Fashion Myth or Fact?
By Bridgette Raes
See how smart you are with the following Myth or Fact fashion quiz
#1- Myth or Fact- In order for pointy-toed shoes to be comfortable you have to buy them a half size larger.
Myth- I was watching the style channel where some style expert to this woman that when she buys pointy-toed shoes she should buy them a half size larger. I was stunned by this advice because it is completely untrue. Aside from being one of the biggest fans of the pointy-toed shoe, I also know that buying pointy-toed shoes too big can cause problems to your feet.
Firstly, I have never had to buy a pair of pointy-toed shoes a ½ size larger, nor have my clients. The secret to finding pointy-toed shoes that are comfortable is finding a shoe where the toe box is wide enough to hold your foot in comfortably. Secondly, if you buy a pair of pointy-toed shoes a ½ size larger you run the risk of your foot sliding forward every time you walk therefore running the risk of developing in-grown toenails and other foot problems from the constant rubbing back and forth.
#2- Myth or Fact- You should buy jeans and cotton or cotton pants with lycra a size smaller.
Fact- Well sort of, if you are on the smaller end of a particular size, or if you teeter between two sizes, you should definitely go for the smaller size. They may be a bit snug the first time you put them on, however within minutes the cotton in the pants will start to give a bit and will fit you much better. The alternative? If you buy a pair of pants with cotton in the content true to size or on the larger end of your size, by the end of the day they will be bagged out making you look sloppy, heavier than you really are, and very uncomfortable. When in the dressing room you find that a pair of pants are a bit slim or sitting right on you, buy them they will stretch out.
#3- Myth or Fact- Lavender is a great alternative to moth balls for clothing storage
Fact- Moth balls may effectively deter insects, but when they come in direct contact with clothing they can weaken dye in fabrics. We don’t recommend that you use moth balls especially if anyone in your house has breathing problems like asthma. Instead you can use lavender which is an excellent moth repellent and much better smelling. If you must use moth-balls, use 1 pound of moth balls per 100 cubic feet of storage space, which is about the size of an average closet.
#4- Myth of Fact- Lined pants are better quality than unlined pants
Myth- Most people think that pants that are lined are better made than pants that are unlined. Truth is that it costs more to produce unlined pants than lined pants. In an effort to cut corners and cost a lot of companies will line pants. Most lined pants don’t have cleaned seams which takes time to do, so by lining the pant they can skip this step. Also if the fabric is a really fine quality you won’t mind having the fabric up against your skin. So another reason for lining pants is because less expensive fabric would be unbearable against your skin. There are of course exceptions to the rule and sometimes even if the pants are well made they are still lined. Usually this is because even though the fabric is of high quality the weave of the pant fabric may be uncomfortable, or in other cases the pant fabric is very light in color which will end up being see through without the lining. You may find though that some better companies have lined pants regardless of whether or not the fabric is uncomfortable or see through. This is because the majority of people think that lined pants are better made and clothing companies have realized this, so instead of fighting the issue and losing sales they have instead decided to line them anyway. If you can’t beat them join them so to speak.
#5- Myth or Fact- Black and White is always right. It looks good on everyone
Myth- Someone I know once coined the phrase that black and white is always right. Truth is that she is wrong. It isn’t that the color black alone or the color white alone doesn’t look good on many people, it is the combination of the two together in either a stripe, a print, or just juxtaposed to one another that can look bad on many people. This is because when you put black and white next to each other it creates a very high contrast combination. In order to wear this much contrast in your wardrobe it would be best if the amount of contrast in your personal coloring, meaning the relationship between your hair skin and eyes, had the same amount of contrast. So in order for a black and white combination successfully you have to look like Snow White with very fair skin, very dark hair and very dark eyes. It is important when dressing that you pay mind to your own personal coloring and contrast level between our hair, skin, and eyes before you decide what level of contrast will be best in your clothing. What happens when you wear something that does not support your personal contrast level? Your clothes do not compliment you and if your coloring is much lower contrast, for example, your black and white combination can overpower you and drown you out, therefore you will have to work twice as hard to have people notice you. Now before all you Cinderellas go and throw out your bold black and white outfits, don’t panic. Just try not to wear them when you are giving a big presentation, or specifically when you would like people to see and hear you.
