The History of Men's Underwear

Every morning as men around the globe dress for work, it can be relatively safely assumed that few, if any of them give much thought to the actual origins of their underwear that they put on. The history of mens underwear, is in fact, a fantastic story that is still unfolding to this very day.

It begins with the basic loin cloth. The first documented examples of this basic, yet highly functional garment hail from the tombs of ancient Egypt. However; it can be safely assumed that men actually began to wear a loin cloth around the time that they created the first fabrics.

As time progressed and men began to cover themselves with more clothing, both out of necessity and an evolving sense of style, they tended to leave their loin cloth on. Although it was a much lighter loin cloth, it served the function of protecting this delicate area of the body from the rough wool and animal skins that earlier garments were made from.

The transition of earlier tribal societies from hunting and gathering to organized agricultural economies played a major role in the development of more elaborate types and styles of clothing. As outer garments and leggings began to evolve into what might be recognized today as the beginnings of trousers, the light loin cloth began to evolve also.

The bulky wrap around loin cloth that worked so well for centuries now looked and felt bulky under a stylish grain farmers pants as he strolled down the path, headed for the local village. This is when the first prototypes of what would eventually evolve into todays modern mens underwear were developed.

They were light, short legged pants that were most likely made from cotton of soft wool. They would be worn under the more heavier outer pants and were held on by a tie string that wrapped around the waist. These prototypes of todays modern mens underwear weren't sold in stores, but rather, they were made at home or by the local seamstress if someone had the means to pay for them.

Mens underwear, as they are known today made their first appearance at the dawn of the industrial age. This when whole societies first began to march off to work in the morning and then return back home in the evening. It was the early to mid 1800's and on Fridays the men all stood in line at the factory office to receive their paycheck.

With the advent of the industrial age and the paychecks that it created, also came the mass manufacturing of clothing and the very first sweatshops. It was in these first garment manufacturing shops that things like elastic waistbands were developed and first installed on underwear that was packaged up and sold out of the first clothing stores.

It was in these stores that the first factory workers of the industrial age spent some of their earnings on their underwear. During those earlier times 1850-1900, the preferred choice in underwear was the "long john" that covered from shoulders to ankles.

World War One, it turns out, would be the impetus for change that gave birth to "jockey shorts". It was American solders affinity for a shorter, compact and more comfortable regulation issued style of underwear that brought about a change in the style of underwear that men around the globe now wear.

Your Overall Shape and Illusion

CLOTHING SIZING IS IRRELEVANT

The very first and most important to understand is that size does not mean a thing, it does not matter. No matter what size we think we are - there will be many permutations of shape within that size and many items we buy in our supposed "size" won't fit or will look terrible on us. There's three reasons for this.

One - only certain styles of clothing suit our individual shape.

Two - since clothing sizing was first "standardised" after World War II, women's shapes have changed, so the bust waist and hip measurements which constitute a size bracket (eg: 14) are no longer representative of the majority of women in that range.

Three - There is no real "policing" of manufacturer's adherence to the sizing guidelines. Some sneaky manufacturers will tag a standard size 14 with a smaller size, so you'll feel good about fitting into it. Yet when you try another manufacturer's size 12 outfit it doesn't fit at all, so you get depressed. In the US this has been taken to the extreme, with many of the national designer brands dropping up to 6 sizes - so what used to be classified a size 12 is now a size 6. How confusing is that! This is known in the industry as "Vanity Sizing".

IGNORE SIZES - DRESS FOR YOUR SHAPE

The key to looking stylish is to find the overall styles which suit your shape and create the illusion you want to create. Forget about sizes. It doesn't matter.

You need to choose clothes which flatter your best bits and camouflage your worst bits. With the careful use of fabrics, colors and styles you can also create illusions. You can make yourself look taller or shorter or wider or thinner. Well known US Image Consultant Leah Feldon calls it Camouflage Chic. She says it's all about choosing the right clothes - clothes that camouflage any real or imagined figure flaws rather than highlighting them - doing it with style.

Apart from super skinny women, no-one wants to look heavier than they really are. And apart from super tall women, no-one wants to look shorter. So the objective of Camouflage Chic is to make us look taller, thinner and balanced.

You'll experience a real feeling of empowerment when you know what's right for you and wearing clothes that perfectly suit your body. You feel better about yoursef. If you have one pair of pants which fit and look fantastic, and another which are a little tight around the tummy and give you a paunch, you'll wear longer tops to disguise this and still look okay. But you will know, and won't feel as self assured as you do when you have the other pants on.

