Archive for July, 2008

The Big, the Buxom, and the Beautiful - A Celebration of the Plus Size Figure

Friday, July 25th, 2008

These days, we’re indoctrinated into thinking that thin is beautiful, and that waifs like Niomi Campbell and Victoria Beckham have the perfect figure.

Yet, history shows that it’s actually big girls that men find most attractive. In Medieval times, Renaissance artists celebrated the fuller figure as an object of beauty, particularly if it Discount Boys Clothes an ample tummy or a big bottom; and during WW2, American bomber crews painted beautiful (plus sized) “blonde bombshells” on their aeroplanes for good luck.

Perhaps the greatest celebration of the plus size woman lies in the the great Hollywood era, when busty actresses, such as Jayne Mansfield, were snapped up by studios, more for their buxom features than their acting abilities. Film studios knew then what most men still believe now, that the “hour glass figure”, of large breasts and big hips, is the ultimate feminine figure.

Decades after her untimely death, buxom beauty Marylyn Monroe, a definite plus size by today’s standards, can still hold her own even against today’s Playboy pinups. And who can forget the late, and gloriously plus sized, Diana Dors, still oozing sex appeal at age 49, in Adam Ant’s “Prince Charming” video.

So, what are we missing? What is it that makes these plus size women attractive?

The answer is confidence.

Rather than seeing themselves as inferior, these women looked on themselves as positively superior, and regarded their size as an asset, not a hindrance. And why should they not? Perhaps the late great Freddy Mercury was right, maybe “fat bottomed girls” really Discount Mens Clothes make the rocking world go round:

“I’ve been singing with my band Across the water, across the land, I seen ev’ry blue eyed floozy on the way, hey But their beauty and their style Wear kind of smooth after a while. Take me to them lardy ladies every time!”

British television viewers certainly seem to agree with this. Comedy actress Dawn French is still considered one of Britain’s sexiest celebrities, and in 2006, plus size TV presenter, Fearn Britton was voted one of the TV’s most desirable women!

So, let’s stop worrying about those emaciated, liposuctioned skeletons we see in the glossy magazines. Men are not nearly as fascinated by them as we might think. Cheap Mens Clothes we should make the best of what we have, not what we don’t have.

If a woman has confidence, big really can be beautiful, but a lack of confidence will kill her sex appeal a lot sooner than any big bum. It’s inner beauty that counts, not physical size.

The golden rule is: if you feel attractive, you’ll be attractive.

Besides, look at it this way: a woman with big hips and a big bust is already half way to that celebrated “hour glass” figure. Any half decent corset will pull in the rest..

If you would like to see how the fuller figure can look fabulously desirable, visit: http://www.feminines-lingerie.co.uk/fullfigured/full16.php

The Basic Rules of Men’s Clothing

Thursday, July 24th, 2008

According to Mark Twain, “Clothes do make the man; naked people have very little Fashiondesignersbiography3952 on the world.” If Twain Howtomakeareceivingblanket3282 right, and he usually was, then gentlemen need to dress carefully. Details will vary depending on your profession, your locale and the attitudes of whatever group is hosting the event, but there are Clothesfree7374 few almost universal rules to being properly dressed. They’re easy to learn and to follow, and they are important.

Half a century ago, more formal attire was the standard: A tuxedo was called a dinner jacket because you didn’t go out for dinner without one. A man wore his three-piece business suit to the baseball Biographiesfamousfashiondesigners2562 football stadium because it was a status symbol — wearing suits was a right to be earned, and those who earned it showed off their accomplishment. More casual is the modern rule, and that makes it more important to know what to wear and when to wear it. Today’s menswear falls into a few basic categories:

Formal

Formal still means tuxedos; formal events are rare in most people’s lives, Newbornjordanshoes1126 than as part of a wedding party, but they still happen. If you have more than one or two per year, buy a tux, you’ll save a boatload of money over renting. Also, be aware there is a difference between ‘black tie’ and ‘white tie’ (and it isn’t the tie): Black tie means a tuxedo; the tie and cummerbund (or waistcoat) colors are wearer’s choice, as long as they match. White tie events no average person ever gets invited to attend. It means a white tie, white waistcoat and formal jacket with tails (top hat and cane optional).