#6- Myth or Fact Perspriation alone causes white shirts to yellow
Myth- The stain/discoloration occurs when the fabric contains perspiration residue combined with deodorant buildup. As these chemicals remain on the fabric, they begin to turn yellow or brown in color, noticeable on white or beige fabrics. The heat of cleaning accelerates the staining and causes the stain to become set. So how can you get rid of these stains?For deodorant stains on the underarms of dry clean only fabricsDry cleaners have certain steps that are recommended to remove these stains. After deodorant buildup is removed, any yellowing or stiffness remaining is related to perspiration. After all removal methods are unsuccessful, the yellowish stain is due to aged perspiration which cannot be removed. Check with your dry cleaner to see if all recommended removal methods have been tried on your clothing article. However, the consumer must take some responsibility for the proper use of the deodorant and care of the clothing to avoid damage. See some suggestions for avoiding staining below.For deodorant stains on the underarms of washable shirts Sponge on white vinegar (or soak stain in it); wait 30 minutes. Launder shirts in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Using an enzyme detergent or a detergent with bleach alternative (check care labels to be sure this is okay). You can put liquid laundry detergent right on the area; leave it for five to ten minutes, then wash. To prevent this from happening in the first place, let deodorant dry before dressing and don't let stains sit! Apply prewash spray or liquid detergent ASAP, then launder. Every third or fourth washing, use the hottest water safe for the shirts.
Some tips on this from the Queen of Clean herself Linda Cobb-
After wearing a garment for the first time, prior to laundering, work in some warm water and Fels Naptha Soap, available in the bar soap section of your local supermarket (usually on the bottom shelf), into the underarm area. This will prevent the yellow stains from forming.If you have a garment that has only been worn once and odor is present, apply warm water to the area and work in Twenty Mule Team Borax, which is a very effective odor remover.If you already have stains, try dampening the fabric with warm water and working in laundry detergent and Biz Activated Non-Chlorine Bleach. Allow this mixture to soak into your garment about 30 minutes prior to laundering. You can also try heated white vinegar on existing stains. Spray it on the fabric, then work in Twenty Mule Team Borax. This is very effective on any odor or stain that might be present. If the color has changed in the fabric, try spraying with sudsy ammonia, let it sit about 15 minutes, then launder as usual.
#7- Myth or Fact A good solution for a blister is Chapstick?
Fact- My friend Cheryl suggested this one to me several years ago when she whipped out a tube of Chapstick from her handbag and instead of glossing it over her lips, she glossed it over a blister. Blisters are often caused from the friction caused from the rubbing back and forth of your foot in a shoe. By providing some lube with Chapstick, Vaseline, Aquaphor, or any other petroleum based product will ease the pain of an already surfaced blister, or help prevent one. I like the Chapstick idea because you can always throw a small tube in your makeup bag and whip it out when needed just like my friend Cheryl did.
#8- Myth or Fact- You can use your face shape to determine your most flattering necklines and jewelry shapes.
Fact- There are actually seven different face shapes: the oval, the square, oblong, pear, round, heart and diamond. Everyone is a one of these or a combination of two. The oval shaped face is considered the most balanced face shape and doesn’t need much to make it appear balanced. The other face shapes, while equally beautiful, require a bit of work to appear more balanced. If you want to balance your face shape or make it appear more oval, choose accessories and necklines that are the opposite to your face shape. If you want to enhance the shape of your face, let’s say for example, you have a very square shaped face, then you would wear necklines and jewelry in shapes of squares.
#9- Myth or Fact- Diagonal lines are slimming
Fact- The most slimming line to wear is one that is on the diagonal because of the optical illusion that is created. Keep in mind you don’t have to wear plaid skirts on the bias, you can choose garments with seams that are cut on the diagonal, jackets with pockets angled on the diagonal, angled hems and more. Anywhere a diagonal line is, you will appear slimmer looking.
#10- Myth or Fact- Dry Cleaning is hazardous for your health
Fact- Dry cleaning can be very hazardous to your health. Perchloroethylene, the chemical most widely used in dry cleaning, has been shown to cause cancer in animals.Recent studies indicate that people breathe low levels of this chemical in homes with dry-cleaned goods and as they wear dry-cleaned clothing. So keep exposure to dry cleaning chemicals at a minimum. Remove dry-cleaned garments from plastic bags and hang them outdoors to air out. If dry-cleaned garments have a strong chemical odor, return them to the cleaners to be properly processed. Promptly dispose of plastic bags.
Also, clothing does not have to be dry cleaned with every wear. You can wear a pair of pants or a jacket several times before dropping them off at the cleaners.
