Bored by your clothes? Three cheap, DIY solutions

Looking like a million bucks doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. With a few simple alterations, a no-frills garment can instantly look fabulous. While your closet is one source for staples waiting to be updated, department stores like Filene's Basement, TJ Max and Loehmans have quality basics that'd serve as an ideal canvas. Bobbie Thomas, TODAY Style editor and author of the Buzz column for In Touch Weekly, shows you how to transform your bland basics into fashion-forward couture.

Easy embellishments
Large-and-in-charge necklaces have taken center stage, as necklines across the country have become encrusted with every accent imaginable. Instead of hanging jewelry from your neck, consider attaching a chain, strand of beads or gems to your top for a new focal point.

Simply baste-stitch a necklace (or two) directly onto your dress or blouse. In addition, you can cluster brooches or affix an ornate beaded appliqué. Your local trimming store is brimming with decorative adornments. Don’t miss the bridal and upholstery sections, as that’s where you’re likely to get the best baubles. If you’re still in search of inspiration, take a peek inside the famous “Project Runway” supply center at moodfabrics.com.

Rich ruffles
Feminine folds and attractive pleating can add soft flair and make a simple design stand out. Transform the lapel of a jacket with ruffle trim. The texture will glamorously frame your face, while a color contrast is an instant way to add drama. Alternatively, add flattering pleated tiers to the top of a skirt by using the extra material left over after hemming.

Another great way to incorporate this trend is to pleat and sew parts of an old white pillowcase along the front edge of a white button-down blouse. But before you get crafty with just any item in your closet, consider using this tip to save your “too small” favorites. Ruffles are a great solution for adding an inch or two to a strapless dress, or lengthening the arms of a shirt that shrank in the wash.

Lovely lace
A romantic peekaboo layer is very trendy right now, but no matter the season, it’ll instantly add interest to one of your closet’s classics. You should consider covering the entire garment for a full, flirty look, or using a strip around the waistline of a skirt to replace a belt.

Tacking lace to the inside hem of a skirt or dress will create a sliplike effect, making any garment look longer and feel more demure. Use a small piece to hide a plunging V-neck, or add sleeves to a strappy number. For those who want to get really creative, cover a bracelet or clutch and you’ll have an accessory that is very of-the-moment.

There are numerous ways to work lace into your look. For a simple tweak that doesn't require any tailoring or alterations, layer a lace camisole or slip over a shirt or dress!

Captured from www.msnbc.msn.com
writen by

Bobbie Thomas

TODAY Style Editor

New dress for the holiday party? Not this year, say some fashionistas

Last year at this time, Kathy Johnson and her husband traveled to London and Paris, where she spent about $2,000 on a shiny, red Louis Vuitton shoulder bag and a matching charm without much thought.

This year Johnson, who runs a tech advisory firm with her husband in the San Francisco Bay area, is recycling older dresses to save money.

"I'm thinking 'Maybe I'll just sneak in last year's dress and nobody will notice,' and I'll just accessorize it a bit differently," said Johnson, who expects to attend several holiday parties this year.

"I try to make it a little more about what I need on an everyday basis, rather than spending a bunch of money on something I'll just wear once or twice," she said.

Johnson's logic is likely to be played out across the country this season as U.S. consumers cut spending amid the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

Retailers feel the pain
That is terrible news to department stores, boutiques and apparel makers, who tend to get a boost when the fashion-conscious splurge on clothes for office holiday parties and New Year's festivities.

U.S. retail chains just posted the worst October sales results in more than three decades, prompting the International Council of Shopping Centers to pare its already grim forecast for holiday season sales. It now expects November-December sales to rise 1 percent, from a prior view of 1.7 percent.

What is more, a recent survey by executive search firm Battalia Winston Amrop found that one-fifth of U.S. businesses are not having 2008 holiday parties, effectively passing out pink slips to women's "little black dresses."

That could hurt department stores like Nordstrom Inc and Macy's Inc, already struggling with sharp monthly sales declines, as well as women's apparel stores like AnnTaylor Stores Corp, Talbots Inc and Chico's FAS Inc, which owns the White House Black Market chain in addition to its namesake stores.