Semi-formal

Opinions vary, but semi-formal really means a business suit with a dress shirt and necktie. You might see others in blazer and slacks at semi-formal events. This is acceptable, but, if you dress correctly, not acceptably, you will definitely get favorable reviews. Dress shoes are a must.

Business

Business dress varies by company; suits are still expected in many companies and by some professions; blazer (or sport jacket) and dress slacks with dress shirt and tie are acceptable in most places. Business casual, meaning dress slacks and a polo shirt (with sleeves and collar and, ideally, a fancy name-brand logo), is gaining wide acceptance. Dress shoes are preferred; some companies are okay with athletic shoes. Some companies are also okay with extremely casual dress.

Casual

Casual means whatever the host or boss says it means. That can be khakis, polo shirt and loafers or shorts, tank top and sandals. Know your host and you won’t embarrass yourself.

Specialty

Uniforms, work clothes, sleepwear, etc. This catch-all category can be pretty fluid: Specific sports are using more specialized clothing. Many men wear work uniforms outside the jobsite. Scrubs or hoodies and sweatpants are commonly worn in place of pajamas. This is truly the wear-what-you-like arena, unless there’s a good reason to wear something specific.

General tips

If you don’t care what people think, wear whatever. If a restaurant refuses you service because you’re in denim jeans, leather jacket or a pullover, you probably wouldn’t enjoy eating there anyway. If you want a career as a lawyer, banker or politician, pick up several men’s suits, some silk ties and a closet full of dress shirts, including several white ones. You won’t get far without them.

The basic rules are simple: Dress to the event, dress to the location, follow the leader (your host, employer, etc.). It is not about ‘the right’ clothes, it’s about courtesy and the group dynamic, both of which are important. Being properly dressed is a statement that you know what is going on, that you are part of the group, and that you want to be taken seriously (even if the group is the Association of Clowns, Jokers and Court Jesters).

Men’s clothing fabrics

Acrylic, Nylon, Polyester, Rayon, etc.: Synthetic fibers are easier to clean, but mostly lack the durability or appearance of naturals. The double-knit leisure suit is a nightmare from which some of us may never wake up, but new synthetics are vastly superior to those of a generation ago and some weaves come close to the quality and appearance of natural fibers.

Blends: Wool-polyester blends, silk-wool and silk-linen blends lower costs without significantly reducing quality.

Cotton: A natural fiber which, overall, makes the best dress shirts; used for all types of men’s clothing from boxer shorts to robes to cargo pants. Cotton wrinkles easily, though some new weaves are treated to be no-iron. (Still, a regular touch-up is recommended.)

Leather and suede: Animal skins treated to resist rot and shrinkage, full-grain leather means the whole hide, it’s the thickest, most durable and best looking option. Leather jackets can be styled just like a sport jacket or express the rebellious fringes of the 1960s. Motorcycling without a leather vest is just wrong; leather pants should be limited by law to Hollywood actors and rock-n-roll stars under age 60.

Linen: A natural fiber from the flax plant; stronger, stiffer and more lustrous than cotton; traditional in tropical weight business suits and good for shirts. Linen also wrinkles easily, but a little extra care is a small price to pay for a fine shirt.

Microfibers: A new class of synthetics, spun thinner than silk, they approach the look and feel of natural fibers at much lower cost and the weave is so tight they are very close to waterproof.

Silk: The finest natural fabric — spun on the looms of the gods, according to legend — nothing comes close in luster, warmth, strength or durability for any article of clothing. Unfortunately, it is also the most expensive and difficult to maintain. For the average man, pure silk is best limited to ties.

Spandex: A synthetic fiber most known for its elastic quality; very Cheapbabyitems2307 in fitness gear and superhero costumes.

Wool: The hair of certain animals; varies in grade from good to heavenly. The best affordable suits are 100-percent virgin wool. Some wools are of such quality they are never just called wool: alpaca from the South American alpaca, angora from the Angora rabbit, cashmere from the Kashmir sheep and mohair from the Angora goat. Every gentleman’s wardrobe should include a camel hair blazer — from the Bactrian (two-hump) camel.

Men’s clothing care

Shirts, pants, coats, pajamas, etc, are all designed for specific uses; use it to its design — wear business apparel at work, formal wear at parties, sports apparel at the game (playing, not watching!) and casual apparel for everything else.