(c) 2005, Bridgette Raes Style Group
Sign up for our weekly newsletter at http://www.bridgetteraes.com/
See how smart you are with the following Myth or Fact fashion quiz
#1- Myth or Fact- In order for pointy-toed shoes to be comfortable you have to buy them a half size larger.
Myth- I was watching the style channel where some style expert to this woman that when she buys pointy-toed shoes she should buy them a half size larger. I was stunned by this advice because it is completely untrue. Aside from being one of the biggest fans of the pointy-toed shoe, I also know that buying pointy-toed shoes too big can cause problems to your feet.
Firstly, I have never had to buy a pair of pointy-toed shoes a ½ size larger, nor have my clients. The secret to finding pointy-toed shoes that are comfortable is finding a shoe where the toe box is wide enough to hold your foot in comfortably. Secondly, if you buy a pair of pointy-toed shoes a ½ size larger you run the risk of your foot sliding forward every time you walk therefore running the risk of developing in-grown toenails and other foot problems from the constant rubbing back and forth.
#2- Myth or Fact- You should buy jeans and cotton or cotton pants with lycra a size smaller.
Fact- Well sort of, if you are on the smaller end of a particular size, or if you teeter between two sizes, you should definitely go for the smaller size. They may be a bit snug the first time you put them on, however within minutes the cotton in the pants will start to give a bit and will fit you much better. The alternative? If you buy a pair of pants with cotton in the content true to size or on the larger end of your size, by the end of the day they will be bagged out making you look sloppy, heavier than you really are, and very uncomfortable. When in the dressing room you find that a pair of pants are a bit slim or sitting right on you, buy them they will stretch out.
#3- Myth or Fact- Lavender is a great alternative to moth balls for clothing storage
Fact- Moth balls may effectively deter insects, but when they come in direct contact with clothing they can weaken dye in fabrics. We don’t recommend that you use moth balls especially if anyone in your house has breathing problems like asthma. Instead you can use lavender which is an excellent moth repellent and much better smelling. If you must use moth-balls, use 1 pound of moth balls per 100 cubic feet of storage space, which is about the size of an average closet.
#4- Myth of Fact- Lined pants are better quality than unlined pants
Myth- Most people think that pants that are lined are better made than pants that are unlined. Truth is that it costs more to produce unlined pants than lined pants. In an effort to cut corners and cost a lot of companies will line pants. Most lined pants don’t have cleaned seams which takes time to do, so by lining the pant they can skip this step. Also if the fabric is a really fine quality you won’t mind having the fabric up against your skin. So another reason for lining pants is because less expensive fabric would be unbearable against your skin. There are of course exceptions to the rule and sometimes even if the pants are well made they are still lined. Usually this is because even though the fabric is of high quality the weave of the pant fabric may be uncomfortable, or in other cases the pant fabric is very light in color which will end up being see through without the lining. You may find though that some better companies have lined pants regardless of whether or not the fabric is uncomfortable or see through. This is because the majority of people think that lined pants are better made and clothing companies have realized this, so instead of fighting the issue and losing sales they have instead decided to line them anyway. If you can’t beat them join them so to speak.
#5- Myth or Fact- Black and White is always right. It looks good on everyone
Myth- Someone I know once coined the phrase that black and white is always right. Truth is that she is wrong. It isn’t that the color black alone or the color white alone doesn’t look good on many people, it is the combination of the two together in either a stripe, a print, or just juxtaposed to one another that can look bad on many people. This is because when you put black and white next to each other it creates a very high contrast combination. In order to wear this much contrast in your wardrobe it would be best if the amount of contrast in your personal coloring, meaning the relationship between your hair skin and eyes, had the same amount of contrast. So in order for a black and white combination successfully you have to look like Snow White with very fair skin, very dark hair and very dark eyes. It is important when dressing that you pay mind to your own personal coloring and contrast level between our hair, skin, and eyes before you decide what level of contrast will be best in your clothing. What happens when you wear something that does not support your personal contrast level? Your clothes do not compliment you and if your coloring is much lower contrast, for example, your black and white combination can overpower you and drown you out, therefore you will have to work twice as hard to have people notice you. Now before all you Cinderellas go and throw out your bold black and white outfits, don’t panic. Just try not to wear them when you are giving a big presentation, or specifically when you would like people to see and hear you.