How you feel in your clothes is as important as how you look in them. When you feel confident, you look confident.

CLASSIFY YOUR SHAPE AND LOVE IT

Now it's time to get the tape measure out and determine once and for all what shape you are. Here's where to measure.

* Chest, measure across the fullest part of your bust
* Waist, measure at the smallest part of your tummy
* Hips, measure at the widest part of your hips and buttocks.

Now read on and find your shape.

Rectangle shape

If your waist measurement is at least 75% of your chest or hips circumferences (which are virtually the same) you have a rectangular or boyish shape. Madonna, Victoria Beckham and Hilary Swank are all good examples. This shape needs to wear outfits which create curves.

Pear Shape

If your waist is at least 75% of your chest measurement, and your hips are at least 110% of your bust, you're probably pear shaped. You have a shape like Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Diamond Shape

If you tend to have slim hips, but with perhaps a big belly and a flat bum, then you are diamond shaped. When diamonds gain weight, they have a tendency to gain it around the waist.

Inverted Triangle

If your bust is bigger than your hips by at least 110% and your waist is at most 75% of your bust, then you have the broad shouldered shape of Mimi Rogers, Susan Sarandon and Ellen Barkin.

Hourglass shape

If you have a waist which is less than 75% of your bust or or hips measurements (which are virtually the same) you are a true hourglass along with Sophia Loren, Anita Ekberg, Lynda Carter,and Nigella Lawson.

CREATING YOUR BASE

The first major tip is to ensure you have a base wardrobe of pieces which suit you and you feel good in. You'll need some casual pieces for hanging around in like trousers, jackets, jeans and shorts. If you work in an office you'll definitely need some smart suits and dresses. And for those special occasions you'll need one or two classic suits, skirts or dresses you can dress up. Each of these you can wear over and over again.

Choosing these base items in a neutral color which suits your coloring will give you more options for changing the look. So go for black, gray, taupe, cream, burgundy, deep green or navy, or shades which suit your coloring. Monochromatic (single) color schemes also help with creating the illusion of being taller and thinner.

In the long term, chic and style has to do with cut and quality of the pieces you choose, not their trendiness. Trendy items are good to have, but they should be used sparingly, so they complement a wardrobe of your favourite classics without overwhelming them.

COST PER WEAR CONCEPT

Classic clothing is classic because it can be worn for years without looking dated. That makes it great value - if you get pieces that are built to last. To do so, you'll have to spend a little extra to buy the highest quality you can afford. While this can be justified in the abstract, it's harder to stomach when looking at a price tag. So remember that with well made classics, unlike trendy items, the cost per wear is much lower - the more you wear something, the less expensive it becomes. So if a pair of classically tailored black pants cost the same as a pink ruffled blouse, the pants are better value; you'll get so much more use out of them and for a longer time.

Where to Find Dickies Scrubs

When looking for Dickies scrubs you will find them at various locations online and offline for your convenience. Dickies scrubs come in various colors, styles and designs to suit the needs of all medical professionals. The internet is where you will find the largest selection of Dickies scrubs. These scrubs are special just for hospital attire and very popular among all hospital professionals such as doctors and nurses.

When going online to shop for scrubs your will notice that Dickies scrubs have become the most sought after type of medical clothing. Scrubs can be found for both male and females. They come in very trendy fashionable colors and designs and there are many styles available for this type of clothing. Men prefer the drawstring pants and v-neck shirts. You can get other types of scrubs such as caps and lab coats. Scrubs are available to fit all sizes.

Dickies scrubs have become the most favorite type of clothing for nurses all over the world. Because of most hospitals not supplying uniforms medical professionals have to buy their own work clothes. Finding a good deal on scrubs can be done by going online to the many websites available that sell medical clothing. There are many of these stores online that can give you a wide selection of Dickies scrubs to choose from at a reasonable cost. You can also find discount dickies scrubs at places such as flea markets, specialty shops and thrift stores. Most people are out to save money on items that they can't do without and wear everyday. Shopping online can help you to get what you need for a whole lot less.