In general, wools and silks should be dry cleaned and pressed; cotton and linen can be Juicycouturewholesale7675 washed (except for suits) and ironed afterwards; many synthetics are wash-n-wear; leather should be hand cleaned gently with leather cleaner or taken to a professional.

Common men’s clothing questions

Do men ever even notice other men’s clothing?
Yes, especially bosses thinking about promotions. No joke, many think that if you care enough about the details of your clothing to do it right, you’ll probably care enough about the details of the business to do it right.

How do I know it will fit?
Know your size before you make any purchases. Any good clothing store will measure you, even if you don’t buy from them. Sizing guides help you determine your shirts, pants and blazer sizes, so you can buy with confidence. Since very few people are ‘average,’ you may need slight alterations with some pieces due to your individual body measurements. The better clothing stores all have an in-house tailor who will adjust your clothing free if you bought it there, for a small fee if you didn’t.

What colors go together?
That depends on taste. Black, white and gray match everything. Some men won’t wear suits at all unless they are black, gray or dark blue. Brown is widely accepted for business suits, green and other colors are not. Some people won’t wear browns and blues together. The more casual the style, the more freedom you have with colors.

What never looks good?
Clothes that don’t fit — too tight, too baggy, long sleeves that don’t reach the wrist, long pants that don’t touch the shoes.
Colors that don’t match Imitationdesignerbags7771 some shades of the same color).
Brown dress shoes with anything except brown or khaki pants.
White socks with dress shoes.
Dress shoes, black socks and shorts, except in Bermuda.
Combovers.
If you’ve graduated from college, anything you wore in high school.

Final thought: “My best suit.”

Every man should have one complete suit — including shirt and tie — kept exclusively for weddings, funerals, executive interviews, court appearances, IRS audits and other serious occasions. Wear it, get it professionally clean and pressed (shirt included), put it back in a garment bag and don’t wear it again until the next life-altering event. These are the times you need the best to look your best, so find yourself a good sale, make the investment in yourself and don’t worry about price.

Phoenix Roberts has been a journalist, freelance writer and desktop publisher for over 10 years. His articles have appeared in local, regional and national publications and he’s worked for numerous corporate, community and political clients. Among his pre-journalism jobs, he sold menswear for one of New York’s major clothiers. Presently, he is an SEO Content Writer for Internet discount retailer Overstock.com (http://www.overstock.com)
(C)2008 Overstock.com–All Rights Reserved.

Tips for Plus Size Evening Gowns

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008

When it comes to plus size evening wear, do you know what to look for when picking out an evening dress? Plus size women want to look sexy, stylish and red hot sizzling! More and more designers are getting in touch with the ways of the modern women and the latest clothing trends are reflecting this. This is very good news for plus size women who for many years have been disappointed with the lack of decent choices for women who are large boned and sensuously curvaceous. Today’s more liberal minded designers are creating evening wear for plus size women that are elegant and glamorous.

Here are some things that you should Consider.

Before you begin your search, make sure you have the specifics correct as to what the host plans for the evening. The event will tell you the type and style of dress you should be looking for. There are multitudes of outfits in your size under the general heading “evening wear”, so you need to limit the field by picking only among the items that would be appropriate.

Invitations make people very nervous as it is, but showing up at a formal black tie or semi formal social occasion in a dress that isn’t right is called disaster. If you aren’t sure, always ask for clarification - no plus size woman wants to break this kind of fashion faux pas. Your great looking floor length gown befitting Cinderella may look elegant to you, but not if everyone else is wearing a cocktail dress.

As a general rule, a social event that takes place after 6 p.m. calls for a more formal type of dress. The good news for all you plus size fashionistas is that your choices for evening wear are neither strict nor conventional these days. The woman who is going to attend a formal event has so many alternatives for evening wear that there is no excuse for her to not let her personality shine through when she chooses a dress to wear. Floor length halter dresses, sheath dresses, dresses that have a jacket and off-the-shoulder dresses are all good examples of the kind of evening dresses that are suitable to wear for those occasions that take place after the sun goes down.