#6- Myth or Fact Perspriation alone causes white shirts to yellow
Myth- The stain/discoloration occurs when the fabric contains perspiration residue combined with deodorant buildup. As these chemicals remain on the fabric, they begin to turn yellow or brown in color, noticeable on white or beige fabrics. The heat of cleaning accelerates the staining and causes the stain to become set. So how can you get rid of these stains?For deodorant stains on the underarms of dry clean only fabricsDry cleaners have certain steps that are recommended to remove these stains. After deodorant buildup is removed, any yellowing or stiffness remaining is related to perspiration. After all removal methods are unsuccessful, the yellowish stain is due to aged perspiration which cannot be removed. Check with your dry cleaner to see if all recommended removal methods have been tried on your clothing article. However, the consumer must take some responsibility for the proper use of the deodorant and care of the clothing to avoid damage. See some suggestions for avoiding staining below.For deodorant stains on the underarms of washable shirts Sponge on white vinegar (or soak stain in it); wait 30 minutes. Launder shirts in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Using an enzyme detergent or a detergent with bleach alternative (check care labels to be sure this is okay). You can put liquid laundry detergent right on the area; leave it for five to ten minutes, then wash. To prevent this from happening in the first place, let deodorant dry before dressing and don't let stains sit! Apply prewash spray or liquid detergent ASAP, then launder. Every third or fourth washing, use the hottest water safe for the shirts.
Some tips on this from the Queen of Clean herself Linda Cobb-
After wearing a garment for the first time, prior to laundering, work in some warm water and Fels Naptha Soap, available in the bar soap section of your local supermarket (usually on the bottom shelf), into the underarm area. This will prevent the yellow stains from forming.If you have a garment that has only been worn once and odor is present, apply warm water to the area and work in Twenty Mule Team Borax, which is a very effective odor remover.If you already have stains, try dampening the fabric with warm water and working in laundry detergent and Biz Activated Non-Chlorine Bleach. Allow this mixture to soak into your garment about 30 minutes prior to laundering. You can also try heated white vinegar on existing stains. Spray it on the fabric, then work in Twenty Mule Team Borax. This is very effective on any odor or stain that might be present. If the color has changed in the fabric, try spraying with sudsy ammonia, let it sit about 15 minutes, then launder as usual.
#7- Myth or Fact A good solution for a blister is Chapstick?
Fact- My friend Cheryl suggested this one to me several years ago when she whipped out a tube of Chapstick from her handbag and instead of glossing it over her lips, she glossed it over a blister. Blisters are often caused from the friction caused from the rubbing back and forth of your foot in a shoe. By providing some lube with Chapstick, Vaseline, Aquaphor, or any other petroleum based product will ease the pain of an already surfaced blister, or help prevent one. I like the Chapstick idea because you can always throw a small tube in your makeup bag and whip it out when needed just like my friend Cheryl did.
#8- Myth or Fact- You can use your face shape to determine your most flattering necklines and jewelry shapes.
Fact- There are actually seven different face shapes: the oval, the square, oblong, pear, round, heart and diamond. Everyone is a one of these or a combination of two. The oval shaped face is considered the most balanced face shape and doesn’t need much to make it appear balanced. The other face shapes, while equally beautiful, require a bit of work to appear more balanced. If you want to balance your face shape or make it appear more oval, choose accessories and necklines that are the opposite to your face shape. If you want to enhance the shape of your face, let’s say for example, you have a very square shaped face, then you would wear necklines and jewelry in shapes of squares.
#9- Myth or Fact- Diagonal lines are slimming
Fact- The most slimming line to wear is one that is on the diagonal because of the optical illusion that is created. Keep in mind you don’t have to wear plaid skirts on the bias, you can choose garments with seams that are cut on the diagonal, jackets with pockets angled on the diagonal, angled hems and more. Anywhere a diagonal line is, you will appear slimmer looking.
#10- Myth or Fact- Dry Cleaning is hazardous for your health
Fact- Dry cleaning can be very hazardous to your health. Perchloroethylene, the chemical most widely used in dry cleaning, has been shown to cause cancer in animals.Recent studies indicate that people breathe low levels of this chemical in homes with dry-cleaned goods and as they wear dry-cleaned clothing. So keep exposure to dry cleaning chemicals at a minimum. Remove dry-cleaned garments from plastic bags and hang them outdoors to air out. If dry-cleaned garments have a strong chemical odor, return them to the cleaners to be properly processed. Promptly dispose of plastic bags.
Also, clothing does not have to be dry cleaned with every wear. You can wear a pair of pants or a jacket several times before dropping them off at the cleaners.
(c) 2005, Bridgette Raes Style Group
Sign up for our weekly newsletter at http://www.bridgetteraes.com/
posted by Unknown @ 8:32 AM
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