Scrubs are known to be a necessity for medical professionals. They are the most common type of clothing worn by these professionals because of the comfort and ease of wear that they offer. Dickies scrubs are known to be made out of quality materials and are long lasting. They offer a style of their own and great detailing is provided with these kinds of scrubs. Dickies scrubs can be found on select websites on the internet. Finding scrubs at a great price is what all medical professionals want to do. These scrubs offer quality, style and come in a great collection of colors, designs and patterns.

All About T-Shirts

T-shirts were originally worn as undershirts. This still occurs, but t shirts are now also frequently worn as the only piece of clothing on the upper half of the body (other than possibly a bra or an undershirt vest).

A t-shirt (or tee shirt) is a shirt, usually buttonless, collarless, and pocketless, with a round neck and mostly (but not necessarily) short sleeves, that is put on over the head and covers most of a person's torso. The sleeves of the t-shirt extend at least slightly over the shoulder but not completely over the elbow (in short-sleeve version).

A shirt that is either longer or shorter than this ceases to be a t shirt. T-shirts are typically made of cotton or polyester fibres (or a mix of the two), knitted together in a jersey stitch that gives a t shirt its distinctive soft texture. T-shirts are often decorated with text and/or pictures, sometimes used to market. T-shirt fashions include styles for men and ladies, and for all ages, including baby, youth and adult sizes.

T-shirts have also become a medium for self-expression and advertising, with any imaginable combination of words, art and even photographs on display.

In the early 50's several companies based in Miami, Florida, began to decorate t shirts with different resort names and characters. The first company was Tropix Togs, under founder Sam Kantor, in Miami.

They were the original licensee for Disney characters including Mickey Mouse and Davy Crockett. Later more companies expanded into the tee shirt printing business including the Sherry Manufacturing Company who were also based in Miami. Sherry started in 1948 by its owner and founder Quinton Sandler as a screen print scarf business but evolved into one of the largest screen printed resort and licensed apparel companies in America.

T-shirts typically extends to the waist, although one fashion is for "oversized" t shirts that may extend down to the knees, namely in today's hip hop fashion. A more recent trend in women's clothing involves tight-fitting "cropped" t shirts that are short enough to reveal the stomach. Another popular trend is wearing a "long-sleeved t-shirts", then putting on a short sleeved tee shirt of a different colour over the top of the long sleeved shirt. Known as "layering".

According to archaeologists and anthropologists, the earliest clothes were most likely consisting of fur, leather, leaves or grass, and were draped and wrapped or tied about the body for protection from the weather. Knowledge of such clothes remains uncertain, since clothes materials deteriorate quickly compared to stone, bone, shell and metal artifacts. Archeologists did identify very early sewing needles made of bone and ivory from around 30,000 BC, which were found near Kostenki, in the Soviet Union, in 1988.

Ralf Kittler, Manfred Kayser and Mark Stoneking, anthropologists at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, have conducted a genetic analysis of human body lice which indicated that they originated approximately 107,000 years ago. Since most humans have very sparse body hair, body lice require clothes to survive, so this suggests a surprisingly recent date for the invention of clothes including t shirts.

Their invention may have coincided with the spread of modern Homo sapiens from the warm climate of Africa, thought to have started between 50,000 and 100,000 years ago. However, a second group of researchers used very similar genetic methods to estimate that body lice originated around 540,000 years ago. For now, the date of the origin of clothes and t shirts remains a mystery.

Why Medical Professionals Wear Cheap Scrubs

Medical professionals often wear cheap scrubs as their main work wear. Finding work apparel at a reasonable price is quite attractive to anyone in this line of work. Scrubs are popular with all people in this type of profession because they provide hours of care free loose fitting comfortable work clothing for the people who put in long hours at work. When you go to look for uniforms you will be pleased if you can find a good deal on scrubs. Scrubs are without a doubt the most comfortable way to dress if you are a working in a hospital or another medical facility. They can make working a full day seem less tiring with being made to fit loosely and buy providing you with the comfort that you need during the day.

When searching for a place to purchase cheap scrubs you will find out that you have different options on where to look. Medical professionals often order their work wear and uniforms out of magazines and online to save them time with their busy work schedule. Both of these ways are good sources for finding the type of scrubs that you need. Medical professionals wear cheap scrubs for the style that they have. Scrubs now days are more trendy and add some personality with all the colors, designs, and patterns on them. They still give out the professional look that you are after with some fun and personality. Cheap scrubs can come in many styles and different looks to meet your standards in medical work wear.