Deciding what kind of fabric you want your evening dress to be made of is an important step. For example, most plus size evening dresses have synthetic material which is very inexpensive and can’t afford to spend more. You can also buy an evening dress made from nylon or body skimming jersey or even wool crepe. Similar materials will work just as well. Finding a particular fabric that complements your womanly curves rather than hiding them allows your evening dress to look great on your body for whatever the occasion may be.

Andrea writes about Plus Size Clothing. Shop with us for plus size deals on Plus Size Evening Gowns at http://plus-size.discountsonline.com

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Latest Punk Clothing

Monday, July 21st, 2008

Are you ready to put a different type of style into your life? If you are into punk clothing is going to be the type of clothing that will fit your style. for the cuts, the off the shoulder looks, and the inclusion of leather in your clothing, punk clothing is going to set your style, set you out from the crowd, and put you in the scene you want to be in.

Every era is accompanied by a fashion trend and the 80’s are one of them. This is because it was during the 80’s when the world saw very distinct fashion trends. Some of these include the popularity of black and white striped shirts and shirts with floral prints in the 80’s, which recently have also made a comeback, especially among punk rock artists. Another example is the recent popularity of big earrings, belts and other accessories, which were also distinct to the 80?s, which are used to make the people wearing them stand out.

From designers like Vivienne Westwood, who helped to influence the punk fashion at the time. Such as famous punk icons, like the Ramones. From tattered tees, vulgar clothing, simple things such as the anarchy symbols, controversial images, studded jackets, and patches were all the rage.

About ten years later, the punk scene became revolutionized. The shock factor became more important, as combat boots became the footwear of choice among the majority. Plaid skirts, tatter jeans, and heavy chains began to adorn the bodies of punks around the world. Punks of all ages began to turn the heat up on their already loud hair styles. Mohawks, liberty spikes, piercing and tattoos became the norm.

Punk clothing uses a look that includes what some people feel is a sexy, sleek, and wild look. Not everyone is going to dress in a suit and tie for work, and if you are not in that group, consider punk clothing to set your mood for fun all day and all night long. Punk clothing is based on the use of tight corsets, tight clothing, leathers, the look of chains and an overall style that is different from many other types of designers and styles that are available.

Tomer shiri is currently working as an expert author for Yaguza.com. He writes for punk fashion and provides advices on such issues. For more details including punk rock clothes, rockabilly clothing, emo fashion accessories, wholesale punk cloths at lower rates visit http://www.yaguza.com

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The Australian Ugg Boots Phenomenon

Monday, July 21st, 2008

Ugg boots. Aussie souvenir gifts, winter sheepskin boots, fashionable Australian sheepskin footwear. Call them what you will, they’re the fashion accessory that you will never grow out of, that you’ll wear more than your trusty faded denim jeans, and that your feet will love you for.

So what are ugg boots, and why are they becoming so popular around the world? In case you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t got a pair, here’s a brief history of the Australian fashion phenomenon that is ugg boots.

The exact history of how these Australian winter sheepskin boots came about is lost in the mists of time. What is known is that they’ve been worn by Australians since European settlers first arrived on the huge island continent and discovered that their cold feet could best be warmed by sheepskin footwear. Whoever the first person was to don a pair, he or she started an Aussie fashion trend that would be perpetually enduring.

Australians love the outdoor lifestyle, and Aussie surfers and beach lovers have been wearing winter sheepskin footwear for well over fifty years on the beach, as a way of keeping their feet warm whilst out of the water.

The name ugg boots is derived from that famous Aussie tradition of lovingly abbreviating every common usage term, and it was only a short skip from “ugly boots” to seriously “ugg boots”. Ugly as they were perceived at the time compared to more traditional wear, there was no beating these Australian uggs boots for warmth and comfort.

Until recent times, Australian ugg boots, or “Australian uggs” as they are sometimes endearingly referred to, were one of the world’s best kept secrets, used by those in the know down under. How the rest of the world started getting in on the action is somewhat debated, but one of the most commonly held beliefs is that they were popularised by Baywatch star, Pamela Anderson, when she kept her feet warm on set by wearing a pair of Australian ugg boots. Since then, tens of thousands of people around the world have bought pairs of uggs, whether it be as Aussie souvenir gifts, fashion statement, or most commonly, for their pure comfort and enjoyment.