"I think (consumers) are going to be very loath to buy anything," said Wendy Liebmann, chief executive of consulting firm WSL Strategic Retail, which researches shopping trends.

As for herself, Liebmann guessed that she will feel the need to be festive during this gloomy holiday season.

"But I know there's a very wonderful corner of a very wonderful closet of mine, which has absolutely fabulous stuff in it that I haven't worn for some time. So I know I will be shopping in that corner."

"But if (people) do feel they need an affordable little treat ... there are a lot of places women feel very comfortable buying used, pre-owned or excess inventory products."

According to her most recent poll, about 51 percent of women had bought second-hand clothes, and Liebmann expects that to increase as times get tougher and more people realize that some used clothing stores sell vintage designer dresses.

TJX Cos Inc, an off-price retailer that buys excess merchandise at below wholesale prices, has outperformed in recent months as shoppers look for bargains at its TJ Maxx and Marshalls stores.

"We often talk about the resiliency of our off-price business model, and we are seeing that resiliency benefiting us in this difficult consumer environment," said TJX CEO Carol Meyrowitz in a statement last week.

Life goes on
A spokeswoman for Goodwill Industries International, which operates more than 2,000 second-hand stores across the U.S., said sales have increased nearly 7 percent over the first nine months of the year. More specifically, she said store managers in New York City — the epicenter of the Wall Street meltdown — were noticing new faces in their shoppers' midst lately.

Another discount avenue that is growing in popularity is sample sales, where fashion companies aim to unload excess goods at deep discounts. They have traditionally been held in cities like New York or Los Angeles, but a number of companies have emerged that now do the same thing online.

Top Button is one such company, which said it is getting a boost as fashionistas become more bargain-conscious and the credit crisis forces some fashion brands out of business.

"We haven't seen a decrease in shopping," said Top Button co-founder Michael Feldman. "If anything, it's been a lot more." The company's original site TopButton.com has information about actual sample sales while a newer site, TheTopSecret.com, holds virtual sample sales.

A recent event featured Andrew Marc coats at 65 percent off retail. Feldman said they sold 1,200 pieces in five hours.

"People still have to go to parties. They may change their shopping habits ... but life doesn't stop," Feldman said.

That sentiment is being shared by executives at Ann Taylor, which usually sells many special occasion items like dresses, cashmere sweaters and party tops during November and December.

"Even in these challenging times, we still believe there will be parties, although they may take on a slightly different tone," said spokeswoman Maria Sceppaguercio.

For Laurice Rahme, founder and chief executive of boutique perfume-maker Bond No. 9, there may be fewer party invitations this year, but no drop off in shopping, especially when it comes to her favorite designer, Marc Jacobs.

"It just happened that his collection is terrific this year. I just have to have one (item from it)," Rahme said.

What Do Your Shoes Say About You?

Shoes have come a long way over the centuries, developing from simply being a way to protect your feet into the stylish commodities that we now see in stores. Do you ever stop to think about what your shoes say about you?

We live in such a fashion conscious world that it often seems as though everything that we wear and every action that we take is always under the microscope. The reality is that we are now much more aware of our surroundings than we have ever been before. It is often said that the world is shrinking. This is not, of course, meant to be taken literally. It is more a way of suggesting that the electronic, technological age in which we are living means that the planet seems much smaller.

Trips that would once have taken weeks to complete can now be undertaken in a few hours. Mysterious, distant sights are now regularly visible on our television screens or right here, on the internet. As our world seems to shrink, so we become much more aware of what other people are doing. Not just in our own street, but throughout the world.

We have far more exposure to fashion trends. If a Hollywood star chooses to wear a new dress, then we can all find out about it immediately. Suddenly, it is clear that fashion trends are able to spread more quickly than was once the case.

Improvements in production methods mean that clothing companies are able to respond to demand more quickly too. The world is moving at a fast pace and there always seems to be pressure for us to keep up.

Some would suggest that such pressures are less obvious when it comes to footwear, but listening to people discussing the latest trainers on the market, or shoes worn by a celebrity, make it clear that shoes are as much a part of this phenomenon as anything else. So isn’t it about time that you took a look at what you’re wearing on your feet?

