midriff-baring tops, tank tops, well-worn jeans, spandex pants, stirrup pants, overalls, biking shorts, sweat pants, mini skirts, see-through tops, halter tops, flip-flops, sneakers and sandals. Never forget that the first word in business casual is “business” and casual does not mean a day at the beach.

Business casual must always include high-quality pieces, hose or socks, appropriate underwear, footwear in good repair, coordinated accessories, clean, styled hair and makeup for women. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the type of footwear is considered business casual to finish off your outfit.

Slingbacks, women’s shoes with a cutout heel and a strap spanning the back of the ankle, defy simple categorization as they once did. Years ago, slingbacks were appropriate only during the summer months, and they were considered a casual shoe. Certainly, no self-respecting woman south of the Mason-Dixon Line would be caught dead in a slingback before Memorial Day or after Labor Day. Now, with a growing selection of women’s slingbacks, you can find a pair for every season and every occasion-from stay-at-home clothes to wedding attire. What determines the slingback’s suitability is the design of the shoe, the material, the embellishments, and whether it contributes to the overall desired look with the outfit?

You need to look at the entire spectrum of occasions, and offer suggestions for pairing slingbacks with outfits for each occasion. If you feel the shoes complement your outfit and you feel comfortable wearing them, let your personal sense of style guide you. People judge others by first impressions, and watches, handbags and shoes play an important role in first impressions. Cut corners elsewhere, but never with your shoes. Regardless of the style you wear, ensure that your shoe are in A-1 condition, with perfect sol. Casual shoes should be kept in the same tip-top, shined-up and scuff-free shape as their dressier counterparts. Do not wear 4 inch heels with a pair of dress pants and sweater. Those types of shoes look better with a dress suit or pant suit.
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One of the best investments you can make is on quality leather shoes. The only catch is that you must take care of those shoes religiously. A quality pair of shoes will last you a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. Also, the products you use on your leather footwear do not have to cost more than the price of the shoes. There are a number of tips to help you maintain those leather shoes so they will not only last longer, but will maintain a great look.

The first thing to remember is that two pairs of good quality leather shoes will last more than twice as long as one pair. This mathematical impossibility is nonetheless true, because by purchasing two pair of leather shoes, you can wear one pair every other day and allow the shoes to dry on a cedar shoe tree to absorb the moisture from your skin and from the leather while still holding the shoe in the correct shape. In this case, 1 + 1 = 3.

Cleaning your leather shoes is largely a matter of daily care and daily attention to any blemishes. Using all natural shoe care products allows the leather to breathe. Suggested cleaning products include those made specifically for leather, such as saddle soap. If you use saddle soap, and follow the treatment with mink oil, you will almost always have great success in keeping your footwear looking like new. These products can be found in most areas where shoe care items are found. Goop hand cleaner which can be found in most automotive supplies stores is another great product for getting the leather clean, without damaging the product. Goop is waterless and is excellent for removing oil and grease from the surface of the leather. Pine gum will help to restore your shoes when they are the victim of small nicks, scratches and cuts. This product soaks into the leather and serves as an excellent camouflage. If the color of the leather has faded, pine gum will help to restore the color and appearance.
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Ever wondered why you didn’t land your dream job? You rehearsed for your interview, researched the company, and appeared to be a qualified applicant at the interview. Perhaps, it was your career apparel choice that made that man behind the desk turn up his nose.

Even if it is just a restaurant or thrift store in which you are applying for, showing up in casual street clothes is always a no-no. Selecting the appropriate and classy career apparel could make or break your chances of getting the job.

The first thing you should do is analyze the atmosphere of the company that you’re applying to. Is it a laid-back atmosphere? Are there a lot of cleaning duties or stocking tasks involved? Or, is it a high-class establishment where employees are consistently dressed in Sunday best career apparel? Do some investigating by popping in one day to observe what other employees are wearing. Talk to former employees about the expectations of the business’s supervisor.

If you are applying for a position with a big-league business (such as a bank, high-class retail store, investment company, etc.), wear nothing short than high-class polished career apparel. Even if you are in your 20s, dressing as if you are 10 years older will give you a mature and professional air.

For women’s career apparel, you might choose to wear a white button-down blouse, a long black skirt or dress pants, panty hose and black flat shoes. This may be a far cry from your usual clothing, but remember, you are trying to present your best professional image–not your personal tastes.
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