Whether or not ugg boots will become as synonymous with the Australian lifestyle and culture as other Australian symbols such as the kangaroo, the didgeridoo and Vegemite sandwiches is yet to be seen, but one thing is for sure, this is one Australian lifestyle accessory that the rest of the world is loving as much as Australians do.

David Malan is an internet and e-commerce expert with over ten years experience in designing and developing enterprise grade online solutions for business.

He owns and runs RealmSurfer Consulting, based in Perth, Western Australia.

Website: Web Design Perth
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Skirts And Their Uses

Friday, July 18th, 2008

A skirt is one of the most important garments a girl should have, and only girls are supposed to wear. It is a tube or cone shaped clothing that is worn from the waist down.

In its barest form, a skirt can be a single piece of clothing that is worn from the waist down. Some skirts are usually made out of materials that range from light to mid weight, and with fabrics like denim, poplin, worsted and jersey. If you have a thin skirt, you usually would have to wear a slip to make it less transparent and see through. The hemline of your skirt would depend on what is trendy this season, it may be as low as your ankles, or it may go way up to your upper thigh.

Skirts lengths vary depending on the season’s trend. During the medieval times, they wore skirts way longer than her ankles, while during the 1960s, miniskirts were so in that the miniskirts barely covered the girl’s underwear.

Skirts may be worn as an alternative to trousers. They can be worn to keep women warm during the cooler climates. For most, skirts are worn to show their feminine side.

Are there any disadvantages to wearing a skirt? Most women would complain that they are too long or that they become too bulky. Others complain that they are prevented to do some physical activities like exercise or climbing up ladders. Or most women are afraid to wear skirts during windy weather or when they want to pick up something, because their underwear might accidentally show.

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Getting the Best Deals on Discount Designer Clothes

Friday, July 18th, 2008

There isn’t anything any woman likes more than finding a great bargain on fashion. I always look for discount designer clothes and discount designer shoes when I shop. My friends are always amazed at women’s causal clothing bargains I’ve found. I own several fake designer handbags, and my friends think they’re real. It’s easier than you think to find deals.

My husband is right. I’m a shopping fool, whether online or in the store or through a catalog I always seem to be looking. But one thing he doesn’t give me credit for is that I always shop for discount designer clothes.

I’m talking about designers like Stella McCartney, Catherine Malandrino and my favorite Missoni. I just bought a fabulous Missoni wrap dress at 50% off, yes, 50% off! There are a lot of discount designer clothing buys to be had out there, you just need to know where to look and when to look.

When I bought a new Longitude women’s swimsuit I got it at 30% off.I found a fabulous and flattering Carol Wior swimsuit at the end of the season last year that looked great on me this year. When I look for fitness clothes I always look for bargains too. I have found Champion and Fila women’s fitness clothes at great discounts.

Ah, my fake designer handbags, my absolutely favorite things. I’ve a Fendi Spy bag, and a Balenciaga Motorcycle bag, and a Chloe Paddington. The next fake designer handbag I’m planning to buy is a Louis Vuitton Monogram Denim Cruise Mini Pleaty. I always look for what are called mirror handbags, which are exact replicas. Absolutely no one knows that these bags are fake designer handbags, and I don’t tell!

I also buy designer replica sunglasses. With the price of plastic designer sunglasses in the $300-$500 range there is no way I’d buy the real thing. I’d rather buy designer replica sunglasses or designer inspired sunglasses and save hundreds of dollars. I also have to wear reading glasses, so I play with them too. I love buying designer reading glasses of all different shapes and colors and use them to further accessorize my wardrobe.

Along with always buying discount designer clothes I buy discount designer shoes. Imagine finding Christian Louboutin at half price, or Jimmy Choo at 40% off. Amazing. Since I buy more classic then trendy clothing and shoes I buy at the end of season. Since I choose more classic clothing and shoes my discount designer clothes and discount designer shoes never go out of style!

Catherine Olivia owns and operates http://www.women-daily.com Guide To Womens Fashion

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Urban and Hip Hop Style Baby Clothes

Wednesday, July 16th, 2008

Urban styles are all the rage these days. And if you are an urban mom or dad, you probably want to make sure your baby is always dressed in the latest urban fashions too. Luckily, urban baby clothes are widely available! No more run-of-the-mill or boring baby attire, you and your little one can hit the city streets, subway, dog park, or shopping district in clothing that is appropriate, functional, and individualistic.