When choosing cheap scrubs pick different colors and designs out to give you a change of appearance from day to day. It is never fun wearing the same uniform each day and can be dull and less exciting then when you can choose your own style of work clothing. You need something to wear that can show off your personality and make you have your own identity in work wear. You can find cheap scrubs in other places such as thrift shops and flea markets. Many people order their work clothing in bulk to save money and it can keep them from having to shop as much with their busy schedule. Cheap scrubs are a big necessity for people in the medical profession. They can give anyone the comfort and style they are looking for in work wear.

How to Dress If You're a Man (and Not an Idiot Or a Goofball)

Visit the closet of any American man, and you're likely to be engulfed by an amazing number of T-shirts and an equally astonishing hoard of blue jeans. This is especially true of young men, but an increasing number of men of all ages have - quite frankly - forgotten how to dress like men.

There are undoubtedly times that a T-shirt and a pair of jeans is the right thing to wear - a sporting event, walking the dog, or building a superhighway. This is also the right thing to wear for most rock-and-roll concerts, panhandling, and pumping gas.

But let's face it, folks - there are many more events in life than these, and part of being a real, live, grown-up man in this country is knowing what to wear to a number of different places.

A jacket and tie used to be so de rigueur at restaurants that dining rooms of all complexions kept a few in the coat check room to ensure that if some rube who didn't know better wandered in dressed improperly, he could be kitted up enough to decently eat his steak with the other diners. While this dress code does not exist in most restaurants today, it only makes sense that if you are headed for a place nice enough to have a menu that is not illustrated with photographs and "fun facts," you should dress appropriately.

Every man should have at least one good suit, even if your job and social calendar never require you to wear one. If an opportunity opens up in your office for you to speak at a conference, attend an important meeting, or have dinner with the boss and his wife, you are going to need a suit. Furthermore, if you live a normal life, you'll need a suit for weddings, funerals, christenings, and other such events.

If you don't need a number of suits and you don't plan on buying one every year, buy the best suit you can possibly afford in a gray or blue wool and two fine cotton shirts. It goes without saying that the suits and the shirts should fit you impeccably. It also goes without saying that the shirts must, absolutely must, have long sleeves. Along with your suit, you should buy a good black belt and a pair of black shoes. Remember when buying shoes that costs count - cheap shoes always, always, always look cheap. Also remember when buying shoes that lace-ups are generally going to be dressier than loafers and are less likely to go out of style than most styles of slip-ons.

Certainly ties are a very quick and easy way to give a plain blue or gray suit a number of new looks. Blue suits can look great with ties that are predominantly red, green, yellow, orange, burgundy, or a contrasting but complementary shade of blue. Gray suits pair well with ties that are predominantly red, blue, silver, black, and even some shades of olive. A white shirt is the perfect plain canvas to make a tie in just about any color pop. However, you can coordinate a pale blue shirt with a red, yellow, or navy tie, or pair a pink shirt with a burgundy or navy tie.

If you choose to don a striped or checked shirt, match the tie to the most prevalent color. Most men's patterned dress shirts pair a color with a neutral - for instance, a pink-and-white stripe or a blue check. Ignore the white and match the tie to the color. Also - a plaid shirt is never meant to be paired with a tie. Think about how often Pa Ingalls or Grizzly Adams wore a tie...almost never. Why, you ask? Because plaid shirts don't go with ties!

Designer Sunglasses - Learn About the Different Brands

There are now many different brands of designer sunglasses which have either evolved in their own right, such as Ray Ban or Oakley, or have been created as an accessory to the fashion house brands, such as Gucci and Versace etc. This article examines the backgrounds to these different designer brands, tracing back to their roots and finding out how they were first created and grew into the well-known high street fashion brands that we all desire to wear. Learn about Oakley, Rayban, Dolce and Gabbana, Diesel, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Prada, Tommy Hilfiger, and Versace.

1. Oakley Sunglasses

Oakley is mostly known for their quality sunglasses and ski goggles, and was founded by Jim Jannard in California,USA in 1975, where he developed motorbike hand grips, and then sold them at motocross events. He called them "The Oakley Grip", and were very different to any other grips riders had been using. In the 1980's he moved on to goggles and sunglasses, and is now a world leader in innovative design, creating new and exciting products.