Tips Wearing Leather Sandals

To suit those who like to engage in outdoor activities, like the summer hikers among us for instance, ideal types of more substantial leather sandals are manufactured. You can find gladiator sandals leather crafted and pairs of sandals brown leather based. They feature thicker soles with special cut-out patterns on the bottom to increase traction and grip the ground more securely.

These are crafted for greater sturdiness and increased durability, so you will be able to wear them for quite a while. Such sandals have more straps over the toes for a fit which is superior to that of regular, lightweight sandals. Generally they feature three or four closely placed straps which can be tightened or loosened as necessary.

Almost all sandals will have at least one adjustable leather strap around the heel to secure them; some will have three or even four. Some of the available slip on sandals also have several adjustable, usually leather, straps in the front rather than being just a plain flip flop.

While some open-toed summer footwear features a single large band that can be tightened or loosened, other kinds have two straps that go over the toes. These are for wearing at the beach or in the country. Most frequently they are carried in black or tan, particularly in the man’s version. However, all sorts of feminine styles are available in a range of colors, patterns and designs.

Finding certain styles of leather sandals in the store may be a challenge. Another great option is searching the Internet. Many companies have “slip on” leather sandals available in a vast range of colors. They have three thick leather adjustable straps that make it very easy to obtain a great fit.

When shopping women can find sandals made especially for them. Typically, they are styled with varying amounts of straps, from a single strap to multiple straps, especially over the arch you can often see multiple straps. Some of these straps can be adjusted for a better fit. There is a sandal almost exactly like your regular sandals except there is a leather loop for the big toe and the straps along the top of the sandal cross over one another, plus the strap around the back of the ankle will probably have an adjustable buckle.

You can wear them at the beach or in the workplace. Some have raised heels, while others feature flat soles. However, the “flats” are generally considered inappropriate for wearing to work and should be reserved for the beach or the pool. You will find an assortment of labels and an array of shades such as white, lemon yellow, pale pink, and lime green which will go nicely with your summertime apparel.

Leather sandals are perfect for the men and women that participate in outdoor activities such as hiking, or taking extended walks in the warm weather. Gladiator sandals leather, and sandals brown leather are both optimal due to the fact that they are constructed of a leather material. They have thicker soles that provide a much stronger traction level that the traditional sandal. This particular style of sandal is ideal for casual or business wear. The choice of a flat sole or high heels is your choice. Since the flat soled style provides a more casual look, it may be better suited for the outdoors.

Tips For Model On CatWalk

Wearing and walking in sexy high heels is a totally different walking experience and it is not too difficult. With a bit of practice, you will step out in high heels in no time.

1. After you wear your sexy high heels, stand up slowly and get used to the new positioning of your weight. Have something nearby that you can grab on to because you might feel like tipping over at first. In front of a full length mirror, stand for a while, and then turn slightly to each side. Not only will you be able to check your posture and profile, but the act of merely standing in high heels will help remove some of your apprehension, and let you get accustomed to the added height of the heel.

2. Take a few steps in your high heels. Keep your legs as straight as possible and close together. Start off with slow, short steps, placing your heel down first then rolling onto the flat of your foot, then the ball, and then your toes. Remember also to swing your arms because it will help you keep your balance. With each step, point your feet as straight in front of you as you can. If possible, do this at first on a hard floor (not too slick).

3. Continue walking back and forth across the room, turning different directions, and stopping without wobbling on your high heels. The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be to keep your balance. Part of looking fierce is projecting confidence. So remember to keep your back straight, head up, and round out those shoulders. There is no slouching in fashion.

4. As you become more comfortable with your high heels or platform shoes, practice on various surfaces, like low carpeting and wood floors. Do not do practice on thick or padded carpeting because it can throw off your balance. Start off slowly with each surface and remember to work on stops, turns and even slow dancing. Avoid sand, dirt, mud, grass (your heel with sink into the dirt like a golf peg), snow, sleet, broken gravel, or any surface that is more difficult to walk on.

5. Finally, add that extra pop to your step, with a tip from the fiercest walkers of all: Models! When models walk down the runway they will take their foot and cross it slightly over the imaginary line onto the opposite side. This is what creates that sashay in the hips and neatly completes that fierce walk.

6. Have fun and practice!