One really fun option in baby clothes is hoodies, jackets and urban tops. This selection in urban baby clothes creates very functional styles, and will keep your baby warm as you trek around doing city errands. But they are also very stylish! For a truly urban look, layer long sleeves under short sleeves, or hoodies with thermals. The best part is about this look is its versatility. You can put this style on a boy or girl and pair it with almost any other clothing items in your child’s wardrobe!

One of the most popular urban looks is cargo wear. Items such as cargo pants and shorts and cargo dresses and skirts are always trendy for city style. This look also easily translates to urban baby clothes. You use cargo pockets to tote your cell phone, iPod, and just about everything else. Imagine tiny cargo pockets throughout your little one’s wardrobe too! This look is great for babies of all ages. You can put these items on your newborn or toddler and take it through the school years as well!

The right urban baby clothes also include great accessories. Layering items such as tights, knee socks, and tank tops can take your baby through the seasons. Urban hats, gloves, and other cold weather wear are a must for mom’s and dad’s who spend a lot of time outdoors. And don’t forget cool urban shoes! Sneakers, flats, and boots will complete your little one’s perfectly urban wardrobe!

Shopping for baby apparel & kids clothing? The baby clothing industry today is vast and caters to every taste. Add style to your baby with a designer t-shirt, a hat with a catchy phrase or a funky diaper bag. We carry Gothic baby clothes, rock n roll children’s t-shirts & punk baby onesies.

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Sustainable Organic Textiles

Tuesday, July 15th, 2008

In this article I have decided to look behind some of the hype about organic textiles and their sustainability and find the materials which are truly sustainable and eco friendly. Global awareness of the real price of clothing is growing and consumers are pushing for more eco friendly apparel. There are more reported cases of people experiencing health problems such as rashes, allergies, respiratory problems and difficulties with focusing mentally due to chemical sensitivities and many have found organic clothing to be helpful in reducing exposure to the vast amount of toxic chemicals we are unknowingly exposed to on a daily basis.

COTTON

Cotton is a wonderful fibre for making clothes but it is now recognized that conventionally grown cotton causes great harm both to the environment and to workers with its extensive use of pesticides and insecticides which cause ill health to people coming into contact with the chemicals and widespread pollution by soaking into water tables. Organic cotton is grown without chemicals and therefore does no harm to either environment or workers but is necessarily more labour intensive and furthermore fields must be free of chemicals for three years before the crop can be certified organic. There have been huge global increases in the demand for organic cotton and the problem now facing farmers is producing enough to meet the demand. LaRhea Pepper of Organic Exchange says” In order to encourage long term economically sustainable sources of organic fibre we need to be willing to discuss and implement models that acknowledge the value of the product from the farm gate and continuing right down the supply chain”.

HEMP

Hemp really does seem to be one of the good guys. It has many excellent properties being environmentally positive with no need of pesticides and insecticides it actually improves soil where it is grown. It is drought resistant and can be grown in most climates. Textiles can also be processed from the fibrous stalks without the use of toxic chemicals and because it does not require high technology to process it is ideal to be processed locally increasing local employment and saving transport costs and pollution. Hemp has been used to make clothing for thousands of years and it is in recent times that it has become controversial. Cannabis is produced from hemp and growing hemp in the United States is illegal but it is produced in Europe and Asia and is now legal in Canada. It would seem a great pity not to utilize this highly sustainable textile.

BAMBOO

Bamboo is a material whose luxurious softness has been compared to cashmere. As a plant it is fast growing and highly sustainable and is mainly naturally organic. It does not require replanting after harvest but will regenerate from its vast root structure. Bamboo helps to improve soil quality and helps rebuild eroded soil.