UV and impact protection

Plutonite is used for all Oakley lenses. It is made of polycarbonate, making the lenses lightweight, offering superior comfort, clarity and protection against ultraviolet radiation and impact resistance. In fact, this impact resistant material blocks out 100% of all UVA, UVB and UVC radiation. The protection is formulated into the lens material, as opposed to a thin surface film that can become scratched, leaving dilated pupils exposed to ultraviolet leaks. Shielding has nothing to do with the darkness or colour of the lens, so even clear non-tinted Oakley lenses will still provide full UV protection.

The wrapped around, raked-back design of Oakley eyewear provides further protection by blocking UV from the periphery. The lens materials and frame geometries of Oakley sunglasses provide unsurpassed protection against high-velocity and high-mass impact.

Iridium lens coatings

This is a uniform filtering layer that optimizes contrast and minimizes glare, created by super-heated metallic oxides being fused to the lens at a molecular level, permanently bonding to the lens. Tuned to transmit from 9 to 92% of available light, the coatings are specifically formulated for optimal balance between reflection, transmission and absorption.

Polarization

Every single pair of Oakley polarized sunglasses achieves 99.9% efficiency in blocking polarized light waves. Harsh glare is caused by light waves bouncing off flat surfaces and water, and can be up to 10 times as bright as ambient light. With Oakley polarized lenses you'll definitely keep the sun from impeding your vision.

Oakley's polarization technology surpasses industry standards for clarity, performance and durability. Common techniques of incorporating polarization films into lenses by lamination (using adhesive to sandwich the film between lens layers) and drop forming (sandwiching then heating and pressing over contoured forms) can cause haziness and optical distortion. Oakley uses an injection-moulding process to infuse the lens material around the filter. This liquid fusion creates bonding at a molecular level, allowing the filter to achieve the highest possible level of performance.

Hydrophobic (repels water)

The hydrophobic lenses repel water, oil perspiration and dust. Liquids simply bead off the lens surface without streaking, and any liquids that do not slide off the lens by gravity can be more easily wiped away than with other makes of sunglasses, making cleaning your lenses a breeze.

Oleophobic (repels oils)

The oleophobic characteristics end the frustration experienced with oils, fingerprints and other smudges on conventional eyewear. These marks on your Oakley sunglasses will easily wipe away without residue, eliminating leftover haze and reducing the effort required to clean the lenses.

Anti-static

The anti-static properties mean that dust, dirt and other particles are not drawn to the lens via static electricity. Dirt and dust degrade optical clarity, prompt more frequent cleaning and increase the likelihood of scratching.

3-Point fit

Oakley sunglasses are engineered to maintain a comfortable, secure fit. The company's patented "Three-Point Fit" ensures that each frame makes contact only at the bridge of the nose and behind the temples. This retains optics in perfect alignment and eliminates the discomfort of ordinary frames that hook the ears and mount with unbalanced pressure points. Some earstems are sheathed in "unobtainium", an Oakley innovation that actually increases grip with perspiration.

Unobtainium

This is the name of Oakley's hydrophilic (water-attracting) synthetic rubber that increases grip when wet, usually applied to the contact points of the sunglasses (nose and sides of the head). A very similar material was used in Oakley's first product, the "Oakley grips", used on motorcycle hand grips (mentioned earlier).

Frame composition

Engineering breakthroughs in structural materials allow Oakley to produce lightweight, high performance eyewear frames that maintain superior comfort and protection. The polymers used in "O Matter" frames (a nylon composite) are formulated for high durability, as well as controlled flexibility for improved safety during impact. To produce the ultra-strong, ultra-lightweight chassis of Oakley wire frames, five metallic compounds (including titanium) are fused into a single C-5 alloy. Both frame materials maintain resistance to ultraviolet radiation, humidity, thermal shock and chemical exposure.

X Metal

Oakley "X Metal" is a titanium alloy, and is the only 3-D sculpted, hypoallergenic, all-metal frame on earth. Its phenomenal strength-to-weight ratio maximizes comfort and durability. To maintain precise optical geometries, production pieces are analysed under real-time X-ray scanning and undergo five-axis machining in computerized systems that maintain 0.0005" tolerance.

2. Ray-Ban Sunglasses

Ray-Ban was founded in 1937 as a manufacturer of quality sunglasses. Ray-Ban introduced the two most imitated sunglasses in the world, the "Aviator" (issued free to the United States air force pilots) and the "Wayfarer".