There are two ways of manufacturing bamboo mechanically or chemically. The mechanical way involves crushing the woody parts of the plant and then using natural enzymes to break it down into a mush so that the natural fibres can be mechanically combed out and spun into yarn. Bamboo produced by this method is sometimes called ‘bamboo linen’. However very little bamboo linen is manufactured for clothing because this method is labour intensive and costly. Bamboo fabric for clothing is mainly produced by chemical manufacturing which involves cooking the leaves and shoots in strong chemical solvents sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide in a process called hydrolysis alkalization combined with bleaching. Both these chemicals have been linked to health problems. Low levels can cause tiredness, headaches and nerve damage. Carbon disulfide has been blamed for neural disorders in workers at rayon manufacturers. Because of health problems associated with this manufacturing method and damage to the environment it is considered neither sustainable nor environmentally supportable. The good news is that other newer manufacturing methods have been developed and are more benign and environmentally friendly. Bamboo fabrics can be produced without any chemical additives but ensure that it is eco certified look for Oeko-Tex, Soil Association, SKAL, KRAV or similar organic or sustainable certification body.

SOYA

This fabric is renowned for its softness, comfort, luster and drape combined with wash ability and durability. It is more expensive than organic cotton or hemp at this time and is seen as a new luxury product. One of the positives being talked about is the fact that the cloth is produced from a by product of food manufacturing of the Soya bean. Some Soya has organic certification but it is a small percentage.

My research did not lead me to anything very positive about the growing of soy but I fully acknowledge that there may be additional facts that I did not discover. Soy has been very aggressively grown with GM seeds in Argentina which has embraced GM culture. Crops were treated with glyphosphate during the growing season and a mono culture developed as other crops were driven off both by low prices and contamination from soy farmers spraying. New weeds resistant to glyphosphate are now prolific and further chemicals namely gramoxone(paraquat) and gesaprim(atrazine) have been introduced prior to planting. These practices are causing damage to stock and plants in neighbouring farms.In less than decade soya farming has driven people off the land, created serious ecological and agronomic imbalances, destroyed food security and led to dependence on technology controlled by a handful of multi national companies. I would suggest that before buying Soya fabrics it would be wise to check its credentials and whether it is certified organic.

If you want to hear more about organic cotton visit http://www.sonesuk.com
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Clothing Shopping

Monday, July 14th, 2008

Clothing with writing on, logos, ripped bits, any sort of ‘worn’ styling, too flared, too tight, too baggy, I can’t stand. I like stuff that fits slightly more tightly than regular and neutral colors. I don’t like making statements through what I wear, except understatements, if you know what I mean.

It doesn’t help either that I don’t like shopping on the high street. It’s busy man. Real bustling, noisy, hot and bothered busy on those streets. And once you get into the shops it’s even busier, noisier and nastier than outside. Every time I try and buy even a pack of socks more often than not I’ll bail out amidst the cacophony of modern 21st Century consumerism and head home for the tranquility and peacefulness of shopping for clothes online.

Once I even went into a clothes shop to get measured then went home and ordered a pair of jeans online from the same company that measured me, because I just didn’t have the time or inclination to queue amongst the melee.

Until I can afford my own personal Bond street tailor the web is my shopping mall when it comes to clothes. Why? Because it means I can, in the comfort of my own home, (importantly) find those clothes I like (you know, without silly slogans on, frilly bits, etc) and browse through without the worry of getting shouldered by some over-zealous mother dragging her screaming kids down the clothing aisle.

Shopping online for clothes is fun and easy. Rather than worrying about getting out of the shop into the fresh air, you are in a conducive environment for making rational decisions, rather than the environment that dictates: ‘it’s 5 minutes until the store closes, better get something, anything, otherwise it’s been a wasted trip to the busy and overcrowded shops.’

All you really need to know is what size you are, and even if something is too big or too small, most online clothes shops have easy to understand and helpful returns policies.

Apart from having to wait a little bit longer to get your clothes that you’ve bought online - often deliveries will be just the next day - shopping for clothes online is miles more convenient and tons less stressful.

For me it’s almost a victory over the clothing products that I dislike, and the shops that stock them. Getting label-less clothing seems like a marathon effort when you’re in the high street. There’s a kind of perverse monopoly on style. But online there is a garment democracy, because someone somewhere is making and selling the types of clothes you like.

Be it boxer shorts, denim jeans or cotton shirts - even organic and fair-trade clothing - I can find them so easily on the web. Given that most online clothes stores are UK based and are easy to reach by telephone or email if you need more information, I am sometimes surprised that I even bother to go to the high street.

Maybe I secretly like being shoved around by irate weekend shoppers; although somehow I doubt it.

Sarah Maple uses Shopping.com to compare lingerie prices and find new and exciting products.

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