It all started in 1920 when lieutenant John MacCready returned from a balloon flight, complaining that the bright sun had permanently damaged his eyes. He asked Bausch & Lomb to develop a pair of sunglasses that would not only provide the necessary protection, but also look good. A few years later, in 1937, Bausch & Lomb produced the "Anti-Glare", consisting of a lightweight gold-plated metal frame and green-tinted mineral glass lenses, which filtered out the ultraviolet rays. Pilots in the United States air force were issued these "Aviator" sunglasses free of charge. The aviator style soon became famous when, during World War 2, General Douglas MacArthur landed on the beaches in the Philippines. Photographers recorded the moment, and their pictures showed him wearing these aviator sunglasses - which then soon became popular all over America.

Ray-Bans have been used in various Hollywood films, starting with "Breakfast at Tiffany's" in 1961, starring Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly. The "Blues Brothers", starring Dan Akroyd and John Belushi showed them famously wearing their "Wayfarer" style Ray-Bans. We mustn't forget, of course, Tom Cruise in the 1983 film "Risky Business". In 2006, the Honda Formula One Racing team members all wore the Ray-Ban 4075 model during the racing season.

Ray-Ban is now owned by the Luxottica group, and their headquarters are in Italy. Ray-Ban sunglasses continue to be very popular with a large range of exciting styles.

3. Dolce and Gabbana Sunglasses

Dolce and Gabanna is a high-end fashion house, founded by Italian designers Domenico Dolce from Palermo, Sicily, and Stefano Gabanna from Milan, Italy. Dolce and Gabanna are very popular among the Hollywood stars, designing clothes for Kylie Minogue, Madonna and many others. Although the two men separated in 2005, the business remains unchanged and both Dolce and Gabanna continue to design together. They endeavour to create the best designs, rather than being concerned with starting trends, and just glancing through their collection you can see for yourself that the designs are absolutely stunning.

4. Diesel Sunglasses

The Diesel brand has been around since 1978, manufacturing jeans and casual clothing, along with accessories,including Diesel sunglasses. Diesel products can be purchased from around 10,000 shops and boutiques all over the world.

The Diesel company was founded by Renzo Rosso in 1978. He and his design team always wanted to lead their own path in fashion, being slightly different from the norm, and so Diesel has become a fashion leader, rather than a fashion follower. Their manufacturing methods and quality control guarantees an outstanding quality product, with an individual style that is refreshingly different from the usual trends. So, if you want to have that certain look of individuality and style, then Diesel sunglasses are well worth considering.

5. Gucci Sunglasses

Gucci is perhaps one of the worlds most prestigious and famous fashion brands. It was founded by Guccio Gucci in Florence, Italy in 1921. Gucci is the biggest selling Italian brand in the world and has about 425 stores around the world. They also hold the world record for the most expensive pair of jeans ever made - an amazing US $3,134, in Milan in 1998!

In 1938 Gucci expanded, and opened a boutique in Rome. Guccio Gucci himself designed many of the company's most notable products, such as the bamboo-handled handbag in 1947, which is still manufactured today. Four of his sons helped in running the company and leading it forwards, and after their father's death in 1953, Aldo Gucci was instrumental in opening the company's first boutiques in London, Paris and New York.

Like many companies, the Gucci company has had its ups and downs over the years through family quarrels and poor business decisions, but despite this, Gucci remains one of the premier luxury goods brands in the world. Have a look at a few Gucci sunglasses and you will soon see that the designs embody that sense of luxury and extravagance. So, if you want to get noticed, there's nothing quite like a pair of "Gucci's" to give you that sense of feeling special and sophisticated. You'll always be glad you invested in a pair of Gucci sunglasses!

6. Hugo Boss Sunglasses

Hugo Boss is a well known fashion brand extending worldwide, with a chain of shops in over 100 countries and an annual turnover of half a billion dollars.

Hugo Boss founded his clothing company in Germany, in 1923 near Stuttgart, where he is still based today. Despite bankruptcy in 1930, due to the difficult economic climate in Germany at that time, he set up a new business in 1931, and supplied the uniforms of the SS guards. Hugo Boss died in 1948, but his business carried on, and began making suits. In the late 50's, 60's and 70's fashion began to really take off, and Hugo Boss suits soon became known for their fashionable quality.

Like many other fashion names, the company has diversified into fragrances and also, of course, the stunning Hugo Boss sunglasses. When others around you notice you're wearing Hugo Boss sunglasses, they won't fail to be impressed.

7. Prada Sunglasses

Prada was created in 1913 by Mario Prada in Milan, Italy. He designed handbags, shoes, suitcases etc, and the brand now signifies luxury and style. Miuccia Prada, Mario's granddaughter, took over the company in 1978, and moved the Prada label forwards, designing a new look handbag - simple and sleek - and now Prada stands for elegant clean lines with luxurious fabrics and materials.

Accessories, such as Prada sunglasses, are also extremely high quality, again showing those elegant clean lines with attention to detail that give Prada sunglasses their subtle style and classy image. The Prada brand is renowned worldwide, and the distinct Prada triangular logo is instantly recognizable. As soon as you put on a pair of Prada sunglasses you soon realize you own something special.

8. Tommy Hilfiger Sunglasses

Tommy Hilfiger comes from a large family in New York state, America. While still at school, he started his career making jeans, in 1969. With no formal training, he started designing clothes that were different from the usual styles. He moved to New York city in 1979 to further his fashion career, and brought out his first collection in 1985. He has since won numerous awards, not only for designing clothes and accessories, but also for his work in helping young American teenagers, encouraging them to improve in their education, and promoting their physical well-being (through playing sports, etc).

Tommy Hilfiger sunglasses have a special style all of their own, with a distinguished trendy look that is refreshingly different - sure to get you noticed as someone with taste and an eye for style. In a word - stunning!

9. Versace Sunglasses

Gianni Versace was born in Reggio di Calabria, Italy. His mother was a dressmaker, so Gianni began to learn about clothing at an early age, helping his mother find precious stones and gold braid which could be embroidered onto the dresses. He studied architecture, and then moved to Milan when he was 25 to work in fashion design. He the 1970's he started to become noticed through his fashionable knitwear, and he was asked to design some leather and suede collections. A few years later, he presented his first signature collection for ladies wear in Milan, closely followed by a menswear collection. Over the next years, his reputation soon grew to become one of the great icons of the fashion industry.

Unfortunately in 1997, as he was coming home from his usual morning walk along Ocean Drive where he lived in Miami, Florida, Gianni Versace was shot and killed outside his ocean-front house. He was murdered by a man called Andrew Cunanan, who committed suicide shortly afterwards using the same handgun that had been used on Versace. Gianni Versace was buried in Lake Como, Italy.

Versace remains one of the most talented and colourful designers of the 20th century, and the Versace brand is one of the worlds leading international fashion houses. The collection of Versace sunglasses shows his flare for design with elegant, sophisticated styles, carried on by Gianni's sister, Donatella Versace, the new head of design of the Versace fashion house.

How to Source Vintage Clothing

For many of you, vintage may be a way of life. For others, you may be wondering where to find good vintage pieces.

For those who have always worn vintage or studied vintage and know the ins and outs of vintage, you are set. For those who are curious about vintage, this article may be perfect for you. Have you ever wanted to wear or sell vintage, but just don't know where to get the good items? If you are lucky enough to live in a larger metropolitan city, you should have no trouble sourcing vintage clothing and/or accessories.

First: I recommend going to Craigslist and finding your city or the city nearest to you. In the search bar, enter, "estate sale". See what results pop up. Also do a search for, "vintage clothing", "vintage clothes" and "vintage dress(es)". Write all of the information down.

Second: If you city/town has a thrifty paper (all major cities do), either get the hard copy of the paper or search them online. If you search them online, you can just type in "estate sale" and see what comes up.

Third: I would check your local newspaper. Look in the classifieds section. If you look online, repeat step two as stated above.

Fourth: Go to Google and perform a search for, "Estate sale companies in _"city name"__. Find as many companies as you can and contact those companies. Most estate sale companies have email lists and they are more than happy to add your name to the list. The more customers they have, the more money they make. Email lists are great because they come directly to your in box (you don't have to hunt them down) and they typically include a description of items that will be sold at the sale. Address, times and dates are also given. Also, if you have questions about the sale, you can hit reply and ask the seller your question.

Once you have all of your sales written down, go to your sales. See what you can find. The first day is when you will find the best items and the last day is when you will get the best deals. If you do find a sale on the first day and you like the items they are selling, you must go back on the last day because they will most likely have some things left and you will really get a great deal on those items.

If you don't live in a larger city, you can try thrift stores. Thrift stores can be a little more difficult because you have to dig and sift through items. You may find some great things, but it might take a little extra work and effort.

Garage sales are also a great place to source vintage items. Again, this may take a little extra effort and work, but the prices are usually very reasonable.

Cheap Prom Dresses

Prom dresses need not be expensive to look classy. And, being on a tight budget doesn't mean you should sacrifice quality for the price. Nowadays, ready-to-wear dresses in malls and second-hand stores aren't your only options. Here are some ideas that might help you score a head-turning dress sans the hefty price tag.

1. Shop online. Items sold on the internet are usually cheaper than those in regular boutiques, mainly because of lower overhead expenses in rent, advertising, wage, etc. Just make sure that you know your measurements to find a perfect dress for your body type. Try shopping in eBay, Banana Republic, Dresses, Faviana, and other labels that will suit your budget.

2. Make your own dress. This requires creativity and dress-making skills, but it will definitely show your own style and personality. Try flipping through magazines and surfing online for designs. If you haven't any dress-making skills, why not ask your sister, a friend, or a cousin to help you out? It can also be a way of bonding.

3. Rent a dress. There are many stores that rent clothing, including Prom Dresses. However, ask for their latest ventures. Otherwise you might be wearing the same dress another girl have worn last year!

4. Borrow from a cousin or a friend. A cousin or a friend who went to another high school, that is. Ask them if you could rework the dress, and if they agree, try putting embellishments, lace, ribbons, or anything that would look good on you.

5. Wear vintage. Check the attic and dig up your mom's or grandmother's old wardrobe. There is a big chance that you will find a classic dress that you can rework on to give it a bit of your style. Who knows, you might find a vintage Chanel dress there? You might even find accessories and shoes that will go with your dress.

6. Reconstruct an old cocktail dress or gown. Again, ask the help of a skilled friend if you do not have the necessary skills to do this. Scan magazines or check out the latest Academy Awards for fresh ideas.

7. Buy in advance. You know how airfare hikes during Christmas? Dresses are like that too. When Prom season comes around, dresses are more costly because more girls want new dresses. So when you buy earlier, you might find the perfect dress at a low, low price.

8. Ask for a Prom Dresses on your birthday. Or on Christmas. Ask your parents, your sister, an aunt...the list is endless. This way, you won't even have to spend a cent when the big event comes. Show them the design you want and give them your measurements. If they ask you to come with them while shopping, the better.

Remember, it's not the price or the designer dress that matters, but how you carry yourself. The best accessory is always a smile and the confidence that comes with it. After all, smiles need not carry a price tag.

Your final stop to find a cheap and high quality Cheap Prom Dresses

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephanie_M_Lee

Tips For Finding the Perfect Vintage Handbag

Vintage handbags have made a comeback in a big way. In fact, it's quite common to see celebrities carrying them at both special functions and for casual wear alike. Even if you're not interested in imitating the stars, this funky fashion accessory will most certainly round out your collection of purses.

There is a huge assortment of these handbags to choose from. And frequently you can purchase one for a remarkably low price.

There are a number of things to look out for when purchasing this classic accessory. First, you should only deal with a reputable merchant that is known to sell authentic pieces and, at the same time, is fair and honest in its dealings.

You must also ensure that the item that you are thinking about purchasing is sturdy and is able to handle everyday use.

In addition, you must also determine if the bag is in good condition. If you notice stains or indications of deterioration on a prospective buy, you should pass it up. However, if the wear and tear is negligible, it might be possible to repair and restore it. Still, it is rarely a good move to purchase anything that needs a lot of effort to make it serviceable.

Another important consideration when it comes to purchasing a vintage handbag is to make sure that you are paying a suitable price for the bag. It should be priced according to its uniqueness, condition, rarity, and design. Make sure that you check out the level of workmanship that has gone into crafting the product.

Before you head to the checkout with your find, be sure that it actually qualifies as being vintage, and is not simply a used and discarded bag.

Another place to find good buys and great selection is on the internet. A Google search for vintage handbags comes up with over 350,000 entries, so you're sure to find something that will appeal to you. Of course, you'll want to be sure the site is secure before handing over your credit card number.

With the vintage handbag's classic design, it will always be in style, no matter what the era. If you love to adopt a traditional look in this contemporary age, and prefer wearing something that makes you stand out from the modern trends, this style is for you. The vintage designs hold unfading popularity because of their classic and traditional approach.